La Pollera Colorada

1226 S Highland Ave, Clearwater, FL 33756
Mexican / Latin
Last inspected: Mar 18, 2026
45
Score
High Risk

The health department has logged eight inspections at La Pollera Colorada, the earliest from 2022. On Mar 18, 2026, the health department conducted the most recent visit. The high risk label is a heads-up that the most recent visit didn't go well.

There hasn't been much movement either way: counts have stayed near eight violations per visit across recent inspections.

When inspectors have written things up, “raw animal food stored over/not properly separated” has been the most frequent reason, cited two times.

La Pollera Colorada's latest score of 45 falls below the Clearwater average of 79. Diners may want to weigh the inspection history when deciding to visit.

8
Inspections
4
Critical latest
0
Major latest
4
Minor latest
Inspection History
Mar 18, 2026
Routine - Food
4 critical violations. 4 minor violations.
View 8 violations
High Priority - Container of medicine improperly stored. Vitamins stored over reach in cooler. Operator relocated to non food preparation area. **Corrected On-Site**
41-07-4
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Raw shell eggs stored over ready to eat half n half in reach in cooler. Operator moved to bottom shelf. **Corrected On-Site**
08A-05-6
High Priority - Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. pinto beans (49F - Cold Holding), held overnight. Operator voluntarily discarded.
01B-02-5
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. pinto beans (49F - Cold Holding), held overnight. Operator voluntarily discarded. **Corrected On-Site**
03A-02-5
Basic - Food stored on floor. Bottled drinks stored on floor in area near restrooms.
08B-38-4
Basic - Ceiling not smooth, nonabsorbent and easily cleanable in food preparation, food storage, or warewashing areas. Acoustic tile in kitchen area. **Repeat Violation**
36-37-5
Basic - Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Containers of white and brown granular substances under prep table not labeled. **Repeat Violation**
02D-01-5
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Hood filters accumulated with grease.
23-03-4
45
Oct 13, 2025
Routine - Food
3 critical violations. 2 major violations. 4 minor violations.
View 9 violations
High Priority - Nonfood-grade bags used in direct contact with food. Raw meats throughout freezers stored in plastic produce bags. Discussed with operator that they need to use food safe bags.
14-31-5
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over or with ready-to-eat food in a freezer - not all products commercially packaged. Raw pork stored over cooked pork in reach in cooler. Operator moved cooked over raw. **Corrected On-Site**
08A-02-6
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Chicken held at 105F. Employee removed and heated on stove top to 165F. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
03B-01-6
Intermediate - Identity of food or food product misrepresented. Observed Swai in freezer. Grouper on menu. Operator showed us invoices with Swai on it and stated they were using it as Grouper. Educated that they would have to change the fish on the menu or order Grouper. **Admin Complaint**
52-01-4
Intermediate - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Plantains, chicken and tomatoes not date marked.
02C-02-5
Basic - Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. White powder substances not labeled on front counter and back kitchen area. Sauce not labeled in reach in cooler door. Frozen items not labeled.
02D-01-5
Basic - Reach-in coolers and freezers interior/shelves in center section of kitchen have have accumulation of soil residues.
22-16-4
Basic - Time/temperature control for safety food thawed in an improper manner. Pork thawing at room temp. Operator running water over pork in bin. **Corrective Action Taken**
06-01-5
Basic - Ceiling not smooth, nonabsorbent and easily cleanable in front kitchen area. Acoustic tiles in front kitchen area not smooth.
36-37-5
43
Jan 6, 2025
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 2 major violations. 3 minor violations.
View 7 violations
High Priority - Raw animal foods not properly separated from one another based upon minimum required cooking temperature when stored in a freezer - not all products commercially packaged in storage area **Repeat Violation**
08A-17-6
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. - cooked chicken 101F at steam table - cook reheated chicken to 172 F employee turned on the temperature dial turned in the third compartment **Corrected On-Site**
03B-01-6
Intermediate - No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink at cook line . Employees placed paper towels at hand wash sink **Corrected On-Site**
31B-02-4
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. Certificates expired for three employees
53B-14-5
Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table at cook line . Employee beverage relocated **Corrected On-Site**
12B-07-4
Basic - Food not stored at least 6 inches off of the floor. Bottles of drinks in back storage area .
08B-47-4
Basic - Reach-in freezer interior/shelves have accumulation of soil residues in storage room - employee in the process of cleaning the reach in freezer at the end of the inspection **Corrective Action Taken** **Repeat Violation**
