EL TEQUILAS AUTHENTIC MEXICAN RESTAURANT
Does EL TEQUILAS AUTHENTIC MEXICAN RESTAURANT keep a clean kitchen? Yes — an A grade, 98/100, at its most recent inspection on April 20, 2026. That visit logged 2 basic violations.
Its latest inspection on April 20, 2026 cited 2 basic violations. Diners give it 4.3 across 2,373 reviews. It's a Mexican spot in South Daytona. Menus here flag vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free, dairy-free, and other dietary options.
A · 98/100 · safer than 85% of Volusia County restaurants we grade
Get directions Call (386) 767-9512
Restaurant details
- Health grade
- A (98/100)
- Violations
- 2 total — 2 basic
- Address
- 1784 S RIDGEWOOD AVE, South Daytona, FL
- Cuisine
- Mexican
- Categories
- Mexican restaurant
- Price
- $10–20
- Rating
- 4.3 stars (2373 reviews)
- Neighborhood
- Town Of Blake
- Seats
- 150
- Phone
- (386) 767-9512
- Website
- Official website
Community Rating
Reviews via GoogleWhat diners say — our read
This listing's ratings cluster at the two ends of the scale. Reviews mentioning how guests are treated average 3.8 stars, so it divides opinion rather than settling it. Speed of service follows at 20% of reviews, where ratings average 3.4.
The split is 18 positive to 5 negative across 25 rated reviews, with 2 in the middle. 5 stars is the modal score, given by 17 of the 25 reviewers who rated. Conspicuously absent: cleanliness, which no reviewer brings up.
On the inspection side the picture is cleaner: DBPR graded this kitchen an A (98/100), with 2 basic violations. Whatever the reviews argue about, sanitation is not the weak point. That inspection was on April 20, 2026. Across its inspection history the kitchen is improving, which argues for giving it the benefit of the doubt. That puts it ahead of 85% of graded kitchens in Volusia County. Among the items recorded were plumbing installed & maintained and floors, walls, ceilings clean & maintained.
Nothing here pulls in opposite directions — an unusually clean read. The individual reviews are below, newest first, if you want the raw material.
Our own analysis of 25 reviews for this restaurant, set against its Florida DBPR inspection record. How we calculate grades →
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Nice employees, good food and very beautifully rustic place. I'll definitely recommend this restaurant. The original Cheescake xangos is just amazing. 👏
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First time, spent Father's day with my husband and cousins from GA and it did not disappoint. I tried the chicken taco salad, my husband had the enchiladas 3 ways, and my cousin had the Mexican Supreme. Everything came to the table super fresh and the wait time wasn't that long. My cousin and his wife had a pitcher of margarita and they were satisfied. Tequillllaaaaa. They even prepared some food items with tequila. The pricing was very reasonable especially for the quality of the food. The chicken was seasoned/marinated so well. I will be returning there's more I need to try lol. But most definitely 10/10.
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This place is hard to review. The food is great. The service is so bad. If you can order to go I would. The decor inside is festive but feels really cheap. If the service is improves this would be our go-to place for good Mexican food.
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Good food great drinks !
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Waiter took too long to come to the table, not very nice, forgot couple things charge extra for food the didn't come out, and add himself an20% tip $40dlrs he came three times to the table.
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They acted surprised when we showed up like they didn't know what to do with customers. The food was overly greasy queso was best part
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That was our first time eating there and it was amazing the flavors the service 10 out of 10 will be returning soon
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Was the worst experience ever. Service was terrible. Asked several times for salsa for chips. Never came back had to go ask for service. Was not busy at all. Will never go back
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Best nacho around town
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The food and service was fantastic!
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Great
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Awesome food and cacalic margaritas.
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Was in the area for a basketball game stopped here for a drink but ate instead lol! Food was delicious a good portion too for the price. Bien Bueno!!
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Mixed up half of our orders. Definitely a language barrier. Speaking Spanish would be more than helpful. Food was kinda OK and place looked nice but not enough to make up for the service. Won't be going back.
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Awesome experience, must try again. Will order a to go its so good.
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Average Mexican Place. Nothing to brag about but it was tasty and reasonably priced.
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The food is amazing, very flavorful, and authentic. Service is great, though he typically busy, but that's more our faults than his. Lol try everything, we haven't found anything we haven't loved yet. And im hell a pain in the butt usually...
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The food is great and my husband and I like to come for the fajitas especially 😆
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Turned us away at 10:05 on a Saturday said they had to ‘fumigate’ The bartender said to the hostess ‘they don’t speak Spanish tell them we’re closed’ We speak Spanish
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They said they have to close early to fumigate their property for bugs. The bartender said “they don’t understand Spanish. Just tell them that we are closed” then the host told us they have to fumigate the building for bugs and they cannot serve us. Only “to go”. It is one hour before their hours report closing. Do you have bugs or is it closed because you’re slow? Either way, won’t be back. If it’s 9:45 — consider it closed or being fumigated?
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Delicious food. Fast service. Great atmosphere
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Food was delicious with a warm and welcoming environment. Plan to come again!
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great experience
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First visit, no problem with anything. I will definitely return. Now 2 years later they have changed their taco and enchilada meat recipe and I don't like the change and they now give corn tortillas instead of flour tortillas and I don't like corn tortillas so after enjoying the food for the past 2 years we have decided to not eat there anymore. I liked the staff Alberto, Daniel, Alexander, Fanny and Kim. Hopefully we will try again in a few weeks and hopefully they will have improved back to how good they were. Just went there tonight to see if there is a change. All new employees. Menu the same but prices are a lot higher. The food was delicious and the staff was good. Definitely going to go again
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Server was confused .kept running with plates to every table asking if it was yours .I had my rice beans and salsa and guac for my fijatas a half hour waiting for the meat to come out .
