Torchy's Tacos
Last inspected: Jan 28, 2026
64
Score
Torchy's Tacos appears in inspection records 11 times, starting in 2023. The newest entry in the record is dated Jan 28, 2026. When a facility lands in medium risk territory, it usually means a mixed inspection result.
Recent inspections have turned up more issues than earlier ones, averaging around nine violations lately compared to roughly seven violations before.
The most common issue across all inspections has been “food-contact surface soiled with food debris”, showing up three times.
By comparison, the average St. Petersburg facility scores 77, putting Torchy's Tacos on the weaker side. The full record sits in fairly typical territory for a working restaurant.
11
Inspections
0
Critical latest
2
Major latest
5
Minor latest
Inspection History
Jan 28, 2026
Routine - Food
2 major violations. 5 minor violations.
View 7 violations
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : Intermediate - Manager or person in charge lacking proof of food manager certification. Supervisor on duty Brandi Richardson has Food Handler certificate, not Food Manager. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2026-01-28: **Time Extended**
53A-01-7
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/ Supervisor on duty Brandi Richardson has Food Handler certificate, not Food Manager. Only food manager certificate on file is that of Jeremy Burns who is out of town. 7 employees present. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2026-01-28: **Time Extended**
53A-05-6
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Floor area(s) covered with standing water. Near mop sink and 3 compartment sink **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2026-01-28: **Time Extended**
36-22-4
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Missing drain plug at dumpster. **Repeat Violation** **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2026-01-28: **Time Extended**
33-11-4
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Open dumpster lid. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2026-01-28: **Time Extended**
33-16-4
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Current Hotel and Restaurant license not displayed. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2026-01-28: **Time Extended**
50-09-4
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Equipment in poor repair. -mixture from sanitizer dispenser in 3 compartment sink is testing at 0PPM quaternary. Operator will add sanitizer by hand until equipment has been repaired. **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2026-01-28: **Time Extended**
14-11-5
64
Jan 27, 2026
Routine - Food
4 critical violations. 6 major violations. 7 minor violations.
View 17 violations
High Priority - Employee failed to wash hands before putting on gloves to initiate a task working with food. -employee handled trash can and pitcher stored in hand wash sink and proceeded to grab gloves to put on for food handling. Discussed that she must wash hands first and handling gloves first dirties the gloves. She discarded gloves and washed hands. -employee handled raw chicken with gloved hands, removed gloves and started to put on new pair of gloves. Discussed proper hand washing and glove changing with operator and he washed his hands. **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning**
12A-07-5
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 dirty rag in dish pit and proceeded to engage in food prep with no hand wash. **Warning**
12A-29-4
High Priority - Live, small flying insects found -1 live fly by 3 comp sink -1 live fly behind bar -1 live fly in kitchen Not observed landing on food contact surfaces Operator killed 1 fly by 3 comp sink **Warning**
35A-02-7
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. cilantro rice (125F - Hot Holding); refried beans (122F - Hot Holding); queso sauce (122F - Hot Holding) Operator turned up heat on hot holding unit and stirred items, all retemped above 165 F. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
03B-01-6
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. -soda gun nozzle behind bar has debris inside Operator cleaned and sanitized soda nozzle **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
22-02-4
Intermediate - Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. -hand wash sink near tortilla prep area blocked by trash can Operator unblocked sink. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
31A-09-4
Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Measuring cup/pitcher being stored in hand wash sink near tortilla prep area Operator removed. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
31A-11-4
Intermediate - Manager or person in charge lacking proof of food manager certification. Supervisor on duty Brandi Richardson has Food Handler certificate, not Food Manager. **Warning**
53A-01-7
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/ Supervisor on duty Brandi Richardson has Food Handler certificate, not Food Manager. Only food manager certificate on file is that of Jeremy Burns who is out of town. 7 employees present. **Warning**
53A-05-6
Intermediate - No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink by 3 compartment sink. Operator restocked with paper towels. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
31B-02-4
Basic - Missing drain plug at dumpster. **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
33-11-4
Basic - Current Hotel and Restaurant license not displayed. **Warning**
50-09-4
Basic - Equipment in poor repair. -mixture from sanitizer dispenser in 3 compartment sink is testing at 0PPM quaternary. Operator will add sanitizer by hand until equipment has been repaired. **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning**
14-11-5
Basic - Floor area(s) covered with standing water. Near mop sink and 3 compartment sink **Warning**
36-22-4
Basic - Open dumpster lid. **Warning**
33-16-4
Basic - Unwashed fruits/vegetables stored with ready-to-eat food. -avocados being prepped and stored in original box amongst unwashed avocados, on reach in cooler cutting board. Operator washed avocados and sanitized cutting board. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
08B-17-4
Basic - Wiping cloth quaternary ammonium compound sanitizing solution not at proper minimum strength. Sanitizer Bucket (Quaternary 0ppm) Operator remade all sanitizer buckets and tested at 200PPM. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
21-08-4
21
Jul 30, 2025
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 3 minor violations.
