GARCIAS MEXICAN GRILL
Direction matters as much as the letter. GARCIAS MEXICAN GRILL sits at a C (77/100) today, but its inspections have been getting cleaner, not messier — an improving trend a single grade can't show.
It currently ranks safer than 23% of Volusia County restaurants we grade. The most recent report (January 26, 2026) still cited 1 high-priority, 2 intermediate, and 9 basic violations, so there's room to climb. Diner rating: 4.3 from 1,853 reviews. Menus here flag options for vegetarian and dairy-free diners.
Trend: improving · C (77/100) · safer than 23% of Volusia County restaurants we grade
Get directions Call (386) 873-7229
Restaurant details
- Health grade
- C (77/100)
- Violations
- 12 total — 1 high-priority, 2 intermediate, 9 basic
- Address
- 1498 S WOODLAND BLVD, Deland, FL
- Cuisine
- Mexican
- Categories
- Mexican restaurant
- Price
- $10–20
- Rating
- 4.3 stars (1853 reviews)
- Neighborhood
- Cranor
- Seats
- 150
- Phone
- (386) 873-7229
- Website
- Official website
Community Rating
Reviews via GoogleWhat diners say — our read
An average alone would undersell where this place is now. The staff tends to be raised approvingly here, averaging 4.2 stars.
More reviewers landed on 5 stars than any other score — 11 of 17. Of the 17 rated reviews, 11 sit at four stars or better and 5 at two or below.
The inspection lands in between as well: DBPR graded this kitchen a C (77/100), citing 1 high-priority, 2 intermediate, and 9 basic violations. That result dates from January 26, 2026. Its inspection trajectory is upward over the records we hold. Ranked against Volusia County, it is safer than 23% of the restaurants we score. What the inspector actually wrote up: cross-contamination and clean clothes.
This is a listing where the two measures each tell half the story. Full reviews follow below in the order they were left.
Our own analysis of 17 reviews for this restaurant, set against its Florida DBPR inspection record. How we calculate grades →
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Food always comes out quickly and portions are huge
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When I’m in town I make it a point to come to Garcias. Every time the food just gets better and better.
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Love this place. Best Mexican food around. Awesome staff.
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Garcia's is consistently so very very delicious. I door dash it and it is still hot and fresh. Never disappoints. Always fabulous
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The food here was amazing and the staff is friendly and efficient. Not many places where a couple is full for under $40, but this place hits all the marks! Update: came in again and this time I got the burrito. This thing is about the size of my forearm. Stuffed with steak, peppers, onions, guac, sour cream and cheese. Topped with cheese sauce. Flavorful and delicious. Also got the churros. Delicious. 5 star continues
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The food was great. Seasoned wonderfully. Service great. Prices are fair, cheaper than cooking at home. Will be back for sure.
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Really great food and atmosphere.
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It’s a shame it is definitely not the same Gracias from before.! 1. The smell of raw sewage when you enter is almost overwhelming. Definitely not an atmosphere that promote hunger. 2. Service absolutely sucked. I have never had a server put a plate directly in my face, she was also very abrasive and rude. 3. The food was definitely not what it used to be. It was my special needs son’s Birthday today and Garcias used to be his favorite, but we never even had a chance to order a dessert for him and celebrate because she was more worried about giving us a check than making sure we were done and to let them know so we could sing him Happy Birthday, because our waitress never even came over to check on us to see if the food was OK or if we needed refills it’s a shame. So we definitely will not be back…… PLEASE GET YOUR SEWER FIXED THAT IS GROSS !!!!!
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Milena is very sweet bartender! Great margaritas!
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I usually don’t order Mexican food from around here but this is my first time and it’s tough and terrible. Not very much seasoning on all the food unfortunately and it was Over $20. looks good, but it’s no taste and very hard to chew
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They have tamales homemade,use to get tamales as kid on the street. Love them great gob let’s make em bigger loved them
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Great food great price thank you again.
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Went for lunch. Had 2 enchiladas. Took 1.5 home to throw in the garbage. Boiled ground beef on a tortilla. No sauce, no cheese nothing but boiled ground meat handed to me for lunch. I hadn’t eaten all day so ate half of one to have something in my stomach. I’m not concerned with what I pay, but want something decen. Won’t be back.
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Horrible!
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Stopped by for the first time today and the food was excellent and service by Estifina..excellent! Thank you
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Food was good, but they don’t show the price of fountain drinks which are nearly $5. That’s a total crook move. Fountain drinks cost 10 cents for 12 oz on average for businesses.
