MR EMPANADA
860 3 AVE S, Saint Petersburg FL 33701 · 727-828-9157
Last inspected Feb 2, 2026 · 5 visits since November 2023
NOV 23
APR 25
SEP 25
FEB 26
— STEADY
4 inspections within 27 points of each other. Whatever this kitchen does, it does consistently.
Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license. Expired 2/1/2026.
★ Spotless◆ Clean streak● Perfect year✓ Never fined
Awarded on the inspection record alone. What they mean →
Inspection history
5 visits, newest first
Feb 2, 2026Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 8 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
2 High priority5 Intermediate1 Basic
What the inspector wrote — 8 findingsThe state's own report →
Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license. Expired 2/1/2026.
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. See stop sale. Cuban sandwiches stored in front counter. Time stamped for 11am.
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Stained white cutting board on reach in deli cooler on cook line.
No chemical test kit provided when using sanitizer at three-compartment sink/warewashing machine or wiping cloths. No quaternary test kit observed.
Show the remaining 4 findings ▾
No written procedures available for use of time as a public health control to hold time/temperature control for safety food. Inspector helped operator fill out written procedures for holding Cuban Sandwiches out of temperature during the inspection.
Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Sliced pork, sliced cheese, cut lettuce stored inside reach in deli cooler on cook line not date marked. Items date marked 1/27.
Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled. Of light pink liquid substance stored under handsink at front counter area. Spray bottle labeled as sanitizer.
Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable. Heavily grooved cutting board on reach in deli cooler on cook line.
Sep 15, 2025Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 6 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
2 High priority4 Intermediate0 Basic
Show 6 findings ▾
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. See stop sale. Person in charge time stamped cuban sandwich's for 11am.
Wiping cloth sanitizer solution exceeds the maximum concentration allowed. Quaternary spray bottle testing at 500+ PPM. person in charge diluted chemical with water and quaternary solution is now testing at 200 PPM.
Chemical test kit not used to ensure proper sanitization of equipment and utensils when using a chemical sanitizer. Quaternary sanitizer spray bottle testing at 500+ PPM during inspection.
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 person in charge DBPR Clean-Up of Vomiting and Diarrheal Events form. Form was printed at the time of inspection.
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Pink mold like substance observed on soda dispenser ice chute.
No chemical test kit provided when using sanitizer at three-compartment sink/warewashing machine or wiping cloths. No quaternary chemical test kit observed.
Apr 18, 2025Inspection 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 ▾
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 management information
Food stored on floor cases of sodas on floor in hallway area.
Single-service articles improperly stored. Cases of to go cups on floor in hallway area.
Dec 19, 2023□ Call Back - CompliedRoutine Inspection
A return visit. The problems from the previous inspection had been dealt with.
0 High priority0 Intermediate5 Basic
Show 5 findings ▾
Bathroom located inside establishment not completely enclosed with tight-fitting, self-closing doors. Restroom doors are not self closing and tight fitting.
Cardboard box used as garbage container. Cardboard box used to store trash in rear of kitchen by back door.
Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Employee water bottles on prep table next to soda machine. Manager stored correctly.
Food stored on floor. Plastic soda bottles stored in floor of hallway across from restrooms.
Missing drain plug at dumpster.
Nov 17, 2023Warning IssuedRoutine Inspection
Violations found and a warning issued, with a return visit required. 10 recorded, 1 high priority.
1 High priority1 Intermediate8 Basic
Show 10 findings ▾
Container of medicine improperly stored. Ibuprofen stored on prep table next to soda machine. Manager stored correctly.
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/
Bathroom located inside establishment not completely enclosed with tight-fitting, self-closing doors. Restroom doors are not self closing and tight fitting.
Cardboard box used as garbage container. Cardboard box used to store trash in rear of kitchen by back door.
Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Employee water bottles on prep table next to soda machine. Manager stored correctly.
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 in rear of kitchen next to slicer. Employee stored correctly.
Employee with no hair restraint while engaging in food preparation. Employee cutting lettuce with no hair restraint.
Food stored on floor. Plastic soda bottles stored in floor of hallway across from restrooms.
Missing drain plug at dumpster.
Open dumpster lid.
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.