American Tapas Bar
Last inspected: Jan 22, 2026
15
Score
American Tapas Bar has been inspected 10 times since 2022. The newest entry in the record is dated Jan 22, 2026. The high risk label is a heads-up that the most recent visit didn't go well.
Inspection results have stayed in a similar range over the last few visits, averaging around nine violations each.
Looking across the full record, “raw animal food stored over/not properly separated” is the recurring theme, flagged six times.
The city-wide average sits at 80, which American Tapas Bar's 15 doesn't quite reach. There are enough flags in the record to merit a second thought.
10
Inspections
4
Critical latest
5
Major latest
6
Minor latest
Inspection History
Jan 22, 2026
Routine - Food
4 critical violations. 5 major violations. 6 minor violations.
View 15 violations
Certified Food Manager Identification
FL-02
Employee Health Policies Present
FL-03
Procedures for Responding to Vomiting/Diarrheal Events
FL-05
Supervisor/Person in Charge Present
FL-01
Hands Clean and Properly Washed
FL-08
Food Obtained from Approved Sources
FL-11
Food Received at Proper Temperature
FL-12
Potentially Hazardous Food Held at Proper Temperature
FL-16
Food Contact Surfaces Clean and Sanitized
FL-22
Food and Non-Food Contact Surfaces Designed and Constructed
FL-50
Lighting Adequate; Required Shields in Place
FL-36
Equipment Adequate to Maintain Product Temperature
FL-29
Warewashing Facilities Maintained and Used
FL-24
Non-Food Contact Surfaces Clean
FL-23
Toilet Rooms Maintained
FL-53
15
Sep 18, 2025
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 3 major violations. 4 minor violations.
View 8 violations
Supervisor/Person in Charge Present
FL-01
Hands Clean and Properly Washed
FL-08
Required Records Available; Shellstock Tags/Labels
FL-14
Proper Hot and Cold Holding Temperatures
FL-21
Lighting Adequate; Required Shields in Place
FL-36
Approved Thawing Methods Used
FL-31
Equipment Adequate to Maintain Product Temperature
FL-29
Food Contact Surfaces Clean and Sanitized
FL-22
43
Mar 26, 2025
Routine - Food
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Hole in or other damage to wall. By back door. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2025-03-26: Observed same **Time Extended**
36-24-5
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Current Hotel and Restaurant license not displayed. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2025-03-26: Observed same **Time Extended**
50-09-4
90
Mar 24, 2025
Routine - Food
4 critical violations. 1 major violation. 8 minor violations.
View 13 violations
High Priority - Live, small flying insects found -Bar approximately 6 live small flying insects observed at bar counter separate from kitchen, landing on single service drink napkins, straws and counter. -Storage area next to kitchen no door approximately 7 small live flying insects observed landing on bulk onions, sealed containers of sriracha sauce, boxes of balsamic glaze. Operator contacted pest control who began service to treat small flying insects at time of inspection. **Corrective Action Taken** **Admin Complaint**
35A-02-7
High Priority - Employee touched hair and then engaged in food preparation,mwithout washing hands. **Warning**
12A-25-4
High Priority - Employee failed to wash hands before putting on gloves to initiate a task working with food after eating plate of scrambled eggs. **Warning**
12A-07-5
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. -2 door reach in cooler in kitchen; raw veal over tortilla chip operator stored properly. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
08A-05-6
Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. -Salad station; scoop stored in sink. Operator removed. **Warning**
31A-11-4
Basic - 1 Soiled dry wiping cloth in use. **Warning**
21-10-4
Basic - 1 cookline Employee with no hair restraint while engaging in food preparation. **Warning**
13-03-4
Basic - Current Hotel and Restaurant license not displayed. **Warning**
50-09-4
Basic - Employee eating while preparing food. -Employee eating a plate of scrambled eggs while setting up cookline for lunch service. **Warning**
12B-01-4
Basic - Hole in or other damage to wall. By back door. **Warning**
36-24-5
Basic - Interior of microwave at cook line has accumulation of grease/food debris. **Warning**
22-08-4
Basic - Uncleanable knife block in use to store knives. By salad station. **Warning**
14-55-4
Basic - Wiping cloth sanitizing solution stored on the floor by salad station and cook line operator elevated. **Warning**
21-38-4
33
Jan 28, 2025
Routine - Food
No violations found.
100
Nov 25, 2024
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 8 major violations. 5 minor violations.
