Derusso's Pizzeria
Last inspected: Feb 6, 2026
74
Score
Going back to 2023, Derusso's Pizzeria has seven inspections in the public record. The most recent report on file is from Feb 6, 2026. Medium risk typically reflects a handful of issues that inspectors wrote up but didn't deem critical.
Things have been moving in the right direction, with the rolling count dropping from around eight violations to closer to four violations per visit.
When inspectors have written things up, “in-use tongs stored on equipment door handle between uses” has been the most frequent reason, cited five times.
Restaurants in St. Petersburg average 77, so Derusso's Pizzeria trails the local norm. The inspection history reads as standard for a restaurant of this size.
7
Inspections
0
Critical latest
1
Major latest
4
Minor latest
Inspection History
Feb 6, 2026
Routine - Food
1 major violation. 4 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Intermediate - No soap provided at handwash sink. Soap dispenser empty in employee restroom
31B-03-4
Basic - Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Portioning cups in seasoning bins in prep area **Repeat Violation**
14-01-5
Basic - Carbon dioxide/helium tanks not adequately secured. Unsecured tanks outside next to ice machine
51-11-4
Basic - Employee with ineffective hair restraint while engaging in food preparation. Three employees in kitchen with no hair restraints
13-02-4
Basic - In-use tongs stored on equipment door handle between uses. Oven door handle on cook line **Repeat Violation**
10-20-4
74
Sep 23, 2025
Routine - Food
1 major violation. 5 minor violations.
View 6 violations
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. Current staff provided three valid food handler certificates, unable to locate remaining certificates during inspection
53B-13-5
Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Uncovered beverage over pizza prep cooler
12B-07-4
Basic - Ice scoop handle in contact with ice. Outdoor ice machine
10-08-5
Basic - In-use tongs stored on equipment door handle between uses. Oven door handle **Repeat Violation**
10-20-4
Basic - Open dumpster lid.
33-16-4
Basic - Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Portioning cups in seasoning bins
14-01-5
70
Mar 31, 2025
Routine - Food
1 major violation. 1 minor violation.
View 2 violations
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Soda gun holster soiled behind bar **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2025-03-31: **Time Extended**
22-02-4
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - In-use tongs stored on equipment door handle between uses. Oven door handle **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2025-03-31: **Time Extended**
10-20-4
86
Jan 28, 2025
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 2 major violations. 2 minor violations.
View 5 violations
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. butter sauce with fresh garlic (77F - Cold Holding) on cook line, moved to cooler. Time as a public health control form emailed to operator **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning**
03A-02-5
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Soda gun holster soiled behind bar **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. Employees hired over 60 days with no proof of training **Warning**
53B-01-5
Basic - In-use tongs stored on equipment door handle between uses. Oven door handle **Warning**
10-20-4
Basic - Outdoor ice machine with no overhead protection. Outdoor ice machine (not on approved plans) located outside rear kitchen door with no overhead protection. Area is fenced in, but no locks on gate to prevent unauthorized access **Warning**
08B-61-5
64
Aug 7, 2024
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 4 major violations. 4 minor violations.
View 9 violations
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Bowl of raw chicken over marinara in walk in cooler
08A-05-6
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Can opener blade soiled
22-02-4
Intermediate - Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Hood filters stacked on floor in front of hand sink in kitchen
31A-09-4
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.
53B-13-5
Intermediate - Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled. Hanging next to entrance to bar, labeled **Corrected On-Site**
41-17-4
Basic - Single-service articles improperly stored. Pizza boxes on floor next to stand mixer
25-05-4
Basic - Employee personal food not properly identified and segregated from food to be served to the public. Employee food in beer cooler behind bar
08B-49-4
Basic - Employee with no hair restraint while engaging in food preparation. Both staff members on cook line with no hair restraints
13-03-4
Basic - Exhaust system operated with filters removed. No means to capture grease and/or condensation to prevent dripping. All hood filters removed for cleaning at time of inspection
14-72-4
47
Mar 13, 2024
Routine - Food
3 critical violations. 3 major violations. 3 minor violations.
View 9 violations
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Shell eggs over lasagna in walk-in cooler, order corrected **Corrected On-Site**
08A-05-6
High Priority - Pesticide-emitting strip present in food prep area. Next to ice well behind bar, removed **Corrected On-Site**
41-24-4
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over or with ready-to-eat food in a freezer - not all products commercially packaged. Opened raw beef over potatoes in freezer, order corrected **Corrected On-Site**
08A-02-6
Intermediate - No soap provided at handwash sink. Hand sink in kitchen, replaced **Corrected On-Site**
31B-03-4
Intermediate - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Breaded chicken prepared on 3/11, sausage links prepared on 3/10, date added **Corrected On-Site**
02C-02-5
Intermediate - Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled. Multipurpose cleaner behind bar, labeled **Corrected On-Site**
41-17-4
Basic - In-use utensil in non-time/temperature control for safety food not stored with handle above top of food within a closed container. Scoop handle in sugar bin, removed **Corrected On-Site**
10-01-5
Basic - In-use tongs stored on equipment door handle between uses. On oven door handle, removed **Corrected On-Site**
10-20-4
Basic - Wiping cloth quaternary ammonium compound sanitizing solution not at proper minimum strength. 0ppm, operator has other approved sanitizer on site, operator contacted rep for repairs to system **Corrective Action Taken**
21-08-4
41
Dec 6, 2023
Food-Licensing Inspection
1 major violation. 1 minor violation.
View 2 violations
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Construction dust on coolers and prep tables
22-02-4
Basic - Establishment increased seating without providing written approval from the local fire authority and wastewater provider. Business increased seating from 40 to 60, seating change evaluation form emailed to operator
51-15-4
86
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Derusso's Pizzeria last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Derusso's Pizzeria on file is from Feb 6, 2026. The public record contains seven inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Derusso's Pizzeria?
Across the inspection record, “in-use tongs stored on equipment door handle between uses” has been cited five times, more than any other issue at Derusso's Pizzeria.
How does Derusso's Pizzeria compare to other restaurants in St. Petersburg?
Derusso's Pizzeria most recently scored 74 out of 100, which is lower than the St. Petersburg average of 77.
Has Derusso's Pizzeria's inspection record improved over time?
Yes. Recent inspections at Derusso's Pizzeria have averaged around four violations per visit, down from roughly eight earlier in the record.
What does a medium risk rating mean?
A medium risk rating at Derusso's Pizzeria 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 Derusso's Pizzeria inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Derusso's Pizzeria is inspected around three times per year on average.
Nearby Restaurants