PHO BOWL EXPRESS
1550 N MCMULLEN BOOTH RD STE F4, Clearwater FL 33759 · 727-281-3039
Last inspected Apr 1, 2026 · 6 visits since July 2023
APR 24
NOV 24
FEB 25
SEP 25
APR 26
≈ ERRATIC
5 inspections, swinging between B and F. Consistency is the problem here, not any single visit.
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. Manager time marked the noodles
★ Spotless◆ Clean streak● Perfect year✓ Never fined
Awarded on the inspection record alone. What they mean →
Inspection history
6 visits, newest first
Apr 1, 2026Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 11 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
3 High priority4 Intermediate4 Basic
What the inspector wrote — 11 findingsThe state's own report →
Raw animal foods not properly separated from one another based upon minimum required cooking temperature when stored in a freezer - not all products commercially packaged. Raw chicken stored over raw beef in walk in freezer. Manager rearranged food
Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. - raw chicken 47 F in reach in cooler next to woks. Employee relocated raw chicken to freezer for quick chill down. Reviewed with manager best practice is not to stack food above fill line in the top section of cooler. Recheck 41 F
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. Manager time marked the noodles
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. - stranded cutting boards and soiled in grooves. Reviewed with operator
Show the remaining 7 findings ▾
Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Multiple grocery carts stocked in front of the dish washing area hand wash sink. Hand wash sinks must be accessible at all times. Employee relocated grocery cards. Hand wash sink no longer blocked
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. David, Michael, Carlos training expired in 2025
Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled in dish washing area. Manager labeled spray bottle
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.Employee keys on shelf above soup warmers. Employee relocated keys
In-use utensil ( spoon ) stored in standing water less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit next to rice warmers at cook line spoon removed from water and placed in dish washing area to clean
Wiping cloth chlorine sanitizing solution not at proper minimum strength. 0 ppm chlorine. Manager changed solution recheck 100 ppm chlorine
Sep 22, 2025Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 18 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
5 High priority2 Intermediate11 Basic
Show 18 findings ▾
Cooked/heated time/temperature control for safety food not cooled from 135 degrees Fahrenheit to 41 degrees Fahrenheit within 6 hours. Beef stock 47F at 2:10 pm in the walk in cooler overnight Cooked and placed in walk in cooler the previous night at 8:30 pm. No temperatures taken per manager.
Raw animal food stored over or with ready-to-eat food in a freezer - not all products commercially packaged. Portioned raw chicken stored on box of cut corn in freezer
Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse -Beef stock 47F at 2:10 pm in the walk in cooler overnight Cooked and placed in walk in cooler the previous night at 8:30 pm. No temperatures taken per manager.
Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees. Garlic in oil. 90F at 1:40. Placed on counter for 15 min. Manager moved to walk in cooler overnight cooked recheck at 2:50 51F
Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. Cleaning products stored on shelf over chest freezer by handwashing sink. Owner relocated chemicals
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Stained cutting boards on cooks line.
Probe thermometer not used to ensure proper food temperatures. Reviewed with manager about regular monitoring of food temperatures
Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin.
Cutting board is cracked and chipped on back prep table in kitchen
Equipment in poor repair. Torn gasket on reach-in coolers across from fryer on cooks line
Food stored on floor. Fryer oil and soy sauce bucket stored on floor in kitchen. Employee relocated food
Ice buildup in reach-in freezer and/or walk-in freezer. Heavy ice buildup on speed reach in walk-in freezer
Nonfood-contact equipment exposed to splash/spillage not constructed of materials that are corrosion resistant, non-absorbent, smooth and easily cleanable. Rusted shelf under prep table near dish area
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Heavy grease buildup on backsplash behind cooks line
Old labels stuck to food containers after cleaning. Labels and label residue on clean containers in dish area
Soiled employee apron hanging of shelving unit for clean dishes in dish area. Owner removed
Walk-in cooler/freezer shelves with rust that has pitted the surface. Shelves in walk in cooler showing rust
Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Squeeze bottles of oil on line not labeled
Feb 26, 2025Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 11 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
1 High priority3 Intermediate7 Basic
Show 11 findings ▾
Displayed food not properly protected from contamination. Uncovered bowls of sauce on front counter customer serve area. Reviewed with manager. Manager moved sauces to back of front counter
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. - soiled shelves above prep table at cook line. Reviewed with manager.
Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times - cart in front of hand wash sink in dishwashing area. Manager relocated cart. Reviewed with manager hand wash sinks must be accessible at all times
Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Spoons inside hand wash sink in front counter area. Reviewed with manager hand wash sinks are for washing hands only
Accumulation of black mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine in front counter area
Clean utensils or equipment stored in dirty container on shelf at cook line. Reviewed with manager
Food stored on floor in walk in freezer.Reviewed with manager. Manager relocated food
Ice buildup in walk-in freezer.Reviewed with manager
In-use utensil stored in standing water less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Strainers and rice scoop at cook line. Reviewed with manager
Opened employee beverage container in a cold holding unit ( white refrigerator) with food to be served to customers. Manager discarded drink
Unwashed fruits/vegetables ( bag of onions ) stored with ready-to-eat food ( cooked meat ) in walk in cooler. Manager rearranged food
Nov 6, 2024Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 17 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
1 High priority1 Intermediate15 Basic
Show 17 findings ▾
Displayed food not properly protected from contamination. Bowls of sauce at front counter for customer use not covered, staff removed
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Can opener blade soiled
Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin. Behind front counter
Accumulation of debris inside warewashing machine.
