Health Inspection Information

The inspection history for the business you selected is displayed below. Each inspection may have zero or more violations. A health inspection report is a "snapshot" of the day and time of the inspection. On any given day, an establishment could have more or fewer violations than noted here. Inspections are based on regulations to eliminate risk factors for illness or injury. Every violation is coded indicating the degree of risk in causing an illness or injury.

  • Critical, Major, or Foodborne Illness Risk Factor Violations: These violations are more likely than other violations to contribute to illness or injury. Inspectors work with operators to make sure that these violations are corrected whenever feasible before they leave the establishment. A re-inspection may be scheduled to verify compliance.
  • Non-Critical, Minor or Good Retail Practice Violations: These violations are not directly related to the cause of illness or injury, but if uncorrected, could negatively affect the operation of the facility, such as maintenance and cleanliness.

Please Note: Tri-County converted to a new database in July 2013. Any inspections listed prior to July 2013 only display the date and type of inspection, but not the inspector comments because of the database conversion. For inspection reports prior to July 2013 please submit a written request to EHInspections@tchd.org.


Facility Details
Program Food
Facility Name On the Border Mexican Grill and Cantina
Business Name On the Border Mexican Grill and Cantina
Address 6369 S Southlands Pkwy
Aurora, CO 80016-5319
Phone 720-583-7660

Inspection Details
08/17/2022 Inspection, Routine
47 - Good Retail Practices
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed, & used
Inspector Comments: 4-501.12 Cutting Surfaces (C) -The cutting board near the steam table across from the vent hood on the main cook line was scored.
49 - Good Retail Practices
Non-food contact surfaces clean
Inspector Comments: 4-601.11(B) Equipment, Food-Contact Surfaces, Nonfood-Contact Surfaces, and Utensils (C) -The cutting board next to the fryers on the main cook line was stained.
51 - Good Retail Practices
Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices
Inspector Comments: 5-202.14 Backflow Prevention Device, Design Standard (P) -A shutoff valve was present downstream from the atmospheric vacuum breaker on the mop sink in the kitchen. Corrective action: The person in charge removed the spray nozzle from the hose. Discussed proper backflow prevention devices with the person in charge.
56 - Good Retail Practices
Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used
Inspector Comments: 6-303.11 Intensity-Lighting (C) -An overhead light in the vent hood on the secondary cook line was not in service.
07/27/2021 Inspection, Education
02/12/2021 Inspection, Routine
51 - Good Retail Practices
Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices
Inspector Comments: A shut off valve was located down stream of an atmospheric vacuum breaker at the mop sink.(Priority) Corrective Action: The spray nozzle was removed and back flow education was provided.
09/20/2019 Inspection, Routine
08 - Foodborne Illness Risk Factors
Hands clean & properly washed
Inspector Comments: An employee in the dish pit was observed handling soiled dishes then touched sanitized dishes, without first washing their hands.(Priority) Corrective Action: Provided education on proper handwashing procedures.
10 - Foodborne Illness Risk Factors
Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible
Inspector Comments: A large tub was present in the basin of the hand sink next to the dish pit.(Priority Foundation) A cup was present in the basin of the south bar hand sink.(Priority Foundation) Corrective Action: All items were moved to an approved location.
13 - Foodborne Illness Risk Factors
Food in good condition, safe, & unadulterated
Inspector Comments: A bottle of Captain Morgan was adulterated with a winged insect. Corrective Action: See voluntary condemnation for details.
21 - Foodborne Illness Risk Factors
Proper hot holding temperatures
Inspector Comments: Cooked chicken breast stored in a hot holding unit to the left of the grill top measured 123°F.(Priority) Corrective Action: The chicken was removed from the cook line by the manager on duty. Cooked green peppers and sautéed onions stored to the left of the cook line grill measured 66-79°F.(Priority) Corrective Action: Both items were removed from the cook line by the manager on duty, provided education on TAPHC plans.
