TASTE OF INDIA

1241 East Fowler Avenue
Tampa, Florida, 33612
Hillsborough County County

Overall Food Safety Rating

★★½☆☆ (2.5/5)
Based on 8 health inspection reports

All Inspection Reports

Inspection Date: 4/22/2025

Inspection #: Visit ID: 10820273

  • 13-03-4:Basic - Employee with no hair restraint while engaging in food preparation.
  • 41-07-4:High Priority - Container of medicine improperly stored. At prep area- contained of medics stored over prep counter - operator removed. Corrected On-Site
  • 22-41-4:High Priority - Dishmachine chlorine sanitizer not at proper minimum strength. Discontinue use of dishmachine for sanitizing and set up manual sanitization until dishmachine is repaired and sanitizing properly. Dishwasher (Chlorine 0ppm)- corrected to 100ppm- operator set up three compartment sink. Corrected On-Site Repeat Violation Admin Complaint
  • 08A-02-6:High Priority - Raw animal food stored over or with ready-to-eat food in a freezer - not all products commercially packaged. At walk in freezer raw lamb not commercially packaged stored over cooked onions- operator removed. Corrected On-Site
  • 12A-02-4:High Priority - Server handled soiled dishes or utensils and then picked up plated food, served food, or prepared a beverage without washing hands. At kitchen area- server handled dirty dishes then proceeded to handle clean dish and to/go containers without washing their hands- educated operator employee washed hands. **Corrective Action Taken**
  • 03A-02-5:High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. At reach in cooler by cookline- cooked chicken 45-47F- cold holding,- food not prepared or portioned today food out of temperature for 1.5 hours- operator moved to walk in freezer to quick chill. **Corrective Action Taken**
  • 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. At walk in cooler- gallon of milk opened Sunday 04/20 not date marked - operator date marked. Corrected On-Site
  • 31A-09-4:Intermediate - Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Handwashing sink blocked - states out of order.
  • 31B-02-4:Intermediate - No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink- by cookline - operator provided.
  • 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. At walk in cooler- cooked potatoes prepared Sunday 04/20 not date marked - operator date marked.

Inspection Date: 2/19/2025

Inspection #: Visit ID: 10782140

  • N/A:No Violations Were Observed

Inspection Date: 2/18/2025

Inspection #: Visit ID: 10720198

  • 40-06-5:Basic - Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Employee keys stored over prep counter at kitchen area. Warning
  • 24-08-4:Basic - Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting. Metal pans wet nesting at clean dish rack. Warning
  • 21-12-4:Basic - Wet wiping cloth not stored in sanitizing solution between uses. Wet/ damp/ soiled wiping clothes stored on cutting boards throughout kitchen area. Warning
  • 22-42-4:High Priority - Chlorine sanitizer not at proper minimum strength for manual warewashing. Do not use equipment/utensils not properly sanitized. Triple Sink (Chlorine 0ppm) Warning
  • 22-41-4:High Priority - Dishmachine chlorine sanitizer not at proper minimum strength. Discontinue use of dishmachine for sanitizing and set up manual sanitization until dishmachine is repaired and sanitizing properly. Dishwasher (Chlorine 0ppm- corrected to 100ppm) Corrected On-Site Repeat Violation Admin Complaint
  • 08A-05-6:High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. At walk in cooler raw chicken and raw shrimp stored over cooked lamb and sauces - operator removed. Corrected On-Site Warning
  • 03A-02-5:High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. At reach in cooler at cookline- cooked lamb 47F- cold holding , cooked chicken 55F- cold holding, cooked spinach 52-55F- cold holding, cooked tomato sauce 52-55F cold holding , cut cabbage 52-55F- cold holding, shredded cheese 52-55F- cold holding, cooked cauliflower 55-60F- cold holding - food not prepared or portioned today- food out of temperature for 1 hour- operator moved food to walk in cooler to quick chill. **Corrective Action Taken** Warning
  • 31A-11-4:Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Sponge in hand sink by dishwashing station. Repeat Violation Warning
  • 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. At walk in cooler- cooked chicken prepared Sunday 02/16/25- not date marked. Warning

Inspection Date: 11/15/2024

Inspection #: Visit ID: 10719823

  • N/A:No Violations Were Observed

Inspection Date: 11/14/2024

Inspection #: Visit ID: 8724583

  • 13-03-4:Basic - Employee with no hair restraint while engaging in food preparation.
  • 22-41-4:High Priority - Dishmachine chlorine sanitizer not at proper minimum strength. Discontinue use of dishmachine for sanitizing and set up manual sanitization until dishmachine is repaired and sanitizing properly. Dishwasher (Chlorine 0ppm)- operator set up three compartment sink. **Corrective Action Taken**
  • 12A-10-4:High Priority - Employee touched bare body part and then engaged in food preparation, handled clean equipment or utensils, or touched unwrapped single-service items without washing hands. At kitchen area- employee touched face with bare hands then proceeds to grab container of food without washing their hands - educated operator- employee washed hands. **Corrective Action Taken**
  • 03B-01-6:High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. At prep area steam table- cooked rice 122F- hot holding- food out of temperature overnight- see stop sale.
  • 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. At server station reach in cooler - gallon of milk opened Tuesday not date marked - operator date marked. Corrected On-Site
  • 31A-11-4:Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. At handwashing sink near cookline/ prep area- spoon inside sink- operator removed. Corrected On-Site
  • 31B-02-4:Intermediate - No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. At bar handwash sink- operator provided. Corrected On-Site
  • 02C-04-5:Intermediate - Operator is not properly tracking/marking the number of days ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite was held at refrigeration temperatures prior to freezing in order to properly date mark the food when it is thawed and held at refrigeration temperatures again. At walk in cooler - cooked lamb- prepared 11/07/24 frozen and then thawed 11/13/24 not properly date marked.
  • 48-04-4:Propane tank (larger than 2.7 lb. water capacity/1 lb. gas capacity) located inside of the building. For reporting purposes only. Propane tank- inside kitchen/ prep area.

