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 3 Margaritas
Business Name 3 Margaritas
Address 25791 E Smoky Hill Rd
Aurora, CO 80016-1794
Phone 303-975-6060

Inspection Details
06/02/2022 Inspection, Routine
47 - Good Retail Practices
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed, & used
Inspector Comments: 4-101.19 Nonfood-Contact Surfaces (C) -Rust was present on the shelf below the food preparation counter next to the dough mixer in the kitchen.
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 in front of the food service window in the kitchen was stained. 4-601.11(C) Equipment, Food-Contact Surfaces, Nonfood-Contact Surfaces, and Utensils (C) -The exterior of the stove on the cook line at the entrance to the food preparation area was soiled.
55 - Good Retail Practices
Physical facilities installed, maintained, & clean
Inspector Comments: 6-501.12 Cleaning, Frequency and Restrictions (C) -The caulking on the hand sink to the left of the soda dispenser near the kitchen entrance was soiled.
56 - Good Retail Practices
Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used
Inspector Comments: 6-303.11 Intensity-Lighting (C) -A light above the vent hood on the cook line at the entrance to the food preparation area was not in service.
01/29/2021 Inspection, Routine
03/26/2020 Inspection, Education
07/29/2019 Inspection, Routine
02 - Foodborne Illness Risk Factors
Certified Food Protection Manager
Inspector Comments: A certified food protection manager was not associated with the facility.(Core)
09 - Foodborne Illness Risk Factors
No bare hand contact with RTE food or a pre-approved alternative procedure properly allowed
Inspector Comments: An employee on the expo line was observed using bare hand contact with ready to eat tortilla chips.(Priority) Corrective Action: Education was provided on proper handwashing and glove usage.
37 - Good Retail Practices
Food properly labeled; original container
Inspector Comments: A large bin of white powder was not labeled as to its contents.(Core)
39 - Good Retail Practices
Contamination prevented during food preparation, storage & display
Inspector Comments: Several dented cans were stored with wholesome cans in the dry storage area.(Priority Foundation) Corrective Action: All dented cans were separated and moved to an approved location. Tortilla shells were stored uncovered in a container on the cook line.(Core)
44 - Good Retail Practices
Utensils, equipment & linens: properly stored, dried, & handled
Inspector Comments: A chef’s knife was stored soiled between the cook line steam table and the cold top reach in refrigerator.(Core)
47 - Good Retail Practices
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed, & used
Inspector Comments: Door gaskets were torn in the cook line cold top reach in refrigerator.(Core)
55 - Good Retail Practices
Physical facilities installed, maintained, & clean
Inspector Comments: The floor of the walk in refrigerator was soiled with excessive debris.(Core)
05/09/2019 Inspection, Follow-Up
05/01/2019 Inspection, Routine
02 - Foodborne Illness Risk Factors
Certified Food Protection Manager
Inspector Comments: 2-102.12(A) Certified Food Protection Manager (C) The facility did not have a staff member with a certified food protection manager certificate. Staff will obtain the certificate to be in compliance with regulations.
05 - Foodborne Illness Risk Factors
Procedures for responding to vomiting and diarrheal events
Inspector Comments: 2-501.11 Clean-up of Vomiting and Diarrheal Events (Pf) Facility staff did not have a procedure for vomit and diarrhea cleanup. TCHD provided a clean up procedure for vomit and diarrhea.
10 - Foodborne Illness Risk Factors
Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible
Inspector Comments: 6-301.14 Handwashing Signage (C) The facility restroom hand sinks did not have the employee hand wash command signage.
15 - Foodborne Illness Risk Factors
Food separated and protected
Inspector Comments: 3-302.11 Packaged and Unpackaged Food-Separation, Packaging, and Segregation (P) Raw beef was stored over ready to eat cheese slices. Staff moved the cheese to a different drawer.
16 - Foodborne Illness Risk Factors
Food contact surfaces; cleaned & sanitized
Inspector Comments: 4-501.114 Manual and Mechanical Warewashing Equipment, Chemical Sanitization-Temperature, pH, Concentration and Hardness (P) The dish machine sanitizer did not reach the required 50 ppm chlorine residual in the ware wash area. Staff called dish machine maintenance and will use the three compartment sink until remediation. 4-601.11(A) Equipment, Food-Contact Surfaces, Nonfood-Contact Surfaces, and Utensils (Pf) The right side soda gun interior was soiled in the bar area. Staff placed the soda gun in hot water to start cleaning procedure.
20 - Foodborne Illness Risk Factors
Proper cooling time and temperature
Inspector Comments: 3-501.14 Cooling (P) Containers of cooling red chili were placed out at room temperature in the cook line area. Staff moved the consumer food into the walk for an approved rapid cooling method.
22 - Foodborne Illness Risk Factors
Proper cold holding temperatures
Inspector Comments: 3-501.16(A)(2) Time/Temperature Control for Safety Food, Hot and Cold Holding (P) Seafood measured 55°F in the cook line area. Staff moved the item into the walk in refrigerator after being out for 30 minutes.
