Shells of South Tampa
Last inspected: Sep 18, 2025
82
Score
Public records show seven inspections at Shells of South Tampa stretching back to 2022. The latest inspection on file is from Sep 18, 2025. Diners can read the low risk label as a sign that recent inspections have gone well.
Violation counts have been trending down, averaging around five violations across recent inspections versus roughly nine violations before.
“Food-contact surface soiled with food debris” accounts for the largest share of issues, appearing five times across the record.
The city-wide average for Tampa sits at 79, putting Shells of South Tampa on the better side of that line. There isn't much in the file that would give a customer pause.
7
Inspections
0
Critical latest
1
Major latest
2
Minor latest
Inspection History
Sep 18, 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. Observed stained cutting boards in kitchen at time of inspection. **Repeat Violation**
22-02-4
Basic - Equipment in poor repair. Observed torn door gaskets on reach in cooler on at salad station at time of inspection.
14-11-5
Basic - Ice buildup in reach-in freezer and/or walk-in freezer. Observed ice buildup up on up in walk in freezer at time of inspection.
14-69-4
82
Mar 18, 2025
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 1 major violation. 5 minor violations.
View 8 violations
High Priority - Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. Observed bleach and dish detergent stored on shelf with clean plate ware. Operator moved chemical at time of inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
41-10-4
High Priority - Raw animal foods not properly separated from each other in holding unit based upon minimum required cooking temperature. Observed raw chicken over raw seafood in reach in cooler. Operator moved chicken to lower drawer. **Corrected On-Site**
08A-20-5
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Observed some cutting boards in kitchen are stained at time of inspection.
22-02-4
Basic - Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin. Observed a pink slime like substance on white plastic shield inside ice machine bin at time of inspection
22-20-5
Basic - Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable. Observed grooved cutting board stored on shelf at time of inspection.
14-09-4
Basic - Food stored on floor. Observed crab legs stored on floor in walk in freezer. Operator moved legs to shelf during inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
08B-38-4
Basic - Walk-in cooler/freezer shelves with rust that has pitted the surface. Observed rusty shelves in walk in cooler at time of inspection
14-17-4
Basic - Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Observed unlabeled spray bottles on cooks line. Operator labeled bottles for water and oil during inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
02D-01-5
52
Aug 28, 2024
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 3 minor violations.
View 5 violations
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Cold holding: salmon 50 F, per operator raw salmon was pity in reach in cooler at 4 pm. Time temped 6:20 pm operator put on ice to bring back down to temperature. **Corrective Action Taken**
03A-02-5
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Cutting boards in kitchen. **Repeat Violation**
22-02-4
Basic - Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin. Ice machine in kitchen.
22-20-5
Basic - Floor area(s) covered with standing water throughout kitchen.
36-22-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Gaskets of reach in coolers.
23-03-4
67
May 21, 2024
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 2 major violations. 8 minor violations.
View 11 violations
High Priority - Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. Observed bottle of bleach on shelf next to clean food containers/pitchers. Operator move bleach at time of inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
41-10-4
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. -Cutting boards soiled
22-02-4
Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Observed drink ice in hand wash sink in servers isle during inspection
31A-11-4
Basic - Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin. Ice machine bin
22-20-5
Basic - Ceiling tile missing. Observed missing/damaged tile behind hoods over prep table
36-36-4
Basic - Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable. Cutting boards grooved at salad station **Repeat Violation**
14-09-4
Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Employee drink on dish machine. Operator moved during inspection **Corrected On-Site**
12B-07-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Gaskets on cooks line soiled with food debris
23-03-4
Basic - Plumbing system in disrepair. Hand wash sink at bar missing drain pipe at time of inspection
29-08-4
Basic - Unclean building components, attachments or fixtures.outside/back part of hood soiled with grease
36-50-4
Basic - Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Observed spray bottle on cooks line unlabeled. Operator had employee label during inspection **Corrected On-Site**
02D-01-5
47
Feb 7, 2024
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 7 minor violations.
View 9 violations
High Priority - Employee touched soiled surface and then engaged in food preparation, handled clean equipment or utensils, or touched unwrapped single-service items without washing hands. Observed server drop off dirty dishes in dishroom then take clean side plates to table. Same server also grabbed togo boxes and brought to table.
12A-29-4
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Observed mold like buildup up on soda machine around nozzles.
22-02-4
Basic - Old labels stuck to food containers after cleaning. Observed old labels and day dots on clean food containers. Operator moved food containers to dishroom to wash. **Corrective Action Taken**
16-46-4
Basic - Walk-in cooler/freezer shelves with rust that has pitted the surface. Observed rust on shelves in walk in cooler.
14-17-4
Basic - Carbon dioxide tanks not adequately secured. Observed 4 tanks in back room not secured.
51-11-4
Basic - Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable. Cutting boards in kitchen.
14-09-4
Basic - Employee eating in a food preparation or other restricted area. Observed server eating in prep room on prep table. Spoke to server and they moved to table in dining room. **Corrected On-Site**
12B-02-4
Basic - Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Observed employee phone charging on soda bibs in prep room. Operator moved phone during inspection **Corrected On-Site**
40-06-5
Basic - Floor soiled/has accumulation of debris. Debris behind ice machines. Operator had employee clean during inspection **Corrected On-Site**
36-73-4
55
Jan 24, 2023
Routine - Food
4 major violations. 3 minor violations.
View 7 violations
Food Contact Surfaces Clean and Sanitized
FL-22
Food Obtained from Approved Sources
FL-11
Required Records Available; Shellstock Tags/Labels
FL-14
Potentially Hazardous Food Held at Proper Temperature
FL-16
Lighting Adequate; Required Shields in Place
FL-36
Approved Thawing Methods Used
FL-31
Hot and Cold Water Available; Adequate Pressure
FL-25
47
Sep 1, 2022
Routine - Food
No violations found.
100
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Shells of South Tampa last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Shells of South Tampa on file is from Sep 18, 2025. The public record contains seven inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Shells of South Tampa?
Across the inspection record, “food-contact surface soiled with food debris” has been cited five times, more than any other issue at Shells of South Tampa.
How does Shells of South Tampa compare to other restaurants in Tampa?
Shells of South Tampa most recently scored 82 out of 100, which is higher than the Tampa average of 79.
Has Shells of South Tampa's inspection record improved over time?
Yes. Recent inspections at Shells of South Tampa 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 Shells of South Tampa 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 Shells of South Tampa inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Shells of South Tampa is inspected around two times per year on average.
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