EL RANCHITO FOOD MARKET

Name: EL RANCHITO FOOD MARKET
Address: 3334 NW BLITCHTON RD, OCALA, FL, 34475, US
Rating: 66.3

3334 NW BLITCHTON RD, OCALA, FL 34475

License #5203203

🌮 Mexican/Latin ℹ️

66.3 Grade F / 100

Failing Health Score

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Latest inspection

February 12, 2026 · 11 findings · 2 critical

Routine - Food

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Major

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Minor

Usually lower-risk context.

Quick take

EL RANCHITO FOOD MARKET in OCALA currently holds an InspectFL Health Score of 66.3 out of 100 — an F grade — a serious pattern of repeat or critical violations. This restaurant has been inspected 6 times from Florida DBPR, with the most recent inspection on February 12, 2026. Across those visits, inspectors documented 64 total violations — 15 critical, 17 major, 32 minor.

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The latest inspection on February 12, 2026 shows 11 observation rows: 2 critical, 3 major, and 6 minor.

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Inspector notes

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Community reaction

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Would you eat here?

EL RANCHITO FOOD MARKET has a rough inspection history. Would you risk it?

F record

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*Scores are calculated by InspectFL based on public DBPR inspection data and are not official state ratings.

Inspection timeline

Inspection History

Read the newest inspection first, then scan for patterns. Repeated high-priority findings matter more than one isolated bad day.

Critical Major Minor

Inspector notes are being added across all restaurants. Some inspections may only show violation codes until notes are available.

Disposition: Warning Issued
[14-01-5] Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Bowl in macaroni salad. Removed.
[12B-07-4] Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Opened water bottle on prep table. Moved during this inspection.
[33-19-4] Garbage on the ground and/or pad around dumpster. Loose trash on ground around dumpster.
[31B-04-4] No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees. Hand wash sink in back prep area. Hand wash sink near walk in cooler.
[33-16-4] Open dumpster lid. Two lids open on dumpster.
[42-03-5] Storage of maintenance equipment/tools in areas that may result in cross contamination of food, equipment, utensils, linens and/or single-service and single-use articles. Screw driver on shelf over single service items. Moved during this inspection.
[28-12-4] Establishment operating with changed menu and/or increased seating without septic system approval for such change. Operating with 26 seats.
[08A-20-5] Raw animal foods not properly separated from each other in holding unit based upon minimum required cooking temperature. Pan of raw beef on shelf over pan of raw pork. Moved during this inspection.
[31A-11-4] Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Spatula in hand washing sink. Removed during this inspection.
[51-16-7] No plan review submitted and approved - renovations were made or are in progress. Must submit plans and plan review application to DBPR H and R Plan Review office located at 2601 Blair Stone Rd., Tallahassee, FL 32399-1011. Plans must be submitted AND approved within 60 days. The direct link to the Plan Review page is https://www2.myfloridalicense.com/hotels-restaurants/licensing/plan-review/. Prep area and steam table added with no approved plan review.
[27-16-4] Water with a temperature of least 85 degrees Fahrenheit not provided/shut off at employee handwash sink. Hand wash sink in kitchen has water at 74F.