22-16-4
52
Jul 12, 2024
Routine - Food
3 critical violations. 3 major violations. 2 minor violations.
View 8 violations
Supervisor/Person in Charge Present
FL-01
Hands Clean and Properly Washed
FL-08
Employee Health Policies Present
FL-03
Food Obtained from Approved Sources
FL-11
Food Received at Proper Temperature
FL-12
Food Contact Surfaces Clean and Sanitized
FL-22
Approved Thawing Methods Used
FL-31
Single-Use/Single-Service Articles Properly Stored and Used
FL-45
27
Jan 24, 2024
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 3 major violations. 3 minor violations.
View 7 violations
High Priority - Raw animal food ( raw chicken) stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food.( pitcher of salsa ) in back kitchen prep area - manager rearranged food **Corrected On-Site**
08A-05-6
Intermediate - Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Mop bucket in front of hand wash sink in food prep area - manager relocated mop bucket **Corrected On-Site**
31A-09-4
Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Pot stored in cook line hand wash sink -manager removed pot Reviewed with manager hand wash sinks must be accessible at all times and is used for washing hands only **Corrected On-Site**
31A-11-4
Intermediate - No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink in dishwashing area - manager restocked paper towels **Corrected On-Site**
31B-02-4
Basic - Equipment and utensils not washed, rinsed and sanitized in the correct order in three-compartment sink. Do not use dishes/equipment not properly sanitized. No rinse step at triple sink - discussed with manager who then explained to dish washer - triple sink then set up properly- dishes rewashed , rinsed and sanitized **Corrective Action Taken**
16-13-5
Basic - Food ( box of bananas ) stored on floor under triple sink - reviewed with manager proper food storage - manager relocated bananas **Corrected On-Site**
08B-38-4
Basic - Unpackaged food in an unprotected holding unit in a customer/nonsecure area in hallway near restrooms - discussed with manager - manager placed chain and lock of cooler **Corrected On-Site**
08B-63-4
55
Aug 21, 2023
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 7 minor violations.
View 9 violations
Certified Food Manager Identification
FL-02
Supervisor/Person in Charge Present
FL-01
Required Records Available; Shellstock Tags/Labels
FL-14
Proper Hot and Cold Holding Temperatures
FL-21
Non-Food Contact Surfaces Clean
FL-23
Warewashing Facilities Maintained and Used
FL-24
Lighting Adequate; Required Shields in Place
FL-36
Wiping Cloths Properly Used and Stored
FL-41
Food Received at Proper Temperature
FL-12
43
Mar 1, 2023
Routine - Food
3 critical violations. 1 major violation. 1 minor violation.
View 5 violations
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. black beans , temped at 1:00, had operator move to freezer. (49F - Cold Holding) **Corrective Action Taken** **Repeat Violation**
03A-02-5
High Priority - Chlorine sanitizer in sanitizer bucket not at proper minimum strength. Tested at 300ppm plus. Operator dumped and got new sanitizer water. Tested at 100ppm. **Corrected On-Site**
22-39-4
High Priority - Certified Food Manager or person in charge failed to verify employee health, exclusions or restrictions. Discussed with operator and emailed big six packet. **Corrective Action Taken**
11-02-5
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Fryer baskets on the cook line show excessive accumulation of food debris and grease. **Repeat Violation**
22-02-4
Basic - Current Hotel and Restaurant license not displayed. Current license displayed at time of inspection shows expiration date of 2-1-2023.
50-09-4
55
Oct 27, 2022
Routine - Food
1 major violation. 5 minor violations.
View 6 violations
Hands Clean and Properly Washed
FL-08
Required Records Available; Shellstock Tags/Labels
FL-14
Food Contact Surfaces Clean and Sanitized
FL-22
Non-Food Contact Surfaces Clean
FL-23
Hot and Cold Water Available; Adequate Pressure
FL-25
Lighting Adequate; Required Shields in Place
FL-36
70

Frequently Asked Questions

When was La Pollera Colorada last inspected?

The most recent health inspection at La Pollera Colorada on file is from Mar 18, 2026. The public record contains eight inspections in total.

What is the most common violation at La Pollera Colorada?

Across the inspection record, “raw animal food stored over/not properly separated” has been cited two times, more than any other issue at La Pollera Colorada.

How does La Pollera Colorada compare to other restaurants in Clearwater?

La Pollera Colorada most recently scored 45 out of 100, which is lower than the Clearwater average of 79.

Has La Pollera Colorada's inspection record improved over time?

Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at La Pollera Colorada have averaged around eight violations per visit across the recent record.

What does a high risk rating mean?

A high risk rating at La Pollera Colorada 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 La Pollera Colorada inspected?

Based on the inspection history on file, La Pollera Colorada is inspected around two times per year on average.