Tropical Eatz
Last inspected: Sep 15, 2025
100
Score
Going back to 2022, Tropical Eatz has 10 inspections in the public record. On Sep 15, 2025, the health department conducted the most recent visit. A low risk tier reflects an inspection that turned up minimal issues.
Things are looking better lately, with recent visits averaging around two violations compared to roughly six violations earlier on.
“Time/temperature control for safety food cold held” comes up most often, recorded four times in the inspection record.
That puts the facility ahead of the local pack: the average Gainesville restaurant scores 75. There isn't much in the file that would give a customer pause.
10
Inspections
0
Critical latest
0
Major latest
0
Minor latest
Inspection History
Sep 15, 2025
Routine - Food
No violations found.
100
Sep 8, 2025
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 1 major violation. 3 minor violations.
View 6 violations
Employee Health Policies Present
FL-03
Hands Clean and Properly Washed
FL-08
Required Records Available; Shellstock Tags/Labels
FL-14
Sewage and Wastewater Properly Disposed
FL-27
Potentially Hazardous Food Held at Proper Temperature
FL-16
Lighting Adequate; Required Shields in Place
FL-36
55
Jun 4, 2025
Routine - Food
No violations found.
100
May 9, 2025
Routine - Food
1 major violation.
View 1 violation
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : Intermediate - Manager or person in charge lacking proof of food manager certification and no other certified food service manager employed at this location. Expired certificate J.Joseph 8/8/2024. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2025-05-09: Operator stated he has test scheduled for next week. **Time Extended**
53A-02-7
90
Mar 3, 2025
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 3 major violations. 5 minor violations.
View 9 violations
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Raw shell eggs over vegetables in reach in cooler, employee moved eggs to the bottom. **Corrected On-Site**
08A-05-6
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Interior outside smoker/grill.
22-02-4
Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Pair of scissors in Handwash sink, employee moved scissors. **Corrected On-Site**
31A-11-4
Intermediate - Manager or person in charge lacking proof of food manager certification and no other certified food service manager employed at this location. Expired certificate J.Joseph 8/8/2024. **Warning**
53A-02-7
Basic - Clean equipment/dishware/utensils stored next to handwash/food preparation sink exposed to splash. Container of utensils stored by Handwash sink exposed to splash.
24-27-4
Basic - Food being prepared outside. Plantains being fried outside in deep fryer. **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
08B-32-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Hood vent over stove. The exterior of outside fryer.
23-03-4
Basic - Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Cup with no handle in rice container in outside storage shed.
14-01-5
Basic - Ceiling not smooth, nonabsorbent and easily cleanable in food preparation, food storage, or warewashing areas. Ceiling by hood vent system with wooden pieces not sealed/covered.
36-37-5
50
Aug 16, 2024
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 1 major violation. 4 minor violations.
View 7 violations
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. chicken (120F - Hot Holding) item in hot box, employee stated item has been in hot box for 2 hours. **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
03B-01-6
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. cabbage mix (49F - Cold Holding) item in cups in reach in cooler, all other foods are 41F or below. Items were placed in reach in freezer to rapidly cool. **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
03A-02-5
Intermediate - Food manager certification expired. A list of accredited food manager certification examination providers can be found at http://www.myfloridalicense.com/DBPR/hotels-restaurants/food-lodging/food-manager/ One manager expired 8/8/2024.
53A-03-7
Basic - Water leaking from pipe and/or faucet/handle. Under Handwash sink. **Repeat Violation**
29-11-4
Basic - Cleaned and sanitized equipment or utensils not properly stored. Tongs and clean bowl stored outside not protected from the environment. Operator placed items inside truck. **Corrected On-Site**
24-07-4
Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. 2 drinks above clean dishes on drying rack, employee moved drinks. **Corrected On-Site**
12B-07-4
Basic - Food being prepared outside. Chicken soup in warmer on table outside back of food truck. Fryer outside filled with clean cooking oil, operator stated all frying occurs outside next to grills. Hot box on table outside containing empanadas. **Repeat Violation**
08B-32-4
55
Feb 16, 2024
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 3 minor violations.
