Santos Kitchen and Lounge
Last inspected: Apr 1, 2026
70
Score
Inspectors have visited Santos Kitchen and Lounge 12 times, with records going back to 2023. The most recent report on file is from Apr 1, 2026. When a facility lands in medium risk territory, it usually means a mixed inspection result.
There hasn't been much movement either way: counts have stayed near three violations per visit across recent inspections.
“Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing” accounts for the largest share of issues, appearing three times across the record.
Restaurants in Tampa average 79, so Santos Kitchen and Lounge trails the local norm. Taken together, the history looks like that of a busy facility working through the usual inspection cycle.
12
Inspections
1
Critical latest
2
Major latest
0
Minor latest
Inspection History
Apr 1, 2026
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 2 major violations.
View 3 violations
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Raw chicken over ready to eat rice reach in cooler
08A-05-6
Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Stored dishes inside the sink employee removed **Corrected On-Site**
31A-11-4
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
70
Nov 21, 2025
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. Butter 47F butter 43F **Corrected On-Site**
03A-02-5
Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Equipment stored in sink employee removed. **Corrected On-Site**
31A-11-4
Intermediate - No soap provided at handwash sink. At bar employee restocked **Corrected On-Site**
31B-03-4
Basic - Time/temperature control for safety food thawed in an improper manner. Raw meats thawing in the three compartment sink
06-01-5
67
May 28, 2025
Routine - Food
No violations found.
100
May 16, 2025
Routine - Food
1 critical violation.
View 1 violation
High Priority - - From initial inspection : 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. Bar area tested at 0 ppm it was in use discussed with employees to use the three compartment sink to sanitize the dishes. - From follow-up inspection 2025-05-16: Still tested at 0 ppm **Time Extended**
22-41-4
86
May 14, 2025
Routine - Food
4 critical violations. 3 major violations. 2 minor violations.
View 9 violations
High Priority - Live, small flying insects found 13 live in the bar area not landing on food. 3 live flies in the back kitchen wall corner not landing on food.
35A-02-7
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. Bar area tested at 0 ppm it was in use discussed with employees to use the three compartment sink to sanitize the dishes.
22-41-4
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Raw eggs over ready to eat sauces reach in cooler. Employee removed to proper storage **Corrected On-Site**
08A-05-6
High Priority - Nonfood-grade containers used for food storage - direct contact with food. Peppers green in non food grade bag under bottom shelf of reach in Cooler.
14-15-4
Intermediate - No soap provided at handwash sink. At hand washing sink employee restocked.
31B-03-4
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
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. No employees
11-26-1
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. Raw salmon not cut from the packaging. Employee began to cut from the fish at the packaging.
06-09-1
Basic - Dishmachine not washing/rinsing properly. Must wash, rinse and sanitize all dishware, equipment and utensils in three-compartment sink until dishmachine is functioning properly. The machine was not set up at time of inspection. Tested the machine at 0 ppm
16-55-4
37
Jan 15, 2025
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 1 minor violation.
View 2 violations
High Priority - - From initial inspection : 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. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2025-01-15: Operator using 3 compartment sink until sanitizer is calibrated. **Time Extended**
22-41-4
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Floor soiled/has accumulation of debris. Floors soiled under equipment in kitchen and bar areas **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2025-01-15: **Time Extended**
36-73-4
82
Dec 18, 2024
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 2 minor violations.
View 4 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. **Warning**
22-41-4
Intermediate - Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. **Warning**
31A-09-4
Basic - Reach-in cooler interior/shelves have accumulation of soil residues. **Warning**
22-16-4
Basic - Floor soiled/has accumulation of debris. Floors soiled under equipment in kitchen and bar areas **Warning**
36-73-4
70
May 3, 2024
Routine - Food
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - No drainboards or equivalent provided for soiled items and/or air drying cleaned items. Operator will install shelving in place of drain boards. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2024-05-03: **Time Extended**
16-04-4
95
Feb 28, 2024
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 2 major violations. 1 minor violation.
View 4 violations
High Priority - Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license. **Warning**
50-17-3
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/. Operator moved reach in cooler to bar area hoist outside of kitchen, and installed a single rack dish machine, they state they will be installing shelving above the machine in place of drain boards **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
Basic - No drainboards or equivalent provided for soiled items and/or air drying cleaned items. Operator will install shelving in place of drain boards. **Warning**
16-04-4
67
Oct 5, 2023
Routine - Food
3 major violations. 3 minor violations.
View 6 violations
Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. 3 bags of cooked chicken in sink, operator removed. **Corrected On-Site**
31A-11-4
Intermediate - Menu does not identify which items contain raw or undercooked animal foods covered by the consumer advisory. Operator marked them during inspection **Corrected On-Site**
02B-01-5
Intermediate - No soap provided at handwash sink. In kitchen operator replaced **Corrected On-Site**
31B-03-4
Basic - Fifty (50) foot-candles of light not provided at a food working surface or where safety is a factor. Kitchen light goes out periodically
38-11-4
Basic - Floor soiled/has accumulation of debris.under equipment in bar and kitchen
36-73-4
Basic - No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees. At bar sink
31B-04-4
64
Jun 5, 2023
Food-Licensing Inspection
No violations found.
100
May 1, 2023
Food-Licensing Inspection
1 critical violation. 3 minor violations.
View 4 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/ operator has some items on plan review to comply with. And will be issued license at complied callback inspection. **Warning**
50-08-7
Basic - Wood food-contact surface not properly sealed. Wood shelving, some walls and cabinets not sealed **Warning**
14-06-4
Basic - Floors not maintained smooth and durable. Unsealed concrete in food areas **Warning**
36-11-4
Basic - Floor and wall junctures not coved in food preparation/storage/warewashing areas or bathroom. No wall cove on areas marked on plans **Warning**
36-08-4
74
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Santos Kitchen and Lounge last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Santos Kitchen and Lounge on file is from Apr 1, 2026. The public record contains 12 inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Santos Kitchen and Lounge?
Across the inspection record, “handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing” has been cited three times, more than any other issue at Santos Kitchen and Lounge.
How does Santos Kitchen and Lounge compare to other restaurants in Tampa?
Santos Kitchen and Lounge most recently scored 70 out of 100, which is lower than the Tampa average of 79.
Has Santos Kitchen and Lounge's inspection record improved over time?
Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at Santos Kitchen and Lounge have averaged around three violations per visit across the recent record.
What does a medium risk rating mean?
A medium risk rating at Santos Kitchen and Lounge 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 Santos Kitchen and Lounge inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Santos Kitchen and Lounge is inspected around four times per year on average.
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