View 14 violations
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. -Reach in fridge at Cookline; raw shell eggs stored over raw salmon. Operator stored properly. -Cookline right flip top; Raw shrimp stored over ready to eat carrots **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
08A-05-6
Intermediate - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked.
02C-02-5
Intermediate - Chlorine Chemical test kit not used to ensure proper sanitization of equipment and utensils when using a chemical sanitizer.
16-33-4
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. -Bar; Soda gun nozzles and holsters.
22-02-4
Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. -Bar; handwashing sink used as storage for food containers, operator removed. **Corrected On-Site**
31A-11-4
Intermediate - No chlorine chemical test kit provided when using sanitizer at three-compartment sink/warewashing machine or wiping cloths.
16-37-1
Intermediate - No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. -Cookline hand washing sink. -Salad station handwashing sink. Operator provided. **Repeat Violation**
31B-02-4
Intermediate - No soap provided at handwash sink. -Cookline hand washing sink.
31B-03-4
Intermediate - Paper towel dispenser at handwash sink not working/unable to dispense paper towels. -Salad Station handwashing sink. Operator changed batteries. **Corrected On-Site**
31B-05-4
Basic - Dead roaches on premises. -Approximately 3 dead roaches on floor by bag in box storage area. Operator swept, cleaned and sanitized area during inspection.
35A-03-4
Basic - Floor area(s) covered with standing water. -Kitchen; under spice rack
36-22-4
Basic - Food stored on floor. -Bulk container on brown sugar stored on floor next to bag in box juices. Operator stored properly. -Case of clam juice stored on floor in front of chest freezer, Operator stored properly.**Corrected On-Site** **Corrected On-Site**
08B-38-4
Basic - In-use tongs stored on oven door handle between uses. Operator removed stored properly. **Corrected On-Site**
10-20-4
Basic - Old labels stuck to food containers after cleaning. -Prep area next to toaster; old label on container of tortilla chips.
16-46-4
30
Mar 4, 2024
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 2 major violations. 3 minor violations.
View 7 violations
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over or with ready-to-eat food in a freezer - not all products commercially packaged. In reach in freezer by dish machine, raw beef stored over open box of cookie dough. Cook placed cookie dough on top shelf **Corrected On-Site**
08A-02-6
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. On cook line, raw chicken stored over ready to eat chicken wings. Cook moved cooked wings to top shelf. **Corrected On-Site**
08A-05-6
Intermediate - No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. At hand wash sink on cook line, no paper towels.
31B-02-4
Intermediate - Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled. At reach in white chest freezer, two spray bottles not labeled containing cleaner. Operator labeled. **Corrected On-Site**
41-17-4
Basic - Time/temperature control for safety food thawed in an improper manner. At sink in kitchen, thawing shrimp no running water. Cook began running water **Corrected On-Site**
06-01-5
Basic - Single-service articles improperly stored. To go contains stored on floor in kitchen. Operator moved to shelf **Corrected On-Site**
25-05-4
Basic - No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees. No handwashing sign in women's bathroom that employees used. Operator replaced sign **Corrected On-Site**
31B-04-4
52
Sep 28, 2023
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 5 major violations. 8 minor violations.
View 15 violations
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Cookline - mashed potatoes (95F - Hot Holding). Per operator holding for an hour. Advised operator to immediately reheat to at least 165F and hot hold at 135F or higher. Operator increased heat to reheat. **Corrective Action Taken**
03B-01-6
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Raw shell eggs stored behind cheese and commercial produced salad dressing in upper section of prep area flip top. Cookline - AdvantEdge unit - raw beef stored over cooked potatoes. Operator stored all items properly. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
08A-05-6
Intermediate - Clam/mussel/oyster tags not marked with last date served.
01C-03-4
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 handout to operator. **Corrected On-Site**
11-27-4
Intermediate - No chemical test kit provided when using sanitizer at three-compartment sink/warewashing machine or wiping cloths.
16-37-1
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/ CFM arrived during inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
53A-05-6
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.
