El Recreo

7013 N Mahattan Ave, Tampa, FL 33614
Mexican / Latin
Last inspected: Dec 9, 2025
86
Score
Low Risk

Across the available record, El Recreo has three inspections on file, the first dated 2025. The newest entry in the record is dated Dec 9, 2025. Diners can read the low risk label as a sign that recent inspections have gone well.

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

The city-wide average for Tampa sits at 79, putting El Recreo on the better side of that line. The record reflects steady performance over time.

3
Inspections
0
Critical latest
1
Major latest
1
Minor latest
Inspection History
Dec 9, 2025
Routine - Food
1 major violation. 1 minor violation.
View 2 violations
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Cutting board ion Reach in cooler soiled. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2025-12-09: **Time Extended**
22-02-4
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable. Multiple cutting boards in MFDV with cut marks. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2025-12-09: **Time Extended**
14-09-4
86
Oct 7, 2025
Routine - Food
4 critical violations. 4 major violations. 1 minor violation.
View 9 violations
High Priority - Employee touched soiled surface and then engaged in food preparation, handled clean equipment or utensils, or touched unwrapped single-service items without washing hands. Observed employee did not wash hands or change gloves after going outside of MFDV and touched soiled timers. Employee entered MFDV to prepare pizza and to place cooked pizzas into take out boxes. Discussed with operator. **Warning**
12A-29-4
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Raw fish, raw beef, raw pork, raw pork and beef patty stored over cooked pasta, tamales, and beef in Reach in cooler. Manager relocated all raw items to an approved location during time of inspection. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
08A-05-6
High Priority - Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. Sliced ham 48F at 2:22pm prepped at 10am **Warning**
01B-02-5
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food prepared from/mixed with ingredient(s) at ambient temperature not cooled to 41 degrees Fahrenheit within 4 hours. See stop sale. Sliced ham 48F at 2:22pm prepped at 10am. **Warning**
03D-06-5
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. **Warning**
11-26-1
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Cutting board ion Reach in cooler soiled. **Warning**
22-02-4
Intermediate - No chemical test kit provided when using sanitizer at three-compartment sink/warewashing machine or wiping cloths. For chlorine sanitizer at three compartment sink. **Warning**
16-37-1
Intermediate - No plan review submitted and approved - renovations were made or are in progress. Must submit plans and plan review application to DBPR H and R Plan Review office located at 2601 Blair Stone Rd., Tallahassee, FL 32399-1011. Plans must be submitted AND approved within 60 days. The direct link to the Plan Review page is https://www2.myfloridalicense.com/hotels-restaurants/licensing/plan-review/. Pizza oven stored on a covered platform outside at rear of MFDV. Pizza oven is not an integral part MFDV or in original plan submitted to plan review. Discussed with operator to resubmit plans to plan review and make pizza oven an integral part of MFDV. **Warning**
51-16-7
Basic - Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable. Multiple cutting boards in MFDV with cut marks. **Warning**
14-09-4
35
Mar 21, 2025
Food-Licensing Inspection
No violations found.
100

Frequently Asked Questions

When was El Recreo last inspected?

The most recent health inspection at El Recreo on file is from Dec 9, 2025. The public record contains three inspections in total.

How does El Recreo compare to other restaurants in Tampa?

El Recreo most recently scored 86 out of 100, which is higher than the Tampa average of 79.

Has El Recreo's inspection record improved over time?

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

What does a low risk rating mean?

A low risk rating at El Recreo means inspectors found minimal or no significant issues at the most recent visit. Most facilities at this tier have a clean recent inspection report.