Happy Crab
Last inspected: Sep 3, 2025
12
Score
Going back to 2022, Happy Crab has seven inspections in the public record. The newest entry in the record is dated Sep 3, 2025. Diners may want to take note: high risk reflects issues that a health inspector considered important.
Recent visits have flagged more than earlier ones: around 14 violations per visit lately, up from roughly seven violations before.
The pattern that stands out is “nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease”, which has been cited four times.
Compared to other Tampa restaurants (averaging 79), there's room to close the gap. The pattern in the record is worth a careful look.
7
Inspections
6
Critical latest
5
Major latest
14
Minor latest
Inspection History
Sep 3, 2025
Routine - Food
6 critical violations. 5 major violations. 14 minor violations.
View 25 violations
High Priority - Vacuum breaker missing at hose bibb or on fitting/splitter added to hose bibb. Hose on cook line missing vacuum breaker.
29-34-4
High Priority - Employee failed to wash hands before putting on gloves to initiate a task working with food. Observed female employee place gloves on and start working with food without washing hands.
12A-07-5
High Priority - Food with mold-like growth. See stop sale. Observed canned of moldy tomatoes in walk in cooler, operator discarded.
01B-07-4
High Priority - Pesticide/insecticide labeled for household use only present in establishment. Observed household pesticide near hand washing sink by 3 compartment sink.
41-05-4
High Priority - Presence of insects, rodents, or other pests. Observed live maggots in the seating area of restaurant in the back right corner near the trash can. Employee discarded, cleaned and sanitized the area. **Corrected On-Site**
35A-09-4
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Observed raw chicken over buckets of sauce, observed raw eggs over vegetables in walk in cooler, employee removed. **Corrected On-Site**
08A-05-6
Intermediate - Establishment not maintaining clam/mussel/oyster tags for 90 days. Discussed with operator tags must be kept for 90 days after box of oysters is empty.
01C-02-4
Intermediate - Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Observed cup with water inside of handwashing sink behind front counter, employee removed. Observed hand washing sink by 3 compartment sink not turned on, employee adjusted valves. **Corrected On-Site**
31A-09-4
Intermediate - No soap provided at handwash sink. No soap at back hand washing sink by 3 compartment sink, no soap at back hand washing sink by cook line.
31B-03-4
Intermediate - Person in charge unable to answer basic Food Code questions pertaining to safe operation of establishment. Person in charge unable to provide minimum cooking temperature for cooking shellfish.
53A-14-4
Intermediate - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Observed items in walk in cooler and reach in cooler not labeled
02C-02-5
Basic - Time/temperature control for safety food thawed in an improper manner. Observed bag of chicken thawing on prep table, discussed with operator proper thawing procedures. Employee placed bag in walk in cooler **Corrected On-Site**
06-01-5
Basic - Wet wiping cloth not stored in sanitizing solution between uses. Observed wet wiping cloth stored on prep table near rice cooker not in use, employee removed and placed inside sanitizer bucket. **Corrected On-Site**
21-12-4
Basic - Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Observed container of crab boil seasoning per operator not label in dry goods area with seasonings, employee labeled. **Corrected On-Site**
02D-01-5
Basic - Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Observed container with no handle in container of sugar and flour, employee removed.
14-01-5
Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Observed employee drinks on prep table, employee removed and placed inside of separate bin. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
12B-07-4
Basic - Employee personal food not properly identified and segregated from food to be served to the public. Observed employee personal food in walk in cooler on shelf with food items to be served to the public.
08B-49-4
Basic - Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Observed Employee phone on preparation table with sausage. Observed employee aprons on shelf with dry goods food, observed bag with employee shirts stored on top of cooking oil. Observed multiple packs of playing cards on dry goods shelf with canned food. Employee removed **Corrected On-Site**
40-06-5
Basic - Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting. Wet nesting observed on bowls above 3 compartment sink.
24-08-4
Basic - Garbage can located outside has no lid or lid open/broken. Shared dumpster, lid broken
33-15-4
Basic - Ice buildup in reach-in freezer and/or walk-in freezer.
14-69-4
Basic - In-use knife/knives stored in cracks between pieces of equipment. Observed knife stored in between reach in cooler and prep table.
10-17-4
Basic - In-use utensil in non-time/temperature control for safety food not stored with handle above top of food within a closed container. Observed in-use utensil with handle not above corn starch, employee placed handle above. **Corrected On-Site**
10-01-5
Basic - Insect control device installed over food preparation area.
