Cositas Ricas Bar & Grill
Last inspected: Apr 7, 2026
95
Score
Inspectors have visited Cositas Ricas Bar & Grill eight times, with records going back to 2023. The newest entry in the record is dated Apr 7, 2026. Low risk means the most recent visit produced few or no significant findings.
The trend has been favorable: violation counts have eased from around nine violations to closer to four violations per visit over the last few inspections.
Across the inspection history, “stop sale issued on time/temperature control” is the issue that surfaces most often, recorded three times.
That puts the facility ahead of the local pack: the average Lutz restaurant scores 79. Taken together, the history is a positive one.
8
Inspections
0
Critical latest
0
Major latest
1
Minor latest
Inspection History
Apr 7, 2026
Routine - Food
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Food stored in a prohibited area. Cooking oil and can soda in utility room. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2026-04-07: **Time Extended**
08B-37-4
95
Apr 2, 2026
Routine - Food
3 critical violations. 3 major violations. 3 minor violations.
View 9 violations
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. milk (47F - Cold Holding); spicy salsa sauce (48F - Cold Holding); garlic sauce with mayo (49F - Cold Holding) in vertical cooler in kitchen, see stop sale **Warning**
03A-02-5
High Priority - Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. milk (47F - Cold Holding); spicy salsa sauce (48F - Cold Holding); garlic sauce with mayo (49F - Cold Holding) in vertical cooler in kitchen **Warning**
01B-02-5
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over or with unwashed produce. Raw beef above unwashed lettuce in reach in cooler, operator removed beef to bottom shelf **Warning**
08A-04-5
Intermediate - Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Chicken in hand sink in kitchen, operator removed chicken and sanitized sink **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
31A-09-4
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Cutting board stained **Warning**
22-02-4
Intermediate - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Milk opened no date mark over 24 hours in vertical reach in cooler. **Warning**
02C-02-5
Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Employee cups on prep counter in front area **Warning**
12B-07-4
Basic - Employee with no hair restraint while engaging in food preparation. Employee no hair restraint while engaging food preparation. Manger asked hi to put hair net on **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
13-03-4
Basic - Food stored in a prohibited area. Cooking oil and can soda in utility room. **Warning**
08B-37-4
41
Aug 15, 2025
Food-Licensing Inspection
1 critical violation. 2 minor violations.
View 3 violations
High Priority - - From initial inspection : High Priority - Vacuum breaker missing at mop sink faucet or on fitting/splitter added to mop sink faucet. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2025-08-15: **Time Extended**
29-42-4
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Ceiling not smooth, nonabsorbent and easily cleanable in food preparation, food storage, or warewashing areas. Water damage acoustic tiles trough out kitchen **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2025-08-15: **Time Extended**
36-37-5
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Hood grease buildup **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2025-08-15: **Time Extended**
23-03-4
78
Aug 14, 2025
Food-Licensing Inspection
6 critical violations. 1 major violation. 4 minor violations.
View 11 violations
High Priority - Vacuum breaker missing at mop sink faucet or on fitting/splitter added to mop sink faucet. **Warning**
29-42-4
High Priority - Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. Degreaser stored with clean utensils . **Warning**
41-10-4
High Priority - Food/ice received from unapproved source/no invoice provided to verify source. See Stop Sale. 15 sliced passion fruit cake not having invoice and unable to verify the sauce. See stop sale **Warning**
01A-05-4
High Priority - Roach activity present as evidenced by live roaches found. 1 live roach on the wall by hood area. Operator removed it and sanitized the area **Warning**
35A-05-4
High Priority - Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. Poultry (52F - Cold Holding); white rice (50F - Cold Holding); Stop Sale issued due to food originating from an unapproved source. Passion fruit cake **Warning**
01B-02-5
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Poultry (52F - Cold Holding); white rice (50F - Cold Holding); see stop sale **Warning**
03A-02-5
Intermediate - No chemical test kit provided when using sanitizer at three-compartment sink/warewashing machine or wiping cloths. No test kit for sanitation of quarantine and chlorine **Warning**
16-37-1
Basic - No conspicuously located ambient air temperature thermometer in holding unit in vertical refrigerator by the microwave **Warning**
05-09-4
Basic - Ceiling not smooth, nonabsorbent and easily cleanable in food preparation, food storage, or warewashing areas. Water damage acoustic tiles trough out kitchen **Warning**
36-37-5
Basic - Unwashed fruits/vegetables stored with ready-to-eat food. Unwashed produce stored above ready to eat salad.operator removed the unwashed produce to bottom in reach in cooler **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
08B-17-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Hood grease buildup **Warning**
23-03-4
30
Jun 24, 2025
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 3 major violations. 2 minor violations.
