Tijuana Flats
Last inspected: Jul 29, 2025
52
Score
The health department has logged nine inspections at Tijuana Flats, the earliest from 2022. The latest inspection on file is from Jul 29, 2025. The high risk label is a heads-up that the most recent visit didn't go well.
Things have been moving the wrong way, with the rolling count rising from around four violations to closer to seven violations per visit.
When inspectors have written things up, “accumulation of black/green mold-like substance” has been the most frequent reason, cited five times.
By comparison, the average Port Charlotte facility scores 82, putting Tijuana Flats on the weaker side. Diners may want to scan the inspection details before deciding to visit.
9
Inspections
2
Critical latest
1
Major latest
5
Minor latest
Inspection History
Jul 29, 2025
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 1 major violation. 5 minor violations.
View 8 violations
High Priority - Employee began working with food, handling clean equipment or utensils, or touching unwrapped single-service items without first washing hands. Observed employee not washing hands before starting to cook.
12A-16-4
High Priority - Employee touched soiled apron/clothes and then engaged in food preparation, handled clean equipment or utensils, or touched unwrapped single-service items without washing hands. Observed employee touch hat then went to put gloves on without washing hands.
12A-28-4
Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Observed handwashing sinkin kitchen with food debris inside sink.
31A-11-4
Basic - Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin. Observed ice shield with some black mold like substance on it. **Repeat Violation**
22-20-5
Basic - Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable. Observed cutting board on drying shelf with multiple groove marks on it. **Repeat Violation**
14-09-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed in reach in coolers, food debris on gaskets. **Repeat Violation**
23-03-4
Basic - Old labels stuck to food containers after cleaning. Observed container with old labels stuck to it. **Repeat Violation**
16-46-4
Basic - Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Observed dry seasoning in a container without identifying label.
02D-01-5
52
Jan 9, 2025
Routine - Food
1 major violation. 8 minor violations.
View 9 violations
Intermediate - No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. Observed no paper no paper towel towels at hand sink by dry storage. Observed operator, refill paper towels at hand sink. **Corrected On-Site**
31B-02-4
Basic - Cove molding at floor/wall juncture broken/missing. Observed a broken cove molding by mop sink.
36-03-4
Basic - Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable. Observed cutting boards on dry rack storage with multiple group marks in them.
14-09-4
Basic - Floor not cleaned when the least amount of food is exposed. Observed and walk-in cooler food debris all over the floor, especially around edges and underneath shelving.
36-01-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed gaskets online with food debris on them.
23-03-4
Basic - Old food stuck to clean dishware/utensils. Observed food debris on lemon cutter on dry storage rack put away clean.
16-48-4
Basic - Old labels stuck to food containers after cleaning. Observed old labels on cambro stored on drying rack.
16-46-4
Basic - Open dumpster lid. Observed dumpster lid open. Dumpster is a shared dumpster.
33-16-4
Basic - Wet mop not stored in a manner to allow the mop to dry. Observed operator hanging mop up correctly. **Corrected On-Site**
42-01-4
61
Jan 3, 2025
Complaint Full
2 critical violations. 2 minor violations.
View 4 violations
High Priority - Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license.
50-17-3
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed white rice 130F at steam table. Operator placed back in reach in steamer to a minimum of 165F within 30 minutes. **Corrected On-Site**
03B-01-6
Basic - Ceiling tile missing. Observed missing ceiling tile above the exterior of Walk in Cooler.
36-36-4
Basic - Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting. Observed multiple containers stacked on top of each other at dish shelf.
24-08-4
67
May 16, 2024
Routine - Food
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Accumulation of black mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine. **Repeat Violation** - From follow-up inspection 2024-04-16: Observed black mold like substance inside the ice machine during call back inspection. **Time Extended ** - From follow-up inspection 2024-05-16: Observed some black mold on shield of ice machine during call back inspection . **Time Extended **
22-20-5
95
Apr 16, 2024
Routine - Food
1 major violation. 2 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : Intermediate - Handwash sink removed from food preparation/dishwashing area. Must be reinstalled in the same location where removed. Observed two missing handwash sinks in the food preparation area andnear the ice machine. The hand sinks are included with the establishments plans. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2024-04-16: Observed missing handwashing sinks in kitchen area. Operator has sinks. States that he cant get anyone out to install them. **Time Extended**
31A-04-4
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Accumulation of black mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine. **Repeat Violation** - From follow-up inspection 2024-04-16: Observed black mold like substance inside the ice machine during call back inspection. **Time Extended **
22-20-5
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Open dumpster lid. - From follow-up inspection 2024-04-16: Observed dumpster lid open during call back inspection. **Time Extended **
33-16-4
82
Apr 3, 2024
Routine - Food
2 major violations. 5 minor violations.
View 7 violations
Food Received at Proper Temperature
FL-12
Required Records Available; Shellstock Tags/Labels
FL-14
Personal Cleanliness
FL-40
Food Temperature Measuring Devices Provided and Accurate
FL-46
Food Contact Surfaces Clean and Sanitized
FL-22
Approved Thawing Methods Used
FL-31
Proper Sanitizer Contact Time and Concentration
FL-33
67
Oct 27, 2023
Routine - Food
5 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Basic - Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin. Observed a black mold like substance on ice machine. Observed employee working on cleaning it **Corrective Action Taken**
22-20-5
Basic - Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Observed a 4 oz portion cup being used to scoop flour. Observed Manager removing the portion cup. Educated him on proper what proper scoops are allowed **Corrected On-Site**
14-01-5
Basic - Old food stuck to clean dishware/utensils. Observed on white five gallon bucket that was put away clean with food debris on handle. Observed employee removing and putting back into dish for proper cleaning. **Corrective Action Taken**
16-48-4
Basic - Single-service articles not stored inverted or protected from contamination. Observed in kitchen and in storage, to go containers not inverted. Observed employee and manager inverting them all for proper storage **Corrected On-Site**
25-06-4
Basic - Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Observed flour with out a label identifying it in a cambro with a closing lid. Observed employee labeling the container of flour **Corrected On-Site**
02D-01-5
78
Apr 10, 2023
Routine - Food
2 major violations. 1 minor violation.
View 3 violations
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.
11-27-4
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
Basic - Accumulation of residue buildup in the interior of the ice machine/bin.
22-20-5
78
Nov 3, 2022
Food-Licensing Inspection
1 major violation. 2 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Inside nozzle area at beverage station at front counter.
22-02-4
Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Beverage on shelf with clean food containers. Operator removed drink **Corrected On-Site**
12B-07-4
Basic - Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Hat hanging from hook with clean pans. Operator removed hat. **Corrected On-Site**
40-06-5
82
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Tijuana Flats last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Tijuana Flats on file is from Jul 29, 2025. The public record contains nine inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Tijuana Flats?
Across the inspection record, “accumulation of black/green mold-like substance” has been cited five times, more than any other issue at Tijuana Flats.
How does Tijuana Flats compare to other restaurants in Port Charlotte?
Tijuana Flats most recently scored 52 out of 100, which is lower than the Port Charlotte average of 82.
Has Tijuana Flats' inspection record improved over time?
No. Recent inspections at Tijuana Flats have averaged around seven violations per visit, up from roughly four 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 three times per year on average.
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