Pulgarcito 503
Last inspected: Mar 25, 2026
90
Score
Inspectors have visited Pulgarcito 503 11 times, with records going back to 2022. Inspectors last stopped by on Mar 25, 2026. When a facility lands in the low risk tier, it usually means nothing alarming showed up at the most recent visit.
Inspection results have stayed in a similar range over the last few visits, averaging around five violations each.
The most common issue across all inspections has been “stop sale issued on time/temperature control”, showing up three times.
The city-wide average for Tampa sits at 79, putting Pulgarcito 503 on the better side of that line. The file should reassure diners considering a visit.
11
Inspections
0
Critical latest
0
Major latest
2
Minor latest
Inspection History
Mar 25, 2026
Routine - Food
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Old labels stuck to food containers after cleaning. Old labels stuck on clean dishes on shelves across from 3 compartment sink. - From follow-up inspection 2026-03-25: **Time Extended**
16-46-4
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Hood filters have grease buildup on cooks line. - From follow-up inspection 2026-03-25: **Time Extended**
23-03-4
90
Mar 17, 2026
Routine - Food
4 major violations. 6 minor violations.
View 10 violations
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 - No currently certified food service manager on duty with four or more employees engaged in food preparation/handling. A list of accredited food manager certification examination providers can be found at http://www.myfloridalicense.com/DBPR/hotels-restaurants/food-lodging/food-manager/
53A-05-6
Intermediate - No hot running water at three-compartment sink. Water reaches 77F. **Warning**
27-06-4
Intermediate - No running water at three-compartment sink. Water reaches 77F **Warning**
27-09-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Hood filters have grease buildup on cooks line.
23-03-4
Basic - No hot running water at mop sink. Water reaches 77F. **Warning**
27-10-4
Basic - In-use wet wiping cloth/towel used under cutting board. Cloth stored underneath cutting board on cooks line.
21-04-4
Basic - Wet mop not stored in a manner to allow the mop to dry. Wet mops stored on the floor by employee bathroom.
42-01-4
Basic - Dead roaches on premises. 1 dead roach inside handwashing sink.
35A-03-4
Basic - Old labels stuck to food containers after cleaning. Old labels stuck on clean dishes on shelves across from 3 compartment sink.
16-46-4
50
Sep 3, 2025
Routine - Food
No violations found.
100
Aug 28, 2025
Routine - Food
3 critical violations. 2 minor violations.
View 5 violations
High Priority - Employee used tobacco, ate, or drank then engaged in food preparation, handled clean equipment or utensils, or touched unwrapped single-service items without washing hands. Employee eating banana then started working with food without washing her hands.
12A-05-4
High Priority - Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. Cold holding inside reach in cooler on cooks line- eggs (64F - Cold Holding) Salsa (55-cold holding) pork (50 - Cold Holding) beans (54F - Cold Holding) rice (64F - Cold Holding) cole slaw (52F- cold holding) **Warning**
01B-02-5
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenhei Cold holding inside reach in cooler on cooks line. eggs (64F - Cold Holding) pork (50 - Cold Holding); beans (54F - Cold Holding) rice (64F - Cold Holding) cole slaw (52F- Cold Holding) **Warning**
03A-02-5
Basic - Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Sour cream removed from original container and placed in clear plastic bottles have no labeling of ingredients.
02D-01-5
Basic - Employee eating while preparing food. Employee eating a banana while preparing food. Employee discarding banana.
12B-01-4
58
Mar 27, 2025
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 5 minor violations.
View 6 violations
High Priority - Nonfood-grade bags used in direct contact with food. Observed meat stored in togo thank you bags in walk in freezer at time of inspection.
14-31-5
Basic - Buildup of food debris/soil residue on equipment door handles. Door handles on reach in coolers are soiled at time of inspection.
23-24-4
Basic - Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable. Observed large grooved cutting boards on main cooks line at time of inspection.
14-09-4
Basic - In-use utensil in non-time/temperature control for safety food not stored with handle above top of food within a closed container. Observed scoop handle in bulk dry rice. Operator moved scoop at time of inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
10-01-5
Basic - Interior of ice machine/bin with rust that has pitted the surface observed rust inside ice machine bin at time of inspection.
