LA TAQUERIA EL NOPAL INC
3710 W WATERS AVE, Tampa FL 33614 · 813.846.3689
Last inspected Jul 17, 2025 · 9 visits since August 2023
AUG 23
MAY 24
AUG 24
MAR 25
JUL 25
▲ GETTING WORSE
5 inspections trending down, 13 points off where it started.
Mobile food dispensing vehicle disposing liquid waste improperly. Operator is dumping liquid waste into blue RV tank. Per operator he does not have a waste water tank on MFDV.
★ 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--2022025393 | May 17, 2022 | Aug 4, 2022 | $400 |
Inspection history
9 visits, newest first
Jul 17, 2025Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 7 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
2 High priority2 Intermediate3 Basic
What the inspector wrote — 7 findingsThe state's own report →
Nonfood-grade bags used in direct contact with food. Cooked beef stored in shopping bag in Reach in cooler. Operator relocated beef into food-grade safe bag during time of inspection.
Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Raw shell eggs and raw chicken stored over bread in Reach in cooler.
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. Cutting board in Reach in cooler soiled.
Show the remaining 3 findings ▾
Employee with no hair restraint while engaging in food preparation. Employee on front line cook not wearing hair net while preparing food. Employee wore hair net during time of inspection.
Ice buildup in reach-in freezer.
No conspicuously located ambient air temperature thermometer in holding unit. No ambient thermometer in any Reach in coolers.
Mar 26, 2025Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 11 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
1 High priority4 Intermediate6 Basic
Show 11 findings ▾
Nonfood-grade bags used in direct contact with food. Cooked pork stored in shopping bag in soda Reach in cooler. Operator relocated pork into food grade co trainers during time of inspection. Discussed with operator.
Commercially processed ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food opened and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked after opening. Sour cream in Reach in cooler not date marked.
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Cutting board on front line Reach in cooler soiled.
Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Bowl of frozen meat inside Employee handwash sink, used for thawing. Operator relocated meat during time of inspection.
No chemical test kit provided when using sanitizer at three-compartment sink/warewashing machine or wiping cloths. No Quaternary ammonia test kit for three compartment sink or sanitizer bucket.
Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Employee water bottle on top of mini Reach in freezer.
Employee with no hair restraint while engaging in food preparation. 2 employees not wearing hear restraint while preparing food.
Ice buildup in reach-in freezer and/or walk-in freezer. Inside Reach in freezer.
No conspicuously located ambient air temperature thermometer in holding unit. Located inside front line Reach in cooler.
Time/temperature control for safety food thawed in an improper manner. Cooked pork thawing in room temperature inside Employee handwash sink. Operator relocated pork to freezer during time of inspection. Discussed with operator.
Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Squeeze bottle of sour cream on front line Reach in cooler not labeled.
Nov 5, 2024Call Back - Admin. complaint recommendedRoutine Inspection
Referred for a formal case, which can lead to a fine. 5 violations recorded.
0 High priority0 Intermediate5 Basic
Show 5 findings ▾
Cardboard used to line food-contact shelves. Located in Reach in cooler for sodas.
Employee with no hair restraint while engaging in food preparation.
Ice buildup in reach-in freezer and/or reach-in freezer. Located beneath microwave.
No conspicuously located ambient air temperature thermometer in holding unit. Located inside the Reach in cooler.
Wastewater tank not an integral part of the unit. Wastewater is being plumber through pipe into the portable waste tank on the ground.
Aug 9, 2024Warning IssuedRoutine Inspection
Violations found and a warning issued, with a return visit required. 14 recorded, 2 high priority.
2 High priority3 Intermediate9 Basic
Show 14 findings ▾
Employee failed to wash hands before putting on gloves to initiate a task working with food. Operator did not wash hands after changing tasks. Discussed with operator the importance of hand washing when switching tasks.
Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Raw salmon and shell eggs stored over bread, tortillas, shredded cheese, refried beans, and unwashed vegetables. Located inside soda Reach in cooler. Operator rearranged all food items properly during time of inspection.
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Cutting board on Reach in cooler soiled with food stains.
Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Cutting board on Employee handwash sink. Operator removed cutting board during time of inspection.
Potable water tank not an integral part of the unit.
Cardboard used to line food-contact shelves. Located in Reach in cooler for sodas.
Condensation or other drainage not disposed of according to law. Condensation pipe at exterior of food truck draining onto ground.
Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Water bottle stored on shelf next to microwave. 2 Water bottles stored on prep table beneath microwave. Operator removed bottles into a hotel pan during time of inspection.
Employee with no hair restraint while engaging in food preparation.
Ice buildup in reach-in freezer and/or reach-in freezer. Located beneath microwave.
No conspicuously located ambient air temperature thermometer in holding unit. Located inside the Reach in cooler.
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Gaskets for Reach in cooler and Reach in freezer are soiled.
Opened employee beverage container in a cold holding unit with food to be served to customers. Personal drink inside soda Reach in cooler.
Wastewater tank not an integral part of the unit. Wastewater is being plumber through pipe into the portable waste tank on the ground.
Jul 26, 2024Call Back - Admin. complaint recommendedRoutine Inspection
Referred for a formal case, which can lead to a fine. 3 violations recorded.
0 High priority3 Intermediate0 Basic
Show 3 findings ▾
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Cutting boards in kitchen.
Mobile food dispensing vehicle disposing liquid waste improperly. Operator is dumping liquid waste into blue RV tank. Per operator he does not have a waste water tank on MFDV.
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.
May 23, 2024Call Back - Extension given, pendingRoutine Inspection
A return visit. The problems were not fixed yet and the kitchen was given more time.
0 High priority3 Intermediate0 Basic
Show 3 findings ▾
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Cutting boards in kitchen.
Mobile food dispensing vehicle disposing liquid waste improperly. Operator is dumping liquid waste into blue RV tank. Per operator he does not have a waste water tank on MFDV.
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.
May 21, 2024Warning IssuedRoutine Inspection
Violations found and a warning issued, with a return visit required. 6 recorded, 1 high priority.
1 High priority4 Intermediate1 Basic
Show 6 findings ▾
Mobile food dispensing vehicle obtaining water from an unapproved source. Operator is getting water from spigot on side of PNC Bank parking lot.
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Cutting boards in kitchen.
Mobile food dispensing vehicle disposing liquid waste improperly. Operator is dumping liquid waste into blue RV tank. Per operator he does not have a waste water tank on MFDV.
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.
Self-sufficient mobile food dispensing vehicle operating from an unapproved commissary. License location is the owners private residence. Operator is getting water for MFDV across the street from spigot at PNC bank. Operator states that he takes his waste water in RV tank to EZ Pro kitchen.
Mobile food dispensing vehicle is not vehicle mounted. Waste water tank is on the ground outside of truck.
Oct 4, 2023□ Call Back - CompliedRoutine Inspection
A return visit. The problems from the previous inspection had been dealt with.
0 High priority0 Intermediate0 Basic
Aug 1, 2023Warning IssuedRoutine Inspection
Violations found and a warning issued, with a return visit required. 3 recorded.
0 High priority2 Intermediate1 Basic
Show 3 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.
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. Provided for management to sign and employees signed. Manager and some employees signed next unannounced routine inspection
Mobile food dispensing vehicle is not self-propelled or otherwise movable from place to place. Waste water tank is on the ground outside of the truck.
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.