DirtyFLRestaurant Inspection Data

ZEN SUSHI

2223 North West Shore Boulevard
Tampa, Florida, 33607
Hillsborough County County

Overall Food Safety Rating

★★☆☆☆ (2.1/5)
Based on 7 health inspection reports

All Inspection Reports

Inspection Date: 5/21/2025

Inspection #: Visit ID: 10844407

  • 22-20-5:Basic - Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin. In ice machine there was a black mold like substance by the ice chute
  • 51-11-4:Basic - Carbon dioxide/helium tanks not adequately secured. Tanks not secured
  • 12B-07-4:Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Cup of tea on prep table at sushi station. Chef removed cup Corrected On-Site
  • 08B-17-4:Basic - Unwashed fruits/vegetables stored with ready-to-eat food. Unwashed avocados with stickers at sushi preparation table , chef removed stickers and washed avocados before cutting. Corrected On-Site
  • 14-86-1:High Priority - Non-food grade paper/paper towel used as liner for food container. Paper towels being used as food containers liners. Chef removed all containers Corrected On-Site
  • 03A-02-5:High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Counter top cooler on sushi line at salmon (46F - Cold Holding); yellowtail (46F - Cold Holding), chef removed items and put in reach in cooler.
  • 31A-09-4:Intermediate - Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Handwashing sink by dishwasher blocked by trash can and wash tub. Chef removed both Corrected On-Site
  • 31B-02-4:Intermediate - No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. No paper towels at handwashing sink by dishwasher. Chef filled paper towels Corrected On-Site
  • 11-26-1:Intermediate - No proof provided that food employees are informed of their responsibility to report to the person in charge information about their health and activities related to foodborne illnesses. Form emailed

Inspection Date: 2/18/2025

Inspection #: Visit ID: 10722816

  • 22-20-5:Basic - Accumulation of black mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine.
  • 14-01-5:Basic - Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Used to scoop rice. Operator removed bowl Corrected On-Site
  • 51-11-4:Basic - Carbon dioxide/helium tanks not adequately secured. Operator chained tanks
  • 14-69-4:Basic - Ice buildup in walk-in freezer.
  • 12A-09-4:High Priority - Single-use gloves not changed as needed after changing tasks or when damaged or soiled. Operator touched raw chicken in Walk In Cooler then touch sliced Tuna at Sushi Station without washing hands and changing gloves. Operator washed hands and changed gloves Corrected On-Site
  • 31B-02-4:Intermediate - No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. Hand wash sink next to sushi counter. Operator replaced paper towels Corrected On-Site

Inspection Date: 11/19/2024

Inspection #: Visit ID: 10722434

  • 51-11-4:Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Carbon dioxide/helium tanks not adequately secured. Observed in bar and in dry storage area helium tanks not properly secured. Repeat Violation Warning - From follow-up inspection 2024-11-19: Observed tanks properly secured in bar. Complied Helium tanks not secured in dry storage room **Time Extended**
  • 36-27-5:Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Wall soiled inside walk in cooler on the right side by entry door. Warning - From follow-up inspection 2024-11-19: Observed same **Time Extended**
  • 16-62-1:Intermediate - - From initial inspection : Intermediate - No type measuring device ( heat strips/ heat thermometer)available for measuring utensil surface temperature when using hot water as sanitizer in a dishmachine. Warning - From follow-up inspection 2024-11-19: Observed same **Time Extended**

Inspection Date: 11/18/2024

Inspection #: Visit ID: 8780181

  • 14-01-5:Basic - Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Observed in brown rice , white rice, and sugar containers,bowls being used as scoops without handles. Operator removed bowls. Corrected On-Site Warning
  • 51-11-4:Basic - Carbon dioxide/helium tanks not adequately secured. Observed in bar and in dry storage area helium tanks not properly secured. Repeat Violation Warning
  • 13-03-4:Basic - Employee with no hair restraint while engaging in food preparation. Observed employees engaging in food preparation with no hats. Employee put hat on Corrected On-Site Warning
  • 36-73-4:Basic - Floor soiled/has accumulation of debris under fryers in cook line. Warning
  • 08B-47-4:Basic - Food not stored at least 6 inches off of the floor. Observed soda boxes on floor near dry storage area. Warning
  • 10-20-4:Basic - In-use tongs stored on equipment door handle between uses. Observed tongs stored on soiled door handle in cook line. Operator moved tongs to be washed, rinsed, and sanitized. **Corrective Action Taken** Repeat Violation Warning
  • 05-09-4:Basic - No conspicuously located ambient air temperature thermometer in sushi holding unit at front counter. Operator provided and placed in unit at time of inspection. Corrected On-Site Warning
  • 36-27-5:Basic - Wall soiled inside walk in cooler on the right side by entry door. Warning
  • 21-12-4:Basic - Wet wiping cloth not stored in sanitizing solution between uses. Observed Wet towels on cutting in prep station not stored in sanitizer solution. Operator placed towels in solution Corrected On-Site Warning
  • 35A-02-6:High Priority - Live, small flying insects in kitchen, food preparation area, food storage area and/or bar area. Observed approximately 10 live small flying insects at bar area flying over Ice bin . Operator killed flies, cleaned and sanitized area during inspection. No live, small flying insects observed at the end of inspection. Corrected On-Site Repeat Violation Admin Complaint
  • 08A-04-5:High Priority - Raw animal food stored over or with unwashed produce. Observed in glass door cooler by front counter ; raw beef over unwashed produce ( whole cucumbers). Operator moved raw beef to lower shelf and stored correctly. Corrected On-Site Repeat Violation Admin Complaint
  • 03D-06-5:High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food prepared from/mixed with ingredient(s) at ambient temperature not cooled to 41 degrees Fahrenheit within 4 hours. Observed in glass door cooler by front counter at 1:10pm, Shredded lettuce 54F ambient cooling since 12:40pm to 53F ambient cooling at 1:47 pm. At this cooling rate proper cooling will not be met. Observed shredded lettuce cooling covered. Operator uncovered and moved to walk in cooler to facilitate proper cooling. Warning
  • 03F-02-5:High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food( sushi rice)identified in the written procedure as a food held using time as a public health control has no time marking. Operator states that he made the sushi rice less than 4 hours ago. Operator placed time mark on sushi rice. Corrected On-Site Warning
  • 03D-15-4:Intermediate - Food being cooled by nonapproved method as evidenced by inadequate rate of cooling during time of inspection. Observed shredded Lettuce cooling covered. Observed in glass door cooler by front counter at 1:10pm, Shredded lettuce 54F ambient cooling since 12:40pm to 53F ambient cooling at 1:47 pm. At this cooling rate proper cooling will not be met. Operator uncovered and moved to walk in cooler to facilitate proper cooling. Warning
  • 31B-02-4:Intermediate - No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. Observed no paper towels at hand wash sink at bar area. Operator provided paper towels. Corrected On-Site Warning
  • 05-08-4:Intermediate - No probe thermometer provided to measure temperature of food products. Warning
  • 16-62-1:Intermediate - No type measuring device ( heat strips/ heat thermometer)available for measuring utensil surface temperature when using hot water as sanitizer in a dishmachine. Warning