23 - Foodborne Illness Risk Factors
Proper date marking and disposition
Inspector Comments: 3-501.17 Ready-To-Eat Time/Temperature Control for Safety Food, Date Marking (Pf) Several precooked food containers were not date marked in the walk in refrigerator. Staff will begin date mark precooked food and discussed the required date marking procedure.
28 - Foodborne Illness Risk Factors
Toxic substances properly identified, stored & used
Inspector Comments: 7-102.11 Common Name-Working Containers (Pf) A chemical spray bottle was not labeled as to its contents in the ware wash area. Staff labeled the container of de-greaser.
43 - Good Retail Practices
In-use utensils: properly stored
Inspector Comments: 3-304.12 In-Use Utensils, Between-Use Storage (C) A in use utensil was stored in ice water in the cook line area.
47 - Good Retail Practices
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed, & used
Inspector Comments: 4-402.11 Fixed Equipment, Spacing or Sealing-Installation (C) The three compartment sink was separating from the wall in the dish machine area. 4-202.15 Can Openers (C) The can opener blade was soiled in the kitchenl.
01/02/2019 Inspection, Follow-Up
12/21/2018 Inspection, Critical Item
01c - Critical, Food Borne Illness Risk
Food Source: Cross-contamination
Inspector Comments: Raw unpasteurized shelled eggs were stored touching ready to eat foods on a shelf in the walk in refrigerator. Corrective action: the person in charge moved the eggs to an approved location.
02c - Critical, Food Borne Illness Risk
Personnel: Hands washed as needed
Inspector Comments: An employee was observed wearing gloves and handling dirty dishes and then handling clean produce without removing gloves and washing hands. An employee was observed donning gloves without washing their hands. Corrective action: education was provided on proper hand washing procedures.
02d - Critical, Food Borne Illness Risk
Personnel: Hygienic practices
Inspector Comments: A cooking utensil was stored in the basin of the cook line hand sink. Corrective action: the utensil was moved to an approved location.
04b - Critical
Sanitation: Mechanical
Inspector Comments: The mechanical dish machine in the bar area measured less than 50 ppm chlorine.
05b - Critical
Water, Sewage, Plumbing Systems: Hot and cold water under pressure
Inspector Comments: No cold water was available at the drink station hand sink. Corrective action: cold water was restored to the hand sink.
05c - Critical
Water, Sewage, Plumbing Systems: Backflow, back siphonage
Inspector Comments: The mop sink had a y-valve located downstream of the atmospheric vacuum breaker. Corrective Action: a hose bib atmospheric vacuum breaker was placed downstream of the shut off valve.
06b - Critical, Food Borne Illness Risk
Hand Washing: Accessible
Inspector Comments: The drink station hand sink was being blocked by a trash can making it inaccessible for hand washing. A pan was being stored on the hand sink in the ware washing area blocking accessibility. Corrective action: items were moved to an approved location.
08a - Critical
Poisonous Or Toxic Items: Properly stored
Inspector Comments: Metallic spray cleaner was stored on a food mixer on the cook line. A tub of uncovered ready to eat tostada shells were stored under the soap dispenser at the cook line hand sink. Corrective action: all chemicals were moved to approved locations.
08b - Critical
Poisonous Or Toxic Items: Properly labeled
Inspector Comments: An chemical spray bottle of degreaser in the ware washing area was unlabeled. Corrective action: the bottle was labeled correctly.
07/02/2018 Inspection, Follow-Up
06/25/2018 Inspection, Routine
01b - Critical
Food Source: Wholesome, free of spoilage
Inspector Comments: A dented can was stored next to wholesome cans in the dry storage area. Corrective action: Manager discarded the dented can.
02d - Critical, Food Borne Illness Risk
Personnel: Hygienic practices
Inspector Comments: Ice was observed in the basin of the bar area hand sink. Corrective action: Education was provided on proper hand sink use.
03e - Critical, Food Borne Illness Risk
Food Temperature Control: Cold hold at 41°f or less
Inspector Comments: Cheese was measured at 60° to the right of the preparation line. Corrective action: Cheese was rapidly cooled.
04b - Critical
Sanitation: Mechanical
Inspector Comments: The dish machine measured below 50ppm chlorine residual on the final rinse cycle. Corrective action: Manager replaced the sanitizer bucket and machine was reading the proper amount of chlorine residual.
05b - Critical
Water, Sewage, Plumbing Systems: Hot and cold water under pressure
Inspector Comments: Hot water was not readily available at the employee bathroom hand sink. Corrective action: Manager turned the hot water valve on below the hand sink, making hot water available.
05c - Critical
Water, Sewage, Plumbing Systems: Backflow, back siphonage
Inspector Comments: A shut-off valve was connected downstream of the atmospheric vacuum breaker at the mop sink. Corrective action: Follow up required.
09b - Non-Critical
Food Labeling, Food Protection: Food protected from contamination
Inspector Comments: Raw fish was observed thawing at room temperature.
