Zen Pho & Noodles Tampa
Last inspected: Mar 11, 2026
74
Score
Public records show six inspections at Zen Pho & Noodles Tampa stretching back to 2024. The latest inspection on file is from Mar 11, 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.
When inspectors have written things up, “no currently certified food service manager on duty” has been the most frequent reason, cited three times.
That's lower than the typical Tampa restaurant, which scores around 79. Taken together, the history looks like that of a busy facility working through the usual inspection cycle.
6
Inspections
2
Critical latest
0
Major latest
0
Minor latest
Inspection History
Mar 11, 2026
Routine - Food
2 critical violations.
View 2 violations
High Priority - - From initial inspection : High Priority - Vacuum breaker missing at splitter added to mop sink faucet. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2026-03-11: Vacuum breaker missing at splitter added to mop sink faucet at time of inspection maintenance repaired. **Admin Complaint**
29-42-4
High Priority - - From initial inspection : High Priority - Dishmachine chlorine sanitizer not at proper minimum strength. Discontinue use of dishmachine for sanitizing and set up manual sanitization until dishmachine is repaired and sanitizing properly. Dish machine unable to sanitize, broken 3 weeks prior. Employee set up Quaternary ammonia sanitizer at three compartment sink during time of inspection until Dish machine repairs can be made. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2026-03-11: Dishwasher not working at time of inspection, triple sink is being used for all ware washing ,quaternary used to sanitize at 400 ppm. **Admin Complaint**
22-41-4
74
Jan 5, 2026
Routine - Food
3 critical violations. 6 major violations. 4 minor violations.
View 13 violations
High Priority - Dishmachine chlorine sanitizer not at proper minimum strength. Discontinue use of dishmachine for sanitizing and set up manual sanitization until dishmachine is repaired and sanitizing properly. Dish machine unable to sanitize, broken 3 weeks prior. Employee set up Quaternary ammonia sanitizer at three compartment sink during time of inspection until Dish machine repairs can be made. **Warning**
22-41-4
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. fried chicken 117F at 11:46am cooked at 11:20am reheated to 176F at 12:13pm, beef broth 97F at 11:43am placed on stovetop at 11:23am reheated to 186F at 12:14pm. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
03B-01-6
High Priority - Vacuum breaker missing at splitter added to mop sink faucet. **Warning**
29-42-4
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. **Warning**
11-27-4
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Multiple cutting boards inside kitchen area soiled. **Warning**
22-02-4
Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Hand washing sink next to mop sink used for storing metal scrub. Employee removed metal scrub during time of inspection. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
31A-11-4
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/ 5 employees working, no CFM present. **Warning**
53A-05-6
Intermediate - No proof of required state approved employee training provided for any employees. To order approved program food safety material, call DBPR contracted provider: Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (SafeStaff) 866-372-7233. **Warning**
53B-01-5
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. **Warning**
11-26-1
Basic - Food stored on floor. Container of soy sauce stored in floor next to ice machine and inside office storage area. 1 bag of jasmine rice stored on floor in office storage area. Employee relocated all foods off floor during time of inspection. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
08B-38-4
Basic - Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Car keys and phone charger stored inside a food basket on top of front line Reach in cooler. Employee removed all personal items during time of inspection. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
40-06-5
Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Open beverage on top of front line Reach in cooler. Employee discarded drink during time of inspection. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
12B-07-4
Basic - Insect control device installed over food preparation area. Bug zapper stored on front service counter next to bottled sodas. Employee removed zapper to ground during time of inspection. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
35B-02-4
29
Jul 17, 2025
Routine - Food
5 critical violations. 3 major violations. 4 minor violations.
View 12 violations
High Priority - Cooked/heated time/temperature control for safety food not cooled from 135 degrees Fahrenheit to 41 degrees Fahrenheit within 6 hours. Cooked white rice and fried rice in Walk in cooler not cooled within 6 hours. See stop sale.
03D-02-5
High Priority - Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license. Operating with an expired license. License expired 2/1/2025. **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
50-17-3
High Priority - Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. cooked white rice 55F, fried rice 56F
01B-02-5
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. cooked white rice 55F at 1:01pm, fried rice 56F at 1:01pm in Walk in cooler. Both items cooked the previous day and placed in Walk in cooler at 7:30pm.
