Pepper Lunch
Last inspected: Apr 2, 2026
82
Score
Pepper Lunch has been inspected eight times since 2023. The newest entry in the record is dated Apr 2, 2026. Diners can read the low risk label as a sign that recent inspections have gone well.
Things have been moving in the right direction, with the rolling count dropping from around five violations to closer to two violations per visit.
Across the inspection history, “employee beverage container on a food preparation table” is the issue that surfaces most often, recorded three times.
That falls roughly in the middle of the pack for Pinellas Park restaurants. The record reflects steady performance over time.
8
Inspections
0
Critical latest
2
Major latest
0
Minor latest
Inspection History
Apr 2, 2026
Routine - Food
2 major violations.
View 2 violations
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : Intermediate - No proof of required state approved employee training provided for employee hired more than 60 days ago. To order approved program food safety material, call DBPR contracted provider: Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (SafeStaff) 866-372-7233. Camron worked here a year no food safety training. Observed Brand new booklets but not one filled out. Chef has some Karmell type of training unable to provide me with proof of certification. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2026-04-02: Brand new booklets but not one filled out **Admin Complaint**
53B-02-5
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : 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. Some employees. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2026-04-02: Unable to provide proof - 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. **Admin Complaint**
11-26-1
82
Jan 30, 2026
Routine - Food
4 major violations.
View 4 violations
Intermediate - Manager or person in charge lacking proof of food manager certification. Manager Will Unable to provide proof of training. **Warning**
53A-01-7
Intermediate - No probe thermometer provided to measure temperature of food products. Unable to provide **Warning**
05-08-4
Intermediate - No proof of required state approved employee training provided for employee hired more than 60 days ago. To order approved program food safety material, call DBPR contracted provider: Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (SafeStaff) 866-372-7233. Camron worked here a year no food safety training. Observed Brand new booklets but not one filled out. Chef has some Karmell type of training unable to provide me with proof of certification. **Warning**
53B-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. Some employees. **Warning**
11-26-1
67
Aug 28, 2025
Routine - Food
No violations found.
100
Jul 7, 2025
Routine - Food
1 major violation.
View 1 violation
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : 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. 7 employee **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2025-07-07: 7 employee **Time Extended**
53B-01-5
90
Jul 2, 2025
Routine - Food
3 critical violations. 5 major violations. 6 minor violations.
View 14 violations
High Priority - Employee began working with food, handling clean equipment or utensils, or touching unwrapped single-service items without first washing hands. Employee was out back of establishment came inside from the back door did not wash hands put on gloves but no hand wash. Instructed to wash hands. Employee washed hands. **Warning**
12A-16-4
High Priority - Improper sewage disposal at floor drains in kitchen and/or food preparation area. Drain under Three compartment sink backing up onto floor.. establishment blocked off three compartment sink. And only utilizing dishwasher. Management on way with snack to clear drain. establishment cleaned and sanitized area. **Admin Complaint**
28-17-5
High Priority - Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. Reduced oxygen packaging salmon in the reach in cooler fully thawed not removed from packaging or scored **Warning**
01B-02-5
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. 7 employee **Warning**
53B-01-5
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. **Warning**
11-27-4
Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Hand wash sink near Kubota rice machine observed rice in bottom of hand wash sink **Warning**
31A-11-4
Intermediate - Manager or person in charge lacking proof of food manager certification. **Warning**
53A-01-7
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. **Warning**
11-26-1
Basic - Commercially processed reduced oxygen packaged fish bearing a label indicating that it is to remain frozen until time of use no longer frozen and not removed from reduced oxygen package. Reduced oxygen packaging salmon in the reach in cooler fully thawed not removed from packaging or scored **Warning**
06-09-1
Basic - Wiping cloth quaternary ammonium compound sanitizing solution not at proper minimum strength. Was 0 ppm **Warning**
21-08-4
Basic - Water draining onto floor surface. Pipe from dishwasher leaking onto floor left side **Warning**
29-03-4
Basic - No Heimlich maneuver/choking sign posted. **Warning**
51-13-4
Basic - Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Employee backpack on dry storage rack. **Warning**
40-06-5
Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. **Warning**
12B-07-4
29
Mar 3, 2025
Food-Licensing Inspection
No violations found.
100
Feb 14, 2024
Routine - Food
7 critical violations. 9 major violations. 14 minor violations.
View 30 violations
High Priority - Pesticide/insecticide labeled for household use only present in establishment. On the floor in kitchen area near mop sink.
41-05-4
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over or with unwashed produce. Shelled eggs stored over unwashed produce inside reach in fridge.
08A-04-5
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over or with ready-to-eat food in a freezer - not all products commercially packaged. Uncovered raw beef stored over cooked beef in reach in freezer.
