Taqueria Viva Mexico
Last inspected: Mar 30, 2026
70
Score
The health department has logged 11 inspections at Taqueria Viva Mexico, the earliest from 2022. The most recent report on file is from Mar 30, 2026. A medium risk score generally means inspectors found things to fix, though most weren't urgent.
Recent inspections have found fewer violations than earlier ones, averaging around four violations lately and about six violations before that.
The pattern that stands out is “nonfood-grade bags used in direct contact”, which has been cited three times.
The city-wide average sits at 79, which Taqueria Viva Mexico's 70 doesn't quite reach. The record is unremarkable in either direction.
11
Inspections
1
Critical latest
1
Major latest
2
Minor latest
Inspection History
Mar 30, 2026
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 2 minor violations.
View 4 violations
High Priority - Nonfood-grade bags used in direct contact with food inside cooler. Manager voluntarily discarded food **Corrected On-Site**
14-31-5
Intermediate - Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled. Manager labeled spray bottles **Corrected On-Site**
41-17-4
Basic - Clean glasses, cups, bowls, plates, pots and pans not stored inverted or in a protected manner. Utensils stored on the end of the storage unit at cook line in the walk through area . Manager relocated utensils **Corrected On-Site**
24-05-4
Basic - Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Personal items stored on cart next to the slicer. Manager relocated items **Corrected On-Site**
40-06-5
70
Dec 11, 2025
Routine - Food
No violations found.
100
Dec 10, 2025
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 1 major violation. 4 minor violations.
View 7 violations
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. - raw beef 47 F, cooked chicken 48 F , cooked beef 45 F , cooked pork 49 F in bottom area of reach in cooler opposite grill in cooler overnight .No temperatures taken this morning . Employee discarded food **Corrected On-Site**
03A-02-5
High Priority - Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. -raw beef 47 F, cooked chicken 48 F , cooked beef 45 F , cooked pork 49 F in bottom area of reach in cooler opposite grill in cooler overnight .No temperatures taken this morning . Employee discarded food **Corrective Action Taken**
01B-02-5
Intermediate - Probe thermometer not used to ensure proper food temperatures. No temperatures taken this day
05-10-4
Basic - Current Hotel and Restaurant license not displayed.
50-09-4
Basic - Plumbing system in disrepair. Leaking from pipe under kitchen hand wash sink . Bucket in place to catch water . Discussed with operator
29-08-4
Basic - Unprotected ice machine in a customer/nonsecure area in hallway near restroom . Reviewed with manager
08B-62-4
Basic - Clean glasses, cups, bowls, plates, pots and pans not stored inverted or in a protected manner. -Utensils stored with food contact upward . Employees rearranged utensils - utensils hanging on storage shelf on the side in walk through pathway . Manager relocated utensils **Corrected On-Site**
24-05-4
55
May 30, 2025
Routine - Food
No violations found.
100
Mar 27, 2025
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 4 major violations. 2 minor violations.
View 8 violations
High Priority - Cooked/heated time/temperature control for safety food not cooled from 135 degrees Fahrenheit to 41 degrees Fahrenheit within 6 hours. Rice at 58-60 F at 11:30 am cooked previous night , cooked spinach at 62 F at 11:30 am cooked the previous night . Food covered and stacked . Reviewed with manager cooling procedures and cooling methods . Manager discarded food **Corrected On-Site**
03D-02-5
High Priority - Cooked/heated time/temperature control for safety food not cooled from 135 degrees Fahrenheit to 70 degrees Fahrenheit within two hours and from 135 degrees Fahrenheit to 41 degrees Fahrenheit within six hours. See stop sale. Rice at 58-60 F at 11:30 am cooked previous night , cooked spinach at 62 F at 11:30 am cooked the previous night in glass door cooler . Food covered and stacked . Reviewed with manager cooling procedures and cooling methods . Manager discarded food **Corrective Action Taken**
01B-36-5
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.
11-27-4
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.
53B-01-5
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. Manager reviewed employee health reporting agreement with one of the employees present during this inspection **Repeat Violation**
11-26-1
Intermediate - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Cooked meats in glass door reach in cooler .
02C-02-5
Basic - Cloth used as a food-contact surface ( tortillas ) inside reach in cooler opposite stove . Manager removed cloth **Corrective Action Taken**
21-05-5
Basic - Unwashed fruits/vegetables stored with ready-to-eat food in double door cooler next to freezer . Manager rearranged food **Corrected On-Site**
08B-17-4
45
Dec 19, 2024
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 1 major violation. 6 minor violations.
