El Puerto Restaurant & Grill
Last inspected: Aug 25, 2025
61
Score
El Puerto Restaurant & Grill has been inspected eight times since 2022. On Aug 25, 2025, the health department conducted the most recent visit. Medium risk typically reflects a handful of issues that inspectors wrote up but didn't deem critical.
Violation counts have held steady across recent visits, averaging around seven violations each.
The pattern that stands out is “food-contact surface soiled with food debris”, which has been cited eight times.
The city-wide average sits at 79, which El Puerto Restaurant & Grill's 61 doesn't quite reach. Nothing in the record is alarming, but there's room to improve.
8
Inspections
1
Critical latest
2
Major latest
3
Minor latest
Inspection History
Aug 25, 2025
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 2 major violations. 3 minor violations.
View 6 violations
High Priority - Employee handled soiled equipment or utensils and then engaged in food preparation, handled clean equipment or utensils, or touched unwrapped single-service items without washing hands. Employee touched raw chicken with hands then touched clean tongs without washing hands. Inspector spoke with operator about proper hand washing procedures.
12A-13-4
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Cutting boards in kitchen. **Repeat Violation**
22-02-4
Intermediate - No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. Handwash sink near ice machine. **Repeat Violation**
31B-02-4
Basic - Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin. Ice machine in kitchen.
22-20-5
Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Employee water bottle on reach in cooler in kitchen. **Repeat Violation**
12B-07-4
Basic - Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Employee phone on prep table in kitchen. **Repeat Violation**
40-06-5
61
Apr 28, 2025
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 3 major violations. 2 minor violations.
View 7 violations
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Raw salmon over cooked rice in reach in freezer. Operator relocated. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
08A-05-6
High Priority - Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license. **Admin Complaint**
50-17-3
Intermediate - No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink near large ice machine.
31B-02-4
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Cutting boards in kitchen. **Repeat Violation**
22-02-4
Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Large soap container in handwash sink near ice machine.
31A-11-4
Basic - Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Employee phone and wallet in bulk flour container. **Repeat Violation**
40-06-5
Basic - Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin. Large ice machine in kitchen. **Repeat Violation**
22-20-5
50
Aug 27, 2024
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 4 major violations. 4 minor violations.
View 9 violations
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Raw beef over cooked beef in reach in cooler. Operator relocated at time of inspection.
08A-05-6
Intermediate - No soap provided at handwash sink at bar.
31B-03-4
Intermediate - Required employee training expired for some employees. To order approved program food safety material, call DBPR contracted provider: Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (SafeStaff) 866-372-7233.
53B-14-5
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Cutting boards in kitchen. **Repeat Violation**
22-02-4
Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Clear pitcher in handwash sink at bar.
31A-11-4
Basic - Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Employee phone on prep table in kitchen. **Repeat Violation**
40-06-5
Basic - Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin. Ice machine in kitchen.
22-20-5
Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Employee drink on reach in cooler in kitchen. **Repeat Violation**
12B-07-4
Basic - Unwashed fruits/vegetables stored with ready-to-eat food. Unwashed tomatoes over individual cakes in reach in cooler. Operator relocated at time of inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
08B-17-4
47
May 8, 2024
Routine - Food
2 major violations. 2 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Cutting boards. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2024-05-08: **Time Extended**
22-02-4
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 2024-05-08: **Time Extended**
53B-13-5
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Employee water bottle on reach in cooler in kitchen. **Repeat Violation** **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2024-05-08: **Time Extended**
12B-07-4
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Employee phone on bulk salt in kitchen under prep table. **Repeat Violation** **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2024-05-08: **Time Extended**
40-06-5
74
May 1, 2024
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 3 major violations. 2 minor violations.
View 7 violations
High Priority - Dishmachine chlorine sanitizer not at proper minimum strength. Discontinue use of dishmachine for sanitizing and set up manual sanitization until dishmachine is repaired and sanitizing properly. 0 ppm. **Warning**
22-41-4
High Priority - Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license. Operator paid at time of inspection. **Warning**
50-17-3
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Cutting boards. **Warning**
22-02-4
Intermediate - No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink in kitchen. **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
31B-02-4
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 - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Employee water bottle on reach in cooler in kitchen. **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
12B-07-4
Basic - Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Employee phone on bulk salt in kitchen under prep table. **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
40-06-5
50
Dec 13, 2023
Routine - Food
4 major violations. 4 minor violations.
View 8 violations
Intermediate - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Cooked sweet breads in reach in cooler. Operator marked at time of inspection. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
02C-02-5
Intermediate - Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled with yellow liquid at dish area.
41-17-4
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Cutting boards in kitchen. **Repeat Violation**
22-02-4
Intermediate - No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink across from grill. **Repeat Violation**
31B-02-4
Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Employee drink on reach in cooler in kitchen.
