GARDEN MEDITERRANEAN GRILL
1900 OAK GROVE BLVD, Lutz FL 33559 · 813-528-8088
Last inspected Jun 30, 2026 · 12 visits since October 2023
JUN 24
JAN 25
JUN 25
DEC 25
APR 26
— STEADY
5 inspections within 12 points of each other. Whatever this kitchen does, it does consistently.
Roach activity present as evidenced by live roaches found. 1 live roach in gasket of walk in cooler. Employee killed and removed and sanitized area.
★ Spotless◆ Clean streak● Perfect year✓ Never fined
Awarded on the inspection record alone. What they mean →
Disciplinary actions
1 case · $400
| Case | Violation date | Final order | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3--2017021332 | Apr 28, 2017 | Jun 5, 2017 | $400 |
Inspection history
12 visits, newest first
Jun 30, 2026□ Call Back - CompliedRoutine Inspection
A return visit. The problems from the previous inspection had been dealt with.
0 High priority1 Intermediate1 Basic
What the inspector wrote — 2 findings
Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Opened bag feta cheese no date mark over 24 hours in walk in cooler.
Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance. Ceiling tiles and vents soiled and grease buildup heavily in kitchen
Apr 27, 2026Warning IssuedRoutine Inspection
Violations found and a warning issued, with a return visit required. 12 recorded, 2 high priority.
2 High priority4 Intermediate6 Basic
Show 12 findings ▾
Employee failed to wash hands before putting on gloves to initiate a task working with food. Employee touched raw chicken no hand wash before new gloves on, discussed with operator and she washed hand then put new gloves on
Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Raw beef above cut onions and green peppers in walk in cooler, operator removed vegetables to top
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Cutting boards stained in kitchen
No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. No paper towels at hand sink by soda machine in kitchen, operator refilled it.
Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Opened bag feta cheese no date mark over 24 hours 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. Maria is working
Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance. Ceiling tiles and vents soiled and grease buildup heavily in kitchen
Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable. Cutting boards groomed and have deep cut marks, no longer cleanable
Employee eating in a food preparation or other restricted area. Employee food with bottled drinks together not separate from store food in reach in cooler in bar. Operator removed employee food.
Equipment in poor repair. Reach in cooler top lids handles missing.
Floor area(s) covered with standing water. Standing water on floor in kitchen by back door, operator cleaned
Food stored on floor. Flour on floor in storage room, operator removed it to on shelf
Dec 23, 2025□ Call Back - CompliedRoutine Inspection
A return visit. The problems from the previous inspection had been dealt with.
0 High priority1 Intermediate1 Basic
Show 2 findings ▾
No currently certified food service manager on duty with four or more employees engaged in food preparation/handling. A list of accredited food manager certification examination providers can be found at http://www.myfloridalicense.com/DBPR/hotels-restaurants/food-lodging/food-manager/ four employees food manager left before arrival of inspection
Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable.
Dec 18, 2025Administrative complaint recommendedRoutine Inspection
Referred for a formal case, which can lead to a fine. 6 violations recorded, 3 high priority.
3 High priority1 Intermediate2 Basic
Show 6 findings ▾
Establishment using a sanitizer solution that does not meet the requirements specified in 40 CFR 180. Only use single-service items to serve food to customers until approved sanitizer is available for warewashing. Restaurant has a chlorine sanitizer called wave that doesn't say on label to sanitize food contact surfaces. Employee went to store to buy correct sanitizer observed correct sanitizer
Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Raw lamb over lentil soup walk in cooler.
Single-use gloves not changed as needed after changing tasks or when damaged or soiled. Cook washed gloves. Discussed with employees to change gloves than wash hands
No currently certified food service manager on duty with four or more employees engaged in food preparation/handling. A list of accredited food manager certification examination providers can be found at http://www.myfloridalicense.com/DBPR/hotels-restaurants/food-lodging/food-manager/ four employees food manager left before arrival of inspection
Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable.
Floor area(s) covered with standing water. Kitchen by three compartment sink employee was drying floor at time of inspection
Jun 20, 2025Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 15 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
1 High priority4 Intermediate10 Basic
Show 15 findings ▾
Live, small flying insects found Observed 3 at the mop sink. Operator eradicated, cleaned and sanitized the area.
Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Hand sink in wait station blocked by bus tub. Tongs in hand sink at cookline. Towels stored in hand sink at dish area. Operator removed items.
No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. At dish area hand sink.
No soap provided at handwash sink. At dish area hand sink
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.
Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Portion cup used as scoop in bulk sugar. Operator removed.
Carbon dioxide/helium tanks not adequately secured. 3 tanks in storage area not secured.
Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable.
Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting. Drinking glasses at server station
Equipment in poor repair. Gaskets torn on glass door coolers at front counter
Food stored on floor. Fryer oil on the floor in wait station. Operator placed on shelf
In-use tongs stored on equipment door handle between uses. Observed on oven door handles. Operator removed.
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Spray nozzle at 3 compartment sink has buildup of soil residue. Hood filters have grease buildup. Food debris buildup on stove grates. Reach in cooler door gaskets soiled at cookline.
Reach-in cooler shelves with rust that has pitted the surface.
Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Bulk sugar not labeled.
