VAQUERO MEXICAN GRILL
1111 W PACIFIC COAST HWY # 5, HARBOR CITY, CA 90710 · RESTAURANT (0-30) SEATS HIGH RISK
Inspection summary
VAQUERO MEXICAN GRILL has been inspected 2 times by Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, Environmental Health Division since June 14, 2024. The most recent inspection, on July 7, 2026, recorded 11 infractions.
None of the 2 inspections on record were free of infractions. In the past 12 months there was 1 inspection with 11 infractions recorded. The higher-risk findings here relate to: Food temperature control, Cleaning and sanitizing and Food source, labelling and allergens.
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 3 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on July 7, 2026. For example:
PROPER HOT AND COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES
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 once on July 7, 2026. For example:
WAREWASHING FACILITIES: INSTALLED, MAINTAINED; USED; TEST EQUIPMENT
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 July 7, 2026. For example:
IMPOUNDMENT/VOLUNTARY CONDEMN AND DISPOSE (VC&D)/SAMPLING
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 7, 2026. For example:
PLUMBING: FIXTURES, BACKFLOW DEVICE, DRAINAGE
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 3 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on July 7, 2026. For example:
EQUIPMENT/UTENSILS APPROVED: INSTALLED; GOOD REPAIR; CAPACITY
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
- ROUTINE INSPECTION
11 infractions
- F108: PROPER HOT AND COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES
- 4 points
- F136: EQUIPMENT/UTENSILS APPROVED: INSTALLED; GOOD REPAIR; CAPACITY
- 1 point
- F141: PLUMBING: FIXTURES, BACKFLOW DEVICE, DRAINAGE
- 1 point
- F134: NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
- 1 point
- F148: PERMITS AVAILABLE
- 1 point
- F110: PROPER COOLING METHODS
- 4 points
- F135: WAREWASHING FACILITIES: INSTALLED, MAINTAINED; USED; TEST EQUIPMENT
- 1 point
- F145: FLOORS, WALLS AND CEILINGS PROPERLY BUILT, MAINTAINED AND CLEAN
- 1 point
- F102: FOOD SAFETY CERTIFICATION
- 2 points
- F153: MULTIPLE MAJOR CRITICAL VIOLATIONS / INCREASED RISK TO PUBLIC HEALTH
- 3 points
- F151: IMPOUNDMENT/VOLUNTARY CONDEMN AND DISPOSE (VC&D)/SAMPLING
- F108: PROPER HOT AND COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES
- ROUTINE INSPECTION
7 infractions
- F052: # 01B. FOOD SAFETY CERTIFICATION
- 2 points
- F007: # 07. PROPER HOT AND COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES
- 2 points
- F048: # 47. PERMITS AVAILABLE
- 1 point
- F044: # 44. FLOORS, WALLS AND CEILINGS: PROPERLY BUILT, MAINTAINED IN GOOD REPAIR AND CLEAN
- 1 point
- F053: # 21A. HOT WATER AVAILABLE
- 2 points
- F033: # 33. NONFOOD-CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN AND IN GOOD REPAIR
- 1 point
- F040: # 40. PLUMBING: PLUMBING IN GOOD REPAIR, PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES
- 1 point
- F052: # 01B. FOOD SAFETY CERTIFICATION
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