Big John's Alabama Bar-B-Que
Last inspected: Dec 30, 2025
82
Score
Inspectors have visited Big John's Alabama Bar-B-Que eight times, with records going back to 2022. The newest entry in the record is dated Dec 30, 2025. Diners can read the low risk label as a sign that recent inspections have gone well.
Inspection results have stayed in a similar range over the last few visits, averaging around three violations each.
“Open dumpster lid” comes up most often, recorded three times in the inspection record.
Compared to the broader Tampa restaurant scene, where the average is 79, this is a stronger showing. The full picture is one of consistent compliance.
8
Inspections
0
Critical latest
2
Major latest
0
Minor latest
Inspection History
Dec 30, 2025
Routine - Food
2 major violations.
View 2 violations
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Observed some cutting boards are stained at time of inspection. - From follow-up inspection 2025-12-30: **Time Extended**
22-02-4
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : 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/ observed both certified food managers cards expired on 10/11/2025. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2025-12-30: All certified food manager certification expired at time of call back **Admin Complaint**
53A-03-7
82
Oct 22, 2025
Routine - Food
2 major violations.
View 2 violations
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/ observed both certified food managers cards expired on 10/11/2025. **Warning**
53A-03-7
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Observed some cutting boards are stained at time of inspection.
22-02-4
82
May 14, 2025
Routine - Food
1 major violation. 1 minor violation.
View 2 violations
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Cutting board in back kitchen area has stains.
22-02-4
Basic - Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Employees food stored inside refrigerator with food being served to public. Owner removed and properly stored employees food. **Corrected On-Site**
40-06-5
86
Nov 22, 2024
Routine - Food
1 major violation. 1 minor violation.
View 2 violations
Required Records Available; Shellstock Tags/Labels
FL-14
Approved Thawing Methods Used
FL-31
86
Apr 16, 2024
Routine - Food
1 major violation. 3 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Intermediate - No soap provided at handwash sink. Back kitchen area **Repeat Violation**
31B-03-4
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. **Corrected On-Site**
12B-12-5
Basic - Food not stored at least 6 inches off of the floor. Food on floor in walk-in-cooler (containers of Italian ice)
08B-47-4
Basic - Open dumpster lid. **Repeat Violation**
33-16-4
78
Nov 20, 2023
Routine - Food
3 major violations. 2 minor violations.
View 5 violations
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.
11-27-4
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.
11-26-1
Intermediate - No soap provided at handwash sink. In back kitchen area **Corrected On-Site**
31B-03-4
Basic - Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable.
14-09-4
Basic - Open dumpster lid. **Corrected On-Site**
33-16-4
67
Mar 22, 2023
Routine - Food
4 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Basic - Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Container with red lid not labeled
02D-01-5
Basic - Floor soiled/has accumulation of debris. Walk-in-cooler
36-73-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Hood filters soiled with dust and grease.
23-03-4
Basic - Food not stored at least 6 inches off of the floor. Box of bbq sauce in dry storage **Repeat Violation**
08B-47-4
82
Sep 7, 2022
Routine - Food
3 critical violations. 1 major violation. 6 minor violations.
View 10 violations
High Priority - Live, small flying insects in kitchen, food preparation area, food storage area and/or bar area. 1 fly in dish area.
35A-02-6
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Cold holding:cut leafy greens 50 F, shredded cheese 47 F Operator opened freezer in walk in to add more cool air to walk in. **Corrective Action Taken**
03A-02-5
High Priority - Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license. **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
50-17-2
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with old food debris. Cutting boards in kitchen.
22-02-4
Basic - Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Bulk seasonings not labeled. Employee labeled at time of inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
02D-01-5
Basic - Ceiling of walk in cooler is in disrepair. Water leaking in walk in cooler.
36-32-5
Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Employee drinks and backpack on soda boxes. Operator moved at time of location to prevent cross contamination. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
12B-07-4
Basic - Employee personal food not properly identified and segregated from food to be served to the public. Employee food held next and above food on shelf in reach in cooler.
08B-49-4
Basic - Food stored on floor. Food on floor in walk in freezer.
08B-38-4
Basic - Open dumpster lid.
33-16-4
43
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Big John's Alabama Bar-B-Que last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Big John's Alabama Bar-B-Que on file is from Dec 30, 2025. The public record contains eight inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Big John's Alabama Bar-B-Que?
Across the inspection record, “open dumpster lid” has been cited three times, more than any other issue at Big John's Alabama Bar-B-Que.
How does Big John's Alabama Bar-B-Que compare to other restaurants in Tampa?
Big John's Alabama Bar-B-Que most recently scored 82 out of 100, which is higher than the Tampa average of 79.
Has Big John's Alabama Bar-B-Que's inspection record improved over time?
Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at Big John's Alabama Bar-B-Que have averaged around three violations per visit across the recent record.
What does a low risk rating mean?
A low risk rating at Big John's Alabama Bar-B-Que means inspectors found minimal or no significant issues at the most recent visit. Most facilities at this tier have a clean recent inspection report.
How often is Big John's Alabama Bar-B-Que inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Big John's Alabama Bar-B-Que is inspected around two times per year on average.
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