Zambia Smokehouse
Last inspected: Aug 7, 2025
61
Score
Zambia Smokehouse appears in inspection records nine times, starting in 2022. The newest entry in the record is dated Aug 7, 2025. A medium risk score generally means inspectors found things to fix, though most weren't urgent.
Things have been moving the wrong way, with the rolling count rising from around two violations to closer to six violations per visit.
The most common issue across all inspections has been “ice buildup in reach-in freezer and/or walk-in freezer”, showing up four times.
Restaurants in Tampa average 79, so Zambia Smokehouse trails the local norm. The inspection history reads as standard for a restaurant of this size.
9
Inspections
1
Critical latest
1
Major latest
5
Minor latest
Inspection History
Aug 7, 2025
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 5 minor violations.
View 7 violations
High Priority - Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. White board cleaner on prep table over fry seasoning in kitchen. Manger removed. **Corrected On-Site**
41-10-4
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Cutting boards on cooks line.
22-02-4
Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Employee drink on prep table over fry seasoning. Manager relocated. **Corrected On-Site**
12B-07-4
Basic - Food stored on floor. Bulk oil on floor on cooks line. Manager relocated. **Corrected On-Site**
08B-38-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Air curtains of walk in cooler.
23-03-4
Basic - Old labels stuck to food containers after cleaning On metal pans on dish drying rack.
16-46-4
Basic - Reach-in cooler interior/shelves have accumulation of soil residues. Ice machine in kitchen.
22-16-4
61
May 16, 2025
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 2 major violations. 4 minor violations.
View 7 violations
High Priority - Heat strip failed to turn black to indicate the sanitization temperature of 160 degrees Fahrenheit was achieved on the dish surface and/or high temperature holding thermometer did not reach 160F. Discontinue use of dishmachine for sanitizing and set up manual sanitization until dishmachine is repaired. Dishwasher rinse temperature only 144F. Had a discussion with operator about using 3 compartment sink until dishwasher is working properly. Chef fixed dishwasher temperature at
22-57-6
Intermediate - Warewashing machine not automatically dispensing the detergent and/or the sanitizer. Sanitizer solution tested 0ppm in 3 compartment sink. Sanitizer not automatically dispensed when turned on. Chef put sanitizer in 3 compartment sink. **Corrected On-Site**
16-59-1
Intermediate - Chemical test kit not used to ensure proper sanitization of equipment and utensils when using a chemical sanitizer. High temperature thermometer battery's are dead and dishwasher not reaching proper rinse temperature.
16-33-4
Basic - Food stored on floor. Chicken stored on floor in freezer. Staff removed and properly stored chicken. **Corrected On-Site**
08B-38-4
Basic - Ice buildup in reach-in freezer and/or walk-in freezer. Ice buildup inside reach in freezer.
14-69-4
Basic - Standing water or very slow draining water in handwash sink, three-compartment sink, or mop sink. Handwashing sink by dishwasher is slow draining.
29-20-5
Basic - Floor area(s) covered with standing water. Standing water on floor underneath handwashing sink. Employee cleaned up water. **Corrected On-Site**
36-22-4
58
Oct 29, 2024
Routine - Food
2 major violations. 2 minor violations.
View 4 violations
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/ Athena Lynch 09-30-2019 Class scheduled for 11-12-2024
53A-03-7
Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Handwashing sink used to store sanitizer, discussed with operator on keeping hands sinks clean clear and accessible. **Corrected On-Site**
31A-11-4
Basic - Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance. Vent soiled in dry storage, discussed with operator. Operator states there is an active work order for vents.
36-34-5
Basic - Standing water in bottom of reach-in-cooler. Water in bottom of beans reach in cooler. Operator cleaned and sanitized. Water in bottom of fruit cup reach in cooler. Operator cleaned and sanitized. **Corrected On-Site**
29-49-6
74
May 22, 2024
Complaint Partial
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Basic - Wall soiled with accumulated grease, food debris, and/or dust. Wall soiled behind dish machine, discussed with operator.