View 5 violations
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. butter (47F - Cold Holding); cabbage (46-51F - Cold Holding) items in reach in cooler by stove, operator placed in freezer to drop temperature. Butter 41, cabbage 36. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
03A-02-5
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. empanadas (130F - Hot Holding) item in hot box on table at cash register, operator turned the heat higher. rice (97F - Hot Holding); cabbage (112F - Hot Holding) items in hot box no more than 1 hour, operator placed items in oven. Rice 177, cabbage 166. **Corrective Action Taken**
03B-01-6
Basic - Water leaking from pipe and/or faucet/handle. Under Handwash sink.
29-11-4
Basic - Single-service articles improperly stored. Aluminum pans on outside grills not protected, operator placed back in truck. **Corrected On-Site**
25-05-4
Basic - Food stored outside. Black hot box outside of truck on ground, containing cooked rice and veggie, operator placed items inside truck. Empanadas being served on table out front of food truck. **Corrective Action Taken**
08B-42-4
64
Sep 28, 2023
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 2 minor violations.
View 4 violations
High Priority - Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. Butane lighters on top of reach in cooler, operator moved. **Corrected On-Site**
41-10-4
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. cut cabbage (46F - Cold Holding) operator had 2 oz containers over the fill line operator moved those over. Others were 41 or below. **Corrective Action Taken** **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
03A-02-5
Basic - Nonfood-contact equipment exposed to splash/spillage not constructed of materials that are corrosion resistant, non-absorbent, smooth and easily cleanable. Wooden piece under serving window. **Repeat Violation**
14-47-4
Basic - Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Small container by spices, operator labeled salt. **Corrected On-Site**
02D-01-5
67
Mar 3, 2023
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 3 major violations. 5 minor violations.
View 10 violations
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. cake cups with homemade buttercream room temperature (75F - Cold Holding) operator placed cups in reach in cooler. butter (71F - Cold Holding) operator added butter to time as a public health control. pork (47F - Cold Holding) inside reach in cooler, cooler running at 50 but all other foods were 41 or below, operator had been in and out of cooler all morning. **Corrective Action Taken**
03A-02-5
High Priority - Container of medicine improperly stored. First aid kit and burn cream on shelf above seasoning containers, operator moved medicines. **Corrected On-Site**
41-07-4
Intermediate - Required employee training expired for some employees. To order approved program food safety material, call DBPR contracted provider: Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (SafeStaff) 866-372-7233. 1 employee expired.
53B-14-5
Intermediate - No chemical test kit provided when using sanitizer at three-compartment sink/warewashing machine or wiping cloths. Operator using quaternary ammonia sanitizer, pH strips he has.
16-37-1
Intermediate - Water with a temperature of at least 100 degrees Fahrenheit not provided/shut off at employee handwash sink. At Handwash sink operator turned water on. **Corrected On-Site**
27-16-4
Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Drink can on prep table at entrance to food truck. Opened water bottle on top of reach in cooler, operator moved drinks. **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. Watch on top of seasoning container. Operator moved watch. **Corrected On-Site**
40-06-5
Basic - In-use utensil not stored on a clean portion of food preparation or cooking equipment. Tongs hanging on oven door handle outside. Operator moved tongs inside the truck. **Corrected On-Site**
10-02-4
Basic - In-use utensil stored in standing water less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Untenils in water at 91F.
10-07-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact equipment exposed to splash/spillage not constructed of materials that are corrosion resistant, non-absorbent, smooth and easily cleanable. Wooden piece holding shelf above after tank.
14-47-4
43
Sep 27, 2022
Routine - Food
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Equipment Adequate to Maintain Product Temperature
FL-29
95
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Tropical Eatz last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Tropical Eatz on file is from Sep 15, 2025. The public record contains 10 inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Tropical Eatz?
Across the inspection record, “time/temperature control for safety food cold held” has been cited four times, more than any other issue at Tropical Eatz.
How does Tropical Eatz compare to other restaurants in Gainesville?
Tropical Eatz most recently scored 100 out of 100, which is higher than the Gainesville average of 75.
Has Tropical Eatz's inspection record improved over time?
Yes. Recent inspections at Tropical Eatz have averaged around two violations per visit, down from roughly six earlier in the record.
What does a low risk rating mean?
A low risk rating at Tropical Eatz means inspectors found minimal or no significant issues at the most recent visit. Most facilities at this tier have a clean recent inspection report.
How often is Tropical Eatz inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Tropical Eatz is inspected around three times per year on average.
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