Talkin' Tacos
Last inspected: Apr 16, 2026
70
Score
Inspectors have visited Talkin' Tacos nine times, with records going back to 2022. The most recent report on file is from Apr 16, 2026. The medium risk tier sits in the middle: not spotless, but not alarming either.
Things have been moving the wrong way, with the rolling count rising from around two violations to closer to five violations per visit.
“Handwash sink not accessible for employee use” comes up most often, recorded three times in the inspection record.
Talkin' Tacos' latest score of 70 falls below the Clearwater average of 79. The inspection history reads as standard for a restaurant of this size.
9
Inspections
0
Critical latest
1
Major latest
5
Minor latest
Inspection History
Apr 16, 2026
Routine - Food
1 major violation. 5 minor violations.
View 6 violations
Intermediate - -Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled in back kitchen area. Manager discarded solution -Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored.spray bottle storage on shelf near clean containers . Manager relocated spray bottle **Corrected On-Site**
41-17-4
Basic - Accumulation of black mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine
22-20-5
Basic - Accumulation of debris on exterior of warewashing machine in well area . Manager cleaned area **Corrected On-Site**
16-21-4
Basic - Employee with no beard guard/restraint while engaging in food preparation.
13-04-4
Basic - In-use knife/knives stored in cracks between pieces of equipment - between wall and triple sink . Manager placed knives in triple sink to be cleaned. Per manager , knife holder on order **Corrective Action Taken**
10-17-4
Basic - Time/temperature control for safety food ( raw shrimp ) thawed under water that was barely running/dripping. Manager placed some packages of shrimp in a container and cold water flowed over the packages inside the container and some packages in walk in cooler to thaw . **Corrected On-Site**
06-08-5
70
Sep 5, 2025
Routine - Food
1 major violation. 1 minor violation.
View 2 violations
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : Intermediate - No proof provided that some food employees are informed of their responsibility to report to the person in charge information about their health and activities related to foodborne illnesses. - From follow-up inspection 2025-09-05: **Time Extended**
11-26-1
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - No copy of latest inspection report available. - From follow-up inspection 2025-09-05: **Time Extended**
51-18-6
86
Aug 14, 2025
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 2 major violations. 5 minor violations.
View 8 violations
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. - cooked corn 118 F at steam table . Cook reheated corn on grill at 172 F Reviewed with manager reheating and hot ho,ding procedures **Corrected On-Site**
03B-01-6
Intermediate - No proof provided that some 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 - Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. - Large trashcan in front of hand wash sink at cook line . Reviewed with manager hand wash sinks must be accessible at all times . Manager relocated trash can (corrected on site ) - hand wash sink in front counter area not accessible due to detached drain pipe resulting in water draining onto floor Reviewed with manager Manager scheduled service for the following day
31A-09-4
Basic - No copy of latest inspection report available.
51-18-6
Basic - Unwashed fruits/vegetables ( box of whole tomatoes) stored with ready-to-eat food ( containers of salsas ) in walk in cooler . Reviewed with manager
08B-17-4
Basic - Water draining onto floor surface from front counter hand wash sink when in use . Employee mopped floor
29-03-4
Basic - Wiping cloth sanitizing solution stored on the floor in cook line area . Reviewed with manager
21-38-4
Basic - No Heimlich maneuver/choking sign posted.
51-13-4
55
Jan 30, 2025
Food-Licensing Inspection
No violations found.
100
Nov 15, 2024
Food-Licensing Inspection
1 critical violation. 1 major violation.
View 2 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/ Establishment currently not licensable. Discussed with manager Ed updated plans must be submitted to plan review within 60 days. **Warning**
50-08-7
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 http://www.myfloridalicense.com/DBPR/hotels-restaurants/licensing/plan-review/. Inspector observed plans on file changed from current layout during licensing. Establishment removed, added and rearranged equipment on cook line such as prep tables, fryers, reach in deli coolers, and racks throughout kitchen. **Warning**
51-16-7
78
Mar 5, 2024
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. Pico 48f, corn salsa 47f, pico 49f, diced tomatoes 48f, all found in top area of reach in cooler. Gold queso 50f, sitting out waiting for portioning.
03A-02-5
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/Ashley Maurice 2/25/2019
53A-03-7
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Ice scoop sitting in soiled holder .
22-02-4
Basic - Utensils in poor condition. Cracked lip on ice bucket.
14-12-4
67
Jul 28, 2023
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 1 major violation. 2 minor violations.
View 5 violations
High Priority - Stop Sale issued due to food not being in a wholesome, sound condition. Containers of tea stored in drink ice inside ice machine - employee discarded ice **Corrective Action Taken**
01B-13-4
High Priority - Food (containers of tea) stored in ice used for drinks inside ice machine . See stop sale. Employee removed tea and discarded ice **Corrective Action Taken**
08B-56-4
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. - white cutting board stained in food prep area
22-02-4
Basic - Employee personal food not properly identified and segregated from food to be served to the public in cooler at front counter area - manager discarded food **Corrected On-Site**
08B-49-4
Basic - In-use pizza cutter stored in cracks between pieces of equipment between cooler and steam table at cook line - manager moved to triple sink to clean and replaced with a clean pizza cutter **Corrected On-Site**
10-17-4
61
Feb 1, 2023
Routine - Food
3 critical violations. 2 major violations. 7 minor violations.
