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El Caracol Mexican Cafe

5190 Victoria Dr, Vancouver BC V5P 3V2 · Food Service Establishment 1

Official record from Vancouver Coastal →

Inspection summary

El Caracol Mexican Cafe has been inspected 25 times by Vancouver Coastal Health since August 27, 2015. The most recent inspection, on July 14, 2026, recorded 6 infractions.

10 of 25 inspections on record found no infractions at all. In the past 12 months there were 3 inspections with 22 infractions recorded. The higher-risk findings here relate to: Food temperature control, Pests and Cleaning and sanitizing.

Recent inspections have recorded more infractions than earlier ones, so it is worth reading the latest reports closely.

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 9 separate inspections, most recently on July 14, 2026. For example: Potentially hazardous food is cooled in a manner that makes it safe to eat.

  • 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 9 times across 6 separate inspections, most recently on July 14, 2026. For example: The premises is free of pests.

  • 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 8 times across 8 separate inspections, most recently on February 26, 2026. For example: The premises and all equipment, utensils, and food contact surfaces are maintained in good condition and used in a manner that ensures safe and sanitary food handling.

  • 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 2 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on June 30, 2026. For example: Each employee demonstrates good personal hygiene and washes their hands as often as necessary to prevent the contamination of food.

  • 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 June 30, 2026. For example: Food on the premises is obtained from an approved source.

About this data

These results come from Vancouver Coastal Health, 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.

25 inspections

  1. Routine Follow-up

    6 infractions

    • Operation and maintenance of premises is in accordance with approved floor plans and specifications.
      • Premises is not designed and/or supplied with equipment that will ensure the safe and sanitary handling of food.
    • Potentially hazardous food is cooled in a manner that makes it safe to eat.
    • Operator of a food service establishment has developed, maintained, and followed approved written procedures to ensure that a health hazard does not occur.
      • Procedures in the food safety plan are not being followed.
      • Food safety plan is not developed.
    • Operator of a food service establishment has approved written procedures to ensure the safe and sanitary operation of the establishment.
    • The premises is free of pests.
      • Premises has signs of rodent activity.
    • The premises is free of conditions that lead to harbouring, breeding and entry of pests.
  2. Routine Follow-up

    8 infractions

    • Operation and maintenance of premises is in accordance with approved floor plans and specifications.
      • Premises is not designed and/or supplied with equipment that will ensure the safe and sanitary handling of food.
    • Food on the premises is obtained from an approved source.
    • Potentially hazardous food is cooled in a manner that makes it safe to eat.
      • Potentially hazardous food is not cooled from 60°C to 20°C within two hours, and then from 20°C to 4°C within four hours.
      • Potentially hazardous food is not cooled using appropriate equipment and/or approved methods.
    • Potentially hazardous food is at a refrigerated temperature that keeps it safe to eat.
      • Potentially hazardous food is not stored, displayed or transported at a temperature of 4°C or below.
    • Each employee demonstrates good personal hygiene and washes their hands as often as necessary to prevent the contamination of food.
      • Hand washing station is obstructed or being used for other purposes.
    • Operator of a food service establishment has developed, maintained, and followed approved written procedures to ensure that a health hazard does not occur.
      • Food safety plan is not developed.
    • The premises is free of pests.
      • Premises has signs of rodent activity.
    • The premises is free of conditions that lead to harbouring, breeding and entry of pests.
  3. Routine

    8 infractions

    • Operation and maintenance of premises is in accordance with approved floor plans and specifications.
      • Premises is not in adequate repair or in sanitary condition.
    • A Certified food safety training course has been taken by the operator and food handlers of the food service establishment.
      • No employee present holds a valid FOODSAFE or equivalent certificate while the Owner/Operator is absent.
    • Potentially hazardous food is cooled in a manner that makes it safe to eat.
      • Potentially hazardous food is not cooled using appropriate equipment and/or approved methods.
    • The premises and all equipment, utensils, and food contact surfaces are maintained in good condition and used in a manner that ensures safe and sanitary food handling.
    • Each employee demonstrates good personal hygiene and washes their hands as often as necessary to prevent the contamination of food.
      • Hand washing station is obstructed or being used for other purposes.
    • Operator of a food service establishment has approved written procedures to ensure the safe and sanitary operation of the establishment.
      • Sanitizer levels are not being monitored and recorded.
    • The premises is free of pests.
      • Premises has signs of rodent activity.
      • Premises has signs of insect activity.
    • The premises is free of conditions that lead to harbouring, breeding and entry of pests.
  4. Routine Follow-up

    0 infractions

  5. Routine

    3 infractions

    • Potentially hazardous food is cooled in a manner that makes it safe to eat.
      • Potentially hazardous food is not cooled from 60°C to 21°C within two hours, and then from 21°C to 4°C within four hours.
      • Potentially hazardous food is not cooled using appropriate equipment and/or approved methods.
    • Potentially hazardous food is at a refrigerated temperature that keeps it safe to eat.
      • Potentially hazardous food is not stored, displayed or transported at a temperature of 4°C or below.
    • The premises and all equipment, utensils, and food contact surfaces are maintained in good condition and used in a manner that ensures safe and sanitary food handling.
  6. Routine Follow-up

