Ruths Chris Steakhouse
Last inspected: Apr 3, 2026
64
Score
Public records show 10 inspections at Ruths Chris Steakhouse stretching back to 2022. The newest entry in the record is dated Apr 3, 2026. When a facility lands in medium risk territory, it usually means a mixed inspection result.
Violation counts have held steady across recent visits, averaging around five violations each.
When inspectors have written things up, “floor area(s) covered with standing water” has been the most frequent reason, cited six times.
That's lower than the typical Tampa restaurant, which scores around 79. The full record sits in fairly typical territory for a working restaurant.
10
Inspections
2
Critical latest
1
Major latest
1
Minor latest
Inspection History
Apr 3, 2026
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 1 major violation. 1 minor violation.
View 4 violations
High Priority - Dented/rusted cans present. See stop sale.
01B-01-4
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. A container of butter (52F - Cold Holding) stored on cook line. Operator placed item in ice at time of inspection. **Corrective Action Taken**
03A-02-5
Intermediate - Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Tray stand and large trash can stored in front of the handwash sink at dish machine area. Operator moved items away from handwash sink at time of inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
31A-09-4
Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Employee drink stored on counter top next to cold well at cook line. Operator discarded drink. **Corrected On-Site**
12B-07-4
64
Sep 22, 2025
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 3 minor violations.
View 5 violations
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. Ran dish machine and tested 0ppm. Sanitizer was empty, operator replaced sanitizer and ran dish machine again, tested 50ppm. **Corrected On-Site**
22-41-4
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. A container of mashed potato 125 F in steam well. Operator reheating at time of inspection. **Corrective Action Taken**
03B-01-6
Basic - Employee eating in a food preparation or other restricted area. Employee eating in wait station while polishing and rolling silverware. Discussed with operator, operator coached employee at time of inspection. **Corrective Action Taken** **Repeat Violation**
12B-02-4
Basic - Floor area(s) covered with standing water. Under fryers on cook line. **Repeat Violation**
36-22-4
Basic - No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees. In employee restroom.
31B-04-4
64
Apr 4, 2025
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 2 major violations. 4 minor violations.
View 7 violations
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. 2 containers of butter (57F-60F - Cold Holding) stored in ice well at cook line. Discussed with operator about ice has to filled to food container fill line, employee moved butter to reach-in cooler. **Corrective Action Taken**
03A-02-5
Intermediate - Hot water sanitizing dishmachine final rinse not reaching proper temperature at manifold. Discontinue use of dishmachine for sanitizing and set up manual sanitization until dishmachine is repaired. Ran dish machine multiple times, temped 148.1F - 148.3F. Employee manually sanitize food equipment in three-compartments sink, and operator contacted dish machine service company at time of inspection. Ran dish machine at the end of inspection, temped 160.7F. **Corrective Action Taken**
22-56-4
Intermediate - Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled. 1 spray bottle by dish machine.
41-17-4
Basic - Commercially processed reduced oxygen packaged fish bearing a label indicating that it is to remain frozen until time of use no longer frozen and not removed from reduced oxygen package. 3 packs of raw lobster meat. Items still solid and thawing less than 30 minutes, all bags opened at time of inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
06-09-1
Basic - Employee eating in a food preparation or other restricted area. Employee eating by computers at wait station area, where cleaned silverware and plate stored near by.
12B-02-4
Basic - Floor area(s) covered with standing water. By ice machine at kitchen.
36-22-4
Basic - In-use utensil in non-time/temperature control for safety food not stored with handle above top of food within a closed container. Ice scoop handle in ice bin at bar. Operator removed at time of inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
10-01-5
58
Oct 1, 2024
Routine - Food
No violations found.
100
Jul 25, 2024
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 4 minor violations.
View 6 violations
High Priority - Employee touching ready-to-eat food with their bare hands - food was not being heated as a sole ingredient to 145 degrees F or immediately added to other ingredients to be cooked/heated to the minimum required temperature to allow bare hand contact. Establishment has no approved Alternative Operating Procedure. Observed employee prepping washed bell peppers and touch with bare hands while moving to storage area Inspector discussed proper handling of ready to eat foods and asked he employee to wash the veggies Observed employee wash peppers **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning**
09-01-4
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
Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Observed employee drink stored on prep table on cookline Corrected -observed employee discard **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
12B-07-4
Basic - In-use utensil stored in standing water less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed butter scoop stored in water temped at 88F on service line Corrected-observed employee discard water **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
10-07-4
Basic - Wet mop not stored in a manner to allow the mop to dry. Observed stored at mop sink Corrected -observed employee hang mop **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
42-01-4
Basic - Wet wiping cloth not stored in sanitizing solution between uses. Observed stored on prep table on cookline Corrected-observed employee remove **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
21-12-4
64
May 1, 2024
Routine - Food
1 major violation. 8 minor violations.
View 9 violations
Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Observed hand sink used as a dump sink
31A-11-4
Basic - Drain cover(s) missing. Missing at mop sink
29-18-4
Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Observed employee drink on prep table Corrected Observed employee discard **Corrected On-Site**
12B-07-4
Basic - Floor area(s) covered with standing water. Observed on floor in front of ice machine Observed floor dry mopped **Corrected On-Site**
36-22-4
Basic - In-use tongs stored on equipment door handle between uses. Observed a pair of tongs stored on oven handles Corrected observed employee remove **Corrected On-Site**
10-20-4
Basic - Opened employee beverage container in a cold holding unit with food to be served to customers. Observed employee drink stored in reachin cooler on service line Corrected observed employee remove **Corrected On-Site**
12B-13-4
Basic - Single-service articles improperly stored. Observed a box of Togo boxes stored on floor in back storage room Corrected -observed employee place on shelf **Corrected On-Site**
25-05-4
Basic - Standing water in bottom of reach-in-cooler. Observed standing water in reachin cooler adjacent to espresso machine on service line
29-49-6
Basic - Wet mop not stored in a manner to allow the mop to dry. Observed stored in mop bucket at mop sink Observed employee hang mop **Corrected On-Site**
42-01-4
61
Jan 30, 2024
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 1 major violation. 5 minor violations.
