Mr Empanada
Last inspected: Feb 2, 2026
43
Score
The health department has logged six inspections at Mr Empanada, the earliest from 2023. On Feb 2, 2026, the health department conducted the most recent visit. A high risk tier suggests the facility had a rough recent inspection, with multiple violations on record.
Recent inspections have turned up roughly the same number of issues each time, hovering near six violations per visit.
When inspectors have written things up, “food stored on floor cases of sodas on floor in hallway area” has been the most frequent reason, cited four times.
By comparison, the average St. Petersburg facility scores 77, putting Mr Empanada on the weaker side. Diners may want to weigh the inspection history when deciding to visit.
6
Inspections
2
Critical latest
5
Major latest
1
Minor latest
Inspection History
Feb 2, 2026
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 5 major violations. 1 minor violation.
View 8 violations
High Priority - Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license. Expired 2/1/2026.
50-17-3
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food identified in the written procedure as a food held using time as a public health control has no time marking and the time removed from temperature control cannot be determined. See stop sale. Cuban sandwiches stored in front counter. Time stamped for 11am. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
03F-02-5
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Stained white cutting board on reach in deli cooler on cook line. **Repeat Violation**
22-02-4
Intermediate - No written procedures available for use of time as a public health control to hold time/temperature control for safety food. Inspector helped operator fill out written procedures for holding Cuban Sandwiches out of temperature during the inspection. **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. Sliced pork, sliced cheese, cut lettuce stored inside reach in deli cooler on cook line not date marked. Items date marked 1/27. **Corrected On-Site**
02C-02-5
Intermediate - Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled. Of light pink liquid substance stored under handsink at front counter area. Spray bottle labeled as sanitizer. **Corrected On-Site**
41-17-4
Intermediate - No chemical test kit provided when using sanitizer at three-compartment sink/warewashing machine or wiping cloths. No quaternary test kit observed. **Repeat Violation**
16-37-1
Basic - Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable. Heavily grooved cutting board on reach in deli cooler on cook line.
14-09-4
43
Sep 15, 2025
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 4 major violations.
View 6 violations
High Priority - Wiping cloth sanitizer solution exceeds the maximum concentration allowed. Quaternary spray bottle testing at 500+ PPM. person in charge diluted chemical with water and quaternary solution is now testing at 200 PPM. **Corrected On-Site**
41-27-4
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food identified in the written procedure as a food held using time as a public health control has no time marking and the time removed from temperature control cannot be determined. See stop sale. Person in charge time stamped cuban sandwich's for 11am. **Corrected On-Site**
03F-02-5
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Pink mold like substance observed on soda dispenser ice chute.
22-02-4
Intermediate - No chemical test kit provided when using sanitizer at three-compartment sink/warewashing machine or wiping cloths. No quaternary chemical test kit observed.
16-37-1
Intermediate - Chemical test kit not used to ensure proper sanitization of equipment and utensils when using a chemical sanitizer. Quaternary sanitizer spray bottle testing at 500+ PPM during inspection.
16-33-4
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. Emailed person in charge DBPR Clean-Up of Vomiting and Diarrheal Events form. Form was printed at the time of inspection. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
11-27-4
50
Apr 18, 2025
Routine - Food
1 major violation. 2 minor violations.
View 3 violations
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. Emailed management information **Corrective Action Taken**
11-27-4
Basic - Food stored on floor cases of sodas on floor in hallway area.
08B-38-4
Basic - Single-service articles improperly stored. Cases of to go cups on floor in hallway area.
25-05-4
82
Dec 19, 2023
Routine - Food
5 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Food stored on floor. Plastic soda bottles stored in floor of hallway across from restrooms. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2023-12-19: **Time Extended**
08B-38-4
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Missing drain plug at dumpster. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2023-12-19: **Time Extended**
33-11-4
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Bathroom located inside establishment not completely enclosed with tight-fitting, self-closing doors. Restroom doors are not self closing and tight fitting. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2023-12-19: **Time Extended**
32-04-4
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Cardboard box used as garbage container. Cardboard box used to store trash in rear of kitchen by back door. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2023-12-19: **Time Extended**
33-02-4
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Employee water bottles on prep table next to soda machine. Manager stored correctly. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2023-12-19: **Time Extended**
12B-07-4
78
Nov 17, 2023
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 8 minor violations.
View 10 violations
High Priority - Container of medicine improperly stored. Ibuprofen stored on prep table next to soda machine. Manager stored correctly. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
41-07-4
Intermediate - Food manager certification expired. A list of accredited food manager certification examination providers can be found at http://www.myfloridalicense.com/DBPR/hotels-restaurants/food-lodging/food-manager/ **Warning**
53A-03-7
Basic - Bathroom located inside establishment not completely enclosed with tight-fitting, self-closing doors. Restroom doors are not self closing and tight fitting. **Warning**
32-04-4
Basic - Cardboard box used as garbage container. Cardboard box used to store trash in rear of kitchen by back door. **Warning**
33-02-4
Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Employee water bottles on prep table next to soda machine. Manager stored correctly. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
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 phone on prep table in rear of kitchen next to slicer. Employee stored correctly. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
40-06-5
Basic - Employee with no hair restraint while engaging in food preparation. Employee cutting lettuce with no hair restraint. **Warning**
13-03-4
Basic - Food stored on floor. Plastic soda bottles stored in floor of hallway across from restrooms. **Warning**
08B-38-4
Basic - Missing drain plug at dumpster. **Warning**
33-11-4
Basic - Open dumpster lid. **Warning**
33-16-4
52
Feb 7, 2023
Routine - Food
1 major violation. 3 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Intermediate - No soap provided at handwash sink. No soap at hand wash sink across from slicer. Manager replaced. **Corrected On-Site**
31B-03-4
Basic - Employee with no hair restraint while engaging in food preparation. Employees engaged in food preparation with no hai restraint.
13-03-4
Basic - Food stored on floor. Potatoes stored on floor of walk in freezer. Plastic soda bottles stored on floor of dry goods storage area. Manager moved items 6 inches off the floor. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
08B-38-4
Basic - Interior of oven/microwave has accumulation of black substance/grease/food debris. Microwave oven near hand wash sink in kitchen has built up food debris.
22-08-4
78
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Mr Empanada last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Mr Empanada on file is from Feb 2, 2026. The public record contains six inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Mr Empanada?
Across the inspection record, “food stored on floor cases of sodas on floor in hallway area” has been cited four times, more than any other issue at Mr Empanada.
How does Mr Empanada compare to other restaurants in St. Petersburg?
Mr Empanada most recently scored 43 out of 100, which is lower than the St. Petersburg average of 77.
Has Mr Empanada's inspection record improved over time?
Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at Mr Empanada have averaged around six violations per visit across the recent record.
What does a high risk rating mean?
A high risk rating at Mr Empanada means the most recent inspection flagged either critical violations or a substantial number of smaller ones. Diners may want to read the violation details before deciding to visit.
How often is Mr Empanada inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Mr Empanada is inspected around two times per year on average.
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