Athens, Clarke County

El Bajio Mexican Restaurant

400 HAWTHORNE AVE STE 12 ATHENS, GA 30606

Food

Latest score

Feb 4, 2026

City

Athens

County

Clarke

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.

Feb 4, 2026

Routine

Score: 952 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: NoRepeat: No

Buildup of mold in bulk ice machine. Corrective action (CA): Have ice machine cleaned more frequently to prevent buildup.

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

Regulation: 511-6-1.05(6)(q)1&3 - good repair & calibration (c)

1 ptsCorrected: NoRepeat: No

Cracked lid on queso in reach-in container.

Aug 22, 2025

Routine

Score: 982 violations

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

Regulation: 511-6-1.05(6)(b) - cutting surfaces (c)

1 ptsCorrected: NoRepeat: Yes

Cutting board on make table heavily stained and marked.

15C - nonfood-contact surfaces clean

Regulation: 511-6-1.05(7)(d) - nonfood-contact surfaces (c)

1 ptsCorrected: NoRepeat: No

Food debris build-up on outside of coolers in cook area.

Feb 19, 2025

Routine

Score: 952 violations

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8-2B - toxic substances properly identified, stored, used

Regulation: 511-6-1.07(6)(o) - medicines, restriction & storage (p, pf)

4 ptsCorrected: YesRepeat: No

Bottle of Excedrin observed stored in kitchen above plates. Corrective actioN (CA): Medicines shall not be stored above any food, utensils, equipment, linens, single-use/single-service (FUELS) items. Medicine moved.

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

Regulation: 511-6-1.05(6)(b) - cutting surfaces (c)

1 ptsCorrected: NoRepeat: No

Cutting board on make table heavily stained.

Aug 14, 2024

Routine

Score: 934 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

Multiple food items not cooling in reach-in cooler (RIC) #1 and make table bottom not covered. Corrective action (CA): All food items when not actively cooling must be stored covered in coolers. Lids added.

14A - in-use utensils: properly stored

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

1 ptsCorrected: NoRepeat: No

Scoop handle touching product in rice warmer.

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

Regulation: 511-6-1.05(6)(a) - good repair & proper adjustment (c)

1 ptsCorrected: NoRepeat: Yes

Gaskets loose on make table bottom doors.

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 buildup of grease on handles of grill drawer.

Feb 22, 2024

Routine

Score: 923 violations

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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

Concentration of chlorine in dishwasher too low (below 50 ppm). Corrective action (CA): Sanitizer concentration should be kept at manufacturer's recommended levels (50 - 100 ppm). Do not use dishwasher for sanitizing until sanitizer received. Use 3-compartment sink for sanitizing.

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

Regulation: 511-6-1.05(6)(a) - good repair & proper adjustment (c)

1 ptsCorrected: NoRepeat: Yes

Front reach-in cooler (RIC) #2 has buildup of ice under fan and dripping water. Cooler not keeping food at 41F or less. No time/temperature control for safety (TCS) foods in cooler. Do not use cooler for TCS foods until fixed.

17B - garbage/refuse properly disposed; facilities maintained

Regulation: 511-6-1.06(5)(o),(p) - using drain plugs; maintaining refuse areas (c)

1 ptsCorrected: NoRepeat: Yes

Area around dumpsters littered with trash and wood pallets.

Sep 5, 2023

Routine

Score: 936 violations

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2-2D - adequate handwashing facilities supplied & accessible

Regulation: 511-6-1.06(2)(o) - using a handwashing sink- operation & maintenance (pf)

4 ptsCorrected: NoRepeat: No

Front handwash sink observed to be used as dump sink - ice in sink basin and employee observed to be using sink to wash off wiping cloth. Corrective action (CA): Handwash sinks should be used for handwashing only - not to be used for any other purpose.

14A - in-use utensils: properly stored

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

1 ptsCorrected: NoRepeat: No

Tongs stored on stove handle below waist level permitting potential exposure to contamination. Store tongs above waist level to avoid accidental contamination.

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

Regulation: 511-6-1.05(6)(a) - good repair & proper adjustment (c)

1 ptsCorrected: NoRepeat: No

2-door reach-in cooler (RIC) leaking water.

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

Food debris inside doors of make table and water build-up on bottom of keft reach-in freezer.

17B - garbage/refuse properly disposed; facilities maintained

Regulation: 511-6-1.06(5)(n) - covering receptacles (c)

1 ptsCorrected: NoRepeat: No

Doors not closed on dumpster.

17B - garbage/refuse properly disposed; facilities maintained

Regulation: 511-6-1.06(5)(o),(p) - using drain plugs; maintaining refuse areas (c)

1 ptsCorrected: NoRepeat: No

Drain plug missing on dumpster. Area around dumpsters littered with trash and pallets.