DON'S TACO AUTHENTIC MEXICAN RESTAURANT LLC
706 EAST TARPON AVE, Tarpon Springs FL 34689 · 727-940-5843
Last inspected Aug 19, 2026 · 11 visits since October 2024
OCT 24
NOV 25
APR 26
AUG 26
▲ GETTING WORSE
4 inspections, one direction. The current grade is the worst on record.
Raw animal foods not properly separated from each other in holding unit based upon minimum required cooking temperature. Raw chicken in glass door cooler, in plastic bags, over raw beef
★ Spotless◆ Clean streak● Perfect year✓ Never fined
Awarded on the inspection record alone. What they mean →
Inspection history
11 visits, newest first
Aug 19, 2026Call Back - Extension given, pendingRoutine Inspection
A return visit. The problems were not fixed yet and the kitchen was given more time.
1 High priority1 Intermediate3 Basic
What the inspector wrote — 5 findingsThe state's own report →
Nonfood-grade bags used in direct contact with food. Tortillas in to go bags
Manager or person in charge lacking proof of food manager certification and no other certified food service manager employed at this location. Juan
Equipment in poor repair. Single glass door cooler not holding food at proper temperature. Thermometer reads 30F. All food in unit above 50F.
Food storage container/container lid cracked or broken. Plastic bins for tortillas are cracked, melted
Show the remaining 1 finding ▾
Wall and ceiling soiled with accumulated grease, food debris, and/or dust. In kitchen Floor tiles broken in kitchen
Aug 18, 2026Administrative complaint recommendedRoutine Inspection
Referred for a formal case, which can lead to a fine. 13 violations recorded, 3 high priority.
3 High priority4 Intermediate6 Basic
Show 13 findings ▾
Nonfood-grade bags used in direct contact with food. Tortillas in to go bags
Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. In single glass door cooler in storage area - raw chicken 58 ( - Cold Holding); raw beef, ground (51F - Cold Holding); raw ground pork (55F - Cold Holding); raw chorizo (51F - Cold Holding) house made tomato sauce (61F - Cold Holding) all made or prepped yesterday, temperatures not taken today.
Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. In single glass door cooler in storage area - raw chicken (58 - Cold Holding); raw beef, ground (51F - Cold Holding); raw ground pork (55F - Cold Holding); house made tomato sauce (61F - Cold Holding) all made or prepped yesterday, case of raw chorizo (51F - Cold Holding) temperatures not taken today. See stop sale
Ambient air thermometer in holding unit not accurate within plus or minus 3 degrees Fahrenheit. In glass door cooler in storage area, ambient thermometer reads 32F. Food in cooler is above 50F
Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Gloves in hand wash sink in dish room, operator removed. Towels and sponge in hand wash sink in bar, operator removed removed
Manager or person in charge lacking proof of food manager certification and no other certified food service manager employed at this location. Juan
No soap provided at handwash sink. On cook line, operator put soap at sink
Equipment in poor repair. Single glass door cooler not holding food at proper temperature. Thermometer reads 30F. All food in unit above 50F.
Food storage container/container lid cracked or broken. Plastic bins for tortillas are cracked, melted
Ice buildup in reach-in freezer and/or walk-in freezer. Reach in freezer in storage area area
Silverware/utensils stored upright with the food-contact surface up. Operator turned all to handles up
Wall and ceiling soiled with accumulated grease, food debris, and/or dust. In kitchen Floor tiles broken in kitchen
Wet wiping cloth not stored in sanitizing solution between uses. On prep table, end of cook line
Apr 9, 2026□ Call Back - CompliedRoutine Inspection
A return visit. The problems from the previous inspection had been dealt with.
0 High priority1 Intermediate0 Basic
Show 1 finding ▾
Proof of required state approved employee training not available for some employees. To order approved program food safety material, call DBPR contracted provider: Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (SafeStaff) 866-372-7233. 4 servers do not have training.
Apr 8, 2026Call Back - Admin. complaint recommendedRoutine Inspection
Referred for a formal case, which can lead to a fine. 3 violations recorded, 1 high priority.
1 High priority2 Intermediate0 Basic
Show 3 findings ▾
Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. In 2 door cooler in storage area - cooked pinto beans (49F - Cold Holding); cooked ground pork (63F - Cold Holding); chicken empanadas (49F - Cold Holding); cooked shredded chicken (50F - Cold Holding) cooked chorizo (50F - Cold Holding)see stop sale all prepared yesterday morning, no temperatures taken today.