08A-02-6
High Priority - Nonfood-grade bags used in direct contact with food. Grocery bags being used to store unwashed produce, raw meats, cooked meats inside reach in coolers and freezers.
14-31-5
High Priority - Employee handled soiled equipment or utensils and then engaged in food preparation, handled clean equipment or utensils, or touched unwrapped single-service items without washing hands. Employee in kitchen area wearing single use gloves going from dirty to clean dishes with the same gloves on.
12A-13-4
High Priority - Employee failed to wash hands before putting on gloves to initiate a task working with food. Employee engaging in multiple tasks in kitchen area without changing gloves.
12A-07-5
High Priority - Raw animal foods not properly separated from one another based upon minimum required cooking temperature when stored in a freezer - not all products commercially packaged. Raw chicken stored on top of raw beef in reach in freezer.
08A-17-6
Intermediate - Certified Food Manager or person in charge lacks knowledge of foodborne illnesses and symptoms of illness that would prevent an employee from working with food, clean equipment and utensils, and single-service items.
11-07-5
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. Opened gallon of milk in reach in cooler near front counter area not date marked.
02C-03-5
Intermediate - Equipment drain line draining into handwash sink. In first hand sink near front counter area and espresso machine. **Corrected On-Site**
31A-10-4
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 form to operator.
11-27-4
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Underneath cutting boards on reach in cooler near three compartment sink soiled with brown slimy substance.
22-02-4
Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Employee washing dishes in both hand sinks in front counter area of the restaurant.
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.
53B-01-5
Intermediate - No soap provided at handwash sink. At hand sink nearest to front counter. Operator put soap at sink. **Corrected On-Site**
31B-03-4
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. Broths inside reach in freezer not date marked.
02C-04-5
Basic - Cardboard used to line nonfood-contact shelves. Inside reach in cooler near three compartment sink.
14-45-4
Basic - Buildup of food debris/soil residue on equipment door handles. Reach in coolers and freezer handles soiled with food debris.
23-24-4
Basic - Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Employee phone stored above reach in cooler near three compartment sink.
40-06-5
Basic - Employee with no hair restraint while engaging in food preparation.
13-03-4
Basic - Food stored on floor. Brown sugar, soy sauce, oils stored on the floor in kitchen area.
08B-38-4
Basic - In-use utensil in non-time/temperature control for safety food not stored with handle above top of food within a closed container. Handle touching sugar and red beans inside container stored under prep table in kitchen area.
10-01-5
Basic - In-use utensil stored in standing water less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Rice scoop in 67 F standing water in kitchen area. Operator stored scoop without water. **Corrected On-Site**
10-07-4
Basic - Interior of oven/microwave has accumulation of black substance/grease/food debris. Microwave interior in kitchen area soiled with food debris. Ovens near three compartment sink soiled with built up food debris.
22-08-4
Basic - No copy of latest inspection report available.
51-18-6
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Gasket on reach in freezers and cooler soiled with food debris and mold like substance.
23-03-4
Basic - Opened employee beverage container in a cold holding unit with food to be served to customers. Employee drinks inside reach in cooler near three compartment sink.
12B-13-4
Basic - Stored food not covered. Raw beef stored in reach in freezer not covered.
08B-12-5
Basic - Time/temperature control for safety food thawed in an improper manner. Pig feet thawing in standing water inside stainless steel bowl near dish machine area.
06-01-5
Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Employee stored drink on prep table in kitchen area.
12B-07-4
7
Apr 4, 2023
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 1 minor violation.
View 3 violations
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Raw beef over broth in reach in cooler.
08A-05-6
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over or with ready-to-eat food in a freezer - not all products commercially packaged. In reach in freezer in kitchen.
08A-02-6
Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Drinks on front line. Operator moved drinks. **Corrected On-Site**
12B-07-4
70
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Pepper Lunch last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Pepper Lunch on file is from Apr 2, 2026. The public record contains eight inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Pepper Lunch?
Across the inspection record, “employee beverage container on a food preparation table” has been cited three times, more than any other issue at Pepper Lunch.
How does Pepper Lunch compare to other restaurants in Pinellas Park?
Pepper Lunch most recently scored 82 out of 100, which is about the same as the Pinellas Park average of 82.
Has Pepper Lunch's inspection record improved over time?
Yes. Recent inspections at Pepper Lunch have averaged around two violations per visit, down from roughly five earlier in the record.
What does a low risk rating mean?
A low risk rating at Pepper Lunch means inspectors found minimal or no significant issues at the most recent visit. Most facilities at this tier have a clean recent inspection report.
How often is Pepper Lunch inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Pepper Lunch is inspected around three times per year on average.
Nearby Restaurants