Cava
Last inspected: Mar 11, 2026
78
Score
Cava has been inspected 10 times since 2022. The most recent report on file is from Mar 11, 2026. When a facility lands in the low risk tier, it usually means nothing alarming showed up at the most recent visit.
The trend has not been favorable: recent inspections average around four violations each, up from closer to two violations before.
The pattern that stands out is “dented/rusted cans present”, which has been cited three times.
Compared to the broader Tampa restaurant scene, this is about average. The record is unremarkable in either direction.
10
Inspections
1
Critical latest
0
Major latest
2
Minor latest
Inspection History
Mar 11, 2026
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 2 minor violations.
View 3 violations
High Priority - Vacuum breaker missing at hose bibb or on fitting/splitter added to hose bibb at mop sink in back kitchen next to office desk,discussed with manager the importance of a vacuum breaker.
29-34-4
Basic - Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting, half sheet pans stacked wet in ware washing drying area next to dishwasher, manager had employee separate pans to air dry. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
24-08-4
Basic - Missing drain plug at dumpster ,Discussed with operator the importance of a drain plug.
33-11-4
78
Nov 20, 2025
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 3 major violations. 3 minor violations.
View 7 violations
High Priority - Dented/rusted cans present. See stop sale. 4 dented cans of cucumbers in brine. 2 dented cans of chickpeas. **Repeat Violation**
01B-01-4
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.
11-07-5
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Multiple cutting board at cooking station soiled. Manager replaced soiled boards with new boards during time of inspection. Surface of soda machine nozzles soiled. Located on soda fountain in dining room. **Corrective Action Taken** **Repeat Violation**
22-02-4
Intermediate - No written procedures available for use of time as a public health control to hold time/temperature control for safety food. No written plans for cut greens stored at front service line adjacent to pita press. A form has been emailed to manager during time of inspection.
03F-10-5
Basic - Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable. Multiple cutting board at cooking station with cut marks. Manager replaced cutting boards with new boards during time of inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
14-09-4
Basic - Current Hotel and Restaurant license not displayed.
50-09-4
Basic - Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting. Located on drying shelf in dish pit. Employee began to separate equipment to allow drying during time of inspection. **Corrective Action Taken**
24-08-4
55
Apr 4, 2025
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 1 minor violation.
View 3 violations
High Priority - Dented/rusted cans present. See stop sale. 2 dented cans of cucumbers in brine.
01B-01-4
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Soda nozzles on soda machine in dining room soiled.
22-02-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Reach in cooler gasket on front line cook soiled. **Repeat Violation**
23-03-4
74
Nov 13, 2024
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 4 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Supervisor/Person in Charge Present
FL-01
Equipment Adequate to Maintain Product Temperature
FL-29
Single-Use/Single-Service Articles Properly Stored and Used
FL-45
Non-Food Contact Surfaces Clean
FL-23
Warewashing Facilities Maintained and Used
FL-24
74
Mar 7, 2024
Routine - Food
No violations found.
100
Oct 24, 2023
Routine - Food
No violations found.
100
Jul 17, 2023
Routine - Food
No violations found.
100
May 9, 2023
Routine - Food
1 major violation.
View 1 violation
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : Intermediate - No proof of required state approved employee training provided for any employees. To order approved program food safety material, call DBPR contracted provider: Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (SafeStaff) 866-372-7233. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2023-05-09: July 7 for extended call back **Time Extended**
53B-01-5
90
May 8, 2023
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 3 major violations.
View 5 violations
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Reach in cooling unit on front line.Cold holding: cut greens 46 f cook rice 45 f cut greens 45 f cut spinach 45 f operator placed in walk in cooler **Warning**
03A-02-5
High Priority - Dented/rusted cans present. See stop sale. Roland Digion mustard 1 can **Warning**
01B-01-4
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. **Warning**
11-26-1
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Can opener **Warning**
22-02-4
Intermediate - No proof of required state approved employee training provided for any employees. To order approved program food safety material, call DBPR contracted provider: Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (SafeStaff) 866-372-7233. **Warning**
53B-01-5
55
Dec 7, 2022
Food-Licensing Inspection
3 major violations. 1 minor violation.
View 4 violations
Intermediate - No chemical test kit provided when using sanitizer at three-compartment sink/warewashing machine or wiping cloths. For dish machine chlorine.
16-37-1
Intermediate - No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. At hand washing sink in multiple areas in back kitchen. Operator restocked. **Corrected On-Site**
31B-02-4
Intermediate - No soap provided at handwash sink. All hand washing sinks. Operator restocked soap. **Corrected On-Site**
31B-03-4
Basic - No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees. On multiple hand washing sinks in kitchen.
31B-04-4
70
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Cava last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Cava on file is from Mar 11, 2026. The public record contains 10 inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Cava?
Across the inspection record, “dented/rusted cans present” has been cited three times, more than any other issue at Cava.
How does Cava compare to other restaurants in Tampa?
Cava most recently scored 78 out of 100, which is about the same as the Tampa average of 79.
Has Cava's inspection record improved over time?
No. Recent inspections at Cava have averaged around four violations per visit, up from roughly two earlier in the record.
What does a low risk rating mean?
A low risk rating at Cava 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 Cava inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Cava is inspected around three times per year on average.
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