PEPPER'S MEXICAN GRILL AND CANTINA
1140 CAPITAL CIRCLE SE UNIT 15, Tallahassee FL 32301 · 850-877-2020
Last inspected Feb 5, 2026 · 9 visits since December 2023
MAR 24
JUL 24
DEC 24
AUG 25
JAN 26
▲ GETTING WORSE
5 inspections trending down, 19 points off where it started.
Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed salsa 57F at servers area.
★ Spotless◆ Clean streak● Perfect year✓ Never fined
Awarded on the inspection record alone. What they mean →
Disciplinary actions
1 case · $160
| Case | Violation date | Final order | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6--2019028473 | Mar 12, 2019 | Feb 20, 2020 | $160 |
Inspection history
9 visits, newest first
Feb 5, 2026□ Call Back - CompliedRoutine Inspection
A return visit. The problems from the previous inspection had been dealt with.
0 High priority0 Intermediate0 Basic
Feb 5, 2026Call Back - Extension given, pendingRoutine Inspection
A return visit. The problems were not fixed yet and the kitchen was given more time.
1 High priority0 Intermediate0 Basic
Show 1 finding ▾
Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed following food items cold holding for less than 4 hours: Shrimp 46F Beef 44F Raw chicken 50F. Operator placed food items inside walk in cooler during time of inspection.
Jan 30, 2026Warning 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 ▾
Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed following food items cold holding for less than 4 hours: Shrimp 46F Beef 44F Raw chicken 50F. Operator placed food items inside walk in cooler during time of inspection.
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Observed can opener bladed soiled with food debris.
Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Observed employee air pods stored on food prep table in kitchen.
Ice buildup in reach-in freezer and/or walk-in freezer. Observed ice buildup inside walk in freezer.
Time/temperature control for safety food thawed in an improper manner. Observed fish fillets sitting in water to thaw. Operator ran water over fish during time of inspection.
Aug 6, 2025Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 2 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
1 High priority0 Intermediate1 Basic
Show 2 findings ▾
Raw animal foods not properly separated from each other in holding unit based upon minimum required cooking temperature. Observed raw beef store next to raw chicken inside reach in cooler on cook line. Observed raw beef placed on top raw chicken inside walk in cooler. Operator properly placed food items during time of inspection.
Floor tiles missing and/or in disrepair. Observed floor tile crack in ware washing area.
Jan 7, 2025□ Call Back - CompliedComplaint Investigation
A return visit. The problems from the previous inspection had been dealt with.
0 High priority0 Intermediate0 Basic
Dec 27, 2024Warning IssuedComplaint Investigation
Violations found and a warning issued, with a return visit required. 4 recorded.
0 High priority0 Intermediate4 Basic
Show 4 findings ▾
Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance. Observed ceiling vents through kitchen accumulated with dust.
Dishmachine not washing/rinsing properly. Must wash, rinse and sanitize all dishware, equipment and utensils in three-compartment sink until dishmachine is functioning properly. Dish machine not properly sanitizing dishes during time of inspection. Informed operator to set up three compartment sink until dish machine is working properly.
Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Observed opened drink on prep table inside kitchen. Employee removed drink during time of inspection.
Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Observed employee clothing stored next to food items. Operator removed clothing during time of inspection.
Jul 24, 2024Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 15 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
1 High priority0 Intermediate14 Basic
Show 15 findings ▾
Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed salsa 61°F in walk in cooler. Per manager placed 20 minutes ago.
Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance. Observed AC vents and exhaust vents with dust accumulation.
Cove molding at floor/wall juncture broken/missing. Observed cove molding missing in ware wash area.
Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Observed cell phone on prep table near tortillas.
Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting. Observed inserts in ware washing and red cups in servers area, wet nesting.
Equipment and utensils not washed, rinsed and sanitized in the correct order in three-compartment sink. Do not use dishes/equipment not properly sanitized. Observed 3 compartment sink,improper order, sanitize, wash, rinse. Educated manager and staff on proper way to set up 3 compartment sink.
Floor tiles missing and/or in disrepair. Observed floor tile in disrepair by drain near ware wash area.
Food stored on floor. Observed lime margarita mix stored on the floor.
Interior of oven/microwave has accumulation of black substance/grease/food debris. Observed microwave with food splatter and debris.
Light not functioning. Observed light burned out in walk in freezer.
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed hood vents soiled with grease and seals on ice machine with mold like substance.
Standing water in bottom of reach-in-cooler. Observed standing water in reach in cooler across from fryer.
Stored food not covered. Observed tamales not covered in walk in freezer.
Wet mop not stored in a manner to allow the mop to dry. Observed mop stored in water near walk in cooler.
Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Observed rice, beans in working container not labeled.
Mar 5, 2024Inspection Completed - No Further ActionComplaint Investigation
Nothing was found. The inspector recorded no violations at all.
0 High priority0 Intermediate0 Basic
Dec 12, 2023Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 12 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
1 High priority1 Intermediate10 Basic
Show 12 findings ▾
Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed salsa 57F at servers area.
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Observed can opener with food debris.
Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin. Observed ice machine with mold like substance.
Ceiling/ceiling tile shows damage or is in disrepair. Observed ceiling tiles soiled throughout kitchen.
Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance. Observed hood vents with grease accumulation, AC vents with dust accumulation.
Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Observed coffee cup on prep table next to plated food.
No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees. Observed no hand wash sign at hand wash sink near 3 compartment sink. Manager replaced sign during inspection.
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed gaskets, seals on Walk in cooler soiled with dirt, grime, and or mold like substance.
Single-service articles not stored inverted or protected from contamination. Observed aluminum single serve containers stored upright.
Stored food not covered. Observed pico di gallo, fish, not covered under expo.
Water draining onto floor surface. Observed water draining from water heater onto floor.
Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Observed sugar in working container not labeled servers area.
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.