Inspection Date: 12/9/2023

Inspection #: Visit ID: 8569926

  • 24-05-4:Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Clean glasses, cups, bowls, plates, pots and pans not stored inverted or in a protected manner. Wait station shelf- observed plates being stored not inverted. Warning - From follow-up inspection 2023-12-09: Still observed **Time Extended**
  • 50-17-3:High Priority - - From initial inspection : High Priority - Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license. 12/01/2023. Warning - From follow-up inspection 2023-12-09: **Time Extended**

Inspection Date: 12/8/2023

Inspection #: Visit ID: 8487221

  • 51-11-4:Basic - Carbon dioxide/helium tanks not adequately secured. Observed in food dry storage room. Warning
  • 24-05-4:Basic - Clean glasses, cups, bowls, plates, pots and pans not stored inverted or in a protected manner. Wait station shelf- observed plates being stored not inverted. Warning
  • 24-07-4:Basic - Cleaned and sanitized equipment or utensils not properly stored. Main kitchen at walk in cooler- observed pots being stored on the floor. Warning
  • 10-20-4:Basic - In-use tongs stored on equipment door handle between uses. Cook line- observed tongs hanging on oven doors handles. Warning
  • 51-13-4:Basic - No Heimlich maneuver/choking sign posted. Warning
  • 35A-02-6:High Priority - Live, small flying insects in kitchen, food preparation area, food storage area and/or bar area. Main kitchen prep table-observed approximately 20 live flying insects flying around and landing on clean wooden bowls on prep table shelf. Main kitchen food dry storage room-observed approximately 20 live flying insects flying around and landing on soda syrup cases and containers of sauces. Main kitchen at exit door- observed approximately 20 live flying insects flying over trash can and dirty linen basket. Dining area bar- observed 7 live flying insects flying around bottles of liquor. Wait station- observed 3 live flying insects flying around single service cups at coffee machine. Sushi bar- observed 5 live flying insects flying over trash can and fresh kale at prep sink. Warning
  • 50-17-3:High Priority - Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license. 12/01/2023. Warning
  • 08A-04-5:High Priority - Raw animal food stored over or with unwashed produce. Walk in cooler- observed raw beef being stored over unwashed carrots. Warning
  • 08A-05-6:High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Walk in cooler- observed raw shell eggs being stored over Ready to Eat carrots. Warning
  • 11-27-4:Intermediate - Establishment has no written procedures for employees to follow in response to a vomiting or diarrheal event where the vomit or diarrhea is discharged onto surfaces in the establishment. Provided operator with procedures. Warning
  • 31A-11-4:Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Main kitchen hand washing sink at exit door- observed crate of utensils on hand washing sink. Warning
  • 11-26-1:Intermediate - No proof provided that food employees are informed of their responsibility to report to the person in charge information about their health and activities related to foodborne illnesses. Provided operator with employee health form. Warning

Inspection Date: 8/30/2023

Inspection #: Visit ID: 8379048

  • 22-20-5:Basic - Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin.
  • 12B-07-4:Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Employee coffe and water on prep tables and cutting boards, chef discarded items Corrected On-Site
  • 13-03-4:Basic - Employee with no hair restraint while engaging in food preparation. Cooks not wearing hats while preparing food. All cooks put hats on Corrected On-Site
  • 08B-38-4:Basic - Food stored on floor. Bags of carrots and box of vegetables on the floor in the walk-in cooler, chef picked up items and put on shelf Corrected On-Site
  • 10-17-4:Basic - In-use knife/knives stored in cracks between pieces of equipment. Knives were between the two flip top cooler cracks, Chef removed and washed knives Corrected On-Site
  • 06-01-5:Basic - Time/temperature control for safety food thawed in an improper manner. Bag of frozen shrimp thawing on counter, chef put incooler. Corrected On-Site
  • 08A-05-6:High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Raw chicken over sauces and vegetables in three door flip top cooler on cook line. Chef moved chicken to the bottom shelf Corrected On-Site
  • 31A-09-4:Intermediate - Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Dish rack on top of hand wash sink by the dishwasher. Chef moved items Corrected On-Site