Lorita's Fresh Mexican Food
Last inspected: Apr 22, 2026
64
Score
Lorita's Fresh Mexican Food appears in inspection records 11 times, starting in 2022. The most recent report on file is from Apr 22, 2026. When a facility lands in medium risk territory, it usually means a mixed inspection result.
Things are looking better lately, with recent visits averaging around three violations compared to roughly eight violations earlier on.
The most common issue across all inspections has been “food-contact surface soiled with food debris”, showing up six times.
Lorita's Fresh Mexican Food's latest score of 64 falls below the Tampa average of 79. The inspection history reads as standard for a restaurant of this size.
11
Inspections
1
Critical latest
3
Major latest
0
Minor latest
Inspection History
Apr 22, 2026
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 3 major violations.
View 4 violations
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Hot holding: shredded cooked beef 81 F, Per operator beef was made 2 hours earlier. Operator had employee reheat at time of inspection to bring back up to temperature. **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning**
03B-01-6
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Cutting boards on reach in cooler. **Warning**
22-02-4
Intermediate - Manager or person in charge lacking proof of food manager certification. **Warning**
53A-01-7
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
64
Jul 29, 2025
Routine - Food
1 major violation. 1 minor violation.
View 2 violations
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Cutting boards in kitchen. **Repeat Violation** - From follow-up inspection 2025-07-17: **Time Extended** - From follow-up inspection 2025-07-29: **Time Extended**
22-02-4
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Old labels stuck to food containers after cleaning on clear containers on dish drying rack. - From follow-up inspection 2025-07-17: **Time Extended** - From follow-up inspection 2025-07-29: **Time Extended**
16-46-4
86
Jul 17, 2025
Routine - Food
1 major violation. 2 minor 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. **Repeat Violation** - From follow-up inspection 2025-07-17: **Time Extended**
22-02-4
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Food stored in a prohibited area. Operator had a dry good delivery being made at time of inspection. Operator stated all Togo containers and paper goods were stored at storage facility called Morningstar on Causeway Boulevard Tampa,Fl. Inspector went to storage facility to see items in storage unit. Operator must keep all items for establishment at licensed location. - From follow-up inspection 2025-07-17: **Time Extended**
08B-37-4
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Old labels stuck to food containers after cleaning on clear containers on dish drying rack. - From follow-up inspection 2025-07-17: **Time Extended**
16-46-4
82
Jul 7, 2025
Routine - Food
4 critical violations. 1 major violation. 5 minor violations.
View 10 violations
High Priority - Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. Cold Holding: cut lettuce 50 F, guacamole 49 F, Per operator items were left overnight in reach in cooler and is unaware when items went out of temperature.
01B-02-5
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Raw shell eggs over chipotle sauce and garlic cilantro sauce in reach in cooler of dry storage room. Raw shrimp over salsa in walk in cooler. Operator relocated to prevent cross contamination. **Corrected On-Site**
08A-05-6
High Priority - Employee touching ready-to-eat food with their bare hands - food was not being heated as a sole ingredient to 145 degrees F or immediately added to other ingredients to be cooked/heated to the minimum required temperature to allow bare hand contact. Establishment has no approved Alternative Operating Procedure. Employee squeeze limes without gloves. Inspector spoke with operator about proper hand washing procedures.
09-01-4
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Cold Holding: cut lettuce 50 F, guacamole 49 F, Per operator items were left overnight in reach in cooler and is unaware when items went out of temperature.
03A-02-5
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Cutting boards in kitchen. **Repeat Violation**
22-02-4
Basic - Single-service articles improperly stored. Multiple bulk boxes of Togo containers, lids and cups on floor in storage unit.
25-05-4
Basic - Opened employee beverage container in a cold holding unit with food to be served to customers. Employee energy drink in reach in cooler in dry storage room. Operator removed. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
12B-13-4
Basic - Old labels stuck to food containers after cleaning on clear containers on dish drying rack.
16-46-4
Basic - No conspicuously located ambient air temperature thermometer in holding unit. Reach in cooler across from stove.
05-09-4
Basic - Food stored in a prohibited area. Operator had a dry good delivery being made at time of inspection. Operator stated all Togo containers and paper goods were stored at storage facility called Morningstar on Causeway Boulevard Tampa,Fl. Inspector went to storage facility to see items in storage unit. Operator must keep all items for establishment at licensed location.
08B-37-4
39
Feb 12, 2025
Complaint Full
1 major violation. 2 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Adequate Handwashing Facilities Supplied and Accessible
FL-10
Food Received at Proper Temperature
FL-12
Food Contact Surfaces Clean and Sanitized
FL-22
78
Jan 17, 2025
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 3 major violations. 5 minor violations.
View 10 violations
High Priority - Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. Cold holding: beef cooked 56 F, Beef in walk in cooler date marked 1-16-25 was made yesterday and held overnight in walk in cooler. Operator is unaware when items went out of temperature.
01B-02-5
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Cold holding: beef cooked 56 F, Beef in walk in cooler date marked 1-16-25 was made yesterday and held overnight in walk in cooler. Operator is unaware when items went out of temperature.
03A-02-5
Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Scraper on handwash sink in kitchen. Employee removed. **Corrected On-Site**
31A-11-4
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Cutting boards in kitchen.
22-02-4
Intermediate - Probe thermometer not used to ensure proper food temperatures. Operator stated she has not taken temperature of food in walk in cooler.