22 - Foodborne Illness Risk Factors
Proper cold holding temperatures
Inspector Comments: Several time and temperature control for safety foods stored in a chest refrigerator to the left of the grill top measured 48-53°F.(Priority) Corrective Action: All items were moved to an approved refrigeration unit. Cooked black beans stored in the walk in refrigerator measured 44°F.(Priority) Corrective Action: The beans were moved to the walk in freezer to be rapidly cooled to 41°F or below.
41 - Good Retail Practices
Wiping Cloths; properly used & stored
Inspector Comments: Several damp wiping cloths throughout the facility were not stored in a chemical sanitizer solution.(Core)
44 - Good Retail Practices
Utensils, equipment & linens: properly stored, dried, & handled
Inspector Comments: Dishes were stacked wet to the left of the three compartment sink in the warewashing area.(Core)
47 - Good Retail Practices
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed, & used
Inspector Comments: A torn door gasket was present in the walk in refrigerator.(Core) Caulking on the three compartment sink was in disrepair.(Core)
56 - Good Retail Practices
Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used
Inspector Comments: A light bulb was not functioning in the grill line ventilation hood.(Core)
11/02/2018 Inspection, Routine
02d - Critical, Food Borne Illness Risk
Personnel: Hygienic practices
Inspector Comments: An employee was observed using a wet rag soiled with food debris that measured less than 150 ppm quaternary ammonium to touch clean plates, and wipe multiple food contact surfaces on the kitchen cook line. Corrective action: the person in charge educated the employee on proper hygienic practices. An employee was observed using a hand sink to fill a bucket in the kitchen facility. Corrective action: discussed with the person in charge proper hand sink usage.
02g - Critical, Food Borne Illness Risk
Personnel: Preventing food contamination from bare hands
Inspector Comments: An employee in the bar area was observed touching ready to eat lime with bare hands. Corrective action: the employee was educated on proper ready to eat food handling and utensil use.
06b - Critical, Food Borne Illness Risk
Hand Washing: Accessible
Inspector Comments: The hand sink located at the wait station was blocked by a vacuum. Corrective action: the person in charge moved the vacuum to an approved location.
10b - Non-Critical
Equipment Design, Construction: Nonfood-contact surfaces
Inspector Comments: The door gasket on the cook line cold top refrigerator was torn, and the door interior lining was pitted and torn.
12a - Non-Critical
Cleaning Of Equipment & Utensils: Food-contact surfaces
Inspector Comments: The soda gun at the bar was soiled with mold.
12b - Non-Critical
Cleaning Of Equipment & Utensils: Nonfood-contact surfaces
Inspector Comments: The soda gun holster at the bar was soiled with mold. There was ice build up in the walk in freezer.
12d - Non-Critical
Cleaning Of Equipment & Utensils: Wiping cloths
Inspector Comments: The cloths in the sanitizer buckets throughout the kitchen facility were below 150 ppm quaternary ammonium.
13a - Non-Critical
Utensils, Single-Service Articles: Utensils provided, used, stored
Inspector Comments: Tongs on the cook line grill were stored in a manner that would not protect them from contamination.
14a - Non-Critical
Physical Facilities: Plumbing: installed, maintained
Inspector Comments: The hand sinks at the salsa and chip stations at both ends of the kitchen facility were slow draining. The faucet on the dump sink in the bar area was loose.
14c - Non-Critical
Physical Facilities: Floors, walls, and ceilings
Inspector Comments: Broken tiles were present on the cook line floor. Raw unpainted wood was attached to the wall next to the paper towel dispensers in the women's restroom. The area surrounding the chip holder in the bar area was soiled with food debris.
14d - Non-Critical
Physical Facilities: Lighting
Inspector Comments: Several light shields in both walk in refrigerators and the walk in freezer were cracked. Light bulbs in the cook line hoods were not functioning.
14f - Non-Critical
Physical Facilities: Locker rooms
Inspector Comments: An employee item was stored on top of single-service articles (cup lids) on a rack in the back kitchen dry storage area.
11/13/2017 Inspection, Routine
02c - Critical, Food Borne Illness Risk
Personnel: Hands washed as needed
Inspector Comments: An employee was observed donning a pair of single use gloves without first washing their hands multiple times at the cook line. An employee was observed handling dirty dishes then clean dishes without first washing their hands at the dish machine.
