La Vera Cruzana
Last inspected: Feb 17, 2026
90
Score
Inspectors have visited La Vera Cruzana six times, with records going back to 2023. The most recent report on file is from Feb 17, 2026. Diners can read the low risk label as a sign that recent inspections have gone well.
The picture has improved over the last few visits: recent inspections have averaged around four violations, down from roughly six violations earlier in the record.
When inspectors have written things up, “ready-to-eat” has been the most frequent reason, cited three times.
That puts the facility ahead of the local pack: the average Tampa restaurant scores 79. Taken together, the history is a positive one.
6
Inspections
0
Critical latest
1
Major latest
0
Minor latest
Inspection History
Feb 17, 2026
Routine - Food
1 major violation.
View 1 violation
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : Intermediate - No plan review submitted and approved - renovations were made or are in progress. Must submit plans and plan review application to DBPR H and R Plan Review office located at 2601 Blair Stone Rd., Tallahassee, FL 32399-1011. Plans must be submitted AND approved within 60 days. The direct link to the Plan Review page is https://www2.myfloridalicense.com/hotels-restaurants/licensing/plan-review/. Operator has an axle-mounted box trailer on site with dry storage shelving and 2 refrigerators, not included in approved plans, dated 6/17/2021. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2026-02-17: No plans submitted / received per Cindy at Plan Review as of 2/17/2026. **Admin Complaint**
51-16-7
90
Dec 16, 2025
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 3 major violations.
View 5 violations
High Priority - Nonfood-grade bags used in direct contact with food. Frozen bread in reach in freezer stored in shopping bags. **Warning**
14-31-5
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Raw shell eggs stored over shredded cheese in flip top cooler. Operator placed eggs on lower shelf. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
08A-05-6
Intermediate - No plan review submitted and approved - renovations were made or are in progress. Must submit plans and plan review application to DBPR H and R Plan Review office located at 2601 Blair Stone Rd., Tallahassee, FL 32399-1011. Plans must be submitted AND approved within 60 days. The direct link to the Plan Review page is https://www2.myfloridalicense.com/hotels-restaurants/licensing/plan-review/. Operator has an axle-mounted box trailer on site with dry storage shelving and 2 refrigerators, not included in approved plans, dated 6/17/2021. **Warning**
51-16-7
Intermediate - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Pans of chicken, beef and pork in reach in cooler not date marked. **Warning**
02C-02-5
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. **Warning**
53B-01-5
55
Aug 27, 2025
Routine - Food
3 major violations. 2 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : Intermediate - No plan review submitted and approved - renovations were made or are in progress. Must submit plans and plan review application to DBPR H and R Plan Review office located at 2601 Blair Stone Rd., Tallahassee, FL 32399-1011. Plans must be submitted AND approved within 60 days. The direct link to the Plan Review page is https://www2.myfloridalicense.com/hotels-restaurants/licensing/plan-review/. Operator has an axle-mounted box trailer on site with dry storage shelving and 2 refrigerators, not included in approved plans. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2025-08-27: No plan review submitted for storage trailer. **Admin Complaint**
51-16-7
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : 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. One employee, working for 2 weeks, no food handler training. Emailed reporting agreement. **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2025-08-27: No reporting agreements available , two employees **Admin Complaint**
11-26-1
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : Intermediate - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Multiple items in reach in coolers not date marked **Repeat Violation** **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2025-08-27: **Admin Complaint**
02C-02-5
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Mobile food dispensing vehicle license number not permanently affixed on the side of the unit in figures at least 2 inches high and in contrasting colors from the background of the vehicle. operator placed numbers **Corrected On-Site** **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2025-08-27: 2 inch numbers not affixed to exterior of unit. **Admin Complaint**
50-04-4
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Mobile food dispensing vehicle connected to utilities on more than a temporary basis. Observed hand sink attached to outside of the unit, hard-plumbed. Fresh water tank observed disconnected at the front of the MFDV. Fresh water is hard plumbed into unit. Wast tank located on MFDV, but valves direct waste water into hard waste line. Unit hard-connected to large propane on the ground outside the unit. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2025-08-27: Hand sink removed. Propane tank has quick disconnect. No portable water tank attached, still hard plumbed fresh water. Waste water still hard plumbed into PVC pipe leading into the ground. **Admin Complaint**
51-06-4
67
May 9, 2025
Routine - Food
3 critical violations. 4 major violations. 5 minor violations.
