Zeko's Mediterranean Grill
Last inspected: Mar 9, 2026
78
Score
The health department has logged nine inspections at Zeko's Mediterranean Grill, the earliest from 2022. On Mar 9, 2026, the health department conducted the most recent visit. A low risk tier reflects an inspection that turned up minimal issues.
Things have been moving the wrong way, with the rolling count rising from around five violations to closer to nine violations per visit.
When inspectors have written things up, “observed” has been the most frequent reason, cited three times.
Compared to the broader St. Petersburg restaurant scene, this is about average. The full record sits in fairly typical territory for a working restaurant.
9
Inspections
0
Critical latest
0
Major latest
5
Minor latest
Inspection History
Mar 9, 2026
Routine - Food
5 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Cardboard used on floor as anti-slip measure not replaced every day or when heavily soiled, whichever comes first. Soiled cardboard on floor in walk-in freezer **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2026-03-09: **Time Extended**
36-06-4
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Equipment in poor repair. Torn gaskets in all reach-in coolers on the cook line **Repeat Violation** **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2026-03-09: **Time Extended**
14-11-5
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Ice buildup in reach-in freezer and/or walk-in freezer. Ice buildup up inside walk-in freezer **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2026-03-09: **Time Extended**
14-69-4
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Soiled gaskets with black mold like substance in reach-in coolers on cook line **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2026-03-09: **Time Extended**
23-03-4
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Standing water in bottom of reach-in-cooler. Standing water inside reach-in cooler along North wall of cookline **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2026-03-09: **Time Extended**
29-49-6
78
Jan 5, 2026
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 2 major violations. 7 minor violations.
View 10 violations
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Raw chicken stored above ready to eat cooked chicken in walk-in cooler. Discussed with manager on duty who relocated the items for proper storage. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
08A-05-6
Intermediate - Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled. Three unlabeled spray bottles with cleaning solution stored next to hand wash sink at cook line. Employee labeled the items **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
41-17-4
Intermediate - Required employee training expired for all employees. To order approved program food safety material, call DBPR contracted provider: Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (SafeStaff) 866-372-7233. All three employees in the kitchen: Evelio Hernandez Gastalon Martenz Humberto Ruiz Expired 8-1-2025 **Warning**
53B-05-5
Basic - Cardboard used on floor as anti-slip measure not replaced every day or when heavily soiled, whichever comes first. Soiled cardboard on floor in walk-in freezer **Warning**
36-06-4
Basic - Employee personal food not properly identified and segregated from food to be served to the public. Employee drink stored with ready-to eat food inside walk-in cooler. Discussed with manager who removed item. **Warning**
08B-49-4
Basic - Equipment in poor repair. Torn gaskets in all reach-in coolers on the cook line **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
14-11-5
Basic - Ice buildup in reach-in freezer and/or walk-in freezer. Ice buildup up inside walk-in freezer **Warning**
14-69-4
Basic - In-use utensil stored in standing water less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Spoon used to scoop rice inside standing water on cook line. Employee dumped water and stored spoon to dry **Warning**
10-07-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Soiled gaskets with black mold like substance in reach-in coolers on cook line **Warning**
23-03-4
Basic - Standing water in bottom of reach-in-cooler. Standing water inside reach-in cooler along North wall of cookline **Warning**
29-49-6
50
Jul 8, 2025
Complaint Full
4 critical violations. 1 major violation. 7 minor violations.
