Rene's Mexican Kitchen at 17th
Last inspected: Jan 20, 2026
58
Score
Public records show 10 inspections at Rene's Mexican Kitchen at 17th stretching back to 2022. The most recent visit was on Jan 20, 2026. A medium risk score generally means inspectors found things to fix, though most weren't urgent.
Inspection results have stayed in a similar range over the last few visits, averaging around seven violations each.
The pattern that stands out is “employee beverage container on a food preparation table”, which has been cited seven times.
Restaurants in Tampa average 79, so Rene's Mexican Kitchen at 17th trails the local norm. Nothing in the record is alarming, but there's room to improve.
10
Inspections
0
Critical latest
3
Major latest
5
Minor latest
Inspection History
Jan 20, 2026
Routine - Food
3 major violations. 5 minor violations.
View 8 violations
Intermediate - Employee washed hands in a sink other than an approved handwash sink. Employee washed hands in 3 compartment sink.
12A-03-4
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Cutting boards on reach in coolers.
22-02-4
Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Black plastic container in Handwash sink in kitchen.
31A-11-4
Basic - Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Small plastic bowl in bulk cut garlic in reach in cooler.
14-01-5
Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Employee opened water bottles on prep table in kitchen.
12B-07-4
Basic - Employee eating in a food preparation or other restricted area. Employee eating toast stored on dish drying rack.
12B-02-4
Basic - Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Employees jackets and purses on dry storage rack in kitchen.
40-06-5
Basic - Food stored on floor. Raw chicken and bulk oil on floor in kitchen.
08B-38-4
58
Jul 24, 2025
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 2 major violations. 3 minor violations.
View 7 violations
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Raw chicken over cooked chicken. Operator relocated. **Corrective Action Taken**
08A-05-6
High Priority - Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license. **Admin Complaint**
50-17-3
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Cutting boards in kitchen. **Repeat Violation**
22-02-4
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.
53B-01-5
Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Employee water bottle on slicer in kitchen. **Repeat Violation**
12B-07-4
Basic - Floor not cleaned when the least amount of food is exposed. Under prep tables and reach in coolers.
36-01-4
Basic - In-use utensil in non-time/temperature control for safety food not stored with handle above top of food within a closed container. Handle of scoop in bulk sugar.
10-01-5
52
Feb 14, 2025
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 4 minor violations.
View 6 violations
Food Received at Proper Temperature
FL-12
Potentially Hazardous Food Held at Proper Temperature
FL-16
Food Contact Surfaces Clean and Sanitized
FL-22
Warewashing Facilities Maintained and Used
FL-24
Approved Thawing Methods Used
FL-31
Food and Non-Food Contact Surfaces Designed and Constructed
FL-50
64
Aug 7, 2024
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 3 major violations. 4 minor violations.
View 9 violations
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food.raw fish over cut tomatoes in reach in cooler. Operator removed at time of inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
08A-05-6
High Priority - Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license.
50-17-3
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Cutting boards in kitchen.
22-02-4
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.
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. Potatoes cooked in reach in cooler.
02C-02-5
Basic - Employee drinking from an unenclosed beverage container in a food preparation/clean dishware area and the container does not have a dispensing mechanism to prevent hand contact with lip contact area of drink container. Employee drinking coffee from container with no lid.
12B-12-5
Basic - Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Employee headphones on slicer in kitchen.
40-06-5
Basic - Food stored on floor. Bulk flour tortillas on floor. **Repeat Violation**
08B-38-4
Basic - Old labels stuck to food containers after cleaning on clear containers on dish drying rack.
16-46-4
45
Mar 27, 2024
Routine - Food
4 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Hands Clean and Properly Washed
FL-08
Food Received at Proper Temperature
FL-12
Proper Hot and Cold Holding Temperatures
FL-21
Food Contact Surfaces Clean and Sanitized
FL-22
82
Mar 26, 2024
Routine - Food
2 major violations. 4 minor violations.
View 6 violations
Intermediate - Manager or person in charge lacking proof of food manager certification. **Warning**
53A-01-7
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
Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Employee water bottles and coffee cups on reach in cooler and prep table in kitchen. **Warning**
12B-07-4
Basic - Food stored on floor. Bulk box or jalapeños on floor in kitchen. **Warning**
08B-38-4
Basic - Interior of oven/microwave has accumulation of black substance/grease/food debris. Microwave in kitchen. **Warning**
22-08-4
Basic - Wet wiping cloth not stored in sanitizing solution between uses. Wet wiping cloth on top of ice machine. **Warning**
21-12-4
67
Jan 3, 2024
Routine - Food
3 major violations. 3 minor violations.
