CHILES MEXICAN RESTAURANT
3247 W COLUMBUS DR, Tampa FL 33607 · 813.354.8335
Last inspected May 28, 2026 · 7 visits since October 2023
FEB 24
AUG 24
APR 25
OCT 25
MAR 26
— STEADY
5 inspections within 19 points of each other. Whatever this kitchen does, it does consistently.
Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license.
★ Spotless◆ Clean streak● Perfect year✓ Never fined
Awarded on the inspection record alone. What they mean →
Disciplinary actions
3 cases · $1,360
| Case | Violation date | Final order | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3--2022025974 | Apr 11, 2022 | Jun 16, 2022 | $160 |
| 3--2016000587 | Dec 15, 2015 | Feb 11, 2016 | $800 |
| 3--2015029914 | May 26, 2015 | Aug 6, 2015 | $400 |
Inspection history
7 visits, newest first
May 28, 2026□ Call Back - CompliedRoutine Inspection
A return visit. The problems from the previous inspection had been dealt with.
0 High priority1 Intermediate3 Basic
What the inspector wrote — 4 findings
Operator is not properly tracking/marking the number of days ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite was held at refrigeration temperatures prior to freezing in order to properly date mark the food when it is thawed and held at refrigeration temperatures again. Cooked beef tongue, cooked beef and some other cooked food in walk-in cooler.
Cardboard used to line food-contact shelves. In dry food storage room.
Equipment in poor repair. Walk-in cooler door frame and gasket disrepair. Walk-in freezer door handle disrepair.
Wood food-contact surface not properly sealed. Wooden food storage shelves in dry food storage room.
Mar 23, 2026Warning IssuedRoutine Inspection
Violations found and a warning issued, with a return visit required. 9 recorded, 1 high priority.
1 High priority2 Intermediate6 Basic
Show 9 findings ▾
Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license. Expired on 02/01/2026.
Operator is not properly tracking/marking the number of days ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite was held at refrigeration temperatures prior to freezing in order to properly date mark the food when it is thawed and held at refrigeration temperatures again. Cooked beef tongue, cooked beef and some other cooked food in walk-in cooler.
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 employees training expired on October 2025.
Cardboard used to line food-contact shelves. In dry food storage room.
Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Employee drink and food stored on prep table next to meat slicer in kitchen. Operator removed food and drink at time of inspection.
Equipment in poor repair. Walk-in cooler door frame and gasket disrepair. Walk-in freezer door handle disrepair.
Food not stored at least 6 inches off of the floor. 2 cases of fry oils stored on floor in dry food storage room.
No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees. At bar.
Wood food-contact surface not properly sealed. Wooden food storage shelves in dry food storage room.
Oct 9, 2025Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 6 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
2 High priority2 Intermediate2 Basic
Show 6 findings ▾
Employee failed to wash hands before putting on gloves to initiate a task working with food. Observed employee handled raw meat, then replaced gloves engaged to cook food without washing hands first.
Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. A container of Pico De Gallo 45 F stored in top cold well of the reach-in cooler at cook line.
Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Accumulation of food debris in handwash sink at kitchen.
Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Cooked ground beef, cut watermelon and various items in walk-in cooler.
Employee with no hair restraint while engaging in food preparation. 1 food employee working at cook line.
Equipment in poor repair. Walk-in cooler door frame and gasket disrepair.
Apr 4, 2025Administrative complaint recommendedRoutine Inspection
Referred for a formal case, which can lead to a fine. 10 violations recorded, 2 high priority.
2 High priority1 Intermediate7 Basic
Show 10 findings ▾
Chlorine sanitizer not at proper minimum strength for manual warewashing. Do not use equipment/utensils not properly sanitized. Tested 10ppm. Employee reset sanitizer, tested 100ppm.
Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license. Expired on 02/01/2025.
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Can opener blade soiled with old food debris.
Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine.
Carbon dioxide/helium tanks not adequately secured.
Employee with no hair restraint while engaging in food preparation. 1 employee on cook line.
Equipment in poor repair. Microwave handle broken at cook line.
No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees. At bar.
Time/temperature control for safety food thawed in an improper manner. A piece of frozen beef thawing at prep sink with no running water.
Unwashed fruits/vegetables stored with ready-to-eat food. Unwashed avocados and tomatoes stored on top shelf over cooked beef, cooked peppers and various ready to eat foo in walk-in cooler. Discussed with operator.
Aug 6, 2024Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 10 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
1 High priority1 Intermediate8 Basic
Show 10 findings ▾
Nonfood-grade bags used in direct contact with food. Observed tortillas stored in non food grade bag in walk-in cooler
Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Observed cooked pork and rice with no date marks in walkin cooler
Carbon dioxide/helium tanks not adequately secured. Observed 3 CO2 tanks not secured at back door of kitchen
Covered waste receptacle not provided in women's bathroom.
Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable. Observed cutting board grooved and stained on back prep table
Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Observed employee drink stored on prep table on service line
Food not stored at least 6 inches off of the floor. Observed 4 containers of oil stored on floor in storage shed
In-use utensil stored in standing water less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed knifes and tongs stored in water temped 98F on cookline Corrected observed employee discard
Time/temperature control for safety food thawed in an improper manner. Observed raw fish thawing in standing water under 3-compartment sink Corrected-observed employee place under cold running water
Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Observed spray bottle filled with oil not labeled on shelf under grill top on cookline Observed employee label
Feb 15, 2024Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 7 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
2 High priority1 Intermediate4 Basic
Show 7 findings ▾
Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license.
Raw animal foods not properly separated from each other in holding unit based upon minimum required cooking temperature. Observed raw chicken stored behind raw beef in reachin cooler on cookline adjacent to grill top Corrected observed employee place raw chicken in front of raw beef in reachin cooler on cookline
Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Observed rice with no date mark in walk-in cooler
Food not stored at least 6 inches off of the floor. Observed 2 boxes of Avocados stored on floor under bar area Corrected observed employee place on storage shelf
In-use utensil stored in standing water less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed serving utensils stored in water temped at 115 F on cookline prep table
No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees. Observed missing at bar area
Time/temperature control for safety food thawed in an improper manner. Observed tamales thawing at room temperature on prep table on cook line Corrected observed employee place in reach-in cooler
Oct 10, 2023Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 8 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
1 High priority2 Intermediate5 Basic
Show 8 findings ▾
Employee failed to wash hands before putting on gloves to initiate a task working with food. Observed employee on cooks line placing gloves on with no prior hand washing, corrected action taken inspector discussed with operator proper hand washing procedures when changing gloves.
Packaged food not labeled as specified by law. Bulk containers in kitchen area not labeled.
Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Cooked yellow rice, cooked chicken, all held over 24 hrs not date marked.
Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable.
Food stored on floor. Foods stored on floor in walk in freezer.
In-use tongs stored on equipment door handle between uses. Tongs stored on pot handle on cooks line.
Single-service articles not stored inverted or protected from contamination. Single service, to go containers, not inverted over cooks line.
Wet wiping cloth not stored in sanitizing solution between uses.
This record follows the licence, not the owner. Restaurants change hands and the licence history normally does not, so an older entry may describe people who no longer run the place. Every inspection above links to the state's own report. Something wrong? Tell us.