Inspection Date: 3/6/2024

Inspection #: Visit ID: 8505832

  • 24-08-4:Basic - Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting. At dry storage area- clean bowls stacked with water in between - operator removed. Corrected On-Site Repeat Violation
  • 08B-38-4:Basic - Food stored on floor. At walk in cooler- containers of raw chicken stored on floor- operator moved off floor. Corrected On-Site
  • 12A-29-4:High Priority - Employee touched soiled surface and then engaged in food preparation, handled clean equipment or utensils, or touched unwrapped single-service items without washing hands. Employee grabbed garbage can then proceeded to prepare food with out washing hands do- educated operator- employee washed hands
  • 14-31-5:High Priority - Nonfood-grade bags used in direct contact with food. At walk in cooler- non food grade / to-go/ shopping bag used to store cilantro- operator removed. Corrected On-Site
  • 08A-05-6:High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. At reach in cooler by cookline with raw shrimp stored over creamer- operator moved shrimp to lower shelf. Repeat Violation Admin Complaint
  • 03A-02-5:High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. At reach in cooler by cookline- tofu 46F- cold holding- food not prepared or portioned today- food out of temperature for 20 minutes- operator moved to walk in to quick chill. **Corrective Action Taken**
  • 11-07-5:Intermediate - Certified Food Manager or person in charge lacks knowledge of foodborne illnesses and symptoms of illness that would prevent an employee from working with food, clean equipment and utensils, and single-service items. Repeat Violation
  • 03D-15-4:Intermediate - Food being cooled by nonapproved method as evidenced by inadequate rate of cooling during time of inspection. At prep area- Chopped lettuce 48-51F at 11:00 to 48-51F at 11:30 ( cooling since 10:55)- food left out on counter In shallow ice bath- at current rate of cooling food will not reach to 41F within remaining time- operator moved to walk in cooler to quick chill. **Corrective Action Taken**
  • 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. At reach in cooler by cookline- cooked lamb made on Monday 03/04/ 24 not date marked- operator date marked. Corrected On-Site
  • 53B-14-5:Intermediate - Required employee training expired for some employees. To order approved program food safety material, call DBPR contracted provider: Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (SafeStaff) 866-372-7233. Some employee trading expired 01/2024.

Inspection Date: 9/22/2023

Inspection #: Visit ID: 8505580

  • 35B-01-4:Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Exterior door has a gap at the threshold that opens to the outside. Warning - From follow-up inspection 2023-09-22: **Time Extended**

Inspection Date: 9/21/2023

Inspection #: Visit ID: 8346039

  • 14-09-4:Basic - Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable- at cookline. Warning
  • 35A-03-4:Basic - Dead roaches on premises. Observed approximately 4 dead roaches inside dry storage closet- on floor and above/ on containers with spices. Observed approximately 2 dead roaches - at dry storage shelf near back door- on floor and above canned foods. Observed approximately 1 dead roach inside unit containing crispy bread. Observed approximately 1 dead roach between bar area and storage on floor. Observed approximately 1 dead roach in office by boxes of beer bottles. Observed approximately 1 dead roach on floor behind display near entrance area in dining room. All dead roaches were removed and areas sanitized. Admin Complaint
  • 24-08-4:Basic - Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting. At prep counter - container of metal sauce cups with water inside - operator removed to be cleaned and dried properly. Corrected On-Site Warning
  • 35B-01-4:Basic - Exterior door has a gap at the threshold that opens to the outside. Warning
  • 08B-12-5:Basic - Stored food not covered. Oil on floor near cookline. Warning
  • 01B-01-4:High Priority - Dented/rusted cans present. See stop sale. Dented can of mango pulp at dry storage- see stop sale. Warning
  • 35A-02-6:High Priority - Live, small flying insects in kitchen, food preparation area, food storage area and/or bar area. Observed approximately 4 live small flying insects landing on prep tables and wall by prep area. Observed approximately 2 small flying insects landing on dish-machine and surrounding walls. Admin Complaint
  • 08A-02-6:High Priority - Raw animal food stored over or with ready-to-eat food in a freezer - not all products commercially packaged. At walk in freezer raw chicken not commercially packaged over cooked chicken- operator removed. Corrected On-Site Warning
  • 08A-05-6:High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. At walk in cooler- raw chicken over cooked chicken- operator moved to lower shelf. Corrected On-Site Repeat Violation Admin Complaint
  • 41-10-4:High Priority - Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. Can of Raid Chemical over bag of flour at dry storage shelf- operator. Corrected On-Site Warning
  • 11-07-5:Intermediate - Certified Food Manager or person in charge lacks knowledge of foodborne illnesses and symptoms of illness that would prevent an employee from working with food, clean equipment and utensils, and single-service items. Emailed poster to operator. Warning