The Independent
Last inspected: Oct 15, 2025
90
Score
Public records show eight inspections at The Independent stretching back to 2022. The most recent visit was on Oct 15, 2025. A low risk rating suggests inspectors haven't found much to be concerned about lately.
Violation counts have held steady across recent visits, averaging around three violations each.
“Reach-in cooler shelves with rust that has pitted the surface” comes up most often, recorded two times in the inspection record.
Restaurants in Tampa average 79, so The Independent is doing better than most peers. The record reflects steady performance over time.
8
Inspections
0
Critical latest
0
Major latest
2
Minor latest
Inspection History
Oct 15, 2025
Routine - Food
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Basic - Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin. Observed a pink slime inspde ice machine at time of inspection.
22-20-5
Basic - Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting. Observed wet nesting on clear plastic containers stored on shelf at time of inspection n
24-08-4
90
Apr 16, 2025
Routine - Food
1 major violation.
View 1 violation
Intermediate - Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled. Observed unlabeled spray bottles stored on wash sink in kitchen. Operator labeled bottles during inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
41-17-4
90
Nov 25, 2024
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 2 major violations. 1 minor violation.
View 4 violations
Food Received at Proper Temperature
FL-12
Required Records Available; Shellstock Tags/Labels
FL-14
Approved Thawing Methods Used
FL-31
Wiping Cloths Properly Used and Stored
FL-41
64
Mar 21, 2024
Routine - Food
No violations found.
100
Mar 15, 2024
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 1 minor violation.
View 3 violations
Employee Health Policies Present
FL-03
Approved Thawing Methods Used
FL-31
Food and Non-Food Contact Surfaces Designed and Constructed
FL-50
70
Oct 30, 2023
Routine - Food
1 major violation. 6 minor violations.
View 7 violations
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. **Repeat Violation**
53B-13-5
Basic - Reach-in cooler shelves with rust that has pitted the surface. Glass reach-in-cooler
14-33-4
Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. **Repeat Violation**
12B-07-4
Basic - Employee with no beard guard/restraint while engaging in food preparation.
13-04-4
Basic - Hole in or other damage to wall. Back kitchen area **Repeat Violation**
36-24-5
Basic - Interior of oven/microwave has accumulation of black substance/grease/food debris.
22-08-4
Basic - No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees. Both hand sinks
31B-04-4
67
Apr 11, 2023
Routine - Food
1 major violation. 1 minor violation.
View 2 violations
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 http://www.myfloridalicense.com/DBPR/hotels-restaurants/licensing/plan-review/. Remodeling new prep area. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2023-02-07: **Time Extended** - From follow-up inspection 2023-04-11: Plan Review received and work on updating plans with adding a hand sink in kitchen prep area **Time Extended**
51-16-7
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Hole in or other damage to wall. Near hand sink in kitchen **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2023-02-07: **Time Extended** - From follow-up inspection 2023-04-11: **Time Extended**
36-24-5
86
Aug 2, 2022
Routine - Food
4 critical violations. 5 major violations. 14 minor violations.
