El Chuzo BBQ
Last inspected: Apr 8, 2026
86
Score
Inspectors have visited El Chuzo BBQ 11 times, with records going back to 2022. On Apr 8, 2026, the health department conducted the most recent visit. Low risk indicates the latest report didn't flag anything that would worry the average customer.
The trend has been favorable: violation counts have eased from around six violations to closer to two violations per visit over the last few inspections.
“Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease” accounts for the largest share of issues, appearing eight times across the record.
Among Tampa restaurants, the typical score is 79; El Chuzo BBQ is comfortably above that bar. Overall, the inspection record reads well.
11
Inspections
0
Critical latest
1
Major latest
1
Minor latest
Inspection History
Apr 8, 2026
Routine - Food
1 major violation. 1 minor violation.
View 2 violations
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Observed stained cutting boards in kitchen at time of inspection.
22-02-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed hood filters are soiled at time of inspection.
23-03-4
86
Oct 29, 2025
Routine - Food
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed hood filters soiled over fryers at time of inspection.
23-03-4
95
May 6, 2025
Routine - Food
1 major violation. 1 minor violation.
View 2 violations
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Some cutting boards are stained at time of inspection.
22-02-4
Basic - Food stored on floor. Observed food stored on walk in freezer floor. Operator moved food to shelves during inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
08B-38-4
86
Dec 17, 2024
Routine - Food
3 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable. **Repeat Violation** **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2024-12-17: **Time Extended**
14-09-4
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Hood filters soiled with dust and grease **Repeat Violation** **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2024-12-17: **Time Extended**
23-03-4
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Wall soiled with accumulated grease, food debris, and/or dust. Throughout back kitchen area Floor soiled/has accumulation of debris. Floor area(s) covered with standing water. Dish washer area **Repeat Violation** **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2024-12-17: **Time Extended**
36-27-5
86
Dec 11, 2024
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 3 major violations. 7 minor violations.
View 12 violations
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Beef (51 F - Cold Holding); Chicken (51 F - Cold Holding); Sliced tomatoes (52 F - Cold Holding); Diced hotdogs (52 F - Cold Holding); Cheese (52 F - Cold Holding); Cut leafy greens (53 F - Cold Holding) Owner/Manager placing ice on potentially hazardous foods. **Corrective Action Taken** **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
03A-02-5
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Cooked potatoes at 110 F. On cooksline. Operator reheating potatoes **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning**
03B-01-6
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Cutting boards on cooksline **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. Walk-in-cooler **Warning**
02C-02-5
Intermediate - Water with a temperature of least 85 degrees Fahrenheit not provided/shut off at employee handwash sink. Hot water shut off at employee handwash sink on cooksline **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
27-16-4
Basic - Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable. **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
14-09-4
Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
12B-07-4
Basic - Food not stored at least 6 inches off of the floor. In walk-in-cooler **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
08B-47-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Hood filters soiled with dust and grease **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
23-03-4
Basic - Open dumpster lid. **Warning**
33-16-4
Basic - Wall soiled with accumulated grease, food debris, and/or dust. Throughout back kitchen area Floor soiled/has accumulation of debris. Floor area(s) covered with standing water. Dish washer area **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
36-27-5
Basic - Wet wiping cloth not stored in sanitizing solution between uses. **Warning**
21-12-4
39
Jun 11, 2024
Routine - Food
3 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable. **Repeat Violation** **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2024-06-11: **Time Extended**
14-09-4
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Hood filter missing from automatic fire suppression/exhaust system. **Repeat Violation** **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2024-06-11: **Time Extended**
14-42-4
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Wet wiping cloth not stored in sanitizing solution between uses. Observed on prep table. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2024-06-11: **Time Extended**
21-12-4
86
Jun 6, 2024
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 2 major violations. 7 minor violations.
View 10 violations
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Reach-in-cooler on the cooksline-Cooked chicken 51 F; cooked beef 52 F; Cheese 51 F; Raw beef 52 F. Operator placing No potentially hazardous foods on ice and in walk-in-cooler **Warning**
03A-02-5
Intermediate - Handwash sink removed from food preparation/dishwashing area. Must be reinstalled in the same location where removed. On cooksline hand sink is not functioning. 7 Day Warning VIOLATION DUE BY: 6/13/2024 **Warning**
31A-04-4
Intermediate - No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. Back kitchen area area **Warning**
31B-02-4
Basic - Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable. **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
14-09-4
Basic - Employee drinking from an unenclosed beverage container in a food preparation/clean dishware area and the container does not have a dispensing mechanism to prevent hand contact with lip contact area of drink container. Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. **Warning**
12B-12-5
Basic - Food stored on floor. Back kitchen area and walk-in-cooler **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
08B-38-4
Basic - Hood filter missing from automatic fire suppression/exhaust system. **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
14-42-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Hood filters soiled with dust and grease **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
23-03-4
Basic - Wall soiled with accumulated grease, food debris, and/or dust. Wall soiled with accumulated black debris in dishwashing area. **Warning**
36-27-5
Basic - Wet wiping cloth not stored in sanitizing solution between uses. Observed on prep table. **Warning**
21-12-4
50
Dec 13, 2023
Routine - Food
2 major violations. 6 minor violations.
View 8 violations
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.
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.
53B-13-5
Basic - Current Hotel and Restaurant license not displayed.