View 4 violations
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. salsa (48F - Cold holding); pico (45F - Cooling); black bean corn salsa (48F - Cold holding) Items placed in freezer retested all items at or below 41F
03A-02-5
Basic - Missing drain plug at dumpster. Both dumpsters.
33-11-4
Basic - Unwashed fruits/vegetables stored above ready-to-eat food.
08B-17-4
Basic - Waste line missing at soda gun holster at bar.
29-17-4
74
Jan 10, 2025
Routine - Food
No violations found.
100
Jan 6, 2025
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 3 major violations. 3 minor violations.
View 8 violations
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Reach in cooler on cook line: corn (47F - Cold Holding); pico (44F - Cold Holding); mix cheese (50F - Cold Holding) Employees moved into walk in cooler to bring down temperatures. **Corrective Action Taken** **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
03A-02-5
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. tater tots (114F - Hot Holding) Employee discarded item. **Corrected On-Site**
03B-01-6
Intermediate - Required employee training provided by a third-party employee training program and operator unable to provide original certificate for employees trained. Observed copies of employee food certificates.
53B-09-4
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/ Assistant Manager on duty stated she was promoted 9 months ago not certified.
53A-04-6
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/ Seven employees engaging with food or food preparation with no CFM present.
53A-05-6
Basic - Carbon dioxide/helium tanks not adequately secured. Not chain next to single door freezer in prep area.
51-11-4
Basic - In-use utensil not stored on a clean portion of food preparation or cooking equipment. Dirty utensils hung up with clean utensils over 3cs. Employee removed. **Corrected On-Site**
10-02-4
Basic - Wet wiping cloth not stored in sanitizing solution between uses. Towels not stored in sanitizer bucket in bar area. **Repeat Violation**
21-12-4
47
Aug 1, 2024
Routine - Food
3 critical violations. 2 major violations. 9 minor violations.
View 14 violations
High Priority - Live, small flying insects in kitchen, food preparation area, food storage area and/or bar area. 2 live flies in kitchen landing on bag in box soda boxes. 3 live flies in the office area of kitchen 2 live flies in rear near used oil container. Educated on flies and provided vermin education.
35A-02-6
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Raw shelled eggs over cooked onions. Employee moved eggs to lower shelf. **Corrected On-Site**
08A-05-6
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. guacamole (51F - Cold Holding) and pico de gallo (46F - Cold Holding), shredded cheese (57F - Cold Holding) sour cream (44F - Cold Holding) employee moved items to chiller for quick chill. retemped after 25 minutes guacamole (43F - Cold Holding) and pico de gallo (41F - Cold Holding), shredded cheese (43F - Cold Holding) sour cream (41F - Cold Holding) **Corrected On-Site**
03A-02-5
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Cutting boards soiled on cook line,
22-02-4
Intermediate - Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Wet cloth in hand sink. Employee removed wet cloth . **Corrected On-Site**
31A-09-4
Basic - Standing water in bottom of reach-in-cooler. Bottom of walk in cooler on cook line has standing water.
29-49-6
Basic - Wet mop not stored in a manner to allow the mop to dry. Wet mop in mop sink.
42-01-4
Basic - Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin. Interior of ice machine soiled with black mold like debris.
