LA BAMBA RESTAURANT
4815 W LAUREL ST, Tampa FL 33607 · 813-287-2575
Last inspected Aug 20, 2026 · 12 visits since August 2023
SEP 24
MAY 25
OCT 25
APR 26
AUG 26
≈ ERRATIC
5 inspections, swinging between A and F. Consistency is the problem here, not any single visit.
Roach activity present as evidenced by live roaches found. 2 live roach on floor next to water heater. 1 live roach next to ice machine. 1 live roach trapped on sticky trap next to water heater
★ 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--2024021691 | Mar 28, 2024 | May 13, 2024 | $400 |
Inspection history
12 visits, newest first
Aug 20, 2026Inspection Completed - No Further ActionComplaint Investigation
Met inspection standards. 6 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
0 High priority1 Intermediate5 Basic
What the inspector wrote — 6 findingsThe state's own report →
Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Pulled pork in walk-in cooler. Operator date marked at time of inspection.
Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Tea cup with handle used in sugar bin at kitchen. Employee removed cup at time of inspection.
Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Employee's opened bottled water stored on dry food storage shelf over food items. Employee removed drink at time of inspection.
Food storage container/container lid cracked or broken. 2 cracked and broken lids covered food bins in kitchen.
Show the remaining 2 findings ▾
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Hood filters soiled with accumulation of grease at cook line.
Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Spray bottle with cooking oil at cook line.
Apr 30, 2026□ 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 ▾
Food storage container/container lid cracked or broken. Rice bins lids cracked and broken.
Apr 28, 2026Warning IssuedRoutine Inspection
Violations found and a warning issued, with a return visit required. 3 recorded, 1 high priority.
1 High priority1 Intermediate1 Basic
Show 3 findings ▾
Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Reach-in cooler at front line Cold Holding: sliced cheese 61 F, sliced tomato 62 F, cut lettuce 58 F, butter 52 F. Reach-in cooler in kitchen Cold Holding: sliced ham 50 F, sliced cheese 52 F, raw steak 44 F. Employee moved items to reach-in freezer for rapid chilled.
Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Employee washing wiping clothes in handwash sink at front service line. Discussed with operator about handwash sink for handwash only.
Food storage container/container lid cracked or broken. Rice bins lids cracked and broken.
Oct 24, 2025Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 8 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
0 High priority2 Intermediate6 Basic
Show 8 findings ▾
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.
Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Sliced ham and Swiss cheese held longer than 24 hours without date marking. Operator labeled at time of inspection
Food storage container/container lid cracked or broken. Lid on black bean storage bin cracked
Garbage on the ground and/or pad around dumpster.
Ice scoop handle in contact with ice. Scoop handles touching rice and black beans in storage bins. Operator corrected at time of inspection
In-use tongs stored on equipment door handle between uses. Tongs hanging on can opener handle. Employee removed at time of inspection.
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Hood vents soiled with grease
Open dumpster lid.
Jul 10, 2025□ Call Back - CompliedRoutine Inspection
A return visit. The problems from the previous inspection had been dealt with.
1 High priority0 Intermediate4 Basic
Show 5 findings ▾
Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed a container of sausage patty 51 F, sliced ham 52 F and raw shell egg 58 F cold holding in ice bath on prep table at cook line. Operator moved items to reach-in freezer, re temped: sausage patty 28 F, sliced ham 34 F, raw shell eggs sold at time of inspection. A container of sliced ham 49 F at front sandwich station. Operator moved into reach-in cooler, re temped sliced ham 44F.
Food not stored at least 6 inches off of the floor. Soda syrup boxes stored on floor at front service counter.
Food storage container/container lid cracked or broken. Lids on rice bins.
Garbage on the ground and/or pad around dumpster.
Open dumpster lid.
May 5, 2025Warning IssuedRoutine Inspection
Violations found and a warning issued, with a return visit required. 22 recorded, 3 high priority.
