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AQUA BY EL GAUCHO

2801 ALASKAN WAY, SEATTLE, WA 98121 · Restaurant (Seating 51-150)

Inspection summary

AQUA BY EL GAUCHO has been inspected 33 times by Public Health – Seattle & King County since April 25, 2006. The most recent inspection, on September 21, 2023, found no infractions.

20 of 33 inspections on record found no infractions at all. No inspections are on record from the past 12 months. The higher-risk findings here relate to: Food temperature control, Cleaning and sanitizing and Handwashing and staff hygiene.

The number of infractions per inspection has stayed roughly the same over time.

What these findings mean

Health authorities word their violations differently, so we group them by what they mean for food safety. Higher-risk findings are the ones inspectors treat as critical, because they can directly make someone sick.

  • Food temperature controlHigher risk

    Bacteria multiply fastest between about 4 °C and 60 °C (40 °F to 140 °F). Inspectors check that cold food stays cold, hot food stays hot, cooked food is cooled quickly, and that staff have accurate thermometers. Temperature problems are one of the most common causes of food poisoning, so these are treated as critical findings.

    Recorded 12 times across 10 separate inspections, most recently on August 5, 2021. For example: 2110 - Proper cold holding temperatures; greater than 45 degrees Fahrenheit (F) (7 degrees Celsius (C))

  • Cleaning and sanitizingHigher risk

    Anything that touches food, such as cutting boards, dishes and utensils, must be washed, rinsed and sanitized. Inspectors check dishwasher temperatures, sanitizer strength and how wiping cloths are stored. Poor sanitizing lets bacteria survive from one use to the next.

    Recorded 5 times across 4 separate inspections, most recently on November 19, 2018. For example: 3400 - Wiping cloths properly used, stored, proper sanitizer

  • Handwashing and staff hygieneHigher risk

    Hands are the main way germs like norovirus move from people to food. Inspectors look for stocked, accessible handwashing sinks, staff washing hands when required, hair restraints, and sick employees being kept away from food. Gaps here can spread illness quickly.

    Recorded 4 times across 4 separate inspections, most recently on December 15, 2018. For example: 0500 - Proper barriers used to prevent bare hand contact with ready to eat foods.

  • PestsHigher risk

    Signs of mice, rats, cockroaches or flies, or gaps and clutter that let them get in or hide. Pests carry bacteria and can contaminate food and surfaces, so evidence of activity is treated seriously and usually triggers a follow-up visit.

    Recorded 3 times across 3 separate inspections, most recently on November 19, 2018. For example: 1200 - Proper shellstock ID; wild mushroom ID; parasite destruction procedures for fish

  • Food source, labelling and allergensHigher risk

    Food must come from approved suppliers, stay in labelled containers and be thrown out when it is spoiled or damaged, such as dented or swollen cans. Labelling matters for allergies: an unlabelled container can hide an allergen.

    Recorded once on April 4, 2014. For example: 3100 - Proper labeling, signage

About this data

These results come from Public Health – Seattle & King County, which inspects food premises and other public facilities in this area. We republish the authority's public disclosure data and refresh it regularly; the official record is the final word.

33 inspections

  1. Routine Inspection/Field Review

    0 infractions

  2. Routine Inspection/Field Review

    1 infraction

    • 2110 - Proper cold holding temperatures; greater than 45 degrees Fahrenheit (F) (7 degrees Celsius (C))
      • RED
  3. Consultation/Education - Field

    0 infractions

  4. Routine Inspection/Field Review

    1 infraction

    • 2120 - Proper cold holding temperatures ( 42° F to 45° F)
      • RED
  5. Return Inspection

    2 infractions

    • 0500 - Proper barriers used to prevent bare hand contact with ready to eat foods.
      • RED
    • 2110 - Proper cold holding temperatures (greater than 45° F)
      • RED
  6. Routine Inspection/Field Review

    5 infractions

    • 3400 - Wiping cloths properly used, stored, proper sanitizer
      • BLUE
    • 4100 - Warewashing facilities properly installed,...
      • BLUE
    • 0500 - Proper barriers used to prevent bare hand contact with ready to eat foods.
      • RED
    • 1200 - Proper shellstock ID; wild mushroom ID; parasite destruction procedures for fish
      • RED
    • 2110 - Proper cold holding temperatures (greater than 45° F)
      • RED
  7. Routine Inspection/Field Review

    3 infractions

    • 2110 - Proper cold holding temperatures (greater than 45° F)
      • RED
    • 0600 - Adequate handwashing facilities
      • RED
    • 1200 - Proper shellstock ID; wild mushroom ID; parasite destruction procedures for fish
      • RED
  8. Routine Inspection/Field Review

    2 infractions

    • 2000 - Proper reheating procedures for hot holding
      • RED
    • 2110 - Proper cold holding temperatures (greater than 45° F)
      • RED
  9. Routine Inspection/Field Review

    2 infractions

    • 1200 - Proper shellstock ID; wild mushroom ID; parasite destruction procedures for fish
      • RED
    • 2110 - Proper cold holding temperatures (greater than 45° F)
      • RED
  10. Consultation/Education - Field

    0 infractions

  11. Routine Inspection/Field Review

    2 infractions

    • 3100 - Proper labeling, signage
      • BLUE
    • 2300 - Proper Consumer Advisory posted for raw ...
      • RED
  12. Consultation/Education - Field

    0 infractions

  13. Routine Inspection/Field Review

    2 infractions

    • 2900 - Adequate equipment for temperature control
      • BLUE
    • 2110 - Proper cold holding temperatures (greater than 45° F)
      • RED
  14. Consultation/Education - Field

    0 infractions

  15. Routine Inspection/Field Review

    0 infractions

  16. Routine Inspection/Field Review

    0 infractions

  17. Consultation/Education - Field

    0 infractions

  18. Routine Inspection/Field Review

    0 infractions

  19. Consultation/Education - Field

    0 infractions

  20. Routine Inspection/Field Review

    0 infractions

  21. Consultation/Education - Field

    0 infractions

  22. Routine Inspection/Field Review

    0 infractions

  23. Consultation/Education - Field

    0 infractions

  24. Routine Inspection/Field Review

    1 infraction

    • 4100 - Warewashing facilities properly installed,...
      • BLUE
  25. Routine Inspection/Field Review

    1 infraction

    • 2110 - Proper cold holding temperatures (greater than 45° F)
      • RED
  26. Consultation/Education - Field

    0 infractions

  27. Routine Inspection/Field Review

    0 infractions

  28. Routine Inspection/Field Review

    0 infractions

  29. Consultation/Education - Field

    0 infractions

  30. Routine Inspection/Field Review

    0 infractions

  31. Consultation/Education - Field

    0 infractions

  32. Routine Inspection/Field Review

    4 infractions

    • Food-contact surfaces maintained, clean, sanitized
      • BLUE
    • Physical facilities properly installed,...
      • BLUE
    • Proper cold holding temperatures (greater than 45° F)
      • RED
    • Adequate handwashing facilities
      • RED
  33. Routine Inspection/Field Review

    2 infractions

    • Physical facilities properly installed,...
      • BLUE
    • Food-contact surfaces maintained, clean, sanitized
      • BLUE

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