View 23 violations
High Priority - Container of medicine improperly stored. Observed medicine on shelves at bar and cooksline area
41-07-4
High Priority - Employee handled soiled equipment or utensils and then engaged in food preparation, handled clean equipment or utensils, or touched unwrapped single-service items without washing hands. Operator washed dirty glass and bar area and handled clean class without washing her hands. Inspector discussed proper way to handle soiled to clean dishes with operator. **Corrective Action Taken**
12A-13-4
High Priority - Food-contact surfaces sanitized with a chlorine solution not exposed to the sanitizer solution for at least seven seconds. Do not use equipment/utensils not properly sanitized. Operator at bar dipped glass in sanitizer less than 7 seconds. Inspector discussed with operator the correct procedures. **Corrective Action Taken**
22-46-4
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Butter 49 F and sliced corn beef 48 F. In reach-in-cooler on cooksline. Operator placing in freezer and cooler. **Corrective Action Taken**
03A-02-5
Intermediate - Food service manager not certified within 30 days of employment. A list of accredited food manager certification examination providers can be found at http://www.myfloridalicense.com/DBPR/hotels-restaurants/food-lodging/food-manager/. Matt Slate Person In Charge
53A-04-6
Intermediate - Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Hand sink in kitchen was blocked from using with tape across sink. **Corrected On-Site**
31A-09-4
Intermediate - No currently certified food service manager on duty with four or more employees engaged in food preparation/handling. A list of accredited food manager certification examination providers can be found at http://www.myfloridalicense.com/DBPR/hotels-restaurants/food-lodging/food-manager/. 4 employees working at time of inspection. Matt Slate Person In Charge
53A-05-6
Intermediate - Certified Food Manager or person in charge lacks knowledge of employee health policy and health requirements. Matt Slate Person In Charge Certified Food Manager or person in charge lacks knowledge of foodborne illnesses and symptoms of illness that would prevent an employee from working with food, clean equipment and utensils, and single-service items. Matt Slate Person In Charge
11-03-5
Intermediate - Commercially processed ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food opened and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked after opening. Gallon of milk not date marked in glass reach-in-cooler. **Corrected On-Site**
02C-03-5
Basic - Interior of ice machine/bin with rust that has pitted the surface white reach-in-freezer In dry storage area
14-34-4
Basic - Interior of refrigerator or freezer in disrepair/has exposed insulation. White reach-in-freezer in dry storage area
14-36-5
Basic - Nonfood-contact surfaces not designed and constructed to allow easy cleaning and maintenance. Wood used as shelving not maintained as smooth and easy to clean. Front kitchen area wooden shelves used to store package bread
14-52-4
Basic - Reach-in cooler shelves with rust that has pitted the surface. Glass reach-in-cooler near dish machine
14-33-4
Basic - Standing water in bottom of reach-in-cooler. Reach-in-cooler on cooksline
29-49-6
Basic - Unwashed fruits/vegetables stored with ready-to-eat food. Unwashed leafy greens over cheese in walk-in-cooler
08B-17-4
Basic - Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Small containers on cooksline dry storage shelf
02D-01-5
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Containers with packaged breads soiled in dry storage area
23-03-4
Basic - Designated employee eating/drinking/smoking area located in a food preparation or other restricted area causing possible cross contamination. Evidence of a bowl with used cigarettes sitting on top of ice machine in back kitchen area outside door. **Corrected On-Site**
12B-04-4
Basic - Employee with no hair restraint while engaging in food preparation. Operator prepping food without wearing a hair restraint
13-03-4
Basic - Establishment using wood (other than a hard, close-grained wood) as a food-contact surface. Front kitchen area wooden shelves used to store package bread
14-25-5
Basic - Floor tiles missing and/or in disrepair. Floors in disrepair in walk-in-cooler
36-17-5
Basic - Food not stored at least 6 inches off of the floor. Pickle bucket and container of sauce on floor in walk-in-cooler
08B-47-4
Basic - Ice buildup in reach-in freezer and/or walk-in freezer. White reach-in-freezer in dry storage area
14-69-4
17
Frequently Asked Questions
When was The Independent last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at The Independent on file is from Oct 15, 2025. The public record contains eight inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at The Independent?
Across the inspection record, “reach-in cooler shelves with rust that has pitted the surface” has been cited two times, more than any other issue at The Independent.
How does The Independent compare to other restaurants in Tampa?
The Independent most recently scored 90 out of 100, which is higher than the Tampa average of 79.
Has The Independent's inspection record improved over time?
Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at The Independent have averaged around three violations per visit across the recent record.
What does a low risk rating mean?
A low risk rating at The Independent means inspectors found minimal or no significant issues at the most recent visit. Most facilities at this tier have a clean recent inspection report.
How often is The Independent inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, The Independent is inspected around two times per year on average.
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