36-27-5
95
May 10, 2024
Routine - Food
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Ice buildup in reach-in freezer and/or walk-in freezer. Ice buildup in walk in freezer. Discussed with operator. **Repeat Violation** **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2024-05-10: **Time Extended**
14-69-4
95
May 8, 2024
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 2 major violations. 2 minor violations.
View 5 violations
High Priority - Quaternary ammonium sanitizer not at proper minimum strength for manual warewashing. Do not use equipment/utensils not properly sanitized. (Quaternary 0ppm)CORRECTED TO ; Sanitizer Bucket (Quaternary 200ppm) **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
22-43-4
Intermediate - Original container of toxic substance or chemical does not bear the manufacturer's label. Purple cleaner. Operator discarded at time of inspection. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
41-21-4
Intermediate - Wash solution in spray type hot water sanitizing dishmachine not reaching proper temperature according to manufacturer's specifications. Dishwasher (Temperature 152F)operator contacted maintenance at time of inspection. Discontinue use of dishmachine for sanitizing and set up manual sanitization (3-compartment sink) until dishmachine is repaired and sanitizing properly.**Repeat Violation** **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
16-54-4
Basic - Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting. Observed wet nesting near dishwasher. Discussed with operator. **Warning**
24-08-4
Basic - Ice buildup in reach-in freezer and/or walk-in freezer. Ice buildup in walk in freezer. Discussed with operator. **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
14-69-4
64
Sep 28, 2023
Complaint Full
2 major violations. 8 minor violations.
View 10 violations
Intermediate - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Chicken,brisket made in the past 24 hours inside walk in cooler has no date markings.
02C-02-5
Intermediate - Wash solution in spray type hot water sanitizing dishmachine not reaching proper temperature according to manufacturer's specifications. High temperature dishwasher reaches 151.7 **Warning**
16-54-4
Basic - Ice buildup in reach-in freezer and/or walk-in freezer. Ice buildup inside walk in cooler.
14-69-4
Basic - In-use tongs stored on equipment door handle between uses. Tongs hanging on warmer handle. Employee removed and placed tongs at dishwasher. **Corrected On-Site**
10-20-4
Basic - No Heimlich maneuver/choking sign posted.
51-13-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Gaskets inside reach in cooler are soiled.
23-03-4
Basic - Standing water in floor drain/floor drain draining very slowly. Floor drain on front line is overflowing with water.
29-19-4
Basic - Wiping cloth quaternary ammonium compound sanitizing solution not at proper minimum strength. Sanitizer solution tested 400ppm. Manager remade quaternary ammonia tested 200ppm. **Corrected On-Site**
21-08-4
Basic - Floor tiles missing and/or in disrepair. Ceiling tiles missing overtop 3 compartment sink.
36-17-5
Basic - Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance. Vents in food preparation area are soiled with dust.
36-34-5
55
Feb 7, 2023
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 2 minor violations.
View 3 violations
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Beans on buffet line temped at 108. Employee put beans back into steamer. **Corrective Action Taken**
03B-01-6
Basic - Interior of oven/microwave has accumulation of black substance/grease/food debris. Oven has old food debris in interior.
22-08-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Exterior of ice machine has black substance on exterior.
23-03-4
78
Aug 30, 2022
Complaint Full
No violations found.
100
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Zambia Smokehouse last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Zambia Smokehouse on file is from Aug 7, 2025. The public record contains nine inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Zambia Smokehouse?
Across the inspection record, “ice buildup in reach-in freezer and/or walk-in freezer” has been cited four times, more than any other issue at Zambia Smokehouse.
How does Zambia Smokehouse compare to other restaurants in Tampa?
Zambia Smokehouse most recently scored 61 out of 100, which is lower than the Tampa average of 79.
Has Zambia Smokehouse's inspection record improved over time?
No. Recent inspections at Zambia Smokehouse have averaged around six violations per visit, up from roughly two earlier in the record.
What does a medium risk rating mean?
A medium risk rating at Zambia Smokehouse 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 Zambia Smokehouse inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Zambia Smokehouse is inspected around three times per year on average.
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