05-10-4
Basic - Employee personal food not properly identified and segregated from food to be served to the public. Employee strawberries in reach in cooler in dry storage area. Operator relocated. **Corrected On-Site**
08B-49-4
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. Employee had 3 compartment sink set up with only wash and sanitizer bay filled. Operator has employee set up 3 compartment sink in correct order.
16-13-5
Basic - Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Employee jacket on single use items in dry storage.
40-06-5
Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Employee dowager bottle on prep table in kitchen. Employee relocated.
12B-07-4
Basic - Floor soiled/has accumulation of debris. Dry storage.
36-73-4
43
Jul 11, 2024
Complaint Full
2 major violations. 4 minor violations.
View 6 violations
Certified Food Manager Identification
FL-02
Hands Clean and Properly Washed
FL-08
Adequate Handwashing Facilities Supplied and Accessible
FL-10
Proper Hot and Cold Holding Temperatures
FL-21
Food Contact Surfaces Clean and Sanitized
FL-22
Personal Cleanliness
FL-40
67
Feb 28, 2024
Routine - Food
3 critical violations. 1 major violation. 7 minor violations.
View 11 violations
High Priority - Vacuum breaker missing at mop sink faucet or on fitting/splitter added to mop sink faucet. Splitter missing vacuum breaker.
29-42-4
High Priority - Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. Chemicals above soda boxes, operator removed at time of inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
41-10-4
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Raw fish over strawberry puree in reach in freezer.
08A-05-6
Intermediate - No currently certified food service manager on duty with four or more employees engaged in food preparation/handling. A list of accredited food manager certification examination providers can be found at http://www.myfloridalicense.com/DBPR/hotels-restaurants/food-lodging/food-manager/ 6+ employees working with no food manager on site.
53A-05-6
Basic - Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting. Containers wet nesting next to 3 Compartment Sink.
24-08-4
Basic - Floor soiled/has accumulation of debris. Throughout kitchen.
36-73-4
Basic - In-use tongs stored on equipment door handle between uses. Tongs on below grill. Operator removed at time of inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
10-20-4
Basic - In-use utensil in non-time/temperature control for safety food not stored with handle above top of food within a closed container. Scoop handle in rice, in dry storage.
10-01-5
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Reach in cooler gaskets on cook line. Reach in cooler door handle on cook line. Exterior of equipment through kitchen.
23-03-4
Basic - Single-service articles not stored inverted or protected from contamination. To go boxes not inverted near register, operator inverted at time of inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
25-06-4
Basic - Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Container of cinnamon sugar not labeled, operator labeled at time of inspection. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
02D-01-5
41
Oct 24, 2023
Routine - Food
7 minor violations.
View 7 violations
Basic - Employee personal food not properly identified and segregated from food to be served to the public. Employee food on tortillas in reach in cooler. Operator relocated at time if inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
08B-49-4
Basic - Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Employee phone on shelf over prep table and next to single service bowls. Operator removed at time of inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
40-06-5
Basic - No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees at handwash sink next to kitchen door. Operator put on at time of inspection. **Repeat Violation**
31B-04-4
Basic - Unsealed concrete floor in food preparation, food storage, warewashing area or bathroom. In walk in cooler. **Repeat Violation**
36-02-5
Basic - Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Bulk salt and garlic powder.
02D-01-5
Basic - Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Bowl in bulk sugar.
14-01-5
Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Employee monster energy drink on slicer in kitchen. Operator removed at time of inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
12B-07-4
70
Jun 27, 2023
Routine - Food
3 major violations. 3 minor violations.
View 6 violations
Food Obtained from Approved Sources
FL-11
Hot and Cold Water Available; Adequate Pressure
FL-25
Approved Thawing Methods Used
FL-31
Lighting Adequate; Required Shields in Place
FL-36
Wiping Cloths Properly Used and Stored
FL-41
Washing Fruits and Vegetables
FL-42
61
Dec 5, 2022
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 2 major violations. 3 minor violations.
View 7 violations
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over or with unwashed produce. Raw fish over limes in walk in cooler operator relocated to prevent cross contamination. **Corrected On-Site**
08A-04-5
High Priority - Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. Bleach held under prep table next to bulk corn oil. Operator relocated at time of inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
41-10-4
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Cutting boards in kitchen.
22-02-4
Intermediate - No soap provided at handwash sink. Soap dispenser broken at handwash sink next to grill.
31B-03-4
Basic - Equipment in poor repair. Gaskets ripped on small cooler next to office.
14-11-5
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Gaskets soiled in cooler throughout kitchen.
23-03-4
Basic - Stored food not covered. Cooked beef and chicken in reach in cooler stored with no lid. Operator put lid at time of inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
08B-12-5
52
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Lorita's Fresh Mexican Food last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Lorita's Fresh Mexican Food on file is from Apr 22, 2026. The public record contains 11 inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Lorita's Fresh Mexican Food?
Across the inspection record, “food-contact surface soiled with food debris” has been cited six times, more than any other issue at Lorita's Fresh Mexican Food.
How does Lorita's Fresh Mexican Food compare to other restaurants in Tampa?
Lorita's Fresh Mexican Food most recently scored 64 out of 100, which is lower than the Tampa average of 79.
Has Lorita's Fresh Mexican Food's inspection record improved over time?
Yes. Recent inspections at Lorita's Fresh Mexican Food have averaged around three violations per visit, down from roughly eight earlier in the record.
What does a medium risk rating mean?
A medium risk rating at Lorita's Fresh Mexican Food 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 Lorita's Fresh Mexican Food inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Lorita's Fresh Mexican Food is inspected around three times per year on average.
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