El Recreo

7135 N Armenia Ave, Tampa, FL 33604

Mexican / Latin

Last inspected: Jan 31, 2025

Score

High Risk

El Recreo appears in inspection records six times, starting in 2022. Inspectors last stopped by on Jan 31, 2025. High risk indicates the latest inspection turned up problems worth knowing about.

Inspection results have stayed in a similar range over the last few visits, averaging around three violations each.

The most common issue across all inspections has been “handwash sink not accessible for employee use”, showing up two times.

El Recreo's latest score of 45 falls below the Tampa average of 79. There are enough flags in the record to merit a second thought.

Inspections

Critical latest

Major latest

Minor latest

Inspection History

Jan 31, 2025

Routine - Food

2 critical violations. 3 major violations. 4 minor violations.

View 9 violations

High Priority - Employee touched face/hair and then engaged in food preparation, handled clean equipment or utensils, or touched unwrapped single-service items without washing hands. Observed employee touch face and hair with gloved hands then began to prepare bread for customer without washing hands or changing gloves. Discussed with operator to always have employees wash hands and change gloves after touching body or hair. Employee washed hands, changed gloves, and discarded bread during time of inspection. **Corrective Action Taken**

12A-25-4

High Priority - Nonfood-grade bags used in direct contact with food. Tamales, Ready to eat onions, and lettuce stored in shopping bag. Operator placed tamales in a food container during time of inspection. **Corrective Action Taken**

14-31-5

Intermediate - Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Employee handwash sink blocked by cutting board and jars of roasted red peppers. Operator removed all items during time of inspection. **Corrected On-Site**

31A-09-4

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

16-37-1

Intermediate - No written procedures available for use of time as a public health control to hold time/temperature control for safety food. No plan for uncooked pizza with cheese topping held at room temperature. A time as a public health control form has been emailed to the operator during time of inspection.

03F-10-5

Basic - Time/temperature control for safety food thawed in an improper manner. Raw hamburger patties thawing on prep counter next to three compartment sink. Operator moved patties into Reach in cooler during time of inspection. **Corrected On-Site**

06-01-5

Basic - Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Squeeze bottles with sauces on top of Reach in cooler not labeled. Operator labeled bottles during time of inspection. **Corrected On-Site**

02D-01-5

Basic - Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin.

22-20-5

Basic - Employee wearing jewelry other than a plain ring on their hands/arms while preparing food. Observed three employees wearing jewelry other than a plain ring on their hands/arms while preparing food.

13-07-4

Jul 23, 2024

Routine - Food

No violations found.

100

Jul 22, 2024

Routine - Food

No violations found.

100

Nov 27, 2023

Routine - Food

1 minor violation.

View 1 violation

Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2023-11-27: **Time Extended**

14-09-4

Nov 30, 2022

Routine - Food

1 major violation. 2 minor violations.

View 3 violations

Intermediate - Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Food containers stored inside hand sink **Corrected On-Site**

31A-09-4

Basic - Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable.

14-09-4

Basic - Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name.

02D-01-5

Aug 29, 2022

Routine - Food

3 minor violations.

View 3 violations

Basic - Mobile food dispensing vehicle license number not permanently affixed on the side of the unit in figures at least 2 inches high and in contrasting colors from the background of the vehicle.

50-04-4

Basic - Food not stored at least 6 inches off of the floor. Bottled waters on floor underneath cabinets

08B-47-4

Basic - Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable.

14-09-4

Show all 6 inspections Show less

Frequently Asked Questions

When was El Recreo last inspected?

The most recent health inspection at El Recreo on file is from Jan 31, 2025. The public record contains six inspections in total.

What is the most common violation at El Recreo?

Across the inspection record, “handwash sink not accessible for employee use” has been cited two times, more than any other issue at El Recreo.

How does El Recreo compare to other restaurants in Tampa?

El Recreo most recently scored 45 out of 100, which is lower than the Tampa average of 79.

Has El Recreo's inspection record improved over time?

Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at El Recreo have averaged around three violations per visit across the recent record.

What does a high risk rating mean?

A high risk rating at El Recreo means the most recent inspection flagged either critical violations or a substantial number of smaller ones. Diners may want to read the violation details before deciding to visit.

How often is El Recreo inspected?

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

Nearby Restaurants

Fried Rice King

6117 N Florida Ave

Score: 50 — High Risk

Little Caesars 644

6932 N Armenia Ave

Score: 100 — Low Risk

Front Porch Grill

5924 N Florida Ave

Score: 78 — Low Risk

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