Pho Lovers
Last inspected: Dec 3, 2025
78
Score
Pho Lovers appears in inspection records 10 times, starting in 2023. The most recent visit was on Dec 3, 2025. A low risk tier reflects an inspection that turned up minimal issues.
Violation counts have ticked up lately, averaging around 14 violations per visit versus roughly 10 violations earlier in the record.
Across the inspection history, “food-contact surface soiled” is the issue that surfaces most often, recorded four times.
The city-wide average sits at 82, which Pho Lovers' 78 doesn't quite reach. The full record sits in fairly typical territory for a working restaurant.
10
Inspections
1
Critical latest
0
Major latest
2
Minor latest
Inspection History
Dec 3, 2025
Complaint Full
1 critical violation. 2 minor violations.
View 3 violations
High Priority - - From initial inspection : High Priority - Vacuum breaker missing at hose bibb or on fitting/splitter added to hose bibb. Near walk in cooler deli stored **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2025-12-03: Vacuum breaker missing at hose bibb or on fitting/splitter added to hose bibb. Near walk in cooler deli stored **Time Extended**
29-34-4
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Gaskets soiled cooler with bean sprouts. **Repeat Violation** **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2025-12-03: **Time Extended**
23-03-4
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Wall soiled with accumulated grease, food debris, and/or dust. Behind three compartment sink **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2025-12-03: Wall soiled with accumulated grease, food debris, and/or dust. Behind three compartment sink **Time Extended**
36-27-5
78
Nov 24, 2025
Complaint Full
6 critical violations. 4 major violations. 11 minor violations.
View 21 violations
High Priority - Stop Sale issued due to food not being in a wholesome, sound condition. 3 lbs ROP fish inside reach in freezer, ROP soup beef strew 4 lbs. **Warning**
01B-13-4
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Deli reach in cooler at cook line sliced beef (56F - Cold Holding); brisket (51F - Cold Holding); Moved to freezer **Corrective Action Taken** **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
03A-02-5
High Priority - Vacuum breaker missing at hose bibb or on fitting/splitter added to hose bibb. Near walk in cooler deli stored **Warning**
29-34-4
High Priority - Employee failed to wash hands before putting on gloves to initiate a task working with food. Chef walking in and out of kitchen changed gloves but no hand wash. **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
12A-07-5
High Priority - Fish not held frozen before, during and after being packaged onsite using a reduced oxygen packaging method. King fish inside reach in freezer near deli cooler stored- not frozen entire time throughout process. 3 lbs **Warning**
03G-04-5
High Priority - Presence of insects 50 pile of sugar ant on back table near back door. One line of ants 30 near back door. **Admin Complaint**
35A-09-4
Intermediate - Cook-chill or sous vide reduced oxygen packaged food held more than 48 hours not labeled or with a label that lacks required information. Beef stew inside reach in freezer made three weeks ago **Warning**
03G-09-5
Intermediate - No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. Service station **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
31B-02-4
Intermediate - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Not one date mark throughout establishment. **Warning**
02C-02-5
Intermediate - Reduced oxygen packaged food lacking bold type on contrasting background, or other required information. Raw Rib eye in ROP - inside reach in freezer near cook line - no labels. Owner put label on during inspection. **Warning**
03G-06-5
Basic - Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin. **Warning**
22-20-5
Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Orange soda beverage in glass reach in cooler. Employee moved **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
12B-07-4
Basic - Food stored in undrained ice. Bean sprouts in deli cooler inside water **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
08B-31-4
Basic - Food stored on floor. Large pot of pho chicken stock on floor near cook line. Employee moved **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
08B-38-4
Basic - Ice scoop handle in contact with ice. In front **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
10-08-5
Basic - In-use tongs stored on equipment door handle between uses. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
10-20-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Gaskets soiled cooler with bean sprouts. **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
23-03-4
Basic - Plumbing system in disrepair. Hand wash sink. very slow draining water in handwash sink near three compartment sink. **Warning**
29-08-4
Basic - Stored food not covered. Raw beef uncovered reach in cooler near dishwasher. Reach in cooler. Employee coved **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
08B-12-5
Basic - Wall soiled with accumulated grease, food debris, and/or dust. Behind three compartment sink **Warning**
36-27-5
Basic - very slow draining water in handwash sink near three compartment sink. **Warning**
29-20-5
16
Sep 10, 2025
Routine - Food
4 critical violations. 2 major violations. 12 minor violations.