View 8 violations
High Priority - Employee touching ready-to-eat food with their bare hands - food was not being heated as a sole ingredient to 145 degrees F or immediately added to other ingredients to be cooked/heated to the minimum required temperature to allow bare hand contact. Establishment has no approved Alternative Operating Procedure. Observed employee cut peppers with bare hands Corrected observed employee wash pepper and clean hands and place gloves on hands Inspector explained proper hand washing and glove use
09-01-4
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed mashed potatoes (130F - Hot Holding) on steam table on service line Observed employee reheat and temp at 169F **Corrected On-Site**
03B-01-6
Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Observed server washing serving plate in hand sink in dish area
31A-11-4
Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Observed employee drink stored on shelf with sanitizer and clean dishes Corrected observed employee discard **Corrected On-Site**
12B-07-4
Basic - Floor area(s) covered with standing water. Observed in front of ice machine Observed employee dry mop floor **Corrected On-Site**
36-22-4
Basic - No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees. Observed missing at hand sink in dish area
31B-04-4
Basic - Standing water in bottom of reach-in-cooler. Observed inside reach cooler next to manager office Corrected observed employee clean **Corrected On-Site**
29-49-6
Basic - Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Observed bulk salt with no label on service line Corrected observed employee label **Corrected On-Site**
02D-01-5
52
May 9, 2023
Complaint Full
1 major violation. 7 minor violations.
View 8 violations
Intermediate - Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Employee hand wash sink at bar area blocked by blender, corrected, manager removed blender during inspection. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
31A-09-4
Basic - Employee personal food not properly identified and segregated from food to be served to the public. Employee foods stored in walk in cooler not identified nor separated from foods served to the public . Corrected, manager removed employee foods at time of inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
08B-49-4
Basic - Evidence of employee smoking in food preparation, food storage or warewashing area. Employee drink stored over food prep table , employee drink stored on food prep table , corrected , manager removed drinks during inspection. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
12B-06-4
Basic - Floor area(s) covered with standing water. Standing water on floor in dish wash area.
36-22-4
Basic - In-use tongs stored on equipment door handle between uses. Tongs stored on equipment handles on cooks line . **Repeat Violation**
10-20-4
Basic - Time/temperature control for safety food thawed in an improper manner. Lobsters thawing in standing water . Corrected, manager turned water on at time of inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
06-01-5
Basic - Wet mop not stored in a manner to allow the mop to dry. **Repeat Violation**
42-01-4
Basic - Wet wiping cloth not stored in sanitizing solution between uses. **Repeat Violation**
21-12-4
64
Feb 14, 2023
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 6 minor violations.
View 8 violations
High Priority - Employee failed to wash hands before putting on gloves to initiate a task working with food. Observed employee in bakery area placing gloves on with no hand washing. **Repeat Violation**
12A-07-5
Intermediate - Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
31A-09-4
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 from open container in dish wash area . **Repeat Violation**
12B-12-5
Basic - Equipment in poor repair. Chipped bulk container lids in dry storage area .
14-11-5
Basic - Food stored on floor. Beef stored on floor in walk in cooler. **Corrected On-Site**
08B-38-4
Basic - Wet wiping cloth not stored in sanitizing solution between uses. **Repeat Violation**
21-12-4
Basic - Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin.
22-20-5
Basic - Cold holding equipment not maintained in good repair. Do not store time/temperature control for safety food in this unit until the unit is repaired. Walk in freezer door nor shelf closing.
14-74-7
58
Aug 1, 2022
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 2 major violations. 3 minor violations.
View 6 violations
High Priority - Employee failed to wash hands before putting on gloves to initiate a task working with food. Observed employees placing gloves on with no prior hand washing, corrected action taken, inspector discussed with employee proper hand washing procedures when changing gloves. **Corrective Action Taken**
12A-07-5
Intermediate - Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Employee hand wash sink blocked by dust pan and broom , corrected , manager removed items 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. Garlic butter , chopped garlic, open container of milk all held over 24 hrs not date marked. **Repeat Violation**
02C-02-5
Basic - Floor area(s) covered with standing water in dish-wash area and behind bar . **Repeat Violation**
36-22-4
Basic - Wet mop not stored in a manner to allow the mop to dry. **Repeat Violation**
42-01-4
Basic - Wet wiping cloth not stored in sanitizing solution between uses. **Repeat Violation**
21-12-4
61
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Ruths Chris Steakhouse last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Ruths Chris Steakhouse on file is from Apr 3, 2026. The public record contains 10 inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Ruths Chris Steakhouse?
Across the inspection record, “floor area(s) covered with standing water” has been cited six times, more than any other issue at Ruths Chris Steakhouse.
How does Ruths Chris Steakhouse compare to other restaurants in Tampa?
Ruths Chris Steakhouse most recently scored 64 out of 100, which is lower than the Tampa average of 79.
Has Ruths Chris Steakhouse's inspection record improved over time?
Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at Ruths Chris Steakhouse have averaged around five violations per visit across the recent record.
What does a medium risk rating mean?
A medium risk rating at Ruths Chris Steakhouse 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 Ruths Chris Steakhouse inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Ruths Chris Steakhouse is inspected around three times per year on average.
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