Pepper's Mexican Grill and Cantina
Last inspected: Feb 5, 2026
86
Score
Across the available record, Pepper's Mexican Grill and Cantina has 13 inspections on file, the first dated 2022. The newest entry in the record is dated Feb 5, 2026. When a facility lands in the low risk tier, it usually means nothing alarming showed up at the most recent visit.
The trend has been favorable: violation counts have eased from around five violations to closer to three violations per visit over the last few inspections.
Across the inspection history, “food-contact surface soiled with food debris” is the issue that surfaces most often, recorded three times.
The city-wide average is 87, putting Pepper's Mexican Grill and Cantina squarely in typical territory. Overall, the inspection record reads well.
13
Inspections
1
Critical latest
0
Major latest
0
Minor latest
Inspection History
Feb 5, 2026
Routine - Food
1 critical violation.
View 1 violation
High Priority - - From initial inspection : High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed following food items cold holding for less than 4 hours: Shrimp 46F Beef 44F Raw chicken 50F . Operator placed food items inside walk in cooler during time of inspection. **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2026-02-03: Observed following food items cold holding for more than 4 hours inside reach in cooler next to flat top: Chicken 49F Shrimp 46F Beef 46F. *see stop sale** I advised operator to to keep prep coolers closed when not working on flat top grill due to cooler being in close proximity. **Time Extended**
03A-02-5
86
Jan 30, 2026
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 3 minor violations.
View 5 violations
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed following food items cold holding for less than 4 hours: Shrimp 46F Beef 44F Raw chicken 50F . Operator placed food items inside walk in cooler during time of inspection. **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning**
03A-02-5
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Observed can opener bladed soiled with food debris.
22-02-4
Basic - Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Observed employee air pods stored on food prep table in kitchen.
40-06-5
Basic - Ice buildup in reach-in freezer and/or walk-in freezer. Observed ice buildup inside walk in freezer.
14-69-4
Basic - Time/temperature control for safety food thawed in an improper manner. Observed fish fillets sitting in water to thaw. Operator ran water over fish during time of inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
06-01-5
67
Aug 6, 2025
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 1 minor violation.
View 2 violations
High Priority - Raw animal foods not properly separated from each other in holding unit based upon minimum required cooking temperature. Observed raw beef store next to raw chicken inside reach in cooler on cook line. Observed raw beef placed on top raw chicken inside walk in cooler. Operator properly placed food items during time of inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
08A-20-5
Basic - Floor tiles missing and/or in disrepair. Observed floor tile crack in ware washing area.
36-17-5
82
Jan 7, 2025
Complaint Full
No violations found.
100
Dec 27, 2024
Complaint Full
4 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Basic - Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance. Observed ceiling vents through kitchen accumulated with dust. **Repeat Violation**
36-34-5
Basic - Dishmachine not washing/rinsing properly. Must wash, rinse and sanitize all dishware, equipment and utensils in three-compartment sink until dishmachine is functioning properly. Dish machine not properly sanitizing dishes during time of inspection. Informed operator to set up three compartment sink until dish machine is working properly. **Warning**
16-55-4
Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Observed opened drink on prep table inside kitchen. Employee removed drink during time of inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
12B-07-4
Basic - Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Observed employee clothing stored next to food items. Operator removed clothing during time of inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
40-06-5
82
Jul 24, 2024
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 10 minor violations.
View 11 violations
Certified Food Manager Identification
FL-02
Employee Health Policies Present
FL-03
Hands Clean and Properly Washed
FL-08
Potentially Hazardous Food Held at Proper Temperature
FL-16
Food Contact Surfaces Clean and Sanitized
FL-22
Non-Food Contact Surfaces Clean
FL-23
Warewashing Facilities Maintained and Used
FL-24
Equipment Adequate to Maintain Product Temperature
FL-29
Lighting Adequate; Required Shields in Place
FL-36
Personal Cleanliness
FL-40
Washing Fruits and Vegetables
FL-42
43
Mar 5, 2024
Complaint Full
No violations found.
100
Dec 12, 2023
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 10 minor violations.
View 12 violations
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed salsa 57F at servers area.
03A-02-5
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Observed can opener with food debris.
22-02-4
Basic - Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin. Observed ice machine with mold like substance.
22-20-5
Basic - Ceiling/ceiling tile shows damage or is in disrepair. Observed ceiling tiles soiled throughout kitchen.
36-32-5
Basic - Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance. Observed hood vents with grease accumulation , AC vents with dust accumulation.
36-34-5
Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Observed coffee cup on prep table next to plated food.
12B-07-4
Basic - No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees. Observed no hand wash sign at hand wash sink near 3 compartment sink. Manager replaced sign during inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
31B-04-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed gaskets, seals on Walk in cooler soiled with dirt, grime, and or mold like substance.
23-03-4
Basic - Single-service articles not stored inverted or protected from contamination. Observed aluminum single serve containers stored upright.
25-06-4
Basic - Stored food not covered. Observed pico di gallo, fish, not covered under expo.
08B-12-5
Basic - Water draining onto floor surface. Observed water draining from water heater onto floor.
29-03-4
Basic - Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Observed sugar in working container not labeled servers area.
02D-01-5
47
Jun 23, 2023
Routine - Food
No violations found.
100
Jun 14, 2023
Routine - Food
No violations found.
100
Jun 13, 2023
Routine - Food
8 critical violations. 5 major violations. 9 minor violations.
View 22 violations
High Priority - Employee failed to wash hands before putting on gloves to initiate a task working with food. Line cook, applied gloves without washing hands. Line cook switching tasks, placing raw chicken in grill to plating ready to eat foods.