View 18 violations
High Priority - Employee washed hands with no soap. Observed cook touch raw pork with gloved hands then washed hands with only water no soap. Instructed to wash hands with soup.
12A-20-4
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over or with ready-to-eat food in a freezer - not all products commercially packaged. Raw pork over ready to eat rotisserie chicken right side three door reach in freezer. Employee moved **Corrected On-Site**
08A-02-6
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Raw pork over top of bowl of cooked pork shoulder reach in cooler near dishwasher. Employee moved **Corrected On-Site**
08A-05-6
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. At cook line. chicken stock (62F - Cold Holding); garlic in oil (72F - Cold Holding) Put into reach in freezer New temp chicken stock 32F - Cold Holding); garlic in oil (35F - Cold Holding) **Corrected On-Site**
03A-02-5
Intermediate - No soap provided at handwash sink at cook line. Replaced during inspection **Corrected On-Site**
31B-03-4
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris Cutting board prep area.
22-02-4
Basic - Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting. Cups at service station. Employee brought to back **Corrected On-Site**
24-08-4
Basic - Equipment in poor repair. Door handle of three door reach in freezer contaminated ice
14-11-5
Basic - Food stored in undrained ice. Bean sprouts stored in water in reach in cooler prep area. Employee removed water **Corrected On-Site**
08B-31-4
Basic - Ice scoop handle in contact with ice. Front service station red ice bucket
10-08-5
Basic - In-use tongs stored on equipment door handle between uses. Employee moved **Corrected On-Site**
10-20-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with food debris gaskets at cook line no bead
23-03-4
Basic - Open dumpster lid.
33-16-4
Basic - Opened employee beverage container in a cold holding unit with food to be served to customers. Open soda bottle over top no coved container of tea to be sold to customers glass cooler at service station Employee moved
12B-13-4
Basic - Standing water in bottom of both reach-in-cooler. Employee cleaned **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
29-49-6
Basic - Stored food not covered. Chicken breast inside three door reach in freezer uncovered during inspection covered **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
08B-12-5
Basic - Wall soiled with accumulated grease, food debris, and/or dust. Wall top of three compartment sink.
36-27-5
Basic - Wet wiping cloth not stored in sanitizing solution between uses. On cutting boards at cook line.
21-12-4
25
Mar 3, 2025
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 3 major violations. 6 minor violations.
View 10 violations
Certified Food Manager Identification
FL-02
Proper Eating, Tasting, Drinking, or Tobacco Use
FL-06
Hands Clean and Properly Washed
FL-08
Adequate Handwashing Facilities Supplied and Accessible
FL-10
Food Contact Surfaces Clean and Sanitized
FL-22
Non-Food Contact Surfaces Clean
FL-23
Equipment Adequate to Maintain Product Temperature
FL-29
Approved Thawing Methods Used
FL-31
Personal Cleanliness
FL-40
Wiping Cloths Properly Used and Stored
FL-41
35
Feb 6, 2025
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 2 major violations. 3 minor violations.
View 7 violations
Certified Food Manager Identification
FL-02
Employee Health Policies Present
FL-03
Hands Clean and Properly Washed
FL-08
Food Obtained from Approved Sources
FL-11
Food Contact Surfaces Clean and Sanitized
FL-22
Approved Thawing Methods Used
FL-31
Food and Non-Food Contact Surfaces Designed and Constructed
FL-50
25
Sep 11, 2024
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 4 major violations. 6 minor violations.
