Tequila Mexican Grill & Cantina
Last inspected: Jan 20, 2026
61
Score
Across the available record, Tequila Mexican Grill & Cantina has eight inspections on file, the first dated 2022. The newest entry in the record is dated Jan 20, 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 seven violations lately and about 11 violations before that.
Across the inspection history, “standing water in bottom of reach-in-cooler at the bar” is the issue that surfaces most often, recorded three times.
Compared to other Clearwater restaurants (averaging 79), there's room to close the gap. The record is unremarkable in either direction.
8
Inspections
1
Critical latest
0
Major latest
7
Minor latest
Inspection History
Jan 20, 2026
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 7 minor violations.
View 8 violations
High Priority - Raw animal foods not properly separated from one another based upon minimum required cooking temperature when stored in white freezer - not all products commercially packaged. Individual wrapped raw beef over raw shrimp . Reviewed with manager . Manager rearranged food **Corrected On-Site**
08A-17-6
Basic - Employee personal food not properly identified and segregated from food to be served to the public in cooler at cook line . Manager relocated food **Corrected On-Site**
08B-49-4
Basic - Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. -Jackets, purses stored with bottles of liquor in closet at bar Employees relocated items - employee cellphone in top of wrapped chips at cook line. Employee relocated phone **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 - Standing water in bottom of reach-in-cooler at the bar . Manager scheduled cleaning of freezer for the end of the night
29-49-6
Basic - Stored food not covered in walk in cooler and dry storage areas . Manager covered food **Corrected On-Site**
08B-12-5
Basic - White reach-in freezer interior/shelves have accumulation of soil residues in storage area of kitchen . Manager cleaned the interior of the freezer **Corrected On-Site**
22-16-4
Basic - Food stored on floor in walk in cooler. Employee placed containers of food on crates **Corrected On-Site**
08B-38-4
61
Mar 26, 2025
Routine - Food
4 critical violations. 1 major violation. 3 minor violations.
View 8 violations
High Priority - Raw animal food ( shell eggs) stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food ( washed cut vegetables ) in double door cooler in storage area near office area . Reviewed with manager . Manager rearranged food **Corrected On-Site**
08A-05-6
High Priority - Employee touched face/hair and then engaged in food preparation, handled clean equipment or utensils, or touched unwrapped single-service items without washing hands. Employee touched face then continued to stir soup . Reviewed glove change and hand wash with cook and manager . Employee removed gloves then washed hands . **Corrective Action Taken** **Repeat Violation**
12A-25-4
High Priority - Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license. License expired on 02/01/2025. Reviewed with manager . Operator renewed license during inspection Confirmation # 246058269 **Corrective Action Taken**
50-17-3
High Priority - Raw animal foods not properly separated from each other in holding unit based upon minimum required cooking temperature. Raw chicken directly next to raw beef on shelf in walk in cooler . Reviewed with manager . Manager rearranged food **Corrected On-Site**
08A-20-5
Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. -Utensil stored in cook line hand wash sink . Reviewed with manager hand wash sink is for washing hands only . Utensil removed from hand wash sink
31A-11-4
Basic - Equipment in poor repair. Torn reach in cooler gaskets opposite flat grill and opposite stove . Reviewed with manager . Per manager , gaskets are on order
14-11-5
Basic - Establishment increased seating without providing written approval from the local fire authority and wastewater provider. Added outdoor seating 70 count to inside seating 150 seating Reviewed with manager
51-15-4
Basic - Wiping cloth quaternary ammonium compound sanitizing solution not at proper minimum strength. 0 ppm quaternary at cook line. Employee changed sanitizer recheck 200 ppm quaternary **Corrected On-Site**
21-08-4
43
Nov 15, 2024
Routine - Food
1 major violation. 4 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Can opener soiled Cutting boards on cook line **Repeat Violation** **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2024-11-15: **Time Extended**
22-02-4
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Covered waste receptacle not provided in women's bathroom. **Repeat Violation** **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2024-11-15: **Time Extended**
32-12-5
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable. All cutting boards **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2024-11-15: **Time Extended**
14-09-4
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Soda syrup station area heavily soiled with old food debris **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2024-11-15: **Time Extended**
23-03-4
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Standing water in bottom of reach-in-cooler. Reach in cooler across from stove on cook line **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2024-11-15: **Time Extended**
29-49-6
74
Nov 14, 2024
Routine - Food
4 critical violations. 3 major violations. 9 minor violations.
