Mekenita Cantina
Last inspected: Mar 23, 2026
61
Score
Inspectors have visited Mekenita Cantina nine times, with records going back to 2022. Inspectors last stopped by on Mar 23, 2026. When a facility lands in medium risk territory, it usually means a mixed inspection result.
There hasn't been much movement either way: counts have stayed near eight violations per visit across recent inspections.
“Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease” comes up most often, recorded six times in the inspection record.
Compared to other Tampa restaurants (averaging 79), there's room to close the gap. The record is unremarkable in either direction.
9
Inspections
1
Critical latest
2
Major latest
3
Minor latest
Inspection History
Mar 23, 2026
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 2 major violations. 3 minor violations.
View 6 violations
High Priority - Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license.
50-17-3
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Cutting board cooks line
22-02-4
Intermediate - Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Water pitcher stored in handwash sink on cooks line. Employee removed **Corrected On-Site**
31A-09-4
Basic - Accumulation of debris on exterior of warewashing machine.
16-21-4
Basic - In-use utensil not stored with handle above the top of time/temperature control for safety food and rim of the container. On mahi in cooler , employee removed **Corrected On-Site**
10-06-5
Basic - Wet wiping cloths stored in detergent and sanitizer mixed together. Sani bucket mixed with soap , advised employee to remake **Corrective Action Taken**
21-03-4
61
Aug 18, 2025
Routine - Food
3 critical violations. 3 major violations. 11 minor violations.
View 17 violations
High Priority - Stop Sale issued due to food not being in a wholesome, sound condition. Horchata stored walk in cooler made 08-07-2025, more than 7 days.
01B-13-4
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Corn above fill line 56F, bottom 43F. Employee adding more ice to cool down, 2nd temp 43F **Corrected On-Site**
03A-02-5
High Priority - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food marked with a date that exceeds 7 days after opening/preparation. Horchata in walk in cooler dated 8-7, made more than 7 days, employee discarded. **Corrective Action Taken**
02C-01-5
Intermediate - Operator is not properly tracking/marking the number of days ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite was held at refrigeration temperatures prior to freezing in order to properly date mark the food when it is thawed and held at refrigeration temperatures again. Pudding frozen 6-30, thawed and stored in walk in cooler with no date tracking
02C-04-5
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. 1 expired employee training
53B-14-5
Intermediate - No chemical test kit provided when using sanitizer at three-compartment sink/warewashing machine or wiping cloths. Operator missing test strips for Quat, has chlorine test strips to use chlorine for sanitizer buckets.
16-37-1
Basic - Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance. Ceiling vents through kitchen area soiled with dust. **Repeat Violation**
36-34-5
Basic - Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Employee phone on prep table next to tea dispenser. Purse on rack with dry good items.
40-06-5
Basic - Employee with no beard guard/restraint while engaging in food preparation.
13-04-4
Basic - Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting. Pans above prep table near back door wet-nesting. Discussed with employee
24-08-4
Basic - Floors not maintained smooth and durable. Floors on cook line uneven.
36-11-4
Basic - Insect control device installed over food preparation area. Bug zapper on reach in freezer, employee moved to bottom of prep sink. **Corrected On-Site**
35B-02-4
Basic - Missing drain plug at dumpster. Shared dumpster
33-11-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact equipment exposed to splash/spillage not constructed of materials that are corrosion resistant, non-absorbent, smooth and easily cleanable. Exterior of ice machine rusted underneath lid.
14-47-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Hood filters soiled with debris. **Repeat Violation**
23-03-4
Basic - Single-service articles not stored inverted or protected from contamination. Aluminum pans in office not inverted.
25-06-4
Basic - Wiping cloth quaternary ammonium compound sanitizing solution not at proper minimum strength. Sanitizer Bucket tested at 0ppm, employee remade solution, 2nd test at 200ppm. **Corrected On-Site**
21-08-4
27
Jan 28, 2025
Routine - Food
3 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Basic - Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, and dust.
