MARGARITAS AUTHENTIC MEXICAN RESTAURANT
490 MANDALAY AVE STE 10, Clearwater FL 33767 · 8043861058
Last inspected Jul 14, 2026 · 10 visits since October 2023
APR 24
NOV 24
FEB 25
OCT 25
MAY 26
▼ IMPROVING
5 inspections trending up, 35 points better than where it started.
Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license. Paid for online during inspection.
★ Spotless◆ Clean streak● Perfect year✓ Never fined
Awarded on the inspection record alone. What they mean →
Inspection history
10 visits, newest first
Jul 14, 2026□ Call Back - CompliedRoutine Inspection
A return visit. The problems from the previous inspection had been dealt with.
0 High priority1 Intermediate0 Basic
What the inspector wrote — 1 finding
Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Various cooked foods.
May 13, 2026Warning IssuedRoutine Inspection
Violations found and a warning issued, with a return visit required. 7 recorded.
0 High priority4 Intermediate3 Basic
Show 7 findings ▾
Manager or person in charge lacking proof of food manager certification. No one available with certification. Manager has certificates but is not present.
No chemical test kit provided when using sanitizer at three-compartment sink/warewashing machine or wiping cloths. Chlorine test kit missing.
No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink.
Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Various cooked foods.
Food stored on floor. Plastic juice bottles and cooking oil stored on floor in back storage area.
No conspicuously located ambient air temperature thermometer in holding unit. White.refrigerator.
Time/temperature control for safety food thawed in an improper manner. Thawed at room temperature, ground beef raw proteins
Dec 16, 2025Call Back - Admin. complaint recommendedRoutine Inspection
Referred for a formal case, which can lead to a fine. 2 violations recorded.
0 High priority2 Intermediate0 Basic
Show 2 findings ▾
Manager or person in charge lacking proof of food manager certification. Jesus Tapia
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.
Oct 14, 2025Warning IssuedRoutine Inspection
Violations found and a warning issued, with a return visit required. 8 recorded, 1 high priority.
1 High priority5 Intermediate2 Basic
Show 8 findings ▾
Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. cooked beans 71f, found in steam well that was turned off. Staff will reheat to 165f,.
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.
Manager or person in charge lacking proof of food manager certification. Jesus Tapia
No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash 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.
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.
Food stored on floor. Bag of onions stored on floor in front kitchen. Cooking oil and soft drinks on floor in back area.
Time/temperature control for safety food thawed in an improper manner. Raw burger thawing on top of chest freezer.
Feb 5, 2025Inspection Completed - No Further ActionLicensing Inspection
Met inspection standards. 3 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
2 High priority0 Intermediate1 Basic
Show 3 findings ▾
Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. Cooked beef 57f, sour cream 48f, items discarded.
Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Cooked beef 57f, sour cream 48f, items discarded.
Water draining onto floor surface. Three compartment sink.
Jan 10, 2025Call Back - Admin. complaint recommendedRoutine Inspection
Referred for a formal case, which can lead to a fine. 7 violations recorded, 2 high priority.
2 High priority4 Intermediate1 Basic
Show 7 findings ▾
Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. Raw chicken 54f, stored in black refrigerator in back storage room not operating at temperature. Items discarded.
Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Raw shell eggs 67f, put back in reach in cooler. Raw chicken 54f, stored in black refrigerator in back storage room not operating at temperature. Items discarded. Items were stored in this refrigerator since 11/4/2024
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 chemical test kit provided when using sanitizer at three-compartment sink/warewashing machine or wiping cloths. Chlorine.
No soap provided at handwash sink.
Water with a temperature of least 85 degrees Fahrenheit not provided/shut off at employee handwash sink. Hand wash sink next to stand up fridge.
Time/temperature control for safety food thawed in an improper manner. Raw burger, raw steak, raw shrimp and raw fish all thawing at room temperature.
Nov 5, 2024Warning IssuedRoutine Inspection
Violations found and a warning issued, with a return visit required. 9 recorded, 2 high priority.
2 High priority6 Intermediate1 Basic
Show 9 findings ▾
Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. Raw chicken 54f, stored in black refrigerator in back storage room not operating at temperature. Items discarded.
Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Raw shell eggs 67f, put back in reach in cooler. Raw chicken 54f, stored in black refrigerator in back storage room not operating at temperature. Items discarded. Items were stored in this refrigerator since 11/4/2024
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.
Manager or person in charge lacking proof of food manager certification.
No chemical test kit provided when using sanitizer at three-compartment sink/warewashing machine or wiping cloths. Chlorine.
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. Previous time they were all expired. No certificates to view.
No soap provided at handwash sink.
Water with a temperature of least 85 degrees Fahrenheit not provided/shut off at employee handwash sink. Hand wash sink next to stand up fridge.
Time/temperature control for safety food thawed in an improper manner. Raw burger, raw steak, raw shrimp and raw fish all thawing at room temperature.
Jun 19, 2024□ Call Back - CompliedRoutine Inspection
A return visit. The problems from the previous inspection had been dealt with.
1 High priority1 Intermediate1 Basic
Show 3 findings ▾
Nonfood-grade bags used in direct contact with food. Frozen chicken stored in non food grade bags in chest freezer.
No chemical test kit provided when using sanitizer at three-compartment sink/warewashing machine or wiping cloths. Quat and chlorine.
Time/temperature control for safety food thawed in an improper manner. Raw burger and raw chicken thawing in sink no running water.
Apr 22, 2024Administrative complaint recommendedRoutine Inspection
Referred for a formal case, which can lead to a fine. 12 violations recorded, 3 high priority.
3 High priority5 Intermediate4 Basic
Show 12 findings ▾
Nonfood-grade bags used in direct contact with food. Frozen chicken stored in non food grade bags in chest freezer.
Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license. Paid for online during inspection.
Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Shell eggs 60f, moved to another cooler. Place in warm cooler 30 minutes ago.
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 stand up cooler no date mark.
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 chemical test kit provided when using sanitizer at three-compartment sink/warewashing machine or wiping cloths. Quat and chlorine.
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.
Required employee training expired for all employees. To order approved program food safety material, call DBPR contracted provider: Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (SafeStaff) 866-372-7233. All expired certificates.
Ceiling tile missing.
Food stored on floor. Canned goods.
In-use tongs stored on equipment door handle between uses.
Time/temperature control for safety food thawed in an improper manner. Raw burger and raw chicken thawing in sink no running water.
Oct 19, 2023Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 11 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
1 High priority3 Intermediate7 Basic
Show 11 findings ▾
Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Shell eggs ambient 54f, butter 52f, moved to another refrigerator.
No chemical test kit provided when using sanitizer at three-compartment sink/warewashing machine or wiping cloths.
Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Cut melon no date mark. Adjusted.
Required employee training expired for all employees. To order approved program food safety material, call DBPR contracted provider: Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (SafeStaff) 866-372-7233.
Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Soufle cups used to portion sauces in cooks area. Cup used in dry rice in back area.
Ceiling tile missing. Ceiling tile damaged.
Employee with no hair restraint while engaging in food preparation.
Floor tiles missing in disrepair. Cracked floor tiles in cooks area and dining room.
Food stored on floor. Case of lettuce and cooking oil on floor.
In-use tongs stored on equipment door handle between uses.
Stored food not covered. Ice cream tub not covered.
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.