PALAU'S CAFE
2301 N ARMENIA AVE, Tampa FL 33607 · 8138506014
Last inspected Aug 11, 2026 · 8 visits since July 2023
AUG 24
FEB 25
AUG 25
MAR 26
AUG 26
▲ GETTING WORSE
5 inspections trending down, 20 points off where it started.
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.
★ Spotless◆ Clean streak● Perfect year✓ Never fined
Awarded on the inspection record alone. What they mean →
Inspection history
8 visits, newest first
Aug 11, 2026Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 8 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
3 High priority2 Intermediate3 Basic
What the inspector wrote — 8 findingsThe state's own report →
Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. 2 containers of raw beef stored over cooked potatoes and ready to eat chorizo in reach-in cooler. Operator moved raw beef to other cooler.
Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Glass door reach-in cooler: cooked potato 45 F, raw beef 46 F. Operator moved items to walk-in cooler at time of inspection.
Vacuum breaker missing at mop sink faucet or on fitting/splitter added to mop sink faucet.
Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. A scrubber, sponge and spoon stored in handwash sink at front service area. Operator removed items.
Show the remaining 4 findings ▾
Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Cooked bean, cooked pork and various cooked food in walk-in cooler.
Current Hotel and Restaurant license not displayed.
Employee with no hair restraint while engaging in food preparation. 2 employees working with food in kitchen.
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Hood filters soiled with accumulation of grease.
Mar 3, 2026Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 11 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
4 High priority2 Intermediate5 Basic
Show 11 findings ▾
Chlorine sanitizer not at proper minimum strength for manual warewashing. Do not use equipment/utensils not properly sanitized. Tested 10ppm. Operator remade sanitizer, tested 100ppm.
Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Raw beef stored over cooked pork and butter in reach-in cooler at cook line. Operator rearranged items at time of inspection.
Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. A container of sliced ham (60F - Cold Holding) stored on prep table in kitchen. Operator moved to 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 grits (97F - Hot Holding) stored on stove top.
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.
Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Cooked white rice, cooked black beans and Cooked chicken in walk-in cooler.
Current Hotel and Restaurant license not displayed.
Employee with no hair restraint while engaging in food preparation. 2 food employees.
In-use utensil in non-time/temperature control for safety food not stored with handle above top of food within a closed container. Scoop handles in sugar bin. Operator removed from sugar bin.
No Heimlich maneuver/choking sign posted.
Walk-in cooler/freezer shelves with rust that has pitted the surface. Plywood shelves.
Aug 7, 2025Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 13 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
1 High priority5 Intermediate7 Basic
Show 13 findings ▾
Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. A container of raw ground meat stored over cooked pork, cooked chicken and other cooked food in walk-in cooler. Employee moved raw ground meat to other shelf to prevent cross contamination at time of 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.
Food manager certification expired. A list of accredited food manager certification examination providers can be found at https://www2.myfloridalicense.com/hotels-restaurants/food-lodging/food-manager/ Angelica Palau, expired on 07/17/2025.
Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Employee washed and rinsed espresso machine utensils in handwash sink at front service area.
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. 2 employees working in kitchen.
Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Cooked pork, cooked chicken and various cooked food in walk-in cooler.
Ceiling/ceiling tile shows damage or is in disrepair. Above hood system at cook line.
Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Employee drinks with no lids stored on prep tables in kitchen.
Employee with no hair restraint while engaging in food preparation.
In-use utensil stored in standing water less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. 2 spatulas stored in standing water temped 92 F on prep table at cook line.
No Heimlich maneuver/choking sign posted.
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Hood filters soiled with accumulation of grease and dust.
Wiping cloth sanitizing solution stored on the floor. Under three-compartments sink.
Feb 14, 2025Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 8 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
3 High priority3 Intermediate2 Basic
Show 8 findings ▾
Observed: Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Raw steaks stored over cooked pork and cooked chorizo in reach-in cooler at cook line. Operator rearranged items to prevent cross contamination at time of inspection. Priority: High Priority
Observed: Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. A container of sliced ham 57 F and cut lettuce 57 F stored in reach-in cooler in kitchen. Operator states that items was stored on prep table for about 30 minutes and just moved back to reach-in cooler. Priority: High Priority
Observed: Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. A bottle of medical alcohol cleaner stored on prep table in kitchen. Removed. Priority: High Priority
Observed: 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. Priority: Intermediate
Observed: Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Observed coffee substance and metal scrubber in handwash sink at front service counter. Operator removed item and cleaned handwash sink. Priority: Intermediate
Observed: Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Cooked rice, cooked pork and various cooked food in walk-in cooler. Priority: Intermediate
Observed: Employee personal food not properly identified and segregated from food to be served to the public. Employee’s chicken eggs from unapproved source stored in walk-in cooler without properly identified and segregated from other food. Priority: Basic
Observed: No Heimlich maneuver/choking sign posted. Priority: Basic
Aug 8, 2024Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 6 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
1 High priority0 Intermediate5 Basic
Show 6 findings ▾
Nonfood-grade bags used in direct contact with food. Observed steak stored in a non food grade bag in Turbo Air reaching freezer Corrected observed employee place in food grade bag
Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Observed employee drink stored on prep table on service line Corrected observed employee discard
No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees. Observed missing at hand sink in dish area Emailed Hand washing sign to operator
Unsealed concrete floor in food preparation, food storage, warewashing area or bathroom. Observed in back storage area
Wall soiled with accumulated grease, food debris, and/or dust. Observe wall on cook line soiled with grease and old food build up
Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Observed bulk sugar not labeled on service line Corrected observed employee label
Jun 19, 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 ▾
Unsealed concrete floor in food preparation, food storage, warewashing area or bathroom. Observed unsealed floor in back kitchen
Apr 16, 2024Warning IssuedRoutine Inspection
Violations found and a warning issued, with a return visit required. 5 recorded, 1 high priority.
1 High priority1 Intermediate3 Basic
Show 5 findings ▾
Nonfood-grade bags used in direct contact with food. Observed bread stored in non food grade bags in reachin cooler in back kitchen
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 handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees. Missing at hand sink in dish area
Unsealed concrete floor in food preparation, food storage, warewashing area or bathroom. Observed unsealed floor in back kitchen
Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Observed bulk sugar with no label Corrected -observed employee label
Jul 24, 2023Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 8 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
2 High priority2 Intermediate4 Basic
Show 8 findings ▾
Chlorine sanitizer not at proper minimum strength for manual warewashing. Do not use equipment/utensils not properly sanitized. Three compartment sink set up with 0 ppm of chlorine, corrected to 100 ppm.
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. Observed dish washer placing dirty dishes in three compartment sink and then removing clean dishes, inspector discussed with management proper hygiene when changing duties.
Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Front employee hand wash sink blocked by garbage can m corrected employee removed garbage can 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 ground beef, cooked green beans all held over 24 hrs not date marked. B. Opened container of milk, held over 24 hrs not date marked.
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. Employee drink stored on food prep table, corrected employee removed drink during inspection.
Single-service articles not stored inverted or protected from contamination. Large to go tins not inverted.
Wet wiping cloth not stored in sanitizing solution between uses.
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.