LA CUBANITA CAFE
723 W LUMSDEN RD, Brandon FL 33511 · 813.661.2253
Last inspected Aug 25, 2026 · 7 visits since November 2023
OCT 24
FEB 25
JUL 25
JAN 26
AUG 26
▲ GETTING WORSE
5 inspections, one direction. The current grade is the worst on record.
Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Ham (55F); Chorizo (55F). Operator placed items on ice. Discussed using time as a public health control,with operator.
★ Spotless◆ Clean streak● Perfect year✓ Never fined
Awarded on the inspection record alone. What they mean →
Inspection history
7 visits, newest first
Aug 25, 2026Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 10 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
2 High priority1 Intermediate7 Basic
What the inspector wrote — 10 findingsThe state's own report →
Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Raw shell eggs stored over cooked potatoes in reach in cooler. Operator moved eggs.
Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Ham (55F); Chorizo (55F). Operator placed items on ice. Discussed using time as a public health control,with operator.
Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Spray bottles in dish pit hand sink. Operator removed bottles.
Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Bowl used to scoop cooked potatoes. Operator removed bowl.
Show the remaining 6 findings ▾
Ceiling not smooth, nonabsorbent and easily cleanable in food preparation, food storage, or warewashing areas. Acoustic tiles in kitchen.
Cove molding at floor/wall juncture broken/missing. At back door
Employee with no hair restraint while engaging in food preparation. Employee in prep area.
Exterior door has a gap at the threshold that opens to the outside. Back door.
Opened employee beverage container in a cold holding unit with food to be served to customers. 3 employee water bottles in reach in cooler.
Time/temperature control for safety food thawed in an improper manner. Raw chicken thawing at room temperature. Operator placed in walk in cooler.
Jan 14, 2026Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 7 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
1 High priority0 Intermediate6 Basic
Show 7 findings ▾
Employee cracked raw shell eggs and then handled ready-to-eat food and/or clean equipment or utensils without washing hands. Operator discussed with employee
Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin.
Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Bowls used to scoop bulk seasoning blend. Operator removed.
Ceiling not smooth, nonabsorbent and easily cleanable in food preparation, food storage, or warewashing areas. Acoustic tiles in kitchen
Food stored on floor. Bag of onions on the floor in walk in cooler. Operator placed on shelf.
Ice buildup in reach-in freezer.
Single-service articles not stored inverted or protected from contamination. Foil 1/2 pans on shelf in prep area not inverted. Operator inverted.
Jul 21, 2025Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 9 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
2 High priority1 Intermediate6 Basic
Show 9 findings ▾
Raw animal food stored over or with unwashed produce. Raw beef stored with unwashed carrots and potatoes n walk in cooler. Operator placed produce on higher shelf.
Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Raw chicken stored over cooked beans in walk in cooler. Operator placed chicken on lower shelf.
Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Blocked by mop bucket. Operator moved mop bucket
Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin.
Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Bowl used to scoop cooked potatoes in reach in cooler.
Ceiling not smooth, nonabsorbent and easily cleanable in food preparation, food storage, or warewashing areas. Acoustic ceiling tiles in kitchen.
Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Bottle of juice on prep table by slicer. Water bottles on prep table near flip top cooler and slicer. Operator removed items.
Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Cell phone on prep table by slicer. Operator removed.
Ice buildup in reach-in freezer.
Feb 14, 2025Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 8 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
0 High priority0 Intermediate8 Basic
Show 8 findings ▾
Cove molding at floor/wall juncture broken/missing. At back door
Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. 2 employee drinks on prep table by slicer. 1 drink on prep table in prep area. Operator moved items.
Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Purse on counter neat blender. Cell phone on prep table in prep area. Operator removed items.
Exterior door has a gap at the threshold that opens to the outside.
Food stored on floor. Bag of onions on floor in walk in cooler
Ice buildup in reach-in freezer..
Ice scoop handle in contact with ice. Operator removed, washed and sanitized ice scoop.
Single-service articles not stored inverted or protected from contamination. To go containers at steam table. Operator inverted.
Oct 7, 2024Inspection Completed - No Further ActionComplaint Investigation
Met inspection standards. 7 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
0 High priority1 Intermediate6 Basic
Show 7 findings ▾
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Observed debris buildup on can opener.
Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin.
Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Observed employee water bottles on front counter. Employee removed bottles
Floor soiled/has accumulation of debris. Observed buildup of grease and food debris between, behind and under equipment on cookline.
Food stored on floor. Observed cases of drinks stored on floor in prep area. Operator placed drinks on shelf. Observed bucket of beef base on floor in prep area. Employee placed bucket on shelf
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed buildup of grease on hood filters.
Single-service articles not stored inverted or protected from contamination. Observed to go containers on steam table not inverted. Employee inverted
Mar 7, 2024Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 7 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
0 High priority1 Intermediate6 Basic
Show 7 findings ▾
Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Something in bag in sink
Ceiling tile missing.
Ceiling/ceiling tile shows damage or is in disrepair.
Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance.
Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils.
Single-service articles not stored inverted or protected from contamination. Several articles not inverted throughout
Wet mop not stored in a manner to allow the mop to dry.
Nov 7, 2023Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 7 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
0 High priority1 Intermediate6 Basic
Show 7 findings ▾
Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Chicken thawing in middle hand Sinkmoved
Ceiling/ceiling tile shows damage or is in disrepair. Back of kitchen
Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance. Several damaged through out kitchen
Single-service articles not stored inverted or protected from contamination. Togo containers not inverted, several places through out kitchen
Time/temperature control for safety food thawed in an improper manner. Thawing chicken in middle hand sink Put in walk in cooler
Wet mop not stored in a manner to allow the mop to dry.
Wet wiping cloth not stored in sanitizing solution between uses. On cutting board
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.