La Bamba Restaurant
Last inspected: Oct 24, 2025
61
Score
La Bamba Restaurant has been inspected 10 times since 2022. La Bamba Restaurant was last inspected on Oct 24, 2025. A medium risk rating points to a few notable findings at the last inspection, though nothing severe.
Things have been moving the wrong way, with the rolling count rising from around six violations to closer to 12 violations per visit.
“Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease” comes up most often, recorded four times in the inspection record.
Compared to other Tampa restaurants (averaging 79), there's room to close the gap. The full record sits in fairly typical territory for a working restaurant.
10
Inspections
0
Critical latest
2
Major latest
6
Minor latest
Inspection History
Oct 24, 2025
Routine - Food
2 major violations. 6 minor violations.
View 8 violations
Intermediate - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Sliced ham and Swiss cheese held longer than 24 hours without date marking. Operator labeled at time of inspection **Corrected On-Site**
02C-02-5
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
Basic - Food storage container/container lid cracked or broken. Lid on black bean storage bin cracked
14-38-4
Basic - Garbage on the ground and/or pad around dumpster.
33-19-4
Basic - Ice scoop handle in contact with ice. Scoop handles touching rice and black beans in storage bins. Operator corrected at time of inspection **Corrected On-Site**
10-08-5
Basic - In-use tongs stored on equipment door handle between uses. Tongs hanging on can opener handle. Employee removed at time of inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
10-20-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Hood vents soiled with grease
23-03-4
Basic - Open dumpster lid.
33-16-4
61
Jul 10, 2025
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 4 minor violations.
View 5 violations
High Priority - - From initial inspection : High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed a container of sausage patty 51 F, sliced ham 52 F and raw shell egg 58 F cold holding in ice bath on prep table at cook line. Operator moved items to reach-in freezer, re temped: sausage patty 28 F, sliced ham 34 F, raw shell eggs sold at time of inspection. A container of sliced ham 49 F at front sandwich station. Operator moved into reach-in cooler, re temped sliced ham 44F. **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2025-07-10: Sliced ham 52 F, sausage patties 36 F cold holding in ice bath on prep table at cook line. Employee added ice cubes to sliced ham. **Time Extended** **Corrective Action Taken**
03A-02-5
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Food not stored at least 6 inches off of the floor. Soda syrup boxes stored on floor at front service counter. **Repeat Violation** **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2025-07-10: A bucket with raw ground beef, raw ribs and raw pork stored on floor in walk-in cooler. **Time Extended**
08B-47-4
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Food storage container/container lid cracked or broken. Lids on rice bins. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2025-07-10: **Time Extended**
14-38-4
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Garbage on the ground and/or pad around dumpster. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2025-07-10: **Time Extended**
33-19-4
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Open dumpster lid. **Warning** **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2025-07-10: **Time Extended**
33-16-4
70
May 5, 2025
Routine - Food
3 critical violations. 5 major violations. 14 minor violations.
