Sabor a Merengue Restaurant
Last inspected: Apr 24, 2026
74
Score
Inspectors have visited Sabor a Merengue Restaurant nine times, with records going back to 2022. Sabor a Merengue Restaurant was last inspected on Apr 24, 2026. Diners should read medium risk as a signal that some issues exist but aren't extreme.
Recent inspections have turned up roughly the same number of issues each time, hovering near eight violations per visit.
“Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing” comes up most often, recorded four times in the inspection record.
The city-wide average sits at 79, which Sabor a Merengue Restaurant's 74 doesn't quite reach. Taken together, the history looks like that of a busy facility working through the usual inspection cycle.
9
Inspections
0
Critical latest
2
Major latest
2
Minor latest
Inspection History
Apr 24, 2026
Routine - Food
2 major violations. 2 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Intermediate - No soap provided at handwash sink. At hand washing sink front counter manager restocked **Corrected On-Site**
31B-03-4
Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Stored bag of wiping cloths. Employee removed **Corrected On-Site**
31A-11-4
Basic - Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable. White board on cooks line
14-09-4
Basic - Wiping cloth chlorine sanitizing solution not at proper minimum strength. Tested at 0 ppm retested to 100 ppm **Corrected On-Site**
21-07-4
74
Mar 2, 2026
Routine - Food
5 critical violations. 5 major violations. 6 minor violations.
View 16 violations
High Priority - Employee rubbed hands together for less than 10-15 seconds while washing hands. Observed employee wash hands for less than five seconds in back kitchen handwashing sink. Discussed with employee proper hand washing.
12A-17-4
High Priority - Employee failed to wash hands before putting on gloves to initiate a task working with food. Observed employee enter kitchen and began to wear gloves without first washing hands. Discussed with employee to wash hands first before wearing gloves. Employee washed hands then gloves. **Corrected On-Site**
12A-07-5
High Priority - Chlorine sanitizer used to sanitize clean in place equipment not at proper minimum strength. Do not use equipment not properly sanitized. Chlorine sanitizer over 200 PPM. Employee corrected chlorine to 50 PPM at time of inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
22-52-4
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Raw chicken stored over shredded white cheese. Raw shell eggs, stored over tomatoes and hotdogs. Raw beef stored over ready to eat bread all inside back kitchen, reaching cooler next to mop sink. Employee relocated all items to an appropriate location at time of inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
08A-05-6
High Priority - Nonfood-grade bags used in direct contact with food. Shredded white cheese, manchego cheese, and sliced ham stored inside shopping bags. Employee relocated some shredded white cheese into a hotel pan at time of inspection. **Corrective Action Taken**
14-31-5
Intermediate - Employee washed hands in a sink other than an approved handwash sink. Observed employee washing hands at three compartment sink. Discussed with employee. Employee rewashed hands at hand washing sink. **Corrected On-Site**
12A-03-4
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Multiple cutting boards inside establishment soil.
22-02-4
Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Multiple hotel plans stored inside handwashing sink adjacent to three compartment sink. Employee removed all hotel pans at time of inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
31A-11-4
Intermediate - No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. No paper towel at employee hand washing sink adjacent to three compartment sink.
31B-02-4
Intermediate - No soap provided at handwash sink. No soap available at all. Handwashing sinks. Employee provided soap at handwashing sink next to three compartment sink at time of inspection. **Corrective Action Taken**
31B-03-4
Basic - Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable. Multiple cutting boards inside establishment with cut marks.
14-09-4
Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Employee personal beverage in an open container stored on center kitchen prep table. Employee discarded coverage at time of inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
12B-07-4
Basic - Food stored on floor. Two cases of frying oil stored on floor next to ice machine.
08B-38-4
Basic - Ice buildup in reach-in freezer. Ice built-up in reach in chest freezer are located at back storage area.