Manager or person in charge lacking proof of food manager certification. Manager unable to locate
Proof of required state approved employee training not available for some employees. To order approved program food safety material, call DBPR contracted provider: Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (SafeStaff) 866-372-7233. 4 servers do not have training.
Apr 6, 2026Administrative complaint recommendedRoutine Inspection
Referred for a formal case, which can lead to a fine. 7 violations recorded, 2 high priority.
2 High priority2 Intermediate3 Basic
Show 7 findings ▾
Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. In 2 door cooler in storage area - cooked pinto beans (49F - Cold Holding); cooked ground pork (63F - Cold Holding); chicken empanadas (49F - Cold Holding); cooked shredded chicken (50F - Cold Holding) cooked chorizo (50F - Cold Holding)
Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. In 2 door cooler in storage area - cooked pinto beans (49F - Cold Holding); cooked ground pork (63F - Cold Holding); chicken empanadas (49F - Cold Holding); cooked shredded chicken (50F - Cold Holding) cooked chorizo (50F - Cold Holding)see stop sale all prepared yesterday morning, no temperatures taken today.
Manager or person in charge lacking proof of food manager certification. Manager unable to locate
Proof of required state approved employee training not available for some employees. To order approved program food safety material, call DBPR contracted provider: Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (SafeStaff) 866-372-7233. 4 servers do not have training.
Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Coffee on top of cooler, operator moved to bottom shelf
Food stored on floor. Fry oil, moved to shelf
Unwashed fruits/vegetables stored with ready-to-eat food. In glass door cooler in storage area - case of avocados over empanadas.
Nov 18, 2025Call Back - Admin. complaint recommendedRoutine Inspection
Referred for a formal case, which can lead to a fine. 2 violations recorded, 1 high priority.
1 High priority1 Intermediate0 Basic
Show 2 findings ▾
Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. In glass door cooler in back room- cooked rice (47F - Cold Holding)made yesterday afternoon, moved to freezer, cooked rice (47F - Cold Holding)made yesterday, moved to freezer, cooked pinto beans (47F - Cold Holding)made at 9 pm yesterday, put in shorter pans, moved to reach in cooler, raw tubes of beef (48F - Cold Holding); cooked corn on cob (47F - Cold Holding); all moved to freezer, temperatures not taken today, taken yesterday, all at proper temp. orrected On-Site** Recheck - rice 40F, Corrective Action TakenCorrective Action TakenWarning**
Proof of required state approved employee training not available for some employees. To order approved program food safety material, call DBPR contracted provider: Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (SafeStaff) 866-372-7233.
Nov 17, 2025Warning IssuedRoutine Inspection
Violations found and a warning issued, with a return visit required. 5 recorded, 3 high priority.
3 High priority1 Intermediate1 Basic
Show 5 findings ▾
Nonfood-grade bags used in direct contact with food. Corn tortillas stored in to go plastic bagels
Raw animal foods not properly separated from each other in holding unit based upon minimum required cooking temperature. Raw chicken in glass door cooler, in plastic bags, over raw beef
Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. In glass door cooler in back room- cooked rice (47F - Cold Holding)made yesterday afternoon, moved to freezer, cooked rice (47F - Cold Holding)made yesterday, moved to freezer, cooked pinto beans (47F - Cold Holding)made at 9 pm yesterday, put in shorter pans, moved to reach in cooler, raw tubes of beef (48F - Cold Holding); cooked corn on cob (47F - Cold Holding); all moved to freezer, temperatures not taken today, taken yesterday, all at proper temp. orrected On-Site** Recheck - rice 40F, Corrective Action TakenCorrective Action TakenWarning**
Proof of required state approved employee training not available for some employees. To order approved program food safety material, call DBPR contracted provider: Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (SafeStaff) 866-372-7233.
Food stored on floor. Fry oil on floor, moved to crate
Jan 17, 2025□ Call Back - CompliedLicensing Inspection
A return visit. The problems from the previous inspection had been dealt with.
0 High priority0 Intermediate1 Basic
Show 1 finding ▾
Bathroom located inside establishment not completely enclosed with tight-fitting, self-closing doors.
Jan 13, 2025Call Back - Extension given, pendingLicensing Inspection
A return visit. The problems were not fixed yet and the kitchen was given more time.