22-20-5
Basic - Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable. Cut marks on cutting boards in prep area.
14-09-4
Basic - Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Employee speaker on shelf over pooled egg wash. Employee removed speaker. **Corrected On-Site**
40-06-5
Basic - Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting. Wet nesting of plastic pans in dish area.
24-08-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Gaskets soiled on beer cooler in front bar area. Holster for soda gun soiled in bar area,
23-03-4
Basic - Wet wiping cloth not stored in sanitizing solution between uses. Wet cloth in the hand sink in the rear prep area. Employee removed wet cloth. **Corrected On-Site**
21-12-4
Basic - Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. bulk container of white powder not labeled. Employee labeled masa. **Corrected On-Site**
02D-01-5
33
Feb 6, 2024
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 1 major violation. 2 minor violations.
View 5 violations
High Priority - Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license. Expired 2-1-2024
50-17-3
High Priority - Vacuum breaker missing at hose bibb or on fitting/splitter added to hose bibb. No back flow preventer at mop sink.
29-34-4
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Cutting boards stained on cook line.
22-02-4
Basic - Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin. - Ice chute at soda machine in Dining room area soiled with mold like substance.
22-20-5
Basic - No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees. No employees must wash hand signs at sinks in restaurant.
31B-04-4
61
Aug 28, 2023
Routine - Food
6 critical violations. 1 major violation. 3 minor violations.
View 10 violations
Food Contact Surfaces Clean and Sanitized
FL-22
Warewashing Facilities Maintained and Used
FL-24
Supervisor/Person in Charge Present
FL-01
Employee Health Policies Present
FL-03
Hands Clean and Properly Washed
FL-08
Food Received at Proper Temperature
FL-12
Hot and Cold Water Available; Adequate Pressure
FL-25
Equipment Adequate to Maintain Product Temperature
FL-29
Approved Thawing Methods Used
FL-31
Personal Cleanliness
FL-40
17
Mar 30, 2023
Complaint Full
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Basic - Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting. Dishes stacked wet on shelf in dish area
24-08-4
Basic - Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Operator removed purses and can of mousse from top of bag in box sodas **Corrected On-Site**
40-06-5
90
Feb 20, 2023
Complaint Full
2 critical violations. 6 minor violations.
View 8 violations
High Priority - Employee touched bare body part and then engaged in food preparation, handled clean equipment or utensils, or touched unwrapped single-service items without washing hands. Observed employee put hairnet on then put gloves on then put chips in basket for guest no handwash
12A-10-4
High Priority - Vacuum breaker missing at mop sink faucet or on fitting/splitter added to mop sink faucet. Splitter in use breaker required
29-42-4
Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Employee drinks on bag in box sodas and above 3 compartment sink. Manager removed **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. Employee belongings stored on bag in box sodas. Manager removed **Corrected On-Site**
40-06-5
Basic - Employee wearing jewelry other than a plain ring on their hands/arms while preparing food. Several employees preparing food wearing bracelets and watches.
13-07-4
Basic - Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting. Dishes stacked wet on shelf in dish area
24-08-4
Basic - Missing drain plug at dumpster.
33-11-4
Basic - Old labels stuck to food containers after cleaning.
16-46-4
55
Jan 17, 2023
Food-Licensing Inspection
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Approved Thawing Methods Used
FL-31
95
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Torchy's Tacos last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Torchy's Tacos on file is from Jan 28, 2026. The public record contains 11 inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Torchy's Tacos?
Across the inspection record, “food-contact surface soiled with food debris” has been cited three times, more than any other issue at Torchy's Tacos.
How does Torchy's Tacos compare to other restaurants in St. Petersburg?
Torchy's Tacos most recently scored 64 out of 100, which is lower than the St. Petersburg average of 77.
Has Torchy's Tacos' inspection record improved over time?
No. Recent inspections at Torchy's Tacos have averaged around nine violations per visit, up from roughly seven earlier in the record.
What does a medium risk rating mean?
A medium risk rating at Torchy's Tacos 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 Torchy's Tacos inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Torchy's Tacos is inspected around four times per year on average.
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