50-09-4
Basic - Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable.
14-09-4
Basic - Floors soiled with accumulated grease, food debris, and/or dust. Underneath cooking equipment
36-27-5
Basic - Hood filters missing from automatic fire suppression/exhaust system. **Corrected On-Site**
14-42-4
Basic - Ice buildup in reach-in freezer.
14-69-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Hood filters soiled with dust and grease **Corrected On-Site**
23-03-4
61
May 9, 2023
Routine - Food
No violations found.
100
May 2, 2023
Routine - Food
3 critical violations. 4 major violations. 9 minor violations.
View 16 violations
High Priority - Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. Toxic chemical spray Observed stored on top shelf with utensils **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
41-10-4
High Priority - Live, small flying insects in kitchen, food preparation area, food storage area and/or bar area. Observed 10 flies in kitchen area. Next day per Supervisor. **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
35A-02-6
High Priority - Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license. **Admin Complaint**
50-17-3
Intermediate - Required employee training expired for all employees. To order approved program food safety material, call DBPR contracted provider: Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (SafeStaff) 866-372-7233. VIOLATION DUE BY: 7/1/2023 **Warning**
53B-05-5
Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Small containers of sauce in hand sink front kitchen area **Warning**
31A-11-4
Intermediate - No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. Front kitchen area **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
31B-02-4
Intermediate - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Cooked food in walk-in-cooler **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
02C-02-5
Basic - Stored food not covered. Cooked food in walk-in-cooler **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
08B-12-5
Basic - Wet wiping cloths used for occasional spills on equipment food- and nonfood-contact surfaces not clean. **Warning**
21-09-4
Basic - Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable. **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
14-09-4
Basic - Dumpster overflowing garbage. **Warning**
33-14-4
Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Opened employee beverage container in a cold holding unit with food to be served to customers. Walk-in-cooler **Warning**
12B-07-4
Basic - Employee with no hair restraint while engaging in food preparation. Observed operator preparing sauce in small containers not wearing a hair restraint **Warning**
13-03-4
Basic - Food stored in a location that is exposed to splash/dust. Food in front kitchen area exposed to hand sink no splash guard. **Warning**
08B-36-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Hood filters soiled with dust and grease **Warning**
23-03-4
Basic - Open dumpster lid. **Warning**
33-16-4
27
Dec 27, 2022
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 5 major violations. 14 minor violations.
View 21 violations
High Priority - Live, small flying insects in kitchen, food preparation area, food storage area and/or bar area. 1 fly in kitchen near hoods.
35A-02-6
High Priority - Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. Bottle of medicine on prep table in back kitchen area **Corrected On-Site**
41-10-4
Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Plastic containers stored in hand sink in front kitchen **Corrected On-Site**
31A-11-4
Intermediate - No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. Front kitchen area **Corrected On-Site**
31B-02-4
Intermediate - No soap provided at handwash sink. Front kitchen area **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. Food in walk-in-cooler
02C-02-5
Intermediate - Water with a temperature of at least 100 degrees Fahrenheit not provided/shut off at employee handwash sink. Hand sink on cooksline
27-16-4
Basic - Buildup of food debris/soil residue on equipment door handles. Hand sink on cooksline
23-24-4
Basic - Cardboard used on floor as anti-slip measure not replaced every day or when heavily soiled, whichever comes first. **Corrected On-Site**
36-06-4
Basic - Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable. **Repeat Violation**
14-09-4
Basic - Floor soiled/has accumulation of debris. **Repeat Violation**
36-73-4
Basic - Food stored on floor. Walk-in-cooler **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
08B-38-4
Basic - Hood filter missing from automatic fire suppression/exhaust system.
14-42-4
Basic - In-use knife/knives stored in cracks between pieces of equipment. On cooksline **Corrected On-Site**
10-17-4
Basic - Light not functioning. Near 3 compartment sink
36-62-4
Basic - Light shield damaged/in disrepair. 3 compartment sink **Repeat Violation**
38-01-4
Basic - Lights in food preparation, food storage or warewashing area missing the proper shield, sleeve coatings or covers. Near 3 compartment sink **Repeat Violation**
38-07-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Hood filters soiled with **Repeat Violation**
23-03-4
Basic - Plumbing system in disrepair. Hand sink on cooksline
29-08-4
Basic - Single-service articles not stored inverted or protected from contamination. Small plastic to go containers in box on floor in front kitchen area **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
25-06-4
Basic - Wall soiled with accumulated grease, food debris, and/or dust. Near 3 compartment sink
36-27-5
22
Frequently Asked Questions
When was El Chuzo BBQ last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at El Chuzo BBQ on file is from Apr 8, 2026. The public record contains 11 inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at El Chuzo BBQ?
Across the inspection record, “nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease” has been cited eight times, more than any other issue at El Chuzo BBQ.
How does El Chuzo BBQ compare to other restaurants in Tampa?
El Chuzo BBQ most recently scored 86 out of 100, which is higher than the Tampa average of 79.
Has El Chuzo BBQ's inspection record improved over time?
Yes. Recent inspections at El Chuzo BBQ have averaged around two violations per visit, down from roughly six earlier in the record.
What does a low risk rating mean?
A low risk rating at El Chuzo BBQ 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 El Chuzo BBQ inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, El Chuzo BBQ is inspected around three times per year on average.
Nearby Restaurants