03A-02-5
High Priority - Vacuum breaker missing at mop sink faucet or on fitting/splitter added to mop sink faucet. Located at mop sink splitter. **Repeat Violation**
29-42-4
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/ 5 employees present, no CFM present. **Repeat Violation**
53A-05-6
Intermediate - No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. Located at mop sink and at ice machine. Employee provided paper towels during time of inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
31B-02-4
Intermediate - No soap provided at handwash sink. Hand sanitizer in soap dispenser located at Employee handwash sink adjacent to ice machine.
31B-03-4
Basic - Employee eating in a food preparation or other restricted area. Open bottle water on kitchen front line prep table. Employee personal drink inside Walk in cooler shelf. Employee removed all drinks during time of inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
12B-02-4
Basic - Stored food not covered. Fried tofu and sauces in front line Reach in cooler not covered. **Repeat Violation**
08B-12-5
Basic - Food stored on floor. Buckets of beef bones stored on floor in Walk in freezer. Employee relocated all buckets 6 inches off floor during time of inspection. Bucket of stir-fry sauce, bag of rice, bag of sugar stored on floor in dry storage room. Employee relocated all items to an approved location during time of inspection. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
08B-38-4
Basic - Hood filter missing from automatic fire suppression/exhaust system. Missing over wok station.
14-42-4
29
Apr 9, 2025
Routine - Food
3 critical violations. 1 major violation. 3 minor violations.
View 7 violations
High Priority - Vacuum breaker missing at mop sink faucet or on fitting/splitter added to mop sink faucet. No Vacuum breaker for hose at mop sink. **Repeat Violation**
29-42-4
High Priority - Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license. **Admin Complaint**
50-17-3
High Priority - Dented/rusted cans present. See stop sale. 5 dented cans of hello peaches in dry storage.
01B-01-4
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/ 4 employees present, no CFM present.
53A-05-6
Basic - Food stored on floor. 2 buckets of rice noodles stored on kitchen floor on front line cook. Employee relocated noodles during time of inspection. Raw chicken and beef pho stock stored in soy sauce buckets are stored on floor in Walk in freezer. Box of beef bones stored on floor of Walk in freezer. Beef pho stock stored in soy sauce buckets are stored in Walk in cooler floor. Buckets of soy sauce stored on floor in storage room. **Corrective Action Taken**
08B-38-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Front line gaskets Reach in cooler soiled.
23-03-4
Basic - Stored food not covered. Beef pho stock, congee, and pig intestine not covered in Walk in cooler. Employee covered items during time of inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
08B-12-5
50
Dec 2, 2024
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 1 major violation. 6 minor violations.
View 9 violations
Certified Food Manager Identification
FL-02
Proper Eating, Tasting, Drinking, or Tobacco Use
FL-06
Hands Clean and Properly Washed
FL-08
Adequate Handwashing Facilities Supplied and Accessible
FL-10
Food Received at Proper Temperature
FL-12
Warewashing Facilities Maintained and Used
FL-24
Equipment Adequate to Maintain Product Temperature
FL-29
Approved Thawing Methods Used
FL-31
Washing Fruits and Vegetables
FL-42
50
Jun 18, 2024
Food-Licensing Inspection
1 critical violation.
View 1 violation
High Priority - Dented/rusted cans present. See stop sale. Can of bamboo dented. Can of hoisin sauce dented.
01B-01-4
86
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Zen Pho & Noodles Tampa last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Zen Pho & Noodles Tampa on file is from Mar 11, 2026. The public record contains six inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Zen Pho & Noodles Tampa?
Across the inspection record, “no currently certified food service manager on duty” has been cited three times, more than any other issue at Zen Pho & Noodles Tampa.
How does Zen Pho & Noodles Tampa compare to other restaurants in Tampa?
Zen Pho & Noodles Tampa most recently scored 74 out of 100, which is lower than the Tampa average of 79.
Has Zen Pho & Noodles Tampa's inspection record improved over time?
No. Recent inspections at Zen Pho & Noodles Tampa 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 Zen Pho & Noodles Tampa 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 Zen Pho & Noodles Tampa inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Zen Pho & Noodles Tampa is inspected around three times per year on average.
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