View 12 violations
High Priority - Employee rubbed hands together for less than 10-15 seconds while washing hands. Employee washed hands for 6 seconds
12A-17-4
High Priority - Employee washed hands with cold water. Water temperature 76F
12A-19-4
High Priority - Live, small flying insects in kitchen, food preparation area, food storage area and/or bar area. 1 live fly on cook line 2 small flies on ceiling above prep area
35A-02-6
Intermediate - Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Hand sink on cook line blocked by garbage can, garbage can moved **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
31A-09-4
Intermediate - Water with a temperature of at least 100 degrees Fahrenheit not provided/shut off at employee handwash sink. No hot water at hand sink on cook line No hot water at hand sink in prep area
27-16-4
Basic - Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin.
22-20-5
Basic - Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable.
14-09-4
Basic - Employee with no beard guard/restraint while engaging in food preparation.
13-04-4
Basic - Employee with no hair restraint while engaging in food preparation.
13-03-4
Basic - Equipment in poor repair. Reach in cooler gaskets torn Drawer gaskets torn
14-11-5
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Reach in cooler gaskets soiled Walk in cooler racks soiled Around the chip machine soiled
23-03-4
Basic - Walk-in cooler/freezer shelves with rust that has pitted the surface.
14-17-4
37
Aug 23, 2022
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 3 major violations. 7 minor violations.
View 11 violations
High Priority - Quaternary ammonium sanitizer not at proper minimum strength for manual warewashing. Do not use equipment/utensils not properly sanitized. -Tested at 50ppm-100ppm, Self dispensing Quat sanitizer not working correctly, operator called EcoLab and ecolab will be out today. Operator to self mix sanitizing solution until self dispensing system is fixed. Educated and assisted employee to self mix sanitizer solution at time of inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
22-43-4
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. -Cutting board stained in prep area back kitchen area and at cooks line on top of reach in cooler. -Knife holder near three compartment sink soiled with food debris. -Inside of hot holding unit for tortilla chips soiled with buildup food debris. Discussed with manager.
22-02-4
Intermediate - Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. -Hand wash sink at end of cooks line blocked by tall garbage can, employee moved **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
31A-09-4
Intermediate - No soap provided at handwash sink. -In back storage area near ice machine. -No hand wash sign at hand wash sink in back storage area near ice machine. **Corrective Action Taken** **Repeat Violation**
31B-03-4
Basic - Employee with no hair restraint while engaging in food preparation. -Operator engaged in food preparation without a hair restraint. Operator placed hair net on. **Corrected On-Site**
13-03-4
Basic - Current Hotel and Restaurant license not displayed. -Operator printed and displayed license **Corrected On-Site**
50-09-4
Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. -Plastic water on prep table in front counter area. -Tijuana Flats to go cup with employee beverage inside stored on counter in front counter area. -Dunkin Donuts box of donuts for all employees to eat stored on top of counter in front counter area over single service To- Go items. Manager moved all items. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
12B-07-4
Basic - Food stored on floor. -3 Cambros of strawberry lemonade, diced onions and Green Mojo sauce stored on floor of walk in cooler, operator moved items off the floor. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
08B-38-4
Basic - In-use utensil not stored with handle above the top of time/temperature control for safety food and rim of the container. -Measuring cups used for shredded cheddar cheese handle stored inside the container touching the cheese, manager inverted the handle. **Corrected On-Site**
10-06-5
Basic - Stored food not covered. -2 2inch hotel pans of Chicken wings made on Saturday the 20th stored uncovered inside walk in cooler, operator covered chicken wings. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
08B-12-5
Basic - Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. -Squeeze bottles on cooks line near flat top grill not labeled with common name. Manager labeled squeeze bottles. **Corrected On-Site**
02D-01-5
45
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Talkin' Tacos last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Talkin' Tacos on file is from Apr 16, 2026. The public record contains nine inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Talkin' Tacos?
Across the inspection record, “handwash sink not accessible for employee use” has been cited three times, more than any other issue at Talkin' Tacos.
How does Talkin' Tacos compare to other restaurants in Clearwater?
Talkin' Tacos most recently scored 70 out of 100, which is lower than the Clearwater average of 79.
Has Talkin' Tacos' inspection record improved over time?
No. Recent inspections at Talkin' Tacos have averaged around five violations per visit, up from roughly two earlier in the record.
What does a medium risk rating mean?
A medium risk rating at Talkin' Tacos 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 Talkin' Tacos inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Talkin' Tacos is inspected around two times per year on average.
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