Rumba Island Bar & Grill
Last inspected: Oct 16, 2025
41
Score
Inspectors have visited Rumba Island Bar & Grill 10 times, with records going back to 2022. The most recent visit was on Oct 16, 2025. High risk indicates the latest inspection turned up problems worth knowing about.
Things have been moving in the right direction, with the rolling count dropping from around 13 violations to closer to six violations per visit.
“Time/temperature control for safety food cold held” comes up most often, recorded five times in the inspection record.
Rumba Island Bar & Grill's latest score of 41 falls below the Clearwater average of 79. This restaurant has more on its record than most do.
10
Inspections
4
Critical latest
0
Major latest
6
Minor latest
Inspection History
Oct 16, 2025
Routine - Food
4 critical violations. 6 minor violations.
View 10 violations
High Priority - Live, small flying insects found. Observed 2 flying insects in dish area with no cross contamination observed. Employee was not able to contain it. Called Supervisor.
35A-02-7
High Priority - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food marked with a date that exceeds 7 days after opening/preparation. Garlic butter in walk-in dated 9/23. Operator discarded. **Corrected On-Site**
02C-01-5
High Priority - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food not consumed/sold within 7 days after opening/preparation. See stop sale. Garlic butter in walk-in cooler dated 9/23.
01B-24-5
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. butter (45F - Cold Holding); 11:38 first temp retemped at 12:56 at 44F scallops(45F - Cold Holding) 11:38 first temp retemped at 12:56 at 44F **Repeat Violation**
03A-02-5
Basic - Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Plastic containers with no handle used in dry storage bin with rice. Operator removed. **Corrected On-Site**
14-01-5
Basic - Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting. Utensils and plastic pans wet nesting. Operator began air drying utensils. **Corrective Action Taken**
24-08-4
Basic - Floor soiled/has accumulation of debris. Floor under soda syrup station in back accumulated with debris.
36-73-4
Basic - Food storage container/container lid cracked or broken. Plastic lid on raw chicken in walk-in cooler cracked around the edges.
14-38-4
Basic - No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees. Provided operator with printed sign. **Corrected On-Site**
31B-04-4
Basic - Unwashed fruits/vegetables stored with ready-to-eat food. Unwashed onions stored over ready to eat veggies. Operator rearranged. **Corrected On-Site**
08B-17-4
41
Jan 2, 2025
Complaint Full
No violations found.
100
Dec 16, 2024
Complaint Full
2 critical violations. 5 minor violations.
View 7 violations
High Priority - Sewage/wastewater backing up through floor drains. During inspection inside men's restroom flushing toilets and running multiple sinks at same time water starting to come up from floor drain inside men's restroom. Frank put balloon down drain to flush out. Floor drain working properly. During inspection **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
28-26-5
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Pull out drawers under grill Poultry (54F - Cold Holding); Beef (50F - Cold Holding); Fish (47F - Cold Holding) Using ice to keep cold Temp on outside states 54 degrees **Warning**
03A-02-5
Basic - Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Employee phone in cutting board. At cook line. **Warning**
40-06-5
Basic - Equipment in poor repair. Bottom reach in cooler with buckets under catching water leaking on floor **Warning**
14-11-5
Basic - Ice scoop handle in contact with ice. At bar. Employee removed **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
10-08-5
Basic - Plumbing system in disrepair hand wash sink leaking onto the floor under hand wash sink. Bar tender using hand wash sink. **Warning**
29-08-4
Basic - Water draining onto floor surface outside bar. **Warning**
29-03-4
58
Aug 7, 2024
Routine - Food
3 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting. Plastic food containers wet-nested on shelf above triple sink area - From follow-up inspection 2024-08-07: **Time Extended**
24-08-4
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Equipment in poor repair. Torn gasket on reach in cooler drawers on cook line. - From follow-up inspection 2024-08-07: **Time Extended**
14-11-5
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Gaskets dirty on reach in coolers. Soda holster in outside bar area soiled. **Repeat Violation** - From follow-up inspection 2024-08-07: **Time Extended**
23-03-4
86
Aug 6, 2024
Routine - Food
5 critical violations. 3 major violations. 16 minor violations.
View 24 violations
High Priority - Dented/rusted cans present. See stop sale. 3 dented cans of coconut milk on dry storage shelf.
