Pitas Republic Downtown
Last inspected: Mar 4, 2026
55
Score
The health department has logged 11 inspections at Pitas Republic Downtown, the earliest from 2022. Pitas Republic Downtown was last inspected on Mar 4, 2026. The medium risk tier sits in the middle: not spotless, but not alarming either.
Recent visits have produced comparable findings, with counts hovering near four violations per visit.
When inspectors have written things up, “no soap provided at handwash sink” has been the most frequent reason, cited four times.
By comparison, the average Tampa facility scores 79, putting Pitas Republic Downtown on the weaker side. The inspection history reads as standard for a restaurant of this size.
11
Inspections
1
Critical latest
4
Major latest
1
Minor latest
Inspection History
Mar 4, 2026
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 4 major violations. 1 minor violation.
View 6 violations
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. Employee cutting peppers with bare hand discuss with employee the importance of wearing gloves
09-01-4
Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Boxes stored inside hand washing sink in the back.
31A-11-4
Intermediate - Manager or person in charge lacking proof of food manager certification. Timothy
53A-01-7
Intermediate - No soap provided at handwash sink. Back kitchen.
31B-03-4
Intermediate - Required employee training expired 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 expired.
53B-14-5
Basic - Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable. White board on front counter.
14-09-4
55
Sep 5, 2025
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 3 major violations. 1 minor violation.
View 5 violations
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Front line reach in top table shredded Mexican cheese 45F feta cheese 45F potato salad 45F discussion with employee to move to back refrigerator. Employee moved items to reach in freezer 2nd temps to 43F except shredded mozzarella cheese 51F **Corrective Action Taken**
03A-02-5
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. Spinach pies reach in cooler back kitchen
02C-03-5
Intermediate - No soap provided at handwash sink. At hand washing sink front counter employee placed soap at hand washing sink.
31B-03-4
Intermediate - Required employee training expired for some employees. To order approved program food safety material, call DBPR contracted provider: Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (SafeStaff) 866-372-7233. Refki G expired 7 25 2023
53B-14-5
Basic - Employee with no hair restraint while engaging in food preparation. 1 employee
13-03-4
61
Jul 1, 2025
Routine - Food
2 major violations. 1 minor violation.
View 3 violations
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : 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. - From follow-up inspection 2025-07-01: **Time Extended**
11-27-4
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : Intermediate - No soap provided at handwash sink. Back kitchen - From follow-up inspection 2025-07-01: Still observed **Time Extended**
31B-03-4
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Unwashed fruits/vegetables stored with ready-to-eat food. Peppers over clean lettuce reach in cooler by mop sink - From follow-up inspection 2025-07-01: Still observed **Time Extended**
08B-17-4
78
Apr 23, 2025
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 3 major violations. 1 minor violation.
View 5 violations
High Priority - Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license. **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
50-17-3
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.
11-27-4
Intermediate - Food manager certification expired. A list of accredited food manager certification examination providers can be found at https://www2.myfloridalicense.com/hotels-restaurants/food-lodging/food-manager/al ket balliu 360 training issued 12-3-2018
53A-03-7
Intermediate - No soap provided at handwash sink. Back kitchen
31B-03-4
Basic - Unwashed fruits/vegetables stored with ready-to-eat food. Peppers over clean lettuce reach in cooler by mop sink
08B-17-4
61
Dec 4, 2024
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 3 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Non-Food Contact Surfaces Clean
FL-23
Approved Thawing Methods Used
FL-31
Food and Non-Food Contact Surfaces Designed and Constructed
FL-50
Plumbing Maintained; Sewage Disposal
FL-51
Lighting Adequate; Required Shields in Place
FL-36
67
Mar 13, 2024
Routine - Food
1 major violation. 1 minor violation.
View 2 violations
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. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2024-03-13: **Time Extended**
02C-02-5
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Floor soiled/has accumulation of debris. Floors under equipment soiled **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2024-03-13: **Time Extended**
36-73-4
86
Mar 7, 2024
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 1 major violation. 1 minor violation.
View 4 violations
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. maronated chicken (50F - Cold Holding); cooked rice (52F - Hot Holding); cut lettuce (49F - Cold Holding) operator will not use these items. And called for repairs. **Warning**
03A-02-5
High Priority - Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. maronated chicken (50F - Cold Holding); cooked rice (52F - Hot Holding); cut lettuce (49F - Cold Holding) see stop sale. **Warning**
01B-02-5
Intermediate - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. **Warning**
02C-02-5
Basic - Floor soiled/has accumulation of debris. Floors under equipment soiled **Warning**
36-73-4
64
Nov 7, 2023
Routine - Food
2 major violations. 4 minor violations.
View 6 violations
Intermediate - No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. Operator replaced
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.
02C-02-5
Basic - Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin. Ice chute on soda machine soiled
22-20-5
Basic - Employee with no hair restraint while engaging in food preparation.
13-03-4
Basic - Floor soiled/has accumulation of debris. Floors under and behind equipment
36-73-4
Basic - Reach-in cooler interior/shelves have accumulation of soil residues.
22-16-4
67
May 22, 2023
Routine - Food
2 major violations. 5 minor violations.
View 7 violations
Certified Food Manager Identification
FL-02
Food in Good Condition, Safe, and Unadulterated
FL-13
Food Contact Surfaces Clean and Sanitized
FL-22
Non-Food Contact Surfaces Clean
FL-23
Approved Thawing Methods Used
FL-31
Lighting Adequate; Required Shields in Place
FL-36
Plumbing Maintained; Sewage Disposal
FL-51
64
Mar 21, 2023
Routine - Food
1 major violation. 2 minor violations.
View 3 violations
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. Potato salad, cut tomato and multiple other items. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2023-03-21: **Time Extended**
02C-02-5
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Carbon dioxide/helium tanks not adequately secured. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2023-03-21: **Time Extended**
51-11-4
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Employee with no hair restraint while engaging in food preparation. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2023-03-21: **Time Extended**
13-03-4
82
Aug 22, 2022
Routine - Food
1 major violation. 7 minor violations.
View 8 violations
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Cutting boards. **Repeat Violation**
22-02-4
Basic - Equipment in poor repair. Cracked container on back drying rack. **Repeat Violation**
14-11-5
Basic - Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting. **Repeat Violation**
24-08-4
Basic - Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable.
14-09-4
Basic - Cove molding at floor/wall juncture broken/missing. Throughout kitchen. **Repeat Violation**
36-03-4
Basic - Single-service articles improperly stored. To go cup box on floor. Moved onto rack. **Corrected On-Site**
25-05-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact equipment exposed to splash/spillage not constructed of materials that are corrosion resistant, non-absorbent, smooth and easily cleanable. Bare wood on kitchen entrance door not sealed.
14-47-4
Basic - Reuse of single-service or single-use articles. Tomato box used to hold sauce containers in front area.
25-32-4
64
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Pitas Republic Downtown last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Pitas Republic Downtown on file is from Mar 4, 2026. The public record contains 11 inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Pitas Republic Downtown?
Across the inspection record, “no soap provided at handwash sink” has been cited four times, more than any other issue at Pitas Republic Downtown.
How does Pitas Republic Downtown compare to other restaurants in Tampa?
Pitas Republic Downtown most recently scored 55 out of 100, which is lower than the Tampa average of 79.
Has Pitas Republic Downtown's inspection record improved over time?
Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at Pitas Republic Downtown have averaged around four violations per visit across the recent record.
What does a medium risk rating mean?
A medium risk rating at Pitas Republic Downtown 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 Pitas Republic Downtown inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Pitas Republic Downtown is inspected around three times per year on average.
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