Italian Dream Cafe
Last inspected: Oct 30, 2025
39
Score
Inspectors have visited Italian Dream Cafe nine times, with records going back to 2022. On Oct 30, 2025, the health department conducted the most recent visit. A high risk tier suggests the facility had a rough recent inspection, with multiple violations on record.
Violation counts have held steady across recent visits, averaging around six violations each.
When inspectors have written things up, “operating with an expired division of hotels” has been the most frequent reason, cited five times.
That's lower than the typical Tampa restaurant, which scores around 79. The pattern in the record is worth a careful look.
9
Inspections
3
Critical latest
3
Major latest
4
Minor latest
Inspection History
Oct 30, 2025
Routine - Food
3 critical violations. 3 major violations. 4 minor violations.
View 10 violations
High Priority - Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license. Expired on 02/01/2025. **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
50-17-3
High Priority - Establishment using a sanitizer solution that does not meet the requirements specified in 40 CFR 180. Only use single-service items to serve food to customers until approved sanitizer is available for warewashing. The establishment only has a bottle of lavender scented chlorine available at time of inspection. Operator sent employee to purchase approved chlorine and returned at time of inspection. **Corrected On-Site** **Admin Complaint**
22-48-5
High Priority - Food-contact surfaces not sanitized after cleaning, before use. Do not use equipment/utensils not properly sanitized. Employee washed and rinsed food utensils in three-compartments sink without sanitation at time of inspection.
22-45-4
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Interior of the sandwich press soiled with accumulation of grease and burned food debris.
22-02-4
Intermediate - Manager or person in charge lacking proof of food manager certification. Joseph Williams. **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
53A-01-7
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. 1 employee training expired.
53B-14-5
Basic - Unnecessary items/unused equipment on the premises. Upright white fridge, large glass doors reach-in cooler and a counter top oven.
33-31-5
Basic - Food not stored at least 6 inches off of the floor. A case of fry oil stored on floor at front service line.
08B-47-4
Basic - No Heimlich maneuver/choking sign posted. **Repeat Violation**
51-13-4
Basic - Ice buildup in reach-in freezer and/or walk-in freezer. Ice cream freezer at dining room.
14-69-4
39
Jun 20, 2025
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 1 minor violation.
View 3 violations
High Priority - - From initial inspection : High Priority - Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license. Expired on 02/01/2025. **Admin Complaint** - From follow-up inspection 2025-06-20: **Admin Complaint**
50-17-3
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : Intermediate - Manager or person in charge lacking proof of food manager certification and no other certified food service manager employed at this location. Joseph willliams **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2025-06-20: In progress. **Admin Complaint**
53A-02-7
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - No Heimlich maneuver/choking sign posted. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2025-06-20: **Admin Complaint**
51-13-4
74
Apr 18, 2025
Routine - Food
4 critical violations. 1 major violation. 3 minor violations.
View 8 violations
High Priority - Wiping cloth sanitizer solution exceeds the maximum concentration allowed. Tested 500+ppm Quat. Operator discarded sanitizer. **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning**
41-27-4
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. A container of butter 67 F, sliced white cheese 61 F stored in reach-in cooler. Operator states that items was stored on prep table for about 30 minutes and just moved into reach-in cooler. **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning**
03A-02-5
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. A few pieces of raw shell eggs stored over various ready to eat sauces in reach-in cooler. Raw shell eggs moved to bottom shelf. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
08A-05-6
High Priority - Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license. Expired on 02/01/2025. **Admin Complaint**
50-17-3
Intermediate - Manager or person in charge lacking proof of food manager certification and no other certified food service manager employed at this location. Joseph willliams **Warning**
53A-02-7
Basic - No Heimlich maneuver/choking sign posted. **Warning**
51-13-4
Basic - Food not stored at least 6 inches off of the floor. A case of bottled water stored on floor at dining area. **Warning**
08B-47-4
Basic - In-use utensil stored in sanitizer between uses. Multiple spatulas and cooking utensils stored in sanitizing bucket. Operator moved to three-compartments sink to clean. **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning**
10-18-5
43
Nov 21, 2024
Complaint Full
2 major violations. 5 minor violations.
View 7 violations
Non-Food Contact Surfaces Clean
FL-23
Required Records Available; Shellstock Tags/Labels
FL-14
Toilet Rooms Maintained
FL-53
Food and Non-Food Contact Surfaces Designed and Constructed
FL-50
Single-Use/Single-Service Articles Properly Stored and Used
FL-45
Lighting Adequate; Required Shields in Place
FL-36
Hot and Cold Water Available; Adequate Pressure
FL-25
58
Sep 13, 2024
Complaint Full
2 critical violations. 2 major violations. 7 minor violations.
View 11 violations
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed sausage (61F - Hot Holding); meatballs (64F - Hot Holding) on cook line push cart Observed employee place in reachin cooler. **Corrective Action Taken**
03B-01-6
High Priority - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food marked with a date that exceeds 7 days after opening/preparation. Observed sliced ham with no date mark in reachin cooler
02C-01-5
Intermediate - Manager or person in charge lacking proof of food manager certification. Micheal Williams
53A-01-7
Intermediate - No proof of required state approved employee training provided for any employees. To order approved program food safety material, call DBPR contracted provider: Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (SafeStaff) 866-372-7233.
