A97.5

MI BARRIO HALAL LATIN GRILL

7308 E INDEPENDENCE BV, Charlotte, NC 28227

Restaurant · NC permit/State ID 2060017844

Latest gradeA (97.5)

Last inspectedOct 16, 2026

Inspections on record45

On record sinceJan 2, 2014

Score history

Nov 3, 2015Higher is betterOct 16, 2026

Inspections & violations

Oct 16, 2026 A 97.5 · 4 violations

Inspector comments: EHS and PIC discussed at the end of the inspection. FACILITY IS CLOSING ITS DOORS IN DECEMBER.

#15 · Food separated & protected

Corrected during inspection

3-302.11(A)(1) Separate raw animal foods from ready-to-eat foods and washed/unwashed fruits and vegetables. -P- Observed raw beef over top of RTE foods in the freezer. Raw beef was out of the original packaging. Ensure that proper storage is followed even in the freezer when raw meat is out of original packaging. -CDI- Storage order rearranged to reflect proper storage order procedures. For more information on food storage order please visit: https://health.mecknc.gov/envhealth/food-and-facilities-sanitation

#22 · Proper cold holding temperatures −1.5

Corrected during inspectionRepeat violation

3-501.16(A)(2) Maintain TCS foods in cold holding at 41F or less. -P- Observed pasta salad and salad on ice in the serving line above 41F. PIC stated that the food was prepared at 9:30 AM observation was made at 11:30. -CDI- Food was cooled in the WIF and brought down to 39F and 37F. Ensure proper cold holding at 41F and below. EHS is not escalating points due to the cold holding violation from last inspection being unrelated and isolated from the cold holding on this inspection. EHS also notes that all other foods in the facility were cold holding at 41F and below. Food was able to be cooled and not discarded. Lastly, cold holding was not a repeat violation on the previous inspection. Further non-compliance in cold holding will lead to full points taken. For more information, please visit: www.mecknc.gov/foodsafety or view our training videos at the following weblinks: What are TCS Foods https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q0iLZb7v0UM and Safe Food Temperatures https://youtu.be/tXP09IK-1TQ .

#47 · Equipment, food & non-food contact surfaces approved, cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used

4-501.11 Maintain equipment in good repair. Observed doors on the interior portion of the stand up RICs beginning to chip on the inside paneling. Ensure that doors are repaired and maintained in good repair.

#55 · Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean −1

Repeat violation

6-101.11/6-201.11 Floors, walls and ceilings shall be designed, constructed, and installed so they are smooth and easily cleanable. Floors shall be non-absorbent in areas subject to moisture. Observed cracking on the floor tiles throughout the facility. Observed damaged wall joints/baseboards that were no longer smooth and easily cleanable. Ensure that floors, walls, and ceilings are repaired so that they are maintained as smooth and easily cleanable.

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Apr 15, 2026 A 97.5 · 2 violations

#22 · Proper cold holding temperatures −1.5

Corrected during inspection

3-501.16(A)(2) Maintain TCS foods in cold holding at 41F or less. -P- Observed bags of cooked rice sitting out in the open on a prep surface recorded at 65F. PIC stated that the rice was removed from refrigeration at 9:30, the observation was made at 11:00. The PIC stated that the rice was left out because it was about to be reheated and added to another dish. When asked when this process would start they said it would be another hour. EHS instructed the PIC that the food shall be maintained in refrigeration until it is about to go through the cooking/reheating process. -CDI- The bags of rice were placed into the WIF to rapidly cool until going onto the stove. The rice properly cooled down to 41F. For more information, please visit: www.mecknc.gov/foodsafety or view our training videos at the following weblinks: What are TCS Foods https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q0iLZb7v0UM and Safe Food Temperatures https://youtu.be/tXP09IK-1TQ .

#55 · Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean −1

Repeat violation

6-101.11/6-201.11 Floors, walls and ceilings shall be designed, constructed, and installed so they are smooth and easily cleanable. Floors shall be non-absorbent in areas subject to moisture. Observed cracking on the floor tiles throughout the facility. Observed a hole in the wall by the men’s restroom. Observed damaged wall joints that were no longer smooth and easily cleanable. Ensure that floors, walls, and ceilings are repaired so that they are maintained as smooth and easily cleanable.

