LA TERESITA
3248 W COLUMBUS DR, Tampa FL 33607 · (813)879-4909
Last inspected Jul 23, 2026 · 10 visits since January 2024
NOV 24
APR 25
JUL 25
FEB 26
JUL 26
≈ ERRATIC
5 inspections, swinging between A and F. Consistency is the problem here, not any single visit.
Live, small flying insects in kitchen, food preparation area, food storage area and/or bar area. 30 flies inside soda closet around soda bags.
★ Spotless◆ Clean streak● Perfect year✓ Never fined
Awarded on the inspection record alone. What they mean →
Disciplinary actions
1 case · $200
| Case | Violation date | Final order | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3--2022003718 | Dec 16, 2021 | Feb 18, 2022 | $200 |
Inspection history
10 visits, newest first
Jul 23, 2026Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 12 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
4 High priority3 Intermediate5 Basic
What the inspector wrote — 12 findingsThe state's own report →
Raw animal food stored over or with unwashed produce. Raw steak and raw eggs stored over cut peppers and onions in walk-in cooler. Operator rearranged items to prevent cross contamination at time of inspection.
Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Raw steaks and raw fish stored over cooked pork in walk-in cooler. Operator rearranged items to prevent cross contamination at time of inspection.
Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. A container of sliced ham 47 F and sliced cheese 48 F stored on counter top at cook line. Operator moved to reach-in cooler.
Vacuum breaker missing at mop sink faucet or on fitting/splitter added to mop sink faucet. Vacuum breaker missing at hose bibb or on fitting/splitter added to hose bibb. Buy handwash sink at front cook line and by three-compartments sink in main kitchen.
Show the remaining 8 findings ▾
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Interiors of the 2 sandwich press soiled with accumulated burned greasy debris at sandwich station.
No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. At sandwich station.
Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Cooked pork shanks in walk-in cooler.
Equipment in poor repair. Ran dish machine multiple times, chlorine tested 0ppm. No warewashing in dish machine at time of inspection. three-compartments sink setup with chlorine sanitizer at time of inspection.
Food not stored at least 6 inches off of the floor. A case of raw pork rib stored on floor in walk-in freezer. Operator moved to shelf.
Interior of microwave has accumulation of black substance/grease/food debris. On front cook line.
No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees. At dish machine area, food prep area and men's restroom at cafe dining area.
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Hood filters soiled with accumulation of grease at cook lines.
Feb 5, 2026Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 15 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
2 High priority5 Intermediate8 Basic
Show 15 findings ▾
Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license. Expired on 02/01/2026. The establishment is open and serving food to the general public at time of inspection. Operator renewed license at time of inspection.
Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Raw chicken stored over a bucket of meat sauce in walk-in cooler at kitchen.
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Interior of the press grill soiled with accumulation of grease at sandwich station.
Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Observed straws and ice cubes in handwash sink at dish machine area.
No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. At multiple handwash sinks in kitchen. Operator provided paper towels.
Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Cooked pork, flans and various food items in 2 walk-in coolers.
Soap dispenser at handwash sink not working/unable to dispense soap. Dispenser handle broken and unable to dispense soap at handwash sink at food prep station.
Buildup of food debris/soil residue on equipment door handles. Multiple reach-in cooler handles and microwave handles soiled with grease at cook lines.
Clean glasses, cups, bowls, plates, pots and pans not stored inverted or in a protected manner. Drinking glasses and coffee cups in wait station.
Commercially processed reduced oxygen packaged fish bearing a label indicating that it is to remain frozen until time of use no longer frozen and not removed from reduced oxygen package. Multiple bags of ROP raw salmon thawing remains in sealed packages in walk-in cooler. Raw salmons are solid and thawing less than 30 minutes. Educated operator and operator removed raw salmon from packages at time of inspection.
Faucet/handle missing at plumbing fixture. Hot water handle disrepair in handwash sink at food preparation area.
Hood ventilation system inadequate as evidenced by grease accumulation on walls/ceiling.
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Hood filters soiled with accumulation of grease and dust at front and back cook lines.