14-69-4
Basic - Label on a food item prepared and packaged onsite for customer self-service does not include product identity/description, date product was packaged and name and address of the establishment that prepared and packaged the food. Multiple blocks of white cheese stored inside dining room reaching cooler for customer self service not labeled.
02D-03-4
Basic - Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Multiple squeeze bottles containing sauces, not labeled in front service reaching cooler.
02D-01-5
21
Jan 21, 2025
Routine - Food
1 major violation. 4 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. A soiled sponge stored in handwash sink at front service counter. Removed. **Corrected On-Site**
31A-11-4
Basic - Accumulation of slimy substance in the interior of the ice machine.
22-20-5
Basic - Employee with no hair restraint while engaging in food preparation. 1 employee.
13-03-4
Basic - Interior of microwave has accumulation of black substance/grease/food debris.
22-08-4
Basic - Standing water or very slow draining water in handwash sink. At front service counter.
29-20-5
74
Oct 21, 2024
Routine - Food
No violations found.
100
Feb 15, 2024
Food-Licensing Inspection
1 critical violation. 1 major violation.
View 2 violations
High Priority - Establishment operating without a license from the Division of Hotels and Restaurants. Operator must obtain a public food service license from the Division of Hotels and Restaurants within 60 days. Submit a license application and payment to DBPR/Bureau of Central Intake Unit, 2601 Blair Stone Rd., Tallahassee, FL 32399-0783. To apply online or obtain an application for license visit http://www.myfloridalicense.com/DBPR/hotels-restaurants/ **Warning**
50-08-7
Intermediate - No plan review submitted and approved - renovations were made or are in progress. Must submit plans and plan review application to DBPR H and R Plan Review office located at 2601 Blair Stone Rd., Tallahassee, FL 32399-1011. Plans must be submitted AND approved within 60 days. The direct link to the Plan Review page is https://www2.myfloridalicense.com/hotels-restaurants/licensing/plan-review/. Per previous approved plan in ONBase, Mop sink and handwash sink relocated in kitchen, unit D no longer part of the establishment. Plan have been received and under review. **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning**
51-16-7
78
Nov 2, 2023
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 12 major violations. 6 minor violations.
View 20 violations
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Raw beef stored over cooked pork in reach-in cooler. **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
08A-05-6
High Priority - Employee washed hands with no soap. Employee washed hands with cold water. Employee touched soiled apron/clothes and then engaged in food preparation, handled clean equipment or utensils, or touched unwrapped single-service items without washing hands. Employee washed hands in a sink other than an approved handwash sink. Observed employee washed hands with cold water in three compartment sink with no soap, then dried hands with apron. **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
12A-20-4
Intermediate - Establishment has no written procedures for employees to follow in response to a vomiting or diarrheal event where the vomit or diarrhea is discharged onto surfaces in the establishment. **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
11-27-4
Intermediate - Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. No hot and cold running water provided in the only handwash sink at kitchen. Currently under warning, due on 11/08/2023. **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
31A-09-4
Intermediate - Handwash sink removed from food preparation/dishwashing area. Must be reinstalled in the same location where removed. Handwash sink at front service area has been removed. **Warning**
31A-04-4
Intermediate - Manager or person in charge lacking proof of food manager certification. Xavier Rodriguez. Currently under warning, due on 12/31/2023. **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
53A-01-7
Intermediate - No chemical test kit provided when using sanitizer at three-compartment sink/warewashing machine or wiping cloths. **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
16-37-1
Intermediate - No handwash sink for employees. **Warning**
31A-12-4
Intermediate - No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. No soap provided at handwash sink. The only handwash sink at kitchen. **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
31B-02-4
Intermediate - No plan review submitted and approved - renovations were made or are in progress. Must submit plans and plan review application to DBPR H and R Plan Review office located at 2601 Blair Stone Rd., Tallahassee, FL 32399-1011. Plans must be submitted AND approved within 60 days. The direct link to the Plan Review page is https://www2.myfloridalicense.com/hotels-restaurants/licensing/plan-review/. Per approved plan at Onbase, the establishment has removed mop sink and the handwash sink at front service area, relocate handwash sink in kitchen, also the establishment has downsized and no long has unit D as part of the restaurant. Currently under warning, due on 12/31/2023. **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
51-16-7
