Taste of Japan

503 N Pinellas Ave, Tarpon Springs, FL 34689

Japanese / Sushi

Last inspected: Dec 20, 2023

100

Score

Low Risk

Going back to 2022, Taste of Japan has three inspections in the public record. The most recent visit was on Dec 20, 2023. A low risk rating suggests inspectors haven't found much to be concerned about lately. The file hasn't been updated since Dec 20, 2023, so take the current picture with that in mind.

The picture has improved over the last few visits: recent inspections have averaged around zero violations, down from roughly seven violations earlier in the record.

The city-wide average for Tarpon Springs sits at 77, putting Taste of Japan on the better side of that line. There isn't much in the file that would give a customer pause.

Inspections

Critical latest

Major latest

Minor latest

Inspection History

Dec 20, 2023

Food-Licensing Inspection

No violations found.

100

Aug 8, 2023

Food-Licensing Inspection

3 critical violations. 1 major violation. 2 minor violations.

View 6 violations

High Priority - - From initial inspection : High Priority - Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. Sushi rice **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2023-08-08: Rice sitting on prep table at 66F **Time Extended**

01B-02-5

High Priority - - From initial inspection : High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. tuna (45F - Cold Holding); crab (45F - Cold Holding); white fish (48F - Cold Holding) in top rail of reach in cooler, operator put ice bags on product rice (44F - Cold Holding) in walk in cooler, employee removed lid **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2023-08-08: Rice 66F sitting on prep table, see stop sale **Time Extended**

03A-02-5

High Priority - - From initial inspection : 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/ **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2023-08-08: Plans do not match, unable to issue license at this time **Time Extended**

50-08-7

Intermediate - - From initial inspection : 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/. Ice machine added by back door not on plans **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2023-08-08: **Time Extended**

51-16-7

Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Ice buildup in reach-in freezer and/or walk-in freezer. In chest freezers **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2023-08-08: **Time Extended**

14-69-4

Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Equipment in poor repair. Upright reach in cooler gaskets torn **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2023-08-08: **Time Extended**

14-11-5

Jul 13, 2022

Routine - Food

4 critical violations. 1 major violation. 3 minor violations.

View 8 violations

High Priority - Non-food grade paper/paper towel used as liner for food container.

14-86-1

High Priority - Nonfood-grade containers used for food storage - oil on cooks line.

14-15-4

High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit, tempura on cook's line 80 F, operator removed. **Corrected On-Site**

03A-02-5

High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Sushi rice held at 110 F, operator reheated rice to 165F, explained with operator use of time as a public health control moving forward. **Corrected On-Site**

03B-01-6

Intermediate - Toxic substance/chemical on premise that is not required for the operation of establishment. Sanitizer in bucket 200ppm, operator emptied and made new solution and used test strip to check for correct ppm. **Corrected On-Site**

41-04-4

Basic - In-use utensil in non-time/temperature control for safety food not stored with handle above top of food within a closed container. Rice containers had cup used for scooping, discussed with operator using utensil with handle that will not touch product when left in container

10-01-5

Basic - Backflow device not located for convenient service or maintenance access, at mop sink.

29-38-4

Basic - Open dumpster lid. Employee closed lid. Grease receptacle has buildup of grease. Operator closed lid **Corrected On-Site**

33-16-4

Frequently Asked Questions

When was Taste of Japan last inspected?

The most recent health inspection at Taste of Japan on file is from Dec 20, 2023. The public record contains three inspections in total.

How does Taste of Japan compare to other restaurants in Tarpon Springs?

Taste of Japan most recently scored 100 out of 100, which is higher than the Tarpon Springs average of 77.

Has Taste of Japan's inspection record improved over time?

Yes. Recent inspections at Taste of Japan have averaged around zero violations per visit, down from roughly seven earlier in the record.

What does a low risk rating mean?

A low risk rating at Taste of Japan means inspectors found minimal or no significant issues at the most recent visit. Most facilities at this tier have a clean recent inspection report.

Nearby Restaurants

Score: 100 — Low Risk

Madelines Falafel and Shawarma

13 N Pinellas Ave

Score: 78 — Low Risk

Explore More

→ All locations in Tarpon Springs → Japanese / Sushi restaurants in Florida → Japanese / Sushi restaurants in Tarpon Springs