53B-13-5
Basic - Food stored on floor. Large plastic containers of rice and flour stored on floor in dry storage area. Operator stored properly. **Corrected On-Site**
08B-38-4
Basic - Ice scoop handle in contact with ice. Bar - operator stored properly. **Corrected On-Site**
10-08-5
Basic - In-use ice scoop stored on soiled surface between uses. Operator stored properly. **Corrected On-Site**
10-12-5
Basic - In-use tongs stored on equipment door handle between uses. Cookline. Operator removed. **Corrected On-Site**
10-20-4
Basic - In-use utensil stored in standing water less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Cookline - utensil in water 73F. Operator increased heat. **Corrective Action Taken**
10-07-4
Basic - No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees. Prep area hand sink. Operator posted. **Corrected On-Site**
31B-04-4
Basic - Time/temperature control for safety food thawed in an improper manner. Beef burgers thawing in standing water. Operator turned on cold water and continued thawing properly. **Corrected On-Site**
06-01-5
Basic - Wet wiping cloth not stored in sanitizing solution between uses.
21-12-4
30
Jan 30, 2023
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 2 major violations. 3 minor violations.
View 7 violations
High Priority - Raw animal foods not properly separated from each other in holding unit based upon minimum required cooking temperature. At reach in cooler by cookline- Raw ground beef over raw pork- operator moved raw ground beef to lower shelf. **Corrected On-Site**
08A-20-5
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. At tall reach in cooler- Raw salmon over potatoes- open moved raw salmon to lower shelf. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
08A-05-6
Intermediate - Mussel/oyster tags not maintained in chronological order according to the last date they were served in the establishment.
01C-05-4
Intermediate - No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. At handwash sink by bar - operator provided. **Corrected On-Site**
31B-02-4
Basic - Clean glasses, cups, bowls, plates, pots and pans not stored inverted or in a protected manner. Ice bucket not inverted by ice machine- operator inverted. **Corrected On-Site**
24-05-4
Basic - Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Employee wallet and keys over prep area by cookline- operator removed. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
40-06-5
Basic - Raw fruits/vegetables not washed prior to preparation. Avocado stickers at flip top cooler with stickers still attached- operator removed. **Corrected On-Site**
08B-39-4
52
Nov 16, 2022
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 5 major violations. 4 minor violations.
View 11 violations
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. corn bread (72F - Cold Holding) on the speed rack As per operator food outside for approximately 1 hour and 30 min; food not prepared or portioned today; Operator will discard food after 4 hours; Emailed TPHC form; wings (43-53F - Cold Holding); in sandwich table at cook line; as per operator food not portioned or prepared today; food overstocked; food out of temperature for less than 1 hour; operator removed top part of the food and placed in reach in cooler; **Corrective Action Taken** **Corrective Action Taken** **Repeat Violation**
03A-02-5
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Raw fish stored above cooked ribs in reach in cooler at cook line; Operator stored properly **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
08A-05-6
Intermediate - Clam/mussel/oyster tags not marked with last date served. **Repeat Violation**
01C-03-4
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime- can opener at prep table
22-02-4
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/ Owner showed up during inspection **Corrected On-Site**
53A-05-6
Intermediate - No person in charge present during hours of operation.
53A-11-4
Intermediate - Raw or undercooked oysters offered and establishment has no consumer advisory sign provided on wall, menu, placard, table tent or by any other written means. Raw animal foods must be fully cooked prior to service. Printed during inspection **Corrected On-Site**
02A-01-4
Basic - Cases of water stored on floor at kitchen entrance Operator stored properly **Corrected On-Site**
08B-38-4
Basic - Employee eating in a food preparation area; Employee moved to employee area; **Corrected On-Site**
12B-02-4
Basic - Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Cell phone on the cutting board at sandwich table at cook line; Operator removed **Corrected On-Site**
40-06-5
Basic - Single-service articles improperly stored. Case of to go boxes stored on the floor in the kitchen Operator stored properly **Corrected On-Site**
25-05-4
37
Frequently Asked Questions
When was American Tapas Bar last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at American Tapas Bar on file is from Jan 22, 2026. The public record contains 10 inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at American Tapas Bar?
Across the inspection record, “raw animal food stored over/not properly separated” has been cited six times, more than any other issue at American Tapas Bar.
How does American Tapas Bar compare to other restaurants in Fort Lauderdale?
American Tapas Bar most recently scored 15 out of 100, which is lower than the Fort Lauderdale average of 80.
Has American Tapas Bar's inspection record improved over time?
Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at American Tapas Bar have averaged around nine violations per visit across the recent record.
What does a high risk rating mean?
A high risk rating at American Tapas Bar means the most recent inspection flagged either critical violations or a substantial number of smaller ones. Diners may want to read the violation details before deciding to visit.
How often is American Tapas Bar inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, American Tapas Bar is inspected around three times per year on average.
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