Lotus Express
Last inspected: Apr 7, 2026
82
Score
Lotus Express has been inspected 10 times since 2022. On Apr 7, 2026, the health department conducted the most recent visit. Diners can read the low risk label as a sign that recent inspections have gone well.
Recent visits have produced comparable findings, with counts hovering near eight violations per visit.
The most common issue across all inspections has been “employee beverage container on a food preparation table”, showing up six times.
Restaurants in Tampa average 79, so Lotus Express is doing better than most peers. Overall, the inspection record reads well.
10
Inspections
0
Critical latest
1
Major latest
2
Minor latest
Inspection History
Apr 7, 2026
Complaint Partial
1 major violation. 2 minor violations.
View 3 violations
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. Cooked potatoes and cooked breaded chicken in walk-in cooler. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2026-04-07: **Time Extended**
02C-02-5
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Wiping cloth sanitizing solution stored on the floor. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2026-04-07: **Time Extended**
21-38-4
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Current Hotel and Restaurant license not displayed. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2026-04-07: **Time Extended**
50-09-4
82
Apr 6, 2026
Complaint Partial
1 critical violation. 3 major violations. 8 minor violations.
View 12 violations
High Priority - Roach activity present as evidenced by live roaches found. 1 live roach on floor under canned food storage shelf. 2 live roaches in sticky trap under soda syrup shelf. 2 live roaches on floor under soda storage shelf. 1 live roach inside an empty bucket under three-compartments sink. **Warning**
35A-05-4
Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Multiple wet wiping cloths hanging on handwash sink. For air drying. Employee removed wiping clothes. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
31A-11-4
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/ 5 employees working with no certified food manager at time of inspection. Manager presented at time of inspection. **Warning**
53A-05-6
Intermediate - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Cooked potatoes and cooked breaded chicken in walk-in cooler. **Warning**
02C-02-5
Basic - Current Hotel and Restaurant license not displayed. **Warning**
50-09-4
Basic - Dead roaches on premises. 11 dead roaches on floor under 2 comp sink in kitchen. 6 dead roaches under canned food storage shelf. 4 dead roaches in a cooking pot stored on floor. 5 dead roaches under reach-in freezer and ice machine. 8 dead roaches on floor under bottled water storage shelf next to back door. Approximately 20 dead roaches trapped in sticky traps under rice storage shelf. **Warning**
35A-03-4
Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. **Warning**
12B-07-4
Basic - Food not stored at least 6 inches off of the floor. Multiple cases of fry oils stored on floor under prep table. **Warning**
08B-47-4
Basic - Outer openings not protected during operation and vermin and/or environmental cross contamination present. Back door keeps opened at time of inspection. **Warning**
35B-05-4
Basic - Wiping cloth chlorine sanitizing solution not at proper minimum strength. 0ppm. **Warning**
21-07-4
Basic - Wiping cloth sanitizing solution stored on the floor. **Warning**
21-38-4
Basic - Employee drinking from an unenclosed beverage container in a food preparation/clean dishware area and the container does not have a dispensing mechanism to prevent hand contact with lip contact area of drink container. **Warning**
12B-12-5
43
Jan 5, 2026
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 2 major violations. 5 minor violations.
View 8 violations
High Priority - Single-use gloves not changed as needed after changing tasks or when damaged or soiled. Employee picked up a pen from floor, then served food at front line without replace gloves and washing hands. Discussed with operator.
12A-09-4
Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Observed accumulation of food debris in handwash sink at cook line.
31A-11-4
Intermediate - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Cooked chicken and cooked noodle in walk-in cooler. **Repeat Violation**
02C-02-5
Basic - Current Hotel and Restaurant license not displayed.
50-09-4
Basic - Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine.
22-20-5
Basic - Food not stored at least 6 inches off of the floor. 2 cases of fry oils stored on floor under prep table. A pan of marinated raw chicken stored on floor in kitchen. Employee moved to walk-in cooler. **Corrective Action Taken** **Repeat Violation**
08B-47-4
Basic - In-use utensil in non-time/temperature control for safety food not stored with handle above top of food within a closed container. Ice scoop handle in ice bin at front line. Operator moved handle up. **Corrected On-Site**
10-01-5
Basic - No Heimlich maneuver/choking sign posted.