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. Currently under warning, due on 12/31/2023. **Repeat Violation** **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. Currently under warning, due on 12/31/2023. **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
11-26-1
Intermediate - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Cooked bean, cooked pork and other food in large reach-in cooler. **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
02C-02-5
Intermediate - Water with a temperature of at least 100 degrees Fahrenheit not provided/shut off at employee handwash sink. No hot and cold running water in the only handwash sink at kitchen. **Warning**
27-16-4
Basic - Interior of microwave has accumulation of black substance/grease/food debris. **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
22-08-4
Basic - No mop sink or curbed cleaning facility provided at establishment. Currently under warning, due on 12/31/2023. **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
29-27-4
Basic - Reach-in cooler interior/shelves have accumulation of soil residues. **Warning**
22-16-4
Basic - Water leaking from pipe under three compartment sink. **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
29-11-4
Basic - Wet wiping cloth not stored in sanitizing solution between uses. **Warning**
21-12-4
Basic - Wiping cloths used for occasional spills on tableware (utensils, plates or bowls served to the consumer) not dry and used just for that purpose. **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
21-01-4
17
Nov 1, 2023
Routine - Food
3 critical violations. 8 major violations. 5 minor violations.
View 16 violations
High Priority - Establishment using a sanitizer solution that does not meet the requirements specified in 40 CFR 180. Only use single-service items to serve food to customers until approved sanitizer is available for warewashing. Operator went to store and purchased approved sanitizer. **Corrected On-Site** **Admin Complaint**
22-48-5
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Raw beef stored over cooked pork in reach-in cooler. **Warning**
08A-05-6
High Priority - Employee washed hands with no soap. Employee washed hands with cold water. Employee washed hands in a sink other than an approved handwash sink. Employee dried hands on clothes/apron/soiled towel after washing. Observed employee washed hands in three compartment sink with cold water and no soap, then dried hands with soiled apron. Employee cracked raw shell eggs and then handled ready-to-eat food and/or clean equipment or utensils without washing hands. Observed employee cracked raw shell eggs then handled take out food containers without handwash. **Warning**
12A-20-4
Intermediate - Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. The only handwash sink at kitchen has no running water provided, employee unable to utilize the handwash sink. Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Soiled wiping cloths and plunger stored in the only handwash sink at kitchen. Bucket and soiled wiping cloths stored in the only handwash sink at front service area. **Warning**
31A-09-4
Intermediate - Manager or person in charge lacking proof of food manager certification. Xavier Rodriguez. **Warning**
53A-01-7
Intermediate - No chemical test kit provided when using sanitizer at three-compartment sink/warewashing machine or wiping cloths. **Warning**
16-37-1
Intermediate - No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. No paper towels at all handwash sinks including restroom in the entire establishment. Napkin provided. No soap provided at handwash sink. The 2 and only handwash sinks at kitchen and front service area. Dish soap available. **Corrective Action Taken** **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
31B-02-4
Intermediate - No plan review submitted and approved - renovations were made or are in progress. Must submit plans and plan review application to DBPR H and R Plan Review office located at 2601 Blair Stone Rd., Tallahassee, FL 32399-1011. Plans must be submitted AND approved within 60 days. The direct link to the Plan Review page is https://www2.myfloridalicense.com/hotels-restaurants/licensing/plan-review/. Per approved plan at Onbase, the establishment has removed mop sink, relocate handwash sink in kitchen, also the establishment has downsized and no long has unit D as part of the restaurant. **Warning**
51-16-7
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
Intermediate - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Cooked bean, cooked pork and various cooked food in large reach-in cooler in kitchen. **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
02C-02-5
Intermediate - Water with a temperature of at least 100 degrees Fahrenheit not provided/shut off at employee handwash sink. No running hot water in the 2 and only handwash sinks at kitchen and front service area. **Warning**
27-16-4
Basic - No mop sink or curbed cleaning facility provided at establishment. **Warning**
29-27-4
Basic - Interior of microwave has accumulation of black substance/grease/food debris. **Warning**
22-08-4
Basic - Wet wiping cloth not stored in sanitizing solution between uses. Observed wet wiping cloths on prep tables and handwash sinks. **Warning**
21-12-4
Basic - Water leaking from pipe under three compartment sink at kitchen. **Warning**
29-11-4
Basic - Reach-in cooler interior/shelves have accumulation of soil residues. **Warning**
22-16-4
22
May 11, 2023
Routine - Food
4 major violations. 2 minor violations.