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Dec 16, 2025 A 98 · 4 violations

#21 · Proper hot holding temperatures −1.5

Corrected during inspectionRepeat violation

3-501.16(A)(1) Maintain TCS foods in hot holding at 135F or above. -P- Observed one pan of Mac and cheese in hot holding cabinet below 135F at 131F. PIC stated that Mac and Cheese was placed into hot holding 1 hour prior to inspection -CDI- PIC removed Mac and Cheese from hot holding cabinet and moved directly into oven, PIC reheated Mac and Cheese to 187F before placing back into hot holding cabinet -Points not escalated due to decrease in number of items from last inspection- -Improvement Noted- For more information, please visit: www.mecknc.gov/foodsafety or view our training videos at the following weblinks: What are TCS Foods https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q0iLZb7v0UM and Safe Food Temperatures https://youtu.be/tXP09IK-1TQ .

#47 · Equipment, food & non-food contact surfaces approved, cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used

4-101.19/4-202.16 Non FOOD-CONTACT SURFACES of EQUIPMENT that are exposed to splash, spillage, or other FOOD soiling or that require frequent cleaning shall be constructed of a CORROSION-RESISTANT, nonabsorbent, and SMOOTH material. NonFOOD-CONTACT SURFACES shall be free of unnecessary ledges, projections, and crevices, and designed and constructed to allow easy cleaning and to facilitate maintenance. Observed rusting present on the lower shelving of prep tops throughout the facility, as well as on shelving present in the WIC. Ensure that non food contact surfaces of equipment are free from any rust or corrosion.

#54 · Garbage & refuse properly disposed; facilities maintained

5-501.113(B) Keep dumpster, outside waste containers covered with tight-fitting lids or doors. Observed open dumpster door present in the dumpster area outside the facility. -CDI- Dumpster door was closed.

#55 · Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean −0.5

Repeat violation

6-101.11/6-201.11 Floors, walls and ceilings shall be designed, constructed, and installed so they are smooth and easily cleanable. Floors shall be non-absorbent in areas subject to moisture. Observed chipping floor tiles throughout the facility, especially present between the oven and Stand up RIC, and floors present in the WIC had no tile or paint. Replace and or refinish floors that are lacking non-absorbent materials.

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Aug 26, 2025 A 98.5 · 5 violations

#10 · Handwashing sinks supplied & accessible

Corrected during inspection

5-205.11 (B) A handwashing sink may not be used for purposes other than handwashing Pf. Rag observed in hand washing sink. Do not use hand sinks for any purpose, but employee hand washing. CDI - Rag removed by PIC. 0 pts.

#19 · Proper reheating procedures for hot holding

Corrected during inspection

3-403.11 (A),(D) Reheat all TCS foods to 165F within 2 hours if food is to be hot held until service. -P Mashed plantains measured 56F in hot holding cabinet. Use stove top, grill or oven to reheat TCS foods. Do not use hot holding units to reheat cold TCS foods. CDI - Employee reheated plantains on stove top to above 165F. 0 pts.

#21 · Proper hot holding temperatures −1.5

Corrected during inspectionRepeat violation

3-501.16(A)(1) Maintain TCS foods in hot holding at 135F or above. -P 1 pan of Mac and cheese measured 120F and 1 pan of soup measured 128F in hot holding cabinet. CDI - PIC reheated both items to above 165F. Kept at half credit due to no increase in severity from last inspection. REPEAT For more information, please visit: www.mecknc.gov/foodsafety or view our training videos at the following weblinks: What are TCS Foods https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q0iLZb7v0UM and Safe Food Temperatures https://youtu.be/tXP09IK-1TQ .

#47 · Equipment, food & non-food contact surfaces approved, cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used

4-501.11 Maintain equipment in good repair. Gasket torn on upright cooler door. Replace torn gasket. 0 pts.

#55 · Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean

6-101.11/6-201.11 Floors, walls and ceilings shall be designed, constructed, and installed so they are smooth and easily cleanable. Floors shall be non-absorbent in areas subject to moisture. Wall damage in employee bathroom and floor in walk-in cooler needs to be refinished or painted so it is smooth and easily cleanable.0 pts.