53B-01-5
Basic - Floor soiled/has accumulation of debris. Observed floor soiled with old food debris and grease build up throughout kitchen
36-73-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed old food debris build up inside reachin coolers and reachin freezers in back kitchen
23-03-4
Basic - Ripped/worn tin foil used as shelf cover. Observed ripped and worn tin foil used to cover sandwich press machine and sandwich press weights on cook line.
14-20-4
Basic - Single-service articles not stored inverted or protected from contamination. Observed spoons and forks for self service not inverted at time of inspection.
25-06-4
Basic - Wall soiled with accumulated grease, food debris, and/or dust. Observed walls soiled with grease build up throughout kitchen.
36-27-5
Basic - Ceiling/ceiling tile shows damage or is in disrepair. Observed ceiling tiles damaged above shelves next to back door
36-32-5
Basic - Current Hotel and Restaurant license not displayed.
50-09-4
43
Jun 27, 2024
Food-Licensing Inspection
No violations found.
100
Feb 8, 2023
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 3 minor violations.
View 4 violations
High Priority - - From initial inspection : High Priority - Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2023-02-08: **Time Extended**
50-17-3
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Wet mop not stored in a manner to allow the mop to dry. **Repeat Violation** **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2023-02-08: **Time Extended**
42-01-4
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Hole in or other damage to wall. Wall damage over three compartment sink . **Repeat Violation** **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2023-02-08: **Time Extended**
36-24-5
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Wet wiping cloth not stored in sanitizing solution between uses. **Repeat Violation** **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2023-02-08: **Time Extended**
21-12-4
74
Feb 7, 2023
Routine - Food
5 critical violations. 1 major violation. 4 minor violations.
View 10 violations
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over or with ready-to-eat food in a freezer - not all products commercially packaged. Raw beef and raw eggs stored over yellow rice in walk-in cooler , see stop sale. **Warning**
08A-02-6
High Priority - Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license. **Warning**
50-17-3
High Priority - Chlorine sanitizer not at proper minimum strength for manual warewashing. Do not use equipment/utensils not properly sanitized. Corrected 100 ppm of chlorine. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
22-42-4
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Roast beef 46°, sausage 47°, salami 46°, yellow rice 46° **Warning**
03A-02-5
High Priority - Stop Sale issued due to food not being in a wholesome, sound condition. Yellow rice contaminated by raw beef blood . **Warning**
01B-13-4
Intermediate - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
02C-02-5
Basic - Hole in or other damage to wall. Wall damage over three compartment sink . **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
36-24-5
Basic - Reach-in cooler interior/shelves have accumulation of soil residues. Reach in cooler and reach in freezer shelves observed with old food debris. **Warning**
22-16-4
Basic - Wet mop not stored in a manner to allow the mop to dry. **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
42-01-4
Basic - Wet wiping cloth not stored in sanitizing solution between uses. **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
21-12-4
35
Jul 20, 2022
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 2 major violations. 5 minor violations.
View 9 violations
High Priority - Medicine not properly stored . Observed medication on food prep table .
41-22-4
High Priority - Dented/rusted cans present. See stop sale. Can of mushrooms with deep dents on both sides of can on brim .
01B-01-4
Intermediate - Chemical test kit not used to ensure proper sanitization of equipment and utensils when using a chemical sanitizer.
16-33-4
Intermediate - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Cooked sauce , chicken, refried beans all held over 24 hours not date marked . **Repeat Violation**
02C-02-5
Basic - Hole in or other damage to wall. Wall behind three compartment sink in disrepair.
36-24-5
Basic - Reach-in cooler interior/shelves have accumulation of soil residues. Interior of reach in cooler and reach in freezer with old food debris. **Repeat Violation**
22-16-4
Basic - Reuse of single-service or single-use articles. Vigo containers reused .
25-32-4
Basic - Ripped/worn tin foil used as shelf cover. Sandwich press with old used foil .
14-20-4
Basic - Wet wiping cloth not stored in sanitizing solution between uses. **Repeat Violation**
21-12-4
47
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Italian Dream Cafe last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Italian Dream Cafe on file is from Oct 30, 2025. The public record contains nine inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Italian Dream Cafe?
Across the inspection record, “operating with an expired division of hotels” has been cited five times, more than any other issue at Italian Dream Cafe.
How does Italian Dream Cafe compare to other restaurants in Tampa?
Italian Dream Cafe most recently scored 39 out of 100, which is lower than the Tampa average of 79.
Has Italian Dream Cafe's inspection record improved over time?
Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at Italian Dream Cafe have averaged around six violations per visit across the recent record.
What does a high risk rating mean?
A high risk rating at Italian Dream Cafe 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 Italian Dream Cafe inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Italian Dream Cafe is inspected around three times per year on average.
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