Checker's #196
Last inspected: Feb 26, 2026
64
Score
Checker's #196 appears in inspection records nine times, starting in 2022. The most recent report on file is from Feb 26, 2026. Diners should read medium risk as a signal that some issues exist but aren't extreme.
Performance has remained roughly level over recent inspections, averaging near four violations each time.
When inspectors have written things up, “wet wiping cloth not stored” has been the most frequent reason, cited four times.
By comparison, the average Tampa facility scores 79, putting Checker's #196 on the weaker side. The inspection history reads as standard for a restaurant of this size.
9
Inspections
2
Critical latest
1
Major latest
1
Minor latest
Inspection History
Feb 26, 2026
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 1 major violation. 1 minor violation.
View 4 violations
High Priority - Vacuum breaker missing at mop sink faucet or on fitting/splitter added to mop sink faucet.
29-42-4
High Priority - Hot water takes too long to reach handwash sink resulting in employees using only cold water to wash their hands. After employee washed hands properly in the only handwash sink at kitchen, temped running hot water at 76 F. Discussed with manager about the minimum hot water temperature is 85F for handwashing.
12A-08-4
Intermediate - Hot water supply not maintained during peak periods. Ran hot water in the only handwash sink for approximately 2 minutes to reached 85 F.
27-18-4
Basic - Employee with no beard guard/restraint while engaging in food preparation. 1 food employee.
13-04-4
64
Aug 26, 2025
Routine - Food
3 critical violations. 1 major violation. 1 minor violation.
View 5 violations
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food reheated in a microwave oven for hot holding not covered during reheating process. Chili reheating in microwave with no cover. Employee covered during reheating at time of inspection. Operator coached employee at time of inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
03E-06-5
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. A small container of chili 124 F hot holding in steam table. Employee reheated in microwave, temped 171 F. **Corrected On-Site**
03B-01-6
High Priority - Employee washed hands with cold water. The only handwash sink has no hot water at least 85 F provided, cold water temped 81 F.
12A-19-4
Intermediate - Water with a temperature of least 85 degrees Fahrenheit not provided/shut off at employee handwash sink. The hot water switch handle disrepair, unable to turn on hot water in the only handwash sink. Cold water temped 81 F.
27-16-4
Basic - Faucet/handle disrepair at plumbing fixture. Hot water switch handle in the only handwash sink.
29-09-4
55
Apr 3, 2025
Routine - Food
No violations found.
100
Aug 26, 2024
Routine - Food
3 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Basic - Ice buildup in reach-in freezer and/or walk-in freezer. Observed ice buildup up inside chest freezers on cookline **Repeat Violation**
14-69-4
Basic - Objectionable odors in bathroom or other areas of the establishment. Observed on cook One near floor drains adjacent to fryers
36-64-5
Basic - Time/temperature control for safety food thawed in an improper manner. Observed hotdogs thawing at room temperature inside 3-compartment sink Observed employee place in walking cooler **Corrected On-Site**
06-01-5
86
Mar 5, 2024
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 2 minor violations.
View 4 violations
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed hot dog (130F - Hot Holding) in warmer Observed employee place on grill to reheat to 181F **Corrected On-Site**
03B-01-6
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Observed old food build inside reachin freezer under fry station
22-02-4
Basic - Ice buildup in reach-in freezer and/or walk-in freezer. Observed ice build up along freezer fan
14-69-4
Basic - In-use utensil stored in standing water less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed ice cream scoop stored in water temped at 67 F
10-07-4
70
Jul 26, 2023
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 4 minor violations.
View 6 violations
High Priority - Quaternary ammonium sanitizer not at proper minimum strength for manual warewashing. Do not use equipment/utensils not properly sanitized. 0 ppm of quaternary in three comp sink, corrected, manager reset three compartment sink to 300 ppm of quaternary. **Corrected On-Site**
22-43-4
Intermediate - Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Bucket blocking employee hand wash sink on cooks line , corrected , employee moved bucket during inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
31A-09-4
Basic - Employee personal food not properly identified and segregated from food to be served to the public. Employee drinks stored in reach-in cooler under shake prep area, not identified nor separated.
