Tijuana Flats
Last inspected: Feb 12, 2026
43
Score
Tijuana Flats appears in inspection records 10 times, starting in 2022. The most recent report on file is from Feb 12, 2026. A high risk tier suggests the facility had a rough recent inspection, with multiple violations on record.
Recent visits have produced comparable findings, with counts hovering near seven violations per visit.
The most common issue across all inspections has been “food-contact surface soiled with food debris”, showing up three times.
Tijuana Flats' latest score of 43 falls below the Ponte Vedra average of 70. There are enough flags in the record to merit a second thought.
10
Inspections
2
Critical latest
3
Major latest
5
Minor latest
Inspection History
Feb 12, 2026
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 3 major violations. 5 minor violations.
View 10 violations
High Priority - Employee touched soiled surface and then engaged in food preparation, handled clean equipment or utensils, or touched unwrapped single-service items without washing hands. Employee handled soiled trays then continued to handle single use items and make drinks for customer without washing hands. **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
12A-29-4
High Priority - Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. Spray bottle of degreaser stored over clean fryer baskets on rack by triple sink, bottle moved. **Corrected On-Site**
41-10-4
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Nozzles of soda machines and nozzles of hot sauce dispensers have a build up of mold like substance and food debris. **Repeat Violation**
22-02-4
Intermediate - No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. At hand wash station on cook line. At hand wash station by triple sink.
31B-02-4
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. Manager unable to find any certificates for any employees. **Warning**
53B-01-5
Basic - Clean utensils or equipment stored on soiled surface. Metal pan with taco shells stored over soiled trash can on cook line, pan moved. **Corrected On-Site**
24-06-4
Basic - Floor soiled/has accumulation of debris. Under soda machines under front counter have a build up of soda syrup and debris.
36-73-4
Basic - Food not stored at least 6 inches off of the floor. Boxes of raw chicken in walk in cooler.
08B-47-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Interior of cabinets at hot sauce bar have a build up of food debris.
23-03-4
Basic - Employee with no hair restraint while engaging in food preparation. Manager on cook line at beginning of inspection. 1 employee scoping salsa at wait station reach in cooler.
13-03-4
43
Aug 25, 2025
Routine - Food
No violations found.
100
Aug 14, 2025
Routine - Food
3 critical violations. 2 major violations. 3 minor violations.
View 8 violations
High Priority - Employee failed to wash hands before putting on gloves to initiate a task working with food. Employee preparing food in prep area then switched tasks and began to wipe down surfaces with wet sanitizer cloth then began to prep more food without washing hands between tasks. **Warning**
12A-07-5
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 taking orders at front counter scratched hair with bare hands then continued to make drinks and bag up food orders without washing hands between tasks. **Warning**
12A-25-4
High Priority - Server handled soiled dishes or utensils and then picked up plated food, served food, or prepared a beverage without washing hands. Employee touching soiled trays with bare hands then continued to bag food orders without washing hands between tasks. **Warning**
12A-02-4
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Nozzles of hot sauces dispensers in dining area. Interior of chip bin/dispenser at wait station in kitchen.
22-02-4
Intermediate - Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. At hand wash station by triple sink, large pitcher in sink. **Repeat Violation**
31A-09-4
Basic - Water leaking from pipe and/or faucet/handle. Under hand wash station near front counter.
29-11-4
Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Drink over prep table in prep area.
12B-07-4
Basic - Employee wearing jewelry other than a plain ring on their hands/arms while preparing food. 3 employees with bracelets.
13-07-4
45
Mar 12, 2025
Routine - Food
2 major violations. 3 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Intermediate - Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Rear Hand Wash Sink blocked by tray in sink.
31A-09-4
Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Ice dumped In frontline Hand Wash Sink.
31A-11-4
Basic - Buildup of food debris/soil residue on equipment door handles. Soiled exterior of equipment including handles to coolers.
23-24-4
Basic - Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Employee jacket and bag in cutting board of reach in cooler / make table. Moved by manager and cutting boards sanitized **Corrected On-Site**
40-06-5
Basic - Standing water in floor drain/floor drain draining very slowly. Floor drain by Three compartment sink with standing water.
29-19-4
70
Jul 11, 2024
Routine - Food
5 major violations. 3 minor violations.