Disposition: Emergency order recommended
[14-01-5] Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Cup used to scoop macaroni in container on cook line prep table lower shelf.
[36-37-5] Ceiling not smooth, nonabsorbent and easily cleanable in food preparation, food storage, or warewashing areas. Ceiling tiles on cook line.
[24-05-4] Clean glasses, cups, bowls, plates, pots and pans not stored inverted or in a protected manner. Pitcher stored above cook line three compartment sink. Spoons on buffet line.
[35A-03-4] Dead roaches on premises. One dead roach on floor in back storage room.
[33-14-4] Dumpster overflowing garbage. In front parking area.
[12B-07-4] Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Employee drink on prep table behind serving counter.
[08B-49-4] Employee personal food not properly identified and segregated from food to be served to the public. Employee bottle of Sprite in cook line reach-in cooler.
[40-06-5] Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Employees hats on shelf above kitchen prep table.
[14-11-5] Equipment in poor repair. Gasket for reach-in cooler across from cook line.
[51-09-4] Establishment did not report seating change that affects the license fee, Clean Indoor Air Act, sewage system approval or other related requirements. Establishment licensed as a non seating establishment. Establishment has 29 seats. Provided seating change evaluation form.
[35B-08-4] Fly sticky tape hanging over food/food preparation area/food-contact equipment. Fly sticky tape above prep table across from back door.
[08B-38-4] Food stored on floor. Cooking oil stored on floor in front of prep table across from cook line.
[14-13-4] Food-contact surface not smooth and easily cleanable. Shelves in storage room. Wooden cutting board in kitchen.
[36-24-5] Hole in or other damage to wall. Walls in closet next to back door.
[35B-06-4] Insect control device used to electrocute or stun insects not designed to retain insect within the device. Establishment utilizing fly zapping paddle at buffet table.
[38-07-4] Lights in food preparation, food storage or warewashing area missing the proper shield, sleeve coatings or covers. Light fixtures in storage room next to back door. Light fixtures in back storage room.
[23-03-4] Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Vents above cook line greasy.
[25-32-4] Reuse of single-service or single-use articles. Milk containers to store tea in reach-in cooler across from cook line. Red snapper stored in old chicken box in reach-in cooler located in back storage room.
[08B-12-5] Stored food not covered. Bacon stored in storage room reach-in freezer.
[06-01-5] Time/temperature control for safety food thawed in an improper manner. Beef and pork thawing in prep sink across from back door.
[33-31-5] Unnecessary items/unused equipment on the premises. Multiple coolers, freezers, a smoker, steam table, construction supplies throughout backroom and behind establishment.
[21-12-4] Wet wiping cloth not stored in sanitizing solution between uses. Wet towel on prep table across from cook line.
[12A-16-4] Employee began working with food, handling clean equipment or utensils, or touching unwrapped single-service items without first washing hands. Female employee entered front line at buffet area, touched gloves, placed back in box, then flipped over white foam tray without washing hands. No hand sink located in the area.
[01A-03-4] Food prepared in a private home. See stop sale. Desserts stored in front counter reach-in cooler prepared at home.
[35A-02-7] Live, small flying insects found Approximately five live flies throughout establishment.
[08A-05-6] Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Raw beef stored over cooked macaroni in cook line reach-in cooler.
[28-13-5] Raw sewage on ground of establishment. Sewage on ground behind back of restaurant, wood over top of septic tank. Pink and brown substance with pieces of toilet paper inside coming from under wood and on top of drain, strong odor present. Mop sink is located next to drain that is covered in water and bubbles when water is ran in sink. Mop Sink is located in porch area next to added prep area.
[29-37-4] Spray hose at dish sink lower than flood rim of sink. Sprayer for cook line three compartment sink. Employee placed sprayer above flood rim.
[01B-04-5] Stop Sale issued due to food originating from an unapproved source. Desserts stored in front counter reach-in cooler.
[03A-02-5] Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Items stored in front counter reach-in cooler: macaroni (46F - Cold Holding). Manager stated items placed was placed in cooler at 11:00 am. Items stored in prep sink across from back door: pork (65F - Cold Holding); beef (76F - Cold Holding). Employee stated items placed in sink to thaw at 9:00 am.
[03B-01-6] Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Items stored on shelf across from cook line oven: red beans (92F - Hot Holding); black beans (94F - Hot Holding). Manager stated items placed on shelf one hour prior to temperature being taken. Manager placed items on stove to reheat. Items stored on front counter: rice (97F,92F - Hot Holding). Manager stated items placed on counter at 11:00 am.
[41-10-4] Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. Surface cleaner and Simple Green bottles next to cooking wine underneath front counter. Lacquer thinner stored on top of mustard on food storage shelf in back storage room.
[29-34-4] Vacuum breaker missing at hose bibb or on fitting/splitter added to hose bibb. Faucet on the side of the building.
[02C-03-5] Commercially processed ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food opened and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked after opening. Milk stored in reach-in cooler across from cook line. Manager stated milk was opened two days earlier.
[22-02-4] Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. White cutting board on prep table across from cook line. Interior of storage area reach-in cooler.
[31A-07-4] Handwash sink missing in warewashing or food preparation area. No hand sink located in area of kitchen with added buffet.
[31A-11-4] Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Mop chemicals being dispensed into hand washing sink across from back door.
[31B-02-4] No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. No soap, hand towels or hand washing sign for hand washing sink added across from back door in prep area.
[51-16-7] No plan review submitted and approved - renovations were made or are in progress. Must submit plans and plan review application to DBPR H and R Plan Review office located at 2601 Blair Stone Rd., Tallahassee, FL 32399-1011. Plans must be submitted AND approved within 60 days. The direct link to the Plan Review page is https://www2.myfloridalicense.com/hotels-restaurants/licensing/plan-review/. Prep area added to front counter area. Mop sink moved from original location. Hand washing sink and three compartment sink added to back prep area.
[53B-01-5] No proof of required state approved employee training provided for any employees. To order approved program food safety material, call DBPR contracted provider: Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (SafeStaff) 866-372-7233. One certificate provided with no dates.
[11-26-1] No proof provided that food employees are informed of their responsibility to report to the person in charge information about their health and activities related to foodborne illnesses. Missing for approximately 6 employees