Reach-in cooler interior/shelves have accumulation of soil residues. Multiple reach-in coolers at front and back cook lines.
Stored food not covered. Cooked ham, cooked pork and various food items in large walk-in cooler at back kitchen.
Jul 31, 2025Administrative complaint recommendedComplaint Investigation
Referred for a formal case, which can lead to a fine. 16 violations recorded, 5 high priority.
5 High priority3 Intermediate8 Basic
Show 16 findings ▾
Employee handled soiled equipment or utensils and then engaged in food preparation, handled clean equipment or utensils, or touched unwrapped single-service items without washing hands. Employee handled soiled dishes, then picked up clean food containers and dishes from dish machine without washing hands first. Discussed with operator about proper handwash techniques.
Establishment operating without a license from the Division of Hotels and Restaurants. Operator must obtain a public food service license from the Division of Hotels and Restaurants within 60 days. Submit a license application and payment to DBPR/Bureau of Central Intake Unit, 2601 Blair Stone Rd., Tallahassee, FL 32399-0783. To apply online or obtain an application for license visit https://www2.myfloridalicense.com/hotels-restaurants/ License expired on 02/01/2025.
Food-contact surfaces not sanitized after cleaning, before use. Do not use equipment/utensils not properly sanitized. Observed employee washed and rinsed large food containers and cooking pots in three-compartments sink, then placed to shelves to air dry without sanitation. Discussed with operator about manually wash, rinse and sanitize procedures.
Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. A container of sliced cheese 45 F and cut lettuce 46 F stored on reach-in cooler at sandwich station. Operator moved items into reach-in cooler.
Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. A pan of noodle soup (122F - Hot Holding) stored on stove top at front cook line. Operator reheating at time of inspection.
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Cutting boards stained at sandwich station, cooked pork line and food prep area.
No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. At server stations at main dining room.
Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Cooked pork, cooked beef and various cooked food items in walk-in coolers.
Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable. Multiple cutting boards on reach-in coolers and food prep area in kitchen.
Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Multiple employee drinks with no lids stored on prep table and reach-in coolers at kitchen, front cook line, and service stations.
Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Employee keys and cellphones stored on shelves and prep table at cook line, food prep area and server stations.
Food not stored at least 6 inches off of the floor. Multiple cases of meats stored on floor in walk-in freezer. A few cases of fry oils stored on floor at kitchen.
Interior of microwaves has accumulation of black substance/grease/food debris. At kitchen and server stations.
No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees. At dish machine area.
Single-service articles not stored inverted or protected from contamination. Take out food containers not stored inverted at server stations.
Stored food not covered. Flans in walk-in cooler at kitchen, cooked pork in large walk-in cooler at back house.
Apr 10, 2025Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 5 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
0 High priority1 Intermediate4 Basic
Show 5 findings ▾
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Some cutting boards in kitchen are stained at time of inspection.
Buildup of food debris/soil residue on equipment door handles. Observed some reach in handles are soiled at time of inspection n
Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting. Observed wet nesting on metal food containers stored on shelves near dish room at time of inspection n
Floor soiled/has accumulation of debris. Floor soiled around equipment in kitchen at time of inspection n
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Gaskets are soiled on reach in coolers on main cook line at time of inspection n
Jan 15, 2025□ Call Back - CompliedRoutine Inspection
A return visit. The problems from the previous inspection had been dealt with.
1 High priority1 Intermediate9 Basic
Show 12 findings ▾
Vacuum breaker missing at mop sink faucet or on fitting/splitter added to mop sink faucet. Missing at hose bib at mop sink
Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Beef and pork not date marked in walk-in cooler
Ceiling tile missing. Missing open linen storage room
Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Employee drink stored on prep table
Equipment in poor repair. Door of ice machine broken
Ice buildup in reach-in freezer and/or walk-in freezer. Along pipe under fan in walk-in freezer
No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees. Missing at hand sink on cookline
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Air curtains on walk-in cooler soiled with mold like substance
Walk-in cooler/freezer shelves with rust that has pitted the surface. Observed rust pitted shelves in walk-in cooler
Wet wiping cloth not stored in sanitizing solution between uses. Stored on prep table on service line
Wiping cloth sanitizing solution stored on the floor. Observed sanitizer bucket stored on floor on service line
- From initial inspection : Use of cooking equipment producing grease laden vapors/smoke with no hood suppression system installed. Notified Fire AHJ. For reporting purposes only. 4 sandwich press machines stored on prep table on service line
Nov 7, 2024Warning IssuedRoutine Inspection
Violations found and a warning issued, with a return visit required. 21 recorded, 4 high priority.