51-13-4
55
Jul 14, 2025
Food-Licensing Inspection
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 4 minor violations.
View 6 violations
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit.
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 chicken, cooked noodle and various cooked food in walk-in cooler.
02C-02-5
Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Employee drinks with no lids stored on prep table and reach-in cooler at cook line. Operator removed. **Corrected On-Site**
12B-07-4
Basic - Floor area(s) covered with standing water. By ice machine at kitchen.
36-22-4
Basic - Food not stored at least 6 inches off of the floor. Multiple cases of frozen shrimps and meat stored on floor in walk-in freezer. Multiple cases of fry oil and bottled drinks stored on floor at kitchen.
08B-47-4
Basic - Stored food not covered. Cooked noodle, cooked vegetables and cooked chicken in walk-in cooler.
08B-12-5
64
Apr 7, 2025
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 3 major violations. 3 minor violations.
View 8 violations
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. A container of cooked chicken (47F - Cold Holding) stored on cook line. Operator moved to reach-in cooler at time of inspection. **Corrective Action Taken**
03A-02-5
High Priority - Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license. Expired on 02/01/2025. **Admin Complaint**
50-17-3
Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. A food container stored in handwash sink at kitchen. Operator removed. **Corrected On-Site**
31A-11-4
Intermediate - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Cooked potato and cooked chicken in walk-in cooler. **Repeat Violation**
02C-02-5
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.
53B-14-5
Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Multiple employee drinks with no lids stored on prep tables in kitchen. **Repeat Violation**
12B-07-4
Basic - Floor area(s) covered with standing water. By three-compartments sink and walk-in cooler in kitchen.
36-22-4
Basic - Stored food not covered. Cooked potatoes, cooked egg rolls and cooked chicken in walk-in cooler.
08B-12-5
47
Nov 4, 2024
Routine - Food
3 critical violations. 1 major violation. 9 minor violations.
View 13 violations
High Priority - Employee touched soiled surface and then engaged in food preparation, handled clean equipment or utensils, or touched unwrapped single-service items without washing hands. Employee touched soiled surface without washing hands
12A-29-4
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. Employee purchased proper sanitizer at time of inspection **Corrected On-Site**
22-48-5
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Raw shrimp stored over cooked eggroll in reach on cooler on cookline Raw shrimp placed on bottom shelf **Corrected On-Site**
08A-05-6
Intermediate - No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. Soap and paper towels missing at hand sink on cookline Employee replaced soap and paper towels **Corrected On-Site**
31B-02-4
Basic - Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin. Mold like substance observed in ice machine
22-20-5
Basic - Carbon dioxide/helium tanks not adequately secured. Not secured at soda bib station
51-11-4
Basic - Current Hotel and Restaurant license not displayed.
50-09-4
Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Employee drink stored on shelf with pasta **Repeat Violation**
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 bag stored on prep table on cookline
40-06-5
Basic - Food not stored at least 6 inches off of the floor. Container of onions stored on floor in walkin cooler **Repeat Violation**
08B-47-4
Basic - Wet mop not stored in a manner to allow the mop to dry. Mop stored in mop sink **Repeat Violation**
42-01-4
Basic - Wet wiping cloth not stored in sanitizing solution between uses. Stored on prep table on cookline
21-12-4
Basic - Wiping cloth chlorine sanitizing solution not at proper minimum strength. Sanitizer tested at 0ppm Sanitizer tested at 100ppm **Corrected On-Site**
21-07-4
37
Feb 1, 2024
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 2 major violations. 6 minor violations.
View 10 violations
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed egg roll (125F - Hot Holding) stored in fryer basket Observed employee discard
03B-01-6
High Priority - Nonfood-grade bags used in direct contact with food. Observed raw beef stored in nonfood grade bags inside reachin freezer
14-31-5
Intermediate - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Observed chicken and cooked pasta with no date mark in walkin cooler
02C-02-5
Intermediate - Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Observed 2 pots stored in hand sink next to 3-compartment sink
31A-09-4
Basic - Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Observed portion cups stored in bulk pepper
14-01-5
Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Observed employee drink stored on prep table
12B-07-4
Basic - Employee eating in a food preparation or other restricted area. Observed employee eating at prep table Inspector explained proper eating locations to manager
12B-02-4
Basic - Food stored on floor. Observed 5 containers of oil stored on floor adjacent to 3-compartment sink
08B-38-4
Basic - Wet mop not stored in a manner to allow the mop to dry. Observed wet mop stored in mop bucket at mop sink
42-01-4
Basic - Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Observed bulk salt not labeled under soda bib station
02D-01-5
45
Aug 11, 2023
Complaint Full
2 critical violations. 3 major violations. 4 minor violations.
