CAMINO REAL MEXICAN RESTAURANT
821 ARSENAL STREET, WATERTOWN, NY 13601
Last inspected May 13, 2026
Official source: New York State Department of Health (health.ny.gov) · All data sources
Failed. Did not meet health requirements at the latest inspection. Many failures are fixed and re-inspected within days — check the inspection date.
This inspection record doesn’t carry an official letter grade — some health departments never issue one, and others (like NYC) post it after a grace period — so CleanPlate derived the status from the reported violation data. If the department posts an official grade, it replaces this automatically.
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This establishment failed its most recent health inspection. Review the record below before ordering.
The record, in plain English
CleanPlate holds 21 inspections on record for CAMINO REAL MEXICAN RESTAURANT, spanning March 2016 to May 2026 — every one straight from New York State Department of Health.
Its standing slipped since the previous visit — from passed to failed. A follow-up inspection usually rechecks the issues found.
The most recent inspection noted 7 violations, 3 of them critical items — the kind tied directly to foodborne-illness risk.
Every sentence above is computed directly from the official record — CleanPlate adds no opinions. How our grading works →
Inspection history
May 13, 2026
✕7 violations
- Critical: Potentially hazardous foods are not cooled by an approved method where the food temperature can be reduced from 120oF to 70oF or less within two hours and 70oF to 45oF within four hours.
- In use food dispensing utensils improperly stored
- Critical: Precooked, refrigerated potentially hazardous food is not reheated to 165�F or above within two hours.
- Non food contact surfaces of equipment not clean
- Wiping cloths dirty, not stored properly in sanitizing solutions
- Handwashing facilities inaccessible, improperly located, dirty, in disrepair, improper fixtures, soap, and single service towels or hand drying devices missing
- Critical: Potentially hazardous foods are not stored under refrigeration except during necessary preparation or approved precooling procedures (room temperature storage).
Jan 13, 2026
✓Dec 17, 2025
✕10 violations
- Critical: Potentially hazardous foods are not stored under refrigeration except during necessary preparation or approved precooling procedures (room temperature storage).
- Wiping cloths dirty, not stored properly in sanitizing solutions
- Non-food contact surfaces and equipment are improperly designed, constructed, installed, maintained (equipment not readily accessible for cleaning, surface not smooth finish)
- Non food contact surfaces of equipment not clean
- Accurate thermometers not available or used to evaluate refrigerated or heated storage temperatures
- Critical: Accurate thermometers not available or used to evaluate potentially hazardous food temperatures during cooking, cooling, reheating and holding.
- Critical: Enough refrigerated storage equipment is not present, properly designed, maintained or operated so that all potentially hazardous foods are cooled properly and stored below 45�F as required.
- Lighting and ventilation inadequate, fixtures not shielded, dirty ventilation hoods, ductwork, filters, exhaust fans
- Food (ice) contact surfaces are improperly designed, constructed, installed, located (cracks, open seams, pitted surfaces, tin cans reused, uncleanable or corroded food contact surfaces)
- Critical: Potentially hazardous foods are not kept at or above 140�F during hot holding.
Apr 9, 2025
✕5 violations
- Critical: Precooked, refrigerated potentially hazardous food is not reheated to 165�F or above within two hours.
- Improper thawing procedures used
- Critical: Potentially hazardous foods are not stored under refrigeration except during necessary preparation or approved precooling procedures (room temperature storage).
- Non-food contact surfaces and equipment are improperly designed, constructed, installed, maintained (equipment not readily accessible for cleaning, surface not smooth finish)
- Food not protected during storage, preparation, display, transportation and service, from potential sources of contamination (e.g., food uncovered, mislabeled, stored on floor, missing or inadequate sneeze guards, food containers double stacked)
Oct 17, 2024
✕11 violations
- Floors, walls, ceilings, not smooth, properly constructed, in disrepair, dirty surfaces
- Handwashing facilities inaccessible, improperly located, dirty, in disrepair, improper fixtures, soap, and single service towels or hand drying devices missing
- Critical: Potentially hazardous foods are not kept at or above 140�F during hot holding.