4 High priority2 Intermediate15 Basic
Show 22 findings ▾
Dented/rusted cans present. See stop sale. 1 dented can of Heavy Puree Tomato's on can storage cart in back kitchen
Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. chorizo (50 - Cold Holding) in reachin cooler on cookline Employee placed in freezer, product was retemped at
Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. fries (119 - Hot Holding)at cookline fryer Employee placed back in fryer, retemped at 169F
Vacuum breaker missing at mop sink faucet or on fitting/splitter added to mop sink faucet. Missing at hose bib at mop 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.
Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Beef and pork not date marked in walk-in cooler
Ceiling tile missing. Missing open linen storage room
Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Employee drink stored on prep table
Equipment in poor repair. Door of ice machine broken
Floor area(s) covered with standing water. On floor on cookline
Food not stored at least 6 inches off of the floor 2 bags of beans stored on floor 2 soda bin containers stored on floor in dry storage room
Ice bucket/shovel stored on floor between uses. Ice bucket stored on floor on service line
Ice buildup in reach-in freezer and/or walk-in freezer. Along pipe under fan in walk-in freezer
In-use knife/knives stored in cracks between pieces of equipment. 2 knifes stored between reachin cooler and prep table on cookline
No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees. Missing at hand sink on cookline
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Air curtains on walk-in cooler soiled with mold like substance
Single-service articles improperly stored. A box of diner napkins stored on floor under prep table in bakery
Walk-in cooler/freezer shelves with rust that has pitted the surface. Observed rust pitted shelves in walk-in cooler
Wet wiping cloth not stored in sanitizing solution between uses. Stored on prep table on service line
Wiping cloth sanitizing solution stored on the floor. Observed sanitizer bucket stored on floor on service line
Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Bulk sugar no label
Use of cooking equipment producing grease laden vapors/smoke with no hood suppression system installed. Notified Fire AHJ. For reporting purposes only. 4 sandwich press machines stored on prep table on service line
May 1, 2024□ Call Back - CompliedRoutine Inspection
A return visit. The problems from the previous inspection had been dealt with.
1 High priority2 Intermediate3 Basic
Show 6 findings ▾
Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license.
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Cutting board on steam table across from fryer's has stains and is no longer cleanable.
Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Cooked food held longer then 24 hours has no date markings. No dates on any food inside walk in cooler walk in freezer.
Equipment in poor repair. Ice machine door hangs off when opening by walk in cooler in back of restaurant.
No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees. No hand washing sign at hand washing sink by entrance to dry storage.
Water leaking from pipe and/or faucet. Water leaking from ceiling onto cooks floor. Pipe leaking underneath 3 compartment sink.
Apr 30, 2024Warning IssuedRoutine Inspection
Violations found and a warning issued, with a return visit required. 15 recorded, 4 high priority.
4 High priority5 Intermediate6 Basic
Show 15 findings ▾
Container of medicine improperly stored. Opened Pepto-Bismol Stored inside walk in cooler. Chef removed and properly stored medication.
Live, small flying insects in kitchen, food preparation area, food storage area and/or bar area. 30 flies inside soda closet around soda bags.
Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license.
Time/temperature control for safety food identified in the written procedure as a food held using time as a public health control has no time marking and the time removed from temperature control cannot be determined. Butter held on time as a public health control has no time markers across from sandwich press on reach in cooler.
Chemical test kit not used to ensure proper sanitization of equipment and utensils when using a chemical sanitizer.
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Cutting board on steam table across from fryer's has stains and is no longer cleanable.
