La Taqueria El Nopal
Last inspected: Jul 17, 2025
52
Score
La Taqueria El Nopal appears in inspection records 11 times, starting in 2022. The most recent report on file is from Jul 17, 2025. High risk usually means inspectors flagged either critical violations or a stack of smaller ones.
There hasn't been much movement either way: counts have stayed near seven violations per visit across recent inspections.
When inspectors have written things up, “food-contact surface soiled with food debris” has been the most frequent reason, cited five times.
That's lower than the typical Tampa restaurant, which scores around 79. Diners may want to weigh the inspection history when deciding to visit.
11
Inspections
2
Critical latest
2
Major latest
3
Minor latest
Inspection History
Jul 17, 2025
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 2 major violations. 3 minor violations.
View 7 violations
High Priority - Nonfood-grade bags used in direct contact with food. Cooked beef stored in shopping bag in Reach in cooler. Operator relocated beef into food-grade safe bag during time of inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
14-31-5
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Raw shell eggs and raw chicken stored over bread in Reach in cooler.
08A-05-6
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 - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Cutting board in Reach in cooler soiled. **Repeat Violation**
22-02-4
Basic - Ice buildup in reach-in freezer. **Repeat Violation**
14-69-4
Basic - Employee with no hair restraint while engaging in food preparation. Employee on front line cook not wearing hair net while preparing food. Employee wore hair net during time of inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
13-03-4
Basic - No conspicuously located ambient air temperature thermometer in holding unit. No ambient thermometer in any Reach in coolers. **Repeat Violation**
05-09-4
52
Mar 26, 2025
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 4 major violations. 6 minor violations.
View 11 violations
High Priority - Nonfood-grade bags used in direct contact with food. Cooked pork stored in shopping bag in soda Reach in cooler. Operator relocated pork into food grade co trainers during time of inspection. Discussed with operator. **Corrected On-Site**
14-31-5
Intermediate - Commercially processed ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food opened and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked after opening. Sour cream in Reach in cooler not date marked.
02C-03-5
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Cutting board on front line Reach in cooler soiled. **Repeat Violation**
22-02-4
Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Bowl of frozen meat inside Employee handwash sink, used for thawing. Operator relocated meat during time of inspection. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
31A-11-4
Intermediate - No chemical test kit provided when using sanitizer at three-compartment sink/warewashing machine or wiping cloths. No Quaternary ammonia test kit for three compartment sink or sanitizer bucket.
16-37-1
Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Employee water bottle on top of mini Reach in freezer. **Repeat Violation**
12B-07-4
Basic - Employee with no hair restraint while engaging in food preparation. 2 employees not wearing hear restraint while preparing food. **Repeat Violation**
13-03-4
Basic - Ice buildup in reach-in freezer and/or walk-in freezer. Inside Reach in freezer. **Repeat Violation**
14-69-4
Basic - No conspicuously located ambient air temperature thermometer in holding unit. Located inside front line Reach in cooler. **Repeat Violation**
05-09-4
Basic - Time/temperature control for safety food thawed in an improper manner. Cooked pork thawing in room temperature inside Employee handwash sink. Operator relocated pork to freezer during time of inspection. Discussed with operator. **Corrected On-Site**
06-01-5
Basic - Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Squeeze bottle of sour cream on front line Reach in cooler not labeled.
02D-01-5
43
Nov 5, 2024
Routine - Food
5 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Employee with no hair restraint while engaging in food preparation. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2024-11-05: Observed 3 employees with no hair restraint while engaging in food preparation. **Admin Complaint**
13-03-4
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Ice buildup in reach-in freezer and/or reach-in freezer. Located beneath microwave. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2024-11-05: Ice buildup in reach-in freezer and/or reach-in freezer. Located beneath microwave. **Admin Complaint**
14-69-4
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - No conspicuously located ambient air temperature thermometer in holding unit. Located inside the Reach in cooler. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2024-11-05: No conspicuously located ambient air temperature thermometer in holding unit. **Admin Complaint**
05-09-4
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Wastewater tank not an integral part of the unit. Wastewater is being plumber through pipe into the portable waste tank on the ground. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2024-11-05: Wastewater tank not an integral part of the unit. Wastewater is being plumber through pipe into the portable waste tank on the ground. **Admin Complaint**
28-10-4
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Cardboard used to line food-contact shelves. Located in Reach in cooler for sodas. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2024-11-05: Cardboard used to line food-contact shelves. Located in Reach in cooler for sodas. **Admin Complaint**
14-05-4
78
Aug 9, 2024
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 3 major violations. 9 minor violations.