View 12 violations
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over or with ready-to-eat food in a freezer - not all products commercially packaged. Raw beef over cooked fish balls inside reach in deli cooler. Operator moved RTE cooked fish balls above raw beef. **Corrected On-Site**
08A-02-6
High Priority - Raw animal foods not properly separated from each other in holding unit based upon minimum required cooking temperature. Raw chicken above raw pork inside reach in deli cooler. Operator moved the raw pork above the raw chicken. **Corrected On-Site**
08A-20-5
Intermediate - Menu does not identify which items contain raw or undercooked animal foods covered by the consumer advisory. Rare Beef, meatballs soup and Pho filet mignon-pho tai soup not identified on the menu as raw. Discussed with operator. **Corrective Action Taken**
02B-01-5
Intermediate - Paper towel dispenser at handwash sink not working/unable to dispense paper towels. Paper towel dispenser batteries dead. Operator stocked paper towel roll at hand sink on cook line. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
31B-05-4
Intermediate - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Buckets of chicken and beef stock prepared yesterday not date marked inside walk in cooler. Multiple food items in reach in deli cooler on cook line not date marked. **Repeat Violation**
02C-02-5
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Cutting boards stained on reach in deli coolers.
22-02-4
Basic - Cardboard used to line nonfood-contact shelves. Beneath grill table on cook line. Operator removed cardboard. **Corrected On-Site**
14-45-4
Basic - Buildup of food debris/soil residue on equipment door handles. Equipment handles throughout the kitchen soiled with food debris.
23-24-4
Basic - Interior of oven/microwave has accumulation of black substance/grease/food debris. Microwave interior soiled with food debris.
22-08-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Reach in deli cooler gaskets heavily soiled with black mold like substance. **Repeat Violation**
23-03-4
Basic - Wall soiled with accumulated grease, food debris, and/or dust. Wall above three compartment sink soiled with black mold like substance.
36-27-5
Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Employee water stored on shelf above reach in deli cooler. Operator discarded item. **Corrected On-Site**
12B-07-4
37
Mar 11, 2024
Routine - Food
1 major violation. 3 minor violations.
View 4 violations
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. **Repeat Violation** - From follow-up inspection 2024-01-24: Operator has safe staff books on site for his staff but the booklets are not complete. **Time Extended** - From follow-up inspection 2024-03-11: No proof of employee training for all employees. **Admin Complaint**
53B-01-5
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Faucet/handle missing at plumbing fixture. Hot water handle at hand sink near three compartment sink and dish machine area is not dispensing water when turned. Operator explained that he turned off hot water at sink because valve is leaking. - From follow-up inspection 2024-01-24: **Time Extended** - From follow-up inspection 2024-03-11: **Time Extended**
29-09-4
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Gaskets on reach in coolers on cook line soiled with mold like substance and food debris. **Repeat Violation** - From follow-up inspection 2024-01-24: **Time Extended** - From follow-up inspection 2024-03-11: **Time Extended**
23-03-4
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Water leaking from pipe and/or faucet/handle. Leaking faucet at hand sink near cook line. Operator explained that when the cold water handle is turned the faucet leaks. - From follow-up inspection 2024-01-24: **Time Extended** - From follow-up inspection 2024-03-11: **Time Extended**
29-11-4
78
Nov 8, 2023
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 5 major violations. 7 minor violations.
View 13 violations
High Priority - - From initial inspection : High Priority - Employee touching ready-to-eat food with their bare hands - food was not being heated as a sole ingredient to 145 degrees F or immediately added to other ingredients to be cooked/heated to the minimum required temperature to allow bare hand contact. Establishment has no approved Alternative Operating Procedure. Barehand contact while cutting onions. - From follow-up inspection 2023-11-07: No prep being done at the time of callback inspection. **Time Extended** - From follow-up inspection 2023-11-08: No prep at time of inspection. **Time Extended**
09-01-4
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : Intermediate - Certified Food Manager or person in charge lacks knowledge of employee health policy and health requirements. - From follow-up inspection 2023-11-07: **Time Extended** - From follow-up inspection 2023-11-08: **Time Extended**
11-03-5
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : Intermediate - Employee washed hands in a sink other than an approved handwash sink. Employee washing their hands in three compartment sink near dish machine. - From follow-up inspection 2023-11-07: **Time Extended** - From follow-up inspection 2023-11-08: **Time Extended**
12A-03-4
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Can opener soiled with food debris. Gaskets throughout kitchen soiled. - From follow-up inspection 2023-11-07: **Time Extended** - From follow-up inspection 2023-11-08: **Time Extended**
