Ricky Mela Restaurant
Last inspected: Apr 21, 2026
90
Score
Across the available record, Ricky Mela Restaurant has nine inspections on file, the first dated 2023. On Apr 21, 2026, the health department conducted the most recent visit. Low risk means the most recent visit produced few or no significant findings.
Violation counts have been trending down, averaging around five violations across recent inspections versus roughly nine violations before.
The pattern that stands out is “no handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used”, which has been cited three times.
Restaurants in Riverview average 69, so Ricky Mela Restaurant is doing better than most peers. There isn't much in the file that would give a customer pause.
9
Inspections
0
Critical latest
0
Major latest
2
Minor latest
Inspection History
Apr 21, 2026
Routine - Food
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Basic - Food stored on floor. Fryer oil on floor, employee removed at time of inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
08B-38-4
Basic - No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees. Employee placed sign. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
31B-04-4
90
Feb 17, 2026
Routine - Food
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Employee drink on prep table. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2026-02-17: **Time Extended**
12B-07-4
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Ice scoop handle in contact with ice. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2026-02-17: **Time Extended**
10-08-5
90
Dec 16, 2025
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 4 major violations. 5 minor violations.
View 11 violations
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Cooked vegetables 79 F left on counter for 1 hour, manager placed in reach in cooler at time of inspection. **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning**
03A-02-5
High Priority - Vacuum breaker missing at mop sink faucet or on fitting/splitter added to mop sink faucet. **Warning**
29-42-4
Intermediate - No chemical test kit provided when using sanitizer at three-compartment sink/warewashing machine or wiping cloths. For quat **Warning**
16-37-1
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 - 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 - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Soda machine. **Warning**
22-02-4
Basic - Wet mop not stored in a manner to allow the mop to dry. Manager hung at time of inspection. **Warning**
42-01-4
Basic - No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees. In women's restrooms. **Warning**
31B-04-4
Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Employee drink on prep table. **Warning**
12B-07-4
Basic - Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Employees phone on prep table. **Warning**
40-06-5
Basic - Ice scoop handle in contact with ice. **Warning**
10-08-5
39
May 1, 2025
Routine - Food
1 major violation. 2 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Cutting boards stained at time of inspection.
22-02-4
Basic - Floor soiled/has accumulation of debris. Floor soiled around kitchen equipment at time of inspection.
36-73-4
Basic - Floor tiles missing and/or in disrepair. Missing floor tiles around triple sinks.
36-17-5
82
Dec 3, 2024
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 3 major violations. 9 minor violations.
View 14 violations
Certified Food Manager Identification
FL-02
Employee Health Policies Present
FL-03
Adequate Handwashing Facilities Supplied and Accessible
FL-10
Food Obtained from Approved Sources
FL-11
Food Received at Proper Temperature
FL-12
Hot and Cold Water Available; Adequate Pressure
FL-25
Approved Thawing Methods Used
FL-31
Lighting Adequate; Required Shields in Place
FL-36
Wiping Cloths Properly Used and Stored
FL-41
Washing Fruits and Vegetables
FL-42
Required Records Available; Shellstock Tags/Labels
FL-14
Potentially Hazardous Food Held at Proper Temperature
FL-16
Food Contact Surfaces Clean and Sanitized
FL-22
Non-Food Contact Surfaces Clean
FL-23
32
Apr 9, 2024
Routine - Food
3 critical violations. 1 major violation. 6 minor violations.
View 10 violations
Certified Food Manager Identification
FL-02
Employee Health Policies Present
FL-03
Hands Clean and Properly Washed
FL-08
Required Records Available; Shellstock Tags/Labels
FL-14
Food Contact Surfaces Clean and Sanitized
FL-22
Non-Food Contact Surfaces Clean
FL-23
Warewashing Facilities Maintained and Used
FL-24
Hot and Cold Water Available; Adequate Pressure
FL-25
Lighting Adequate; Required Shields in Place
FL-36
Wiping Cloths Properly Used and Stored
FL-41
41
Dec 5, 2023
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 1 major violation. 7 minor violations.
View 10 violations
High Priority - Chlorine sanitizer not at proper minimum strength for manual warewashing. Do not use equipment/utensils not properly sanitized. 3 Compartment sink tested 10 ppm chlorine, operator remade tested 50ppm. **Corrected On-Site**
22-42-4
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Spinach 62 F- retemp 60 F, cut tomatoes 51 F- retemp 48 F, cheese 45 F- retemp 43 F, shrimp 47 F- retemp 38 F, chicken 45 F- retemp 43 F, in reach in cooler on cook line. Operator placed items on ice. **Corrective Action Taken** **Repeat Violation**
03A-02-5
Intermediate - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Pasta in reach in cooler not date marked.