View 22 violations
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Raw bacon stored over cooked potato and sliced cheese in walk-in cooler. Operator rearranged items to prevent cross contamination. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
08A-05-6
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed a container of sausage patty 51 F, sliced ham 52 F and raw shell egg 58 F cold holding in ice bath on prep table at cook line. Operator moved items to reach-in freezer, re temped: sausage patty 28 F, sliced ham 34 F, raw shell eggs sold at time of inspection. A container of sliced ham 49 F at front sandwich station. Operator moved into reach-in cooler, re temped sliced ham 44F. **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning**
03A-02-5
High Priority - Food-contact surfaces not sanitized after cleaning, before use. Do not use equipment/utensils not properly sanitized. Sheet pan washed and rinsed, employee moved to shelf for air dry without sanitize the surface. Discussed with operator and educated employee how to sanitize food contact surfaces manually in three-compartments sink. **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning**
22-45-4
Intermediate - Operator is not properly tracking/marking the number of days ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite was held at refrigeration temperatures prior to freezing in order to properly date mark the food when it is thawed and held at refrigeration temperatures again. Cooked Spanish bean thawing in walk-in cooler. Shredded mozzarella cheese and cooked sausage patties in reach-in freezer. **Warning**
02C-04-5
Intermediate - Records/documents for required employee training do not contain all of the required information. Missing birthdays of employees on certificates. **Warning**
53B-10-4
Intermediate - Certified Food Manager or person in charge lacks knowledge of foodborne illnesses and symptoms of illness that would prevent an employee from working with food, clean equipment and utensils, and single-service items. **Warning**
11-07-5
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. **Warning**
11-27-4
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Can opener blade soiled with old food debris. **Warning**
22-02-4
Basic - Duct tape used to repair nonfood-contact surface. On walk-in cooler door gasket. **Warning**
14-71-4
Basic - Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Employee purse and sweater stored on soda syrup boxes. Removed. Employee keys and wallet stored on canned food at dry food storage shelf. Removed. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
40-06-5
Basic - Food not stored at least 6 inches off of the floor. Soda syrup boxes stored on floor at front service counter. **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
08B-47-4
Basic - Food storage container/container lid cracked or broken. Lids on rice bins. **Warning**
14-38-4
Basic - Garbage on the ground and/or pad around dumpster. **Warning**
33-19-4
Basic - Hood ventilation system inadequate as evidenced by grease accumulation on walls/ceiling. **Warning**
36-68-5
Basic - In-use utensil in non-time/temperature control for safety food not stored with handle above top of food within a closed container. Scoop handles touched food in rice bin. Operator moved handles up at time of inspection. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
10-01-5
Basic - Interior of microwave has accumulation of black substance/grease/food debris. Next to water heater in kitchen. **Warning**
22-08-4
Basic - Label on a food item prepared and packaged onsite for customer self-service does not include product identity/description, date product was packaged and name and address of the establishment that prepared and packaged the food. Flans in reach-in cooler at self service station in dining area. **Warning**
02D-03-4
Basic - Missing drain plug at dumpster. **Warning**
33-11-4
Basic - No Heimlich maneuver/choking sign posted. **Warning**
51-13-4
Basic - No mop sink or curbed cleaning facility provided at establishment. Mop sink removed due to impact with vehicle. Operator states that repair has been scheduled for today. **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning**
29-27-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Hood filters soiled with grease. **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
23-03-4
Basic - Open dumpster lid. **Warning** **Warning**
33-16-4
19
Sep 4, 2024
Routine - Food
6 minor violations.
View 6 violations
Basic - Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting. Observed plastic containers wet nesting under cookline prep table
24-08-4
Basic - Food not stored at least 6 inches off of the floor. Observed a container of potatoes stored on floor adjacent to hand sink on cookline **Repeat Violation**
08B-47-4
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 scoop handle stored in bulk rice on cookline
10-01-5
Basic - No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees. Observed missing at hand sink in dish area
31B-04-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed old food build up inside Traulsen reachin freezer on cookline
23-03-4
Basic - Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Observed bulk flour with no label on dry storage shelf
02D-01-5
74
May 28, 2024
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 3 minor violations.
View 5 violations
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed sliced cheese (52 - Cold Holding) in reachin cooler on service line Observed employee place on ice **Corrective Action Taken**
03A-02-5
High Priority - Employee dried hands on clothes/apron/soiled towel after washing. Observed employee dry hands on apron and replace gloves Inspector explained proper hand washing and gloves use
12A-18-4
Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Observed employee drink on prep table next to coffee maker Corrected observed employee remove **Corrected On-Site**
12B-07-4
Basic - Food not stored at least 6 inches off of the floor Observed a box of code and soda bib stored on floor on service line Corrected -observed employee place off floor **Corrected On-Site**
08B-47-4
Basic - Opened employee beverage container in a cold holding unit with food to be served to customers. Observed employee bottle of soda stored in reachin cooler on cookline
12B-13-4
64
Mar 29, 2024
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 5 minor violations.
