Tijuana Flats
Last inspected: Jan 30, 2026
41
Score
Tijuana Flats has been inspected 11 times since 2022. The latest inspection on file is from Jan 30, 2026. Diners may want to take note: high risk reflects issues that a health inspector considered important.
Things are looking better lately, with recent visits averaging around seven violations compared to roughly 10 violations earlier on.
Looking across the full record, “nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease” is the recurring theme, flagged four times.
Compared to other Sanford restaurants (averaging 77), there's room to close the gap. This restaurant has more on its record than most do.
11
Inspections
1
Critical latest
2
Major latest
7
Minor latest
Inspection History
Jan 30, 2026
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 2 major violations. 7 minor violations.
View 10 violations
Food Received at Proper Temperature
FL-12
Non-Food Contact Surfaces Clean
FL-23
Required Records Available; Shellstock Tags/Labels
FL-14
Warewashing Facilities Maintained and Used
FL-24
Hot and Cold Water Available; Adequate Pressure
FL-25
Equipment Adequate to Maintain Product Temperature
FL-29
Approved Thawing Methods Used
FL-31
Lighting Adequate; Required Shields in Place
FL-36
Washing Fruits and Vegetables
FL-42
Toilet Rooms Maintained
FL-53
41
Sep 19, 2025
Routine - Food
3 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Exterior door has a gap that opens to the outside. -rear kitchen door -exit door across from women's bathroom has a gap at the side **Repeat Violation** **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2025-09-19: **Time Extended**
35B-01-4
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Floor tiles missing and/or in disrepair. -broken floor tile in dishwashing area **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2025-09-19: -operator states repairs have been requested **Time Extended** **Corrective Action Taken**
36-17-5
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Wall soiled with accumulated grease, food debris, and/or dust. -walls above triple sink have an accumulation of black, mold-like substance **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2025-09-19: **Time Extended**
36-27-5
86
Jul 18, 2025
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 2 major violations. 3 minor violations.
View 7 violations
Food Contact Surfaces Clean and Sanitized
FL-22
Employee Health Policies Present
FL-03
Non-Food Contact Surfaces Clean
FL-23
Approved Thawing Methods Used
FL-31
Equipment, Food and Non-Food Contact Surfaces Approved
FL-35
Lighting Adequate; Required Shields in Place
FL-36
Toilet Rooms Maintained
FL-53
47
Jan 17, 2025
Routine - Food
5 major violations. 13 minor violations.
View 18 violations
Intermediate - No chemical test kit provided when using sanitizer at three-compartment sink or wiping cloths. -QUATERNARY AMMONIA
16-37-1
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/ **Repeat Violation**
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. -Alexis, Keandre, and Ethan, provided Food Employee Reporting Agreement **Corrective Action Taken**
11-26-1
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. -Alexis and Ethan
53B-13-5
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/ -Jordan
53A-04-6
Basic - Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. -stainless steel bowl in shredded cheese blend, employee removed **Corrected On-Site**
14-01-5
Basic - Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance. -exterior of hood has an accumulation of dust, ceiling vent stained
36-34-5
Basic - Exterior door has a gap at the threshold that opens to the outside. -side door across from women's bathroom **Repeat Violation**
35B-01-4
Basic - Floor area(s) covered with standing water. -in front of ice machine, employee squeegeed **Corrected On-Site**
36-22-4
Basic - Food storage container/container lid cracked or broken. -lid on full size pan of tortillas chips broken
14-38-4
Basic - In-use utensil not stored with handle above the top of time/temperature control for safety food and rim of the container. -scoop handle in contact with shredded cheese, employee removed **Corrected On-Site**
10-06-5
Basic - No Heimlich maneuver/choking sign posted. -provided Choking First Aid Procedures poster **Corrective Action Taken**
51-13-4
Basic - No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees. -handwash sink in front service area, provided handwashing signs and operator posted -handwash sink next to steamer, provided handwashing signs and operator posted **Corrected On-Site**
31B-04-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. -walk-in cooler curtain soiled -hood filters over cooking equipment have an accumulation of grease and food debris -area behind soda nozzles on left side soda dispenser **Repeat Violation**
23-03-4
Basic - Walk-in cooler shelves with rust that has pitted the surface.
14-17-4
Basic - Wall soiled with accumulated grease, food debris, and/or dust. -wall above triple sink has a light accumulation of black, mold-like substance
36-27-5
Basic - Water leaking from pipe and/or faucet/handle. -triple sink leaking while in operation
29-11-4
Basic - Wet wiping cloth not stored in sanitizing solution between uses. -wet wiping cloth stored on top of ice machine, operator removed **Corrected On-Site**
21-12-4
32
Oct 3, 2024
Complaint Full
2 major violations.