02C-02-5
Basic - Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin. Ice machine, **Repeat Violation**
22-20-5
Basic - Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting. Containers wet nesting above 3 Compartment Sink.
24-08-4
Basic - Equipment in poor repair. Reach in cooler gaskets on cook line in poor repair. **Repeat Violation**
14-11-5
Basic - In-use tongs stored on equipment door handle between uses.tongs on oven door handle. **Repeat Violation**
10-20-4
Basic - In-use utensil in non-time/temperature control for safety food not stored with handle above top of food within a closed container. Scoop handle in flour and breading.
10-01-5
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Hood filters.
23-03-4
Basic - Wet mop not stored in a manner to allow the mop to dry. **Repeat Violation**
42-01-4
47
Apr 11, 2023
Routine - Food
3 critical violations. 3 major violations. 11 minor violations.
View 17 violations
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Raw chicken and raw fish over tomatoes and apples in walk in cooler.
08A-05-6
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Cut leafy greans 51 F on counter, advised employee to put in cooler. **Repeat Violation**
03A-02-5
High Priority - Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. Cleaner above ice machine, employee removed at time of inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
41-10-4
Intermediate - Establishment not maintaining clam/mussel/oyster tags for 90 days. Tags not kept for 90 days.
01C-02-4
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Cutting board.
22-02-4
Intermediate - No chemical test kit provided when using sanitizer at three-compartment sink/warewashing machine or wiping cloths. For chlorine. **Repeat Violation**
16-37-1
Basic - Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin. Ice machine. **Repeat Violation**
22-20-5
Basic - Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable. Cutting board on prep table.
14-09-4
Basic - Duct tape used to repair nonfood-contact surface. Tape on reach in cooler door on cook line.
14-71-4
Basic - Equipment in poor repair. Reach in cooler gaskets torn on cook line.
14-11-5
Basic - Floor tiles missing and/or in disrepair. Floor tile missing under 3 Compartment Sink.
36-17-5
Basic - Food stored on floor. Soda on floor next to coffee machine.
08B-38-4
Basic - In-use tongs stored on equipment door handle between uses. Tongs on oven door handle on cook line.
10-20-4
Basic - No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees. Handwash sink next to soda machine missing hand wash sign. Operator placed hand wash sign at time of inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
31B-04-4
Basic - Opened employee beverage container in a cold holding unit with food to be served to customers. Employee drinks in walk in cooler over tomato sauce.
12B-13-4
Basic - Single-service articles not stored inverted or protected from contamination. To go containers not inverted next to soda machine.
25-06-4
Basic - Wet mop not stored in a manner to allow the mop to dry. **Repeat Violation**
42-01-4
27
Jan 24, 2023
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 8 minor violations.
View 10 violations
Employee Health Policies Present
FL-03
Procedures for Responding to Vomiting/Diarrheal Events
FL-05
Hands Clean and Properly Washed
FL-08
Adequate Handwashing Facilities Supplied and Accessible
FL-10
Food Received at Proper Temperature
FL-12
Potentially Hazardous Food Held at Proper Temperature
FL-16
Food Contact Surfaces Clean and Sanitized
FL-22
Hot and Cold Water Available; Adequate Pressure
FL-25
Toxic Substances Properly Identified, Stored, Used
FL-32
Washing Fruits and Vegetables
FL-42
52
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Ricky Mela Restaurant last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Ricky Mela Restaurant on file is from Apr 21, 2026. The public record contains nine inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Ricky Mela Restaurant?
Across the inspection record, “no handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used” has been cited three times, more than any other issue at Ricky Mela Restaurant.
How does Ricky Mela Restaurant compare to other restaurants in Riverview?
Ricky Mela Restaurant most recently scored 90 out of 100, which is higher than the Riverview average of 69.
Has Ricky Mela Restaurant's inspection record improved over time?
Yes. Recent inspections at Ricky Mela Restaurant have averaged around five violations per visit, down from roughly nine earlier in the record.
What does a low risk rating mean?
A low risk rating at Ricky Mela Restaurant 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 Ricky Mela Restaurant inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Ricky Mela Restaurant is inspected around three times per year on average.
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