EL PUERTO RESTAURANT & GRILL
1623 E 5 AVE, Tampa FL 33605 · 813 877 8918
Last inspected May 21, 2026 · 7 visits since December 2023
MAY 24
AUG 24
APR 25
AUG 25
MAY 26
▼ IMPROVING
5 inspections trending up, 13 points better than where it started.
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
2 cases · $1,200
| Case | Violation date | Final order | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3--2015031358 | Jun 3, 2015 | Sep 1, 2015 | $400 |
| 3--2015023446 | May 20, 2015 | Jun 23, 2015 | $800 |
Inspection history
7 visits, newest first
May 21, 2026Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 8 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
1 High priority2 Intermediate5 Basic
What the inspector wrote — 8 findingsThe state's own report →
Stop Sale issued due to food not being in a wholesome, sound condition. 6 pieces of raw salmon fully thawed in vacuum package.
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Cutting boards in kitchen.
Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled with yellow liquid at dish machine.
Commercially processed reduced oxygen packaged fish bearing a label indicating that it is to remain frozen until time of use no longer frozen and not removed from reduced oxygen package. 6 pieces of raw salmon fully thawed in vacuum package.
Show the remaining 4 findings ▾
Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Employee opened water bottles on reach in coolers in kitchen.
Employee eating in a food preparation or other restricted area. Employee eating food on cutting board on cooksline.
Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Employee phone on cutting board in kitchen.
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Gaskets of reach in coolers
Aug 25, 2025Inspection 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 ▾
Employee handled soiled equipment or utensils and then engaged in food preparation, handled clean equipment or utensils, or touched unwrapped single-service items without washing hands. Employee touched raw chicken with hands then touched clean tongs without washing hands. Inspector spoke with operator about proper hand washing procedures.
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Cutting boards in kitchen.
No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. Handwash sink near ice machine.
Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin. Ice machine in kitchen.
Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Employee water bottle on reach in cooler in kitchen.
Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Employee phone on prep table in kitchen.
Apr 28, 2025Administrative complaint recommendedRoutine Inspection
Referred for a formal case, which can lead to a fine. 7 violations recorded, 2 high priority.
2 High priority3 Intermediate2 Basic
Show 7 findings ▾
Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license.
Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Raw salmon over cooked rice in reach in freezer. Operator relocated.
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Cutting boards in kitchen.
Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Large soap container in handwash sink near ice machine.
No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink near large ice machine.
Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin. Large ice machine in kitchen.
Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Employee phone and wallet in bulk flour container.
Aug 27, 2024Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 9 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
1 High priority4 Intermediate4 Basic
Show 9 findings ▾
Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Raw beef over cooked beef in reach in cooler. Operator relocated at time of inspection.
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Cutting boards in kitchen.
Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Clear pitcher in handwash sink at bar.
No soap provided at handwash sink at bar.
Required employee training expired for some employees. To order approved program food safety material, call DBPR contracted provider: Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (SafeStaff) 866-372-7233.
Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin. Ice machine in kitchen.
Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Employee drink on reach in cooler in kitchen.
Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Employee phone on prep table in kitchen.
Unwashed fruits/vegetables stored with ready-to-eat food. Unwashed tomatoes over individual cakes in reach in cooler. Operator relocated at time of inspection.
May 8, 2024□ Call Back - CompliedRoutine Inspection
A return visit. The problems from the previous inspection had been dealt with.
0 High priority2 Intermediate2 Basic
Show 4 findings ▾
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Cutting boards.
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.
Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Employee water bottle on reach in cooler in kitchen.
Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Employee phone on bulk salt in kitchen under prep table.
May 1, 2024Warning IssuedRoutine Inspection
Violations found and a warning issued, with a return visit required. 7 recorded, 2 high priority.
2 High priority3 Intermediate2 Basic
Show 7 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. 0 ppm.
Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license. Operator paid at time of inspection.
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Cutting boards.
No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink in kitchen.
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.
Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Employee water bottle on reach in cooler in kitchen.
Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Employee phone on bulk salt in kitchen under prep table.
Dec 13, 2023Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 8 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
0 High priority4 Intermediate4 Basic
Show 8 findings ▾
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Cutting boards in kitchen.
No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink across from grill.
Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Cooked sweet breads in reach in cooler. Operator marked at time of inspection.
Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled with yellow liquid at dish area.
Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Employee drink on reach in cooler in kitchen.
Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Employee phone on prep table in kitchen.
Stored food not covered. Cooked sweet breads in reach in cooler. Operator covered at time of inspection.
Wall soiled with accumulated grease, food debris, and/or dust. Behind grill.
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.