Don's Taco Authentic Mexican Restaurant

706 E Tarpon Ave Suite 11, Tarpon Springs, FL 34689
Mexican / Latin
Last inspected: Apr 9, 2026
90
Score
Low Risk

Public records show six inspections at Don's Taco Authentic Mexican Restaurant stretching back to 2025. On Apr 9, 2026, the health department conducted the most recent visit. Low risk means the most recent visit produced few or no significant findings.

Recent visits have produced comparable findings, with counts hovering near four violations per visit.

Across the inspection history, “food stored on floor” is the issue that surfaces most often, recorded two times.

The city-wide average for Tarpon Springs sits at 77, putting Don's Taco Authentic Mexican Restaurant on the better side of that line. The full picture is one of consistent compliance.

6
Inspections
0
Critical latest
1
Major latest
0
Minor latest
Inspection History
Apr 9, 2026
Routine - Food
1 major violation.
View 1 violation
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : 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. 4 servers do not have training. **Repeat Violation** **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2026-04-08: **Time Extended** - From follow-up inspection 2026-04-09: **Time Extended**
53B-13-5
90
Apr 8, 2026
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 2 major violations.
View 3 violations
High Priority - - From initial inspection : High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. In 2 door cooler in storage area - cooked pinto beans (49F - Cold Holding); cooked ground pork (63F - Cold Holding); chicken empanadas (49F - Cold Holding); cooked shredded chicken (50F - Cold Holding) cooked chorizo (50F - Cold Holding)see stop sale all prepared yesterday morning, no temperatures taken today. **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint** - From follow-up inspection 2026-04-08: In glass door cooler -Cooked chorizo 44F, beef empanadas 45F, cooked corn 44F, raw beef 45F, all moved to freezer. All prepared yesterday morning, no temperatures taken today. **Admin Complaint**
03A-02-5
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : Intermediate - Manager or person in charge lacking proof of food manager certification. Manager unable to locate **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2026-04-08: **Time Extended**
53A-01-7
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : 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. 4 servers do not have training. **Repeat Violation** **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2026-04-08: **Time Extended**
53B-13-5
70
Apr 6, 2026
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 2 major violations. 3 minor violations.
View 7 violations
High Priority - Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. In 2 door cooler in storage area - cooked pinto beans (49F - Cold Holding); cooked ground pork (63F - Cold Holding); chicken empanadas (49F - Cold Holding); cooked shredded chicken (50F - Cold Holding) cooked chorizo (50F - Cold Holding) **Warning**
01B-02-5
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. In 2 door cooler in storage area - cooked pinto beans (49F - Cold Holding); cooked ground pork (63F - Cold Holding); chicken empanadas (49F - Cold Holding); cooked shredded chicken (50F - Cold Holding) cooked chorizo (50F - Cold Holding)see stop sale all prepared yesterday morning, no temperatures taken today. **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
03A-02-5
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. 4 servers do not have training. **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
53B-13-5
Intermediate - Manager or person in charge lacking proof of food manager certification. Manager unable to locate **Warning**
53A-01-7
Basic - Unwashed fruits/vegetables stored with ready-to-eat food. In glass door cooler in storage area - case of avocados over empanadas. **Warning**
08B-17-4
Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Coffee on top of cooler, operator moved to bottom shelf **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
12B-07-4
Basic - Food stored on floor. Fry oil, moved to shelf **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
08B-38-4
52
Nov 18, 2025
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 1 major violation.
View 2 violations
High Priority - - From initial inspection : High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. In glass door cooler in back room- cooked rice (47F - Cold Holding)made yesterday afternoon, moved to freezer, cooked rice (47F - Cold Holding)made yesterday, moved to freezer, cooked pinto beans (47F - Cold Holding)made at 9 pm yesterday, put in shorter pans, moved to reach in cooler, raw tubes of beef (48F - Cold Holding); cooked corn on cob (47F - Cold Holding); all moved to freezer, temperatures not taken today, taken yesterday, all at proper temp. orrected On-Site** Recheck - rice 40F, Corrective Action Taken** **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2025-11-18: In glass 2 door cooler in back room - Raw chicken breast 47F, raw beef 49F in cryovac packages, operator moved to kitchen to prep, all other foods in cooler frozen. **Admin Complaint**
03A-02-5