- Wiping cloths dirty, not stored properly in sanitizing solutions
- Critical: Precooked, refrigerated potentially hazardous food is not reheated to 165�F or above within two hours.
- Non food contact surfaces of equipment not clean
- Critical: Potentially hazardous foods are not cooled by an approved method where the food temperature can be reduced from 120oF to 70oF or less within two hours and 70oF to 45oF within four hours.
- Food not protected during storage, preparation, display, transportation and service, from potential sources of contamination (e.g., food uncovered, mislabeled, stored on floor, missing or inadequate sneeze guards, food containers double stacked)
- Improper thawing procedures used
- Manual facilities inadequate, technique incorrect; mechanical facilities not operated in accordance with manufacturer's instructions
- Non-food contact surfaces and equipment are improperly designed, constructed, installed, maintained (equipment not readily accessible for cleaning, surface not smooth finish)
Dec 19, 2023
✕6 violations
- Food not protected during storage, preparation, display, transportation and service, from potential sources of contamination (e.g., food uncovered, mislabeled, stored on floor, missing or inadequate sneeze guards, food containers double stacked)
- Handwashing facilities inaccessible, improperly located, dirty, in disrepair, improper fixtures, soap, and single service towels or hand drying devices missing
- Lighting and ventilation inadequate, fixtures not shielded, dirty ventilation hoods, ductwork, filters, exhaust fans
- Non-food contact surfaces and equipment are improperly designed, constructed, installed, maintained (equipment not readily accessible for cleaning, surface not smooth finish)
- Critical: Cooked or prepared foods are subject to cross-contamination from raw foods.
- Critical: Potentially hazardous foods are not stored under refrigeration except during necessary preparation or approved precooling procedures (room temperature storage).
Apr 3, 2023
✕8 violations
- Non-food contact surfaces and equipment are improperly designed, constructed, installed, maintained (equipment not readily accessible for cleaning, surface not smooth finish)
- Food not protected during storage, preparation, display, transportation and service, from potential sources of contamination (e.g., food uncovered, mislabeled, stored on floor, missing or inadequate sneeze guards, food containers double stacked)
- Miscellaneous, Economic Violation, Choking Poster, Training.
- Floors, walls, ceilings, not smooth, properly constructed, in disrepair, dirty surfaces
- Critical: Potentially hazardous foods are not kept at or below 45�F during cold holding, except smoked fish not kept at or below 38�F during cold holding.
- Handwashing facilities inaccessible, improperly located, dirty, in disrepair, improper fixtures, soap, and single service towels or hand drying devices missing
- Critical: Potentially hazardous foods are not cooled by an approved method where the food temperature can be reduced from 120oF to 70oF or less within two hours and 70oF to 45oF within four hours.
- Critical: Potentially hazardous foods are not stored under refrigeration except during necessary preparation or approved precooling procedures (room temperature storage).
Dec 14, 2022
✕10 violations
- Non-food contact surfaces and equipment are improperly designed, constructed, installed, maintained (equipment not readily accessible for cleaning, surface not smooth finish)
- Wiping cloths dirty, not stored properly in sanitizing solutions
- Plumbing and sinks not properly sized, installed, maintained; equipment and floors not properly drained
- Food not protected during storage, preparation, display, transportation and service, from potential sources of contamination (e.g., food uncovered, mislabeled, stored on floor, missing or inadequate sneeze guards, food containers double stacked)
- Critical: Potentially hazardous foods are not cooled by an approved method where the food temperature can be reduced from 120oF to 70oF or less within two hours and 70oF to 45oF within four hours.
- Floors, walls, ceilings, not smooth, properly constructed, in disrepair, dirty surfaces
- Single service items reused, improperly stored, dispensed, not used when required
- Non food contact surfaces of equipment not clean
- Handwashing facilities inaccessible, improperly located, dirty, in disrepair, improper fixtures, soap, and single service towels or hand drying devices missing
- Improper thawing procedures used
Mar 3, 2022
✕10 violations
- Food not protected during storage, preparation, display, transportation and service, from potential sources of contamination (e.g., food uncovered, mislabeled, stored on floor, missing or inadequate sneeze guards, food containers double stacked)
- Lighting and ventilation inadequate, fixtures not shielded, dirty ventilation hoods, ductwork, filters, exhaust fans
- Critical: Potentially hazardous foods are not cooled by an approved method where the food temperature can be reduced from 120oF to 70oF or less within two hours and 70oF to 45oF within four hours.