02d - Critical, Food Borne Illness Risk
Personnel: Hygienic practices
Inspector Comments: Ice cubes were observed in the basin of the hand sink in the server area near the bar.
02e - Critical
Personnel: Smoking, eating, drinking
Inspector Comments: An unapproved twist top employee beverage was stored in the server reach-in refrigerator next to chocolate milk near the kitchen entrance.
03e - Critical, Food Borne Illness Risk
Food Temperature Control: Cold hold at 41°f or less
Inspector Comments: The following potentially hazardous foods were stored above 41°F in the cook line cold-top refrigerator next to the cook line fryers: corn dogs (49°F) and rellenos (57°F). At the server station near the bar: red salsa (48-50°F).
09b - Non-Critical
Food Labeling, Food Protection: Food protected from contamination
Inspector Comments: A metal container of mini tortilla shells were stored uncovered and in a manner that did not protect them from contamination on top of the hot holding unit next to the food preparation sink.
10a - Non-Critical
Equipment Design, Construction: Food-contact surfaces
Inspector Comments: The cook line cold top refrigerator cutting board was grooved and scored.
10b - Non-Critical
Equipment Design, Construction: Nonfood-contact surfaces
Inspector Comments: The door gasket of the reach-in freezer next to the cook line fryers was torn. The door gasket of the walk-in refrigerator was torn. The door gasket of the boiler cooler next to the fajita grill was torn. Clear, plastic liners were observed lining multiple compartments of the cook line steam table and the three chamber hot holding unit across from the dish machine.
12a - Non-Critical
Cleaning Of Equipment & Utensils: Food-contact surfaces
Inspector Comments: The table mounted can opener was soiled with food debris across from the three-compartment sink.
12b - Non-Critical
Cleaning Of Equipment & Utensils: Nonfood-contact surfaces
Inspector Comments: The fan guards of the walk-in refrigerator were dusty.
12c - Non-Critical
Cleaning Of Equipment & Utensils: Dishwashing operations
Inspector Comments: Clean metal containers were stacked and nested while wet on the shelf next to the dish machine and the shelf next to the keg walk-in refrigerator.
14a - Non-Critical
Physical Facilities: Plumbing: installed, maintained
Inspector Comments: A leak was observed coming from the faucet of the hand sink in the dish machine area. A leak was observed coming from the faucet of the cook line hand sink. A leak was observed coming from the left side faucet of the three-compartment sink. A leak was observed coming from the drain pipes under the hand sink next to the food preparation sink. The faucet of the dump sink at the bar was loose. A leak was observed coming from the right side faucet of the three-compartment sink at the bar. The hand sink at the bar drained directly onto the floor.
14b - Non-Critical
Physical Facilities: Garbage and refuse
Inspector Comments: The lid of the dumpster was left open when otherwise not in use.
09/29/2016 Inspection, Follow-Up
02e - Critical
Personnel: Smoking, eating, drinking
Inspector Comments: Observed an uncovered employee personal beverage to be stored on the kitchen to-go order pick-up station. Observed an uncovered employee personal beverage to be stored on the rear food preparation area table.
08/29/2016 Inspection, Routine
02d - Critical, Food Borne Illness Risk
Personnel: Hygienic practices
Inspector Comments: Observed a tong utensil to be stored directly inside the cook's line hand sink basin.
04b - Critical
Sanitation: Mechanical
Inspector Comments: The warewashing area dish machine final sanitizing rinse cycle measured "0" ppm chlorine residual at the dish surface after running the machine for several cycles.
07a - Critical
Pest Control: Evidence of insects or rodents
Inspector Comments: Several live flies were observed in the kitchen and warewashing areas.
09a - Non-Critical
Food Labeling, Food Protection: Original container, properly labeled
Inspector Comments: A shaker of salt in the preparation kitchen was not labeled as to its contents.
10a - Non-Critical
Equipment Design, Construction: Food-contact surfaces
Inspector Comments: Cutting boards in the kitchen were stained. A spatula utensil, near the flat top tortilla grill, was in disrepair.
