Los Chapos Tacos
Last inspected: Apr 7, 2026
64
Score
Los Chapos Tacos appears in inspection records 10 times, starting in 2022. The most recent visit was on Apr 7, 2026. Diners should read medium risk as a signal that some issues exist but aren't extreme.
The picture has gotten worse over the last few visits, with the average climbing from around two violations to closer to six violations.
The pattern that stands out is “food-contact surface soiled with food debris”, which has been cited seven times.
Los Chapos Tacos' latest score of 64 falls below the Tampa average of 79. The record is unremarkable in either direction.
10
Inspections
1
Critical latest
1
Major latest
4
Minor latest
Inspection History
Apr 7, 2026
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 4 minor violations.
View 6 violations
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Hot holding: cooked beans 121 F, cooked beef 111 F, Per operator items were cooked then placed in steam well 30 minutes prior. Operator put on grill at time of inspection to bring back up to temperature. **Corrective Action Taken**
03B-01-6
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Cutting boards in kitchen. **Repeat Violation**
22-02-4
Basic - Carbon dioxide/helium tanks not adequately secured. Multiple tanks in striate room near soda boxes. **Repeat Violation**
51-11-4
Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Employee opened bottle of water on prep table in kitchen. Employee removed. **Corrected On-Site**
12B-07-4
Basic - Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Multiple employees phones on prep table in kitchen.
40-06-5
Basic - Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin.Ice machine in kitchen.
22-20-5
64
Nov 20, 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. - From follow-up inspection 2025-11-20: **Time Extended**
22-02-4
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Carbon dioxide/helium tanks not adequately secured. Multiple tanks not secure in soda box/dry storage room on sandwich side of restaurant. - From follow-up inspection 2025-11-20: **Time Extended**
51-11-4
86
Sep 17, 2025
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 2 major violations. 5 minor violations.
View 9 violations
High Priority - Container of medicine improperly stored. Burn gel next to juices and Bloody Mary mix in room with ice machine. Operator removed. **Corrected On-Site**
41-07-4
High Priority - Raw animal foods not properly separated from each other in holding unit based upon minimum required cooking temperature. Raw shell eggs over raw beef in large reach in cooler near small dry storage room. Operator relocated at time of inspection to avoid cross contamination.
08A-20-5
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Cutting boards in kitchen.
22-02-4
Intermediate - No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. Handwash sink next to ice bin on sandwich side.
31B-02-4
Basic - Carbon dioxide/helium tanks not adequately secured. Multiple tanks not secure in soda box/dry storage room on sandwich side of restaurant.
51-11-4
Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Employee opened water bottle in shelf over prep table in kitchen.
12B-07-4
Basic - Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Employee purse on shelf over prep table in kitchen. Employee phone on prep table next to reach in cooler on sandwich side if restaurant.
40-06-5
Basic - Ice scoop handle in contact with ice. Ice bin of sandwich side.
10-08-5
Basic - Time/temperature control for safety food packaged using a reduced oxygen method without a HACCP plan not removed from its package within 48 hours after packaging. Cooked chicken, cooked beef, raw pork and multiple items in reach in coolers.
03G-54-1
47
Feb 27, 2025
Complaint Partial
No violations found.
100
Feb 24, 2025
Complaint Partial
No violations found.
100
Jan 31, 2025
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 3 major violations. 2 minor violations.
View 6 violations
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Hot Holding: chicken 101 F, operator reheated at time of inspection. **Corrective Action Taken**
03B-01-6
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Cutting boards.
22-02-4
Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Whisk in handwash sink at sandwich station. Operator removed. **Corrected On-Site**
31A-11-4
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.
53B-14-5
Basic - Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Red bowl in frozen potatoes in reach in freezer.
14-01-5
Basic - Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Employee phones and Keyes on shelf over prep table in kitchen.
40-06-5
58
Aug 14, 2024
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 2 major violations. 3 minor violations.
View 6 violations
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Raw shell eggs over cooked meatballs in reach in cooler. Operator removed at time of inspection. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
08A-05-6
Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Wooden paddle on handwash sink in kitchen near ice machine.
31A-11-4
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Cutting boards in kitchen. **Repeat Violation**
22-02-4
Basic - Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Plastic bowl in bulk rice.
