Taco Bar
Last inspected: Feb 20, 2025
58
Score
Going back to 2022, Taco Bar has six inspections in the public record. Inspectors last stopped by on Feb 20, 2025. Medium risk typically reflects a handful of issues that inspectors wrote up but didn't deem critical.
Violation counts have ticked up lately, averaging around nine violations per visit versus roughly six violations earlier in the record.
“Time/temperature control for safety food cold held” accounts for the largest share of issues, appearing two times across the record.
Compared to other Clearwater restaurants (averaging 79), there's room to close the gap. On the whole, the file is mixed but not concerning.
6
Inspections
1
Critical latest
1
Major latest
6
Minor latest
Inspection History
Feb 20, 2025
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 6 minor violations.
View 8 violations
Certified Food Manager Identification
FL-02
Hands Clean and Properly Washed
FL-08
Proper Hot and Cold Holding Temperatures
FL-21
Non-Food Contact Surfaces Clean
FL-23
Hot and Cold Water Available; Adequate Pressure
FL-25
Personal Cleanliness
FL-40
Wiping Cloths Properly Used and Stored
FL-41
Toilet Rooms Maintained
FL-53
58
Sep 23, 2024
Routine - Food
4 critical violations. 2 major violations. 9 minor violations.
View 15 violations
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Raw shell eggs above ready to eat chopped lettuce in walk in cooler **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
08A-05-6
High Priority - Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. Pork (84F - Reheating); beef (114F - Reheating); black beans (119F - Reheating); corn (130F - Reheating); homemade jalapeño tomato sauce (115F - Reheating) **Warning**
01B-02-5
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. raw steak (45F - Cold Holding) in flip top cooler. Operator took temperatures less than 4 hours ago. Steak was relocated to walk in cooler. **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning**
03A-02-5
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food reheated for hot holding not reaching 165 degrees Fahrenheit for 15 seconds within 2 hours. In steam table in kitchen. Cook states all food items began reheating at 11am. Temperatures taken at 1:49pm. Employee states the food did not reach 165F within 2 hours. Discussed with employee who translated to cook. See stop sale. Pork (84F - Reheating); beef (114F - Reheating); black beans (119F - Reheating); corn (130F - Reheating); homemade jalapeño tomato sauce (115F - Reheating) **Warning**
03E-02-5
Intermediate - No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. No paper towels at 3 handwash sinks. Operator stocked paper towels. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
31B-02-4
Intermediate - Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. To go containers placed in hand sink near exit. Operator relocated. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
31A-09-4
Basic - No Heimlich maneuver/choking sign posted. Emailed operator choking poster **Warning**
51-13-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Racks in walk in cooler soiled with grease/food debris. Racks in cookline holding equipment and food soiled with grease/food debris. **Warning**
23-03-4
Basic - Stored food not covered. Sauces, raw beef, raw chicken, cheese, onions not covered in walk in cooler **Warning**
08B-12-5
Basic - Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Multiple squeeze bottles on cookline not labeled. **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
02D-01-5
Basic - Carbon dioxide/helium tanks not adequately secured. 2 Co2 tanks not secure in kitchen area. **Warning**
51-11-4
Basic - Ceiling not smooth, nonabsorbent and easily cleanable in food preparation, food storage, or warewashing areas. All tiles except for 2 in kitchen/food prep area are smooth and easily cleanable. 2 black tiles not smooth. **Warning**
36-37-5
Basic - Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Cell phone on shelf above prep table. Operator relocated. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
40-06-5
Basic - Exterior door has a gap at the threshold that opens to the outside. Exit door in kitchen has a gap underneath leading to outside. **Warning**
35B-01-4
Basic - Floor soiled/has accumulation of debris. Walk in cooler **Warning**
36-73-4
29
May 8, 2024
Routine - Food
3 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Basic - Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Bowl used for portioning in mesa. **Corrected On-Site**
14-01-5
Basic - Equipment in poor repair. Torn gaskets on two door reach in cooler on line.
14-11-5
Basic - Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. No label on mesa flour.
02D-01-5
86
Dec 1, 2023
Routine - Food
3 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Equipment in poor repair. Torn gasket on two door reach in cooler. - From follow-up inspection 2023-12-01: **Time Extended**
14-11-5
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Lights in food preparation, food storage or warewashing area missing the proper shield, sleeve coatings or covers. Above dry storage shelf, fluorescent lights. - From follow-up inspection 2023-12-01: **Time Extended**
38-07-4
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Plumbing system in disrepair. Drain on hand sink by back door leaking onto floor. - From follow-up inspection 2023-12-01: **Time Extended**
29-08-4
86
Jun 23, 2023
Routine - Food
1 major violation. 1 minor violation.
View 2 violations
Food Obtained from Approved Sources
FL-11
Proper Hot and Cold Holding Temperatures
FL-21
86
Dec 16, 2022
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 3 major violations. 9 minor violations.
View 14 violations
High Priority - Nonfood-grade bags used in direct contact with food.- tortillas inside thank you bags in cooler chest at cook line and bread - manager placed tortillas and bread in food grade bags **Corrective Action Taken** **Repeat Violation**
14-31-5
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. - salsa 47 F at self service area manager added ice to container of salsa **Corrective Action Taken**
03A-02-5
Intermediate - Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled in dishwashing area **Corrected On-Site**
41-17-4
Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Small bowl inside kitchen hand wash sink - reviewed with manager - item removed **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
31A-11-4
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.
53B-05-5
Basic - Bathroom doors left open other than during cleaning or maintenance. **Corrected On-Site**
32-02-4
Basic - Carbon dioxide tanks not adequately secured in kitchen storage area **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
51-11-4
Basic - Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items.v -employee jacket stored on dry storage shelf next to bag of onions **Corrected On-Site**
40-06-5
Basic - Employee with no hair restraint while engaging in food preparation at cook line **Corrected On-Site**
13-03-4
Basic - Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting - plastic containers stacked in dish washing area - manager separated containers **Corrective Action Taken** **Repeat Violation**
24-08-4
Basic - Grease receptacle not on proper pad/nonabsorbent surface.
33-23-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. -dusty fan on prep table in kitchen **Repeat Violation**
23-03-4
Basic - Single-service articles not stored inverted or protected from contamination. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
25-06-4
Basic - Storage of maintenance equipment/tools in areas that may result in cross contamination of food, equipment, utensils, linens and/or single-service and single-use articles. Tools stored next to liquor inside cabinet at front counter area - manager relocated tools **Corrected On-Site**
42-03-5
35
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Taco Bar last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Taco Bar on file is from Feb 20, 2025. The public record contains six inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Taco Bar?
Across the inspection record, “time/temperature control for safety food cold held” has been cited two times, more than any other issue at Taco Bar.
How does Taco Bar compare to other restaurants in Clearwater?
Taco Bar most recently scored 58 out of 100, which is lower than the Clearwater average of 79.
Has Taco Bar's inspection record improved over time?
No. Recent inspections at Taco Bar have averaged around nine violations per visit, up from roughly six earlier in the record.
What does a medium risk rating mean?
A medium risk rating at Taco Bar 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 Taco Bar inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Taco Bar is inspected around three times per year on average.
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