10b - Non-Critical
Equipment Design, Construction: Nonfood-contact surfaces
Inspector Comments: The nacho reach-in refrigerator door gasket was torn.
12a - Non-Critical
Cleaning Of Equipment & Utensils: Food-contact surfaces
Inspector Comments: The interiors of the keg walk-in refrigerator beer lines were soiled with a black mold-like residue.
12c - Non-Critical
Cleaning Of Equipment & Utensils: Dishwashing operations
Inspector Comments: Clean pans on the kitchen storage shelf were stacked while wet.
13b - Non-Critical
Utensils, Single-Service Articles: Single service articles stored, used
Inspector Comments: Coffee filters at the kitchen wait station were stored uncovered.
14a - Non-Critical
Physical Facilities: Plumbing: installed, maintained
Inspector Comments: The cook's line hand sink caulking was in disrepair.
14c - Non-Critical
Physical Facilities: Floors, walls, and ceilings
Inspector Comments: Holes were present in the kitchen and warewashing area walls. The floor beneath the kitchen ice machine was soiled.
08/25/2015 Inspection, Routine
02d - Critical, Food Borne Illness Risk
Personnel: Hygienic practices
Inspector Comments: Ice cubes were present inside the kitchen hand sink basin.
02g - Critical, Food Borne Illness Risk
Personnel: Preventing food contamination from bare hands
Inspector Comments: An employee in the kitchen was observed handling ready-to-eat jalapenos and tomatoes with their bare hands.
03c - Critical, Food Borne Illness Risk
Food Temperature Control: Hot hold at 135°f or greater
Inspector Comments: Double-panned cheese sauce, inside the cooks' line steam table, measured 123­°F. Sour cream sauce, inside the kitchen hot holding unit, measured 131°F.
03e - Critical, Food Borne Illness Risk
Food Temperature Control: Cold hold at 41°f or less
Inspector Comments: Overstocked whipped topping inside a piping bag in the cooks' line cold-top refrigerator measured 63°F. Double-panned shredded cheese measured 45°F and double-panned shredded lettuce measured 50°F inside the cooks' line cold-top refrigerator. Facility prepared tomato salsa, on top of a pan of ice at the bar, measured 49°F.
10b - Non-Critical
Equipment Design, Construction: Nonfood-contact surfaces
Inspector Comments: The condiment and dressing refrigerator door gasket was torn.
12b - Non-Critical
Cleaning Of Equipment & Utensils: Nonfood-contact surfaces
Inspector Comments: Kitchen light shield interiors were soiled with debris.
13a - Non-Critical
Utensils, Single-Service Articles: Utensils provided, used, stored
Inspector Comments: Ice cream scoops were stored in stagnant water measuring 73°F at the cooks' line. Tong utensils at the cooks' line were stored at knee level.
14c - Non-Critical
Physical Facilities: Floors, walls, and ceilings
Inspector Comments: Holes were present in the wall adjacent to the kitchen wait station.
05/18/2015 Inspection, Follow-Up
05/08/2015 Inspection, Routine
01b - Critical
Food Source: Wholesome, free of spoilage
Inspector Comments: A dented can of jalapenos was stored with other wholesome cans at the kitchen dry storage rack. A dented can of tomatoes was stored with other wholesome cans on the storage shelf by the mop sink.
02e - Critical
Personnel: Smoking, eating, drinking
Inspector Comments: An unapproved employee beverage was stored on the metal chemical box by the mop sink.
03e - Critical, Food Borne Illness Risk
Food Temperature Control: Cold hold at 41°f or less
Inspector Comments: Jalapeno poppers were 44-48°F and cut salad was 46°F at the cold top refrigerator next to the cook line grill.
05b - Critical
Water, Sewage, Plumbing Systems: Hot and cold water under pressure
Inspector Comments: No hot water was available at the faucet at the three-compartment sink.
05c - Critical
Water, Sewage, Plumbing Systems: Backflow, back siphonage
Inspector Comments: The pot sprayer nozzle hung below the flood rim of the bean pot.