- Handwashing facilities inaccessible, improperly located, dirty, in disrepair, improper fixtures, soap, and single service towels or hand drying devices missing
- Non food contact surfaces of equipment not clean
- Effective measures not used to control entrance (rodent-, insect-proof contruction). Harborage areas available for rodents, insects and other vermin
- Garbage storage areas not properly constructed or maintained, creating a nuisance
- Wiping cloths dirty, not stored properly in sanitizing solutions
- Improper thawing procedures used
- Non-food contact surfaces and equipment are improperly designed, constructed, installed, maintained (equipment not readily accessible for cleaning, surface not smooth finish)
May 7, 2021
✕11 violations
- Non food contact surfaces of equipment not clean
- Critical: Potentially hazardous foods are not cooled by an approved method where the food temperature can be reduced from 120oF to 70oF or less within two hours and 70oF to 45oF within four hours.
- Handwashing facilities inaccessible, improperly located, dirty, in disrepair, improper fixtures, soap, and single service towels or hand drying devices missing
- Floors, walls, ceilings, not smooth, properly constructed, in disrepair, dirty surfaces
- Critical: Potentially hazardous foods are not kept at or below 45�F during cold holding, except smoked fish not kept at or below 38�F during cold holding.
- Food (ice) contact surfaces are improperly designed, constructed, installed, located (cracks, open seams, pitted surfaces, tin cans reused, uncleanable or corroded food contact surfaces)
- Premises littered, unnecessary equipment and article present, living quarters no completely separated for food service operations, live animals, birds and pets not excluded
- Food not protected during storage, preparation, display, transportation and service, from potential sources of contamination (e.g., food uncovered, mislabeled, stored on floor, missing or inadequate sneeze guards, food containers double stacked)
- Non-food contact surfaces and equipment are improperly designed, constructed, installed, maintained (equipment not readily accessible for cleaning, surface not smooth finish)
- Pesticide application not supervised by a certified applicator
- Wiping cloths dirty, not stored properly in sanitizing solutions
Dec 1, 2020
✓Nov 18, 2020
✕2 violations
- Critical: Other Violations Deemed a Public Health Hazard by the Permit Issuing Official {14-1.10(a)}
- Critical: Potentially hazardous foods are not cooled by an approved method where the food temperature can be reduced from 120oF to 70oF or less within two hours and 70oF to 45oF within four hours.
Oct 13, 2020
✕10 violations
- Floors, walls, ceilings, not smooth, properly constructed, in disrepair, dirty surfaces
- Plumbing and sinks not properly sized, installed, maintained; equipment and floors not properly drained
- Critical: Accurate thermometers not available or used to evaluate potentially hazardous food temperatures during cooking, cooling, reheating and holding.
- Critical: Precooked, refrigerated potentially hazardous food is not reheated to 165�F or above within two hours.
- Lighting and ventilation inadequate, fixtures not shielded, dirty ventilation hoods, ductwork, filters, exhaust fans
- Critical: Potentially hazardous foods are not cooled by an approved method where the food temperature can be reduced from 120oF to 70oF or less within two hours and 70oF to 45oF within four hours.
- Critical: Potentially hazardous foods are not stored under refrigeration except during necessary preparation or approved precooling procedures (room temperature storage).
- Non-food contact surfaces and equipment are improperly designed, constructed, installed, maintained (equipment not readily accessible for cleaning, surface not smooth finish)
- Food not protected during storage, preparation, display, transportation and service, from potential sources of contamination (e.g., food uncovered, mislabeled, stored on floor, missing or inadequate sneeze guards, food containers double stacked)
- Non food contact surfaces of equipment not clean
Jun 5, 2019
✕9 violations
- Food not protected during storage, preparation, display, transportation and service, from potential sources of contamination (e.g., food uncovered, mislabeled, stored on floor, missing or inadequate sneeze guards, food containers double stacked)
- Food contact surfaces not washed, rinsed and sanitized after each use and following any time of operations when contamination may have occurred
- Critical: Potentially hazardous foods are not cooled by an approved method where the food temperature can be reduced from 120oF to 70oF or less within two hours and 70oF to 45oF within four hours.