14-01-5
Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Employee water bottles on shelf over sandwich press in kitchen. Employee removed at time of inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
12B-07-4
Basic - Food stored on floor. Bulk rice on floor in dry storage area. Operator removed at time of inspection. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
08B-38-4
61
Apr 9, 2024
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 2 major violations. 3 minor violations.
View 6 violations
Hands Clean and Properly Washed
FL-08
Potentially Hazardous Food Held at Proper Temperature
FL-16
Required Records Available; Shellstock Tags/Labels
FL-14
Food Contact Surfaces Clean and Sanitized
FL-22
Approved Thawing Methods Used
FL-31
Equipment, Food and Non-Food Contact Surfaces Approved
FL-35
58
Oct 25, 2023
Routine - Food
2 major violations. 6 minor violations.
View 8 violations
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Cutting boards in kitchen. **Repeat Violation**
22-02-4
Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Wet wiping cloth in handwash sink near slicer.
31A-11-4
Basic - In-use utensil in non-time/temperature control for safety food not stored with handle above top of food within a closed container. Handle of scoop in bulk rice. **Repeat Violation**
10-01-5
Basic - Wet wiping cloth not stored in sanitizing solution between uses held in handwash sink near slicer.
21-12-4
Basic - Ice scoop handle in contact with ice. Operator removed at time of inspection.
10-08-5
Basic - Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable. Cutting boards at taco and sandwich station. **Repeat Violation**
14-09-4
Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Employee drink on prep table near ice machine. Operator removed at time of inspection.
12B-07-4
Basic - Food stored on floor. Bulk oil on floor in dry storage area. Operator removed at time of inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
08B-38-4
61
Dec 13, 2022
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 4 major violations. 8 minor violations.
View 14 violations
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Cold holding: cream cheese 46 temped at 11:50 am. Operator put in reach in freezer at time of inspection. Second temperature at 12:25 cream cheese 45 F, **Corrective Action Taken**
03A-02-5
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over or with ready-to-eat food in a freezer - not all products commercially packaged. Raw shrimp over corn in reach in freezer. Operator rearranged at time of inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
08A-02-6
Intermediate - Water with a temperature of at least 100 degrees Fahrenheit not provided/shut off at employee handwash sink. Sink hot water handle broken at handwash sink near ice machine in kitchen.
27-16-4
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Cutting boards stained in kitchen.
22-02-4
Intermediate - No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. No paper towels at multiple handwash sinks throughout Restaurant. Operator replaced at time of inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
31B-02-4
Intermediate - No soap provided at handwash sink near coffee syrups. Operator replaced at time of inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
31B-03-4
Basic - Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable at Sandwich prep area.
14-09-4
Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Employee coffee on prep table in kitchen near ice machine. Operator removed at time of inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
12B-07-4
Basic - Food stored on floor. Raw Beef on floor of kitchen. Employee removed at time of inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
08B-38-4
Basic - In-use utensil in non-time/temperature control for safety food not stored with handle above top of food within a closed container. Handle of scoop in shredded cheese. Employee removed at time of inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
10-01-5
Basic - No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees at handwash sink in kitchen near prep sink and handwash sink near coffee syrups.
31B-04-4
Basic - Wet mop not stored in a manner to allow the mop to dry.
42-01-4
Basic - Wet wiping cloths not stored in sanitizing solution between uses at Sandwich prep area.
21-12-4
Basic - Wiping cloth sanitizing solution stored on the floor. Sanitation buckets on floor throughout restaurant. Operator relocated at time of inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
21-38-4
33
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Los Chapos Tacos last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Los Chapos Tacos on file is from Apr 7, 2026. The public record contains 10 inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Los Chapos Tacos?
Across the inspection record, “food-contact surface soiled with food debris” has been cited seven times, more than any other issue at Los Chapos Tacos.
How does Los Chapos Tacos compare to other restaurants in Tampa?
Los Chapos Tacos most recently scored 64 out of 100, which is lower than the Tampa average of 79.
Has Los Chapos Tacos' inspection record improved over time?
No. Recent inspections at Los Chapos Tacos have averaged around six violations per visit, up from roughly two earlier in the record.
What does a medium risk rating mean?
A medium risk rating at Los Chapos Tacos 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 Los Chapos Tacos inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Los Chapos Tacos is inspected around three times per year on average.
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