10a - Non-Critical
Equipment Design, Construction: Food-contact surfaces
Inspector Comments: The preparation line cutting board was scored.
10b - Non-Critical
Equipment Design, Construction: Nonfood-contact surfaces
Inspector Comments: The walk in refrigerator had a torn door gasket.
12c - Non-Critical
Cleaning Of Equipment & Utensils: Dishwashing operations
Inspector Comments: The caulking at the three compartment sink was soiled.
14a - Non-Critical
Physical Facilities: Plumbing: installed, maintained
Inspector Comments: The caulking was in disrepair at the hand sink next to the dish machine and the hand sink next to the soda station.
14d - Non-Critical
Physical Facilities: Lighting
Inspector Comments: A light was non-functioning above the fry station.
04/11/2017 Inspection, Routine
01c - Critical, Food Borne Illness Risk
Food Source: Cross-contamination
Inspector Comments: Raw shell eggs were stored directly above half and half on a shelf inside the walk-in refrigerator.
03e - Critical, Food Borne Illness Risk
Food Temperature Control: Cold hold at 41°f or less
Inspector Comments: Raw shell eggs, stored on the cook's line food preparation table at ambient air temperature, measured 74°F. A bag of shredded cheddar cheese, stored on the cook's line food preparation table at ambient air temperature, measured 55°F. A bag of shredded monterey jack cheese, stored on the cook's line food preparation table at ambient air temperature, measured 46°F. A large metal pan of shredded monterey jack cheese, stored directly on top of ice at the cook's line (insufficient ice contact), measured 52°F. A large metal pan of shredded cheddar cheese, stored directly on top of ice at the cook's line (insufficient ice contact), measured 48°F. Overstocked shredded lettuce, stored inside the cook's line cold-top refrigerator, measured 52°F.
05c - Critical
Water, Sewage, Plumbing Systems: Backflow, back siphonage
Inspector Comments: A y-valve with shut-offs was installed directly downstream from the mop sink atmospheric vacuum breaker.
08a - Critical
Poisonous Or Toxic Items: Properly stored
Inspector Comments: A bottle of hand sanitizer was stored directly next to a bottle of agave nectar at the bar. A chemical spray bottle containing glass cleaner was observed hanging on the bar liquor bottle holster with its spout facing towards liquor bottles.
08b - Critical
Poisonous Or Toxic Items: Properly labeled
Inspector Comments: A chemical spray bottle containing degreaser, on the warewashing area chemical storage shelf, was not labeled as to its contents. A chemical spray bottle containing glass cleaner, in the chemical storage area at the bar, was not labeled as to its contents.
09b - Non-Critical
Food Labeling, Food Protection: Food protected from contamination
Inspector Comments: A corn tortilla flour bag, on the dry storage rack, was torn. Opened boxes of corn starch were stored uncovered on the dry storage rack. Sliced avocado, inside the cook's line reach-in refrigerator, was wrapped with paper towel. Taco shells, on the cook's line top storage shelf, were stored uncovered.
10a - Non-Critical
Equipment Design, Construction: Food-contact surfaces
Inspector Comments: The kitchen wait station tortilla press was lined with aluminum foil.
10b - Non-Critical
Equipment Design, Construction: Nonfood-contact surfaces
Inspector Comments: One of the doors of the three-door reach-in freezer was lined with clear plastic. The bulk rice bin lid was broken. The bottom warewashing area storage shelf was rusted. The underside of the clean pan storage shelf was rusted.
11c - Non-Critical
Testing Devices: Chemical test kits provided and accessible
Inspector Comments: Chlorine bleach test strips, to measure chlorine sanitizer concentration, were not available at the facility. Quaternary ammonia test strips, to measure quaternary ammonia sanitizer concentration, were not available at the facility.
12a - Non-Critical
Cleaning Of Equipment & Utensils: Food-contact surfaces
Inspector Comments: The table-mounted can opener blade was soiled with dried on food debris.
12b - Non-Critical
Cleaning Of Equipment & Utensils: Nonfood-contact surfaces
Inspector Comments: The interior bottom of the three-door reach-in freezer was soiled with debris. The exterior doors of the three-door reach-in freezer were soiled.
12c - Non-Critical
Cleaning Of Equipment & Utensils: Dishwashing operations
Inspector Comments: The three-compartment sink was not securely sealed to the wall.
13a - Non-Critical
Utensils, Single-Service Articles: Utensils provided, used, stored
Inspector Comments: A knife was stored in between equipment at the cook's line.
14a - Non-Critical
Physical Facilities: Plumbing: installed, maintained
Inspector Comments: The kitchen wait station hand sink was not securely sealed to the wall.
14c - Non-Critical
Physical Facilities: Floors, walls, and ceilings
Inspector Comments: Holes were present in the wall next to the magnetic wall-mounted clean knife storage rack. A ceiling tile was not in place above the water heater in the dry storage room.
04/10/2017 Inspection, Follow-Up
12/30/2016 Inspection, Follow-Up
12/07/2016 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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