- Critical: Precooked, refrigerated potentially hazardous food is not reheated to 165�F or above within two hours.
- Toilet facilities inadequate, inconvenient, dirty, in disrepair, toilet paper missing, not self-closing doors, missing hand wash signs
- Single service items reused, improperly stored, dispensed, not used when required
- Wiping cloths dirty, not stored properly in sanitizing solutions
- Manual facilities inadequate, technique incorrect; mechanical facilities not operated in accordance with manufacturer's instructions
- Non-food contact surfaces and equipment are improperly designed, constructed, installed, maintained (equipment not readily accessible for cleaning, surface not smooth finish)
Dec 7, 2018
✕3 violations
- Critical: Potentially hazardous foods are not stored under refrigeration except during necessary preparation or approved precooling procedures (room temperature storage).
- Critical: Food from unapproved source, spoiled, adulterated on premises.
- Critical: Toxic chemicals are improperly labeled, stored or used so that contamination of food can occur.
Oct 31, 2018
✕18 violations
- Non food contact surfaces of equipment not clean
- Improper thawing procedures used
- Insects, rodents present
- Critical: Toxic chemicals are improperly labeled, stored or used so that contamination of food can occur.
- Critical: Food workers do not use proper utensils to eliminate bare hand contact with cooked or prepared foods.
- Toilet facilities inadequate, inconvenient, dirty, in disrepair, toilet paper missing, not self-closing doors, missing hand wash signs
- Food not protected during storage, preparation, display, transportation and service, from potential sources of contamination (e.g., food uncovered, mislabeled, stored on floor, missing or inadequate sneeze guards, food containers double stacked)
- Food (ice) contact surfaces are improperly designed, constructed, installed, located (cracks, open seams, pitted surfaces, tin cans reused, uncleanable or corroded food contact surfaces)
- Single service items reused, improperly stored, dispensed, not used when required
- Improper use and storage of clean, sanitized equipment and utensils
- Floors, walls, ceilings, not smooth, properly constructed, in disrepair, dirty surfaces
- In use food dispensing utensils improperly stored
- Handwashing facilities inaccessible, improperly located, dirty, in disrepair, improper fixtures, soap, and single service towels or hand drying devices missing
- Food contact surfaces not washed, rinsed and sanitized after each use and following any time of operations when contamination may have occurred
- Non-food contact surfaces and equipment are improperly designed, constructed, installed, maintained (equipment not readily accessible for cleaning, surface not smooth finish)
- Critical: Potentially hazardous foods are not cooled by an approved method where the food temperature can be reduced from 120oF to 70oF or less within two hours and 70oF to 45oF within four hours.
- Critical: Potentially hazardous foods are not stored under refrigeration except during necessary preparation or approved precooling procedures (room temperature storage).
- Plumbing and sinks not properly sized, installed, maintained; equipment and floors not properly drained
Jan 10, 2018
✕7 violations
- Food not protected during storage, preparation, display, transportation and service, from potential sources of contamination (e.g., food uncovered, mislabeled, stored on floor, missing or inadequate sneeze guards, food containers double stacked)
- Dressing rooms dirty, not provided, improperly located
- Non food contact surfaces of equipment not clean
- Non-food contact surfaces and equipment are improperly designed, constructed, installed, maintained (equipment not readily accessible for cleaning, surface not smooth finish)
- Premises littered, unnecessary equipment and article present, living quarters no completely separated for food service operations, live animals, birds and pets not excluded
- Critical: Potentially hazardous foods are not stored under refrigeration except during necessary preparation or approved precooling procedures (room temperature storage).
- In use food dispensing utensils improperly stored
Aug 31, 2017
✕9 violations
- Non food contact surfaces of equipment not clean
- Food not protected during storage, preparation, display, transportation and service, from potential sources of contamination (e.g., food uncovered, mislabeled, stored on floor, missing or inadequate sneeze guards, food containers double stacked)
- Accurate thermometers not available or used to evaluate refrigerated or heated storage temperatures
- Critical: Cooked or prepared foods are subject to cross-contamination from raw foods.
