ALBANY, Ga. (WALB) — Las Braza’s Mexican Cuisine got an 85 on its recent food service inspection on Friday, July 24.

They got a total of four infractions; three of them were repeat violations, and one of them was a new violation. Three of the infractions were corrected while the inspector was on-site. You can find a summary of the infractions listed below:

1. Person in charge not performing duties; operating the establishment when an imminent health hazard exists because of an emergency such as sewage malfunction, gross unsanitary occurrence or condition that may endanger public health. Observed 3 different sewage drains backed up and allowing sewage water on the ground in the facility. Repeat Violation.
2. Observed handwashing in the kitchen without soap. Corrected On-Site.  New Violation
3. Observed several utensils at the steam table in the main kitchen being stored on top of the food lids. Corrected On-Site.  Repeat Violation.
4. Observed 3 different sewage drains backed up and allowing sewage water on the ground in the facility. Corrected On-Site. Repeat Violation.

🔽 SCROLL DOWN TO VIEW INSPECTION REPORTS 🔽

The featured restaurant on this week’s report is Los Vaqueros, a long-standing staple of the Albany dining scene, which is celebrating a near-perfect 99 on its latest food service inspection.

The high score, received on Monday, July 27, highlights the establishment’s deep-rooted commitment to food safety and customer satisfaction. For a restaurant that has been serving the community since May 2009, maintaining this level of excellence is a daily group effort.

“We are very proud of our team,” manager Ernis Reyes shared during a segment. “Everyone works hard every day to keep the restaurant clean and safe for our customers.”

‘Cleanliness is Our Priority’

For the team at Los Vaqueros, achieving a 99 isn’t about prepping for an inspection—it’s about daily discipline. Reyes said the restaurant operates on a rigorous, continuous cleaning schedule rather than just tidying up at the end of the night.

“We always clean; it is our priority,” Reyes explained. “We clean and sanitize throughout the day, not just at closing. We make sure that all food preparation areas, equipment, and dining areas stay clean all the time.”

In addition to constant sanitization of high-touch areas, staff members dedicate time to deep-clean different corners of the kitchen systematically, according to Reyes. Kitchen staff also strictly adhere to safety guidelines, Reyes said, including consistent glove use, ensuring that food safety starts before a single plate is prepped.

Serving Albany for Over 15 Years

Since opening its doors in May 2009, Reyes said Los Vaqueros has focused on cultivating a welcoming environment. Having worked at the restaurant for 12 years—serving the last six and a half as manager—Reyes said that consistency is key to longevity.

“It’s hard keeping a restaurant on that level for many years, but we try to do our best for the customer and for the whole community,” Reyes said. “We like to feel like a family, and we want everyone who comes to the restaurant to feel that way too.”

Fan-Favorite Menu Items

For locals and visitors alike, Los Vaqueros offers a robust menu of authentic Mexican cuisine, according to Reyes. Among the most popular options is their specialty Birria, which is available Monday through Thursday.

“We normally have Birria Monday to Thursday, and our customers love it, especially the Quesadilla Birria,” Reyes recommended.

Other traditional favorites include:

• Classic Quesadillas
• Enchiladas
• Flautas
• Customized plates with a variety of meats

To complement the meals, Los Vaqueros serves an array of popular frozen margaritas, Reyes said. Customers can choose from classic lime, strawberry, mango and peach flavors.

Below is a list of the top 10 scoring restaurants that were inspected from July 21 through July 28 in South Georgia:

Below is a list of the 10 lowest-scoring restaurants that were inspected from July 21 through July 28 in South Georgia:

MORE RESTAURANT REPORT:

>> LAST WEEK: Restaurant Report: ‘Sewer gas smell’ at SGA McDonald’s, Southern food spot in Dawson gets 100 <<

Below, you can find the food service inspection document for the lowest-scoring restaurants covered in this week’s report:

Chili’s (Albany)

La Braza’s Mexican Cuisine

Snappers Fish and Chicken

Red Pepper Barbeque and Grill

El Vaquero Mexican Restaurant

Jimmy John’s

Backstage Food Court

Wok N Wings

Quality Inn-Hillside Cafe

Krispy Krunchy

Have a news tip or see an error that needs correction? Let us know. Please include the article’s headline in your message.

To stay up to date on all the latest news as it develops, follow WALB on Facebook, Instagram and X. For more South Georgia news, download the WALB News app and add WALB as a preferred source on Google.

Copyright 2026 WALB. All rights reserved.