Box of Cubans
Last inspected: Mar 16, 2026
52
Score
Public records show five inspections at Box of Cubans stretching back to 2024. On Mar 16, 2026, the health department conducted the most recent visit. A high risk rating points to multiple serious findings at the most recent inspection.
The picture has improved over the last few visits: recent inspections have averaged around nine violations, down from roughly 18 violations earlier in the record.
“Buildup of food debris/soil residue on equipment door handles” accounts for the largest share of issues, appearing three times across the record.
The city-wide average sits at 79, which Box of Cubans' 52 doesn't quite reach. Diners may want to weigh the inspection history when deciding to visit.
5
Inspections
1
Critical latest
2
Major latest
6
Minor latest
Inspection History
Mar 16, 2026
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 2 major violations. 6 minor violations.
View 9 violations
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Cooked pork held at 125F. Operator discarded, replaced with new pan, 195F. **Corrected On-Site**
03B-01-6
Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Observed operator rinsing pitcher in front counter hand sink..
31A-11-4
Intermediate - Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled. Unlabeled bottle of degreaser on shelf in dish area. Operator placed label. **Corrected On-Site**
41-17-4
Basic - Buildup of food debris/soil residue on equipment door handles. Doors on flip top cooler on cookline
23-24-4
Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Employee drink on work top cooler at front counter. Operator removed.
12B-07-4
Basic - Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Backpack and cell phone on work top cooler at front counter. Operator removed. **Corrected On-Site**
40-06-5
Basic - Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting. Metal pans on clean dish shelf. Operator separated to air dry. **Corrected On-Site**
24-08-4
Basic - In-use tongs stored on equipment door handle between uses. 2 tongs on oven door handle. Operator removed. **Corrected On-Site**
10-20-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Gaskets soiled on flip top cooler at cookline.
23-03-4
52
Sep 23, 2025
Routine - Food
1 major violation. 5 minor violations.
View 6 violations
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Observed cutting boards soiled with food debris. **Repeat Violation** **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2025-09-23: Observed cutting boards soiled with food debris. **Time Extended**
22-02-4
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Cutting boards has cut marks and is no longer cleanable. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2025-09-23: Observed Cutting boards with cut marks and is no longer cleanable. **Time Extended**
14-09-4
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Garbage on the ground and/or pad around dumpster. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2025-09-23: Garbage on the ground and/or pad around dumpster. **Time Extended**
33-19-4
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Hood ventilation system inadequate as evidenced by grease accumulation on walls/ceiling. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2025-09-23: Observed hood ventilation system soiled with grease accumulation. manager had employee starting to clean and scheduled a cleaning. **Time Extended** **Corrective Action Taken**
36-68-5
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Insect control device installed over food preparation area left of kitchen door entrance. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2025-09-23: Observed insect control device installed over food preparation area left of kitchen door entrance. **Time Extended**
35B-02-4
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Buildup of food debris/soil residue on equipment door handles. Observed handle of black microwave on cook line soiled with food debris. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2025-09-23: Observed handle of black microwave on cook line soiled with food debris. **Time Extended**
23-24-4
70
Sep 18, 2025
Routine - Food
7 critical violations. 4 major violations. 18 minor violations.