3 High priority5 Intermediate14 Basic
Show 22 findings ▾
Food-contact surfaces not sanitized after cleaning, before use. Do not use equipment/utensils not properly sanitized. Sheet pan washed and rinsed, employee moved to shelf for air dry without sanitize the surface. Discussed with operator and educated employee how to sanitize food contact surfaces manually in three-compartments sink.
Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Raw bacon stored over cooked potato and sliced cheese in walk-in cooler. Operator rearranged items to prevent cross contamination.
Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed a container of sausage patty 51 F, sliced ham 52 F and raw shell egg 58 F cold holding in ice bath on prep table at cook line. Operator moved items to reach-in freezer, re temped: sausage patty 28 F, sliced ham 34 F, raw shell eggs sold at time of inspection. A container of sliced ham 49 F at front sandwich station. Operator moved into reach-in cooler, re temped sliced ham 44F.
Certified Food Manager or person in charge lacks knowledge of foodborne illnesses and symptoms of illness that would prevent an employee from working with food, clean equipment and utensils, and single-service items.
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.
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Can opener blade soiled with old food debris.
Operator is not properly tracking/marking the number of days ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite was held at refrigeration temperatures prior to freezing in order to properly date mark the food when it is thawed and held at refrigeration temperatures again. Cooked Spanish bean thawing in walk-in cooler. Shredded mozzarella cheese and cooked sausage patties in reach-in freezer.
Records/documents for required employee training do not contain all of the required information. Missing birthdays of employees on certificates.
Duct tape used to repair nonfood-contact surface. On walk-in cooler door gasket.
Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Employee purse and sweater stored on soda syrup boxes. Removed. Employee keys and wallet stored on canned food at dry food storage shelf. Removed.
Food not stored at least 6 inches off of the floor. Soda syrup boxes stored on floor at front service counter.
Food storage container/container lid cracked or broken. Lids on rice bins.
Garbage on the ground and/or pad around dumpster.
Hood ventilation system inadequate as evidenced by grease accumulation on walls/ceiling.
In-use utensil in non-time/temperature control for safety food not stored with handle above top of food within a closed container. Scoop handles touched food in rice bin. Operator moved handles up at time of inspection.
Interior of microwave has accumulation of black substance/grease/food debris. Next to water heater in kitchen.
Label on a food item prepared and packaged onsite for customer self-service does not include product identity/description, date product was packaged and name and address of the establishment that prepared and packaged the food. Flans in reach-in cooler at self service station in dining area.
Missing drain plug at dumpster.
No Heimlich maneuver/choking sign posted.
No mop sink or curbed cleaning facility provided at establishment. Mop sink removed due to impact with vehicle. Operator states that repair has been scheduled for today.
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Hood filters soiled with grease.
Open dumpster lid.
Sep 4, 2024Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 6 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
0 High priority0 Intermediate6 Basic
Show 6 findings ▾
Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting. Observed plastic containers wet nesting under cookline prep table
Food not stored at least 6 inches off of the floor. Observed a container of potatoes stored on floor adjacent to hand sink on cookline
In-use utensil in non-time/temperature control for safety food not stored with handle above top of food within a closed container. Observed scoop handle stored in bulk rice on cookline
No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees. Observed missing at hand sink in dish area
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed old food build up inside Traulsen reachin freezer on cookline
Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Observed bulk flour with no label on dry storage shelf
May 28, 2024Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 5 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
2 High priority0 Intermediate3 Basic
Show 5 findings ▾
Employee dried hands on clothes/apron/soiled towel after washing. Observed employee dry hands on apron and replace gloves Inspector explained proper hand washing and gloves use
Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed sliced cheese (52 - Cold Holding) in reachin cooler on service line Observed employee place on ice
Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Observed employee drink on prep table next to coffee maker Corrected observed employee remove
Food not stored at least 6 inches off of the floor Observed a box of code and soda bib stored on floor on service line Corrected -observed employee place off floor
Opened employee beverage container in a cold holding unit with food to be served to customers. Observed employee bottle of soda stored in reachin cooler on cookline
Mar 29, 2024□ Emergency Order Callback CompliedRoutine Inspection
A return visit. The problems from the previous inspection had been dealt with.