View 9 violations
Employee Health Policies Present
FL-03
Certified Food Manager Identification
FL-02
Hands Clean and Properly Washed
FL-08
Food Obtained from Approved Sources
FL-11
Food Received at Proper Temperature
FL-12
Proper Hot and Cold Holding Temperatures
FL-21
Food Contact Surfaces Clean and Sanitized
FL-22
Non-Food Contact Surfaces Clean
FL-23
Approved Thawing Methods Used
FL-31
35
Mar 9, 2023
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 3 major violations. 8 minor violations.
View 13 violations
High Priority - Chlorine sanitizer not at proper minimum strength for manual warewashing. Do not use equipment/utensils not properly sanitized. Three compartment sink set with 0 pm of chlorine, corrected, 100 ppm of chlorine. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
22-42-4
High Priority - Employee washed hands with no soap. Observed employee washing hands with water only , corrected action taken, inspector discussed with operator proper supplies necessary at each employee hand wash sink so employees are able to wash hands effectively. **Corrective Action Taken** **Repeat Violation**
12A-20-4
Intermediate - Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Employee hand wash sink blocked by boxes and bowl , corrected, operator removed items during inspection. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
31A-09-4
Intermediate - No chemical test kit provided when using sanitizer at three-compartment sink/warewashing machine or wiping cloths.
16-37-1
Intermediate - No soap provided at handwash sink. No soap at employee hand wash sink, corrected, operator placed container of soap at employee hand wash sink. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
31B-03-4
Basic - Employee with ineffective hair restraint while engaging in food preparation. Employee at from food service area with no hair restraint.
13-02-4
Basic - Equipment in poor repair. Plastic scoop in chicken container chipped .
14-11-5
Basic - Food stored on floor. Foods store on the floor in back prep area. Food stored on the floor in walk in cooler. **Repeat Violation**
08B-38-4
Basic - Wet mop not stored in a manner to allow the mop to dry. **Repeat Violation**
42-01-4
Basic - Wet wiping cloth not stored in sanitizing solution between uses. **Repeat Violation**
21-12-4
Basic - Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Bulk containers not labeled . **Repeat Violation**
02D-01-5
Basic - Ceiling tile missing. Ceiling tiles missing over walk-in cooler . **Repeat Violation**
36-36-4
Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Employee drink store on food prep table , corrected, employee removed drink . **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
12B-07-4
37
Oct 20, 2022
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 3 major violations. 5 minor violations.
View 10 violations
Supervisor/Person in Charge Present
FL-01
Certified Food Manager Identification
FL-02
Food Received at Proper Temperature
FL-12
Hands Clean and Properly Washed
FL-08
Adequate Handwashing Facilities Supplied and Accessible
FL-10
Food in Good Condition, Safe, and Unadulterated
FL-13
Proper Hot and Cold Holding Temperatures
FL-21
Approved Thawing Methods Used
FL-31
Washing Fruits and Vegetables
FL-42
Plumbing Maintained; Sewage Disposal
FL-51
41
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Lotus Express last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Lotus Express on file is from Apr 7, 2026. The public record contains 10 inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Lotus Express?
Across the inspection record, “employee beverage container on a food preparation table” has been cited six times, more than any other issue at Lotus Express.
How does Lotus Express compare to other restaurants in Tampa?
Lotus Express most recently scored 82 out of 100, which is higher than the Tampa average of 79.
Has Lotus Express' inspection record improved over time?
Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at Lotus Express have averaged around eight violations per visit across the recent record.
What does a low risk rating mean?
A low risk rating at Lotus Express 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 Lotus Express inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Lotus Express is inspected around three times per year on average.
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