Joto Japanese Steakhouse

905 Lithia Pinecrest Rd, Brandon, FL 33511

Japanese / Sushi

Last inspected: Jun 18, 2025

Score

High Risk

Inspectors have visited Joto Japanese Steakhouse four times, with records going back to 2022. The latest inspection on file is from Jun 18, 2025. High risk indicates the latest inspection turned up problems worth knowing about.

Recent inspections have turned up more issues than earlier ones, averaging around 15 violations lately compared to roughly six violations before.

When inspectors have written things up, “employee beverage container on a food preparation table” has been the most frequent reason, cited three times.

Restaurants in Brandon average 82, so Joto Japanese Steakhouse trails the local norm. Taken together, the history suggests a facility that has struggled with consistency.

Inspections

Critical latest

Major latest

Minor latest

Inspection History

Jun 18, 2025

Routine - Food

3 critical violations. 4 major violations. 8 minor violations.

View 15 violations

Hands Clean and Properly Washed

FL-08

Certified Food Manager Identification

FL-02

Employee Health Policies Present

FL-03

Required Records Available; Shellstock Tags/Labels

FL-14

Adequate Handwashing Facilities Supplied and Accessible

FL-10

Food Obtained from Approved Sources

FL-11

Food Received at Proper Temperature

FL-12

Equipment Adequate to Maintain Product Temperature

FL-29

Food Contact Surfaces Clean and Sanitized

FL-22

Non-Food Contact Surfaces Clean

FL-23

Approved Thawing Methods Used

FL-31

Personal Cleanliness

FL-40

Food and Non-Food Contact Surfaces Designed and Constructed

FL-50

Plumbing Maintained; Sewage Disposal

FL-51

Toilet Rooms Maintained

FL-53

Jan 11, 2024

Food-Licensing Inspection

1 major violation. 3 minor violations.

View 4 violations

Intermediate - Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled.

41-17-4

Basic - Wet wiping cloth not stored in sanitizing solution between uses.

21-12-4

Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Water bottle

12B-07-4

Basic - Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Cellphone

40-06-5

Mar 6, 2023

Complaint Full

1 critical violation. 3 major violations. 5 minor violations.

View 9 violations

High Priority - Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license.

50-17-3

Intermediate - Equipment drain line draining into handwash sink. Observed soda line draining into hand sink in bar **Repeat Violation**

31A-10-4

Intermediate - Establishment has no written procedures for employees to follow in response to a vomiting or diarrheal event where the vomit or diarrhea is discharged onto surfaces in the establishment.

11-27-4

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.

11-26-1

Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Observed employee drink stored on prep table on cookline **Repeat Violation**

12B-07-4

Basic - Ice buildup in reach-in freezer and/or walk-in freezer. Observed ice build up inside reachin freezer next to walk-in cooler **Repeat Violation**

14-69-4

Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed mold build along gaskets of reachin coolers and on reachin cooler doors

23-03-4

Basic - Time/temperature control for safety food thawed in an improper manner. Observed lobster thawing at room temperature in the 3-compartment sink Corrected -observed employee place under cold running water **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**

06-01-5

Basic - Wet mop not stored in a manner to allow the mop to dry. Observed the mop stored on the mop bucket next to the mop sink

42-01-4

Nov 1, 2022

Routine - Food

4 major violations. 6 minor violations.

View 10 violations

Intermediate - Equipment drain line draining into handwash sink. Observed soda gun draining into hand sink **Repeat Violation** **Warning**

31A-10-4

Intermediate - Manager or person in charge lacking proof of food manager certification. Observed n manager certification for Kevin ngo **Warning**

53A-01-7

Intermediate - No soap provided at handwash sink. Observed missing at hand sink on cookline Corrected-observed employee replace **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**

31B-03-4

Intermediate - Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled. Observed spray bottle filled with sanitizer or labeled on prep table **Warning**

41-17-4

Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Observed employee drink stored on prep table **Warning**

12B-07-4

Basic - Employee with no beard guard/restraint while engaging in food preparation. **Warning**

13-04-4

Basic - Food not stored at least 6 inches off of the floor. Observed a bag of onions stored on floor near dish area Corrected observed employee place on shelf **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**

08B-47-4

Basic - Ice buildup in reach-in freezer and/or walk-in freezer. Observed ice build up inside reach in freezer on cookline **Repeat Violation** **Warning**

14-69-4

Basic - Time/temperature control for safety food thawed in an improper manner. Observed raw chicken thawing at room temperature at 3-compartment sink Corrected observed employee place in walk-in cooler **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**

06-01-5

Basic - Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin. Observed black mold build up inside ice machine near mop sink **Warning**

22-20-5

Frequently Asked Questions

When was Joto Japanese Steakhouse last inspected?

The most recent health inspection at Joto Japanese Steakhouse on file is from Jun 18, 2025. The public record contains four inspections in total.

What is the most common violation at Joto Japanese Steakhouse?

Across the inspection record, “employee beverage container on a food preparation table” has been cited three times, more than any other issue at Joto Japanese Steakhouse.

How does Joto Japanese Steakhouse compare to other restaurants in Brandon?

Joto Japanese Steakhouse most recently scored 13 out of 100, which is lower than the Brandon average of 82.

Has Joto Japanese Steakhouse's inspection record improved over time?

No. Recent inspections at Joto Japanese Steakhouse have averaged around 15 violations per visit, up from roughly six earlier in the record.

What does a high risk rating mean?

A high risk rating at Joto Japanese Steakhouse 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 Joto Japanese Steakhouse inspected?

Based on the inspection history on file, Joto Japanese Steakhouse is inspected around two times per year on average.

Nearby Restaurants

Chicken and Taco Loco

535 E Brandon Blvd

Score: 82 — Low Risk

China 1

167 E Bloomingdale Ave

Score: 23 — High Risk

1916 Irish Pub Brandon

901 W Brandon Blvd

Score: 90 — Low Risk

Explore More

→ All locations in Brandon → Japanese / Sushi restaurants in Florida → Japanese / Sushi restaurants in Brandon