The Happy Burger
Last inspected: Feb 25, 2026
52
Score
Going back to 2022, The Happy Burger has 10 inspections in the public record. The most recent report on file is from Feb 25, 2026. High risk indicates the latest inspection turned up problems worth knowing about.
Violation counts have ticked up lately, averaging around six violations per visit versus roughly two violations earlier in the record.
The pattern that stands out is “raw animal food stored over/not properly separated”, which has been cited four times.
By comparison, the average Tampa facility scores 79, putting The Happy Burger on the weaker side. Diners may want to scan the inspection details before deciding to visit.
10
Inspections
3
Critical latest
0
Major latest
4
Minor latest
Inspection History
Feb 25, 2026
Routine - Food
3 critical violations. 4 minor violations.
View 7 violations
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Observed raw beef over ready to eat cheese, and potato in tall white refrigerator next to fire extinguisher and stove, operator moved item to appropriate location. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
08A-05-6
High Priority - Stop Sale issued due to food not being in a wholesome, sound condition. Observed 4 individual 4 ounce packages of Mahi Mahi not removed from vacuum packaging before thawing out, operator discarded item. **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
01B-13-4
High Priority - Vacuum breaker missing at mop sink faucet or on fitting/splitter added to mop sink faucet. Observed missing vacuum breaker at the mop sink , discussed with operator the importance of vacuum breakers. **Warning**
29-42-4
Basic - Current Hotel and Restaurant license not displayed. Operator obtained current license during inspection. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
50-09-4
Basic - Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Employees personal phone on make cooler to the right of steam table,employee moved phone. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
40-06-5
Basic - Wet mop not stored in a manner to allow the mop to dry. Operator hung mop to dry. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
42-01-4
Basic - Commercially processed reduced oxygen packaged fish bearing a label indicating that it is to remain frozen until time of use no longer frozen and not removed from reduced oxygen package. Observed 4 individual 4 ounce packages of Mahi Mahi not removed from vacuum packaging before thawing out, operator discarded item. **Corrective Action Taken** **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
06-09-1
52
Aug 29, 2025
Routine - Food
4 critical violations. 3 minor violations.
View 7 violations
High Priority - Employee touching ready-to-eat food with their bare hands - food was not being heated as a sole ingredient to 145 degrees F or immediately added to other ingredients to be cooked/heated to the minimum required temperature to allow bare hand contact. Establishment has no approved Alternative Operating Procedure. Employee chopping Ready to eat cilantro with bare hands. Discussed with operator. Operator discarded cilantro during time of inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
09-01-4
High Priority - Stop Sale issued due to food not being in a wholesome, sound condition. 2 pieces of raw mani-mahi thawed in reduced oxygen packaging in front line Reach in cooler. Employee chopping Ready to eat cilantro with bare hands.
01B-13-4
High Priority - Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. Cooked tuna 81F at 3:17pm cooked at 11:30am cooled to 68F at 3:32pm. **Repeat Violation**
01B-02-5
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Cooked tuna 81F at 3:17pm cooked at 11:30am cooled to 68F at 3:32pm. Cooked plantains 91F at 3:17pm cooked at 1:30pm cooled to 65F at 3:32pm. **Repeat Violation**
03A-02-5
Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Employee drink on dry storage shelf over dried beans and bread. Operator relocated personal drink to an approved location during time of inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
12B-07-4
Basic - Food stored on floor. Jug of water stored on kitchen floor next to small Reach in chest freezer. Operator relocated water to an approved location during time of inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
08B-38-4
Basic - Commercially processed reduced oxygen packaged fish bearing a label indicating that it is to remain frozen until time of use no longer frozen and not removed from reduced oxygen package. 2 pieces of raw mani-mahi thawed in reduced oxygen packaging in front line Reach in cooler.
06-09-1
47
May 9, 2025
Routine - Food
3 critical violations.
View 3 violations
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Raw shell eggs stored over cooked tuna on front line Reach in cooler. Employee relocated raw shell eggs during time of inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
08A-05-6
High Priority - Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. Tomato ceviche 64F at 11:30am made 5/7/2025.
01B-02-5
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Tomato ceviche 64F at 11:30am made 5/7/2025. Employee discarded.
03A-02-5
64
Feb 27, 2025
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 4 minor violations.
View 6 violations
Certified Food Manager Identification
FL-02
Hands Clean and Properly Washed
FL-08
Wiping Cloths Properly Used and Stored
FL-41
Food and Non-Food Contact Surfaces Designed and Constructed
FL-50
Non-Food Contact Surfaces Clean
FL-23
Lighting Adequate; Required Shields in Place
FL-36
58
Dec 6, 2024
Routine - Food
No violations found.
100
May 15, 2024
Routine - Food
1 critical violation.
View 1 violation
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Raw shelled eggs stored overtop ready tomham in small reach in cooler. Operator removed and properly stored eggs. **Corrected On-Site**
08A-05-6
86
Nov 9, 2023
Food-Licensing Inspection
No violations found.
100
Mar 30, 2023
Routine - Food
3 critical violations. 5 major violations. 1 minor violation.
View 9 violations
High Priority - Employee failed to wash hands before putting on gloves to initiate a task working with food. Discussed with operator the importance of hand washing.
12A-07-5
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Raw shelled eggs over ready to eat cookies in reach in cooler. Operator removed to proper storage. **Corrected On-Site**
08A-05-6
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Eggs boiled 56 f reach in cooler on top of prep table.operator removed to freezer 2nd temp. 43 f **Corrected On-Site**
03A-02-5
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. Provided by email.
11-27-4
Intermediate - Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times.speed rack in front of hand washing sink.
31A-09-4
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 food employees are informed of their responsibility to report to the person in charge information about their health and activities related to foodborne illnesses.provided by email.
11-26-1
Intermediate - Proof of required state approved employee training not available for some employees. To order approved program food safety material, call DBPR contracted provider: Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (SafeStaff) 866-372-7233. Missing 2 employee trainings.
53B-13-5
Basic - Wet mop not stored in a manner to allow the mop to dry.
42-01-4
37
Mar 23, 2023
Food-Licensing Inspection
No violations found.
100
Sep 16, 2022
Routine - Food
1 major violation.
View 1 violation
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : Intermediate - No chemical test kit provided when using sanitizer at three-compartment sink/warewashing machine or wiping cloths. Chlorine **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2022-09-16: **Time Extended**
16-37-1
90
Frequently Asked Questions
When was The Happy Burger last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at The Happy Burger on file is from Feb 25, 2026. The public record contains 10 inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at The Happy Burger?
Across the inspection record, “raw animal food stored over/not properly separated” has been cited four times, more than any other issue at The Happy Burger.
How does The Happy Burger compare to other restaurants in Tampa?
The Happy Burger most recently scored 52 out of 100, which is lower than the Tampa average of 79.
Has The Happy Burger's inspection record improved over time?
No. Recent inspections at The Happy Burger have averaged around six violations per visit, up from roughly two earlier in the record.
What does a high risk rating mean?
A high risk rating at The Happy Burger 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 The Happy Burger inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, The Happy Burger is inspected around three times per year on average.
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