1 High priority1 Intermediate2 Basic
Show 4 findings ▾
Establishment unable to be licensed at time of licensing inspection from the Division of Hotels and Restaurants. Operator must obtain a public food service license from the Division of Hotels and Restaurants within 60 days. Submit a license application and payment to DBPR/Bureau of Central Intake Unit, 2601 Blair Stone Rd., Tallahassee, FL 32399-0783. To apply online or obtain an application for license visit http://www.myfloridalicense.com/DBPR/hotels-restaurants/
No plan review submitted and approved - renovations were made or are in progress. Must submit plans and plan review application to DBPR H and R Plan Review office located at 2601 Blair Stone Rd., Tallahassee, FL 32399-1011. Plans must be submitted AND approved within 60 days. The direct link to the Plan Review page is http://www.myfloridalicense.com/DBPR/hotels-restaurants/licensing/plan-review/. Four cold holding units in refrigerator room, cooler drawers under flat top grill, cheese melter above steam table, micro wave above table on cook line, pastry box by host stand, all not on plans, bathroom 2 and office need to come off plans due to them belonging to next door.
Bathroom located inside establishment not completely enclosed with tight-fitting, self-closing doors.
No Heimlich maneuver/choking sign posted. Provided operator with printed copy of 5930-105
Nov 6, 2024Call Back - Extension given, pendingLicensing Inspection
A return visit. The problems were not fixed yet and the kitchen was given more time.
1 High priority1 Intermediate3 Basic
Show 5 findings ▾
Establishment unable to be licensed at time of licensing inspection from the Division of Hotels and Restaurants. Operator must obtain a public food service license from the Division of Hotels and Restaurants within 60 days. Submit a license application and payment to DBPR/Bureau of Central Intake Unit, 2601 Blair Stone Rd., Tallahassee, FL 32399-0783. To apply online or obtain an application for license visit http://www.myfloridalicense.com/DBPR/hotels-restaurants/
No plan review submitted and approved - renovations were made or are in progress. Must submit plans and plan review application to DBPR H and R Plan Review office located at 2601 Blair Stone Rd., Tallahassee, FL 32399-1011. Plans must be submitted AND approved within 60 days. The direct link to the Plan Review page is http://www.myfloridalicense.com/DBPR/hotels-restaurants/licensing/plan-review/. Four cold holding units in refrigerator room, cooler drawers under flat top grill, cheese melter above steam table, micro wave above table on cook line, pastry box by host stand, all not on plans, bathroom 2 and office need to come off plans due to them belonging to next door.
Bathroom located inside establishment not completely enclosed with tight-fitting, self-closing doors.
No Heimlich maneuver/choking sign posted. Provided operator with printed copy of 5930-105
No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees. No hand wash signs at any of the hand sinks
Oct 30, 2024Warning IssuedLicensing Inspection
Violations found and a warning issued, with a return visit required. 6 recorded, 1 high priority.
1 High priority2 Intermediate3 Basic
Show 6 findings ▾
Establishment unable to be licensed at time of licensing inspection from the Division of Hotels and Restaurants. Operator must obtain a public food service license from the Division of Hotels and Restaurants within 60 days. Submit a license application and payment to DBPR/Bureau of Central Intake Unit, 2601 Blair Stone Rd., Tallahassee, FL 32399-0783. To apply online or obtain an application for license visit http://www.myfloridalicense.com/DBPR/hotels-restaurants/
Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Hand sink next to three compartment sink is not accessible
No plan review submitted and approved - renovations were made or are in progress. Must submit plans and plan review application to DBPR H and R Plan Review office located at 2601 Blair Stone Rd., Tallahassee, FL 32399-1011. Plans must be submitted AND approved within 60 days. The direct link to the Plan Review page is http://www.myfloridalicense.com/DBPR/hotels-restaurants/licensing/plan-review/. Four cold holding units in refrigerator room, cooler drawers under flat top grill, cheese melter above steam table, micro wave above table on cook line, pastry box by host stand, all not on plans, bathroom 2 and office need to come off plans due to them belonging to next door.
Bathroom located inside establishment not completely enclosed with tight-fitting, self-closing doors.
No Heimlich maneuver/choking sign posted. Provided operator with printed copy of 5930-105
No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees. No hand wash signs at any of the hand sinks
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.