Port Wentworth, Chatham County

El Ranchito Mexican Restaurant

7306 HIGHWAY 21 PORT WENTWORTH, GA 31407

Food

Latest score

Mar 9, 2026

City

Port Wentworth

County

Chatham

Inspections

Score history

Inspection scores over time for this facility.

Inspection history

Georgia inspection history is score-based, with violations grouped under each recorded inspection.

Mar 9, 2026

Routine

Score: 832 violations

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6-1A - proper cold holding temperatures

Regulation: 511-6-1.04(6)(f) - time/temperature control for safety; cold holding (p)

9 ptsCorrected: NoRepeat: Yes

Observed several TCS items to be above 41F degree, made PIC discard of food items.

RCA: PIC through out the items that were above temperature. Told PIC to start doing ice baths on items to ensure that TCS items stay cold.

4-2B - food-contact surfaces: cleaned & sanitized

Regulation: 511-6-1.05(6)(n) - manual and mechanical warewashing equipment, chemical sanitization-temperature, ph, concentration, hardness (p,pf)

4 ptsCorrected: NoRepeat: Yes

Observed facility to be actively using dish machine, dish machine was not pulling any sanitizer through.

RCA: Told PIC that they need to re-sanitize/sanitize dishes in 3 compartment sink until dish machine is fixed.

RCA:

Sep 9, 2025

Routine

Score: 852 violations

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6-1A - proper cold holding temperatures

Regulation: 511-6-1.04(6)(f) - time/temperature control for safety; cold holding (p)

9 ptsCorrected: NoRepeat: Yes

Observed raw beef and chicken in the walk in cooler to be temped at (46F-47F). Both meats were prepped in cooler on 9/8/2025.

RCA: Time/Temperature Control for Safety Food, Hot and Cold Holding. Except during preparation, cooking, or cooling, or when time is used as the public health control, time/temperature control for safety food shall be maintained at 41°F

4-2B - food-contact surfaces: cleaned & sanitized

Regulation: 511-6-1.05(6)(n) - manual and mechanical warewashing equipment, chemical sanitization-temperature, ph, concentration, hardness (p,pf)

4 ptsCorrected: NoRepeat: No

Observed a slight built-up inside the ice machine. Dish machine was actively being used while sanitizer wasn't properly coming through the machine.

RCA: Told pic to increase the cleaning frequency of the ice machine and to not use the dish machine until it is fixed, use 3 compartment sink.

Mar 10, 2025

Routine

Score: 911 violation

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6-1A - proper cold holding temperatures

Regulation: 511-6-1.04(6)(f) - time/temperature control for safety; cold holding (p)

9 ptsCorrected: YesRepeat: No

Observed many TCS items above 41F degree in reach in cooler. Shrimp 54F, Shrimp 46F, chicken 48F, beef 47F.

RCA:PIC made employee toss all items and replaced them with new items. Time/Temperature Control for Safety Food, Hot and Cold Holding. Except during preparation, cooking, or cooling, or when time is used as the public health control, time/temperature control for safety food shall be maintained at 41°F (5°C

Jun 12, 2024

Routine

Score: 952 violations

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4-2A - food stored covered

Regulation: 511-6-1.04(4)(c)1(iv) - packaged & unpackaged food, food stored covered(c)

4 ptsCorrected: YesRepeat: No

Observed multiple food items (chicken, pork, bacon) throughout the facility uncovered. COS/CA: PIC covered all food items. Food shall be covered to prevent contamination.

14A - in-use utensils: properly stored

Regulation: 511-6-1.04(4)(k) - in-use utensils, between-use storage (c)

1 ptsCorrected: YesRepeat: No

Observed bowls being used as scoops in containers of rice and sugar. COS/CA: PIC removed bowls. Scoops with handles shall be used with the handles stored above the food product.

