EL RECREO
4601 N HABANA AVE, Tampa FL 33614
Last inspected Jan 31, 2025 · 7 visits since September 2023
□ Not on the state's active licence list
This licence isn't in DBPR's current active file, which usually means the business has closed, been sold, or let the licence lapse. Everything below belongs to this licence, not to whoever may be trading here now. The history stays public because it is a public record.
SEP 23
MAY 24
JUL 24
JAN 25
≈ ERRATIC
4 inspections, swinging between B and D. Consistency is the problem here, not any single visit.
Presence of insects, rodents, or other pests. 20 live ants around Employee handwash sink. Employee removed, cleaned, and sanitized ants from Employee handwash sink.
★ Spotless◆ Clean streak● Perfect year✓ Never fined
Awarded on the inspection record alone. What they mean →
Inspection history
7 visits, newest first
Jan 31, 2025Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 9 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
2 High priority3 Intermediate4 Basic
What the inspector wrote — 9 findingsThe state's own report →
Employee touched face/hair and then engaged in food preparation, handled clean equipment or utensils, or touched unwrapped single-service items without washing hands. Observed employee touch face and hair with gloved hands then began to prepare bread for customer without washing hands or changing gloves. Discussed with operator to always have employees wash hands and change gloves after touching body or hair. Employee washed hands, changed gloves, and discarded bread during time of inspection.
Nonfood-grade bags used in direct contact with food. Tamales, Ready to eat onions, and lettuce stored in shopping bag. Operator placed tamales in a food container during time of inspection.
Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Employee handwash sink blocked by cutting board and jars of roasted red peppers. Operator removed all items during time of inspection.
No chemical test kit provided when using sanitizer at three-compartment sink/warewashing machine or wiping cloths. No chlorine test kit.
Show the remaining 5 findings ▾
No written procedures available for use of time as a public health control to hold time/temperature control for safety food. No plan for uncooked pizza with cheese topping held at room temperature. A time as a public health control form has been emailed to the operator during time of inspection.
Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin.
Employee wearing jewelry other than a plain ring on their hands/arms while preparing food. Observed three employees wearing jewelry other than a plain ring on their hands/arms while preparing food.
Time/temperature control for safety food thawed in an improper manner. Raw hamburger patties thawing on prep counter next to three compartment sink. Operator moved patties into Reach in cooler during time of inspection.
Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Squeeze bottles with sauces on top of Reach in cooler not labeled. Operator labeled bottles during time of inspection.
Jul 23, 2024□ Call Back - CompliedRoutine Inspection
A return visit. The problems from the previous inspection had been dealt with.
0 High priority0 Intermediate0 Basic
Jul 22, 2024Warning IssuedRoutine Inspection
Violations found and a warning issued, with a return visit required. 6 recorded, 6 high priority.
6 High priority0 Intermediate0 Basic
Show 6 findings ▾
Dented/rusted cans present. See stop sale.
Establishment operating with no power. Establishment had power during time of inspection but lost power soon after. Employee finished cooking pizza in a pizza oven outside then voluntarily closed establishment.
Live, small flying insects in kitchen, food preparation area, food storage area and/or bar area. 1 live fly inside kitchen. Operator removed fly through service window.
Presence of insects, rodents, or other pests. 20 live ants around Employee handwash sink. Employee removed, cleaned, and sanitized ants from Employee handwash sink.
Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. sliced tomato 51F 8lbs, shredded lettuce 51F 2lbs, sliced ham and cheese 50F 6lbs, sliced ham 58F 3lbs, chopped serrano ham 59F 5lbs, milk 46F, cheese 48F, chorizo 53F 5lbs, pepperoni 54F 3lbs, pulled pork 72F 8lbs, chorizo 64F 3lbs.
Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Small single door Reach in cooler near door: sliced tomato 51F 8lbs, shredded lettuce 51F 2lbs, sliced ham and cheese 50F 6lbs, sliced ham 58F 3lbs, chopped serrano ham 59F 5lbs, chorizo 53F 5lbs, pepperoni 54F 3lbs, pulled pork 72F 8lbs, chorizo 64F 3lbs. SEE STOP SALE. Large Reach in cooler next to three compartment sinks: milk 46F, queso cheese 48F. SEE STOP SALE. Double-door Reach in cooler: fish 45F, raw burger 43F, raw steak 45F Operator removed items and placed ice over products during time of inspection.
Jul 22, 2024□ Call Back - CompliedRoutine Inspection
A return visit. The problems from the previous inspection had been dealt with.
0 High priority0 Intermediate0 Basic
May 22, 2024Warning IssuedRoutine Inspection
Violations found and a warning issued, with a return visit required. 9 recorded.
0 High priority3 Intermediate6 Basic
Show 9 findings ▾
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Cutting boards
Nonself-sufficient mobile food dispensing vehicle operating from an unapproved commissary. Operator has new commissary and storing frozen foods and single serving items outside of MFDV
Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Cooked pasta in reach-in-cooler
Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable.
Food stored outside. Self-sufficient mobile food dispensing vehicle operating under a new commissary. Observed a black reach-in-freezer stored outside of MFDV on platform with overhead cover storing frozen foods - french fries, frozen fish, frozen fruits and single serving items. Operator will move into MFDV and remove reach-in-freezer
Mobile food dispensing vehicle is not self-propelled or otherwise movable from place to place. Built awning with electrical lights connected to MFDV causing it not be be self-propelled and mobile.
Mobile food dispensing vehicle license number not permanently affixed on the side of the unit in figures at least 2 inches high and in contrasting colors from the background of the vehicle.
Screen in door torn/in poor repair
Wet mop not stored in a manner to allow the mop to dry. Stored in yellow bucket outside
Nov 27, 2023□ Call Back - CompliedRoutine Inspection
A return visit. The problems from the previous inspection had been dealt with.
0 High priority0 Intermediate1 Basic
Show 1 finding ▾
Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable.
Sep 25, 2023Warning IssuedRoutine Inspection
Violations found and a warning issued, with a return visit required. 6 recorded.
0 High priority2 Intermediate4 Basic
Show 6 findings ▾
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Cutting boards soiled
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 https://www2.myfloridalicense.com/hotels-restaurants/licensing/plan-review/. Pizza oven installed outdoors of self- sufficient MFDVs. Oven has an opening in the front.
Clean equipment and utensils stored in a room that is not fully enclosed (open to outdoors/screened). Prep table stored outside of MFDV. Discussed with Owner/Manager that prep table will need to be removed.
Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable.
Food stored on floor. Boxes of cooking Boxes of cooking oil on floor in kitchen area on floor.
Vending machine exterior soiled.
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.