01B-01-4
High Priority - Employee failed to wash hands before putting on gloves to initiate a task working with food. Employee put on gloves no hand wash. Educated employee.
12A-07-5
High Priority - Live, small flying insects in kitchen, food preparation area, food storage area and/or bar area. 2 live fly in the kitchen landing cutting boards and food containers 3 live flies in the food prep area landing on cutting boards and food surface area 2 live flies in dishwashing area 7 live flies in exterior dry storage area, 2 live flies in outside bar area **Repeat Violation**
35A-02-6
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. cooked shredded chicken (46F - Cold Holding); whipping cream (48F - Cold Holding); raw eggs muffin mix (58F - Cold Holding); cooked shredded chicken (46F - Cold Holding). Employee moved all foods to walk in cooler to cool. Retemped all foods 41-43F.
03A-02-5
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food identified in the written procedure as a food held using time as a public health control has no time marking and the time removed from temperature control cannot be determined. No time mark on butter. Employee stamped butter. **Corrected On-Site**
03F-02-5
Intermediate - Commercially processed ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food opened and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked after opening. Milk in walk in cooler no date mark. Employee dated milk. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
02C-03-5
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Can opener soiled on prep line, mixer head soiled in prep area, soda gun and nozzles soiled. **Repeat Violation**
22-02-4
Intermediate - Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times blocked with garbage bin. Manager removed **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
31A-09-4
Basic - Floor area(s) covered with standing water. Standing water on the floor in the walk in cooler.
36-22-4
Basic - In-use tongs stored on equipment door handle between uses. Tong hanging on smoking oven door. Manager removed **Corrected On-Site**
10-20-4
Basic - Interior of oven/microwave has accumulation of black substance/grease/food debris in the cook line area
22-08-4
Basic - No conspicuously located ambient air temperature thermometer in holding unit. No ambient thermometers in reach in coolers in cook line area
05-09-4
Basic - No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees next to reach in cooler
31B-04-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Gaskets dirty on reach in coolers. Soda holster in outside bar area soiled. **Repeat Violation**
23-03-4
Basic - Old labels stuck to food containers after cleaning. Old labels on containers with date marks.
16-46-4
Basic - Presetting of unwrapped silverware and/or tableware outdoors. Silverware not inverted. Manager stored in proper way **Corrected On-Site**
24-01-4
Basic - Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Bulk containers of white powder not labeled. Employee labeled flour. **Corrected On-Site**
02D-01-5
Basic - Equipment in poor repair. Torn gasket on reach in cooler drawers on cook line.
14-11-5
Basic - Clean glasses, cups, bowls, plates, pots and pans not stored inverted or in a protected manner. Ice buckets not inverted. Manager stored ice buckets in proper way **Corrected On-Site**
24-05-4
Basic - Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable. Multiple grooved cutting boards in use. **Repeat Violation**
14-09-4
Basic - Dead roaches on premises. 2 dead roaches on the floor near soda equipment. Employee cleared cleaned and sanitized area. **Corrective Action Taken**
35A-03-4
Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Employee drink in dry food storage area outside. Manager removed **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. Employees back packs hanging on shelf next to kitchen utensils next to triple sink area. Employees removed back packs **Corrected On-Site**
40-06-5
Basic - Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting. Plastic food containers wet-nested on shelf above triple sink area
24-08-4
16
Mar 15, 2024
Routine - Food
5 critical violations. 2 major violations. 6 minor violations.
View 13 violations
Required Records Available; Shellstock Tags/Labels
FL-14
Employee Health Policies Present
FL-03
Hands Clean and Properly Washed
FL-08
Food Received at Proper Temperature
FL-12
Supervisor/Person in Charge Present
FL-01
Potentially Hazardous Food Held at Proper Temperature
FL-16
Proper Hot and Cold Holding Temperatures
FL-21
Food Contact Surfaces Clean and Sanitized
FL-22
Non-Food Contact Surfaces Clean
FL-23
Warewashing Facilities Maintained and Used
FL-24
Approved Thawing Methods Used
FL-31
Equipment, Food and Non-Food Contact Surfaces Approved
FL-35
Lighting Adequate; Required Shields in Place
FL-36
17
Nov 13, 2023
Complaint Full
1 major violation.