Accumulation of debris on exterior of warewashing machine.
Buildup of food debris/soil residue on equipment door handles. Cooler handles soiled
Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable.
Dishmachine has no data plate/operating specifications.
Dishmachine not washing/rinsing properly. Must wash, rinse and sanitize all dishware, equipment and utensils in three-compartment sink until dishmachine is functioning properly. DM not properly dispensing chemicals, operator set up triple sink chlorine 100ppm
Floor soiled/has accumulation of debris. Under cook line
Food stored on floor.bags of noodles on floor in walk in freezer
Ice buildup in reach-in freezer and/or walk-in freezer.
In-use utensil in non-time/temperature control for safety food not stored with handle above top of food within a closed container. Scoop handle in sugar bin, removed
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Hood filters soiled Accumulation of grease inside broiler
Reach-in cooler interior/shelves have accumulation of soil residues.
Time/temperature control for safety food thawed in an improper manner. Shrimp hawing in standing water near triple sink, moved to running water
Walk-in cooler/freezer shelves with rust that has pitted the surface.
Apr 1, 2024Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 25 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
4 High priority6 Intermediate15 Basic
Show 25 findings ▾
Container of medicine improperly stored in refrigerator next to food for the public. Manager removed medicine
Dishmachine chlorine sanitizer not at proper minimum strength. Discontinue use of dishmachine for sanitizing and set up manual sanitization until dishmachine is repaired and sanitizing properly. 0 ppm chlorine, run three times.manager changed sanitizer, primed dish machine. Recheck 100 ppm chlorine
Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored next to clean utensils on shelf in dry storage shelf. Manager removed chemicals
Wiping cloth sanitizer solution exceeds the maximum concentration allowed. Employee changed solution. Recheck 100 ppm chlorine
Employee washed hands in a sink other than an approved handwash sink. Reviewed with manager. - employee washed hands in sink other than hand wash sink. Reviewed with employee and manager proper hand washing. Employee washed hands properly
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. - soiled cutting board in kitchen. Reviewed with manager.
Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Trash can stored in front of hand wash sink in dish washing area. Reviewed with manager hand wash sinks must be accessible at all times. Trash can relocated
Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food ( containers of soup ) prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked in refrigerator. Manager date marked soups.
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. Sang expired training in 2022. Reviewed with manger.
Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled in dish washing area. Employees labeled spray bottles
Accumulation of black mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine in front counter area. Reviewed with manager.
Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food in full container of rice in storage area. Manager removed bowl
Clean utensils or equipment stored in dirty container on shelf at cook line. Manager cleaned utensils and storage container.
Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable. Reviewed with manager
Employee personal food not properly identified and segregated from food to be served to the public in refrigerator in cook line area. Manager removed employee food
Employee with no hair restraint while engaging in food preparation. Employee put hair net on
Floor soiled/has accumulation of debris at cook line and storage areas in kitchen Floor drains heavily soiled in dish washing area.Reviewed with manager.
Ice buildup in walk-in freezer. Reviewed with manager.
In-use utensil stored in standing water less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit near rice cookers. Reviewed with manager. Utensils removed from water
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. - soiled trays used to store can goods. Reviewed with manager - soiled shelf under grill - reviewed with manager - soiled outer surface of bulk food containers in storage area. Reviewed with manager.
Opened employee beverage container in a cold holding unit with food to be served to customers. Employee drink relocated in front counter area.
Reach-in freezers ( refrigerator units) interior/shelves have accumulation of soil residues in cook line area. Reviewed with manager. Employee cleaned freezers.
Unwashed fruits/vegetables ( ginger, box of limes ) stored with ready-to-eat food ( soup ) in walk in cooler. Reviewed food storage with manager. Manager rearranged food.
Utensils in poor condition. Broken plastic bowls. Manager discarded bowls
Wiping cloth chlorine sanitizing solution not at proper minimum strength. 0 ppm chlorine in front counter area. Manager changed solution. Recheck 100 chlorine
Jul 31, 2023Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 9 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
2 High priority2 Intermediate5 Basic
Show 9 findings ▾
Employee handled soiled equipment or utensils and then handled clean equipment without washing hands. Reviewed with employee - employee then washed hands prior to touching clean dishes after rewashed dishes touched
Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. - sprouts at 53 F in reach in cooler at cook line - manager put bags of ice on top of sprouts - manager took temperatures this morning- recheck 46 F
No proof provided for some employees 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.
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.
Accumulation of debris on exterior of warewashing machine.
Employee personal food not properly identified and segregated from food to be served to the public in walk in cooler -manager removed food
Food ( container of chicken ) stored on floor.- manager rearranged storage
Stored food ( cut onions) not covered in walk in cooler - manager covered food
very slow draining water in handwash sink at cook line - reviewed with operator
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.