12A-07-5
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. Dishwasher loading soiled dishes and unloading clean dishes without washing hands in between tasks.
12A-13-4
High Priority - Food-contact surfaces not sanitized after cleaning, before use. Do not use equipment/utensils not properly sanitized. After display of procedure at bar, cups and mixer equipment not sanitized due to no sanitizer sink set up.
22-45-4
High Priority - Nonexempt fish offered raw or undercooked has not undergone proper parasite destruction. Fish must be fully cooked or discarded. Establishment serves traditional ceviche. No parasite destruction records for fish used. Operator reached out to purveyor, not obtained during inspection.
01D-01-5
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. In flip top cooler, raw shell eggs stored behind ready to eat vegetable. In walk in cooler raw shell eggs stored over ready to eat quest. Case of raw chicken stored on top of keg in walk in cooler.
08A-05-6
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. At flip top cooler, cut greens (45F - Cold Holding); raw shrimp (44F - Cold Holding);.
03A-02-5
High Priority - Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. Bottle of degreaser stored on ice machine.
41-10-4
High Priority - Vacuum breaker missing at hose bibb or on fitting/splitter added to hose bibb. Hose attached to bibb of gas water heater for use as a spraying hose.
29-34-4
Intermediate - No chemical test kit provided when using sanitizer at three-compartment sink/warewashing machine or wiping cloths. Test kit damaged and will not give reading. Inspector confirmed concentration of dish machine sanitizer.
16-37-1
Intermediate - Employee has not received adequate training related to their assigned duties as evidenced by lack of general knowledge in performing their assigned duties. Waitstaff alternates setting up the bar area, no employees with knowledge of proper wash rinse sanitize procedures.
53B-15-4
Intermediate - Food being cooled by nonapproved method as evidenced by inadequate rate of cooling during time of inspection. Based on rate of time temperature observations, beans in deep hotel pan will not reach 70F within 2 hours. Reviewed cooling with operator.
03D-15-4
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Multiple cutting boards with stains.
22-02-4
Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. In kitchen near tortilla dispenser, third pan stored in HWS. Removed by employee. Additional HWS at wait station used to wring out wet wiping cloth.
31A-11-4
Basic - Ceiling/ceiling tile shows damage or is in disrepair. Heavily soiled tiles throughout kitchen, including directly over food prep areas.
36-32-5
Basic - Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting. Observed with food pans and cups for customer drinks.
24-08-4
Basic - Equipment and utensils not sanitized after wash and rinse at 3CS at bar.
16-16-4
Basic - Exterior door has a gap at the threshold that opens to the outside. At door leading to patio.
35B-01-4
Basic - Food prepped on floor. Large pot of sauce being prepped while on the floor of kitchen.
08B-38-4
Basic - Ice scoop handle in contact with ice. At bar ice bin, for customer drinks.
10-08-5
Basic - In-use wet wiping cloth/towel used under cutting board, at cook line and at bar.
21-04-4
Basic - Ten (10) foot-candles of light at least 30 inches from floor not provided in walk-in freezer. No light available in walk in freezer.
38-04-4
Basic - Unwashed fruits/vegetables stored with ready-to-eat food. In walk in cooler unwashed cilantro stored over ready to eat pans of cheese sauce.
08B-17-4
12
Jan 30, 2023
Routine - Food
1 major violation. 5 minor violations.
View 6 violations
Intermediate - Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Observed boxes of oil blocking hand washing sink.
31A-09-4
Basic - Floor area(s) covered with standing water. Observed standing water in floor tiles in front of walk in cooler.
36-22-4
Basic - Floor tiles missing and/or in disrepair. Observed tiles on floor in front of walk in cooler to be in disrepair.
36-17-5
Basic - Food stored on floor. Observed cooking oil stored on floor in front of hand washing sink.
08B-38-4
Basic - Ice buildup in reach-in freezer and/or walk-in freezer. Observed built up ice in walk in freezer.
14-69-4
Basic - Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin. Observed pink and black discoloration on plastic panel inside ice machine.
22-20-5
70
Sep 14, 2022
Routine - Food
2 major violations. 2 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Observed food inside hand washing sink across from cook line.
31A-11-4
Intermediate - No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. No paper towels at hand washing sink right of fryers. Manager replaced paper towels. **Corrected On-Site**
31B-02-4
Basic - Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting. Observed wet nesting in shallow pans across from three compartment sink.
24-08-4
Basic - No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees. No hand washing sign at hand washing sink left of ice bin.
31B-04-4
74
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Pepper's Mexican Grill and Cantina last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Pepper's Mexican Grill and Cantina on file is from Feb 5, 2026. The public record contains 13 inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Pepper's Mexican Grill and Cantina?
Across the inspection record, “food-contact surface soiled with food debris” has been cited three times, more than any other issue at Pepper's Mexican Grill and Cantina.
How does Pepper's Mexican Grill and Cantina compare to other restaurants in Tallahassee?
Pepper's Mexican Grill and Cantina most recently scored 86 out of 100, which is about the same as the Tallahassee average of 87.
Has Pepper's Mexican Grill and Cantina's inspection record improved over time?
Yes. Recent inspections at Pepper's Mexican Grill and Cantina have averaged around three violations per visit, down from roughly five earlier in the record.
What does a low risk rating mean?
A low risk rating at Pepper's Mexican Grill and Cantina 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's Mexican Grill and Cantina inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Pepper's Mexican Grill and Cantina is inspected around four times per year on average.
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