Pupuseria and Cafeteria Centroamericana
Last inspected: Apr 21, 2026
45
Score
Public records show eight inspections at Pupuseria and Cafeteria Centroamericana stretching back to 2022. The newest entry in the record is dated Apr 21, 2026. Diners may want to take note: high risk reflects issues that a health inspector considered important.
Things are looking better lately, with recent visits averaging around four violations compared to roughly six violations earlier on.
When inspectors have written things up, “ready-to-eat” has been the most frequent reason, cited five times.
The city-wide average sits at 79, which Pupuseria and Cafeteria Centroamericana's 45 doesn't quite reach. Diners may want to scan the inspection details before deciding to visit.
8
Inspections
4
Critical latest
2
Major latest
0
Minor latest
Inspection History
Apr 21, 2026
Routine - Food
4 critical violations. 2 major violations.
View 6 violations
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. A pan of tomato salsa (126F - Hot Holding) stored on cook line. Operator reheating on stove at time of inspection. **Corrective Action Taken**
03B-01-6
High Priority - Raw animal foods not properly separated from each other in holding unit based upon minimum required cooking temperature. Raw chicken stored over raw pork in reach-in cooler at cook line.
08A-20-5
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Raw chicken stored over sliced ham in reach-in cooler. **Repeat Violation**
08A-05-6
High Priority - Chlorine sanitizer not at proper minimum strength for manual warewashing. Do not use equipment/utensils not properly sanitized. Tested 10ppm. Employee remade sanitizer, tested 50ppm. **Corrected On-Site**
22-42-4
Intermediate - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Cooked rice, cooked ground beef and various cooked food in reach-in coolers. **Repeat Violation**
02C-02-5
Intermediate - Chemical test kit not used to ensure proper sanitization of equipment and utensils when using a chemical sanitizer.
16-33-4
45
Oct 21, 2025
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 3 major violations. 1 minor violation.
View 6 violations
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Raw chicken and raw beef stored over cooked yuca, cooked chicken and other cooked food in glass door reach-in cooler at cook line. Operator rearranged items to prevent cross contamination at time of inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
08A-05-6
High Priority - Nonfood-grade bags used in direct contact with food. Cheese and various meat in grocery bags stored in reach-in freezers.
14-31-5
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. 2 food employees has no proof of training.
53B-13-5
Intermediate - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Cooked chicken, cooked rice and various cooked food in reach-in coolers.
02C-02-5
Intermediate - Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled. 1 spray bottle under three-compartments sink.
41-17-4
Basic - In-use tongs stored on equipment door handle between uses. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
10-20-4
52
Apr 8, 2025
Routine - Food
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Basic - In-use tongs stored on equipment door handle between uses. Operator removed tongs at time of inspection.
10-20-4
95
Nov 6, 2024
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 2 major violations. 5 minor violations.
View 8 violations
High Priority - Nonfood-grade bags used in direct contact with food. Food stored in yellow plastic bag in reachin cooler
14-31-5
Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Hand sink used as a dump sink, observe d ice poured into sink
31A-11-4
Intermediate - Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled. Spray bottle filled with pink sanitizer not labeled on chemical shelf
41-17-4
Basic - Wet wiping cloth not stored in sanitizing solution between uses. Stored on prep table on cookline
21-12-4
Basic - Wet mop not stored in a manner to allow the mop to dry. Mop stored in mop bucket
42-01-4
Basic - Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Employee bag stored on prep table
40-06-5
Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Employee drink stored on prep table
12B-07-4
Basic - Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Bulk salt not labeled on cook line
02D-01-5
55
May 15, 2024
Food-Licensing Inspection
1 critical violation. 2 minor violations.
View 3 violations
High Priority - Nonfood-grade bags used in direct contact with food. Observed veggies stored in non food grade bags in reachin cooler
14-31-5
Basic - Cardboard used to line food-contact shelves. Observed in reachin cooler under espresso machine
14-05-4
Basic - Clean glasses, cups, bowls, plates, pots and pans not stored inverted or in a protected manner. Observed plates not inverted on storage shelf on cookline
24-05-4
78
Aug 7, 2023
Routine - Food
3 critical violations. 2 major violations. 3 minor violations.
