Tomato Joes
Last inspected: Jan 20, 2026
55
Score
Tomato Joes has been inspected seven times since 2022. The latest inspection on file is from Jan 20, 2026. A medium risk score generally means inspectors found things to fix, though most weren't urgent.
The picture has gotten worse over the last few visits, with the average climbing from around six violations to closer to nine violations.
Looking across the full record, “nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease” is the recurring theme, flagged three times.
That's lower than the typical Tampa restaurant, which scores around 79. The full record sits in fairly typical territory for a working restaurant.
7
Inspections
2
Critical latest
0
Major latest
6
Minor latest
Inspection History
Jan 20, 2026
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 6 minor violations.
View 8 violations
High Priority - Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. Observed bug spray stored over food on prep table .
41-10-4
High Priority - Employee failed to wash hands before putting on gloves to initiate a task working with food. Observed operator touching phone , and drink , then handling food without washing hands or changing gloves.
12A-07-5
Basic - Employee eating in a food preparation or other restricted area. Observed employee drinking beverage in prep area .
12B-02-4
Basic - Employee drinking from an unenclosed beverage container in a food preparation/clean dishware area and the container does not have a dispensing mechanism to prevent hand contact with lip contact area of drink container. Employee drinking coffee mug on prep line.
12B-12-5
Basic - Open dumpster lid.
33-16-4
Basic - Reuse of single-service or single-use articles. Observed box used for raw chicken wings being reused to store cooked chicken wings, operator moved wings to a food grade container. **Corrected On-Site**
25-32-4
Basic - Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Observed employee drink and cell phone on prep table in back kitchen across from fryers.
40-06-5
Basic - Employee personal food not properly identified and segregated from food to be served to the public. Reach in cooler on cooks line milk tazki sauce not separated.
08B-49-4
55
Feb 7, 2025
Routine - Food
1 major violation. 7 minor violations.
View 8 violations
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Can opener soiled with old food debris on back kitchen prep table
22-02-4
Basic - Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Foam bowl used to scoop bulk salt on cookline. Employee removed **Corrected On-Site**
14-01-5
Basic - Ceiling not smooth, nonabsorbent and easily cleanable in food preparation, food storage, or warewashing areas. Ceiling tiles in storage area.
36-37-5
Basic - Current Hotel and Restaurant license not displayed.
50-09-4
Basic - No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees. Hand sink on service line
31B-04-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Old food debris build up inside reaching cooler on cookline
23-03-4
Basic - Unpackaged food in an unprotected holding unit in a customer/nonsecure area. Hallway to restrooms
08B-63-4
Basic - Wet mop not stored in a manner to allow the mop to dry. Stored on mop bucket near restrooms.
42-01-4
64
Sep 24, 2024
Routine - Food
3 critical violations. 1 major violation. 6 minor violations.
View 10 violations
High Priority - Dented/rusted cans present. See stop sale. Sliced olives.
01B-01-4
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Raw shell eggs stored over cooked chicken and sliced tomatoes in large reach-in cooler. Operator rearranged items to prevent cross contamination. **Corrected On-Site**
08A-05-6
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food identified in the written procedure as a food held using time as a public health control has no time marking and the time removed from temperature control can be determined. Pizza slices in display case. Operator time marked at time of inspection. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
03F-02-5
Intermediate - No soap provided at handwash sink. At front service line. Operator provided. **Corrected On-Site**
31B-03-4
Basic - Opened employee beverage container in a cold holding unit with food to be served to customers. Employee's opened bottled water and opened canned soda stored in reach-in cooler over cooked chicken and other food items. Operator removed drinks. **Corrected On-Site**
12B-13-4
Basic - Employee with no hair restraint while engaging in food preparation. 1 employee in kitchen. **Repeat Violation**
13-03-4
Basic - Employee wearing jewelry other than a plain ring on their hands/arms while preparing food. 1 employee in kitchen.
13-07-4
Basic - No suitable facilities provided to store employee clothing and other possessions. Employee's E-bike stored in dry food storage area.