No chemical test kit provided when using sanitizer at three-compartment sink/warewashing machine or wiping cloths. No chlorine test kit 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 food held longer then 24 hours has no date markings. No dates on any food inside walk in cooler walk in freezer.
Warewashing machine not automatically dispensing the detergent and/or the sanitizer. Dishwasher tested 0ppm of chlorine. Had a discussion with operator about using 3 compartment sink until dishwasher is working properly.
Employee eating while preparing food. Employees eating while working with food on cooks line.
Equipment in poor repair. Ice machine door hangs off when opening by walk in cooler in back of restaurant.
No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees. No hand washing sign at hand washing sink by entrance to dry storage.
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Hood filters have buildup of grease overtop flattop grill and fryer's.
Water leaking from pipe and/or faucet. Water leaking from ceiling onto cooks floor. Pipe leaking underneath 3 compartment sink.
Wet mop not stored in a manner to allow the mop to dry. Wet mop sitting on floor in corner of server station. Manager removed and properly stored mop.
Jan 26, 2024□ Call Back - CompliedRoutine Inspection
A return visit. The problems from the previous inspection had been dealt with.
0 High priority0 Intermediate7 Basic
Show 7 findings ▾
Ceiling tile missing. Observed 5 ceiling tiles missing in linen storage room next to back exit
Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils.observed employee drink stored on prep table
Hole in or other damage to wall. Observed hole in wall at mop sink
No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees. Observed missimg at hand sink next to walk-in cooler
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust.ob old food build up inside 3-door reachin freezer adjacent to walk-in cooler
Single-service articles improperly stored. Observed Togo cups and Togo boxes stored on floor under prep table in bakery section of establishment
Unsealed concrete floor in food preparation, food storage, warewashing area or bathroom. Observed floors heading to walk-in cooler with exposed concrete at door way
Jan 23, 2024Warning IssuedRoutine Inspection
Violations found and a warning issued, with a return visit required. 21 recorded, 5 high priority.
5 High priority2 Intermediate14 Basic
Show 21 findings ▾
Dented/rusted cans present. See stop sale. Observed 1 dented can of Contadina Spaghetti sauce on can storage cart
Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Observed raw salmon stored over ready to eat red beans on walk-in cooler
Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. Observed black eyed peas (47F - Cold Holding),red beans (48F - Cold Holding) in walk-in cooler cooked over night and not properly cooled Observed raw beef (47F - Cold Holding) in reachin cooler on cookline across from grill top
Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed black eyed peas (47F - Cold Holding) Observed raw beef (47F - Cold Holding) in reachin cooler on cookline across from grill top
Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed yuca (129F - Hot Holding) Manager reheated yuca to 168 F
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. Emailed to operator
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. Emailed to operator
Ceiling tile missing. Observed 5 ceiling tiles missing in linen storage room next to back exit
Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils.observed employee drink stored on prep table
Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Observed employee eye glasses stored on shelf above prep table
Floor area(s) covered with standing water. Observed standing water on floor under cookline equipment
Food stored on floor. Observed soda bib in storage room stored on floor
Hole in or other damage to wall. Observed hole in wall at mop sink
In-use knife/knives stored in cracks between pieces of equipment. Observed 3 knifes stored between cookline equipment
No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees. Observed missimg at hand sink next to walk-in cooler
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust.ob old food build up inside 3-door reachin freezer adjacent to walk-in cooler
Sanitizer bucket stored with food, equipment, utensils, linens, single-service, or single-use articles. Observed two sanitizer buckets stored on floor in front kitchen Corrected -observed employee place on shelf
Single-service articles improperly stored. Observed Togo cups and Togo boxes stored on floor under prep table in bakery section of establishment
Time/temperature control for safety food thawed in an improper manner. Observed plaintains thawing at room temperature Observed employee place in walk-in cooler
Unsealed concrete floor in food preparation, food storage, warewashing area or bathroom. Observed floors heading to walk-in cooler with exposed concrete at door way
Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Observed bulk sugar with no label on prep table on cookline Corrected observed employee label
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.