The Hot Tomato
Last inspected: Dec 15, 2025
67
Score
The Hot Tomato, located at 2702 E College Ave in Ruskin, FL, had a moderate-risk inspection on December 15, 2025, with a score of 67. This inspection identified two major and four minor violations, including issues with a cutting board's cleanliness, food stored on the floor in the walk-in cooler (which was corrected on-site), and ice buildup in a reach-in freezer. Across nine scored inspections, The Hot Tomato has historically shown a pattern of high-risk ratings.
8
Inspections
0
Critical latest
2
Major latest
4
Minor latest
Inspection History
Dec 15, 2025
Complaint Full
2 major violations. 4 minor violations.
67
Apr 24, 2025
Routine - Food
3 critical violations. 1 major violation. 10 minor violations.
35
Nov 25, 2024
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 7 minor violations.
52
Feb 15, 2024
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 2 major violations. 7 minor violations.
50
Jul 6, 2023
Complaint Full
1 critical violation. 4 major violations. 9 minor violations.
37
Apr 3, 2023
Complaint Full
3 major violations. 2 minor violations.
67
Aug 1, 2022
Routine - Food
1 critical violation.
86
Aug 1, 2022
Routine - Food
4 minor violations.
82
Violations — Dec 15, 2025 Inspection
Basic - Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable. Cutting boards in dry storage/ sandwich making room.
14-09-4
Basic - Food stored on floor. Cocktail sauce and multiple items on floor in walk in cooler. Operator relocated at time of inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
08B-38-4
Basic - Ice buildup in reach-in freezer and/or walk-in freezer. Reach in freezer in dry storage room.
14-69-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Gaskets of reach in coolers.
23-03-4
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Cutting boards in kitchen.
22-02-4
Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Bleach container in Handwash sink. Operator removed. **Corrected On-Site**
31A-11-4
Priority (Critical)
Priority Foundation (Major)
Core (Minor)
Nearby Restaurants