1 High priority1 Intermediate6 Basic
Show 8 findings ▾
Nonfood-grade bags used in direct contact with food. Vegetables stored in no food grade bags in walk-in cooler
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Meat slicer is dirty in kitchen.
Dishmachine has no data plate/operating specifications. Dish machine does not have a data label.
Floor tiles missing and/or in disrepair. Floor tile broken in kitchen next to 3 compartment sink.
Food not stored at least 6 inches off of the floor. Milk in crates on floor of walk-in cooler
Hole in or other damage to wall. Hole in wall behind water heater. Wall tile in disrepair on top of employee hand wash sink in kitchen next to water heater.
No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees. No hand wash sign at hand sink next to water heater.
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Gasket is dirty on reach-in cooler next to ice machine Storage shelves soiled with grease and old food build up on cook line
Mar 29, 2024■ Emergency Order Callback Not CompliedRoutine Inspection
A return visit while the kitchen was already shut. The problems had not been fixed, so the closure stayed in place. 16 violations recorded, 5 high priority.
5 High priority1 Intermediate10 Basic
Show 16 findings ▾
Dented/rusted cans present. See stop sale. Dented/rusted cans present. See stop sale. Observed one can of green beans dented on dry storage shelf next to walk in refrigerator.
Nonfood-grade bags used in direct contact with food. Vegetables stored in no food grade bags in walk-in cooler
Presence of insects, rodents, or other pests. 2 dead yellow insects by back lobby dining room along window seal.
Roach activity present as evidenced by live roaches found. 2 live roach on floor next to water heater. 1 live roach next to ice machine. 1 live roach trapped on sticky trap next to water heater
Roach excrement and/or droppings present. 1 roach egg casing. 1 egg casing attached to dead roach on floor near ice machine.
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Meat slicer is dirty in kitchen.
Accumulation of dead or trapped birds, insects, rodents, or other pests, in control devices. 6 dead roaches in one sticky trap next to the water heater. 15 dead roaches in second sticky trap next to the water heater. 1 dead roach in sticky trap on top of outlet under front service count by espresso machine.
Dead roaches on premises. 12 dead roaches on floor beneath shelving next to water heater. 5 dead roaches next to water heater. 5 dead roaches on floor behind ice machine. 1 dead roach with egg casing attached to body near the ice machine. 2 dead roaches on a can of green beans on stored shelf. 1 dead roach on floor next to burner. 1 dead roach on floor next to front service line by employee hand wash sink.
Dishmachine has no data plate/operating specifications. Dish machine does not have a data label.
Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Personal items stored on shelves above clean equipment next to water heater
Floor tiles missing and/or in disrepair. Floor tile broken in kitchen next to 3 compartment sink.
Food not stored at least 6 inches off of the floor. Milk in crates on floor of walk-in cooler
Hole in or other damage to wall. Hole in wall behind water heater. Wall tile in disrepair on top of employee hand wash sink in kitchen next to water heater.
No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees. No hand wash sign at hand sink next to water heater.
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Gasket is dirty on reach-in cooler next to ice machine Storage shelves soiled with grease and old food build up on cook line
Ripped/worn tin foil used as shelf cover. Tin foil linking is ripped and soiled under prep table shelf on cookline
Mar 28, 2024■ Emergency order recommendedRoutine Inspection
Ordered shut on the spot. 22 violations recorded, 8 of them the tier the state says can make you ill. A reinspection is required before this kitchen may reopen.
8 High priority1 Intermediate13 Basic
Show 22 findings ▾
Dented/rusted cans present. See stop sale. Dented/rusted cans present. See stop sale. Observed one can of green beans dented on dry storage shelf next to walk in refrigerator.