View 7 violations
Hands Clean and Properly Washed
FL-08
Required Records Available; Shellstock Tags/Labels
FL-14
Non-Food Contact Surfaces Clean
FL-23
Approved Thawing Methods Used
FL-31
Lighting Adequate; Required Shields in Place
FL-36
Potentially Hazardous Food Held at Proper Temperature
FL-16
Food Contact Surfaces Clean and Sanitized
FL-22
58
Mar 28, 2024
Routine - Food
8 critical violations. 1 major violation. 13 minor violations.
View 22 violations
High Priority - Dented/rusted cans present. See stop sale. Dented/rusted cans present. See stop sale. Observed one can of green beans dented on dry storage shelf next to walk in refrigerator.
01B-01-4
High Priority - Dishmachine chlorine sanitizer not at proper minimum strength. Discontinue use of dishmachine for sanitizing and set up manual sanitization until dishmachine is repaired and sanitizing properly. Sanitizer was tested at 0ppm, operator changed out the sanitizer, ran the dishwasher machine, and tested sanitizer at 100ppm **Corrected On-Site**
22-41-4
High Priority - Nonfood-grade bags used in direct contact with food. Vegetables stored in no food grade bags in walk-in cooler
14-31-5
High Priority - Presence of insects, rodents, or other pests. 2 dead yellow insects by back lobby dining room along window seal.
35A-09-4
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Observed breaded raw chicken in walk-in refrigerator stored above ready to eat cooked potatoes. Observed raw shrimp stored over plantains in reach-in refrigerator next to water heater.
08A-05-6
High Priority - Roach activity present as evidenced by live roaches found. 2 live roach on floor next to water heater. 1 live roach next to ice machine. 1 live roach trapped on sticky trap next to water heater
35A-05-4
High Priority - Roach excrement and/or droppings present. 1 roach egg casing. 1 egg casing attached to dead roach on floor near ice machine.
35A-23-4
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed Milk 47F,Raw beef 49F,Raw chicken 45F,Cut tomato 45F in reachin cooler Observed Sliced cheese 47F in walk-in cooler Observed employee place raw chicken and raw beef on ice at time of inspection. Observed employee place milk in walk-in cooler
03A-02-5
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Meat slicer is dirty in kitchen.
22-02-4
Basic - Accumulation of dead or trapped birds, insects, rodents, or other pests, in control devices. 6 dead roaches in one sticky trap next to the water heater. 15 dead roaches in second sticky trap next to the water heater. 1 dead roach in sticky trap on top of outlet under front service count by espresso machine.
35A-06-4
Basic - Dead roaches on premises. 12 dead roaches on floor beneath shelving next to water heater. 5 dead roaches next to water heater. 5 dead roaches on floor behind ice machine. 1 dead roach with egg casing attached to body near the ice machine. 2 dead roaches on a can of green beans on stored shelf. 1 dead roach on floor next to burner. 1 dead roach on floor next to front service line by employee hand wash sink.
35A-03-4
Basic - Dishmachine has no data plate/operating specifications. Dish machine does not have a data label.
16-01-4
Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Personal drink stored on dry storage rack next to walk-in cooler above spices.
12B-07-4
Basic - Employee eating in a food preparation or other restricted area. Employees eating by working station inside kitchen
12B-02-4
Basic - Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Personal items stored on shelves above clean equipment next to water heater
40-06-5
Basic - Floor tiles missing and/or in disrepair. Floor tile broken in kitchen next to 3 compartment sink.
36-17-5
Basic - Food not stored at least 6 inches off of the floor. Milk in crates on floor of walk-in cooler
08B-47-4
Basic - Hole in or other damage to wall. Hole in wall behind water heater. Wall tile in disrepair on top of employee hand wash sink in kitchen next to water heater.