View 29 violations
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Observed raw shelled eggs stored over ready to eat food in walk in cooler. Manager moved eggs to bottom shelf**Corrected On-Site** **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
08A-05-6
High Priority - Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. Raw Beef 44F, raw steak 48F, cheese 60F in reach in cooler operator voluntarily discarded cheese. **Warning**
01B-02-5
High Priority - Vacuum breaker missing at mop sink faucet or on fitting/splitter added to mop sink faucet. Observed no vacuum breaker at mop sink. **Warning**
29-42-4
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Raw Beef 44F, raw steak 48F, cheese 60F in reach in cooler operator voluntarily discarded cheese. milk 45F in reach in cooler under service window, operator put in walk in cooler. **Warning**
03A-02-5
High Priority - Vacuum breaker missing at hose bibb or on fitting/splitter added to hose bibb. No vacuum breaker on hose next to reach in cooler. **Warning**
29-34-4
High Priority - Live, small flying insects found 2 flys landing on wall 2 on hood system 2 box of spoons 2 on shelf 2 on paper towels in mop area 4 on wall next to hand wash sink **Warning**
35A-02-7
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. Observed employee scratch nose with gloved hand and then return to preparing food. Employee washed hands and changed gloves. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
12A-10-4
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Observed cutting boards soiled with food debris. **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
22-02-4
Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Observed ice and food in drains of both sink in back kitchen. **Warning**
31A-11-4
Intermediate - No chemical test kit provided when using sanitizer at three-compartment sink/warewashing machine or wiping cloths. Observed establishment does not have test strips to test lactic acid sanitizer. **Warning**
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/. Observed 4 employees preparing food and orders in back kitchen. **Warning**
53A-05-6
Basic - Unwrapped single-service utensils not presented so that only the handles are touched. Observed knives in blue container belief service window. manager inverted all knives handle up. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
25-02-4
Basic - Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Sugar container under prep table with crockpot beans, not labeled. manager labeled container **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
02D-01-5
Basic - Buildup of food debris/soil residue on equipment door handles. Observed handle of black microwave on cook line soiled with food debris. **Warning**
23-24-4
Basic - Carbon dioxide tank not adequately secured. Located at back of mop area left **Warning**
51-11-4
Basic - Cutting boards has cut marks and is no longer cleanable. **Warning**
14-09-4
Basic - Dead roaches on premises. 1 on light plug 1 on pipe under electric unit 2 in Intermatic box on wall 1 on electrical plug on wall 1 stuck to wall under plug 3 behind pipe next to electrical box manger discarded, cleaned and sanitized areas **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
35A-03-4
Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Observed employee beverages on prep table by kitchen entrance. Manager removed employee beverages from table. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
12B-07-4
Basic - Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Observed employee purse in red bin with Togo bags under prep table to the right of kitchen entrance. manager removed. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
40-06-5
Basic - Garbage on the ground and/or pad around dumpster. **Warning**
33-19-4
Basic - Hood ventilation system inadequate as evidenced by grease accumulation on walls/ceiling. **Warning**
36-68-5
Basic - In-use utensil in non-time/temperature control for safety food not stored with handle above top of food within a closed container. Sugar scoop inside container has handle touching sugar. manger removed scoop. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
10-01-5
Basic - Insect control device installed over food preparation area left of kitchen door entrance. **Warning**
35B-02-4
Basic - No Heimlich maneuver/choking sign posted. Sent operator copy of chocking procedure poster. **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning**
51-13-4
Basic - No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees. No handwashing sign in either bathroom. sent operator copy of hand washing signs **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning**
31B-04-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed all gaskets of all reach in cooler within the kitchen are soiled with food debris. **Warning**
23-03-4
Basic - Open dumpster lid. **Warning**
33-16-4
Basic - Single-service articles not stored inverted or protected from contamination. Bowls in storage area not inverted. Manager inverted bowls. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
25-06-4
Basic - Unwashed oranges stored over the ready to eat chicken empanada mix and pork roast. manager moved unwashed fruit to bottom shelf **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
08B-17-4
10
May 22, 2025
Routine - Food
1 major violation.
View 1 violation
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Stained cutting boards
22-02-4
90
Nov 14, 2024
Food-Licensing Inspection
No violations found.
100
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Box of Cubans last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Box of Cubans on file is from Mar 16, 2026. The public record contains five inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Box of Cubans?
Across the inspection record, “buildup of food debris/soil residue on equipment door handles” has been cited three times, more than any other issue at Box of Cubans.
How does Box of Cubans compare to other restaurants in Tampa?
Box of Cubans most recently scored 52 out of 100, which is lower than the Tampa average of 79.
Has Box of Cubans' inspection record improved over time?
Yes. Recent inspections at Box of Cubans have averaged around nine violations per visit, down from roughly 18 earlier in the record.
What does a high risk rating mean?
A high risk rating at Box of Cubans 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.
Nearby Restaurants