Oct 13, 2023

Routine

Score: 8210 violations

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4-2B - food-contact surfaces: cleaned & sanitized

Regulation: 511-6-1.05(7)(b) - food contact surfaces and utensils - cleaning frequency (p, c)

4 ptsCorrected: YesRepeat: No

Observed heavy mildew-like build up on the baffle of the ice machine.

CA: Ice was removed, and ice machine will be cleaned and sanitized prior to ice being placed back into the unit.

11D - thermometers provided and accurate

Regulation: 511-6-1.05(2)(k) - temperature measuring device (tmd), food - accuracy (pf)

3 ptsCorrected: NoRepeat: No

Observed inaccurate thermometers in both Prep Top Coolers in the kitchen area, as well as the salsa cooler in the waitress area.

11D - thermometers provided and accurate

Regulation: 511-6-1.05(2)(x) - tmd, located in refrigerators/ hot holding (pf, c)

3 ptsCorrected: NoRepeat: Yes

Observed missing hanging thermometers in a Reach In Cooler in the bar area.

12A - contamination prevented during food preparation, storage, display

Regulation: 511-6-1.04(4)(z) - miscellaneous sources of contamination (c)

3 ptsCorrected: NoRepeat: No

Observed the bottom of a bowl stored atop raw chicken in a Prep Top Cooler in the kitchen area.

18 - insects, rodents, and animals not present

Regulation: 511-6-1.07(5)(k) - controlling pests (pf, c)

3 ptsCorrected: NoRepeat: No

Observed rat droppings in the back room where the Walk In Cooler is located.

CA: Pest control was called to provide routine maintenance. PIC will email a copy of the invoice by next Friday, October 20, 2023.

13A - posted: permit/inspection/choking poster/handwashing

Regulation: 511-6-1.02(1)(d) - displaying of the inspection report (c)

1 ptsCorrected: NoRepeat: No

Observed the most current inspection report not posted in public view.

14B - utensils, equipment and linens: properly stored, dried, handled

Regulation: 511-6-1.05(10)(e)1,2,4 - equipment, utensil, linens, stored 6" off floor in clean, dry location (c)

1 ptsCorrected: NoRepeat: No

Observed multiple scoops stored inside of food product, with the handle touching food product, in bulk containers throughout the kitchen (cheese, bulk sugar).

CA: Scoops were removed and placed at the dish machine to be WRS prior to reusing.

15A - food and nonfood-contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed, and used

Regulation: 511-6-1.05(2)(a) - equipment and utensils, constructed of durable materials (c)

1 ptsCorrected: NoRepeat: No

Observed single-use cardboard being used as shelf liner throughout the facility.

15C - nonfood-contact surfaces clean

Regulation: 511-6-1.05(7)(a)2,3 - equipment, food/nonfood-contact surfaces, and utensils, food-contact surfaces of cooking equipment & nonfood-contact surfaces free of accumulations (c)

1 ptsCorrected: NoRepeat: No

Observed dish stickers stored on clean dishes on the clean dish rack.

17D - adequate ventilation and lighting; designated areas used

Regulation: 511-6-1.05(2)(j) - ventilation hood system filters, designed to be readily removable for cleaning (c)

1 ptsCorrected: NoRepeat: No

Observed a missing vent at the hood (educated last inspection).

Hood vent must be replaced by October 20, 2023.

Sep 19, 2023

Routine

Score: 991 violation

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14A - in-use utensils: properly stored

Regulation: 511-6-1.04(4)(k) - in-use utensils, between-use storage (c)

1 ptsCorrected: YesRepeat: No

Observed handle of scoop touching food product (sugar).

COS/CA: PIC removed scoop to be cleaned and sanitized. Place new scoop with handle above food product. 511-6-1.04(4)(k) - In-Use Utensils, Between-Use Storage (C)(k)Storage of In-Use Utensils. During pauses in food preparation or dispensing, food preparation and dispensing utensils shall be stored: 1.Except as specified under paragraph 2 of this subsection, in the food with their handles above the top of the food and the container.