Tikka Express
Last inspected: Dec 8, 2025
70
Score
Tikka Express has been inspected 11 times since 2022. The latest inspection on file is from Dec 8, 2025. A medium risk rating points to a few notable findings at the last inspection, though nothing severe.
The picture has improved over the last few visits: recent inspections have averaged around three violations, down from roughly eight violations earlier in the record.
The pattern that stands out is “vacuum breaker missing at hose bibb”, which has been cited two times.
Tikka Express' latest score of 70 falls below the Gainesville average of 75. Nothing in the record is alarming, but there's room to improve.
11
Inspections
1
Critical latest
0
Major latest
4
Minor latest
Inspection History
Dec 8, 2025
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 4 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Supervisor/Person in Charge Present
FL-01
Hands Clean and Properly Washed
FL-08
Required Records Available; Shellstock Tags/Labels
FL-14
Non-Food Contact Surfaces Clean
FL-23
Lighting Adequate; Required Shields in Place
FL-36
70
Jul 29, 2025
Routine - Food
1 critical violation.
View 1 violation
High Priority - - From initial inspection : High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. chickpeas (46F - Cold Holding); sauce (47F - Cold Holding); chicken (46F - Cold Holding); chicken (47F - Cold Holding) items in walk in cooler, operator stated they were in/out cooler all morning prepping, ambient thermometer reads 42F. cheese (61F - Cold Holding) item sitting on counter. samosas (45F - Cold Holding); chickpeas (46F - Cold Holding); sauce (45F - Cold Holding); chicken (46F - Cold Holding); green sauce (46F - Cold Holding)items in reach in cooler on cooks line, the flip top lid is kept open during lunch rush, operator stated she checked cooler this morning and food was at 39F. Operator added ice to rapidly drop to 41F or below. **Corrective Action Taken** - From follow-up inspection 2025-07-29: Tomato sauce 55 in walk in cooler overnight see stop sale. **Admin Complaint**
03A-02-5
86
Jul 22, 2025
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 1 minor violation.
View 3 violations
Employee Health Policies Present
FL-03
Non-Food Contact Surfaces Clean
FL-23
Wiping Cloths Properly Used and Stored
FL-41
70
Nov 21, 2024
Routine - Food
2 major violations. 6 minor violations.
View 8 violations
Required Records Available; Shellstock Tags/Labels
FL-14
Hands Clean and Properly Washed
FL-08
Food Contact Surfaces Clean and Sanitized
FL-22
Non-Food Contact Surfaces Clean
FL-23
Equipment Adequate to Maintain Product Temperature
FL-29
Approved Thawing Methods Used
FL-31
Lighting Adequate; Required Shields in Place
FL-36
Wiping Cloths Properly Used and Stored
FL-41
58
Jul 8, 2024
Routine - Food
1 major violation. 6 minor violations.
View 7 violations
Certified Food Manager Identification
FL-02
Hands Clean and Properly Washed
FL-08
Food Received at Proper Temperature
FL-12
Required Records Available; Shellstock Tags/Labels
FL-14
Non-Food Contact Surfaces Clean
FL-23
Approved Thawing Methods Used
FL-31
Wiping Cloths Properly Used and Stored
FL-41
64
Dec 21, 2023
Routine - Food
3 critical violations. 2 major violations. 5 minor violations.
View 10 violations
Certified Food Manager Identification
FL-02
Employee Health Policies Present
FL-03
Hands Clean and Properly Washed
FL-08
Food Obtained from Approved Sources
FL-11
Required Records Available; Shellstock Tags/Labels
FL-14
Non-Food Contact Surfaces Clean
FL-23
Equipment Adequate to Maintain Product Temperature
FL-29
Equipment, Food and Non-Food Contact Surfaces Approved
FL-35
Lighting Adequate; Required Shields in Place
FL-36
Wiping Cloths Properly Used and Stored
FL-41
27
Sep 7, 2023
Routine - Food
No violations found.
100
Jul 6, 2023
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 4 major violations. 10 minor violations.
View 16 violations
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Raw shell eggs over sauces in walk in cooler. Operator moved eggs. Raw shrimp over French fries in reach in cooler on cooks line.
08A-05-6
High Priority - Vacuum breaker missing at hose bibb or on fitting/splitter added to hose bibb. At the mop sink outside. **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
29-34-4
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Can opener blade soiled. Food shelves in walk in cooler and reach in cooler. **Repeat Violation**
22-02-4
Intermediate - No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. Men's bathroom Handwash sink.
31B-02-4
Intermediate - No proof of required state approved employee training provided for employee hired more than 60 days ago. To order approved program food safety material, call DBPR contracted provider: Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (SafeStaff) 866-372-7233. 1 employee food handler certificate expired May 2023. **Warning**
53B-02-5
Intermediate - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Multiple items in walk in cooler no date marks. Operator dated. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
02C-02-5
Basic - Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. In sugar container in back storage room and in some sauce/food in reach in cooler on cooks line. **Repeat Violation**
14-01-5
Basic - Drain cover(s) missing. In back storage room.
29-18-4
Basic - Food stored on floor. Sauce and onions on floor in walk in cooler, operator placed on shelf. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
08B-38-4
Basic - Hole in or other damage to wall. By the Handwash sink in kitchen.