12B-07-4
Basic - Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Employee phone on prep table in kitchen. **Repeat Violation**
40-06-5
Basic - Stored food not covered. Cooked sweet breads in reach in cooler. Operator covered at time of inspection. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
08B-12-5
Basic - Wall soiled with accumulated grease, food debris, and/or dust. Behind grill.
36-27-5
55
Mar 15, 2023
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 3 major violations. 6 minor violations.
View 11 violations
High Priority - Dishmachine chlorine sanitizer not at proper minimum strength. Discontinue use of dishmachine for sanitizing and set up manual sanitization until dishmachine is repaired and sanitizing properly. Ran dish machine multiple times and tested at 0 ppm. Operator set up three compartment sink at time of inspection. **Corrective Action Taken**
22-41-4
High Priority - Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license. Operator paid at time of inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
50-17-3
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Cutting boards in kitchen stained. **Repeat Violation**
22-02-4
Intermediate - No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink near ice machine in kitchen.
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. Raw chicken in reach in cooler.
02C-02-5
Basic - Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin. Ice machine in kitchen. **Repeat Violation**
22-20-5
Basic - Employee personal food not properly identified and segregated from food to be served to the public. Employee lunch meat over butter for establishment in reach in cooler if dry storage area. Operator relocated at time of inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
08B-49-4
Basic - Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Keys on prep table in kitchen. Employee removed at time of inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
40-06-5
Basic - Opened employee beverage container in a cold holding unit with food to be served to customers. Employee Gatorade on reach in cooler in dry storage area. Operator relocated at time of inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
12B-13-4
Basic - Single-service articles not stored inverted or protected from contamination. Aluminum pans in dry storage area near ice machine.
25-06-4
Basic - Stored food not covered. Raw short rib in reach in cooler . Operator covered at time of inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
08B-12-5
41
Aug 11, 2022
Routine - Food
3 critical violations. 3 major violations. 9 minor violations.
View 15 violations
High Priority - Container of medicine improperly stored. First aid kit above clean dishes. Operator moved at time of inspection. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
41-07-4
High Priority - Live, small flying insects in kitchen, food preparation area, food storage area and/or bar area. 1 live fly in kitchen. **Warning**
35A-02-6
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Cold holding: cooked rice 45 F, cooked beef 48 F, cooked chicken 49 F, cooked sausage 49 F Operator moved to walk in cooler. **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning**
03A-02-5
Intermediate - Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled. Spray bottle unlabeled at dish area. Operator labeled at time of inspection. **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
41-17-4
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. Nelson Unana. **Warning**
11-07-5
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Cutting board stained on cook line. **Warning**
22-02-4
Basic - Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin. Ice machine soiled with mold like substance. **Warning**
22-20-5
Basic - Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable. Cutting board on cook line. **Warning**
14-09-4
Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Employee drink on dish area table next to clean dishes. Employee drinks over bagels and flan in reach in cooler. **Repeat Violation** **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
12B-07-4
Basic - Equipment or utensils not designed or constructed in a durable manner. Knife with duct tape on it. **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
14-10-4
Basic - Exterior door has a gap at the threshold that opens to the outside. Door in kitchen next to three compartment sink. **Warning**
35B-01-4
Basic - Floor tiles missing and/or in disrepair. Tiles cracked in kitchen. **Warning**
36-17-5
Basic - Ice buildup in reach-in freezer and/or walk-in freezer. White reach in freezer near dish area with ice build up. **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
14-69-4
Basic - Old labels stuck to food containers after cleaning. Old labels on containers in walk in coolers. **Warning**
16-46-4
Basic - Standing water in bottom of reach-in-cooler. On cook line in front of grill. **Warning**
29-49-6
30
Frequently Asked Questions
When was El Puerto Restaurant & Grill last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at El Puerto Restaurant & Grill on file is from Aug 25, 2025. The public record contains eight inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at El Puerto Restaurant & Grill?
Across the inspection record, “food-contact surface soiled with food debris” has been cited eight times, more than any other issue at El Puerto Restaurant & Grill.
How does El Puerto Restaurant & Grill compare to other restaurants in Tampa?
El Puerto Restaurant & Grill most recently scored 61 out of 100, which is lower than the Tampa average of 79.
Has El Puerto Restaurant & Grill's inspection record improved over time?
Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at El Puerto Restaurant & Grill have averaged around seven violations per visit across the recent record.
What does a medium risk rating mean?
A medium risk rating at El Puerto Restaurant & Grill 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 Puerto Restaurant & Grill inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, El Puerto Restaurant & Grill is inspected around three times per year on average.
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