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EL TORITO CANTINA AUTENTICA

23225 HAWTHORNE BLVD, TORRANCE, CA 90505 · RESTAURANT (151 + ) SEATS HIGH RISK

Inspection summary

EL TORITO CANTINA AUTENTICA has been inspected 2 times by Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, Environmental Health Division since April 18, 2024. The most recent inspection, on July 14, 2025, recorded 5 infractions.

None of the 2 inspections on record were free of infractions. No inspections are on record from the past 12 months. The higher-risk findings here relate to: Food temperature control, Pests and Protecting food from contamination.

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 2 times on April 18, 2024. For example: PROPER COOLING METHODS

  • 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 once on July 14, 2025. For example: NO RODENTS, INSECTS, BIRDS, OR ANIMALS

  • 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 once on July 14, 2025. For example: FOOD SEPARATED AND PROTECTED

  • Building, plumbing and upkeepLower risk

    Floors, walls and ceilings must be smooth and clean, with working lighting, ventilation, plumbing, hot and cold water, and washrooms. These are rarely an immediate food-safety risk on their own, but persistent problems can lead to pest or sanitation issues.

    Recorded 5 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on July 14, 2025. For example: FLOORS, WALLS AND CEILINGS: PROPERLY BUILT, MAINTAINED IN GOOD REPAIR AND CLEAN

  • Equipment and utensilsLower risk

    Equipment has to be built from cleanable materials, kept in good repair and stored properly. These findings are mostly about upkeep, like a cracked shelf, a worn gasket or utensils stored the wrong way. They are generally lower risk but show how well the kitchen is maintained.

    Recorded 4 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on July 14, 2025. For example: NONFOOD-CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN AND IN GOOD REPAIR

About this data

These results come from Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, Environmental Health Division, 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.

2 inspections

  1. ROUTINE INSPECTION

    5 infractions

    • F023: # 23. NO RODENTS, INSECTS, BIRDS, OR ANIMALS
      • 2 points
    • F033: # 33. NONFOOD-CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN AND IN GOOD REPAIR
      • 1 point
    • F027: # 27. FOOD SEPARATED AND PROTECTED
      • 1 point
    • F044: # 44. FLOORS, WALLS AND CEILINGS: PROPERLY BUILT, MAINTAINED IN GOOD REPAIR AND CLEAN
      • 1 point
    • F035: # 35. EQUIPMENT/UTENSILS - APPROVED; INSTALLED; CLEAN; GOOD REPAIR, CAPACITY
      • 1 point
  2. ROUTINE INSPECTION

    8 infractions

    • F009: # 09. PROPER COOLING METHODS
      • 2 points
    • F033: # 33. NONFOOD-CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN AND IN GOOD REPAIR
      • 1 point
    • F042: # 42. TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, CLEANED
      • 1 point
    • F037: # 37. ADEQUATE VENTILATION AND LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS, USE
      • 1 point
    • F040: # 40. PLUMBING: PLUMBING IN GOOD REPAIR, PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES
      • 1 point
    • F038: # 38. THERMOMETERS PROVIDED AND ACCURATE
      • 1 point
    • F035: # 35. EQUIPMENT/UTENSILS - APPROVED; INSTALLED; CLEAN; GOOD REPAIR, CAPACITY
      • 1 point
    • F044: # 44. FLOORS, WALLS AND CEILINGS: PROPERLY BUILT, MAINTAINED IN GOOD REPAIR AND CLEAN
      • 1 point

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