MEKENITA CANTINA
6707 N FLORIDA AVE, Tampa FL 33604 · 813 231 8226
Last inspected Apr 30, 2026 · 8 visits since October 2023
AUG 24
JAN 25
AUG 25
MAR 26
APR 26
≈ ERRATIC
5 inspections, swinging between A and D. Consistency is the problem here, not any single visit.
Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license.
★ Spotless◆ Clean streak● Perfect year✓ Never fined
Awarded on the inspection record alone. What they mean →
Inspection history
8 visits, newest first
Apr 30, 2026Inspection Completed - No Further ActionComplaint Investigation (Partial)
Nothing was found. The inspector recorded no violations at all.
0 High priority0 Intermediate0 Basic
Mar 23, 2026Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 6 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
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 cooks line
Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Water pitcher stored in handwash sink on cooks line. Employee removed
Accumulation of debris on exterior of warewashing machine.
In-use utensil not stored with handle above the top of time/temperature control for safety food and rim of the container. On mahi in cooler, employee removed
Wet wiping cloths stored in detergent and sanitizer mixed together. Sani bucket mixed with soap, advised employee to remake
Aug 18, 2025Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 17 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
3 High priority3 Intermediate11 Basic
Show 17 findings ▾
Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food marked with a date that exceeds 7 days after opening/preparation. Horchata in walk in cooler dated 8-7, made more than 7 days, employee discarded.
Stop Sale issued due to food not being in a wholesome, sound condition. Horchata stored walk in cooler made 08-07-2025, more than 7 days.
Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Corn above fill line 56F, bottom 43F. Employee adding more ice to cool down, 2nd temp 43F
No chemical test kit provided when using sanitizer at three-compartment sink/warewashing machine or wiping cloths. Operator missing test strips for Quat, has chlorine test strips to use chlorine for sanitizer buckets.
Operator is not properly tracking/marking the number of days ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite was held at refrigeration temperatures prior to freezing in order to properly date mark the food when it is thawed and held at refrigeration temperatures again. Pudding frozen 6-30, thawed and stored in walk in cooler with no date tracking
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. 1 expired employee training
Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance. Ceiling vents through kitchen area soiled with dust.
Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Employee phone on prep table next to tea dispenser. Purse on rack with dry good items.
Employee with no beard guard/restraint while engaging in food preparation.
Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting. Pans above prep table near back door wet-nesting. Discussed with employee
Floors not maintained smooth and durable. Floors on cook line uneven.
Insect control device installed over food preparation area. Bug zapper on reach in freezer, employee moved to bottom of prep sink.
Missing drain plug at dumpster. Shared dumpster
Nonfood-contact equipment exposed to splash/spillage not constructed of materials that are corrosion resistant, non-absorbent, smooth and easily cleanable. Exterior of ice machine rusted underneath lid.
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Hood filters soiled with debris.
Single-service articles not stored inverted or protected from contamination. Aluminum pans in office not inverted.
Wiping cloth quaternary ammonium compound sanitizing solution not at proper minimum strength. Sanitizer Bucket tested at 0ppm, employee remade solution, 2nd test at 200ppm.
Jan 28, 2025Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 3 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
0 High priority0 Intermediate3 Basic
Show 3 findings ▾
Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, and dust.
Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable.
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Hood filters soiled with dust and grease
Oct 28, 2024□ Call Back - CompliedRoutine Inspection
A return visit. The problems from the previous inspection had been dealt with.
0 High priority1 Intermediate3 Basic
Show 4 findings ▾
No chemical test kit provided when using sanitizer at three-compartment sink/warewashing machine or wiping cloths.
Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable.
Hole in or other damage to wall. Wall soiled with accumulated black debris in dishwashing area.
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Hood filters soiled with dust and grease
Aug 28, 2024Warning IssuedRoutine Inspection
Violations found and a warning issued, with a return visit required. 11 recorded.
0 High priority3 Intermediate8 Basic
Show 11 findings ▾
Manager or person in charge lacking proof of food manager certification. Mike Bianca Person In Charge
No chemical test kit provided when using sanitizer at three-compartment sink/warewashing machine or wiping cloths.
Proof of required state approved employee training not available for some employees. To order approved program food safety material, call DBPR contracted provider: Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (SafeStaff) 866-372-7233.
Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable.
Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils.
Hole in or other damage to wall. Wall soiled with accumulated black debris in dishwashing area.
In-use tongs stored on equipment door handle between uses. On stove
No Heimlich maneuver/choking sign posted.
No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees. In restrooms used by employees
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Hood filters soiled with dust and grease
Old labels stuck to food containers after cleaning. Plastic containers on top shelf by back door
Feb 20, 2024Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 5 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
1 High priority1 Intermediate3 Basic
Show 5 findings ▾
Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license.
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Ice machine (large)
Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable.
Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Observed employee hats stored on food rack
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Hood filters soiled with dust and grease
Oct 31, 2023Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 5 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
1 High priority1 Intermediate3 Basic
Show 5 findings ▾
Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Shrimp 48 F operation placing in ice to cool down.
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.
Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable.
Hole in or other damage to wall. Wall soiled with accumulated black debris in dishwashing area
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Hood filters soiled with dust and grease
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.