40-01-4
Basic - No Heimlich maneuver/choking sign posted. **Repeat Violation**
51-13-4
Basic - Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Employee purse and cellphone stored on prep table at cook line. Operator removed. **Corrected On-Site**
40-06-5
43
Mar 20, 2024
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 1 major violation. 5 minor violations.
View 8 violations
Hands Clean and Properly Washed
FL-08
Employee Health Policies Present
FL-03
Food in Good Condition, Safe, and Unadulterated
FL-13
Required Records Available; Shellstock Tags/Labels
FL-14
Food Contact Surfaces Clean and Sanitized
FL-22
Hot and Cold Water Available; Adequate Pressure
FL-25
Approved Thawing Methods Used
FL-31
Plumbing Maintained; Sewage Disposal
FL-51
43
Sep 14, 2023
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 2 major violations. 3 minor violations.
View 7 violations
Supervisor/Person in Charge Present
FL-01
Certified Food Manager Identification
FL-02
Hands Clean and Properly Washed
FL-08
Food Received at Proper Temperature
FL-12
Hot and Cold Water Available; Adequate Pressure
FL-25
Approved Thawing Methods Used
FL-31
Food Contact Surfaces Clean and Sanitized
FL-22
52
Apr 25, 2023
Routine - Food
3 major violations. 1 minor violation.
View 4 violations
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : 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. Provided by email. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2023-04-25: **Time Extended** **Corrected On-Site**
11-27-4
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : 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. Provided by email. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2023-04-25: **Time Extended**
11-26-1
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : Intermediate - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Cooked pastas in large reach-in cooler. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2023-04-25: **Time Extended**
02C-02-5
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Hood filters soiled with grease and dust. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2023-04-25: **Time Extended**
23-03-4
70
Sep 14, 2022
Routine - Food
3 critical violations. 4 major violations. 3 minor violations.
View 10 violations
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed a container of cooked chicken wing (51-53F - Cold Holding) stored on prep table at cook line. Operator moved into reach-in cooler. **Corrective Action Taken**
03A-02-5
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Raw shell eggs stored over cooked pasta in glass door reach-in cooler at kitchen.
08A-05-6
High Priority - Employee washed hands with no soap. Observed employee washed hands with no soap at kitchen.
12A-20-4
Intermediate - No chemical test kit provided when using sanitizer at three-compartment sink/warewashing machine or wiping cloths. Chlorine test strips.
16-37-1
Intermediate - No soap provided at handwash sink. Both handwash sinks at front and kitchen. Provide 1 bottle of soap. No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees. Both handwash sinks at front and kitchen. No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. Handwash sink at kitchen. Provided. **Corrective Action Taken** **Repeat Violation**
31B-03-4
Intermediate - No written procedures available for use of time as a public health control to hold time/temperature control for safety food. Provided by email. **Corrective Action Taken** **Repeat Violation**
03F-10-5
Intermediate - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Cooked pasta and hard boiled eggs in glass door reach-in cooler at kitchen.
02C-02-5
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Reach-in cooler door gaskets soiled.
23-03-4
Basic - Bathroom located inside establishment not completely enclosed with tight-fitting, self-closing doors. Employee restroom. **Repeat Violation**
32-04-4
Basic - Employee with no hair restraint while engaging in food preparation. **Repeat Violation**
13-03-4
37
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Tomato Joes last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Tomato Joes on file is from Jan 20, 2026. The public record contains seven inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Tomato Joes?
Across the inspection record, “nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease” has been cited three times, more than any other issue at Tomato Joes.
How does Tomato Joes compare to other restaurants in Tampa?
Tomato Joes most recently scored 55 out of 100, which is lower than the Tampa average of 79.
Has Tomato Joes' inspection record improved over time?
No. Recent inspections at Tomato Joes have averaged around nine violations per visit, up from roughly six earlier in the record.
What does a medium risk rating mean?
A medium risk rating at Tomato Joes 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 Tomato Joes inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Tomato Joes is inspected around two times per year on average.
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