Mr Empanada
Last inspected: Sep 30, 2025
35
Score
Going back to 2022, Mr Empanada has four inspections in the public record. The newest entry in the record is dated Sep 30, 2025. A high risk tier suggests the facility had a rough recent inspection, with multiple violations on record.
The trend has not been favorable: recent inspections average around 14 violations each, up from closer to seven violations before.
“Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled” comes up most often, recorded four times in the inspection record.
The city-wide average sits at 79, which Mr Empanada's 35 doesn't quite reach. Diners may want to scan the inspection details before deciding to visit.
4
Inspections
2
Critical latest
3
Major latest
9
Minor latest
Inspection History
Sep 30, 2025
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 3 major violations. 9 minor violations.
View 14 violations
High Priority - Rodent activity present as evidenced by rodent droppings found. Observed approximately 20 rodent droppings around water heater near 3 compartment sink. Employee discarded, cleaned and sanitized the area. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
35A-04-4
High Priority - Vacuum breaker missing at hose bibb or on fitting/splitter added to hose bibb. Observed hose bib next to mop sink outside with missing vacuum breaker **Warning**
29-34-4
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Observed cutting board on front reach in coolers stained with old food debris. **Warning**
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. Cuban sandwiches being held on time, no written plan. Provided form helped operator fill out. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
03F-10-5
Intermediate - Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled. Observed spray bottle containing pink liquid not label underneath 3 compartment sink. Employee labeled **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
41-17-4
Basic - Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin. Observed mold-like substance inside of ice machine in back of house near employee bathroom **Warning**
22-20-5
Basic - Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable. Reach in coolers cutting board in front of house **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
14-09-4
Basic - Dead roaches on premises. Observed 5 dead roaches in office area. Employee discarded, cleaned and sanitized the area. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
35A-03-4
Basic - Employee personal food not properly identified and segregated from food to be served to the public. Observed employee personal food in walk in cooler on shelf with portion cup condiments and olives to be served to the public. **Warning**
08B-49-4
Basic - Ice buildup in reach-in freezer and/or walk-in freezer. Observed ice buildup inside of walk in freezer. **Warning**
14-69-4
Basic - Interior of ice machine/bin with rust that has pitted the surface. Observed rust inside of ice machine located in back of house near employee bathroom. **Warning**
14-34-4
Basic - Interior of oven/microwave has accumulation of black substance/grease/food debris. Observed microwaves in kitchen soiled with grease. **Warning**
22-08-4
Basic - Missing drain plug at dumpster. **Warning**
33-11-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed hood filters soiled with grease. **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
23-03-4
35
Aug 22, 2024
Routine - Food
2 major violations. 6 minor violations.
View 8 violations
Intermediate - No chemical test kit provided when using sanitizer at three-compartment sink/warewashing machine or wiping cloths.
16-37-1
Intermediate - Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled. Observed stored on chemical shelves
41-17-4
Basic - Carbon dioxide/helium tanks not adequately secured. In back kitchen office area
51-11-4
Basic - Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable.
14-09-4
Basic - Employee with ineffective hair restraint while engaging in food preparation. Long ponytails observed with head visors.
13-02-4
Basic - Food not stored at least 6 inches off of the floor. Pickle bucket on floor in walk-in-cooler
08B-47-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Hood filters soiled with dust and grease
23-03-4
Basic - Time/temperature control for safety food thawed in an improper manner. Frozen empanadas, packaged chicken and Spanish bean soup thawing on rack at room temperature in back kitchen area. Discussed with operators proper ways to safely thaw frozen foods. Operator placing frozen foods in walk-in-cooler **Corrective Action Taken**
06-01-5
61
Jul 31, 2023
Routine - Food
1 major violation. 5 minor violations.
View 6 violations
Intermediate - Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled. Near 3 compartment sink **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
41-17-4
Basic - Carbon dioxide/helium tanks not adequately secured. In kitchen near back kitchen door. **Repeat Violation**
51-11-4
Basic - Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable. **Repeat Violation**
14-09-4
Basic - No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees. Employees restroom in back kitchen area **Repeat Violation**
31B-04-4
Basic - Wet mop not stored in a manner to allow the mop to dry.
42-01-4
Basic - Bathroom door left open other than during cleaning or maintenance. Employees restroom **Corrected On-Site**
32-02-4
70
Jul 12, 2022
Routine - Food
2 major violations. 6 minor violations.
View 8 violations
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. Sliced meats in walk-in-cooler
02C-03-5
Intermediate - Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled. Observed unlabeled bottle with toxic chemicals stored on shelf near hot water heater **Repeat Violation**
41-17-4
Basic - Carbon dioxide/helium tanks not adequately secured. Near back kitchen door
51-11-4
Basic - Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable. **Repeat Violation**
14-09-4
Basic - Equipment and utensils not washed, rinsed and sanitized in the correct order in three-compartment sink. Operator is setting up correctly. **Corrective Action Taken**
16-13-5
Basic - Food not stored at least 6 inches off of the floor. Pickle bucket on floor in walk-in-cooler
08B-47-4
Basic - No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees. Front kitchen area hand sink **Repeat Violation**
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**
23-03-4
61
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Mr Empanada last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Mr Empanada on file is from Sep 30, 2025. The public record contains four inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Mr Empanada?
Across the inspection record, “spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled” has been cited four times, more than any other issue at Mr Empanada.
How does Mr Empanada compare to other restaurants in Tampa?
Mr Empanada most recently scored 35 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 14 violations per visit, up from roughly seven 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.
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