El Cubano

7829 N Dale Mabry Hwy, Tampa, FL 33614

Mexican / Latin

Last inspected: Jan 7, 2026

Score

Low Risk

Public records show five inspections at El Cubano stretching back to 2024. Inspectors last stopped by on Jan 7, 2026. A low risk tier reflects an inspection that turned up minimal issues.

Things are looking better lately, with recent visits averaging around three violations compared to roughly six violations earlier on.

Looking across the full record, “food stored on floor” is the recurring theme, flagged two times.

Among Tampa restaurants, the typical score is 79; El Cubano is comfortably above that bar. The file should reassure diners considering a visit.

Inspections

Critical latest

Major latest

Minor latest

Inspection History

Jan 7, 2026

Routine - Food

1 major violation. 2 minor violations.

View 3 violations

Intermediate - Certified Food Manager or person in charge lacks knowledge of foodborne illnesses and symptoms of illness that would prevent an employee from working with food, clean equipment and utensils, and single-service items.

11-07-5

Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Open bottle of water on shelf over canned sodas. Operator relocated bottled water to an approved location during time of inspection. **Corrected On-Site**

12B-07-4

Basic - Unwashed fruits/vegetables stored with ready-to-eat food. Unwashed lemons stored over cooked shredded beef inside Reach in cooler, adjacent to three compartment sink. Operator relocated lemons to the bottom shelf during time of inspection. **Corrected On-Site**

08B-17-4

Aug 28, 2025

Routine - Food

2 critical violations. 2 minor violations.

View 4 violations

High Priority - Container of medicine improperly stored. Multiple containers of pain medicine, personal medication, fiber drink, vitamins, nasal spray on shelf over bananas and three compartment sink. Employee relocated all items during time of inspection. **Corrected On-Site**

41-07-4

High Priority - Vacuum breaker missing at hose bibb or on fitting/splitter added to hose bibb. Vacuum breaker missing on hose connected to faucet, located at rear exterior of MFDV.

29-34-4

Basic - Food stored on floor. Container of oil stored on floor. Manager relocated oil to an approved location during time of inspection. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**

08B-38-4

Basic - Condensation or other drainage not disposed of according to law. Air conditioning condensation dripping into lawn, located at rear exterior of MFDV. Operator placed air conditioning tube for condensation into a bucket during time of inspection. Gray water to be disposed at office building. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**

28-02-4

Mar 14, 2025

Complaint Full

3 critical violations. 2 major violations. 2 minor violations.

View 7 violations

High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Raw beef patties and raw marinated steaks stored over cooked shredded beef. Operator discarded shredded beef during time of inspection. **Corrected On-Site**

08A-05-6

High Priority - Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. Shredded beef 81F at 4:05pm left out at room temperature after cooking from 10:30am.

01B-02-5

High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Shredded beef 81F at 4:05pm left out at room temperature after cooking from 10:30am. Operator discarded. Discussed with operator.

03B-01-6

Intermediate - No currently certified food service manager on duty with four or more employees engaged in food preparation/handling. A list of accredited food manager certification examination providers can be found at http://www.myfloridalicense.com/DBPR/hotels-restaurants/food-lodging/food-manager/ 4 employees present, no CFM on MFDV during time of inspection.

53A-05-6

Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Employee handwash sink used to store wash bucket. Employee removed bucket during time of inspection. **Corrected On-Site**

31A-11-4

Basic - Food stored on floor. Case of oil and case of bottled water stored on floor of food truck. Cooler full of hot tamales stored on food truck floor.

08B-38-4

Basic - Condensation or other drainage not disposed of according to law. Air conditioning unit disposing of grey water onto ground. Employee put bucket underneath to collect grey water. Grey water will be dumped into mop sink at office building. **Corrected On-Site**

28-02-4

Dec 5, 2024

Routine - Food

2 major violations. 5 minor violations.

View 7 violations

Hands Clean and Properly Washed

FL-08

Food Obtained from Approved Sources

FL-11

Food in Good Condition, Safe, and Unadulterated

FL-13

Food Received at Proper Temperature

FL-12

Food Contact Surfaces Clean and Sanitized

FL-22

Wiping Cloths Properly Used and Stored

FL-41

Food and Non-Food Contact Surfaces Designed and Constructed

FL-50

Jun 7, 2024

Food-Licensing Inspection

No violations found.

100

Frequently Asked Questions

When was El Cubano last inspected?

The most recent health inspection at El Cubano on file is from Jan 7, 2026. The public record contains five inspections in total.

What is the most common violation at El Cubano?

Across the inspection record, “food stored on floor” has been cited two times, more than any other issue at El Cubano.

How does El Cubano compare to other restaurants in Tampa?

El Cubano most recently scored 82 out of 100, which is higher than the Tampa average of 79.

Has El Cubano's inspection record improved over time?

Yes. Recent inspections at El Cubano have averaged around three violations per visit, down from roughly six earlier in the record.

What does a low risk rating mean?

A low risk rating at El Cubano 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 Cubano inspected?

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

Nearby Restaurants

Pierogi Police

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Score: 100 — Low Risk

Mr Empanada

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Score: 82 — Low Risk

Marlene's Orginal Breakfast Sandwich

7206 N Dale Mabry Hwy

Score: 61 — Medium Risk

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