View 6 violations
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Raw shell eggs over hot dogs in reach in cooler.
08A-05-6
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Cutting boards in kitchen.
22-02-4
Intermediate - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Squeeze bottles in reach in cooler.
02C-02-5
Intermediate - Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled with clear and purple liquid.
41-17-4
Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Employee drink on prep table next to coffee maker. Manager removed. **Corrected On-Site**
12B-07-4
Basic - Stored food not covered. Chicken tenders in reach in freezer.
08B-12-5
58
Jan 2, 2025
Routine - Food
6 critical violations. 2 major violations. 3 minor violations.
View 11 violations
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Raw shelled eggs over bread and liquid butter reach in cooler. Employee removed to proper storage **Repeat Violation**
08A-05-6
High Priority - Single-use gloves not changed as needed after changing tasks or when damaged or soiled. Employee touching phone while engaging in food preparation no gloves changed.
12A-09-4
High Priority - Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. Stop sale : cook chicken 102 f cook beef 93 f did not cool from 135 f to 70 f within 2 hours
01B-02-5
High Priority - Chlorine sanitizer not at proper minimum strength for manual warewashing. Do not use equipment/utensils not properly sanitized. Above 50 ppm to 100 ppm
22-42-4
High Priority - Cooked/heated time/temperature control for safety food not cooled from 135 degrees Fahrenheit to 70 degrees Fahrenheit within 2 hours. Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. Stop sale : cook chicken 102 f cook beef 93 f did not cool from 135 f to 70 f within 2 hours cooked at 11:30 am temped at 1:50 pm no temperatures taken.
03D-01-5
High Priority - Food-contact surfaces not sanitized after cleaning, before use. Do not use equipment/utensils not properly sanitized. Employee washing dishes in three compartment sink with soap and water only no sanitizer.
22-45-4
Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Container of dishes stored in handwashing sink. Employee removed **Corrected On-Site**
31A-11-4
Intermediate - No soap provided at handwash sink. Cooks line. Employee restocked **Corrected On-Site**
31B-03-4
Basic - Food stored on floor.Raw meat stored on floor under hand washing sink. Employee removed from floor **Corrected On-Site**
08B-38-4
Basic - Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Sauces in squeeze bottles not labeled.
02D-01-5
Basic - Time/temperature control for safety food thawed in an improper manner. Raw chicken thawing in prep sink. Employee removed.
06-01-5
29
Feb 1, 2024
Routine - Food
3 critical violations. 3 major violations. 1 minor violation.
View 7 violations
High Priority - Food-contact surfaces not sanitized after cleaning, before use. Do not use equipment/utensils not properly sanitized. Employee washed plastic container with soap and water only discussed with management to use wash rinse and sanitize method
22-45-4
High Priority - Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license.
50-17-3
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Raw shelled eggs over ready to cheese reach in cooler
08A-05-6
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. Missing for one employee
11-26-1
Intermediate - Proof of required state approved employee training not available for some employees. To order approved program food safety material, call DBPR contracted provider: Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (SafeStaff) 866-372-7233. Missing for 1 employee
53B-13-5
Basic - Employee personal food not properly identified and segregated from food to be served to the public. Employee soup in reach in cooler by stove not separated..
08B-49-4
45
Jul 28, 2023
Food-Licensing Inspection
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Basic - Bathroom located inside establishment not completely enclosed with tight-fitting, self-closing doors. Both bathrooms
32-04-4
95
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Cositas Ricas Bar & Grill last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Cositas Ricas Bar & Grill on file is from Apr 7, 2026. The public record contains eight inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Cositas Ricas Bar & Grill?
Across the inspection record, “stop sale issued on time/temperature control” has been cited three times, more than any other issue at Cositas Ricas Bar & Grill.
How does Cositas Ricas Bar & Grill compare to other restaurants in Lutz?
Cositas Ricas Bar & Grill most recently scored 95 out of 100, which is higher than the Lutz average of 79.
Has Cositas Ricas Bar & Grill's inspection record improved over time?
Yes. Recent inspections at Cositas Ricas Bar & Grill have averaged around four violations per visit, down from roughly nine earlier in the record.
What does a low risk rating mean?
A low risk rating at Cositas Ricas Bar & Grill 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 Cositas Ricas Bar & Grill inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Cositas Ricas Bar & Grill is inspected around three times per year on average.
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