HOT TOMATO
2702 E COLLEGE AVE, Ruskin FL 33570 · 813-270-3026
Last inspected Jul 7, 2026 · 8 visits since July 2023
FEB 24
NOV 24
APR 25
DEC 25
MAY 26
≈ ERRATIC
5 inspections, swinging between A and D. Consistency is the problem here, not any single visit.
Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license. Establishment open, operating, and serving the public. Llicense expired 2/1/2026.
★ 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--2022038045 | Aug 1, 2022 | May 2, 2023 | $800 |
| 3--2021029786 | Jun 10, 2021 | Aug 11, 2021 | $400 |
Inspection history
8 visits, newest first
Jul 7, 2026Call Back - Admin. complaint recommendedRoutine Inspection
Referred for a formal case, which can lead to a fine. 4 violations recorded.
0 High priority2 Intermediate2 Basic
What the inspector wrote — 4 findings
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Cutting board.
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. All expired.
Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable. Cutting boards.
Equipment in poor repair. Reach in cooler lid handle broken.
May 4, 2026Administrative complaint recommendedRoutine Inspection
Referred for a formal case, which can lead to a fine. 11 violations recorded, 3 high priority.
3 High priority3 Intermediate5 Basic
Show 11 findings ▾
Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license. Establishment open, operating, and serving the public. Llicense expired 2/1/2026.
Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Cuban Sandwiches 60 F on counter, manager states it's been there for approximately 20 minutes, discussed time as a public health control.
Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Potato balls 106 F in hot holding unit, manager began to reheat.
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Cutting board.
Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Sanitizer bucket in hand wash sink next to 3 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. All expired.
Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable. Cutting boards.
Equipment in poor repair. Reach in cooler lid handle broken.
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Hood filters.
Wiping cloths used for occasional spills on tableware (utensils, plates or bowls served to the consumer) not dry and used just for that purpose. Sanitizer bucket on prep table.
Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Container of sugar not labeled.
Dec 15, 2025Inspection Completed - No Further ActionComplaint Investigation
Met inspection standards. 6 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
0 High priority2 Intermediate4 Basic
Show 6 findings ▾
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Cutting boards in kitchen.
Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Bleach container in Handwash sink. Operator removed.
Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable. Cutting boards in dry storage/ sandwich making room.
Food stored on floor. Cocktail sauce and multiple items on floor in walk in cooler. Operator relocated at time of inspection.
Ice buildup in reach-in freezer and/or walk-in freezer. Reach in freezer in dry storage room.
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Gaskets of reach in coolers.
Apr 24, 2025Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 14 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
3 High priority1 Intermediate10 Basic
Show 14 findings ▾
Container of medicine improperly stored. Employee medicine on dry storage shelf. Manager removed.
Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. coleslaw 55 F, steak 51 F in reach in cooler next to pizza oven. Employee placed in walk in cooler at time of inspection.
Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Potato ball 121 F.
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Cutting board.
Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Scoop with no handle in cracker meal. Manager removed.
Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable. Cutting board.
Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Employee drinks on prep table. Manager removed at time of inspection.
Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Employee bag on pasta, employee removed at time of inspection.
Equipment in poor repair. Reach in cooler door handle broke.
Food stored on floor. Mayonnaise and soda boxes on floor.
Ice buildup in reach-in freezer and/or walk-in freezer. Ice buildup up in reach in freezer.
In-use utensil in non-time/temperature control for safety food not stored with handle above top of food within a closed container. Scoop handle in breading.
Single-service articles improperly stored. To go boxes on floor. Manager removed at time of inspection.
Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Breading not labeled, manager labeled at time of inspection.
Nov 25, 2024Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 10 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
1 High priority1 Intermediate8 Basic
Show 10 findings ▾
Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit.
Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Sanitizer bucket in handwash sink near register.
Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance. Vents soiled throughout kitchen.
Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Employee drink on shelf with food. Employee removed at time of inspection.
Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Employees phone on shelf with food. Employee removed at time of inspection.
Equipment in poor repair. Reach in cooler door handle broken.
Food stored on floor. Water bottles on floor near register.
Ice buildup in reach-in freezer and/or walk-in freezer. Ice buildup up in reach in freezer.
In-use utensil in non-time/temperature control for safety food not stored with handle above top of food within a closed container. Scoop handle in breading.
Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Container of breading not labeled. Operator labeled at time of inspection.
Feb 15, 2024Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 10 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
1 High priority2 Intermediate7 Basic
Show 10 findings ▾
Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Chicken wings 50 F,sandwiches 49 F in reach in cooler. Employee placed to the bottom of reach in cooler.
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Cutting boards throughout kitchen.
No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. No paper towels at handwash sink in sandwich prep area. Operator replaced at time of inspection.
Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance. Fans in walk in cooler soiled.
Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable. Cutting boards throughout kitchen.
Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Employee drinks above pizza trays, operator removed at time of inspection.
Food stored on floor. Boxes of meat on floor in walk in freezer.
Interior of oven/microwave has accumulation of black substance/grease/food debris. Microwave on cook line.
Single-service articles improperly stored. Boxes of to go boxes and cups on floor in dry storage shed.
Standing water or very slow draining water in handwash sink, three-compartment sink, or mop sink. Standing water in handwash sink near register.
Jul 13, 2023□ Call Back - CompliedComplaint Investigation
A return visit. The problems from the previous inspection had been dealt with.
0 High priority1 Intermediate3 Basic
Show 4 findings ▾
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Cutting board on prep table.
Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable. Cutting board on prep table.
Open dumpster lid.
Standing water or very slow draining water in handwash sink, three-compartment sink, or mop sink. Standing water in handwash sink across from register.
Jul 6, 2023Warning IssuedComplaint Investigation
Violations found and a warning issued, with a return visit required. 14 recorded, 1 high priority.
1 High priority4 Intermediate9 Basic
Show 14 findings ▾
Time/temperature control for safety food required to be date marked is not date marked and time of opening/preparation cannot be determined. See stop sale. Milk in reach in cooler near register not date marked, operator doesn't know when it was opened.
Commercially processed ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food opened and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked after opening. Milk in reach in cooler near register not date marked, operator doesn't know when it was opened.
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Cutting board on prep table.
Handwash sink removed from food preparation/dishwashing area. Must be reinstalled in the same location where removed. No running water at handwash sink next to 3 Compartment Sink.
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.
Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable. Cutting board on prep table.
Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Employee drinks next to mixer. Opened employee beverage container in a cold holding unit with food to be served to customers. Employee drink in reach in cooler near bacon. Employees removed at time of inspection.
Food stored on floor. Soda boxes on floor near prep room. Flour on floor in dry storage room. Operator removed at time of inspection.
Interior of oven/microwave has accumulation of black substance/grease/food debris. Microwave near pizza oven.
Open dumpster lid.
Single-service articles not stored inverted or protected from contamination. Portion cup lids not inverted, employee inverted at time of inspection.
Standing water or very slow draining water in handwash sink, three-compartment sink, or mop sink. Standing water in handwash sink across from register.
Wiping cloth chlorine sanitizing solution not at proper minimum strength. Sanitizer bucket tested 0 ppm, operator remade tested 50 ppm.
Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Container of flour not labeled near pizza station.
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.