36-24-5
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Gasket is dirty on reach-in cooler next to ice machine Storage shelves soiled with grease and old food build up on cook line
23-03-4
Basic - Ripped/worn tin foil used as shelf cover. Tin foil linking is ripped and soiled under prep table shelf on cookline
14-20-4
Basic - Stored food not covered. Bowls of lettuce stacked on top of each other with no covering in between.
08B-12-5
Basic - No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees. No hand wash sign at hand sink next to water heater. **Repeat Violation**
31B-04-4
14
Aug 3, 2023
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 1 major violation. 3 minor violations.
View 6 violations
Certified Food Manager Identification
FL-02
Adequate Handwashing Facilities Supplied and Accessible
FL-10
Food Received at Proper Temperature
FL-12
Proper Hot and Cold Holding Temperatures
FL-21
Food Contact Surfaces Clean and Sanitized
FL-22
Approved Thawing Methods Used
FL-31
43
Apr 25, 2023
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 6 minor violations.
View 7 violations
High Priority - Employee failed to wash hands before putting on gloves to initiate a task working with food. Observed employee placing gloves on with no prior hand washing, corrected action taken , inspector discussed with kitchen manager proper hand washing when changing gloves . **Corrective Action Taken** **Repeat Violation**
12A-07-5
Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Employee drink stored over opened containers over spices, corrected, employee removed drink during inspection. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
12B-07-4
Basic - Food stored on floor. Container of raw fish stored on floor in walk in cooler.
08B-38-4
Basic - No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees. No employee must wash hands sign in kitchen. **Repeat Violation**
31B-04-4
Basic - Reach-in cooler interior/shelves have accumulation of soil residues. Reach in freezer bottom shelf with old beef blood and debris. **Repeat Violation**
22-16-4
Basic - Wet wiping cloth not stored in sanitizing solution between uses. **Repeat Violation**
21-12-4
Basic - Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Bulk containers in kitchen not labeled . **Repeat Violation**
02D-01-5
64
Dec 5, 2022
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 2 major violations. 5 minor violations.
View 8 violations
High Priority - Employee failed to wash hands before putting on gloves to initiate a task working with food. Observed employee placing gloves on with no prior hand washing, corrected action taken, inspector discussed with kitchen staff proper procedures regarding glove changing. **Corrective Action Taken**
12A-07-5
Intermediate - Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Employee hand wash sink blocked by bucket do sanitizer, corrected, employee removed bucket during inspection. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
31A-09-4
Intermediate - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Potato salad made in house , sliced tomatoes, potato balls all held over 24 hrs not date marked . **Repeat Violation**
02C-02-5
Basic - In-use tongs stored on equipment door handle between uses. Tongs stored on fryer handles on cooks line .
10-20-4
Basic - No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees. No employee must wash hands sign over employee hand wash sink in kitchen.
31B-04-4
Basic - Time/temperature control for safety food thawed in an improper manner. Potato balls thawing out on counter , corrected, employee placed potato balls I'm reach in cooler to continue the thawing process .
06-01-5
Basic - Wet wiping cloth not stored in sanitizing solution between uses. **Repeat Violation**
21-12-4
Basic - Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Bulk containers not labeled . **Repeat Violation**
02D-01-5
55
Frequently Asked Questions
When was La Bamba Restaurant last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at La Bamba Restaurant on file is from Oct 24, 2025. The public record contains 10 inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at La Bamba Restaurant?
Across the inspection record, “nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease” has been cited four times, more than any other issue at La Bamba Restaurant.
How does La Bamba Restaurant compare to other restaurants in Tampa?
La Bamba Restaurant most recently scored 61 out of 100, which is lower than the Tampa average of 79.
Has La Bamba Restaurant's inspection record improved over time?
No. Recent inspections at La Bamba Restaurant have averaged around 12 violations per visit, up from roughly six earlier in the record.
What does a medium risk rating mean?
A medium risk rating at La Bamba Restaurant means the most recent inspection turned up a handful of issues that the health department wrote up but did not classify as critical.
How often is La Bamba Restaurant inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, La Bamba Restaurant is inspected around three times per year on average.
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