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Mar 20, 2025 A 98 · 4 violations

#21 · Proper hot holding temperatures −1.5

Corrected during inspection

3-501.16(A)(1) Maintain TCS foods in hot holding at 135F or above. -P Observed empanadas in the hot holding display case temping below 135F (see temp chart). PIC stated the empanadas had been placed into the hot case at 10:00AM, which was exactly an hour before this was observed. CDI: PIC removed the empanadas from the case and re-fried them in the fryer. EHS observed reheat temps of the empanadas were above 165F (see temp chart), and food employee placed them back into the hot case. Observed two containers of cooked ground lamb hot holding in hotbox 1 below 135F (see temp chart). PIC stated everything in the hotbox had been cooked this morning and placed an hour prior. CDI: PIC had food employee reheat the two containers of ground lamb at the flattop. EHS observed reheat temp of the ground lamb was above 165F (see temp chart). For more information, please visit: www.mecknc.gov/foodsafety or view our training videos at the following weblinks: What are TCS Foods https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q0iLZb7v0UM and Safe Food Temperatures https://youtu.be/tXP09IK-1TQ .

#41 · Wiping cloths: properly used & stored −0.5

Corrected during inspection

3-304.14(B) Hold in-use wiping cloths in properly concentrated sanitizer between uses. Observed one sanitizer bucket full of chlorine sanitizer reading low concentration at 10ppm. CDI: PIC dumped out the sanitizer bucket and filled with new chlorine sanitizer that was reading above 100ppm. Note: All other sanitizer buckets were reading at proper concentration.

#47 · Equipment, food & non-food contact surfaces approved, cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used

4-501.11 Maintain equipment in good repair. Observed the shelves inside reach-in cooler 1 cracking and rusting. Replace shelves. Observed the gasket in hotbox 2 damaged and torn. Replace gasket.

#56 · Meets ventilation & lighting requirements; designated areas used

6-303.11 Provide required lighting intensity. Observed no lights in the hood system above the stove top. Observed one missing lightbulb in the hood system above the flattop grill and fryers. Replace with new lightbulbs.

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Nov 18, 2024 A 97 · 7 violations

#15 · Food separated & protected

Corrected during inspection

3-302.11(A)(1) Separate raw animal foods from ready-to-eat foods and washed/unwashed fruits and vegetables. -P Observed a large plastic container of raw beef stored above a container of RTE macaroni salad in the WIC. CDI: PIC corrected storage order as there were no signs of physical contamination. Note: No points deducted as there were no other storage order issues in the WIC, and is not a repeat violation. For more information on food storage order please visit: https://health.mecknc.gov/envhealth/food-and-facilities-sanitation

#22 · Proper cold holding temperatures

Corrected during inspection

3-501.16(A)(2) Maintain TCS foods in cold holding at 41F or less. -P Observed a metal pan of cooked chicken stored in the WIC, labeled with a prep date of 11/16 that was temping at 44 degrees F. CDI: PIC voluntarily discarded food item. Note: Points not deducted since all other temperatures in the WIC were 41 degrees F or below (see temperature chart), and all items cold holding in other units were also 41 degrees F or below. This is also not a repeat violation from the previous inspection. For more information, please visit: www.mecknc.gov/foodsafety or view our training videos at the following weblinks: What are TCS Foods https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q0iLZb7v0UM and Safe Food Temperatures https://youtu.be/tXP09IK-1TQ .

#23 · Proper date marking & disposition −1.5

Corrected during inspection

3-501.17 Date mark/label all TCS foods that are ready-to-eat once opened or prepared and held more than 24hrs. -Pf Observed a large metal pan of cut lettuce that had been prepared over 24 hours prior to the inspection, stored in the reach-in cooler without a date mark. Observed a container of cooked beans that had been prepared yesterday, without a date mark. CDI: PIC created a date label for food items. For more information, please visit: www.mecknc.gov/foodsafety or view our training videos at the following weblinks: What are TCS Foods https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q0iLZb7v0UM and Date Marking Food Safely https://youtu.be/BOPsSNUajYs . 3-501.18 Discard the food requiring date labels once time/temperature window has expired, if it is not been labeled, or if the label is incorrect. -P Observed a container of cooked chicken in the WIC labeled with a prep date of 10/04. CDI: PIC voluntarily discarded the food item. For more information, please visit: https://health.mecknc.gov/envhealth/food-and-facilities-sanitation or view our training videos at the following weblinks: What are TCS Foods https://youtu.be/bRvqAETDjQU and Date Marking Food Safely https://youtu.be/BOPsSNUajYs .