14-34-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed soiled gaskets on reach in cooler on cooks line
23-03-4
67
Nov 21, 2024
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 4 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Required Records Available; Shellstock Tags/Labels
FL-14
Non-Food Contact Surfaces Clean
FL-23
Lighting Adequate; Required Shields in Place
FL-36
Wiping Cloths Properly Used and Stored
FL-41
Food Temperature Measuring Devices Provided and Accurate
FL-46
70
Jun 12, 2024
Routine - Food
2 major violations.
View 2 violations
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : Intermediate - No proof provided that food employees are informed of their responsibility to report to the person in charge information about their health and activities related to foodborne illnesses. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2024-06-12: **Time Extended**
11-26-1
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : Intermediate - Probe thermometer not used to ensure proper food temperatures. Operator states they take temperatures but logs not available. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2024-06-12: **Time Extended**
05-10-4
82
Jun 10, 2024
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 2 major violations.
View 4 violations
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. cooked chicken (50F - Cold Holding); red beans cooked (53F - Cold Holding); eggs ambient air temperature (50F - Cold Holding); cooked vegetables (51F - Cold Holding) **Warning**
03A-02-5
High Priority - Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. cooked chicken (50F - Cold Holding); red beans cooked (53F - Cold Holding); eggs ambient air temperature (50F - Cold Holding); cooked vegetables (51F - Cold Holding) from yesterday. **Warning**
01B-02-5
Intermediate - No proof provided that food employees are informed of their responsibility to report to the person in charge information about their health and activities related to foodborne illnesses. **Warning**
11-26-1
Intermediate - Probe thermometer not used to ensure proper food temperatures. Operator states they take temperatures but logs not available. **Warning**
05-10-4
61
Dec 14, 2023
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 2 major violations. 3 minor violations.
View 6 violations
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. 3 compartment sink tested 200ppm of chlorine emptied and refilled sink retested at 100ppm. **Corrected On-Site**
41-15-5
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. Emailed operator body fluid clean up sign.
11-27-4
Intermediate - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Beef cooked in the past 24 hours has no date markings.
02C-02-5
Basic - Equipment in poor repair. Gaskets inside reach in cooler are torn.
14-11-5
Basic - Food stored on floor. Bucket of cut vegetables stored on floor on cooks line. Chef removed bucket and properly stored it. **Corrected On-Site**
08B-38-4
Basic - Standing water in bottom of reach-in-cooler. Standing water inside reach in cooler on server line.
29-49-6
61
Feb 15, 2023
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 1 major violation. 6 minor violations.
View 9 violations
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Pork belly and refried beans in reach in cooler temped at 54 and 49. Both had been in cooler for over 6 hours. See stop sale.
03A-02-5
High Priority - Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. Pork belly and refried beans in reach in cooler temped at 54 and 49. Both had been in cooler for over 6 hours. See stop sale.
01B-02-5
Intermediate - No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. Paper towel missing from hand wash sink at server station.
31B-02-4
Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Employee uncovered cup and bottle on prep table. Employee removed items. **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. Purses and bags on top of rice and on shelves. Employee removed items from shelf. **Corrected On-Site**
40-06-5
Basic - Food stored on floor. Bucket of seafood on floor of freezer. Employee placed bucket on to shelf **Corrected On-Site**
08B-38-4
Basic - Ice scoop handle in contact with ice. Employee removed scoop from ice. **Corrected On-Site**
10-08-5
Basic - Time/temperature control for safety food thawed in an improper manner. Frozen meat in bucket on counter near prep sink. Employee placed meat into three compartment sink to thaw. **Corrected On-Site**
06-01-5
Basic - Wet mop not stored in a manner to allow the mop to dry. Employee flipped mop upside down and placed against wall. **Corrected On-Site**
42-01-4
50
Nov 29, 2022
Routine - Food
No violations found.
100
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Pulgarcito 503 last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Pulgarcito 503 on file is from Mar 25, 2026. The public record contains 11 inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Pulgarcito 503?
Across the inspection record, “stop sale issued on time/temperature control” has been cited three times, more than any other issue at Pulgarcito 503.
How does Pulgarcito 503 compare to other restaurants in Tampa?
Pulgarcito 503 most recently scored 90 out of 100, which is higher than the Tampa average of 79.
Has Pulgarcito 503's inspection record improved over time?
Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at Pulgarcito 503 have averaged around five violations per visit across the recent record.
What does a low risk rating mean?
A low risk rating at Pulgarcito 503 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 Pulgarcito 503 inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Pulgarcito 503 is inspected around three times per year on average.
Nearby Restaurants