Overall Score
83 / 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 10 PM
- Tuesday
- 11 AM to 10 PM
- Wednesday
- 11 AM to 10 PM
- Thursday
- 11 AM to 10 PM
- Friday
- 11 AM to 11 PM
- Saturday
- 11 AM to 11 PM
- Sunday
- 11 AM to 10 PM
Inspection history
The following records are from Florida DBPR public inspection records, most recent first.
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April 20, 2026 · Complaint Full
Call Back - Complied
0 high-priority · 0 intermediate · 2 basic
- 29 — Plumbing installed & maintained; mop sink; backflow prevention
- 36 — Floors, walls, ceilings clean & maintained; proper ventilation
-
April 16, 2026 · Complaint Full
Call Back - Admin. complaint recommended
0 high-priority · 1 intermediate · 3 basic
- 29 — Plumbing installed & maintained; mop sink; backflow prevention
- 35 — Insects/rodents/pests; outer openings protected against pests
- 36 — Floors, walls, ceilings clean & maintained; proper ventilation
- 53 — Food manager certification; employee food-safety training
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April 15, 2026 · Complaint Full
Administrative complaint recommended
5 high-priority · 3 intermediate · 8 basic
- 01 — Food from approved source; safe, unadulterated, sound condition (×3)
- 03 — Temperature control of foods (cold/hot holding, cooking, cooling, reheating)
- 08 — Cross-contamination: raw foods separated; food protected during prep/storage
- 14 — Food-contact & nonfood-contact surfaces properly designed/maintained
- 22 — Food-contact surfaces clean and sanitized
- 29 — Plumbing installed & maintained; mop sink; backflow prevention (×2)
- 35 — Insects/rodents/pests; outer openings protected against pests (×2)
- 36 — Floors, walls, ceilings clean & maintained; proper ventilation
- 40 — Employee personal belongings
- 42 — Cleaning and maintenance equipment
- 53 — Food manager certification; employee food-safety training (×2)
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April 15, 2026 · Complaint Full
Call Back - Extension given, pending
1 high-priority · 2 intermediate · 3 basic
- 03 — Temperature control of foods (cold/hot holding, cooking, cooling, reheating)
- 22 — Food-contact surfaces clean and sanitized
- 29 — Plumbing installed & maintained; mop sink; backflow prevention
- 35 — Insects/rodents/pests; outer openings protected against pests
- 36 — Floors, walls, ceilings clean & maintained; proper ventilation
- 53 — Food manager certification; employee food-safety training
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January 30, 2026 · Routine - Food
Inspection Completed - No Further Action
3 high-priority · 2 intermediate · 13 basic
- 02 — Consumer advisory, date-marking & labeling of ready-to-eat foods
- 03 — Temperature control of foods (cold/hot holding, cooking, cooling, reheating) (×2)
- 06 — Potentially hazardous foods properly thawed
- 08 — Cross-contamination: raw foods separated; food protected during prep/storage (×2)
- 14 — Food-contact & nonfood-contact surfaces properly designed/maintained (×3)
- 22 — Food-contact surfaces clean and sanitized
- 31 — Handwash sinks accessible; handwashing supplies & sign provided
- 33 — Garbage and refuse; premises maintained
- 36 — Floors, walls, ceilings clean & maintained; proper ventilation (×3)
- 40 — Employee personal belongings
- 41 — Chemicals / toxic substances properly stored & used
- 47 — Electrical wiring/outlets in good repair (reporting only)
- 51 — Other conditions of sanitary & safe operation
-
September 2, 2025 · Routine - Food
Call Back - Complied
1 high-priority · 0 intermediate · 2 basic
- 35 — Insects/rodents/pests; outer openings protected against pests
- 36 — Floors, walls, ceilings clean & maintained; proper ventilation (×2)
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September 2, 2025 · Complaint Partial
Call Back - Complied
0 high-priority · 0 intermediate · 0 basic
No violations cited.
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August 25, 2025 · Complaint Partial
Warning Issued
0 high-priority · 0 intermediate · 2 basic
- 29 — Plumbing installed & maintained; mop sink; backflow prevention (×2)
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July 1, 2025 · Routine - Food
Warning Issued
9 high-priority · 4 intermediate · 7 basic
- 01 — Food from approved source; safe, unadulterated, sound condition (×2)
- 03 — Temperature control of foods (cold/hot holding, cooking, cooling, reheating) (×2)
- 08 — Cross-contamination: raw foods separated; food protected during prep/storage (×2)
- 11 — Employee health knowledge; no ill/symptomatic employee present
- 12 — Handwashing; employee eating/drinking/smoking practices
- 23 — Nonfood-contact surfaces clean
- 27 — Water source safe; hot and cold water under pressure
- 29 — Plumbing installed & maintained; mop sink; backflow prevention (×2)
- 33 — Garbage and refuse; premises maintained
- 35 — Insects/rodents/pests; outer openings protected against pests
- 36 — Floors, walls, ceilings clean & maintained; proper ventilation (×2)
- 40 — Employee personal belongings
- 41 — Chemicals / toxic substances properly stored & used (×2)
- 42 — Cleaning and maintenance equipment
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: April 20, 2026