22-02-4
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. - From follow-up inspection 2023-11-07: No proof of employee food training during callback inspection. **Time Extended** - From follow-up inspection 2023-11-08: **Time Extended**
53B-01-5
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : Intermediate - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Not date marking throughout kitchen. - From follow-up inspection 2023-11-07: **Time Extended** - From follow-up inspection 2023-11-08: **Time Extended**
02C-02-5
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin. Ice machine interior in back area of restaurant has accumulation of mold like substance. - From follow-up inspection 2023-11-07: **Time Extended** - From follow-up inspection 2023-11-08: **Time Extended**
22-20-5
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Buildup of food debris/soil residue on equipment door handles. Equipment handles throughout the kitchen soiled. All 3 hand wash sinks soiled. Inside reach in freezer soiled. Exterior food storage containers soiled. Hood system soiled with grease. - From follow-up inspection 2023-11-07: **Time Extended** - From follow-up inspection 2023-11-08: **Time Extended**
23-24-4
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable. Cutting boards on reach in cooler fridge near three compartment sink and oven grooved and no longer cleanable. - From follow-up inspection 2023-11-07: **Time Extended** - From follow-up inspection 2023-11-08: **Time Extended**
14-09-4
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Employee with no hair restraint while engaging in food preparation. Cook, dishwasher, and server who prepares food. - From follow-up inspection 2023-11-07: **Time Extended** - From follow-up inspection 2023-11-08: **Time Extended**
13-03-4
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Open dumpster lid. - From follow-up inspection 2023-11-07: **Time Extended** - From follow-up inspection 2023-11-08: **Time Extended**
33-16-4
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Wall soiled with accumulated grease, food debris, and/or dust. Wall soiled around dish area. - From follow-up inspection 2023-11-07: **Time Extended** - From follow-up inspection 2023-11-08: **Time Extended**
36-27-5
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Water leaking from pipe and/or faucet/handle. Hand wash sink on cook line leaking at faucets. Hand wash sink in dish room leaking on the floor. - From follow-up inspection 2023-11-07: **Time Extended** - From follow-up inspection 2023-11-08: **Time Extended**
29-11-4
37
Feb 8, 2023
Complaint Full
3 critical violations. 2 major violations. 6 minor violations.
View 11 violations
High Priority - Live, small flying insects in kitchen, food preparation area, food storage area and/or bar area. 2 flies on cook line, not landing. Killed by operator. **Corrected On-Site**
35A-02-6
High Priority - Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license. 2-1-23
50-17-3
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over or with ready-to-eat food in a freezer - not all products commercially packaged. Frozen opened bag of raw fish under raw chicken in freezer. Chicken moved. **Corrected On-Site**
08A-02-6
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Cutting board stained. Reach in freezer interior soiled.
22-02-4
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. In reach in freezer on cook line
02C-04-5
Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Drinks with single service lids at front bar. **Corrected On-Site**
12B-07-4
Basic - Employee with no hair restraint while engaging in food preparation. 1 cook
13-03-4
Basic - Food stored on floor. Noodles and tendon. Items moved. **Corrected On-Site**
08B-38-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Gaskets on cook line
23-03-4
Basic - Single-service articles not stored inverted or protected from contamination. **Corrected On-Site**
25-06-4
Basic - Buildup of food debris/soil residue on equipment door handles. Reach in freezer on cook line.
23-24-4
39
Jan 25, 2023
Routine - Food
2 major violations. 2 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Certified Food Manager Identification
FL-02
Food Received at Proper Temperature
FL-12
Food Contact Surfaces Clean and Sanitized
FL-22
Approved Thawing Methods Used
FL-31
67
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Pho Lovers last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Pho Lovers on file is from Dec 3, 2025. The public record contains 10 inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Pho Lovers?
Across the inspection record, “food-contact surface soiled” has been cited four times, more than any other issue at Pho Lovers.
How does Pho Lovers compare to other restaurants in Pinellas Park?
Pho Lovers most recently scored 78 out of 100, which is lower than the Pinellas Park average of 82.
Has Pho Lovers' inspection record improved over time?
No. Recent inspections at Pho Lovers have averaged around 14 violations per visit, up from roughly 10 earlier in the record.
What does a low risk rating mean?
A low risk rating at Pho Lovers 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 Pho Lovers inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Pho Lovers is inspected around four times per year on average.
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