    0 infractions

  7. Routine

    2 infractions

    • The premises and all equipment, utensils, and food contact surfaces are maintained in good condition and used in a manner that ensures safe and sanitary food handling.
      • The premises is not maintained in a sanitary condition.
    • The premises is free of pests.
      • Premises has signs of rodent activity.
  8. Routine

    4 infractions

    • Operation and maintenance of premises is in accordance with approved floor plans and specifications.
      • Premises is not designed and/or supplied with equipment that will ensure the safe and sanitary handling of food.
    • Potentially hazardous food is at a refrigerated temperature that keeps it safe to eat.
      • Potentially hazardous food is not stored, displayed or transported at a temperature of 4°C or below.
    • The premises and all equipment, utensils, and food contact surfaces are maintained in good condition and used in a manner that ensures safe and sanitary food handling.
      • The premises is not maintained in a sanitary condition.
    • The premises is free of pests.
      • Premises has signs of rodent activity.
  9. Routine Follow-up

    0 infractions

  10. Routine

    1 infraction

    • Operation and maintenance of premises is in accordance with approved floor plans and specifications.
      • Premises is not designed and/or supplied with equipment that will ensure the safe and sanitary handling of food.
  11. Routine Follow-up

    0 infractions

  12. Routine

    2 infractions

    • Operation and maintenance of premises is in accordance with approved floor plans and specifications.
      • Premises is not in adequate repair or in sanitary condition.
    • The premises and all equipment, utensils, and food contact surfaces are maintained in good condition and used in a manner that ensures safe and sanitary food handling.
      • The premises is not maintained in a sanitary condition.
  13. Routine

    1 infraction

    • An operator of a food service establishment must develop, maintain, and follow written procedures to ensure that a health hazard does not occur in the operation of the establishment.
      • Temperature records are not being used to monitor critical limits.
  14. Routine

    4 infractions

    • Operation and maintenance of premises is in accordance with approved floor plans and specifications.
    • A Certified food safety training course has been taken by the operator and food handlers of the food service establishment.
    • Potentially hazardous food is cooked/reheated in a manner that makes it safe to eat.
      • Potentially hazardous food is not reheated rapidly to 74°C.
    • The premises and all equipment, utensils, and food contact surfaces are maintained in good condition and used in a manner that ensures safe and sanitary food handling.
      • The premises is not maintained in a sanitary condition.
  15. Routine

    2 infractions

    • Potentially hazardous food is at a refrigerated temperature that keeps it safe to eat.
      • Potentially hazardous food is not stored, displayed or transported at a temperature of 4°C or below.
    • All equipment, food contact surfaces, utensils, dishes & glasses used on the premises are washed and sanitized in a manner that removes contamination.
      • Sanitizing solution is not present or at an improper concentration.
  16. Routine

    0 infractions

  17. Routine

    1 infraction

    • An operator of a food service establishment must develop, maintain, and follow written procedures to ensure that a health hazard does not occur in the operation of the establishment.
      • Temperature records are not being used to monitor critical limits.
  18. Routine

    4 infractions

    • A Certified food safety training course has been taken by the operator and food handlers of the food service establishment.
      • No employee present hold a valid FOODSAFE or equivalent certificate while the Owner/Operator is absent.
    • Potentially hazardous food is at a refrigerated temperature that keeps it safe to eat.
      • Potentially hazardous food is not stored, displayed or transported at a temperature of 4°C or below.
    • Potentially hazardous food is at a hot holding temperature that keeps it safe to eat.
      • Potentially hazardous food is not stored or displayed at 60°C or above.
    • An operator of a food service establishment must develop, maintain, and follow written procedures to ensure that a health hazard does not occur in the operation of the establishment.
      • Temperature records are not being used to monitor critical limits.
  19. Routine

    5 infractions

    • Food is handled in a sanitary manner and is not subject to contamination.
      • Food is stored in a manner that promotes cross contamination.
      • Food is not stored off of floor.
    • The premises and all equipment, utensils, and food contact surfaces are maintained in good condition and used in a manner that ensures safe and sanitary food handling.
      • The premises is not maintained in a sanitary condition.
    • An operator of a food service establishment must develop, maintain, and follow written procedures to ensure that a health hazard does not occur in the operation of the establishment.
      • Food safety plan is not developed.
    • A food service establishment must have written procedures to ensure the safe and sanitary operation of the establishment.
      • Sanitation plan is not developed.
      • Sanitizer levels are not being monitored and recorded.
    • The premises is free of pests.
      • Premises has signs of rodent activity.
      • Premises is not protected from the entrance of pests.
      • Conditions on premises may lead to harbouring/breeding of pests.
  20. Routine

    0 infractions

  21. Routine

    0 infractions

  22. Routine Follow-up

    0 infractions

  23. Routine

    1 infraction

    • Potentially hazardous food is at a refrigerated temperature that keeps it safe to eat.
  24. Routine

    0 infractions

  25. Routine

    0 infractions

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