View 2 violations
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : 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/ **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2024-10-03: **Time Extended**
53A-05-6
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : 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. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2024-10-03: **Admin Complaint**
53B-01-5
82
Aug 2, 2024
Complaint Full
2 critical violations. 3 major violations. 5 minor violations.
View 10 violations
High Priority - Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. See Stop Sale Report. **Warning**
01B-02-5
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Cook line make table shredded cheese (66F - Cold Holding); shredded lettuce (67F - Cold Holding)/ placed overnight. **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning**
03A-02-5
Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Pitcher placed in hand sink. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
31A-11-4
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/ **Warning**
53A-05-6
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. **Warning**
53B-01-5
Basic - Exterior door bathroom hallway, has a gap at the threshold that opens to the outside. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
35B-01-4
Basic - No conspicuously located ambient air temperature thermometer in kitchen cold holding unit. **Warning**
05-09-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Sides of fryers soiled with food debris. **Warning**
23-03-4
Basic - Standing water or very slow draining water in handwash sink, three-compartment sink, or mop sink. Operator removed rag that was in , three compartment sink , floor drain, that was causing water not to drain. Operator cleaned and sanitized. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
29-20-5
Basic - Employee personal food not properly identified and segregated from food to be served to the public. Employee snack placed in front counter low boy unit, with food for customers. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
08B-49-4
43
Mar 7, 2024
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 6 minor violations.
View 7 violations
Employee Health Policies Present
FL-03
Equipment, Food and Non-Food Contact Surfaces Approved
FL-35
Lighting Adequate; Required Shields in Place
FL-36
Washing Fruits and Vegetables
FL-42
Required Records Available; Shellstock Tags/Labels
FL-14
Non-Food Contact Surfaces Clean
FL-23
Approved Thawing Methods Used
FL-31
61
Nov 8, 2023
Routine - Food
8 minor violations.
View 8 violations
Basic - No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees. -sink in kitchen
31B-04-4
Basic - Covered waste receptacle not provided in women's bathroom.
32-12-5
Basic - Exterior door has a gap at the threshold that opens to the outside. -door by restrooms **Repeat Violation**
35B-01-4
Basic - Floor soiled/has accumulation of debris. -in corners of front counter
36-73-4
Basic - No Heimlich maneuver/choking sign posted. -provided copy to operator via email **Corrected On-Site**
51-13-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. -exterior of ice machine soiled -hand sinks soiled throughout kitchen **Repeat Violation**
23-03-4
Basic - Wall soiled with accumulated grease, food debris, and/or dust. -dishwashing area **Repeat Violation**
36-27-5
Basic - Wet mop not stored in a manner to allow the mop to dry.
42-01-4
67
Mar 2, 2023
Routine - Food
1 major violation. 6 minor violations.
View 7 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. **Corrected On-Site**
11-27-4
Basic - Exterior door has a gap at the threshold that opens to the outside. Rear kitchen door and door by restrooms.
35B-01-4
Basic - Floor drain has accumulation of debris. Under three compartment sink.
36-73-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Hood filters soiled with grease. Rack soiled, prep area.
23-03-4
Basic - Standing water or very slow draining water in handwash sink, three-compartment sink, or mop sink. Slow drain hand sink, dish wash area.
29-20-5
Basic - Time/temperature control for safety food thawed in an improper manner. Shrimp, room temperature.
06-01-5
Basic - Wall soiled with accumulated grease, food debris, and/or dust. Dish wash area.
36-27-5
67
Oct 20, 2022
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 2 major violations. 2 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Proper Hot and Cold Holding Temperatures
FL-21
Equipment Adequate to Maintain Product Temperature
FL-29
Approved Thawing Methods Used
FL-31
Equipment, Food and Non-Food Contact Surfaces Approved
FL-35
Food and Non-Food Contact Surfaces Designed and Constructed
FL-50
55
Aug 8, 2022
Complaint Full
No violations found.
100
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Tijuana Flats last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Tijuana Flats on file is from Jan 30, 2026. The public record contains 11 inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Tijuana Flats?
Across the inspection record, “nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease” has been cited four times, more than any other issue at Tijuana Flats.
How does Tijuana Flats compare to other restaurants in Sanford?
Tijuana Flats most recently scored 41 out of 100, which is lower than the Sanford average of 77.
Has Tijuana Flats' inspection record improved over time?
Yes. Recent inspections at Tijuana Flats have averaged around seven 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 three times per year on average.
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