PICCOLA ITALIA BISTRO
2140 W MARTIN LUTHER KING JR BLVD, Tampa FL 33607 · 813-348-4912
Last inspected Jun 18, 2026 · 10 visits since October 2023
JUL 24
APR 25
OCT 25
APR 26
JUN 26
≈ ERRATIC
5 inspections, swinging between A and C. Consistency is the problem here, not any single visit.
Roach activity present as evidenced by live roaches found. Approximately 30 live roaches on wall and floor behind water heater in kitchen.
★ Spotless◆ Clean streak● Perfect year✓ Never fined
Awarded on the inspection record alone. What they mean →
Disciplinary actions
2 cases · $760
| Case | Violation date | Final order | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3--2026027630 | Apr 14, 2026 | May 14, 2026 | $400 |
| 3--2023014176 | Dec 28, 2022 | Apr 20, 2023 | $360 |
Inspection history
10 visits, newest first
Jun 18, 2026Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 4 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
1 High priority2 Intermediate1 Basic
What the inspector wrote — 4 findings
Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Raw fish stored overtop cheese inside refrigerator. Owner removed and properly stored fish,cheese.
Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Handwashing sink has a coffee cup stored inside it in kitchen area. Owner removed coffee cup.
Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Pasta cooked and held longer than 24 hours has no date markings. Owner placed dates on pasta.
Opened employee beverage container in a cold holding unit with food to be served to customers. Employees drink stored inside refrigerator in back kitchen. Owner discarded drink.
Apr 15, 2026□ Emergency Order Callback CompliedComplaint Investigation
A return visit. The problems from the previous inspection had been dealt with.
0 High priority0 Intermediate2 Basic
Show 2 findings ▾
Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance. Ac vent soiled with accumulation of grease at cook line.
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Hood filters soiled with accumulation of grease and dust.
Apr 14, 2026■ Emergency order recommendedComplaint Investigation
Ordered shut on the spot. 6 violations recorded, 1 of them the tier the state says can make you ill. A reinspection is required before this kitchen may reopen.
1 High priority0 Intermediate5 Basic
Show 6 findings ▾
Roach activity present as evidenced by live roaches found. Approximately 30 live roaches on wall and floor behind water heater in kitchen.
Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance. Ac vent soiled with accumulation of grease at cook line.
Current Hotel and Restaurant license not displayed.
Dead roaches on premises. 7 dead roaches on floor by water heater in kitchen. 2 dead roaches behind refrigerator at cook line.
Interior of microwave has accumulation of black substance/grease/food debris.
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Hood filters soiled with accumulation of grease and dust.
Oct 10, 2025Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 4 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
2 High priority0 Intermediate2 Basic
Show 4 findings ▾
Chlorine sanitizer not at proper minimum strength for manual warewashing. Do not use equipment/utensils not properly sanitized. Tested 10ppm. Operator remade solution, tested 50ppm.
Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Reach-in cooler at cook line: shredded mozzarella 45 F, raw beef 46 F. Operator states the items was left on table less than 30 minutes and moved back to reach-in cooler.
Single-service articles not stored inverted or protected from contamination. Take out food containers on table at dining area? Operator inverted.
Stored food not covered. Beef bones for broth in reach-in freezer. Operator placed bones in bags.
Apr 3, 2025Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 4 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
1 High priority0 Intermediate3 Basic
Show 4 findings ▾
Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. A large piece of wrapped raw smoked salmon stored over various cooked food items in reach-in cooler at kitchen. Smoked salmon moved to bottom shelf at time of inspection.
Duct tape used to repair nonfood-contact surface. On vinyl floor at back storage area.
Hood ventilation system inadequate as evidenced by grease accumulation on walls/ceiling.
Single-service articles not stored inverted or protected from contamination. Take out food containers at dining area. Operator inverted at time of inspection.
Jul 30, 2024Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 4 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
0 High priority0 Intermediate4 Basic
Show 4 findings ▾
Clean glasses, cups, bowls, plates, pots and pans not stored inverted or in a protected manner. Observed plates not inverted above dish area
In-use utensil stored in standing water less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed intensive stored in water temped at 71 F on cookline prep table Corrected observed employee discard
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed old food debris build up inside white refrigerator in back kitchen near back door
Time/temperature control for safety food thawed in an improper manner. Observed chicken thawing at room temperature on back prep table Corrected -observed employee place in refrigerator
Apr 18, 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 ▾
Wood food-contact surface not properly sealed. Observed unsealed wood under chest freezer and in dry storage area
Feb 2, 2024Warning IssuedRoutine Inspection
Violations found and a warning issued, with a return visit required. 6 recorded, 2 high priority.
2 High priority1 Intermediate3 Basic
Show 6 findings ▾
Employee touching ready-to-eat food with their bare hands - food was not being heated as a sole ingredient to 145 degrees F or immediately added to other ingredients to be cooked/heated to the minimum required temperature to allow bare hand contact. Establishment has no approved Alternative Operating Procedure. Observed employee pick up ready to eat bread with bare hands Inspector explained proper handling of ready to eat food. Employee heat bread, wash hands and place gloves on hands while handling ready to eat food
Vacuum breaker missing at hose bibb or on fitting/splitter added to hose bibb. Observed missing at hose bib under mop sink
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.
Ripped/worn tin foil used as shelf cover. Observed soiled and torn tin foil above grill top on cookline
Wood food-contact surface not properly sealed. Observed unsealed wood under chest freezer and in dry storage area
Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Observed bulk salt not label in dry storage room
Jan 4, 2024□ Call Back - CompliedRoutine Inspection
A return visit. The problems from the previous inspection had been dealt with.
0 High priority1 Intermediate2 Basic
Show 3 findings ▾
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Cutting boards in kitchen.
Interior of oven/microwave has accumulation of black substance/grease/food debris. Microwave in kitchen.
Stored food not covered. Shrimp in reach in freezer.
Oct 24, 2023Warning IssuedRoutine Inspection
Violations found and a warning issued, with a return visit required. 8 recorded.
0 High priority3 Intermediate5 Basic
Show 8 findings ▾
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Cutting boards in kitchen.
No plan review submitted and approved - renovations were made or are in progress. Must submit plans and plan review application to DBPR H and R Plan Review office located at 2601 Blair Stone Rd., Tallahassee, FL 32399-1011. Plans must be submitted AND approved within 60 days. The direct link to the Plan Review page is https://www2.myfloridalicense.com/hotels-restaurants/licensing/plan-review/. Proviso 4) Floors, walls, cove base, and ceiling finishes in all food preparation, food storage, and ware washing areas must be smooth, non-porous, and easily cleanable has not been met for remodel. The ceiling is not smooth or easily cleanable.
No soap provided at handwash sink. Operator provided at time of inspection.
Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Employee drink on top of white reach in cooler next to stove.
Food stored on floor. Bulk oil on floor in storage area.
Interior of oven/microwave has accumulation of black substance/grease/food debris. Microwave in kitchen.
Opened employee beverage container in a cold holding unit with food to be served to customers. Open coke can in reach in cooler. Operator removed at time of inspection.
Stored food not covered. Shrimp in reach in freezer.
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.