TROPICAL CUISINE
3405 East Hillsborough Avenue
Tampa, Florida, 33610
Hillsborough County County
Overall Food Safety Rating
★☆☆☆☆ (1.2/5)
Based on 5 health inspection reports
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All Inspection Reports
Inspection on 3/20/2025
High Priority
1
Intermediate
1
Basic
8
Total
10
Disposition: Met Inspection Standards
Inspection Details:
- 32-02-4:Basic - Bathroom door left open other than during cleaning or maintenance.
- 32-04-4:Basic - Bathroom located inside establishment not completely enclosed with tight-fitting, self-closing doors. Repeat Violation
- 14-09-4:Basic - Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable. Repeat Violation
- 36-73-4:Basic - Floor soiled/has accumulation of debris.
- 21-04-4:Basic - In-use wet wiping cloth/towel used under cutting board. Repeat Violation
- 23-03-4:Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Hood filters soiled with dust and grease
- 21-12-4:Basic - Wet wiping cloth not stored in sanitizing solution between uses. Repeat Violation
- 02D-01-5:Basic - Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. On top shelf cooksline
- 03A-02-5:High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Black beans at 58 F. and Red beans at 65 F. Operator states they both were cooked this morning cooling. Placing in smaller pans to finish cooling. **Corrective Action Taken**
- 31B-02-4:Intermediate - No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. Back kitchen area Corrected On-Site
Food safety inspection conducted on 3/20/2025 revealed 10 total violations (1 high priority, 1 intermediate, 8 basic).
Inspection on 1/14/2025
High Priority
0
Intermediate
2
Basic
11
Total
13
Disposition: Met Inspection Standards
Inspection Details:
- 32-04-4:Basic - Bathroom located inside establishment not completely enclosed with tight-fitting, self-closing doors. Repeat Violation
- 14-09-4:Basic - Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable. Repeat Violation
- 12B-12-5:Basic - Employee drinking from an unenclosed beverage container in a food preparation/clean dishware area and the container does not have a dispensing mechanism to prevent hand contact with lip contact area of drink container.
- 40-06-5:Basic - Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Observed personal cell phone on prep table and back pack on large white containers with beans inside
- 36-73-4:Basic - Floor soiled/has accumulation of debris. Throughout back kitchen area Repeat Violation
- 08B-47-4:Basic - Food not stored at least 6 inches off of the floor. Raw beef and raw pork in walk-in-cooler
- 10-08-5:Basic - Ice scoop handle in contact with ice. Large ice machine
- 21-04-4:Basic - In-use wet wiping cloth/towel used under cutting board. Repeat Violation
- 33-16-4:Basic - Open dumpster lid. Corrected On-Site
- 21-12-4:Basic - Wet wiping cloth not stored in sanitizing solution between uses. Repeat Violation
- 02D-01-5:Basic - Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Water bottle not labeled Repeat Violation
- 53A-03-7:Intermediate - Food manager certification expired. A list of accredited food manager certification examination providers can be found at https://www2.myfloridalicense.com/hotels-restaurants/food-lodging/food-manager/ LUIS MARTINEZ Owner/Manager
- 31B-03-4:Intermediate - No soap provided at handwash sink. Back kitchen area
Food safety inspection conducted on 1/14/2025 revealed 13 total violations (0 high priority, 2 intermediate, 11 basic).
Inspection on 7/15/2024
High Priority
1
Intermediate
6
Basic
12
Total
19
Disposition: Follow-up Inspection Required
Inspection Details:
- 32-02-4:Basic - Bathroom door left open other than during cleaning or maintenance. Both men's and women's restroom
- 32-04-4:Basic - Bathroom located inside establishment not completely enclosed with tight-fitting, self-closing doors. Repeat Violation
- 14-09-4:Basic - Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable. Repeat Violation
- 16-13-5:Basic - Equipment and utensils not washed, rinsed and sanitized in the correct order in three-compartment sink. Do not use dishes/equipment not properly sanitized.
- 36-73-4:Basic - Floor soiled/has accumulation of debris. Throughout kitchen Repeat Violation
- 21-04-4:Basic - In-use wet wiping cloth/towel used under cutting board.
- 23-03-4:Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Hood filters soiled Repeat Violation
- 35B-05-4:Basic - Outer openings not protected during operation. Repeat Violation
- 29-03-4:Basic - Water draining onto floor surface. In Walk-In-Cooler from leaking air conditioning unit.
- 42-01-4:Basic - Wet mop not stored in a manner to allow the mop to dry. On floor at open back door of establishment
- 21-12-4:Basic - Wet wiping cloth not stored in sanitizing solution between uses. Repeat Violation
- 02D-01-5:Basic - Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Large whirs bucket on cooks line with yellow lid not labeled Repeat Violation
- 50-17-3:High Priority - Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license. Repeat Violation Admin Complaint
- 22-02-4:Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Cutting boards on cooks line
- 16-37-1:Intermediate - No chemical test kit provided when using sanitizer at three-compartment sink/warewashing machine or wiping cloths.