View 14 violations
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Raw salmon and shell eggs stored over bread, tortillas, shredded cheese, refried beans, and unwashed vegetables. Located inside soda Reach in cooler. Operator rearranged all food items properly during time of inspection. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
08A-05-6
High Priority - Employee failed to wash hands before putting on gloves to initiate a task working with food. Operator did not wash hands after changing tasks. Discussed with operator the importance of hand washing when switching tasks. **Warning**
12A-07-5
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Cutting board on Reach in cooler soiled with food stains. **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
22-02-4
Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Cutting board on Employee handwash sink. Operator removed cutting board during time of inspection. **Warning**
31A-11-4
Intermediate - Potable water tank not an integral part of the unit. **Warning**
27-01-4
Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Water bottle stored on shelf next to microwave. 2 Water bottles stored on prep table beneath microwave. Operator removed bottles into a hotel pan during time of inspection. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
12B-07-4
Basic - Employee with no hair restraint while engaging in food preparation. **Warning**
13-03-4
Basic - Ice buildup in reach-in freezer and/or reach-in freezer. Located beneath microwave. **Warning**
14-69-4
Basic - No conspicuously located ambient air temperature thermometer in holding unit. Located inside the Reach in cooler. **Warning**
05-09-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Gaskets for Reach in cooler and Reach in freezer are soiled. **Warning**
23-03-4
Basic - Opened employee beverage container in a cold holding unit with food to be served to customers. Personal drink inside soda Reach in cooler. **Warning**
12B-13-4
Basic - Wastewater tank not an integral part of the unit. Wastewater is being plumber through pipe into the portable waste tank on the ground. **Warning**
28-10-4
Basic - Cardboard used to line food-contact shelves. Located in Reach in cooler for sodas. **Warning**
14-05-4
Basic - Condensation or other drainage not disposed of according to law. Condensation pipe at exterior of food truck draining onto ground. **Warning**
28-02-4
35
Jul 26, 2024
Routine - Food
3 major violations.
View 3 violations
Food Contact Surfaces Clean and Sanitized
FL-22
Plumbing Installed; Proper Backflow Devices
FL-28
Toilet Rooms Maintained
FL-53
74
May 23, 2024
Routine - Food
3 major violations.
View 3 violations
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Cutting boards in kitchen. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2024-05-23: **Time Extended**
22-02-4
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : Intermediate - Mobile food dispensing vehicle disposing liquid waste improperly. Operator is dumping liquid waste into blue RV tank. Per operator he does not have a waste water tank on MFDV. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2024-05-23: **Time Extended**
28-09-5
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : 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. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2024-05-23: **Time Extended**
53B-14-5
74
May 21, 2024
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 4 major violations. 1 minor violation.
View 6 violations
High Priority - Mobile food dispensing vehicle obtaining water from an unapproved source. Operator is getting water from spigot on side of PNC Bank parking lot. **Warning**
27-27-4
Intermediate - Self-sufficient mobile food dispensing vehicle operating from an unapproved commissary. License location is the owners private residence. Operator is getting water for MFDV across the street from spigot at PNC bank. Operator states that he takes his waste water in RV tank to EZ Pro kitchen. **Warning**
51-22-4
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Cutting boards in kitchen. **Warning**
22-02-4
Intermediate - Mobile food dispensing vehicle disposing liquid waste improperly. Operator is dumping liquid waste into blue RV tank. Per operator he does not have a waste water tank on MFDV. **Warning**
28-09-5
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. **Warning**
53B-14-5
Basic - Mobile food dispensing vehicle is not vehicle mounted. Waste water tank is on the ground outside of truck. **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
51-35-1
55
Oct 4, 2023
Routine - Food
No violations found.
100
Aug 1, 2023
Routine - Food
2 major violations. 1 minor violation.
View 3 violations
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 - 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. Provided for management to sign and employees signed. Manager and some employees signed next unannounced routine inspection **Warning**
11-26-1
Basic - Mobile food dispensing vehicle is not self-propelled or otherwise movable from place to place. Waste water tank is on the ground outside of the truck. **Warning**
51-36-1
78
Mar 16, 2023
Routine - Food
1 major violation.
View 1 violation
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : Intermediate - Nonself-sufficient mobile food dispensing vehicle not reporting to commissary as required. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2023-03-16: **Time Extended**
51-23-4
90
Jul 19, 2022
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 1 minor violation.
View 3 violations
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Cold holding: reach in cooler by entrance door.cooked beef 55 f cooked beef broth 55 f cooked rice 53 f operator placed in reach in freezer 2nd temp all temps to 43 f at 11:35 am. **Repeat Violation**
03A-02-5
Intermediate - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Cooked rice and cooked pork and beef broth reach in cooler not dated.
02C-02-5
Basic - No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees. **Repeat Violation**
31B-04-4
74
Frequently Asked Questions
When was La Taqueria El Nopal last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at La Taqueria El Nopal on file is from Jul 17, 2025. The public record contains 11 inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at La Taqueria El Nopal?
Across the inspection record, “food-contact surface soiled with food debris” has been cited five times, more than any other issue at La Taqueria El Nopal.
How does La Taqueria El Nopal compare to other restaurants in Tampa?
La Taqueria El Nopal most recently scored 52 out of 100, which is lower than the Tampa average of 79.
Has La Taqueria El Nopal's inspection record improved over time?
Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at La Taqueria El Nopal have averaged around seven violations per visit across the recent record.
What does a high risk rating mean?
A high risk rating at La Taqueria El Nopal 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 Taqueria El Nopal inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, La Taqueria El Nopal is inspected around four times per year on average.
Nearby Restaurants