Pipos Cafe
Last inspected: Feb 11, 2026
70
Score
Across the available record, Pipos Cafe has eight inspections on file, the first dated 2022. On Feb 11, 2026, the health department conducted the most recent visit. Medium risk typically reflects a handful of issues that inspectors wrote up but didn't deem critical.
Things are looking better lately, with recent visits averaging around seven violations compared to roughly nine violations earlier on.
“Ceiling not smooth” accounts for the largest share of issues, appearing three times across the record.
Restaurants in St. Petersburg average 77, so Pipos Cafe trails the local norm. Nothing in the record is alarming, but there's room to improve.
8
Inspections
1
Critical latest
0
Major latest
4
Minor latest
Inspection History
Feb 11, 2026
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 4 minor violations.
View 5 violations
High Priority - Dishmachine quaternary ammonium sanitizer not at proper minimum strength. Discontinue use of dishmachine for sanitizing and set up manual sanitization until dishmachine is repaired and sanitizing properly. 0ppm, line was not seated properly in chemical bin, staff corrected and primed system, 50ppm **Corrected On-Site**
22-47-4
Basic - Ceiling not smooth, nonabsorbent and easily cleanable in food preparation, food storage, or warewashing areas.
36-37-5
Basic - Employee with no hair restraint while engaging in food preparation. One employee on cook line with no hair restraint
13-03-4
Basic - In-use utensil stored in standing water less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Tongs in 85F water, removed **Corrected On-Site**
10-07-4
Basic - Utensils in poor condition. Broken handle on scoop in dry good bin, operator discarded **Corrected On-Site**
14-12-4
70
Oct 13, 2025
Routine - Food
2 major violations. 6 minor violations.
View 8 violations
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Can opener blade soiled
22-02-4
Intermediate - Proof of required state approved employee training not available for some employees. To order approved program food safety material, call DBPR contracted provider: Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (SafeStaff) 866-372-7233. One employee with no proof of training
53B-13-5
Basic - Floor soiled/has accumulation of debris. Under cook line
36-73-4
Basic - Ice buildup in reach-in freezer and/or walk-in freezer.
14-69-4
Basic - In-use utensil in non-time/temperature control for safety food not stored with handle above top of food within a closed container. Scoop handle in bread crumbs and flour bins
10-01-5
Basic - Time/temperature control for safety food thawed in an improper manner. Raw beef thawing at room temp in prep sink, staff placed under cold running water **Corrected On-Site**
06-01-5
Basic - Utensils in poor condition. Broken walk in freezer door
14-12-4
Basic - Wiping cloth chlorine sanitizing solution not at proper minimum strength. Sanitizer bucket in dining room 200ppm, diluted to 100ppm **Corrected On-Site**
21-07-4
61
Jan 10, 2025
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 7 minor violations.
View 9 violations
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Warmer box at front counter: empanadas (112F - Hot Holding); devil crab (120F - Hot Holding), operator reheated to minimum 165F in oven, placed on time as a public health control **Corrected On-Site**
03A-02-5
Intermediate - Proof of required state approved employee training not available for some employees. To order approved program food safety material, call DBPR contracted provider: Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (SafeStaff) 866-372-7233. 1 employee hired over 60 days with no proof of training
53B-13-5
Basic - Accumulation of dead or trapped birds, insects, rodents, or other pests, in control devices. Approximately 20 dead insects in wall mounted control device, operator cleaned during inspection **Corrected On-Site**
35A-06-4
Basic - Ceiling not smooth, nonabsorbent and easily cleanable in food preparation, food storage, or warewashing areas. Over kitchen
36-37-5
Basic - Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Backpack and jacket over food on storage rack, removed **Corrected On-Site**
40-06-5
Basic - Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting. Plastic cups at soda machine
24-08-4
Basic - Floor soiled/has accumulation of debris. Under cook line
36-73-4
Basic - Food stored on floor. Cases of crab on floor in walk-in cooler
08B-38-4
Basic - Label on a food item prepared and packaged onsite for customer self-service does not include product identity/description, date product was packaged and name and address of the establishment that prepared and packaged the food. Flan in grab and go cooler next to soda machine prepared on site with no labels **Repeat Violation**
02D-03-4
55
Jul 11, 2024
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 3 major violations. 5 minor violations.
View 9 violations
Certified Food Manager Identification
FL-02
Hands Clean and Properly Washed
FL-08
Adequate Handwashing Facilities Supplied and Accessible
FL-10
Proper Hot and Cold Holding Temperatures
FL-21
Food Contact Surfaces Clean and Sanitized
FL-22
Approved Thawing Methods Used
FL-31
Lighting Adequate; Required Shields in Place
FL-36
Personal Cleanliness
FL-40
Equipment, Food and Non-Food Contact Surfaces Approved
FL-35
47
Jan 24, 2024
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 8 minor violations.