- 05-08-4:Intermediate - No probe thermometer provided to measure temperature of food products.
- 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.
- 53B-13-5:Intermediate - Proof of required state approved employee training not available for some employees. To order approved program food safety material, call DBPR contracted provider: Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (SafeStaff) 866-372-7233. Repeat Violation Admin Complaint
- 02C-02-5:Intermediate - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked.
Food safety inspection conducted on 7/15/2024 revealed 19 total violations (1 high priority, 6 intermediate, 12 basic).
Inspection on 3/6/2024
High Priority
2
Intermediate
4
Basic
10
Total
16
Disposition: Met Inspection Standards
Inspection Details:
- 32-02-4:Basic - Bathroom door left open other than during cleaning or maintenance. Bathroom located inside establishment not completely enclosed with tight-fitting, self-closing doors.
- 14-09-4:Basic - Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable. Repeat Violation
- 12B-02-4:Basic - Employee eating in a food preparation or other restricted area. Observed operator eating while serving on the buffet line.
- 36-73-4:Basic - Floor soiled/has accumulation of debris. Underneath cooking equipment
- 21-04-4:Basic - In-use wet wiping cloth/towel used under cutting board. Repeat Violation
- 23-03-4:Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Hood filters soiled with dust and grease Repeat Violation
- 33-16-4:Basic - Open dumpster lid.
- 35B-05-4:Basic - Outer openings not protected during operation. Repeat Violation
- 21-12-4:Basic - Wet wiping cloth not stored in sanitizing solution between uses. Repeat Violation
- 02D-01-5:Basic - Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Repeat Violation
- 50-17-3:High Priority - Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license.
- 41-10-4:High Priority - Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. Observed bottle with toxic chemicals stored on top of large ice machine
- 02C-03-5:Intermediate - Commercially processed ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food opened and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked after opening. Shredded cheese in glass reach-in-cooler in dry storage Repeat Violation
- 53A-05-6:Intermediate - No currently certified food service manager on duty with four or more employees engaged in food preparation/handling. A list of accredited food manager certification examination providers can be found at http://www.myfloridalicense.com/DBPR/hotels-restaurants/food-lodging/food-manager/. Observed 5 employees working and no Certified Food Manager on duty Mairelys Delgado Person In Charge
- 53B-13-5:Intermediate - Proof of required state approved employee training not available for some employees. To order approved program food safety material, call DBPR contracted provider: Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (SafeStaff) 866-372-7233. New employees per Owner/Manager Repeat Violation
- 02C-02-5:Intermediate - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Cooked food in walk-in-cooler
Food safety inspection conducted on 3/6/2024 revealed 16 total violations (2 high priority, 4 intermediate, 10 basic).
Inspection on 10/30/2023
High Priority
1
Intermediate
5
Basic
14
Total
20
Disposition: Met Inspection Standards
Inspection Details:
- 14-01-5:Basic - Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food.
- 36-32-5:Basic - Ceiling/ceiling tile shows damage or is in disrepair.
- 14-09-4:Basic - Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable. Repeat Violation
- 12B-07-4:Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. On top of buffet reach-in-cooler and large ice machine Repeat Violation
- 12B-12-5:Basic - Employee drinking from an unenclosed beverage container in a food preparation/clean dishware area and the container does not have a dispensing mechanism to prevent hand contact with lip contact area of drink container.
- 12B-01-4:Basic - Employee eating while preparing food.
- 10-08-5:Basic - Ice scoop handle in contact with ice.
- 21-04-4:Basic - In-use wet wiping cloth/towel used under cutting board. Repeat Violation
- 51-13-4:Basic - No Heimlich maneuver/choking sign posted.
- 23-03-4:Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Hood filters soiled with dust and grease Repeat Violation
- 33-16-4:Basic - Open dumpster lid.
- 35B-05-4:Basic - Outer openings not protected during operation. Repeat Violation
- 21-12-4:Basic - Wet wiping cloth not stored in sanitizing solution between uses.
- 02D-01-5:Basic - Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Repeat Violation
- 03A-02-5:High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Raw shelled eggs 48. Placing in walk-in-freezer **Corrective Action Taken** Repeat Violation
- 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.
- 31A-11-4:Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Utensils stored in hand sink in front kitchen area Repeat Violation
- 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.
- 53B-13-5:Intermediate - Proof of required state approved employee training not available for some employees. To order approved program food safety material, call DBPR contracted provider: Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (SafeStaff) 866-372-7233.
- 02C-02-5:Intermediate - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Food in walk-in-cooler Repeat Violation
Food safety inspection conducted on 10/30/2023 revealed 20 total violations (1 high priority, 5 intermediate, 14 basic).