Metro Diner
Last inspected: Mar 2, 2026
58
Score
The health department has logged nine inspections at Metro Diner, the earliest from 2022. The newest entry in the record is dated Mar 2, 2026. A medium risk rating points to a few notable findings at the last inspection, though nothing severe.
Violation counts have been trending down, averaging around four violations across recent inspections versus roughly six violations before.
The most common issue across all inspections has been “equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting”, showing up four times.
Restaurants in Tampa average 79, so Metro Diner trails the local norm. Taken together, the history looks like that of a busy facility working through the usual inspection cycle.
9
Inspections
1
Critical latest
2
Major latest
4
Minor latest
Inspection History
Mar 2, 2026
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 2 major violations. 4 minor violations.
View 7 violations
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 raw pancake batter in reach in cooler. Operator moved chicken to lower shelf. **Corrected On-Site**
08A-20-5
Intermediate - Commercially processed ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food opened and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked after opening. Observed milk not labeled at time of inspection. Explained importance of labeling with dates to manager on duty. Manager labeled. **Corrected On-Site**
02C-03-5
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Observed stained cutting boards in kitchen at time of inspection.
22-02-4
Basic - Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin. Observed a pinkish slime inside ice machine bin at time of inspectionnn
22-20-5
Basic - Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting. Observed wet nesting on stacked food containers in kitchen. Operator moved containers to dish pit to be washed. **Corrective Action Taken**
24-08-4
Basic - Old labels stuck to food containers after cleaning. Observed old labels on clear plastic food containers stored on shelves. Operator moved to dish pit to wash. **Corrective Action Taken**
16-46-4
Basic - Standing water in floor drain/floor drain draining very slowly. Observed slow drain under dish room sprayer sink at time of inspection.
29-19-4
58
Sep 4, 2025
Routine - Food
1 major violation. 4 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Intermediate - Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled. Observed unlabeled spray bottle at host stand. Operator labeled bottle during inspection. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
41-17-4
Basic - Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable. Observed grooved cutting boards on cooks line at time of inspection
14-09-4
Basic - Food stored on floor. Observed bucket of pickles on walk in cooler floor. Operator moved bucket to shelf during inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
08B-38-4
Basic - Old labels stuck to food containers after cleaning. Observed old labels on stacked food container stored on shelf in kitchen. Operator removed food container to dishroom to be washed during inspection. **Corrective Action Taken**
16-46-4
Basic - Time/temperature control for safety food thawed in an improper manner. Observed beef in bus tub in prep sink without running water. Operator turned water on to let flow during insoectionnn **Corrected On-Site**
06-01-5
74
Jun 10, 2025
Complaint Partial
No violations found.
100
Feb 19, 2025
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 2 major violations. 1 minor violation.
View 4 violations
Food Received at Proper Temperature
FL-12
Food Contact Surfaces Clean and Sanitized
FL-22
Warewashing Facilities Maintained and Used
FL-24
Wiping Cloths Properly Used and Stored
FL-41
64
Sep 13, 2024
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 5 minor violations.
View 7 violations
High Priority - Employee failed to wash hands before putting on gloves to initiate a task working with food. Observed line cook remove gloves and put new gloves on without washing hands at time of inspection. Operator had coaching talk with employees. **Corrective Action Taken**
12A-07-5
Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Observed spray bottle of cleaner hanging on hand wash sink by back door at time of inspection. Operator moved bottle to chemical storage area. **Corrected On-Site**
31A-11-4
Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Observed employee drink over prep table in kitchen. Operator disposed of employee drink at time of inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
12B-07-4
Basic - Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting. Observed wet nesting on food containers stored on shelves at time of inspection
24-08-4
Basic - Old labels stuck to food containers after cleaning. Observed old labels on clear plastic food containers stored on shelves at time of inspection. Operator moved food containers to dish room to re clean **Corrective Action Taken**
16-46-4
Basic - Wet wiping cloth not stored in sanitizing solution between uses. Observed multiple wash cloths stored on prep tables in kitchen. Operator moved all wash cloths to sanitizer bucket during inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
21-12-4
Basic - Wiping cloth sanitizing solution stored on the floor. Observed sanitizer bucket stored on floor. Operator moved to lower shelf at time of inspection
21-38-4
61
Feb 15, 2024
Routine - Food
1 major violation. 7 minor violations.
