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EL MEZCALITO

2123 QUEEN ANNE AVE N, Seattle, WA 98109 · Restaurant (Seating 13-50)

Inspection summary

EL MEZCALITO has been inspected 30 times by Public Health – Seattle & King County since October 5, 2011. The most recent inspection, on March 20, 2026, recorded 2 infractions.

11 of 30 inspections on record found no infractions at all. In the past 12 months there was 1 inspection with 2 infractions recorded. The higher-risk findings here relate to: Food temperature control, Handwashing and staff hygiene and Protecting food from contamination.

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 14 times across 10 separate inspections, most recently on March 20, 2026. For example: 2110 - Proper cold holding temperatures; greater than 45 degrees Fahrenheit (F) (7 degrees Celsius (C))

  • 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 9 times across 8 separate inspections, most recently on September 18, 2025. For example: 0400 - Hands washed as required

  • Protecting food from contaminationHigher risk

    This covers how food is stored, prepared and displayed: raw meat kept away from ready-to-eat food, food covered and stored off the floor, and nothing dripping or splashing into it. Cross-contamination from raw to cooked food is a direct route for salmonella and E. coli.

    Recorded 8 times across 8 separate inspections, most recently on March 21, 2024. For example: 3300 - Potential food contamination prevented during delivery, preparation, storage, display

  • 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 3 times across 3 separate inspections, most recently on March 20, 2026. For example: 3400 - Wiping cloths properly used, stored; sanitizer concentration

  • 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 January 10, 2023. For example: 3100 - Food properly labeled; proper date marking

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.

30 inspections

  1. Routine Inspection/Field Review

    2 infractions

    • 3400 - Wiping cloths properly used, stored; sanitizer concentration
      • BLUE
    • 2110 - Proper cold holding temperatures; greater than 45 degrees Fahrenheit (F) (7 degrees Celsius (C))
      • RED
  2. Routine Inspection/Field Review

    2 infractions

    • 0400 - Hands washed as required
      • RED
    • 0100 - PIC present, demonstrates knowledge and performs duties to maintain AMC; certified manager on staff unless exempt
      • RED
  3. Routine Inspection/Field Review

    1 infraction

    • 0100 - PIC present, demonstrates knowledge and performs duties to maintain AMC; certified manager on staff unless exempt
      • RED
  4. Routine Inspection/Field Review

    1 infraction

    • 0600 - Adequate handwashing facilities
      • RED
  5. Routine Inspection/Field Review

    3 infractions

    • 3300 - Potential food contamination prevented during delivery, preparation, storage, display
      • BLUE
    • 3500 - Employee cleanliness and hygiene
      • BLUE
    • 0900 - Proper washing of fruits and vegetables
      • RED
  6. Routine Inspection/Field Review

    2 infractions

    • 3100 - Food properly labeled; proper date marking
      • BLUE
    • 2110 - Proper cold holding temperatures; greater than 45 degrees Fahrenheit (F) (7 degrees Celsius (C))
      • RED
  7. Routine Inspection/Field Review

    0 infractions

  8. Routine Inspection/Field Review

    0 infractions

  9. Routine Inspection/Field Review

    2 infractions

    • 1600 - Proper cooling procedure
      • RED
    • 2120 - Proper cold holding temperatures ( 42° F to 45° F)
      • RED
  10. Routine Inspection/Field Review

    0 infractions

  11. Routine Inspection/Field Review

    0 infractions

  12. Routine Inspection/Field Review

    2 infractions

    • 4200 - Food-contact surfaces maintained, clean, sanitized
      • BLUE
    • 1400 - Raw meats below and away from ready to eat food; species separated
      • RED
  13. Routine Inspection/Field Review

    2 infractions

    • 3300 - Potential food contamination prevented during delivery, preparation, storage, display
      • BLUE
    • 1900 - No room temperature storage; proper use of time...
      • RED
  14. Consultation/Education - Field

    0 infractions

  15. Consultation/Education - Field

    0 infractions

  16. Routine Inspection/Field Review

    2 infractions

    • 0600 - Adequate handwashing facilities
      • RED
    • 2200 - Accurate thermometer provided and used ...
      • RED
  17. Return Inspection

    1 infraction

    • 3300 - Potential food contamination prevented during delivery, preparation, storage, display
      • BLUE
  18. Routine Inspection/Field Review

    4 infractions

    • 3300 - Potential food contamination prevented during delivery, preparation, storage, display
      • BLUE
    • 2110 - Proper cold holding temperatures (greater than 45° F)
      • RED
    • 1600 - Proper cooling procedure
      • RED
    • 0600 - Adequate handwashing facilities
      • RED
  19. Routine Inspection/Field Review

    1 infraction

    • 0500 - Proper barriers used to prevent bare hand contact with ready to eat foods.
      • RED
  20. Consultation/Education - Field

    0 infractions

  21. Routine Inspection/Field Review

    3 infractions

    • 3400 - Wiping cloths properly used, stored, proper sanitizer
      • BLUE
    • 4400 - Plumbing properly sized, installed,...
      • BLUE
    • 2200 - Accurate thermometer provided and used ...
      • RED
  22. Routine Inspection/Field Review

    2 infractions

    • 1600 - Proper cooling procedure
      • RED
    • 1400 - Raw meats below and away from ready to eat food; species separated
      • RED
  23. Consultation/Education - Field

    0 infractions

  24. Consultation/Education - Field

    0 infractions

  25. Routine Inspection/Field Review

    3 infractions

    • 1400 - Raw meats below and away from RTE food
      • RED
    • 0400 - Hands washed as required
      • RED
    • 0600 - Adequate handwashing facilities
      • RED
  26. Return Inspection

    0 infractions

  27. Return Inspection

    2 infractions

    • 0600 - Adequate handwashing facilities
      • RED
    • 1900 - No room temperature storage; proper use of time...
      • RED
  28. Routine Inspection/Field Review

    4 infractions

    • 1900 - No room temperature storage; proper use of time...
      • RED
    • 2110 - Proper cold holding temperatures (greater than 45° F)
      • RED
    • 1720 - Proper hot holding temperatures; between 130° F...
      • RED
    • 2500 - Toxic substances properly identified,...
      • RED
  29. Consultation/Education - Field

    0 infractions

  30. Routine Inspection/Field Review

    1 infraction

    • 2300 - Proper Consumer Advisory posted for raw ...
      • RED

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