El Cuba Cafe

3501 S Bell Shoals Rd, Valrico, FL 33596

Café / Breakfast

Last inspected: Feb 3, 2026

Score

Medium Risk

El Cuba Cafe has been inspected 10 times since 2022. El Cuba Cafe was last inspected on Feb 3, 2026. A medium risk score generally means inspectors found things to fix, though most weren't urgent.

Recent inspections have found fewer violations than earlier ones, averaging around two violations lately and about four violations before that.

“Commercially processed ready-to-eat” comes up most often, recorded two times in the inspection record.

By comparison, the average Valrico facility scores 81, putting El Cuba Cafe on the weaker side. On the whole, the file is mixed but not concerning.

Inspections

Critical latest

Major latest

Minor latest

Inspection History

Feb 3, 2026

Routine - Food

2 critical violations.

View 2 violations

High Priority - Raw animal foods not properly separated from each other in holding unit based upon minimum required cooking temperature. Raw chicken stored over raw beef in reach in cooler in prep area. Operator moved chicken to lowest area. **Corrected On-Site**

08A-20-5

High Priority - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food marked with a date that exceeds 7 days after opening/preparation. Open packages of cheese and ham not date marked.

02C-01-5

Aug 14, 2025

Routine - Food

No violations found.

100

Aug 13, 2025

Routine - Food

1 critical violation. 3 major violations.

View 4 violations

High Priority - Establishment using a sanitizer solution that does not meet the requirements specified in 40 CFR 180. Only use single-service items to serve food to customers until approved sanitizer is available for warewashing. Operator using low splash Great Value brand bleach, not approved for sanitizing food contact surfaces. Establishment is operating inside a convenience store, operator was able to purchase Clorox brand disinfecting bleach, approved for sanitizing food contact surfaces. **Corrected On-Site** **Admin Complaint**

22-48-5

Intermediate - Commercially processed ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food opened and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked after opening. Sliced ham, sliced cheese, shredded cheese in reach in coolers not date marked spatter opening. **Repeat Violation**

02C-03-5

Intermediate - No chemical test kit provided when using sanitizer at three-compartment sink/warewashing machine or wiping cloths.

16-37-1

Intermediate - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Cooked pork and rice in reach in cooler not date marked.

02C-02-5

Feb 13, 2025

Routine - Food

3 critical violations. 2 major violations.

View 5 violations

Certified Food Manager Identification

FL-02

Employee Health Policies Present

FL-03

Potentially Hazardous Food Held at Proper Temperature

FL-16

Approved Thawing Methods Used

FL-31

Food and Non-Food Contact Surfaces Designed and Constructed

FL-50

Nov 15, 2024

Routine - Food

1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 2 minor violations.

View 4 violations

Certified Food Manager Identification

FL-02

Proper Eating, Tasting, Drinking, or Tobacco Use

FL-06

Non-Food Contact Surfaces Clean

FL-23

Food and Non-Food Contact Surfaces Designed and Constructed

FL-50

Dec 12, 2023

Routine - Food

1 major violation. 2 minor violations.

View 3 violations

Intermediate - Commercially processed ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food opened and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked after opening. Cheese

02C-03-5

Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils.

12B-07-4

Basic - Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Cellphone

40-06-5

Sep 13, 2023

Routine - Food

No violations found.

100

Jul 15, 2023

Routine - Food

2 major violations.

View 2 violations

Intermediate - Food manager certification expired. A list of accredited food manager certification examination providers can be found at http://www.myfloridalicense.com/DBPR/hotels-restaurants/food-lodging/food-manager/ Observed manager certification through ServeSafe for Nadia Gonzalez 6/4/2023 **Warning**

53A-03-7

Intermediate - Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled. Observed spray bottle filled with soap Corrected- observed employee label **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**

41-17-4

Jan 12, 2023

Routine - Food

1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 1 minor violation.

View 3 violations

Certified Food Manager Identification

FL-02

Approved Thawing Methods Used

FL-31

Wiping Cloths Properly Used and Stored

FL-41

Sep 13, 2022

Routine - Food

No violations found.

100

Show all 10 inspections Show less

Frequently Asked Questions

When was El Cuba Cafe last inspected?

The most recent health inspection at El Cuba Cafe on file is from Feb 3, 2026. The public record contains 10 inspections in total.

What is the most common violation at El Cuba Cafe?

Across the inspection record, “commercially processed ready-to-eat” has been cited two times, more than any other issue at El Cuba Cafe.

How does El Cuba Cafe compare to other restaurants in Valrico?

El Cuba Cafe most recently scored 74 out of 100, which is lower than the Valrico average of 81.

Has El Cuba Cafe's inspection record improved over time?

Yes. Recent inspections at El Cuba Cafe have averaged around two violations per visit, down from roughly four earlier in the record.

What does a medium risk rating mean?

A medium risk rating at El Cuba Cafe 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 Cuba Cafe inspected?

Based on the inspection history on file, El Cuba Cafe is inspected around three times per year on average.

Nearby Restaurants

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Score: 100 — Low Risk

Sunflower Cafe,Inc.

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Score: 70 — Medium Risk

Rosati's Pizza

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Score: 95 — Low Risk

Explore More

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