Bon Zanmi Restaurant & Lounge

1526 E Fowler Ave Ste B&C, Tampa, FL 33612

African

Last inspected: Sep 17, 2025

Score

Medium Risk

Inspectors have visited Bon Zanmi Restaurant & Lounge five times, with records going back to 2024. The newest entry in the record is dated Sep 17, 2025. A medium risk score generally means inspectors found things to fix, though most weren't urgent.

The picture has gotten worse over the last few visits, with the average climbing from around four violations to closer to eight violations.

The most common issue across all inspections has been “opened employee beverage container in a cold holding unit”, showing up three times.

The city-wide average sits at 79, which Bon Zanmi Restaurant & Lounge's 61 doesn't quite reach. The full record sits in fairly typical territory for a working restaurant.

Inspections

Critical latest

Major latest

Minor latest

Inspection History

Sep 17, 2025

Routine - Food

2 major violations. 6 minor violations.

View 8 violations

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/

53A-05-6

Intermediate - No soap provided at handwash sink. No handwashing soap at handwashing sink in kitchen area. Employee placed soap at handwashing sink. **Corrected On-Site**

31B-03-4

Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Gasket in small double door refrigerator are soiled with old food debris.

23-03-4

Basic - Clean glasses, cups, bowls, plates, pots and pans not stored inverted or in a protected manner. Aluminum pans overtop steam table are not stored inverted.

24-05-4

Basic - Food stored on floor. Bucket of plantains stored on floor in kitchen area. Employee removed and properly stored plantains. **Corrected On-Site**

08B-38-4

Basic - Missing drain plug at dumpster.

33-11-4

Basic - Open dumpster lid.

33-16-4

Basic - Opened employee beverage container in a cold holding unit with food to be served to customers. Employee drink stored inside double door refrigerator in kitchen area. **Repeat Violation**

12B-13-4

Apr 3, 2025

Routine - Food

3 critical violations. 2 major violations. 2 minor violations.

View 7 violations

High Priority - Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license. **Admin Complaint**

50-17-3

High Priority - Container of medicine improperly stored. Medicine stored overtop steam table. Employee properly stored medicine.

41-07-4

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 used personal cell phone without washing hands.

12A-29-4

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

11-27-4

Basic - Opened employee beverage container in a cold holding unit with food to be served to customers. Employee bottle water stored inside refrigerator.

12B-13-4

Basic - Raw fruits/vegetables not washed prior to preparation. Onions not washed before preparation. Employee washed onions. **Corrected On-Site**

08B-39-4

Sep 20, 2024

Routine - Food

1 major violation. 1 minor violation.

View 2 violations

Intermediate - - From initial inspection : Intermediate - Manager or person in charge lacking proof of food manager certification. George King **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2024-09-20: **Time Extended**

53A-01-7

Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - No Heimlich maneuver/choking sign posted. Provided operator with education packet containing choking poster. **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2024-09-20: **Time Extended**

51-13-4

Sep 18, 2024

Routine - Food

2 critical violations. 3 major violations. 5 minor violations.

View 10 violations

High Priority - Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. Degreaser stored over cabbage. Operator moved at time of inspection **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**

41-10-4

High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Raw shell eggs stored over ready to eat margarine. Operator moved at time of inspection **Corrected On-Site** **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**

08A-05-6

Intermediate - Identity of food or food product misrepresented. 06-13-2024 invoice state Lane Snapper Operator has no current invoice available Latin Name Lutjanus Purpureus , Caribbean Red Snapper based on box provided. Operator revising menu to state Snapper. **Corrected On-Site** **Corrected On-Site** **Admin Complaint**

52-01-4

Intermediate - Manager or person in charge lacking proof of food manager certification. George King **Warning**

53A-01-7

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 education packet containing cleanup procedure. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**

11-27-4

Basic - No Heimlich maneuver/choking sign posted. Provided operator with education packet containing choking poster. **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning**

51-13-4

Basic - No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees. No handwashing sign at front handwashing station. Provided operator handwashing sign at time of inspection. Operator posted. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**

31B-04-4

Basic - Old labels stuck to food containers after cleaning. Old labels on containers in cooler. Discussed with operator. **Warning**

16-46-4

Basic - Opened employee beverage container in a cold holding unit with food to be served to customers. Employee drinks in reach in cooler, discussed with operator. Operator moved to approved location at time of inspection. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**

12B-13-4

Basic - Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Employee personal items on a food storage shelf. Operator moved at time of inspection. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**

40-06-5

Jan 3, 2024

Food-Licensing Inspection

No violations found.

100

Frequently Asked Questions

When was Bon Zanmi Restaurant & Lounge last inspected?

The most recent health inspection at Bon Zanmi Restaurant & Lounge on file is from Sep 17, 2025. The public record contains five inspections in total.

What is the most common violation at Bon Zanmi Restaurant & Lounge?

Across the inspection record, “opened employee beverage container in a cold holding unit” has been cited three times, more than any other issue at Bon Zanmi Restaurant & Lounge.

How does Bon Zanmi Restaurant & Lounge compare to other restaurants in Tampa?

Bon Zanmi Restaurant & Lounge most recently scored 61 out of 100, which is lower than the Tampa average of 79.

Has Bon Zanmi Restaurant & Lounge's inspection record improved over time?

No. Recent inspections at Bon Zanmi Restaurant & Lounge have averaged around eight violations per visit, up from roughly four earlier in the record.

What does a medium risk rating mean?

A medium risk rating at Bon Zanmi Restaurant & Lounge means the most recent inspection turned up a handful of issues that the health department wrote up but did not classify as critical.

How often is Bon Zanmi Restaurant & Lounge inspected?

Based on the inspection history on file, Bon Zanmi Restaurant & Lounge is inspected around three times per year on average.

Nearby Restaurants

Unionfletch

3600 E Fletcher Ave

Score: 100 — Low Risk

Peking Chinese Fast Food

11303 N Nebraska Ave

Score: 43 — High Risk

El Rey De Oros

2002 E Fletcher Ave Unit #D

Score: 74 — Medium Risk

Explore More

→ All locations in Tampa → African restaurants in Florida → African restaurants in Tampa