Surf Shack Coastal Kitchen
Last inspected: Aug 22, 2025
100
Score
Inspectors have visited Surf Shack Coastal Kitchen seven times, with records going back to 2022. On Aug 22, 2025, the health department conducted the most recent visit. A low risk rating suggests inspectors haven't found much to be concerned about lately.
The trend has been favorable: violation counts have eased from around seven violations to closer to three violations per visit over the last few inspections.
Looking across the full record, “food-contact surface soiled with food debris” is the recurring theme, flagged three times.
Compared to the broader Tampa restaurant scene, where the average is 79, this is a stronger showing. The file should reassure diners considering a visit.
7
Inspections
0
Critical latest
0
Major latest
0
Minor latest
Inspection History
Aug 22, 2025
Food-Licensing Inspection
No violations found.
100
Apr 17, 2025
Routine - Food
No violations found.
100
Nov 4, 2024
Routine - Food
5 major violations. 3 minor violations.
View 8 violations
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. **Corrected On-Site**
02C-03-5
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. Provided a copy to operator at time of inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
11-27-4
Intermediate - Food manager certification expired. A list of accredited food manager certification examination providers can be found at http://www.myfloridalicense.com/DBPR/hotels-restaurants/food-lodging/food-manager/ Hannah Palasti, expired on 07/16/2024.
53A-03-7
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Can opener blade soiled with old food debris and rusted.
22-02-4
Intermediate - Proof of required state approved employee training not available for some employees. To order approved program food safety material, call DBPR contracted provider: Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (SafeStaff) 866-372-7233. Will Hernandez.
53B-13-5
Basic - In-use tongs stored on equipment door handle between uses.
10-20-4
Basic - No Heimlich maneuver/choking sign posted. Provided a copy to operator at time of inspection. **Corrective Action Taken** **Repeat Violation**
51-13-4
Basic - Stored food not covered. A container of cooked headless shell on shrimp not covered in walk-in cooler. **Corrected On-Site**
08B-12-5
52
Apr 2, 2024
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 2 major violations. 1 minor violation.
View 5 violations
Certified Food Manager Identification
FL-02
Supervisor/Person in Charge Present
FL-01
Proper Eating, Tasting, Drinking, or Tobacco Use
FL-06
Food Obtained from Approved Sources
FL-11
Plumbing Maintained; Sewage Disposal
FL-51
55
Oct 13, 2023
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 3 major violations. 2 minor violations.
View 6 violations
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. A container of white rice 109-112 F double panned hot holds in steam table at cook line. Operator reheating white rice at time of inspection, temped 167-172 F. **Corrected On-Site**
03B-01-6
Intermediate - Required employee training expired for all employees. To order approved program food safety material, call DBPR contracted provider: Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (SafeStaff) 866-372-7233. 1 employee training expired on 10/01/2023.
53B-05-5
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Can opener blade soiled with old food residue.
22-02-4
Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Sani buckets stored in handwash sink at front service bar. Operator removed. Employee dumped ice water and rinsed personal drink cup in handwash sink at kitchen. Discussed with operator about handwash sink for handwash only. **Corrective Action Taken**
31A-11-4
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. Observed employee drinking on cook line with no lid and straw. Employee discarded drink. **Corrected On-Site**
12B-12-5
Basic - Employee wearing jewelry other than a plain ring on their hands/arms while preparing food. Employee wearing watch while prepping raw chicken. Employee removed watch, washed hand and replaced gloves at time of inspection. Employee with no hair restraint while engaging in food preparation. Employee at cook line. **Corrected On-Site**
13-07-4
58
Apr 4, 2023
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 4 major violations. 5 minor violations.
View 10 violations
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Raw chicken stored over sliced onions, raw tuna stored over cut lettuce in reach-in coolers on cook line. Raw animal food stored over or with unwashed produce. A container of raw chicken stored over a case of whole tomatoes in walk-in cooler.
08A-05-6
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.
11-27-4
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.
11-26-1
Intermediate - Records/documents for required employee training do not contain all of the required information. No birthdays of employees.
53B-10-4
Intermediate - Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled. **Repeat Violation**
41-17-4
Basic - Food stored on floor. A case of leafy greens stored on floor in walk-in cooler. Operator moved to shelf. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
08B-38-4
Basic - In-use tongs stored on equipment door handle between uses. **Corrected On-Site**
10-20-4
Basic - No Heimlich maneuver/choking sign posted.
51-13-4
Basic - Reach-in freezer interior bottom shelf have accumulation of food debris/residues.
22-16-4
Basic - Single-service articles not stored inverted or protected from contamination. Styrofoam soup bowls. **Corrected On-Site**
25-06-4
45
Nov 1, 2022
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 4 major violations. 5 minor violations.
View 11 violations
High Priority - Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. Spray bottle with chemical stored next to ice bin at bar. Operator moved to three compartment sink area. **Corrected On-Site**
41-10-4
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. A small container of raw tuna 44 F stored in reach-in cooler on cook line. Re temped: 42 F. **Corrected On-Site**
03A-02-5
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Can opener blade soiled with old food debris.
22-02-4
Intermediate - Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Floor fan blocked handwash sink on cook line. Operator removed fan. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
31A-09-4
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. 1 employee expired.
53B-14-5
Intermediate - Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled. 1 spray bottle at bar. Operator labeled. **Corrected On-Site**
41-17-4
Basic - Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Employee eyeglasses and back support brace stored on prep table at kitchen. Operator removed items from prep table. **Corrected On-Site**
40-06-5
Basic - Standing water in bottom of reach-in-cooler. Reach-in cooler on cook line.
29-49-6
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Mop sink soiled.
23-03-4
Basic - Food stored on floor. Soda syrup box stored on floor. Operator moved to shelf. **Corrected On-Site**
08B-38-4
Basic - Equipment in poor repair. Reach-in cooler handle disrepair on cook line.
14-11-5
39
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Surf Shack Coastal Kitchen last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Surf Shack Coastal Kitchen on file is from Aug 22, 2025. The public record contains seven inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Surf Shack Coastal Kitchen?
Across the inspection record, “food-contact surface soiled with food debris” has been cited three times, more than any other issue at Surf Shack Coastal Kitchen.
How does Surf Shack Coastal Kitchen compare to other restaurants in Tampa?
Surf Shack Coastal Kitchen most recently scored 100 out of 100, which is higher than the Tampa average of 79.
Has Surf Shack Coastal Kitchen's inspection record improved over time?
Yes. Recent inspections at Surf Shack Coastal Kitchen have averaged around three violations per visit, down from roughly seven earlier in the record.
What does a low risk rating mean?
A low risk rating at Surf Shack Coastal Kitchen 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 Surf Shack Coastal Kitchen inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Surf Shack Coastal Kitchen is inspected around two times per year on average.
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