View 8 violations
Employee Health Policies Present
FL-03
Approved Thawing Methods Used
FL-31
Food Contact Surfaces Clean and Sanitized
FL-22
Non-Food Contact Surfaces Clean
FL-23
Equipment Adequate to Maintain Product Temperature
FL-29
Lighting Adequate; Required Shields in Place
FL-36
Food and Non-Food Contact Surfaces Designed and Constructed
FL-50
Toilet Rooms Maintained
FL-53
39
Jan 10, 2024
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 3 major violations. 6 minor violations.
View 10 violations
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. black beans (119F - Hot Holding) in bag sitting in pan in steam table on make line, per manager beans where reheated less then 30 minutes prior, beans placed in steamer. **Corrective Action Taken**
03B-01-6
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Multiple nozzles of hot sauce dispensers at hot sauce bar in dining room.
22-02-4
Intermediate - No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. At hand wash station in ware washing area, employee corrected during inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
31B-02-4
Intermediate - Soap dispenser at handwash sink not working/unable to dispense soap. At hand wash station at front counter.
31B-06-4
Basic - Employee personal food not properly identified and segregated from food to be served to the public. Box of employee food in to go container on rack with tortillas for customers on make line in kitchen, container discarded. **Corrected On-Site**
08B-49-4
Basic - Floor soiled/has accumulation of debris. Under all equipment on cook/make line in kitchen.
36-73-4
Basic - Raw fruits/vegetables not washed prior to preparation. Employee cutting tomatoes before washing them in prep area in kitchen.
08B-39-4
Basic - Reuse of single-service or single-use articles. Employee putting cut tomatoes in box that the tomatoes came in at prep area in kitchen, box does not have any markings that tomatoes where prewashed, employee moved cut tomatoes to melt a line pan. **Corrected On-Site**
25-32-4
Basic - Single-service articles not stored inverted or protected from contamination. Stacks of to go lids at front counter, manager corrected during inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
25-06-4
Basic - Water draining onto floor surface. From hand wash station at front counter.
29-03-4
47
Aug 18, 2023
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 1 major violation. 6 minor violations.
View 9 violations
Food Obtained from Approved Sources
FL-11
Food Received at Proper Temperature
FL-12
Required Records Available; Shellstock Tags/Labels
FL-14
Potentially Hazardous Food Held at Proper Temperature
FL-16
Non-Food Contact Surfaces Clean
FL-23
Warewashing Facilities Maintained and Used
FL-24
Approved Thawing Methods Used
FL-31
Equipment, Food and Non-Food Contact Surfaces Approved
FL-35
Personal Cleanliness
FL-40
47
Mar 20, 2023
Routine - Food
No violations found.
100
Feb 8, 2023
Routine - Food
1 major violation.
View 1 violation
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : Intermediate - Food manager certification expired. A list of accredited food manager certification examination providers can be found at http://www.myfloridalicense.com/DBPR/hotels-restaurants/food-lodging/food-manager/ At time of inspection current certified food manager is expired. Operator has food manager class scheduled for Friday 2/10. **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2023-02-08: At time of follow up inspection, person in charge needs extra time to complete the certified food manager course. **Time Extended**
53A-03-7
90
Sep 27, 2022
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 3 major violations. 9 minor violations.
View 14 violations
Certified Food Manager Identification
FL-02
Employee Health Policies Present
FL-03
Hands Clean and Properly Washed
FL-08
Food Received at Proper Temperature
FL-12
Required Records Available; Shellstock Tags/Labels
FL-14
Food Contact Surfaces Clean and Sanitized
FL-22
Non-Food Contact Surfaces Clean
FL-23
Warewashing Facilities Maintained and Used
FL-24
Approved Thawing Methods Used
FL-31
Equipment, Food and Non-Food Contact Surfaces Approved
FL-35
Lighting Adequate; Required Shields in Place
FL-36
Personal Cleanliness
FL-40
Wiping Cloths Properly Used and Stored
FL-41
Toilet Rooms Maintained
FL-53
26
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Tijuana Flats last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Tijuana Flats on file is from Feb 12, 2026. The public record contains 10 inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Tijuana Flats?
Across the inspection record, “food-contact surface soiled with food debris” has been cited three times, more than any other issue at Tijuana Flats.
How does Tijuana Flats compare to other restaurants in Ponte Vedra?
Tijuana Flats most recently scored 43 out of 100, which is lower than the Ponte Vedra average of 70.
Has Tijuana Flats' inspection record improved over time?
Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at Tijuana Flats have averaged around seven violations per visit across the recent 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 three times per year on average.
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