View 9 violations
High Priority - Nonfood-grade bags used in direct contact with food. Cactus inside to go bag **Repeat Violation**
14-31-5
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Steak in small pan on grill temp at 125 hot holding. Employee recooked new temp 180 hot holding **Corrected On-Site**
03B-01-6
Intermediate - Probe thermometer not used to ensure proper food temperatures. Cook multiple items no thermometer was used to check food temperatures during inspection
05-10-4
Basic - Stored food not covered. Glass reach in cooler Soup Red sauce Beans Employee covered during inspection **Corrected On-Site**
08B-12-5
Basic - Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Plate being used to scoop rice reach in cooler. **Corrected On-Site**
14-01-5
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. Employee coffee in between both reach in.coolers. Employee moved. **Corrected On-Site**
12B-12-5
Basic - Floor area(s) covered with standing water front of reach in cooler near glass stand alone reach in cooler.
36-22-4
Basic - Food stored on floor. Ox of oil storage on floor near reach in cooler. Employee moved **Corrected On-Site**
08B-38-4
Basic - Wiping cloth quaternary ammonium compound sanitizing solution not at proper minimum strength. Was 0 ppm now 0 ppm **Corrected On-Site**
21-08-4
50
Jul 31, 2024
Routine - Food
1 major violation. 2 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Equipment, Food and Non-Food Contact Surfaces Approved
FL-35
Food and Non-Food Contact Surfaces Designed and Constructed
FL-50
Plumbing Maintained; Sewage Disposal
FL-51
82
May 16, 2024
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 2 major violations. 7 minor violations.
View 11 violations
High Priority - Nonfood-grade bags used in direct contact with food. Bread on non food grade bag **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
14-31-5
High Priority - Live, small flying insects in kitchen, food preparation area, food storage area and/or bar area. 1 live fly by the utensils and cups counter **Warning**
35A-02-6
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 https://www2.myfloridalicense.com/hotels-restaurants/licensing/plan-review/. Plan does not show ice machine, chest freezer, coolers and hallway by bathroom or vertical cooler and freezer in kitchen and cooler in dining area. **Warning**
51-16-7
Intermediate - Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Bowl and can in sink **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
31A-09-4
Basic - Label on a food item prepared and packaged onsite for customer self-service does not include product identity/description, date product was packaged and name and address of the establishment that prepared and packaged the food. Flan and yogurt dessert in cooler by front Moved desserts to the kitchen **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
02D-03-4
Basic - Raw fruits/vegetables not washed prior to preparation. Avocado sticker not removed before washing **Warning**
08B-39-4
Basic - Time/temperature control for safety food thawed in an improper manner. Beef in three compartment sink 56f **Warning**
06-01-5
Basic - Current Hotel and Restaurant license not displayed. **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
50-09-4
Basic - Dead roaches on premises. 2 dead roaches behind the beverages cooler. 2 dead roaches by vertical cooler **Warning**
35A-03-4
Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. On counter over to go utensils **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
12B-07-4
Basic - Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Cellphone and handset above to go utensils by the counter area **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
40-06-5
43
Dec 18, 2023
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 1 major violation. 2 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Employee Health Policies Present
FL-03
Hands Clean and Properly Washed
FL-08
Food Contact Surfaces Clean and Sanitized
FL-22
Food and Non-Food Contact Surfaces Designed and Constructed
FL-50
Toilet Rooms Maintained
FL-53
58
Jun 21, 2023
Routine - Food
4 critical violations. 2 major violations. 1 minor violation.
View 7 violations
Supervisor/Person in Charge Present
FL-01
Employee Health Policies Present
FL-03
Proper Eating, Tasting, Drinking, or Tobacco Use
FL-06
Food Obtained from Approved Sources
FL-11
Proper Hot and Cold Holding Temperatures
FL-21
Approved Thawing Methods Used
FL-31
Food and Non-Food Contact Surfaces Designed and Constructed
FL-50
32
Oct 20, 2022
Routine - Food
1 major violation. 6 minor violations.
View 7 violations
Hands Clean and Properly Washed
FL-08
Adequate Handwashing Facilities Supplied and Accessible
FL-10
Proper Hot and Cold Holding Temperatures
FL-21
Food Contact Surfaces Clean and Sanitized
FL-22
Non-Food Contact Surfaces Clean
FL-23
Equipment Adequate to Maintain Product Temperature
FL-29
Approved Thawing Methods Used
FL-31
64
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Taqueria Viva Mexico last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Taqueria Viva Mexico on file is from Mar 30, 2026. The public record contains 11 inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Taqueria Viva Mexico?
Across the inspection record, “nonfood-grade bags used in direct contact” has been cited three times, more than any other issue at Taqueria Viva Mexico.
How does Taqueria Viva Mexico compare to other restaurants in Clearwater?
Taqueria Viva Mexico most recently scored 70 out of 100, which is lower than the Clearwater average of 79.
Has Taqueria Viva Mexico's inspection record improved over time?
Yes. Recent inspections at Taqueria Viva Mexico have averaged around four violations per visit, down from roughly six earlier in the record.
What does a medium risk rating mean?
A medium risk rating at Taqueria Viva Mexico 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 Taqueria Viva Mexico inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Taqueria Viva Mexico is inspected around three times per year on average.
Nearby Restaurants