EL JEFE CAFE
4941 E BUSCH BLVD #140, Tampa FL 33617 · 813-252-4428
Last inspected Jul 30, 2026 · 10 visits since October 2023
SEP 24
FEB 25
JUL 25
JAN 26
JUL 26
≈ ERRATIC
5 inspections, swinging between A and F. Consistency is the problem here, not any single visit.
Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license. Observed the establishment open and operating, preparing food and selling to the public with an expired license. License expired on 02/01/26. Discussed updating license with operator.
★ Spotless◆ Clean streak● Perfect year✓ Never fined
Awarded on the inspection record alone. What they mean →
Inspection history
10 visits, newest first
Jul 30, 2026□ Call Back - CompliedRoutine Inspection
A return visit. The problems from the previous inspection had been dealt with.
0 High priority0 Intermediate2 Basic
What the inspector wrote — 2 findings
Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable on sandwich making flip top unit.
Standing water in bottom of reach-in-cooler in the front service area.
Jul 29, 2026Administrative complaint recommendedRoutine Inspection
Referred for a formal case, which can lead to a fine. 7 violations recorded, 3 high priority.
3 High priority2 Intermediate2 Basic
Show 7 findings ▾
Cooked/heated time/temperature control for safety food not cooled from 135 degrees Fahrenheit to 41 degrees Fahrenheit within 6 hours. Observed three half pans of shredded pork temping at 48F,60F,59F. And 1 half pan of rice temping at 53F. Employee stated it was made yesterday at around 3pm. Tempted this morning at 10:40am. Stop sale issued.
Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license. Observed the establishment open and operating, preparing food and selling to the public with an expired license. License expired on 02/01/26. Discussed updating license with operator.
Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. Observed three half pans of shredded pork temping at 48F,60F,59F. And 1 half pan of rice temping at 53F. Employee stated it was made yesterday at around 3pm. Tempted this morning at 10:40am. Stop sale issued.
Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Observed a butter spatula in the handwashing sink near the dish machine, spatula removed.
Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled. Spray bottle with cleaning solution with no label. Employee added label.
Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable on sandwich making flip top unit.
Standing water in bottom of reach-in-cooler in the front service area.
Jan 29, 2026Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Nothing was found. The inspector recorded no violations at all.
0 High priority0 Intermediate0 Basic
Jul 16, 2025Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 2 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
0 High priority1 Intermediate1 Basic
Show 2 findings ▾
Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Observed both handwashing sinks being blocked by portable AC units. Operator removed.
Standing water in bottom of reach-in-cooler in 5e front service area.
Feb 12, 2025□ Call Back - CompliedRoutine Inspection
A return visit. The problems from the previous inspection had been dealt with.
0 High priority0 Intermediate2 Basic
Show 2 findings ▾
Ceiling/ceiling tile shows damage or is in disrepair. Observed water stained ceiling tiles in the dry storage area.
Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable on the flip top unit near the steam table.
Feb 11, 2025Warning IssuedRoutine Inspection
Violations found and a warning issued, with a return visit required. 8 recorded, 2 high priority.
2 High priority2 Intermediate4 Basic
Show 8 findings ▾
Cooked/heated time/temperature control for safety food not cooled from 135 degrees Fahrenheit to 41 degrees Fahrenheit within 6 hours. Observed 4 pans of pulled pork temping at 49F, 53F, 51F, 50F, 1 container of red beans temping at 45F, and 1 container of chicken temping at 47F (temped at 10:45am). Employee stated that they were all made at around 2 pm the day before. Stop Sale Issued.
Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. Observed 4 pans of pulled pork temping at 49F, 53F, 51F, 50F, 1 container of red beans temping at 45F, and 1 container of chicken temping at 47F (temped at 10:45am). Employee stated that they were all made at around 2 pm the day before. Stop Sale Issued.
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Observed the reach in freezer being soiled with old food debris.
Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Observed food debris in the hand washing sink near the dish machine.
Ceiling/ceiling tile shows damage or is in disrepair. Observed water stained ceiling tiles in the dry storage area.
Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable on the flip top unit near the steam table.
Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Observed several empty employee water bottles being stored on the prep table near the dish machine.
Wet wiping cloth not stored in sanitizing solution between uses. Observed several wet cloths in use on the kitchen prep and cook counters.
Sep 23, 2024□ Call Back - CompliedRoutine Inspection
A return visit. The problems from the previous inspection had been dealt with.
0 High priority2 Intermediate4 Basic
Show 6 findings ▾
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Observed soiled gaskets in the reach in cooler in the prep area.
Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Observed several pans in the reach in cooler with prepped food that the manager stated was prepared on Saturday with no date marking.
Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance. Observed ceiling tiles with water stains.
Cove molding at floor/wall juncture broken/missing. Observed broken cove molding under the dish machine.
Covered waste receptacle not provided in women's bathroom. Observed the waste receptacle in the women's restroom with no lid.
Floor soiled/has accumulation of debris. Observed soiled floors with built up grease under cooking equipment on cook line.
Sep 16, 2024Warning IssuedRoutine Inspection
Violations found and a warning issued, with a return visit required. 19 recorded, 5 high priority.
5 High priority3 Intermediate11 Basic
Show 19 findings ▾
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. Observed the dishwasher machine testing at 0ppm. Employee changed sanitizer out and primed machine, machine tested at 10ppm. Advised manager to contact the dishwasher machine company. Employee will wash dishes in the dishwasher and sanitize using the three compartment sink.
Employee cracked raw shell eggs and then handled ready-to-eat food and/or clean equipment or utensils without washing hands. Observed an employee crack raw shelled eggs and change gloves without washing hands in between. Manager discussed proper handwashing with employee. Employee washed hands and then changed gloves.
Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. Observed Grassland packets of butter temping at 74F. Manager stated that they have been left out since Saturday. Stop sale issued.
Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed Grassland packets of butter temping at 74F. Manager stated that they have been left out since Saturday. Stop sale issued.
Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed milk used for grits temping at 103F. Employee stated it was out for 10 minutes. Employee voluntarily removed milk.
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Observed soiled gaskets in the reach in cooler in the prep area.
No probe thermometer provided to measure temperature of food products. Asked operator for their thermometer and one could not be provided. Provided manager with thermometer and educated her on how to calibrate it.
Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Observed several pans in the reach in cooler with prepped food that the manager stated was prepared on Saturday with no date marking.
Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance. Observed ceiling tiles with water stains.
Cove molding at floor/wall juncture broken/missing. Observed broken cove molding under the dish machine.
Covered waste receptacle not provided in women's bathroom. Observed the waste receptacle in the women's restroom with no lid.
Current Hotel and Restaurant license not displayed. Observed no current license being displayed.
Floor soiled/has accumulation of debris. Observed soiled floors with built up grease under cooking equipment on cook line.
Food stored on floor. Observed a gallon of shortening being stored on the floor. Employee placed shortening on crates.
Grease receptacle/dumpster not on proper pad/nonabsorbent surface. Observed the grease receptacle on the grass/nonabsorbent surface/pad.
In-use utensil in non-time/temperature control for safety food not stored with handle above top of food within a closed container. Observed the handle being used to scoop sugar touching the product. Manager fixed the scoop so that the handle is no longer touching the product.
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed grease build up on the walls next to the stove on the cook line.
Open dumpster lid.
Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Observed bins of sugar, flour, and rice with no labels being used in the kitchen under the prep table.
Apr 15, 2024Inspection Completed - No Further ActionLicensing Inspection
Nothing was found. The inspector recorded no violations at all.
0 High priority0 Intermediate0 Basic
Oct 5, 2023Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 6 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
1 High priority2 Intermediate3 Basic
Show 6 findings ▾
Raw animal foods not properly separated from each other in holding unit based upon minimum required cooking temperature. Observed shelled eggs stored over fish. Manager removed shelled eggs.
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. Printed cleanup guide for manager to post/display.
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. Printed employee agreement form. Manager had all employees sign.
Covered waste receptacle not provided in women's bathroom.
Garbage can located outside has no lid or lid open/broken.
Missing drain plug at dumpster.
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.