Mr Empanada

7541 W. Hillsborough Ave, Tampa, FL 33615

Mexican / Latin

Last inspected: Feb 9, 2026

Score

High Risk

Mr Empanada appears in inspection records four times, starting in 2022. Inspectors last stopped by on Feb 9, 2026. Diners may want to take note: high risk reflects issues that a health inspector considered important.

Things have been moving the wrong way, with the rolling count rising from around four violations to closer to 12 violations per visit.

Across the inspection history, “operating with an expired division of hotels” is the issue that surfaces most often, recorded two times.

Restaurants in Tampa average 79, so Mr Empanada trails the local norm. Diners may want to weigh the inspection history when deciding to visit.

Inspections

Critical latest

Major latest

Minor latest

Inspection History

Feb 9, 2026

Routine - Food

1 critical violation. 6 major violations. 5 minor violations.

View 12 violations

High Priority - Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license. Licensed expired on 2/1/2026.

50-17-3

Intermediate - No soap provided at handwash sink. Located at front counter.

31B-03-4

Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Cutting board on front line soiled.

22-02-4

Intermediate - Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Handwash sink at front counter blocked by metal basket with small styrofoam cups and lids.

31A-09-4

Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Back kitchen handwash sink used for storing 2 metal pipes and a toothbrush.

31A-11-4

Intermediate - No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. Located at front counter.

31B-02-4

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. Expired for Yolanda on 10/4/2025.

53B-14-5

Basic - Accumulation of black and pink mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine.

22-20-5

Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. 2 personal beverage container stored on top of kitchen prep table next to microwave. Manager relocated container to an approved location at time of inspection. **Corrected On-Site**

12B-07-4

Basic - Food stored on floor. 3 cases of bottled sodas stored on floor in dry storage area.

08B-38-4

Basic - Stored food not covered. Portioned cups of French fries not covered inside walk in cooler.

08B-12-5

Basic - Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable. Located on front line reach in cooler. **Repeat Violation**

14-09-4

Jul 19, 2024

Routine - Food

3 minor violations.

View 3 violations

Food in Good Condition, Safe, and Unadulterated

FL-13

Required Records Available; Shellstock Tags/Labels

FL-14

Non-Food Contact Surfaces Clean

FL-23

Oct 23, 2023

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. Expired on 02/01/2023. **Admin Complaint**

50-17-3

Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Cutting board stained with red ink substance on reach-in cooler at cook line.

22-02-4

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. Provided by email.

11-27-4

Basic - No Heimlich maneuver/choking sign posted. Provided by email.

51-13-4

Basic - Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable. On reach-in cooler at cook line.

14-09-4

Basic - Employee personal food not properly identified and segregated from food to be served to the public. In walk-in cooler.

08B-49-4

Nov 1, 2022

Food-Licensing Inspection

1 major violation. 1 minor violation.

View 2 violations

Intermediate - - From initial inspection : Observed: No chemical test kit provided when using sanitizer at three-compartment sink/warewashing machine or wiping cloths. Quat test kit. **Warning** Priority: Intermediate - From follow-up inspection 2022-11-01: **Time Extended**

16-37-1

Basic - - From initial inspection : Observed: Accumulation of black mold-like slimy substance in the interior of the ice machine. **Warning** Priority: Basic - From follow-up inspection 2022-11-01: **Time Extended**

22-20-5

Frequently Asked Questions

When was Mr Empanada last inspected?

The most recent health inspection at Mr Empanada on file is from Feb 9, 2026. The public record contains four inspections in total.

What is the most common violation at Mr Empanada?

Across the inspection record, “operating with an expired division of hotels” has been cited two times, more than any other issue at Mr Empanada.

How does Mr Empanada compare to other restaurants in Tampa?

Mr Empanada most recently scored 37 out of 100, which is lower than the Tampa average of 79.

Has Mr Empanada's inspection record improved over time?

No. Recent inspections at Mr Empanada have averaged around 12 violations per visit, up from roughly four earlier in the 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 roughly once per year on average.

Nearby Restaurants

Los Suarez

8145 W Waters Ave

Score: 67 — Medium Risk

Bilmar Station #2

8501 W Hillsborough Ave

Score: 74 — Medium Risk

El Churrascaso Grill Tampa

8425 W Hillsborough Ave

Score: 45 — High Risk

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