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : 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. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2025-11-18: **Time Extended**
53B-13-5
78
Nov 17, 2025
Routine - Food
3 critical violations. 1 major violation. 1 minor violation.
View 5 violations
High Priority - Raw animal foods not properly separated from each other in holding unit based upon minimum required cooking temperature. Raw chicken in glass door cooler, in plastic bags, over raw beef **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
08A-20-5
High Priority - Nonfood-grade bags used in direct contact with food. Corn tortillas stored in to go plastic bagels **Warning**
14-31-5
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. In glass door cooler in back room- cooked rice (47F - Cold Holding)made yesterday afternoon, moved to freezer, cooked rice (47F - Cold Holding)made yesterday, moved to freezer, cooked pinto beans (47F - Cold Holding)made at 9 pm yesterday, put in shorter pans, moved to reach in cooler, raw tubes of beef (48F - Cold Holding); cooked corn on cob (47F - Cold Holding); all moved to freezer, temperatures not taken today, taken yesterday, all at proper temp. orrected On-Site** Recheck - rice 40F, Corrective Action Taken** **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning**
03A-02-5
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. **Warning**
53B-13-5
Basic - Food stored on floor. Fry oil on floor, moved to crate **Corrected On-Site**
08B-38-4
55
Jan 13, 2025
Food-Licensing Inspection
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 2 minor violations.
View 4 violations
High Priority - - From initial inspection : High Priority - Establishment unable to be licensed at time of licensing inspection from the Division of Hotels and Restaurants. Operator must obtain a public food service license from the Division of Hotels and Restaurants within 60 days. Submit a license application and payment to DBPR/Bureau of Central Intake Unit, 2601 Blair Stone Rd., Tallahassee, FL 32399-0783. To apply online or obtain an application for license visit http://www.myfloridalicense.com/DBPR/hotels-restaurants/ **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2024-11-06: **Time Extended** - From follow-up inspection 2025-01-13: Unable to license due to plans not matching **Time Extended**
50-08-7
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : Intermediate - No plan review submitted and approved - renovations were made or are in progress. Must submit plans and plan review application to DBPR H and R Plan Review office located at 2601 Blair Stone Rd., Tallahassee, FL 32399-1011. Plans must be submitted AND approved within 60 days. The direct link to the Plan Review page is http://www.myfloridalicense.com/DBPR/hotels-restaurants/licensing/plan-review/. Four cold holding units in refrigerator room, cooler drawers under flat top grill, cheese melter above steam table, micro wave above table on cook line, pastry box by host stand, all not on plans, bathroom 2 and office need to come off plans due to them belonging to next door. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2024-11-06: **Time Extended** - From follow-up inspection 2025-01-13: Spoke to plan review, plan reviewer that was assigned this file is out. Operator has email that she emailed Kay the updated plans. Spoke to M. Harris **Time Extended**
51-16-7
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - No Heimlich maneuver/choking sign posted. Provided operator with printed copy of 5930-105 **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2024-11-06: **Time Extended** - From follow-up inspection 2025-01-13: No choking poster **Time Extended**
51-13-4
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Bathroom located inside establishment not completely enclosed with tight-fitting, self-closing doors. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2024-11-06: **Time Extended** - From follow-up inspection 2025-01-13: **Time Extended**
32-04-4
70

Frequently Asked Questions

When was Don's Taco Authentic Mexican Restaurant last inspected?

The most recent health inspection at Don's Taco Authentic Mexican Restaurant on file is from Apr 9, 2026. The public record contains six inspections in total.

What is the most common violation at Don's Taco Authentic Mexican Restaurant?

Across the inspection record, “food stored on floor” has been cited two times, more than any other issue at Don's Taco Authentic Mexican Restaurant.

How does Don's Taco Authentic Mexican Restaurant compare to other restaurants in Tarpon Springs?

Don's Taco Authentic Mexican Restaurant most recently scored 90 out of 100, which is higher than the Tarpon Springs average of 77.

Has Don's Taco Authentic Mexican Restaurant's inspection record improved over time?

Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at Don's Taco Authentic Mexican Restaurant have averaged around four violations per visit across the recent record.

What does a low risk rating mean?

A low risk rating at Don's Taco Authentic Mexican Restaurant means inspectors found minimal or no significant issues at the most recent visit. Most facilities at this tier have a clean recent inspection report.