El Cayuelo
Last inspected: Jun 25, 2025
58
Score
Going back to 2022, El Cayuelo has six inspections in the public record. The most recent visit was on Jun 25, 2025. Diners should read medium risk as a signal that some issues exist but aren't extreme.
The trend has been favorable: violation counts have eased from around eight violations to closer to six violations per visit over the last few inspections.
Across the inspection history, “observed” is the issue that surfaces most often, recorded three times.
El Cayuelo's latest score of 58 falls below the Tampa average of 79. On the whole, the file is mixed but not concerning.
6
Inspections
1
Critical latest
3
Major latest
2
Minor latest
Inspection History
Jun 25, 2025
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 3 major violations. 2 minor violations.
View 6 violations
High Priority - Observed: Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. In Reach in cooler: Raw steak stored over plantains and Cuban sandwiches. Raw shell eggs stored over sliced cheese and raw steaks. Raw steak over unwashed tomatoes. Inside Reach in freezer: raw frozen chicken stored over raw pork chops and raw steaks. Priority: High Priority
08A-05-6
Intermediate - Observed: 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. Priority: Intermediate
11-27-4
Intermediate - Observed: Raw/undercooked animal food offered and establishment has no written consumer advisory. Raw animal foods must be fully cooked prior to service. No consumer advisory for eggs. Priority: Intermediate
02B-02-5
Intermediate - Observed: Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Cooked black rice in Reach in cooler not date marked. Priority: Intermediate
02C-02-5
Basic - Observed: Food stored on floor. 2 boxes of onions on floor. 2 containers of rice on floor. Operator relocated onions during time of inspection. **Corrective Action Taken** Priority: Basic
08B-38-4
Basic - Observed: No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees. Priority: Basic
31B-04-4
58
Dec 2, 2024
Routine - Food
4 major violations. 2 minor violations.
View 6 violations
Potentially Hazardous Food Held at Proper Temperature
FL-16
Hands Clean and Properly Washed
FL-08
Food Obtained from Approved Sources
FL-11
Food Received at Proper Temperature
FL-12
Non-Food Contact Surfaces Clean
FL-23
Approved Thawing Methods Used
FL-31
61
Apr 4, 2024
Routine - Food
3 major violations. 2 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Food Obtained from Approved Sources
FL-11
Food Received at Proper Temperature
FL-12
Non-Food Contact Surfaces Clean
FL-23
Lighting Adequate; Required Shields in Place
FL-36
Approved Thawing Methods Used
FL-31
67
Dec 19, 2023
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 3 major violations. 2 minor violations.
View 7 violations
Employee Health Policies Present
FL-03
Hands Clean and Properly Washed
FL-08
Food Received at Proper Temperature
FL-12
Food Obtained from Approved Sources
FL-11
Non-Food Contact Surfaces Clean
FL-23
Approved Thawing Methods Used
FL-31
Lighting Adequate; Required Shields in Place
FL-36
47
Apr 5, 2023
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 5 major violations. 3 minor violations.
View 10 violations
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Raw shrimp and raw chicken stored behind cut onion, raw beef stored over cooked ham and Cuban sandwiches. **Repeat Violation**
08A-05-6
High Priority - Employee washed hands with cold water. No hot water at least 100 F provided at time of inspection.
12A-19-4
Intermediate - Employee washed hands in a sink other than an approved handwash sink. Operator washed hands in three compartment sink. **Repeat Violation**
12A-03-4
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 - Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Multiple food containers stored over handwash sink. Operator removed. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
31A-09-4
Intermediate - No hot running water at three-compartment sink. Water heater off. Operator turned on water heater, hot water temped 100+ F. **Corrected On-Site**
27-06-4
Intermediate - Water with a temperature of at least 100 degrees Fahrenheit not provided/shut off at employee handwash sink. Water heater off. Operator turned on water heater, hot water temped 100+ F. **Corrected On-Site**
27-16-4
Basic - Hood ventilation system inadequate as evidenced by grease accumulation on walls/ceiling. Inside and outside of the hood system. **Repeat Violation**
36-68-5
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Handwash sink soiled with accumulation of grease. Non food storage shelves soiled with accumulation of grease. Hood filters soiled with accumulation of grease. Exterior of the fixed cooking equipments soiled with accumulation of grease. **Repeat Violation**
23-03-4
Basic - Food stored on floor. Fry oil stored on floor. **Repeat Violation**
08B-38-4
39
Dec 6, 2022
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 3 major violations. 4 minor violations.
View 8 violations
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Raw chicken, raw beef and raw shrimp stored behind ready to eat items on flip top reach-in cooler. Operator rearranged items to prevent cross contamination. **Corrected On-Site**
08A-05-6
Intermediate - Employee washed hands in a sink other than an approved handwash sink. Operator washed hands in three compartment sink.
12A-03-4
Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Handwash sink stored with large pans and containers that blocked access to wash hands.
31A-11-4
Intermediate - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Cooked ham, prepped Cuban sandwiches and other cooked food in large reach-in cooler. **Repeat Violation**
02C-02-5
Basic - Food stored on floor. A bag of onion stored on floor.
08B-38-4
Basic - Hood ventilation system inadequate as evidenced by grease accumulation on walls/ceiling. **Repeat Violation**
36-68-5
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Interior and exterior of the handwash sink, hood filters and exterior of the large cooking equipments soiled with accumulation of grease.
23-03-4
Basic - Wall soiled with accumulated grease, food debris, and/or dust. Exterior wall under hood ventilation.
36-27-5
52
Frequently Asked Questions
When was El Cayuelo last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at El Cayuelo on file is from Jun 25, 2025. The public record contains six inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at El Cayuelo?
Across the inspection record, “observed” has been cited three times, more than any other issue at El Cayuelo.
How does El Cayuelo compare to other restaurants in Tampa?
El Cayuelo most recently scored 58 out of 100, which is lower than the Tampa average of 79.
Has El Cayuelo's inspection record improved over time?
Yes. Recent inspections at El Cayuelo have averaged around six violations per visit, down from roughly eight earlier in the record.
What does a medium risk rating mean?
A medium risk rating at El Cayuelo 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 El Cayuelo inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, El Cayuelo is inspected around two times per year on average.
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