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1st time at this Mexican restaurant, it's beautiful inside with all the decorations, the seats and the tables. The food, was ok, not to many options for the Margaritas and the Premium one is like a regular house Margarita. I ordered the molcajete was not the best, the carne asada was a NY steak in a half with 2 pieces of chicken breast, needs more flavor, and my husband's carne asada in salsa roja was another NY steak, not the traditional Mexican carne asada.
Overall Score
50 / 100
Composite score from health grade, dietary options, ratings, and inspection record — distinct from the state-derived health grade.
Opening hours
- Monday
- 11 AM to 9 PM
- Tuesday
- 11 AM to 9 PM
- Wednesday
- 11 AM to 9 PM
- Thursday
- 11 AM to 9 PM
- Friday
- 11 AM to 10 PM
- Saturday
- 11 AM to 10 PM
- Sunday
- 11 AM to 9 PM
Inspection history
The following records are from Florida DBPR public inspection records, most recent first.
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January 26, 2026 · Routine - Food
Inspection Completed - No Further Action
1 high-priority · 2 intermediate · 9 basic
- 02 — Consumer advisory, date-marking & labeling of ready-to-eat foods
- 08 — Cross-contamination: raw foods separated; food protected during prep/storage (×2)
- 13 — Clean clothes; hair restraints; jewelry; fingernails
- 14 — Food-contact & nonfood-contact surfaces properly designed/maintained (×2)
- 24 — Storage & handling of clean equipment and utensils; air drying
- 29 — Plumbing installed & maintained; mop sink; backflow prevention
- 36 — Floors, walls, ceilings clean & maintained; proper ventilation (×2)
- 41 — Chemicals / toxic substances properly stored & used
- 53 — Food manager certification; employee food-safety training
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July 23, 2025 · Routine - Food
Call Back - Complied
1 high-priority · 2 intermediate · 7 basic
- 03 — Temperature control of foods (cold/hot holding, cooking, cooling, reheating)
- 14 — Food-contact & nonfood-contact surfaces properly designed/maintained
- 16 — Dishwashing facilities; sanitizer test kits; gauges
- 22 — Food-contact surfaces clean and sanitized
- 23 — Nonfood-contact surfaces clean
- 24 — Storage & handling of clean equipment and utensils; air drying
- 33 — Garbage and refuse; premises maintained
- 36 — Floors, walls, ceilings clean & maintained; proper ventilation (×2)
- 53 — Food manager certification; employee food-safety training
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July 22, 2025 · Routine - Food
Call Back - Admin. complaint recommended
2 high-priority · 2 intermediate · 9 basic
- 03 — Temperature control of foods (cold/hot holding, cooking, cooling, reheating) (×2)
- 14 — Food-contact & nonfood-contact surfaces properly designed/maintained (×2)
- 16 — Dishwashing facilities; sanitizer test kits; gauges
- 22 — Food-contact surfaces clean and sanitized
- 23 — Nonfood-contact surfaces clean
- 24 — Storage & handling of clean equipment and utensils; air drying
- 33 — Garbage and refuse; premises maintained
- 36 — Floors, walls, ceilings clean & maintained; proper ventilation (×3)
- 53 — Food manager certification; employee food-safety training
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July 21, 2025 · Routine - Food
Warning Issued
7 high-priority · 4 intermediate · 16 basic
- 01 — Food from approved source; safe, unadulterated, sound condition (×2)
- 02 — Consumer advisory, date-marking & labeling of ready-to-eat foods
- 03 — Temperature control of foods (cold/hot holding, cooking, cooling, reheating) (×2)
- 08 — Cross-contamination: raw foods separated; food protected during prep/storage
- 10 — In-use food dispensing utensils properly stored (×2)
- 12 — Handwashing; employee eating/drinking/smoking practices
- 13 — Clean clothes; hair restraints; jewelry; fingernails
- 14 — Food-contact & nonfood-contact surfaces properly designed/maintained (×5)
- 16 — Dishwashing facilities; sanitizer test kits; gauges
- 22 — Food-contact surfaces clean and sanitized
- 23 — Nonfood-contact surfaces clean
- 24 — Storage & handling of clean equipment and utensils; air drying
- 29 — Plumbing installed & maintained; mop sink; backflow prevention
- 31 — Handwash sinks accessible; handwashing supplies & sign provided
- 33 — Garbage and refuse; premises maintained
- 36 — Floors, walls, ceilings clean & maintained; proper ventilation (×3)
- 41 — Chemicals / toxic substances properly stored & used
- 53 — Food manager certification; employee food-safety training
Safer options nearby
Higher-graded restaurants close to GARCIAS MEXICAN GRILL, by Florida DBPR grade:
- KFC STORE Y300094
This grade is calculated by us from Florida DBPR public inspection records — Florida does not issue official grades. How we calculate it →
Data last updated: January 26, 2026