View 8 violations
Intermediate - Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled. Observed spray bottle at host stand without a label. Operator stated the bottle was Quat sanitizer. Operator labeled bottle during inspection **Corrected On-Site**
41-17-4
Basic - Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable. Cutting boards in kitchen
14-09-4
Basic - Employee personal food not properly identified and segregated from food to be served to the public. Observed employee food/drink in walk in cooler near pooled eggs. Operator disposed of employee items during inspection **Corrected On-Site**
08B-49-4
Basic - Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting. Observed on clean pans on shelf in dish room.
24-08-4
Basic - Food stored on floor. Observed oil on floor in fry station. Operator moved during inspection **Corrected On-Site**
08B-38-4
Basic - Line Equipment soiled with accumulated grease, food debris, and/or dust. Observed sides of line equipment soiled with food debris and grease.
36-27-5
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Shelves in walk in cooler soiled with food debris
23-03-4
Basic - Open dumpster lid. Operator closed during inspection. Dumpster shared with other tenants in strip mall **Corrected On-Site**
33-16-4
64
Jul 10, 2023
Routine - Food
6 major violations. 10 minor violations.
View 16 violations
Intermediate - No written procedures available for use of time as a public health control to hold time/temperature control for safety food. Emailed operator the form and completed **Corrected On-Site**
03F-10-5
Intermediate - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Turkey prepared on site not labeled
02C-02-5
Intermediate - Establishment has no written procedures for employees to follow in response to a vomiting or diarrheal event where the vomit or diarrhea is discharged onto surfaces in the establishment.
11-27-4
Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing.spray chemical bottle kept in sink by ice machine.
31A-11-4
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. **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
53B-01-5
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.
11-26-1
Basic - Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin. Large ice machine. Discussed with operator
22-20-5
Basic - Current Hotel and Restaurant license not displayed.
50-09-4
Basic - Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable.
14-09-4
Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils.observed drinks on cooks line, prep table, dishmachine
12B-07-4
Basic - Employee eating in a food preparation or other restricted area. Waffles found under prep tables **Corrective Action Taken**
12B-02-4
Basic - Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Employee workout powder kept on dry storage shelves **Corrected On-Site**
40-06-5
Basic - Garbage on the ground and/or pad around dumpster.
33-19-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Hood filters soiled with dust and grease
23-03-4
Basic - Wet wiping cloth not stored in sanitizing solution between uses. Cloth on hand wash sink in dish room
21-12-4
Basic - Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. White containers in prep area
02D-01-5
33
Dec 28, 2022
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 2 major violations. 5 minor violations.
View 8 violations
High Priority - Raw animal foods not properly separated from each other in holding unit based upon minimum required cooking temperature. Raw hamburger meat stored above raw bacon in walk-in cooler
08A-20-5
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Mixer head
22-02-4
Intermediate - Required employee training expired for all employees. To order approved program food safety material, call DBPR contracted provider: Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (SafeStaff) 866-372-7233. **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
53B-05-5
Basic - Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Sugar container
02D-01-5
Basic - Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting.
24-08-4
Basic - Equipment in poor repair. Gaskets on reach in cooler on cooks line
14-11-5
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Exterior reach in coolers on cooks line
23-03-4
Basic - Reach-in cooler interior/shelves have accumulation of soil residues. **Repeat Violation**
22-16-4
55
Sep 6, 2022
Routine - Food
1 major violation. 2 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : Intermediate - Required employee training expired for all employees. To order approved program food safety material, call DBPR contracted provider: Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (SafeStaff) 866-372-7233. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2022-09-06: **Admin Complaint**
53B-05-5
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Reach-in cooler interior/shelves have accumulation of soil residues. Cooks line **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2022-09-06: **Time Extended**
22-16-4
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Wall soiled with accumulated grease, food debris, and/or dust. Cooks line by handsink **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2022-09-06: **Time Extended**
36-27-5
82
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Metro Diner last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Metro Diner on file is from Mar 2, 2026. The public record contains nine inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Metro Diner?
Across the inspection record, “equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting” has been cited four times, more than any other issue at Metro Diner.
How does Metro Diner compare to other restaurants in Tampa?
Metro Diner most recently scored 58 out of 100, which is lower than the Tampa average of 79.
Has Metro Diner's inspection record improved over time?
Yes. Recent inspections at Metro Diner have averaged around four violations per visit, down from roughly six earlier in the record.
What does a medium risk rating mean?
A medium risk rating at Metro Diner 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 Metro Diner inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Metro Diner is inspected around three times per year on average.
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