08a - Critical
Poisonous Or Toxic Items: Properly stored
Inspector Comments: Stainless steel polish was stored on top of the dish machine above clean dishes and food utensils.
09a - Non-Critical
Food Labeling, Food Protection: Original container, properly labeled
Inspector Comments: An unlabeled oil bottle was observed at the kitchen preparation station.
09b - Non-Critical
Food Labeling, Food Protection: Food protected from contamination
Inspector Comments: The ice bin at the east wait station was uncovered when not in use. The ice bin at the west wait station was uncovered when not in use. The ice bin at the bar was uncovered when not in use.
10a - Non-Critical
Equipment Design, Construction: Food-contact surfaces
Inspector Comments: The cutting boards at the cook line cold top refrigerators were deeply grooved. A non-commercial grade food container was observed in the walk in freezer. A food container on the storage rack at the ware wash area was melted and was no longer smooth and easily cleanable
10b - Non-Critical
Equipment Design, Construction: Nonfood-contact surfaces
Inspector Comments: The caulking of the vent hood above the cook line was damaged. A torn door gasket was observed at the front reach in refrigerator in the kitchen. A damaged handle was observed on the cover for the cold hold section holding chicken tenders on the cook line preparation area. Torn gaskets were observed on the cook line cold hold drawers across from the flat top grill. Torn door gaskets were observed on the reach in refrigerator units on the cook line. A torn door gasket was observed at the standing reach in refrigerator next to the grill. A torn door gasket was observed on the door to the walk in refrigerator.
12a - Non-Critical
Cleaning Of Equipment & Utensils: Food-contact surfaces
Inspector Comments: Water was observed pooling at the bottom of the interior of the standing reach in refrigerator next to the grill.
12b - Non-Critical
Cleaning Of Equipment & Utensils: Nonfood-contact surfaces
Inspector Comments: The vent hood above the cook line grill and deep fryers was greasy. The top of the dish machine was soiled with debris. The caulking of the drain board next to the dish machine was soiled with debris.
12c - Non-Critical
Cleaning Of Equipment & Utensils: Dishwashing operations
Inspector Comments: Stacked wet dishes were observed on the storage rack at the ware wash station.
13a - Non-Critical
Utensils, Single-Service Articles: Utensils provided, used, stored
Inspector Comments: Bowls were stored with the food contact surface facing up on top of the main preparation station in the kitchen. Utensils were stored in a non-running dipper well with a water temperature of 70°F at the preparation station along the cook line. A scoop handle was in direct contact with shredded cheese in the cold hold drawer along the cook line. Tongs were stored at knee level on the handle of the cook line oven.
14a - Non-Critical
Physical Facilities: Plumbing: installed, maintained
Inspector Comments: The splash guard caulking of the ware wash hand sink and grill hand sink was damaged. The pot sprayer nozzle hung below the flood rim of the bean pot.
14b - Non-Critical
Physical Facilities: Garbage and refuse
Inspector Comments: A dumpster lid was open.
14c - Non-Critical
Physical Facilities: Floors, walls, and ceilings
Inspector Comments: The floor coving below the sprayer at the ware wash station was damaged. Holes were observed in the wall above the food preparation sink.
14f - Non-Critical
Physical Facilities: Locker rooms
Inspector Comments: A music speaker was stored on top of clean food trays at the shelf above the grill hand sink.
06/10/2014 Inspection, Follow-Up
05/23/2014 Inspection, Routine
02c - Critical, Food Borne Illness Risk
Personnel: Hands washed as needed
Inspector Comments: Employees were observed donning gloves without first washing their hands.
02d - Critical, Food Borne Illness Risk
Personnel: Hygienic practices
Inspector Comments: An employee was observed rinsing their hands in the three compartment sink. The hand sink by the back beverage station was being utilized to dump ice into. A spoon was stored in the hand sink in the dish washing area. An employee was observed not washing their hands with soap or drying their hands with paper towels.
02e - Critical
Personnel: Smoking, eating, drinking
Inspector Comments: An uncovered employee beverage was stored at the preparation sink.