View 10 violations
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Devil crab (118F - Hot Holding); empanadas (110F - Hot Holding) in warmer box at front counter, instructed staff to reheat to minimum 165F. Recommended items be added to time as a public health control (form emailed to operator)
03B-01-6
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Can opener blade soiled. Ice chute on self service soda machine soiled **Repeat Violation**
22-02-4
Basic - Accumulation of dead or trapped birds, insects, rodents, or other pests, in control devices. 9 dead insects in UV trap near rear exit door, cleaned during inspection **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
35A-06-4
Basic - Ceiling not smooth, nonabsorbent and easily cleanable in food preparation, food storage, or warewashing areas. Porous acoustic tiles over cook line **Repeat Violation**
36-37-5
Basic - Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance. Kitchen area **Repeat Violation**
36-34-5
Basic - Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting. Plastic cups at soda machine **Repeat Violation**
24-08-4
Basic - Food stored on floor. Cooking oil on floor of outside storage shed
08B-38-4
Basic - Ice buildup in walk-in freezer. **Repeat Violation**
14-69-4
Basic - Label on a food item prepared and packaged onsite for customer self-service does not include product identity/description, date product was packaged and name and address of the establishment that prepared and packaged the food. Flan, bread pudding and sauces in glass grab and go cooler not properly labeled **Repeat Violation**
02D-03-4
Basic - Time/temperature control for safety food thawed in an improper manner. Cooked ham and raw swai thawing at room temperature, moved to sink with running water **Corrected On-Site**
06-01-5
52
Aug 28, 2023
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 7 minor violations.
View 9 violations
Certified Food Manager Identification
FL-02
Employee Health Policies Present
FL-03
Required Records Available; Shellstock Tags/Labels
FL-14
Food Contact Surfaces Clean and Sanitized
FL-22
Warewashing Facilities Maintained and Used
FL-24
Equipment Adequate to Maintain Product Temperature
FL-29
Equipment, Food and Non-Food Contact Surfaces Approved
FL-35
Lighting Adequate; Required Shields in Place
FL-36
Personal Cleanliness
FL-40
47
Jun 16, 2023
Routine - Food
1 major violation. 8 minor violations.
View 9 violations
Certified Food Manager Identification
FL-02
Hands Clean and Properly Washed
FL-08
Adequate Handwashing Facilities Supplied and Accessible
FL-10
Required Records Available; Shellstock Tags/Labels
FL-14
Proper Hot and Cold Holding Temperatures
FL-21
Food Contact Surfaces Clean and Sanitized
FL-22
Warewashing Facilities Maintained and Used
FL-24
Equipment, Food and Non-Food Contact Surfaces Approved
FL-35
Lighting Adequate; Required Shields in Place
FL-36
52
Dec 7, 2022
Routine - Food
5 critical violations. 3 major violations. 12 minor violations.
View 20 violations
High Priority - Dented/rusted cans present. See stop sale. Three #10 cans of ketchup on can rack with dents **Warning**
01B-01-4
High Priority - Live, small flying insects in kitchen, food preparation area, food storage area and/or bar area. 1 live fly above cook line 1 live fly in dishwashing area **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
35A-02-6
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Raw chicken over hot dogs and shrimp in walk-in freezer, order corrected during inspection **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
08A-05-6
High Priority - Roach activity present as evidenced by live roaches found. 1 live roach in dry storage shed behind restaurant **Warning**
35A-05-4
High Priority - Wiping cloth solution exceeding the maximum concentration allowed stored in a location that could result in the cross contamination of food, equipment, utensils, linens, single-service, or single-use articles. Chlorine sanitizer bucket 200ppm, operator corrected concentration to 100ppm. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
41-15-5
Intermediate - Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Hand sink in dishwashing area blocked with employee personal items, hand sink on cook line with trash. items removed during inspection **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
31A-09-4
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. **Warning**
53B-01-5
Intermediate - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Multiple items in walk-in cooler with no date mark, operator advised items prepared on 12/5. Discussed proper date marking procedures with operator. **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
02C-02-5
Basic - In-use utensil in non-time/temperature control for safety food not stored with handle above top of food within a closed container. Metal pan in with no handle in bin of red beans, operator moved pan **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
10-01-5
Basic - Interior of oven/microwave has accumulation of black substance/grease/food debris. Microwave on cook line **Warning**
22-08-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Gaskets on reach in freezer soiled **Warning**
23-03-4
Basic - Open dumpster lid. **Warning**
33-16-4
Basic - Single-service articles improperly stored. Multiple boxes of single service containers on floor of dry storage shed behind restaurant, items moved to shelves **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
25-05-4
Basic - Stored food not covered. Multiple bins of pork in walk-in cooler not covered, operator wrapped or covered all bins during inspection **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
08B-12-5
Basic - Walk-in cooler shelves with rust that has pitted the surface. **Warning**
14-17-4
Basic - Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable. On cook line **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
14-09-4
Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Employee drinks on prep table near drive thru window, drinks moved to bottom shelf **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
12B-07-4
Basic - Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Employee motorcycle helmet above bag of rice in dry storage, item moved during inspection **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
40-06-5
Basic - Food stored on floor. Boxes of raw ribs stored on floor of walk-in freezer Cooking oil on floor of dry storage shed behind restaurant, items moved off floor **Corrective Action Taken** **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
08B-38-4
Basic - Ice buildup in walk-in freezer. **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
14-69-4
19
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Pipos Cafe last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Pipos Cafe on file is from Feb 11, 2026. The public record contains eight inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Pipos Cafe?
Across the inspection record, “ceiling not smooth” has been cited three times, more than any other issue at Pipos Cafe.
How does Pipos Cafe compare to other restaurants in St. Petersburg?
Pipos Cafe most recently scored 70 out of 100, which is lower than the St. Petersburg average of 77.
Has Pipos Cafe's inspection record improved over time?
Yes. Recent inspections at Pipos Cafe have averaged around seven violations per visit, down from roughly nine earlier in the record.
What does a medium risk rating mean?
A medium risk rating at Pipos Cafe means the most recent inspection turned up a handful of issues that the health department wrote up but did not classify as critical.
How often is Pipos Cafe inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Pipos Cafe is inspected around three times per year on average.
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