View 16 violations
Proper Eating, Tasting, Drinking, or Tobacco Use
FL-06
Hands Clean and Properly Washed
FL-08
Adequate Handwashing Facilities Supplied and Accessible
FL-10
Employee Health Policies Present
FL-03
Food Obtained from Approved Sources
FL-11
Food Received at Proper Temperature
FL-12
Food in Good Condition, Safe, and Unadulterated
FL-13
Required Records Available; Shellstock Tags/Labels
FL-14
Proper Hot and Cold Holding Temperatures
FL-21
Food Contact Surfaces Clean and Sanitized
FL-22
Non-Food Contact Surfaces Clean
FL-23
Sewage and Wastewater Properly Disposed
FL-27
Equipment Adequate to Maintain Product Temperature
FL-29
Approved Thawing Methods Used
FL-31
Toxic Substances Properly Identified, Stored, Used
FL-32
Equipment, Food and Non-Food Contact Surfaces Approved
FL-35
11
May 15, 2024
Routine - Food
1 major violation. 9 minor violations.
View 10 violations
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Stained cutting boards on cook line Can opener blade spiled
22-02-4
Basic - Covered waste receptacle not provided in women's bathroom.
32-12-5
Basic - Current Hotel and Restaurant license not displayed. **Repeat Violation**
50-09-4
Basic - Dishmachine not washing/rinsing properly. Must wash, rinse and sanitize all dishware, equipment and utensils in three-compartment sink until dishmachine is functioning properly. DM not dispensing proper amount of sanitizer, operator set up triple sink Quat 200ppm **Corrective Action Taken**
16-55-4
Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Employee beverage on prep table, removed **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
12B-07-4
Basic - Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting. Plastic cups at wait station
24-08-4
Basic - Equipment in poor repair. Torn cooler gaskets on cook line
14-11-5
Basic - Food stored in undrained ice. Raw shrimp in cooler on cook line
08B-31-4
Basic - Reach-in cooler interior/shelves have accumulation of soil residues. Beer cooler behind bar
22-16-4
Basic - Stored food not covered. Multiple items in walk-in cooler
08B-12-5
58
Dec 5, 2023
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 3 major violations. 3 minor violations.
View 7 violations
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Raw pork over cut onions in reach in cooler at cook line - employee rearranged food Raw animal food stored over or with ready-to-eat food in a freezer - not all products commercially packaged. - raw bacon stored with hotdogs in freezer - employee rearranged food **Corrected On-Site**
08A-05-6
Intermediate - No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink at bar - manager placed towels at hand wash sink bar **Corrected On-Site**
31B-02-4
Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. - ice inside bar hand wash sink - reviewed with manager that hand wash sinks are for washing hands only **Repeat Violation**
31A-11-4
Intermediate - Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled in dish washing area - employee labeled spray bottle **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
41-17-4
Basic - Current Hotel and Restaurant license not displayed.
50-09-4
Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Employee container of water on top of reach in cooler at cook line - employee relocated drink **Corrected On-Site**
12B-07-4
Basic - Food ( containers of sauce) stored on floor in walk in cooler employee rearranged food **Corrected On-Site**
08B-38-4
55
Jun 23, 2023
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 2 major violations. 1 minor violation.
View 4 violations
Food Received at Proper Temperature
FL-12
Food Contact Surfaces Clean and Sanitized
FL-22
Approved Thawing Methods Used
FL-31
Wiping Cloths Properly Used and Stored
FL-41
67
Jul 21, 2022
Routine - Food
3 critical violations. 2 major violations. 14 minor violations.