View 8 violations
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over or with ready-to-eat food in a freezer - not all products commercially packaged. Raw chicken over cooked beans in reach-in cooler. **Repeat Violation**
08A-02-6
High Priority - Quaternary ammonium sanitizer not at proper minimum strength for manual warewashing. Do not use equipment/utensils not properly sanitized. Three compartment sink with 0 ppm of chlorine, corrected , 100 ppm of chlorine. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
22-43-4
High Priority - Employee failed to wash hands before putting on gloves to initiate a task working with food. Observed employee placing gloves on with no prior hand washing , corrected action taken, inspector discussed with employee proper hand wash procedures when changing gloves . **Corrective Action Taken**
12A-07-5
Intermediate - Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Bucket stored in employee hand wash sink in coffee make area, corrected, employee removed bucket during inspection. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
31A-09-4
Intermediate - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Cooked red beans and rice, cooked chicken , all held over 24 hrs not date marked . **Repeat Violation**
02C-02-5
Basic - Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Bulk containers not labeled.
02D-01-5
Basic - Wet wiping cloth not stored in sanitizing solution between uses. **Repeat Violation**
21-12-4
Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Employee drink stored on food prep table, corrected, employee removed drink during inspection. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
12B-07-4
45
Feb 13, 2023
Routine - Food
3 major violations. 5 minor violations.
View 8 violations
Intermediate - Employee washed hands in a sink other than an approved handwash sink. Observed employee washing hands in three compartment sink , corrected action taken inspector discussed with operator proper hand washing procedures and proper sinks to be utilized for proper hand washing. **Corrective Action Taken**
12A-03-4
Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Raw container of chicken in employee's hand wash sink, corrected, employee removed chicken during inspection. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
31A-11-4
Intermediate - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Cooked rice , cooked pork , all held over 24 hrs not date marked . **Repeat Violation**
02C-02-5
Basic - Designated employee eating/drinking/smoking area located in a food preparation or other restricted area causing possible cross contamination. Employee drink stored on food prep table, corrected employee discarded drink during inspection. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
12B-04-4
Basic - Employee personal food not properly identified and segregated from food to be served to the public. Employee drink stored in reach in cooler not identified nor segregated.
08B-49-4
Basic - In-use tongs stored on equipment door handle between uses. **Repeat Violation**
10-20-4
Basic - Reuse of single-service or single-use articles. Several single service containers reused. **Repeat Violation**
25-32-4
Basic - Wiping cloths used for occasional spills on tableware (utensils, plates or bowls served to the consumer) not dry and used just for that purpose. **Repeat Violation**
21-01-4
58
Jul 19, 2022
Routine - Food
3 major violations. 6 minor violations.
View 9 violations
Intermediate - Employee washed hands in a sink other than an approved handwash sink. Observed employee washing hands in three compartment sink, corrected action taken, inspector discussed with employee proper hand wash sinks to be utilized to achieve effective hand washing. **Corrective Action Taken**
12A-03-4
Intermediate - Non-pitting surface rust on food-contact equipment. Interior of large ice machine .
22-31-4
Intermediate - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Rice and bean mixture, cooked yellow rice cooked chicken all held over 24 hrs not date marked . **Repeat Violation**
02C-02-5
Basic - Wet wiping cloth not stored in sanitizing solution between uses. **Repeat Violation**
21-12-4
Basic - Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Bulk containers in dry storage not labeled . **Repeat Violation**
02D-01-5
Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Employee drink stored on food prep table, corrected employee discarded drink during inspection. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
12B-07-4
Basic - Food stored on floor. Container of coleslaw stored on floor in kitchen, corrected , employee removed coleslaw from floor at time of inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
08B-38-4
Basic - In-use tongs stored on equipment door handle between uses. Tongs stored on oven door handle. **Repeat Violation**
10-20-4
Basic - Single-service articles improperly stored. To go plates and bowls not inverted in kitchen area .
25-05-4
55
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Pupuseria and Cafeteria Centroamericana last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Pupuseria and Cafeteria Centroamericana on file is from Apr 21, 2026. The public record contains eight inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Pupuseria and Cafeteria Centroamericana?
Across the inspection record, “ready-to-eat” has been cited five times, more than any other issue at Pupuseria and Cafeteria Centroamericana.
How does Pupuseria and Cafeteria Centroamericana compare to other restaurants in Tampa?
Pupuseria and Cafeteria Centroamericana most recently scored 45 out of 100, which is lower than the Tampa average of 79.
Has Pupuseria and Cafeteria Centroamericana's inspection record improved over time?
Yes. Recent inspections at Pupuseria and Cafeteria Centroamericana have averaged around four violations per visit, down from roughly six earlier in the record.
What does a high risk rating mean?
A high risk rating at Pupuseria and Cafeteria Centroamericana means the most recent inspection flagged either critical violations or a substantial number of smaller ones. Diners may want to read the violation details before deciding to visit.
How often is Pupuseria and Cafeteria Centroamericana inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Pupuseria and Cafeteria Centroamericana is inspected around two times per year on average.
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