View 12 violations
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. Improper chlorine bleach used for sanitizing food contact surfaces. Educated operator on the correct bleach to use, provided example photo. Operator purchased correct bleach for sanitizing. **Corrected On-Site** **Admin Complaint**
22-48-5
High Priority - Nonfood-grade bags used in direct contact with food. Tortillas, Bread, and frozen beef patties observed in shopping bags. **Warning**
14-31-5
High Priority - Raw animal foods not properly separated from each other in holding unit based upon minimum required cooking temperature. Observed raw chicken stored over raw beef in reach in cooler in storage trailer. Operator moved chicken to bottom shelf. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
08A-20-5
Intermediate - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Multiple items in reach in coolers not date marked **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
02C-02-5
Intermediate - Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Sponges, steel wool, bowl in hand sink. Operator removed. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
31A-09-4
Intermediate - No plan review submitted and approved - renovations were made or are in progress. Must submit plans and plan review application to DBPR H and R Plan Review office located at 2601 Blair Stone Rd., Tallahassee, FL 32399-1011. Plans must be submitted AND approved within 60 days. The direct link to the Plan Review page is https://www2.myfloridalicense.com/hotels-restaurants/licensing/plan-review/. Operator has an axle-mounted box trailer on site with dry storage shelving and 2 refrigerators, not included in approved plans. **Warning**
51-16-7
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. One employee, working for 2 weeks, no food handler training. Emailed reporting agreement. **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning**
11-26-1
Basic - Food stored outside. Bottled soft drinks and water stored in refrigerator on outside of MFDV. Refrigerator is bolted to the side of the MFDV. **Warning**
08B-42-4
Basic - Mobile food dispensing vehicle connected to utilities on more than a temporary basis. Observed hand sink attached to outside of the unit, hard-plumbed. Fresh water tank observed disconnected at the front of the MFDV. Fresh water is hard plumbed into unit. Wast tank located on MFDV, but valves direct waste water into hard waste line. Unit hard-connected to large propane on the ground outside the unit. **Warning**
51-06-4
Basic - Mobile food dispensing vehicle license number not permanently affixed on the side of the unit in figures at least 2 inches high and in contrasting colors from the background of the vehicle. operator placed numbers **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
50-04-4
Basic - Unwrapped single-service utensils not presented so that only the handles are touched. Plastic forks. Operator inverted. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
25-02-4
Basic - Wet wiping cloth not stored in sanitizing solution between uses. **Warning**
21-12-4
33
Mar 21, 2024
Routine - Food
1 major violation. 2 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Certified Food Manager Identification
FL-02
Proper Hot and Cold Holding Temperatures
FL-21
Food Received at Proper Temperature
FL-12
82
Dec 11, 2023
Complaint Full
2 major violations.
View 2 violations
Certified Food Manager Identification
FL-02
Approved Thawing Methods Used
FL-31
82
Frequently Asked Questions
When was La Vera Cruzana last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at La Vera Cruzana on file is from Feb 17, 2026. The public record contains six inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at La Vera Cruzana?
Across the inspection record, “ready-to-eat” has been cited three times, more than any other issue at La Vera Cruzana.
How does La Vera Cruzana compare to other restaurants in Tampa?
La Vera Cruzana most recently scored 90 out of 100, which is higher than the Tampa average of 79.
Has La Vera Cruzana's inspection record improved over time?
Yes. Recent inspections at La Vera Cruzana have averaged around four violations per visit, down from roughly six earlier in the record.
What does a low risk rating mean?
A low risk rating at La Vera Cruzana means inspectors found minimal or no significant issues at the most recent visit. Most facilities at this tier have a clean recent inspection report.
How often is La Vera Cruzana inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, La Vera Cruzana is inspected around three times per year on average.
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