El Amigo remains open after two ‘unsatisfactory’ inspection scores
North Central Health District says the July scores came during one routine and one follow-up inspection, while additional enforcement action is being considered.
MILLEDGEVILLE, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) — El Amigo Mexican Restaurant is allowed to remain open while Environmental Health staff prepare to inspect the restaurant again following two unsatisfactory scores in July.
“The facility is allowed to operate at this time,” North Central Health District spokesperson Michael Hokanson told 41NBC Thursday. “Environmental Health staff will be conducting a follow-up inspection at El Amigo.”
The restaurant, located at 2465 N. Columbia St., received a 58/U during a routine inspection July 21 and a 60/U during a follow-up inspection July 29. The restaurant previously received a 96 during a routine inspection December 19, 2025, and a 93 during a routine inspection May 3, 2025.
Hokanson said Georgia’s food service rules distinguish between routine and follow-up inspections. A restaurant receiving a “U” during two consecutive routine inspections will be asked to voluntarily close until violations are corrected and could face action to suspend or revoke its food service permit.
El Amigo’s two scores came during one routine inspection and one follow-up inspection. Hokanson said additional enforcement action is being considered pending the restaurant’s next inspection.
During the July 21 inspection, an inspector reported finding what was described as a mold-like substance on cheese and onions inside a walk-in cooler and a black mold-like substance inside an ice machine.
The report also listed chicken, cheese, tomatoes and cooked chicken held above the required cold-holding temperature. Other violations included several flies in the kitchen and storage area, uncovered tamales, food without date markings and tamale wraps stored with pest-control devices and linens.
During the July 29 follow-up, the inspector again reported a black mold-like substance inside the ice machine, flies and food without date markings.
The follow-up report also said raw chicken was held at 48 degrees and shredded cheese at 51 degrees. Cold food generally must be held at 41 degrees or below.
The inspector also reported an employee using bare hands to plate ready-to-eat food, a handwashing sink at the bar without cold water and uncovered pots of cooked food stored beneath a flat-top grill.
Stay up-to-date on Middle Georgia’s food service inspection scores every Tuesday at 41nbc.com/rrc.
