Red Lobster #0028
Last inspected: Mar 18, 2026
41
Score
Going back to 2022, Red Lobster #0028 has six inspections in the public record. Red Lobster #0028 was last inspected on Mar 18, 2026. High risk indicates the latest inspection turned up problems worth knowing about.
Violation counts have ticked up lately, averaging around eight violations per visit versus roughly three violations earlier in the record.
Looking across the full record, “in-use tongs stored on equipment door handle between uses” is the recurring theme, flagged three times.
Red Lobster #0028's latest score of 41 falls below the Tampa average of 79. Taken together, the history suggests a facility that has struggled with consistency.
6
Inspections
1
Critical latest
4
Major latest
7
Minor latest
Inspection History
Mar 18, 2026
Complaint Full
1 critical violation. 4 major violations. 7 minor violations.
View 12 violations
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Shelled eggs stored overtop cut carrots in sushi station refrigerator. Chef removed and properly stored eggs. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
08A-05-6
Intermediate - Establishment not maintaining clam/mussel/oyster tags for 90 days. **Warning**
01C-02-4
Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Handwashing sink by back door in kitchen area has old food debris in drain. **Warning**
31A-11-4
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 - Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled. Plastic bottle full of degreaser has no labeling of ingredients on spray bottle. **Warning**
41-17-4
Basic - Water tank, pump and hoses not operated properly to prevent backflow and other contamination of the water supply. Mop sink has a hose with no backflow protection device and hose connected underneath dishwasher. **Warning**
29-40-4
Basic - Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Employee cellphone, car keys stored on food preparation table next to 4 door refrigerator. **Warning**
40-06-5
Basic - Food stored in undrained ice. Raw salmon stored in melted ice inside 4 door refrigerator. Chef removed fish and properly stored it. Soy sauce stored on floor. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
08B-31-4
Basic - In-use tongs stored on equipment door handle between uses. Tongs hanging on handle of rice cooker on cooks line. Manager removed tongs and placed at dishwasher. **Warning**
10-20-4
Basic - In-use wet wiping cloth/towel used under cutting board. Wet cloths stored underneath cutting board in kitchen area. **Warning**
21-04-4
Basic - Soiled dry wiping cloth in use. Soiled dry cloths stored in food preparation tables in back kitchen area. **Warning**
21-10-4
Basic - Wet mop not stored in a manner to allow the mop to dry. Wet mop sitting on floor in dry storage. **Warning**
42-01-4
41
Jan 23, 2026
Complaint Full
2 critical violations. 3 major violations. 6 minor violations.
View 11 violations
High Priority - Raw animal foods not properly separated from each other in holding unit based upon minimum required cooking temperature. Raw chicken stored over top raw fish inside refrigerator on cooks line. Manager removed and properly stored chicken. **Corrected On-Site**
08A-20-5
High Priority - Dishmachine chlorine sanitizer not at proper minimum strength. Discontinue use of dishmachine for sanitizing and set up manual sanitization until dishmachine is repaired and sanitizing properly. Dishwasher tested 0ppm of chlorine due to empty bucket of chlorine connected to dishwasher management removed empty bucket placed a new bucket re-tested at 100ppm of chlorine. **Corrected On-Site**
22-41-4
Intermediate - No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. No paper towels at handwashing sink by back door. Manager placed paper towels at handwashing sink. **Corrected On-Site**
31B-02-4
Intermediate - Raw/undercooked animal food offered and establishment has no written consumer advisory. Raw animal foods must be fully cooked prior to service. No consumer advisory for raw fish. Emailed operator it was printed and hung up at time of inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
02B-02-5
Intermediate - No chemical test kit provided when using sanitizer at three-compartment sink/warewashing machine or wiping cloths. No quaternary ammonia test kit at time of inspection.
16-37-1
Basic - Food stored on floor. Bucket of cut potatoes, fish stored in floor instead walk in cooler.
08B-38-4
Basic - In-use tongs stored on equipment door handle between uses. Tongs hanging on wok station handle. Employee removed tongs and placed at dishwasher. **Corrected On-Site**
10-20-4
Basic - In-use wet wiping cloth/towel used under cutting board. Wet cloth stored underneath cutting board. Employee removed cloth and placed board at dishwasher. **Corrected On-Site**
21-04-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Hood filters have buildup of grease overtop wok station.
23-03-4
Basic - Time/temperature control for safety food thawed in an improper manner. Pork and squid thawing in standing water. Manager turned on running water. **Corrected On-Site**
06-01-5
Basic - Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin. Interior of ice machine has buildup of black-mold like substance.
22-20-5
41
Dec 15, 2025
Food-Licensing Inspection
No violations found.
100
Oct 19, 2023
Routine - Food
4 critical violations. 2 major violations. 3 minor violations.
View 9 violations
High Priority - In-use utensil stored in unclean water at or above 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Utensils stored in water at 74F. Employee heated water to 156F. **Corrected On-Site**
10-05-5
High Priority - Live, small flying insects in kitchen, food preparation area, food storage area and/or bar area. 5 live flies at bar area. **Warning**
35A-02-6
High Priority - Presence of insects, rodents, or other pests. dead flys inside wild turkey bottle. Dewars white label Drambuie American Honey Black label Vermouth **Warning**
35A-09-4
High Priority - Stop Sale issued due to food not being in a wholesome, sound condition. Bottle of wild turkey American honey has 11 dead flys inside it.
01B-13-4
Intermediate - No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. No paper towels at hand washing sink in bar area. Bar tender placed paper towels at hand washing sink. **Corrected On-Site**
31B-02-4
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. Emailed operator employee reporting agreement. **Corrective Action Taken**
11-26-1
Basic - Dead roaches on premises. One dead roach in bar area underneath cup rack in bar area.
35A-03-4
Basic - In-use tongs stored on equipment door handle between uses. Tongs hanging on equipment handles on cooks line. Manager removed tongs and and placed at dishwasher. **Corrected On-Site**
10-20-4
Basic - Lights in food preparation, food storage or warewashing area missing the proper shield, sleeve coatings or covers. Light shielding miss throughout kitchen area.
38-07-4
39
Jan 19, 2023
Routine - Food
1 critical violation.
View 1 violation
Employee Health Policies Present
FL-03
78
Sep 2, 2022
Routine - Food
No violations found.
100
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Red Lobster #0028 last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Red Lobster #0028 on file is from Mar 18, 2026. The public record contains six inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Red Lobster #0028?
Across the inspection record, “in-use tongs stored on equipment door handle between uses” has been cited three times, more than any other issue at Red Lobster #0028.
How does Red Lobster #0028 compare to other restaurants in Tampa?
Red Lobster #0028 most recently scored 41 out of 100, which is lower than the Tampa average of 79.
Has Red Lobster #0028's inspection record improved over time?
No. Recent inspections at Red Lobster #0028 have averaged around eight violations per visit, up from roughly three earlier in the record.
What does a high risk rating mean?
A high risk rating at Red Lobster #0028 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 Red Lobster #0028 inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Red Lobster #0028 is inspected around two times per year on average.
Nearby Restaurants