Tacos El Patron
Last inspected: Mar 31, 2026
52
Score
Tacos El Patron appears in inspection records nine times, starting in 2023. The latest inspection on file is from Mar 31, 2026. A high risk rating points to multiple serious findings at the most recent inspection.
Recent inspections have turned up more issues than earlier ones, averaging around seven violations lately compared to roughly two violations before.
Looking across the full record, “ready-to-eat” is the recurring theme, flagged three times.
Compared to other Lutz restaurants (averaging 79), there's room to close the gap. The pattern in the record is worth a careful look.
9
Inspections
1
Critical latest
2
Major latest
6
Minor latest
Inspection History
Mar 31, 2026
Complaint Full
1 critical violation. 2 major violations. 6 minor violations.
View 9 violations
High Priority - Single-use gloves not changed as needed after changing tasks or when damaged or soiled. Observed employee gloved soiled and not changed, discussed with operator and he washed hand properly and changed gloves
12A-09-4
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Can opener blade soiled with grease buildup,
22-02-4
Intermediate - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Cooked beef and soup in walk in cooler no date marked over 24 hours, **Repeat Violation**
02C-02-5
Basic - Employee with no hair restraint while engaging in food preparation. Two employees no hair restraints while engaging with food preparation **Repeat Violation**
13-03-4
Basic - Food stored on floor. Fries on floor in walk in freezer, operator removed it to shelf
08B-38-4
Basic - Ice buildup in reach-in freezer and/or walk-in freezer. Ice buildup in walk in freezer **Repeat Violation**
14-69-4
Basic - Interior of oven/microwave has accumulation of black substance/grease/food debris. Microwave interior soiled with food debris
22-08-4
Basic - Unwashed fruits/vegetables stored with ready-to-eat food. Unwashed avocados above soup in walk in cooler, operator removed the avocado to bottom shelf
08B-17-4
Basic - Wet wiping cloth not stored in sanitizing solution between uses. Wet cloth on prep counter in the front . Operator removed it to sanitizer bucket
21-12-4
52
Oct 15, 2025
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 2 major violations. 4 minor violations.
View 8 violations
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Raw shell eggs stored above cooked sauce in walk in cooler, operator restored eggs in bottom shelf **Corrected On-Site**
08A-05-6
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. cooked beef (128F - Hot Holding) on cook line. Manager stated that it's been there less than two hours. Operator reheated it on grill . **Corrective Action Taken**
03B-01-6
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Can opener blade soiled and food debris buildup Veggies slicer blade food debris buildup.
22-02-4
Intermediate - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Cooked beef and sauce prepared 24 hours ago no date mark in walk in cooler
02C-02-5
Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Employee drink on prep table in front line, operator removed it **Corrected On-Site**
12B-07-4
Basic - Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting. Food containers wet and nesting on dish rack , operator flipped them to air dry **Corrective Action Taken**
24-08-4
Basic - Wet wiping cloth not stored in sanitizing solution between uses on prep table in front line, operator moved it to sanitizer solution bucket **Corrected On-Site**
21-12-4
Basic - Clean glasses, cups, bowls, plates, pots and pans not stored inverted or in a protected manner. Ice bucket not stored inverted , operator flipped it over stored **Corrected On-Site**
24-05-4
50
Jun 4, 2025
Routine - Food
2 major violations. 3 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Intermediate - No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. Employee restocked. **Corrected On-Site**
31B-02-4
Intermediate - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Cook chicken cook beef cook beans not dated walk in cooler cooks line
02C-02-5
Basic - Employee personal food not properly identified and segregated from food to be served to the public. Reach in cooler cooks line employee drinks and container of food. Manager moved to proper storage. **Corrected On-Site**
08B-49-4
Basic - Employee eating in a food preparation or other restricted area. Employee eating at front counter register.
12B-02-4
Basic - Food stored on floor. Raw meat in box on floor walk in cooler. Employee moved from floor **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
08B-38-4
70
Sep 7, 2024
Routine - Food
No violations found.
100
Sep 6, 2024
Routine - Food
1 critical violation.
View 1 violation
High Priority - - From initial inspection : High Priority - Roach activity present as evidenced by live roaches found. 3 live roaches in outside of drain by single service boxes by back kitchen exit manager killed 1 roach at time of inspection. **Corrective Action Taken** **Admin Complaint** - From follow-up inspection 2024-09-06: Observed 1 Live roach on rug by back kitchen entrance. Management killed and removed roach. **Admin Complaint** **Corrective Action Taken**
35A-05-4
86
Sep 5, 2024
Routine - Food
4 critical violations. 2 minor violations.
View 6 violations
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Raw fish over cut tomatoes reach in cooler employee removed to proper storage **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
08A-05-6
High Priority - Roach activity present as evidenced by live roaches found. 3 live roaches in outside of drain by single service boxes by back kitchen exit manager killed 1 roach at time of inspection. **Corrective Action Taken** **Admin Complaint**
35A-05-4
High Priority - Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. Cold holding: raw beef 48 f cook beef 58 f cook beef 56 f cook pork 48 f cook salsa 48 f raw walk in cooler. **Warning**
01B-02-5
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. Cold holding: raw beef 48 f cook beef 58 f cook beef 56 f cook pork 48 f cook salsa 48 f raw walk in cooler. No temperatures taken held over night ambient air temperature of cooler 43f air compressor frozen over. **Warning**
03A-02-5
Basic - Dead roaches on premises. 1 dead roach on counter shelf under microwave cooks line. **Admin Complaint**
35A-03-4
Basic - Food stored on floor. Onions in bag and can goods oil on floor. Management removed onions **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning**
08B-38-4
50
Jul 22, 2024
Routine - Food
1 major violation. 2 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Adequate Handwashing Facilities Supplied and Accessible
FL-10
Required Records Available; Shellstock Tags/Labels
FL-14
Toilet Rooms Maintained
FL-53
82
May 9, 2024
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 2 minor violations.
View 4 violations
High Priority - Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license. 27769714 confirmation number for payment **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
50-17-3
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 - Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Portion cup in seasoning. manager cup removed. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
14-01-5
Basic - In-use tongs stored on equipment door handle between uses. Manager moved **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
10-20-4
70
Dec 1, 2023
Food-Licensing Inspection
No violations found.
100
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Tacos El Patron last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Tacos El Patron on file is from Mar 31, 2026. The public record contains nine inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Tacos El Patron?
Across the inspection record, “ready-to-eat” has been cited three times, more than any other issue at Tacos El Patron.
How does Tacos El Patron compare to other restaurants in Lutz?
Tacos El Patron most recently scored 52 out of 100, which is lower than the Lutz average of 79.
Has Tacos El Patron's inspection record improved over time?
No. Recent inspections at Tacos El Patron have averaged around seven violations per visit, up from roughly two earlier in the record.
What does a high risk rating mean?
A high risk rating at Tacos El Patron means the most recent inspection flagged either critical violations or a substantial number of smaller ones. Diners may want to read the violation details before deciding to visit.
How often is Tacos El Patron inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Tacos El Patron is inspected around four times per year on average.
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