#28 · Toxic substances properly identified stored & used −1

Corrected during inspection

7-102.11 Label working containers of toxic materials such as cleaners and sanitizers.-Pf Observed a sanitizer bucket near the handsink in the kitchen unlabeled. CDI: PIC had food employee label the bucket. 7-207.11 (B) Store labeled, employee medications to prevent contamination of food, equipment, and other food service related items. -P Observed a handful of employee medicine bottles stored above dry food items (flour, sugar, beans) in the dry storage rack. CDI: PIC removed medicine bottles away from food items.

#44 · Utensils, equipment & linens: properly stored, dried & handled −0.5

Corrected during inspectionRepeat violation

4-901.11(A) Air dry equipment and utensils after cleaning and sanitizing. Observed a stack of metal pans stacked wet and stored in the clean dish area. CDI: PIC separated pans to allow proper air-drying. REPEAT VIOLATION.

#54 · Garbage & refuse properly disposed; facilities maintained

5-501.114 Drains in dumpsters and waste containers shall have drain plugs in place. Observed dumpster without a drain plug. EHS advised PIC to call the waste company to provide a drain plug.

#55 · Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean

6-101.11/6-201.11 Floors, walls and ceilings shall be designed, constructed, and installed so they are smooth and easily cleanable. Floors shall be non-absorbent in areas subject to moisture. Observed a rectangle shape of the wall behind the toilet cut out, and left exposed in the female restroom. PIC stated that the wall hasn't always been exposed like this, and may have been cut out to install water heater. Wall opening needs to be patched up so that the wall is not exposed, or create an access point to get to the lever without the wall being exposed.

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Sep 24, 2024 A 98 · 7 violations

Inspector comments: Facility will remain voluntarily closed for repairs until adequate hot water temperatures are verified by REHS.

#8 · Hands clean & properly washed

Corrected during inspection

2-301.14 (I) Wash hands after engaging in other activities that contaminate hands. - P. Observed hand washing compliance with exception to one food employee who washed their hands, recontaminated them on faucet handles and transition into food preparations. CDI - PIC intervened and instructed employee on proper hand washing practices. Compliance observed for remainer of inspection. -0-

#38 · Insects & rodents not present; no unauthorized animals

6-202.15 Protect outer openings of establishment from insect or rodent entry. Observed screen of back door in disrepair. 6-501.111 Keep the premises free of insects, rodents, and other pests. Observed one live crawling insect on floor in kitchen. -0-

#44 · Utensils, equipment & linens: properly stored, dried & handled

Corrected during inspection

4-901.11(A) Air dry equipment and utensils after cleaning and sanitizing. Observed clean metal food containers stacked wet. CDI - Utensils separated to air dry. -0-

#47 · Equipment, food & non-food contact surfaces approved, cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used −0.5

Repeat violation

REPEAT VIOLATION: 4-501.11 Maintain equipment in good repair. Observed damaged gaskets at (1) hot box and (1) reach-in refrigerator. Also observed kitchen hand sink in need of re-caulking. Repair. -0.5-

#50 · Hot & cold water available; adequate pressure −0.5

5-103.11(B) Provide sufficient hot water to meet the peak hot water demands. - Pf. Observed inadequate hot water temperatures at 3-compartment, prep sinks and hand washing stations (80 degrees F). PIC contacted owner who spoke with EHS regarding the situation. Plumbing technician arrived onsite during inspection and had begun working on repairs. Facility will remain voluntarily closed until repairs completed. -0.5- ***Verification required to ensure sufficient hot water temperatures have been restored.

#51 · Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices −1

Repeat violation

REPEAT VIOLATION: 5-205.15 Maintain a plumbing system in good repair. At beginning of today’s inspection, PIC advised that the water heater tank had been leaking as of early morning. Plumbing specialist contacted and onsite assessing equipment. EHS also observed water leak at prep sink fixture, noted from previous violation. Plumbing technician has also been advised to work on prep sink leak. -1-

#55 · Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean

6-501.11 Floors, walls, and ceilings including the attachments such as soap and towel dispensers; light fixtures; and heat/ac vents shall be maintained in good repair. Observed damaged floor tiles throughout kitchen and damaged walls inside employee restroom and throughout hall way. Observed water leaking from ceiling inside of employee restroom due to water heater tank malfuntioning. Repair. -0-

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Apr 10, 2024 A 98 · details not yet loaded