Tijuana Flats
Last inspected: Mar 13, 2026
52
Score
Inspectors have visited Tijuana Flats seven times, with records going back to 2023. On Mar 13, 2026, the health department conducted the most recent visit. High risk indicates the latest inspection turned up problems worth knowing about.
Things are looking better lately, with recent visits averaging around four violations compared to roughly 10 violations earlier on.
Across the inspection history, “bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food” is the issue that surfaces most often, recorded three times.
Compared to other Orlando restaurants (averaging 79), there's room to close the gap. The pattern in the record is worth a careful look.
7
Inspections
2
Critical latest
1
Major latest
5
Minor latest
Inspection History
Mar 13, 2026
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 1 major violation. 5 minor violations.
View 8 violations
High Priority - Vacuum breaker missing at mop sink faucet or on fitting/splitter added to mop sink faucet. Viacom breaker placed on faucet instead of splitter where short black hose is attached
29-42-4
High Priority - Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. Sanitizer stored next to dessert topping on prep table. Operator moved bottle from table **Corrected On-Site**
41-10-4
Intermediate - No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. No paper towel at hand washing sink on cooks line operator replaced with paper napkins **Corrected On-Site**
31B-02-4
Basic - Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Squat cups stored with Oreo and Biscoff toppings at dessert station
14-01-5
Basic - Exterior door has a gap at the threshold that opens to the outside. Exit door in hallway with restrooms and mop room
35B-01-4
Basic - In-use tongs stored on equipment door handle between uses. On cooks line,operator moved
10-20-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Hood filters at cooks line
23-03-4
Basic - Wet mop not stored in a manner to allow the mop to dry. At mop sink
42-01-4
52
Oct 7, 2025
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 3 minor violations.
View 5 violations
High Priority - Raw animal foods not properly separated from each other in holding unit based upon minimum required cooking temperature. Raw chicken stored over fish at reach in cooler **Corrected On-Site**
08A-20-5
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/ Operator arrived during inspection who had CFM **Corrected On-Site**
53A-05-6
Basic - Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Employee cell phone stored on top of gloves at cooks line **Corrected On-Site**
40-06-5
Basic - In-use utensil stored in standing water less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Utensils at cooks line stored in 86F water
10-07-4
Basic - Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Soufflé cups stored in pumpkin cookie and bits off cookie toppings
14-01-5
67
Jun 23, 2025
Food-Licensing Inspection
No violations found.
100
Apr 3, 2024
Routine - Food
4 critical violations. 2 major violations. 9 minor violations.
View 15 violations
Certified Food Manager Identification
FL-02
Hands Clean and Properly Washed
FL-08
Adequate Handwashing Facilities Supplied and Accessible
FL-10
Supervisor/Person in Charge Present
FL-01
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
Potentially Hazardous Food Held at Proper Temperature
FL-16
Food Contact Surfaces Clean and Sanitized
FL-22
Warewashing Facilities Maintained and Used
FL-24
Equipment Adequate to Maintain Product Temperature
FL-29
Toxic Substances Properly Identified, Stored, Used
FL-32
Lighting Adequate; Required Shields in Place
FL-36
Wiping Cloths Properly Used and Stored
FL-41
20
Oct 12, 2023
Routine - Food
2 major violations. 6 minor violations.
View 8 violations
Intermediate - No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. Cookline handwash sink. **Corrected On-Site**
31B-02-4
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Grey bulk containers used for chips heavily soiled lids and containers.
22-02-4
Basic - Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting.
24-08-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Handwash sink at 3 bin sink area moderately soiled.
23-03-4
Basic - Sanitizing solution not maintained clean. Lettuce floaters observed.
16-05-4
Basic - Single-service articles stored in soiled surface/container. Plastic takeout knives-forks-spoons at expo are in dirty containers.
25-17-4
Basic - Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Several containers near walk in cooler, bottom shelf with no labels.
02D-01-5
Basic - Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Various containers have cups used as scoops. One in container at cooler door and one on cookline in sauce under grill.
14-01-5
61
Jun 16, 2023
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 4 minor violations.
View 6 violations
Employee Health Policies Present
FL-03
Hands Clean and Properly Washed
FL-08
Food Received at Proper Temperature
FL-12
Non-Food Contact Surfaces Clean
FL-23
Warewashing Facilities Maintained and Used
FL-24
Personal Cleanliness
FL-40
61
May 12, 2023
Routine - Food
3 critical violations. 4 major violations. 8 minor violations.
View 15 violations
High Priority - Live, small flying insects in kitchen, food preparation area, food storage area and/or bar area. Observed 1 small flying insect in kitchen area
35A-02-6
High Priority - Vacuum breaker missing at hose bibb or on fitting/splitter added to hose bibb. Observed vacuum breaker in the wrong place, reviewed with operator
29-34-4
High Priority - Employee began working with food, handling clean equipment or utensils, or touching unwrapped single-service items without first washing hands. Observed shift leader finished a phone call, grabbed a cooking utensil and stir cut up beef that was cooking on the flat top
12A-16-4
Intermediate - Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Observed kegs and tortilla chips bin in front of hand wash sink by the dish room
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/ Observed Jamie Diamond Ruiz Florida Food Service Employee Training Certification provided by 123PremierFoodSafety in partnership with The New Habit. Manager arrived **Corrected On-Site**
53A-05-6
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.
11-26-1
Intermediate - Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled. Observed blue liquid spray bottle with no label **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
41-17-4
Basic - Clean glasses, cups, bowls, plates, pots and pans not stored inverted or in a protected manner. Observed ice bucket not inverted **Corrected On-Site**
24-05-4
Basic - Covered waste receptacle not provided in women's bathroom.
32-12-5
Basic - Current Hotel and Restaurant license not displayed. Operator printed 4/1/2024 **Corrected On-Site**
50-09-4
Basic - Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Observed employee hat over plastic to go containers
40-06-5
Basic - Employee with no hair restraint while engaging in food preparation. Observed employee in food preparation without hair restraint
13-03-4
Basic - Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting.
24-08-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. -reach in cooler gaskets are soiled with mold like substance. Left side reach in cooler when entering the kitchen. **Repeat Violation**
23-03-4
Basic - Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Sugar bin without label **Corrected On-Site**
02D-01-5
29
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Tijuana Flats last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Tijuana Flats on file is from Mar 13, 2026. The public record contains seven inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Tijuana Flats?
Across the inspection record, “bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food” has been cited three times, more than any other issue at Tijuana Flats.
How does Tijuana Flats compare to other restaurants in Orlando?
Tijuana Flats most recently scored 52 out of 100, which is lower than the Orlando average of 79.
Has Tijuana Flats' inspection record improved over time?
Yes. Recent inspections at Tijuana Flats have averaged around four violations per visit, down from roughly 10 earlier in the record.
What does a high risk rating mean?
A high risk rating at Tijuana Flats 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 Tijuana Flats inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Tijuana Flats is inspected around two times per year on average.
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