- In use food dispensing utensils improperly stored
- Floors, walls, ceilings, not smooth, properly constructed, in disrepair, dirty surfaces
- Food contact surfaces not washed, rinsed and sanitized after each use and following any time of operations when contamination may have occurred
- Non-food contact surfaces and equipment are improperly designed, constructed, installed, maintained (equipment not readily accessible for cleaning, surface not smooth finish)
- Wiping cloths dirty, not stored properly in sanitizing solutions
Feb 9, 2017
✕11 violations
- Critical: Precooked, refrigerated potentially hazardous food is not reheated to 165�F or above within two hours.
- Critical: Toxic chemicals are improperly labeled, stored or used so that contamination of food can occur.
- Critical: Potentially hazardous foods are not stored under refrigeration except during necessary preparation or approved precooling procedures (room temperature storage).
- Single service items reused, improperly stored, dispensed, not used when required
- Non food contact surfaces of equipment not clean
- Food not protected during storage, preparation, display, transportation and service, from potential sources of contamination (e.g., food uncovered, mislabeled, stored on floor, missing or inadequate sneeze guards, food containers double stacked)
- Floors, walls, ceilings, not smooth, properly constructed, in disrepair, dirty surfaces
- Critical: Potentially hazardous foods are not cooled by an approved method where the food temperature can be reduced from 120oF to 70oF or less within two hours and 70oF to 45oF within four hours.
- Non-food contact surfaces and equipment are improperly designed, constructed, installed, maintained (equipment not readily accessible for cleaning, surface not smooth finish)
- Food contact surfaces not washed, rinsed and sanitized after each use and following any time of operations when contamination may have occurred
- Accurate thermometers not available or used to evaluate refrigerated or heated storage temperatures
Oct 11, 2016
✕8 violations
- Non-food contact surfaces and equipment are improperly designed, constructed, installed, maintained (equipment not readily accessible for cleaning, surface not smooth finish)
- Floors, walls, ceilings, not smooth, properly constructed, in disrepair, dirty surfaces
- Critical: Food workers do not use proper utensils to eliminate bare hand contact with cooked or prepared foods.
- Handwashing facilities inaccessible, improperly located, dirty, in disrepair, improper fixtures, soap, and single service towels or hand drying devices missing
- Non food contact surfaces of equipment not clean
- Improper thawing procedures used
- Food not protected during storage, preparation, display, transportation and service, from potential sources of contamination (e.g., food uncovered, mislabeled, stored on floor, missing or inadequate sneeze guards, food containers double stacked)
- Food contact surfaces not washed, rinsed and sanitized after each use and following any time of operations when contamination may have occurred
Mar 22, 2016
✕10 violations
- Critical: Cooked or prepared foods are subject to cross-contamination from raw foods.
- Floors, walls, ceilings, not smooth, properly constructed, in disrepair, dirty surfaces
- Critical: Enough refrigerated storage equipment is not present, properly designed, maintained or operated so that all potentially hazardous foods are cooled properly and stored below 45�F as required.
- Wiping cloths dirty, not stored properly in sanitizing solutions
- Effective measures not used to control entrance (rodent-, insect-proof contruction). Harborage areas available for rodents, insects and other vermin
- Food not protected during storage, preparation, display, transportation and service, from potential sources of contamination (e.g., food uncovered, mislabeled, stored on floor, missing or inadequate sneeze guards, food containers double stacked)
- Critical: Potentially hazardous foods are not kept at or below 45�F during cold holding, except smoked fish not kept at or below 38�F during cold holding.
- Food (ice) contact surfaces are improperly designed, constructed, installed, located (cracks, open seams, pitted surfaces, tin cans reused, uncleanable or corroded food contact surfaces)
- Critical: Potentially hazardous foods are not stored under refrigeration except during necessary preparation or approved precooling procedures (room temperature storage).
- Non food contact surfaces of equipment not clean
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Source: New York State Department of Health (health.ny.gov). Data shown unmodified from the official government record. CleanPlate is an independent service, not affiliated with any government agency. See something wrong? Report a data issue.