Jan 9, 2025Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 14 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
1 High priority4 Intermediate9 Basic
Show 14 findings ▾
Pesticide/insecticide labeled for household use only present in establishment. Can of raid spray next to coffee machine at entrance to kitchen and hand sink next to soda machine
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Stained cutting boards in prep area. Accumulation of grease on grill and stove surface
Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Cooking utensil in hand sink on cook line
No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. Across from triple sink
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. One employee certificate expired (Raja Saad 5/5/24)
Buildup of food debris/soil residue on equipment door handles. Cooler handles soiled
Carbon dioxide tanks not adequately secured. Next to soda machine
Cleaned and sanitized equipment or utensils not properly stored. Clean spoons behind bar stored in ceramic cup with lighter
Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable.
Floor soiled/has accumulation of debris. Accumulation of grease under cook line
In-use tongs stored on equipment door handle between uses. Oven door handle
In-use wet wiping cloth/towel used under cutting board.
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Cooler gaskets soiled
Reach-in cooler shelves with rust that has pitted the surface. Cook line coolers
Jun 21, 2024□ 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 ▾
Floor area(s) covered with standing water. Production area
Jun 17, 2024Administrative complaint recommendedRoutine Inspection
Referred for a formal case, which can lead to a fine. 8 violations recorded, 2 high priority.
2 High priority1 Intermediate5 Basic
Show 8 findings ▾
Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Raw shelled eggs over sauces reach in cooler cooks line. Employee removed to proper storage.
Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Walk in cooler: ambient air temperature 50 f operator states a truck delivery came in one person putting truck away door opened Cold holding: cheese 47 f raw lamb 45 f cook egg plant 45 operator placed ice on some products.
Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Stored picture on cooks line employee removed
Floor area(s) covered with standing water. Production area
Floor soiled/has accumulation of debris. Under three compartment sink and soda dispenser machine by hand washing sinks at kitchen entrance.
Food stored under dripping water line. In walk in cooler ac vent raw meats in containers with lid over food
Objectionable odors in bathroom or other areas of the establishment. Under three compartment sink.
floor drain draining very slowly. Floor drain under three compartment sink filled to the top not leaking out. Mop sink is filled to the top but not draining onto the floor. 2 floor drains in front of kitchen door way entrance brown water is half way filled. During inspection the two drains in kitchen door way began to go down the drain.
Jan 30, 2024□ Call Back - CompliedRoutine Inspection
A return visit. The problems from the previous inspection had been dealt with.
0 High priority0 Intermediate0 Basic
Jan 26, 2024Call Back - Admin. complaint recommendedRoutine Inspection
Referred for a formal case, which can lead to a fine. 5 violations recorded, 2 high priority.
2 High priority0 Intermediate3 Basic
Show 5 findings ▾
Live, small flying insects in kitchen, food preparation area, food storage area and/or bar area. 2 live flies in kitchen not landing on food.
Roach activity present as evidenced by live roaches found. 1 live roach in gasket of walk in cooler. Employee killed and removed and sanitized area.
Dead roaches on premises.1 dead roach on wall behind ice machine 13 dead roaches under hand washing sink by three compartment sink. 2 dead roaches under three compartment sink in bar area in the crack of the bottom piece counter top.
Floor soiled/has accumulation of debris. With grease throughout the kitchen under equipment.
Food stored on floor. Lentil bags and tahini buckets stored on floor by dry storage area. Walk in freezer frozen sausage and raw beef in buckets on floor.
Jan 24, 2024Administrative complaint recommendedRoutine Inspection
Referred for a formal case, which can lead to a fine. 14 violations recorded, 5 high priority.
5 High priority4 Intermediate5 Basic
Show 14 findings ▾
1 egg sac on wall by hand washing sink by three compartment sink present.
Live, small flying insects in kitchen, food preparation area, food storage area and/or bar area. 2 live flies in kitchen not landing on food.
Roach activity present as evidenced by live roaches found. 1 live roach in gasket of walk in cooler. Employee killed and removed and sanitized area.
Single-use gloves not changed as needed after changing tasks or when damaged or soiled. Employee on cell phone while preparing food. Discussed with employee the importance of food safety
Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Fresh garlic sauce 56 f sitting on counter. Employee placed in freezer. 2nd temp 43 f
Commercially processed ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food opened and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked after opening.shredded cheese reach in cooler cooks line.
No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. Bar area. And prep area by three compartment sink
No proof of required state approved employee training provided for any employees. To order approved program food safety material, call DBPR contracted provider: Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (SafeStaff) 866-372-7233.
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.
Dead roaches on premises.1 dead roach on wall behind ice machine 13 dead roaches under hand washing sink by three compartment sink. 2 dead roaches under three compartment sink in bar area in the crack of the bottom piece counter top.
Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Cup on cutting board employee removed
Floor soiled/has accumulation of debris. With grease throughout the kitchen under equipment.
Food stored on floor. Lentil bags and tahini buckets stored on floor by dry storage area. Walk in freezer frozen sausage and raw beef in buckets on floor.
Water leaking from pipe and/or faucet/handle.
Oct 5, 2023□ Call Back - CompliedRoutine Inspection
A return visit. The problems from the previous inspection had been dealt with.
2 High priority1 Intermediate3 Basic
Show 6 findings ▾
Employee washed hands with no soap. Discussed with employee. Employee washed hands with soap.
Single-use gloves not changed as needed after changing tasks or when damaged or soiled. Cook handled raw food then washed hands with gloves on. Discussed with employee. Employee removed gloves and washed hands.
Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Employee using hand sink to fill pot with water. Utensils in hand sink at bar. Manager removed.
Ceiling not smooth, nonabsorbent and easily cleanable in food preparation, food storage, or warewashing areas. Acoustic tiles in wait station and storage area.
Floor soiled/has accumulation of debris throughout kitchen. Floor drains soiled.
Floors not maintained smooth and durable.
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.