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. Sanitizer was tested at 0ppm, operator changed out the sanitizer, ran the dishwasher machine, and tested sanitizer at 100ppm
Nonfood-grade bags used in direct contact with food. Vegetables stored in no food grade bags in walk-in cooler
Presence of insects, rodents, or other pests. 2 dead yellow insects by back lobby dining room along window seal.
Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Observed breaded raw chicken in walk-in refrigerator stored above ready to eat cooked potatoes. Observed raw shrimp stored over plantains in reach-in refrigerator next to water heater.
Roach activity present as evidenced by live roaches found. 2 live roach on floor next to water heater. 1 live roach next to ice machine. 1 live roach trapped on sticky trap next to water heater
Roach excrement and/or droppings present. 1 roach egg casing. 1 egg casing attached to dead roach on floor near ice machine.
Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed Milk 47F,Raw beef 49F,Raw chicken 45F,Cut tomato 45F in reachin cooler Observed Sliced cheese 47F in walk-in cooler Observed employee place raw chicken and raw beef on ice at time of inspection. Observed employee place milk in walk-in cooler
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Meat slicer is dirty in kitchen.
Accumulation of dead or trapped birds, insects, rodents, or other pests, in control devices. 6 dead roaches in one sticky trap next to the water heater. 15 dead roaches in second sticky trap next to the water heater. 1 dead roach in sticky trap on top of outlet under front service count by espresso machine.
Dead roaches on premises. 12 dead roaches on floor beneath shelving next to water heater. 5 dead roaches next to water heater. 5 dead roaches on floor behind ice machine. 1 dead roach with egg casing attached to body near the ice machine. 2 dead roaches on a can of green beans on stored shelf. 1 dead roach on floor next to burner. 1 dead roach on floor next to front service line by employee hand wash sink.
Dishmachine has no data plate/operating specifications. Dish machine does not have a data label.
Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Personal drink stored on dry storage rack next to walk-in cooler above spices.
Employee eating in a food preparation or other restricted area. Employees eating by working station inside kitchen
Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Personal items stored on shelves above clean equipment next to water heater
Floor tiles missing and/or in disrepair. Floor tile broken in kitchen next to 3 compartment sink.
Food not stored at least 6 inches off of the floor. Milk in crates on floor of walk-in cooler
Hole in or other damage to wall. Hole in wall behind water heater. Wall tile in disrepair on top of employee hand wash sink in kitchen next to water heater.
No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees. No hand wash sign at hand sink next to water heater.
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Gasket is dirty on reach-in cooler next to ice machine Storage shelves soiled with grease and old food build up on cook line
Ripped/worn tin foil used as shelf cover. Tin foil linking is ripped and soiled under prep table shelf on cookline
Stored food not covered. Bowls of lettuce stacked on top of each other with no covering in between.
Aug 3, 2023Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 9 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
3 High priority2 Intermediate4 Basic
Show 9 findings ▾
Chlorine sanitizer not at proper minimum strength for manual warewashing. Do not use equipment/utensils not properly sanitized. Three compartment sink set up with 0 ppm of chlorine, corrected, employee reset three compartment sink to 100 ppm of chlorine.
In-use utensil stored in unclean water at or above 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Utensils stored in standing water 76°.
Single-use gloves not changed as needed after changing tasks or when damaged or soiled. Observed employee placing dirty dishes in three compartment sink and returning to cooks line with no prior hand washing, corrected action taken, inspector discussed with operator proper glove changing and hand washing when changing duties.
No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. Unable to dispense paper towels at time of inspection, corrected, employee fixed dispenser at time of inspection.
Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Cooked pork, cooked rice held over 24 hrs not date marked.
Evidence of employee smoking in food preparation, food storage or warewashing area. Employee drinks stored on food prep table in kitchen, corrected, employees removed drinks during inspection.
No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees. No employee must wash hands sign at employee hand wash sink on cooks line.
Wet wiping cloth not stored in sanitizing solution between uses.
Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Bulk containers in kitchen not labeled.
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.