View 19 violations
High Priority - Employee dried hands on clothes/apron/soiled towel after washing. -Cook on cooks line. Discussed with manager, manager had cook wash hands and change gloves.
12A-18-4
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. -Raw bacon stored unwrapped over cooked pasta inside reach in freezer. Cook moved bacon **Corrected On-Site**
08A-05-6
High Priority - Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. -Chemical bottles of bleach stored unsolder prep table near food, cook moved chemical bottles. -Windex stored in bar area next to drink mixers on shelf, manager moved bottle. **Corrected On-Site** **Corrected On-Site**
41-10-4
Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. -Sink used as prep sink for shrimp prep, manager moved shrimp, discussed proper use of hand wash sink. **Corrected On-Site**
31A-11-4
Intermediate - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. -Throughout kitchen inside reach in coolers and walk in cooler. Discussed with manager
02C-02-5
Basic - Worn, torn and/or soiled floors. -Walk in cooler floors soiled with food debris. Discussed with manager
36-10-4
Basic - Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin. -Soiled ice machine, per manager to melt ice and clean machine.
22-20-5
Basic - Covered waste receptacle not provided in women's bathroom. -In woman's bathroom, manager to buy covers
32-12-5
Basic - Current Hotel and Restaurant license not displayed. -Sent manager Instructions on how to print license.
50-09-4
Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. -On three compartment sink, employee moved drink, discussed with operator. -Across from three compartment sink on storage shelf above Food storage equipment and ready to eat food. Employee moved drink. **Corrected On-Site**
12B-07-4
Basic - Employee eating in a food preparation or other restricted area. -Plate of food being eaten on food prep table across from the cooks line. Employee moved plate and sanitized prep table. Discussed with operator **Corrected On-Site**
12B-02-4
Basic - Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting. -In back storage area across from reach in coolers. Manager placed equipment to dry properly. Discussed with manager. **Corrected On-Site**
24-08-4
Basic - Floor tiles missing and/or in disrepair. -Across from walk in cooler, discussed with manager.
36-17-5
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. -Gaskets on reach in cooler on cooks line -Shelves on reach in cooler in back storage area Discussed with manager.
23-03-4
Basic - Standing water in bottom of reach-in-cooler. -In reach in cooler at bar area in dining room
29-49-6
Basic - Stored food not covered. -On cooks line hard tortilla shells -Throughout walk in cooler -Throughout reach in cooler on cooks line. -Bacon stored inside reach in freezer in back storage area unwrapped. Discussed with operator
08B-12-5
Basic - Time/temperature control for safety food thawed in an improper manner. -Fish in prep area thawing I'm standing water, manager placed under cold flowing water. **Corrected On-Site**
06-01-5
Basic - Unsealed concrete floor in food preparation, food storage, warewashing area or bathroom. -Across from walk in cooler, discussed with manager.
36-02-5
Basic - Wiping cloth quaternary ammonium compound sanitizing solution not at proper minimum strength. -Tested at 0ppm, cook changed solution retested at 200ppm **Corrected On-Site**
21-08-4
26
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Tequila Mexican Grill & Cantina last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Tequila Mexican Grill & Cantina on file is from Jan 20, 2026. The public record contains eight inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Tequila Mexican Grill & Cantina?
Across the inspection record, “standing water in bottom of reach-in-cooler at the bar” has been cited three times, more than any other issue at Tequila Mexican Grill & Cantina.
How does Tequila Mexican Grill & Cantina compare to other restaurants in Clearwater?
Tequila Mexican Grill & Cantina most recently scored 61 out of 100, which is lower than the Clearwater average of 79.
Has Tequila Mexican Grill & Cantina's inspection record improved over time?
Yes. Recent inspections at Tequila Mexican Grill & Cantina have averaged around seven violations per visit, down from roughly 11 earlier in the record.
What does a medium risk rating mean?
A medium risk rating at Tequila Mexican Grill & Cantina 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 Tequila Mexican Grill & Cantina inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Tequila Mexican Grill & Cantina is inspected around two times per year on average.
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