Update: El Azteca has passed a re-inspection, though some issues were found, including flies. The restaurant received a 72 score. A 70 is needed to pass. Read the new report: here.

Original:

A popular Dunwoody Mexican restaurant failed its recent health inspection with a variety of issues, including a “slime substance” on soda gun nozzles and raw beef stored in “Thank You” bags.

El Azteca, 1412 Dunwoody Village Parkway, received a 52 last Wednesday, according to the inspector's report.

Manager Darren Benda said Thursday the failure was an “aberration.”

“All issues, in my eyes, have been eliminated,” he said. “We’ve retrained just about everyone on the staff.”

READ: DeKalb worker gets creative to save 8-week-old puppy from pipe

READ: Brother: Atlanta family saw miraculous sights in New Mexico desert

READ: Brookhaven is getting a 'world-class' dog park

The report notes that some foods weren’t stored at the correct temperatures; insect killer stored next to napkins and straws; and “old food residue” on some food prep surfaces.

Restaurants that fail are typically rechecked within 10 business days.

El Azteca

1412 Dunwoody Village Parkway, Dunwoody

Score: 52

Report: here.

About the Author

Keep Reading

Workers at the Atlanta Community Food Bank distribution center are seen uploading food into multiple aisles on Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2025. The organization is utilizing $5 million from its reserves to purchase 6 million pounds of food for distribution over the next four weeks. (Miguel Martinez/AJC)

Credit: Miguel Martinez-Jimenez

Featured

Passengers wait at a Delta check-in counter at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport on Friday, Nov. 7, 2025. It was the first day the Federal Aviation Administration cut flight capacity at airports during the government shutdown. (Arvin Temkar/AJC)

Credit: arvin.temkar@ajc.com