View 12 violations
High Priority - Observed: Employee began working with food, handling clean equipment or utensils, or touching unwrapped single-service items without first washing hands. Cook on cook line arrived and began to work with no hand wash. Priority: High Priority
12A-16-4
High Priority - Observed: Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Raw chicken observed stored over cooked chicken shawarma in walk in cooler. Operator relocated **Corrected On-Site** Priority: High Priority
08A-05-6
High Priority - Observed: Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Shaved gyro meat hot held at 120 degrees F. Employees reheated meat back to 165 degrees F and transferred to hot hold at 135 degrees F. **Corrected On-Site** Priority: High Priority
03B-01-6
High Priority - Observed: Employee touching ready-to-eat food with their bare hands - food was not being heated as a sole ingredient to 145 degrees F or immediately added to other ingredients to be cooked/heated to the minimum required temperature to allow bare hand contact. Establishment has no approved Alternative Operating Procedure. Cook observed grabbing bread from the grill with barehands. Discussed with employee who reheated on grill to 145F and handled with gloved hands to prepare sandwich. Priority: High Priority
09-01-4
Intermediate - Observed: Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Soiled gasket in reach in coolers at cook line. Priority: Intermediate
22-02-4
Basic - Observed: Buildup of food debris/soil residue on equipment door handles on cook line. Priority: Basic
23-24-4
Basic - Observed: Employee with no hair restraint while engaging in food preparation. Employee observed handling ready to eat salads. Priority: Basic
13-03-4
Basic - Observed: Equipment in poor repair. Torn gaskets in reach in cooler at cook line. Priority: Basic
14-11-5
Basic - Observed: Floor area(s) covered with standing water in walk in cooler. Priority: Basic
36-22-4
Basic - Observed: In-use tongs stored on equipment door handle between uses on oven door on cook line. Priority: Basic
10-20-4
Basic - Observed: Reach-in coolers at cook line interior/shelves have accumulation of soil residues. Priority: Basic
22-16-4
Basic - Observed: Reuse of single-service or single-use articles. Feta buckets used to hold cooked beans in walk in cooler. Priority: Basic
25-32-4
35
Apr 3, 2025
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 2 major violations. 5 minor violations.
View 8 violations
High Priority - Dented/rusted cans present. See stop sale. Dented can of pickles on dry storage shelf. **Repeat Violation**
01B-01-4
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Cutting boards stained at pita prep area stained.
22-02-4
Intermediate - No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. No paper towels at hand sink on front counter. Employee placed paper towels at hand sink. **Corrected On-Site**
31B-02-4
Basic - Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin. Ice chute on self service soda dispenser soiled with black mold like debris.
22-20-5
Basic - Equipment in poor repair. Broken shield in ice machine. Torn gaskets on reach in deli cooler on cook line. **Repeat Violation**
14-11-5
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Soiled gaskets on reach in deli cooler on cook line. **Repeat Violation**
23-03-4
Basic - Opened employee beverage container in a cold holding unit with food to be served to customers. Open Employee drink in reach in cooler on cook line. Employee removed drink. **Corrected On-Site**
12B-13-4
Basic - Unwashed fruits/vegetables stored with ready-to-eat food. Unwashed mushrooms and lettuce heads over prepped vegetables and tofu. Employee removed mushrooms and lettuce heads to lower shelf. **Corrected On-Site**
08B-17-4
55
Nov 18, 2024
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 3 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Supervisor/Person in Charge Present
FL-01
Required Records Available; Shellstock Tags/Labels
FL-14
Food Contact Surfaces Clean and Sanitized
FL-22
Non-Food Contact Surfaces Clean
FL-23
Approved Thawing Methods Used
FL-31
67
Feb 26, 2024
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 1 minor violation.
View 2 violations
High Priority - Container of medicine improperly stored. Bottle of advil stored on top of reach-in cooler on cooks line. Operator removed medication. **Corrected On-Site**
41-07-4
Basic - Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin. Soda machine ice chute located at front counter soiled with brown substance. Operator cleaned ice chute during inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
22-20-5
82
Aug 8, 2023
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 1 major violation. 2 minor violations.
View 5 violations
High Priority - Dented/rusted cans present. See stop sale. Two #10 can strawberry filling dented on shelf with undamaged food
01B-01-4
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over or with unwashed produce. Manager re organised walk in cooler **Corrected On-Site**
08A-04-5
Intermediate - Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Manager un blocked dish area hand wash sink
31A-09-4
Basic - Damaged/spoiled/recalled food not properly segregated. Two #10 can strawberry filling dented on shelf with undamaged food
08B-20-4
Basic - Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Employees removed belongings from food storage areas
40-06-5
61
Dec 20, 2022
Complaint Full
2 critical violations. 1 major violation. 9 minor violations.
