Pollo Tropical #217

5101 E Fowler Ave, Tampa, FL 33617

Mexican / Latin

Last inspected: Feb 3, 2026

Score

Low Risk

Pollo Tropical #217 has been inspected eight times since 2022. The newest entry in the record is dated Feb 3, 2026. A low risk tier reflects an inspection that turned up minimal issues.

Recent visits have produced comparable findings, with counts hovering near two violations per visit.

Looking across the full record, “food stored on floor in the walk in freezer” is the recurring theme, flagged two times.

That puts the facility ahead of the local pack: the average Tampa restaurant scores 79. The record reflects steady performance over time.

Inspections

Critical latest

Major latest

Minor latest

Inspection History

Feb 3, 2026

Routine - Food

2 minor violations.

View 2 violations

Basic - Food stored on floor in the walk in freezer. Observed a box of wedges on the floor in the freezer. Manager corrected storage. **Corrected On-Site**

08B-38-4

Basic - Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting. Observed stacked wet containers on the drying rack. Manager unstacked. **Corrected On-Site**

24-08-4

Jul 15, 2025

Routine - Food

1 minor violation.

View 1 violation

Basic - Ice buildup in walk-in freezer. Manager removed. **Corrected On-Site**

14-69-4

Feb 10, 2025

Routine - Food

2 minor violations.

View 2 violations

Basic - Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance. Observed dust soiled ceiling tiles and vents. Employee is in the process of cleaning the vents. **Corrective Action Taken** **Repeat Violation**

36-34-5

Basic - Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable. Observed a cutting board with plenty cut marks. Manager voluntarily discarded. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**

14-09-4

Sep 19, 2024

Complaint Full

4 minor violations.

View 4 violations

Basic - Ceiling/ceiling tile shows damage or is in disrepair. Observed ceiling tiles with water stains in the front by the customer waiting/dining area. **Repeat Violation**

36-32-5

Basic - Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable. Observed cutting boards with cut marks on the cook line.

14-09-4

Basic - Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting. Observed wet stacked pans in the dish washing area.

24-08-4

Basic - Ice buildup in reach-in freezer and/or walk-in freezer. Observed ice buildup in the walk in freezer.

14-69-4

Mar 26, 2024

Routine - Food

1 minor violation.

View 1 violation

Lighting Adequate; Required Shields in Place

FL-36

Oct 24, 2023

Routine - Food

1 critical violation.

View 1 violation

High Priority - Employee switched from working with raw food to ready-to-eat food without washing hands. Observed employee place raw chicken on grill then pick up knife to cut ready to eat chicken without washing hands or glove change.

12A-12-4

Dec 5, 2022

Complaint Full

1 critical violation. 7 minor violations.

View 8 violations

High Priority - Quaternary ammonium sanitizer not at proper minimum strength for manual warewashing. Do not use equipment/utensils not properly sanitized. Tested at 0ppm. Manager remade and tested at 200ppm **Corrective Action Taken**

22-43-4

Basic - Dumpster rusted out on bottom.

33-12-4

Basic - Equipment in poor repair. Observed missing pipe from grill which is allowing for water to drain on floor

14-11-5

Basic - Floor tiles missing and/or in disrepair. In back prep area **Repeat Violation**

36-17-5

Basic - Floors not maintained smooth and durable. Observed standing water andmissing grout throughout kitchen. **Repeat Violation**

36-11-4

Basic - Food storage container cracked or broken. Observed cracked chicken containers in walk in cooler

14-38-4

Basic - Observed water draining onto floor from third grill unit to the right side due to pipe missing and leading to floor drain. Observed water on the floor but no employee walked through. Manager plugged drain with plastic wrap and put full pan underneath to catch water. Manager cleaned and sanitized floor, and stated pipe would be fixed with in 2-3 days. **Corrective Action Taken**

08B-38-4

Basic - Unwashed fruits/vegetables stored with ready-to-eat food. Observed unwashed tomatoes stored over sauces in walk in cooler. Manager moved **Corrected On-Site**

08B-17-4

Sep 22, 2022

Routine - Food

2 minor violations.

View 2 violations

Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Floor tiles missing and/or in disrepair. Under oven, and on chicken cook line **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2022-09-22: **Time Extended**

36-17-5

Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Floors not maintained smooth and durable, due to missing grout throughout kitchen **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2022-09-22: **Time Extended**

36-11-4

Show all 8 inspections Show less

Frequently Asked Questions

When was Pollo Tropical #217 last inspected?

The most recent health inspection at Pollo Tropical #217 on file is from Feb 3, 2026. The public record contains eight inspections in total.

What is the most common violation at Pollo Tropical #217?

Across the inspection record, “food stored on floor in the walk in freezer” has been cited two times, more than any other issue at Pollo Tropical #217.

How does Pollo Tropical #217 compare to other restaurants in Tampa?

Pollo Tropical #217 most recently scored 90 out of 100, which is higher than the Tampa average of 79.

Has Pollo Tropical #217's inspection record improved over time?

Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at Pollo Tropical #217 have averaged around two violations per visit across the recent record.

What does a low risk rating mean?

A low risk rating at Pollo Tropical #217 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 Pollo Tropical #217 inspected?

Based on the inspection history on file, Pollo Tropical #217 is inspected around two times per year on average.

Nearby Restaurants

Table 22

4924 E Busch Blvd Ste G

Score: 58 — Medium Risk

Holy Fry

8890 N 56 St

Score: 100 — Low Risk

Babushka's

12639 N 56Th Street

Score: 95 — Low Risk

Explore More

→ All locations in Tampa → Mexican / Latin restaurants in Florida → Mexican / Latin restaurants in Tampa