36-34-5
Basic - Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable. **Repeat Violation**
14-09-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Hood filters soiled with dust and grease **Repeat Violation**
23-03-4
86
Oct 28, 2024
Routine - Food
1 major violation. 3 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : Intermediate - No chemical test kit provided when using sanitizer at three-compartment sink/warewashing machine or wiping cloths. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2024-10-28: **Time Extended**
16-37-1
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable. **Repeat Violation** **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2024-10-28: **Time Extended**
14-09-4
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Hole in or other damage to wall. Wall soiled with accumulated black debris in dishwashing area. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2024-10-28: **Time Extended**
36-24-5
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Hood filters soiled with dust and grease **Repeat Violation** **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2024-10-28: **Time Extended**
23-03-4
78
Aug 28, 2024
Routine - Food
3 major violations. 8 minor violations.
View 11 violations
Intermediate - Manager or person in charge lacking proof of food manager certification. Mike Bianca Person In Charge **Warning**
53A-01-7
Intermediate - No chemical test kit provided when using sanitizer at three-compartment sink/warewashing machine or wiping cloths. **Warning**
16-37-1
Intermediate - Proof of required state approved employee training not available 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-13-5
Basic - Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable. **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
14-09-4
Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. **Warning**
12B-07-4
Basic - In-use tongs stored on equipment door handle between uses. On stove **Warning**
10-20-4
Basic - No Heimlich maneuver/choking sign posted. **Warning**
51-13-4
Basic - No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees. In restrooms used by employees **Warning**
31B-04-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Hood filters soiled with dust and grease **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
23-03-4
Basic - Old labels stuck to food containers after cleaning. Plastic containers on top shelf by back door **Warning**
16-46-4
Basic - Hole in or other damage to wall. Wall soiled with accumulated black debris in dishwashing area. **Warning**
36-24-5
50
Feb 20, 2024
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 3 minor violations.
View 5 violations
High Priority - Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license.
50-17-3
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Ice machine (large)
22-02-4
Basic - Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable. **Repeat Violation**
14-09-4
Basic - Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Observed employee hats stored on food rack **Corrected On-Site**
40-06-5
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Hood filters soiled with dust and grease **Repeat Violation**
23-03-4
67
Oct 31, 2023
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 3 minor violations.
View 5 violations
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Shrimp 48 F operation placing in ice to cool down. **Corrective Action Taken**
03A-02-5
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. **Corrected On-Site**
11-26-1
Basic - Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable. **Repeat Violation**
14-09-4
Basic - Hole in or other damage to wall. Wall soiled with accumulated black debris in dishwashing area
36-24-5
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Hood filters soiled with dust and grease **Repeat Violation**
23-03-4
67
May 4, 2023
Routine - Food
2 major violations. 8 minor violations.
View 10 violations
Certified Food Manager Identification
FL-02
Hands Clean and Properly Washed
FL-08
Adequate Handwashing Facilities Supplied and Accessible
FL-10
Food Received at Proper Temperature
FL-12
Food in Good Condition, Safe, and Unadulterated
FL-13
Required Records Available; Shellstock Tags/Labels
FL-14
Proper Hot and Cold Holding Temperatures
FL-21
Non-Food Contact Surfaces Clean
FL-23
Lighting Adequate; Required Shields in Place
FL-36
Toilet Rooms Maintained
FL-53
55
Dec 7, 2022
Routine - Food
1 major violation. 2 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : Intermediate - Food service manager not certified within 30 days of employment. A list of accredited food manager certification examination providers can be found at http://www.myfloridalicense.com/DBPR/hotels-restaurants/food-lodging/food-manager/Amberlee Shashaty Manager in charge at time of inspection **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2022-12-07: **Time Extended**
53A-04-6
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable. **Repeat Violation** **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2022-12-07: **Time Extended**
14-09-4
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Unsealed concrete floor in food preparation, food storage, warewashing area. Back kitchen area **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2022-12-07: **Time Extended**
36-02-5
82
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Mekenita Cantina last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Mekenita Cantina on file is from Mar 23, 2026. The public record contains nine inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Mekenita Cantina?
Across the inspection record, “nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease” has been cited six times, more than any other issue at Mekenita Cantina.
How does Mekenita Cantina compare to other restaurants in Tampa?
Mekenita Cantina most recently scored 61 out of 100, which is lower than the Tampa average of 79.
Has Mekenita Cantina's inspection record improved over time?
Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at Mekenita Cantina have averaged around eight violations per visit across the recent record.
What does a medium risk rating mean?
A medium risk rating at Mekenita Cantina 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 Mekenita Cantina inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Mekenita Cantina is inspected around three times per year on average.
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