View 12 violations
High Priority - Live, small flying insects in kitchen, food preparation area, food storage area and/or bar area. 1 live fly near entrance to kitchen
35A-02-6
High Priority - Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. Sanitizer bucket on countertop behind register, operator moved to bottom shelf
41-10-4
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Accumulation of food debris on can opener blade, operator began cleaning during inspection. Cutting boards on cook line stained **Corrective Action Taken**
22-02-4
Basic - Wiping cloth quaternary ammonium compound sanitizing solution not at proper minimum strength. Sanitizer bucket on service counter quaternary 0ppm, operator corrected 200ppm **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
21-08-4
Basic - Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin. Accumulation of green mold like substance in ice machine, operator began cleaning during inspection **Corrective Action Taken**
22-20-5
Basic - Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Portioning cups in multiple seasoning containers on cook line, operator removed during inspection **Corrected On-Site**
14-01-5
Basic - Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable. On cook line
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 backpacks over sugar bin and cooking oil, operator moved bags during inspection **Corrected On-Site**
40-06-5
Basic - Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting. Metal containers stacked on storage rack across from triple sink, operator separated for proper air drying **Corrected On-Site**
24-08-4
Basic - Ice buildup in walk-in freezer. **Repeat Violation**
14-69-4
Basic - In-use utensil in non-time/temperature control for safety food not stored with handle above top of food within a closed container. Scoop handle n chickpeas, operator corrected placement **Corrected On-Site**
10-01-5
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Sides of deep fryers and reach in coolers across from fryers with accumulation of grease **Repeat Violation**
23-03-4
43
Nov 7, 2022
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 14 minor violations.
View 16 violations
High Priority - Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license. **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
50-17-2
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. -potatoes wedges (81F - Hot Holding) Discussed keeping Time/temperature controlled for safety foods above 135 degrees Fahrenheit or at 40 degrees Fahrenheit and below during time of inspection. Emailed Time as a public health control form
03B-01-6
Basic - Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. -bowl used to scoop cooked rice in kitchen **Repeat Violation**
14-01-5
Basic - Drain cover(s) missing. -at cooks line
29-18-4
Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. -yeti cup above prep table in kitchen area -water bottle on prep table next to slicer in kitchen area **Repeat Violation**
12B-07-4
Basic - Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. -backpack on prep table at walk-in cooler door
40-06-5
Basic - Floor soiled/has accumulation of debris. -floor at cooks line has accumulation of grease
36-73-4
Basic - Floor tiles missing and/or in disrepair. -at three compartment sink -inside walk-in cooler -cracked cove molding at vegetable grinder
36-17-5
Basic - Ice buildup in walk-in freezer.
14-69-4
Basic - Interior of oven/microwave has accumulation of black substance/grease/food debris. -microwave at prep station has accumulation of food residue
22-08-4
Basic - No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees. -at hand sink (front counter)
31B-04-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. -reach in cooler gaskets at prep station in kitchen have accumulation of mold-like residue -sides of fryers have accumulation of grease -hood filters have accumulation of grease **Repeat Violation**
23-03-4
Basic - Unwashed fruits/vegetables stored with ready-to-eat food. -unwashed boxes of tomatoes over bread in the walk-in cooler Discussed proper hierarchy with operator during time of inspection. **Repeat Violation**
08B-17-4
Basic - Wet wiping cloth not stored in sanitizing solution between uses. -at front counter
21-12-4
Basic - Wiping cloth quaternary ammonium compound sanitizing solution not at proper minimum strength. -Sanitizer Bucket (Quaternary 0ppm) Employee corrected to 200 ppm during time of inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
21-08-4
Basic - Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. -squeeze bottle at cooks line **Repeat Violation**
02D-01-5
37
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Zeko's Mediterranean Grill last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Zeko's Mediterranean Grill on file is from Mar 9, 2026. The public record contains nine inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Zeko's Mediterranean Grill?
Across the inspection record, “observed” has been cited three times, more than any other issue at Zeko's Mediterranean Grill.
How does Zeko's Mediterranean Grill compare to other restaurants in St. Petersburg?
Zeko's Mediterranean Grill most recently scored 78 out of 100, which is about the same as the St. Petersburg average of 77.
Has Zeko's Mediterranean Grill's inspection record improved over time?
No. Recent inspections at Zeko's Mediterranean Grill have averaged around nine violations per visit, up from roughly five earlier in the record.
What does a low risk rating mean?
A low risk rating at Zeko's Mediterranean Grill 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 Zeko's Mediterranean Grill inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Zeko's Mediterranean Grill is inspected around three times per year on average.
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