03e - Critical, Food Borne Illness Risk
Food Temperature Control: Cold hold at 41°f or less
Inspector Comments: The following items were above 41°F: pico del gallo @ 48°F, cut cabbage @ 45°F, and chile rellenos @ 48°F.
06c - Critical, Food Borne Illness Risk
Hand Washing: Soap and drying devices
Inspector Comments: Paper towels were not provided to the hand sink to the left of the preparation sink.
08a - Critical
Poisonous Or Toxic Items: Properly stored
Inspector Comments: A bottle of degreaser was stored on a sheet tray below the grill.
09b - Non-Critical
Food Labeling, Food Protection: Food protected from contamination
Inspector Comments: Ice at the beverage station was left uncovered while not in use.
10a - Non-Critical
Equipment Design, Construction: Food-contact surfaces
Inspector Comments: The cutting board at the cold top was deeply grooved.
10b - Non-Critical
Equipment Design, Construction: Nonfood-contact surfaces
Inspector Comments: The gaskets of the reach-in under the microwave were torn.
12a - Non-Critical
Cleaning Of Equipment & Utensils: Food-contact surfaces
Inspector Comments: The blade of the table mounted can opener was soiled with food debris.
12b - Non-Critical
Cleaning Of Equipment & Utensils: Nonfood-contact surfaces
Inspector Comments: The caulking around the dish area was moldy.
12c - Non-Critical
Cleaning Of Equipment & Utensils: Dishwashing operations
Inspector Comments: Dishes were stacked wet while drying on the drying rack in the dish area.
13a - Non-Critical
Utensils, Single-Service Articles: Utensils provided, used, stored
Inspector Comments: Tongs were stored knee level on the oven handle. The handle of the ice scoop was stored in the ice in the ice machine.,
14a - Non-Critical
Physical Facilities: Plumbing: installed, maintained
Inspector Comments: The sprayer on the preparation area was leaking.
14d - Non-Critical
Physical Facilities: Lighting
Inspector Comments: A light was not in operation on the ventilation hoods.
12/02/2013 Inspection, Follow-Up
11/18/2013 Inspection, Routine
02e - Critical
Personnel: Smoking, eating, drinking
Inspector Comments: Unapproved employee beverages were stored by the wait station hand sink.
03c - Critical, Food Borne Illness Risk
Food Temperature Control: Hot hold at 135°f or greater
Inspector Comments: Cooked rice in the steam table was 126°F.
03e - Critical, Food Borne Illness Risk
Food Temperature Control: Cold hold at 41°f or less
Inspector Comments: Diced tomatoes were 52°F and sour cream was 55°F in the cold top next to the steam table. Salsa above the chip warmer was 51°F. Butter sauce in a cold holding unit next to the fajita grill was 51°F.
08a - Critical
Poisonous Or Toxic Items: Properly stored
Inspector Comments: A chemical spray bottle was stored above clean dishes on the drying rack in the dish washing area.
09b - Non-Critical
Food Labeling, Food Protection: Food protected from contamination
Inspector Comments: The ice bin at the wait station was left uncovered while not in use.
12a - Non-Critical
Cleaning Of Equipment & Utensils: Food-contact surfaces
Inspector Comments: The grease hoods above the cook's line were soiled with dust and excessive grease. The cutting boards next to the fajita grill were soiled with food debris.
13a - Non-Critical
Utensils, Single-Service Articles: Utensils provided, used, stored
Inspector Comments: Tongs were stored at knee level on the oven handles at the cook's line.
11/30/2012 Inspection, Follow-Up
11/28/2012 Inspection, Routine
12/13/2011 Inspection, Critical Item
07/07/2011 Inspection, Follow-Up
06/30/2011 Inspection, Routine
12/15/2010 Inspection, Routine
09/03/2010 Inspection, First Operational

Please Note: Tri-County converted to a new database in July 2013. Any inspections listed prior to July 2013 only display the date and type of inspection, but not the inspector comments because of the database conversion. For inspection reports prior to July 2013 please submit a written request to EHInspections@tchd.org.


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