View 1 violation
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : Intermediate - Required employee training expired for some employees. To order approved program food safety material, call DBPR contracted provider: Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (SafeStaff) 866-372-7233. Marrian expired training 2022 - From follow-up inspection 2023-11-13: **Time Extended**
53B-14-5
90
Nov 8, 2023
Complaint Full
4 critical violations. 4 major violations. 7 minor violations.
View 15 violations
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over or with unwashed produce in walk in cooler near office - manager rearranged food **Corrected On-Site**
08A-04-5
High Priority - Stop Sale issued due to food not being in a wholesome, sound condition. Mussels missing tags in cooler at cook line
01B-13-4
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. -cod fish 49 F , grouper 49 F , Swiss cheese 45 F cheese , pulled chicken 50 F , ground beef 49 F , mahi 47 F in drawer under grill -food moved from walk in cooler less than 2 hours - ambient thermometer reading 41 F - manager placed ice on food **Corrective Action Taken**
03A-02-5
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Pork 115 F, cooked chicken 110 F in alto sham placed from smoker under 30 minutes - manager increased temperature
03B-01-6
Intermediate - Required employee training expired for some employees. To order approved program food safety material, call DBPR contracted provider: Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (SafeStaff) 866-372-7233. Marrian expired training 2022
53B-14-5
Intermediate - No tag on/for original container of raw, mussels at cook line See stop sale.
01C-01-4
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. - Stained cutting boards at cook line
22-02-4
Intermediate - No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink in prep area - manager placed towels at hand wash sink **Corrected On-Site**
31B-02-4
Basic - Clean glasses, cups, bowls, plates, pots and pans not stored inverted or in a protected manner. - ice buckets not inverted on wall
24-05-4
Basic - Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable at cook line .
14-09-4
Basic - Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. - backpacks stored on top of soda boxes in kitchen - manager relocated items **Corrected On-Site**
40-06-5
Basic - Ice scoop handle in contact with ice at bar - manager relocated ice scoop **Corrected On-Site**
10-08-5
Basic - No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees in food prep area, beverage station and bar areas
31B-04-4
Basic - Opened employee beverage container in a cold holding unit ( cooler and freezer ) with food to be served to customers in food prep areas - manager discarded opened bottles of water **Corrected On-Site**
12B-13-4
Basic - Unprotected ice machine in a customer/nonsecure area in exit area near beverage station
08B-62-4
26
Jun 30, 2023
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 2 major violations. 1 minor violation.
View 4 violations
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. - raw chicken 47 F , raw ground beef in drawer under grill - employee added ice bags **Corrective Action Taken**
03A-02-5
Intermediate - Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times.trashcan in front of hand wash sink next to steamer - reviewed with manager hand wash sinks must be accessible at all times - employee moved trashcan **Corrected On-Site**
31A-09-4
Intermediate - No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink at cook line - employee put paper towels in dispenser **Corrected On-Site**
31B-02-4
Basic - No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees in food prep area next to steamer
31B-04-4
67
Oct 24, 2022
Routine - Food
1 major violation. 7 minor violations.
View 8 violations
Certified Food Manager Identification
FL-02
Hands Clean and Properly Washed
FL-08
Food Received at Proper Temperature
FL-12
Required Records Available; Shellstock Tags/Labels
FL-14
Potentially Hazardous Food Held at Proper Temperature
FL-16
Proper Hot and Cold Holding Temperatures
FL-21
Warewashing Facilities Maintained and Used
FL-24
Lighting Adequate; Required Shields in Place
FL-36
61
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Rumba Island Bar & Grill last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Rumba Island Bar & Grill on file is from Oct 16, 2025. The public record contains 10 inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Rumba Island Bar & Grill?
Across the inspection record, “time/temperature control for safety food cold held” has been cited five times, more than any other issue at Rumba Island Bar & Grill.
How does Rumba Island Bar & Grill compare to other restaurants in Clearwater?
Rumba Island Bar & Grill most recently scored 41 out of 100, which is lower than the Clearwater average of 79.
Has Rumba Island Bar & Grill's inspection record improved over time?
Yes. Recent inspections at Rumba Island Bar & Grill have averaged around six violations per visit, down from roughly 13 earlier in the record.
What does a high risk rating mean?
A high risk rating at Rumba Island Bar & Grill 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 Rumba Island Bar & Grill inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Rumba Island Bar & Grill is inspected around three times per year on average.
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