RESTAURANT EL MESQUITE
825 SR 66, ZOLFO SPRINGS, FL 33890
License #3500270
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Mixed Health Record
How is this score calculated? →RESTAURANT EL MESQUITE in ZOLFO SPRINGS currently holds an InspectFL Health Score of 80.5 out of 100 — a C grade — a noticeable pattern of violations across recent inspections. This restaurant has 3 inspections on record from Florida DBPR, with the most recent inspection on March 16, 2026. Across those visits, inspectors documented 20 total violations — 2 critical, 5 major, 13 minor.
Start with the newest inspection, then verify the pattern
The score is the shortcut. The inspection timeline is the real story. Read the latest visit first, open the official DBPR record when you need the source, then compare this restaurant with other options nearby.
What stands out in this inspection history
The latest inspection on March 16, 2026 had no critical findings, but inspectors still documented 3 major and 5 minor violations.
What’s powering this page
InspectFL reorganizes public DBPR inspection records into a page you can actually scan. When imported inspector observations are available, they appear inline. Otherwise, the page falls back to violation categories plus the official DBPR record.
- •Imported DBPR observations appear directly inside inspection entries when available.
- •When note coverage is missing, the official violation record still stays visible.
See the place, then share or verify
*Scores are calculated by InspectFL based on public DBPR inspection data and are not official state ratings.
Inspection History
Read the newest inspection first, then scan for patterns. Repeated high-priority findings matter more than one isolated bad day.
Inspector notes are being added across all restaurants. Some inspections may only show violation codes until notes are available.
- Inspection Completed - No Further Action
- [14-11-5] Equipment in poor repair. Observed torn gasket in reach in cooler on cook line.
- [31B-03-4] No soap provided at handwash sink. Observed no soap at hand wash sink in kitchen next to three compartment sink, owner replaced.
- [46-01-4] Marked exit/path to marked exit blocked. For reporting purposes only. Observed exit door in dining room is blocked.
- [35B-09-4] Screen in door torn/in poor repair - vermin present. Observed holes in screen door by side entrance in the kitchen.
- [03F-10-5] No written procedures available for use of time as a public health control to hold time/temperature control for safety food. Observed raw shell eggs out on counter, with no written plan, owner stated eggs have been out ten minutes placed back in reach in cooler, sent operator a copy by email and went over.
- [08B-12-5] Stored food not covered. Observed pan of raw ground beef not covered in reach in freezer in kitchen.
- [05-08-4] No probe thermometer provided to measure temperature of food products.
- [21-38-4] Wiping cloth sanitizing solution stored on the floor. Observed cloth chlorine sanitizing solution on the floor in the kitchen, owner moved.
What do locals think?
Use the inspection history as the starting point, then compare it with real diner feedback. Vote first, then scroll a little lower to add what you actually saw.
Would you eat here?
RESTAURANT EL MESQUITE has some meaningful issues on record. Would you still eat here?
This is where the context matters most — some people will still eat there, others will want cleaner inspections first.
One vote per device. Results update after you vote.
More places worth comparing
If you're deciding where to eat next, compare this page with similar spots nearby instead of relying on one score in isolation.
Similar Mexican/Latin in Hardee County
Use these as a same-category comparison set so you can judge this score against nearby alternatives, not in isolation.
Other options in ZOLFO SPRINGS
If you're just looking for a better place nearby, start here and compare the current scores before you decide where to go next.
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