36-24-5
Basic - In-use tongs stored on equipment door handle between uses. On the cooks line. **Repeat Violation**
10-20-4
Basic - No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees. Men's bathroom sink. **Repeat Violation**
31B-04-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Can opener and table attachment soiled. Fan guard in walk in cooler. Reach in cooler gaskets soiled. Clean cooking equipment shelves are soiled. Spice cart. **Repeat Violation**
23-03-4
Basic - Single-service articles not stored inverted or protected from contamination. Small white Togo boxes next to rice cooker with the food contact surface facing upwards. Operator flipped. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
25-06-4
Basic - Stored food not covered. Multiple items in walk in cooler, operator placed lids on all items. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
08B-12-5
Basic - Wall soiled with accumulated grease, food debris, and/or dust. All throughout kitchen the walls have old food spillage/splash. Ceiling tiles soiled around air vents. **Repeat Violation**
36-27-5
30
Feb 28, 2023
Routine - Food
No violations found.
100
Feb 21, 2023
Routine - Food
3 critical violations. 5 major violations. 15 minor violations.
View 23 violations
High Priority - Employee used tobacco, ate, or drank then engaged in food preparation, handled clean equipment or utensils, or touched unwrapped single-service items without washing hands. Employee outside smoked cigarette came back inside no hand wash put gloves on, inspector stopped employee he took gloves off and washed hands.
12A-05-4
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. chicken (47F - Cold Holding); spinach (46F - Cold Holding); sauce (46F - Cold Holding); chicken (44F - Cold Holding) items in walk in cooler, the back of compressor covered in some ice indicating cooler may not be working properly, inspector talked to operator about turning cooler down or defrosting cooler so the fans will again work properly. chicken (48F - Cold Holding) item inside reach in cooler, had coke from the walk in cooler. peas (54F - Cold Holding) on top of reach in cooler, operator placed item back in cooler, it was out preparing for an order. **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning**
03A-02-5
High Priority - Vacuum breaker missing at hose bibb or on fitting/splitter added to hose bibb. At the mop sink. **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
29-34-4
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 - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Interior reach in cooler on cooks line. Can opener blade. **Repeat Violation**
22-02-4
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
Intermediate - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Spinach and red sauce made the previous day no date marks. Operator dated. **Corrected On-Site**
02C-02-5
Intermediate - Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled. Bottle by Three compartment sink with purple liquid inside. Operator labeled. **Corrected On-Site**
41-17-4
Basic - Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Inside sugar bin and rice cooker, operator removed cups. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
14-01-5
Basic - Cardboard used to line nonfood-contact shelves. Bottom shelf across from Three compartment sink where pans are stored. **Repeat Violation**
14-45-4
Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. 2 drinks by Togo sauces and reach in cooler, operator moved beverages to the bottom.
12B-07-4
Basic - Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Phone and keys on table next to small sauce cups. Operator placed on the bottom. **Corrected On-Site**
40-06-5
Basic - Equipment in poor repair. Reach in cooler gasket torn on cooks line.
14-11-5
Basic - Exterior door has a gap at the threshold that opens to the outside. Back door near restrooms.
35B-01-4
Basic - Floor soiled/has accumulation of debris. Throughout the kitchen. Walls soiled throughout kitchen. Air vents in kitchen soiled. **Repeat Violation**
36-73-4
Basic - Food stored on floor. Onions and sauce container on floor in walk in cooler. Operator placed items on shelf. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
08B-38-4
Basic - In-use tongs stored on equipment door handle between uses. On the handle of the naan oven. **Repeat Violation**
10-20-4
Basic - No conspicuously located ambient air temperature thermometer in holding unit. Inside walk in cooler, operator placed ambient thermometer inside. **Corrected On-Site**
05-09-4
Basic - No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees. Inside mens restroom.
31B-04-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Reach in cooler gaskets soiled on cook line. Can opener table attachment soiled. Walk in cooler shelves. Hood filters. Spice cart on cooks line.
23-03-4
Basic - Standing water in bottom of reach-in-cooler. On cooks line.
29-49-6
Basic - Stored food not covered. Items in walk in cooler made the previous day no lids and sugar bin. Operator placed lids on items. **Repeat Violation**
08B-12-5
Basic - Single-service articles not stored inverted or protected from contamination. Togo boxes on cooks line. Togo plates on floor at front counter. Operator placed off of floor and flipped boxes. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
25-06-4
18
Sep 27, 2022
Routine - Food
4 critical violations. 1 major violation. 10 minor violations.
View 15 violations
Adequate Handwashing Facilities Supplied and Accessible
FL-10
Employee Health Policies Present
FL-03
Hands Clean and Properly Washed
FL-08
No Bare Hand Contact with Ready-to-Eat Food
FL-09
Food Received at Proper Temperature
FL-12
Required Records Available; Shellstock Tags/Labels
FL-14
Potentially Hazardous Food Held at Proper Temperature
FL-16
Proper Hot and Cold Holding Temperatures
FL-21
Food Contact Surfaces Clean and Sanitized
FL-22
Non-Food Contact Surfaces Clean
FL-23
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
Wiping Cloths Properly Used and Stored
FL-41
17
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Tikka Express last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Tikka Express on file is from Dec 8, 2025. The public record contains 11 inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Tikka Express?
Across the inspection record, “vacuum breaker missing at hose bibb” has been cited two times, more than any other issue at Tikka Express.
How does Tikka Express compare to other restaurants in Gainesville?
Tikka Express most recently scored 70 out of 100, which is lower than the Gainesville average of 75.
Has Tikka Express' inspection record improved over time?
Yes. Recent inspections at Tikka Express have averaged around three violations per visit, down from roughly eight earlier in the record.
What does a medium risk rating mean?
A medium risk rating at Tikka Express means the most recent inspection turned up a handful of issues that the health department wrote up but did not classify as critical.
How often is Tikka Express inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Tikka Express is inspected around three times per year on average.
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