MARGARITAS MEXICAN RESTAURANT
209 E DAVIS BLVD, Tampa FL 33606 · 813-251-0558
Last inspected Aug 25, 2026 · 11 visits since October 2023
SEP 24
FEB 25
AUG 25
MAR 26
AUG 26
≈ ERRATIC
5 inspections, swinging between A and F. Consistency is the problem here, not any single visit.
Live, small flying insects found 1 live fly in back kitchen not landing on food 7 live flies at bar next to beer taps.
★ Spotless◆ Clean streak● Perfect year✓ Never fined
Awarded on the inspection record alone. What they mean →
Inspection history
11 visits, newest first
Aug 25, 2026Inspection 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. Tortillas are stored inside a shopping bag on front line cook.
Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. On shelf next to walk-in cooler. Dry storage shelf next to blender near dish pit handwashing sink. Next to soda fountain. On shelf for bag in box soda syrups. Employee removed all improperly stored chemical spray bottles at time of inspection.
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. Expired for Gustavo P. C.
Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled. On shelf next to walk-in cooler. Dry storage shelf next to blender near dish pit handwashing sink. Next to soda fountain. On shelf for bag in box soda syrups.
Show the remaining 3 findings ▾
Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Personal drink placed on top of storage shelf over clean cutting boards in kitchen area. Employee removed drink at time of inspection.
Food stored on floor. One jug of oil stored on kitchen floor next to fryers. Employee relocated oil to an approved location at time of inspection.
Stored food not covered. Cooked birria, black beans, ground beef, and caldo pollo are not covered inside the walk-in cooler. Employee covered all foods at time of inspection.
Mar 31, 2026Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 2 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
0 High priority1 Intermediate1 Basic
Show 2 findings ▾
Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled. Observed unlabeled spray bottle with blue liquid at host stand at time of inspection.
Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Observed unlabeled squeeze bottles in kitchen at time of inspection.
Aug 18, 2025Call Back - Admin. complaint recommendedRoutine Inspection
Referred for a formal case, which can lead to a fine. 4 violations recorded, 1 high priority.
1 High priority0 Intermediate3 Basic
Show 4 findings ▾
Live, small flying insects found 1 live fly in back kitchen not landing on food 7 live flies at bar next to beer taps.
Current Hotel and Restaurant license not displayed. Observed 2025
Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable. On cooks line in front of flattop grill white board
Open dumpster lid.
Aug 15, 2025Call Back - Admin. complaint recommendedRoutine Inspection
Referred for a formal case, which can lead to a fine. 8 violations recorded, 3 high priority.
3 High priority0 Intermediate5 Basic
Show 8 findings ▾
Dented cans present. See stop sale. Pure tomato sauce 2 cans on can good shelf back storage
Live, small flying insects found 1 live fly in back kitchen not landing on food 7 live flies at bar next to beer taps.
Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Reach in cooler front kitchen entrance cut tomatoes 45F Mozzarella cheese 44F mozzarella cheese 45F cook pepper 47F cook Tamales 46F ambient air temperature was 52F. Discussed with manager to place ice on all food items Walk in cooler Cold holding: bean dip 46F cut tomatoes 46F raw beef 45F cook corn 47F chicken 47F cook chicken 47F butter 44F employees began placing ice on all products.
Current Hotel and Restaurant license not displayed. Observed 2025
Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable. On cooks line in front of flattop grill white board
No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees. At bar hand washing sink
Open dumpster lid.
Vending machine exterior soiled. Exterior behind nozzle sprayers
Aug 13, 2025Warning IssuedRoutine Inspection
Violations found and a warning issued, with a return visit required. 16 recorded, 6 high priority.
6 High priority0 Intermediate10 Basic
Show 16 findings ▾
Dented cans present. See stop sale. Pure tomato sauce 2 cans on can good shelf back storage
Live, small flying insects found 1 live fly in back kitchen not landing on food 7 live flies at bar next to beer taps.
Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Raw beef over mozzarella cheese walk in cooler. Raw shelled eggs over milk and salsa walk in cooler.
Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food marked with a date that exceeds 7 days after opening/preparation. Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety.Salsa el pastor dated 8-1-25 in walk in cooler manager discarded.
Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food not consumed/sold within 7 days after opening/preparation. See stop sale. Salsa el pastor dated 8-1-25 in walk in cooler manager discarded.
Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Reach in cooler front kitchen entrance cut tomatoes 45F Mozzarella cheese 44F mozzarella cheese 45F cook pepper 47F cook Tamales 46F ambient air temperature was 52F. Discussed with manager to place ice on all food items Walk in cooler Cold holding: bean dip 46F cut tomatoes 46F raw beef 45F cook corn 47F chicken 47F cook chicken 47F butter 44F employees began placing ice on all products.
Current Hotel and Restaurant license not displayed. Observed 2025
Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable. On cooks line in front of flattop grill white board
Employee personal food not properly identified and segregated from food to be served to the public. Employee drink in reach in freezer employee food not segregated in walk in cooler
Floor area(s) covered with standing water. Under dish machine in bar area not leak from dish machine.
Food stored on floor. Oil case on cooks line. And boxes of food and rice bags in storage area.
Insect control device installed over food preparation area.close to soda dispenser
No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees. At bar hand washing sink
Open dumpster lid.
Stored food not covered. Chicken and beans in walk in cooler.
Vending machine exterior soiled. Exterior behind nozzle sprayers
Feb 20, 2025Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 5 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
2 High priority1 Intermediate2 Basic
Show 5 findings ▾
Stop Sale issued due to food not being in a wholesome, sound condition. Reduced oxygen packaging fish not removed from packaging before thawing.
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. Shrimp held on time as a public health control has no time markings inside reach in cooler in kitchen area. Chef added proper time markings.
Records/documents for required employee training do not contain all of the required information.
Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Employee drink stored on reach in cooler cutting board. Manager removed drink.
Raw fruits/vegetables not washed prior to preparation. Lettuce not washed before preparation. Employee washed lettuce.
Sep 12, 2024Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 3 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
0 High priority1 Intermediate2 Basic
Show 3 findings ▾
Records/documents for required employee training do not contain all of the required information. Some employees missing food handlers certificates.
Old labels stuck to food containers after cleaning. Old labels stuck on clean dishes on shelves overtop 3 compartment sink.
Wiping cloth sanitizing solution stored on the floor. Sanitizer solution stored on floor by walk in cooler. Employee removed bucket and properly stored.
Jun 11, 2024□ 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 ▾
Walk-in cooler/freezer shelves with rust that has pitted the surface. Walk in cooler shelves have rust.
Apr 10, 2024Call Back - Extension given, pendingRoutine Inspection
A return visit. The problems were not fixed yet and the kitchen was given more time.
2 High priority3 Intermediate2 Basic
Show 7 findings ▾
Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license.
Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees. Cold holding- Raw beef 51F Raw chicken 48F Raw shrimp 49F. Items placed on ice and put inside freezer.
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 operator education packet.
Food manager certification expired. A list of accredited food manager certification examination providers can be found at http://www.myfloridalicense.com/DBPR/hotels-restaurants/food-lodging/food-manager/ Pamela Betancor.
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.
Standing water in bottom of reach-in-cooler. Standing water inside refrigerator by storage shelves.
Walk-in cooler/freezer shelves with rust that has pitted the surface. Walk in cooler shelves have rust.
Apr 9, 2024Warning IssuedRoutine Inspection
Violations found and a warning issued, with a return visit required. 9 recorded, 3 high priority.
3 High priority4 Intermediate2 Basic
Show 9 findings ▾
Non-food grade paper/paper towel used as liner for food container. Nonfood paper towels used to line plate of food.
Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license.
Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees. Cold holding- Raw beef 51F Raw chicken 48F Raw shrimp 49F. Items placed on ice and put inside freezer.
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 operator education packet.
Food manager certification expired. A list of accredited food manager certification examination providers can be found at http://www.myfloridalicense.com/DBPR/hotels-restaurants/food-lodging/food-manager/ Pamela Betancor.
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.
No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. No paper towels at hand washing sink by dishwasher. Manager added paper towels to hand washing sink.
Standing water in bottom of reach-in-cooler. Standing water inside refrigerator by storage shelves.
Walk-in cooler/freezer shelves with rust that has pitted the surface. Walk in cooler shelves have rust.
Oct 10, 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 ▾
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 operator employee reporting agreement.
Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance. Ceiling tile overtop hand washing sink has water stains.
Food stored on floor. Food stored on floor underneath storage shelves across from 3 compartment sink.
Ripped/worn tin foil used as shelf cover. Walk in cooler has shelf covered with tin foil with have holes.
Time/temperature control for safety food thawed in an improper manner. Meat thawing in standing water.
Unwashed fruits/vegetables stored with ready-to-eat food. Unwashed avocados cut before washing.
Walk-in cooler/freezer shelves with rust that has pitted the surface. Walk in cooler shelves have rust.
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.