View 6 violations
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : Intermediate - Establishment preparing food using a method that has been determined by the Divisions of Hotels and Restaurants to require an approved variance from the Division. Establishment does not have an approved variance for the method observed in use during the inspection. Operator is vacuum packing cooked tofu, cooked eggs and potatoes. - From follow-up inspection 2024-01-03: **Admin Complaint**
03G-46-1
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Cutting boards in kitchen. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2024-01-03: **Time Extended**
22-02-4
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : Intermediate - Operator is doing a special process, conducting reduced oxygen packaging, cooking time/temperature control for safety food to a time and temperature combination lesser than those in the Food Code or operating a molluscan shellfish tank for human consumption without a HACCP plan approved by the Division of Hotels and Restaurants. Operator is vacuum packing queso fresco cheese labeled 10/30/23 and velveta cheese, cooked tofu, cooked eggs and potatoes. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2024-01-03: **Admin Complaint**
03G-50-1
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Water bottle on prep table in kitchen. Employee removed at time of inspection. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2024-01-03: **Time Extended**
12B-07-4
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Old labels stuck to food containers after cleaning. On clear container lids **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2024-01-03: **Time Extended**
16-46-4
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Wet wiping cloth not stored in sanitizing solution between uses. Under grill in kitchen. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2024-01-03: **Time Extended**
21-12-4
64
Nov 1, 2023
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 4 major violations. 6 minor violations.
View 11 violations
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Raw chorizo over tortillas in reach in cooler. Operator relocated at time of inspection. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
08A-05-6
Intermediate - Establishment preparing food using a method that has been determined by the Divisions of Hotels and Restaurants to require an approved variance from the Division. Establishment does not have an approved variance for the method observed in use during the inspection. Operator is vacuum packing cooked tofu, cooked eggs and potatoes.
03G-46-1
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Cutting boards in kitchen. **Warning**
22-02-4
Intermediate - Operator is doing a special process, conducting reduced oxygen packaging, cooking time/temperature control for safety food to a time and temperature combination lesser than those in the Food Code or operating a molluscan shellfish tank for human consumption without a HACCP plan approved by the Division of Hotels and Restaurants. Operator is vacuum packing queso fresco cheese labeled 10/30/23 and velveta cheese, cooked tofu, cooked eggs and potatoes. **Warning**
03G-50-1
Intermediate - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Velveta cheese and eggs and potato mixture in reach in cooler . **Warning**
02C-02-5
Basic - Old labels stuck to food containers after cleaning. On clear container lids **Warning**
16-46-4
Basic - Floor tiles missing and/or in disrepair. In front of grill. **Warning**
36-17-5
Basic - Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Employee phone on prep table in kitchen. **Warning**
40-06-5
Basic - Wet wiping cloth not stored in sanitizing solution between uses. Under grill in kitchen. **Warning**
21-12-4
Basic - Unwashed fruits/vegetables stored with ready-to-eat food. Unwashed avocados held over ready to eat cut tomatoes and cooked potatoes. **Warning**
08B-17-4
Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Water bottle on prep table in kitchen. Employee removed at time of inspection. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
12B-07-4
43
May 9, 2023
Routine - Food
3 major violations. 4 minor violations.
View 7 violations
Intermediate - Customers enter establishment through kitchen.
43-10-4
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Cutting boards in kitchen.
22-02-4
Intermediate - Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled with purple liquid. **Repeat Violation**
41-17-4
Basic - In-use wet wiping cloth/towel used under cutting board in kitchen. Employee removed at time of inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
21-04-4
Basic - Wet wiping cloth not stored in sanitizing solution between uses. On prep table in kitchen. Employee removed at time of inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
21-12-4
Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Employee drink on shelf over food for establishment. Employee removed at time of inspection. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
12B-07-4
Basic - Food stored on floor. Bulk oil on floor. Operator relocated at time of inspection.
08B-38-4
61
Dec 1, 2022
Routine - Food
1 major violation. 4 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Intermediate - Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
41-17-4
Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Employee water bottle on prep table. Operator relocated at time of inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
12B-07-4
Basic - Employee personal food not properly identified and segregated from food to be served to the public. Employee water bottles in reach in freezer over food for establishment. Employee removed at time of inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
08B-49-4
Basic - Floor tiles missing and/or in disrepair. Tiles in kitchen cracked.
36-17-5
Basic - Ice buildup in bottom of white reach-in freezer.
14-69-4
74
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Rene's Mexican Kitchen at 17th last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Rene's Mexican Kitchen at 17th on file is from Jan 20, 2026. The public record contains 10 inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Rene's Mexican Kitchen at 17th?
Across the inspection record, “employee beverage container on a food preparation table” has been cited seven times, more than any other issue at Rene's Mexican Kitchen at 17th.
How does Rene's Mexican Kitchen at 17th compare to other restaurants in Tampa?
Rene's Mexican Kitchen at 17th most recently scored 58 out of 100, which is lower than the Tampa average of 79.
Has Rene's Mexican Kitchen at 17th's inspection record improved over time?
Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at Rene's Mexican Kitchen at 17th have averaged around seven violations per visit across the recent record.
What does a medium risk rating mean?
A medium risk rating at Rene's Mexican Kitchen at 17th 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 Rene's Mexican Kitchen at 17th inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Rene's Mexican Kitchen at 17th is inspected around three times per year on average.
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