View 6 violations
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : Intermediate - Establishment has no written procedures for employees to follow in response to a vomiting or diarrheal event where the vomit or diarrhea is discharged onto surfaces in the establishment. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2023-05-11: **Time Extended**
11-27-4
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : Intermediate - Handwash sink removed from food preparation/dishwashing area. Must be reinstalled in the same location where removed. New handwash sink has been replaced and plumbing disconnected at front service area, unable to utilize the handwash sink at time of inspection. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2023-05-11: Plumbing disconnected, repair in process. **Admin Complaint**
31A-04-4
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : Intermediate - No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. Front service area and kitchen. Operator provided. No soap provided at handwash sink. Front service area. No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees. Front service area. **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2023-05-11: Handwash sign posted. **Time Extended** **Corrective Action Taken**
31B-02-4
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : Intermediate - Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2023-05-11: **Time Extended**
41-17-4
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - No Heimlich maneuver/choking sign posted. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2023-05-11: **Time Extended**
51-13-4
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Current Hotel and Restaurant license not displayed. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2023-05-11: **Time Extended**
50-09-4
61
Nov 14, 2022
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 2 major violations. 4 minor violations.
View 8 violations
High Priority - In-use utensil stored in unclean water at or above 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Water temped 78 F. Operator discarded water. **Corrective Action Taken**
10-05-5
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. A small container of cooked onion 83 F and fried pork belly 79 F stored on prep table on cook line. Operator reheated onion to 168 F on stove and re fried pork belly to 197 F in fryer. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
03B-01-6
Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Sani bucket stored in handwash sink at front service counter. Operator removed. **Corrected On-Site**
31A-11-4
Intermediate - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Cooked white rice, yellow rice and bean in reach-in coolers. **Repeat Violation**
02C-02-5
Basic - Interior of microwave has accumulation of black substance/grease/food debris.
22-08-4
Basic - Duct tape used to repair nonfood-contact surface. Reach-in cooler and reach-in freezer handles. Reach-in cooler gaskets torn. **Repeat Violation**
14-71-4
Basic - Ceiling/ceiling tile shows damage or is in disrepair.
36-32-5
Basic - Ceiling not smooth, nonabsorbent and easily cleanable in food preparation, food storage, or warewashing areas.
36-37-5
50
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Sabor a Merengue Restaurant last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Sabor a Merengue Restaurant on file is from Apr 24, 2026. The public record contains nine inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Sabor a Merengue Restaurant?
Across the inspection record, “handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing” has been cited four times, more than any other issue at Sabor a Merengue Restaurant.
How does Sabor a Merengue Restaurant compare to other restaurants in Tampa?
Sabor a Merengue Restaurant most recently scored 74 out of 100, which is lower than the Tampa average of 79.
Has Sabor a Merengue Restaurant's inspection record improved over time?
Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at Sabor a Merengue Restaurant have averaged around eight violations per visit across the recent record.
What does a medium risk rating mean?
A medium risk rating at Sabor a Merengue Restaurant 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 Sabor a Merengue Restaurant inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Sabor a Merengue Restaurant is inspected around three times per year on average.
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