08B-49-4
Basic - Hood ventilation system inadequate as evidenced by grease accumulation on walls/ceiling. Water dripping from AC vent in front of three compartment sink.
36-68-5
Basic - In-use tongs stored on equipment door handle between uses. Tongs stored on fryer handles, corrected, manager removed tongs during inspection. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
10-20-4
Basic - Wet wiping cloth not stored in sanitizing solution between uses. **Repeat Violation**
21-12-4
64
Apr 21, 2023
Complaint Full
2 critical violations. 1 major violation. 3 minor violations.
View 6 violations
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. Observed employee taking money and prepping drinks with no hand washing. Corrected action taken inspector discussed with manager proper hand washing procedures. **Corrective Action Taken**
12A-29-4
High Priority - In-use utensil stored in unclean water at or above 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Spoon ice shake area stored in standing water.
10-05-5
Intermediate - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Two containers of burgers in walk in cooler not date marked .
02C-02-5
Basic - Drain cover(s) missing. Drain cover missing on floor drain in front of cooks line .
29-18-4
Basic - Wet mop not stored in a manner to allow the mop to dry.
42-01-4
Basic - Wet wiping cloth not stored in sanitizing solution between uses. **Repeat Violation**
21-12-4
58
Feb 7, 2023
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 5 minor violations.
View 7 violations
High Priority - Employee failed to wash hands before putting on gloves to initiate a task working with food. Observed e, employee placing gloves on with no prior hand washing, corrected action taken, inspector discussed with management proper hand washing when changing gloves . **Corrective Action Taken**
12A-07-5
High Priority - Quaternary ammonium sanitizer not at proper minimum strength for manual warewashing. Do not use equipment/utensils not properly sanitized. Three compartment sink set up with 0 ppm of quaternary, corrected manager placed sanitizer to 200 ppm of quaternary. **Corrected On-Site**
22-43-4
Basic - Employee personal food not properly identified and segregated from food to be served to the public. Employee drink stored in walk in cooler not identified.
08B-49-4
Basic - In-use tongs stored on equipment door handle between uses. Tongs stored on fryer basket handle.
10-20-4
Basic - Wet mop not stored in a manner to allow the mop to dry. **Repeat Violation**
42-01-4
Basic - Wet wiping cloth not stored in sanitizing solution between uses. **Repeat Violation**
21-12-4
Basic - Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Bulk container over microwave not labeled .
02D-01-5
58
Jul 15, 2022
Routine - Food
5 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Basic - Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable. Grooved cutting on cooler lid. **Repeat Violation**
14-09-4
Basic - Evidence of employee smoking in food preparation, food storage or warewashing area. Employee drink stored over food prep , corrected employee discarded drink. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
12B-06-4
Basic - Wet mop not stored in a manner to allow the mop to dry. **Repeat Violation**
42-01-4
Basic - Wet wiping cloth not stored in sanitizing solution between uses. **Repeat Violation**
21-12-4
Basic - Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin. Interior lid to ice machine with mold .
22-20-5
78
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Checker's #196 last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Checker's #196 on file is from Feb 26, 2026. The public record contains nine inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Checker's #196?
Across the inspection record, “wet wiping cloth not stored” has been cited four times, more than any other issue at Checker's #196.
How does Checker's #196 compare to other restaurants in Tampa?
Checker's #196 most recently scored 64 out of 100, which is lower than the Tampa average of 79.
Has Checker's #196's inspection record improved over time?
Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at Checker's #196 have averaged around four violations per visit across the recent record.
What does a medium risk rating mean?
A medium risk rating at Checker's #196 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 Checker's #196 inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Checker's #196 is inspected around two times per year on average.
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