35B-02-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Hood filters soiled with food debris **Repeat Violation**
23-03-4
12
Jan 23, 2025
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 4 minor violations.
View 6 violations
High Priority - Container of medicine improperly stored. Front kitchen bar area near hand sink **Repeat Violation**
41-07-4
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Cutting board
22-02-4
Basic - Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable. **Repeat Violation**
14-09-4
Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. **Repeat Violation**
12B-07-4
Basic - Employee with no hair restraint while engaging in food preparation.
13-03-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Hood filters soiled with dust and grease **Repeat Violation**
23-03-4
64
Jul 30, 2024
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 1 major violation. 7 minor violations.
View 10 violations
Certified Food Manager Identification
FL-02
Hands Clean and Properly Washed
FL-08
Food Received at Proper Temperature
FL-12
Required Records Available; Shellstock Tags/Labels
FL-14
Proper Hot and Cold Holding Temperatures
FL-21
Food Contact Surfaces Clean and Sanitized
FL-22
Non-Food Contact Surfaces Clean
FL-23
Wiping Cloths Properly Used and Stored
FL-41
Washing Fruits and Vegetables
FL-42
In-Use Utensils Properly Stored
FL-43
43
Nov 7, 2023
Routine - Food
1 major violation. 3 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime.
22-02-4
Basic - Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable. **Repeat Violation**
14-09-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Hood filters soiled with dust and grease
23-03-4
Basic - Wet mop not stored in a manner to allow the mop to dry. **Repeat Violation**
42-01-4
78
Sep 6, 2023
Routine - Food
3 major violations. 3 minor violations.
View 6 violations
Certified Food Manager Identification
FL-02
Food Obtained from Approved Sources
FL-11
Required Records Available; Shellstock Tags/Labels
FL-14
Proper Hot and Cold Holding Temperatures
FL-21
Non-Food Contact Surfaces Clean
FL-23
Washing Fruits and Vegetables
FL-42
61
Mar 9, 2023
Routine - Food
1 major violation. 9 minor violations.
View 10 violations
Intermediate - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Foods in walk-in-cooler
02C-02-5
Basic - A minimum of one bathroom facility is not available for public use. Sign on door not open to the public
32-09-4
Basic - Employee personal food not properly identified and segregated from food to be served to the public. Walk-in-cooler
08B-49-4
Basic - Establishment using wood (other than a hard, close-grained wood) as a food-contact surface. Walk-in-cooler
14-25-5
Basic - Food stored on floor. Boxes of cooking oil and liquid margarine. Boxes of frozen foods in walk-in-freezer
08B-38-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Hood filters soiled with dust and grease
23-03-4
Basic - Time/temperature control for safety food thawed in an improper manner. Frozen chicken thawing out at room temperature. Operator placing in walk-in-cooler **Corrective Action Taken**
06-01-5
Basic - Wet mop not stored in a manner to allow the mop to dry. **Repeat Violation**
42-01-4
Basic - Wet wiping cloth not stored in sanitizing solution between uses. **Repeat Violation**
21-12-4
Basic - Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable. **Repeat Violation**
14-09-4
58
Sep 8, 2022
Routine - Food
7 minor violations.
View 7 violations
Basic - Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Rice warmer.
14-01-5
Basic - Current Hotel and Restaurant license not displayed.
50-09-4
Basic - Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable.
14-09-4
Basic - Employee personal food not properly identified and segregated from food to be served to the public. Employees food stored on top shelf in walk-in-cooler **Repeat Violation**
08B-49-4
Basic - Floor soiled/has accumulation of debris. Container of cooking oil stored on in kitchen and containers of soy sauce on floor in walk-in-freezer and walk-in-cooler
36-73-4
Basic - Wet mop not stored in a manner to allow the mop to dry.
42-01-4
Basic - Wet wiping cloths stored in detergent and sanitizer mixed together.
21-03-4
70
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Happy Crab last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Happy Crab on file is from Sep 3, 2025. The public record contains seven inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Happy Crab?
Across the inspection record, “nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease” has been cited four times, more than any other issue at Happy Crab.
How does Happy Crab compare to other restaurants in Tampa?
Happy Crab most recently scored 12 out of 100, which is lower than the Tampa average of 79.
Has Happy Crab's inspection record improved over time?
No. Recent inspections at Happy Crab have averaged around 14 violations per visit, up from roughly seven earlier in the record.
What does a high risk rating mean?
A high risk rating at Happy Crab 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 Happy Crab inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Happy Crab is inspected around two times per year on average.
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