PLAZA MEXICO RESTAURANT BAR GRILL
34726 US 19 N, Palm Harbor FL 34684 · 727-408-5745
Last inspected Apr 8, 2026 · 13 visits since October 2023
APR 25
JUN 25
MAR 26
MAR 26
APR 26
≈ ERRATIC
5 inspections, swinging between A and F. Consistency is the problem here, not any single visit.
Roach activity present as evidenced by live roaches found. 1 live roach on chemical bucket under dishmachine
★ Spotless◆ Clean streak● Perfect year✓ Never fined
Awarded on the inspection record alone. What they mean →
Disciplinary actions
2 cases · $800
| Case | Violation date | Final order | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3--2025035141 | Apr 1, 2025 | Aug 13, 2025 | $400 |
| 3--2022012622 | Mar 10, 2022 | Apr 14, 2022 | $400 |
Inspection history
13 visits, newest first
Apr 8, 2026Inspection Completed - No Further ActionComplaint Investigation (Partial)
Nothing was found. The inspector recorded no violations at all.
0 High priority0 Intermediate0 Basic
Mar 25, 2026□ Call Back - CompliedComplaint Investigation
A return visit. The problems from the previous inspection had been dealt with.
0 High priority0 Intermediate0 Basic
Mar 24, 2026Warning IssuedComplaint Investigation
Violations found and a warning issued, with a return visit required. 8 recorded, 5 high priority.
5 High priority2 Intermediate1 Basic
Show 8 findings ▾
Dishmachine not sanitizing properly. Discontinue use of dishmachine for sanitizing and set up manual sanitization until dishmachine is repaired and sanitizing properly. 0 ppm, operator primed machine, ran 2 more cycles, still less than 50 ppm chlorine. Operator will set up 3 compartment sink for sanitizing.
Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. In walk in cooler - case of raw chicken above cut lettuce. Chicken moved to kitchen to prep
Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. octopus (49F - Cold Holding) cooked ground beef (51F - Cold Holding); cooked shredded beef (50F - Cold Holding); cooked pork (48F - Cold Holding)
Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. In walk in cooler - octopus (49F - Cold Holding) cooked ground beef (51F - Cold Holding); cooked shredded beef (50F - Cold Holding); cooked pork (48F - Cold Holding) all have dates of 3/21, temperatures not taken today, they were take yesterday afternoon and were at proper temperature. See stop sale.
Wiping cloth sanitizer solution exceeds the maximum concentration allowed. Towel bucket on cook line, > 200 ppm, corrected to 60 ppm
Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Multiple brooms in front of hand wash sink in dish room. Operator removed.
Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Opera added water to pan with soup from hand wash sink. Discussed use of hand wash sink with staff and operator.
Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Open bottle of water on prep table, employee beverage in freezer next to food d for customers, operator removed both
Mar 16, 2026Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 6 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
2 High priority3 Intermediate1 Basic
Show 6 findings ▾
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. Employee using cell phone then touched fry basket handle without washing hands, discussed with manager, employee washed hands
Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Raw beef above canned mushrooms in reach in cooler, items properly moved
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Soda gun nozzle soiled
Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Cooked beef in walk in cooler no date mark
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. Cesar expired 2/20/26
Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Drinks on reach in cooler, drink removed
Jun 4, 2025□ Call Back - CompliedRoutine Inspection
A return visit. The problems from the previous inspection had been dealt with.
0 High priority0 Intermediate0 Basic
Jun 3, 2025Administrative complaint recommendedRoutine Inspection
Referred for a formal case, which can lead to a fine. 7 violations recorded, 4 high priority.
4 High priority2 Intermediate1 Basic
Show 7 findings ▾
Cooked/heated time/temperature control for safety food not cooled from 135 degrees Fahrenheit to 41 degrees Fahrenheit within 6 hours. salsa (47F - Cold Holding). Operator states salsa was made yesterday. Tomato's were roasted. Operator states that temperatures were not taken to ensure food properly cooled to 41F. See stop sale.
Displayed food not properly protected from contamination. Cups of salsa sitting in the dining room area with no protection. Discussed with manager. Manager moved salsa to the kitchen. Salsa was in the process of cooling at the time of inspection.
Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. salsa (47F - Cooling)
Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Walk in cooler: butter (45F - Cold Holding); queso (45F - Cold Holding); raw chicken (44F - Cold Holding); pork (45F - Cold Holding); cooked chicken (44F - Cold Holding); sour cream (44F - Cold Holding) food was not prepared today. Ambient air of the walk in cooler is between 48F-50F. No temperatures taken. Operator opened the door to the freezer inside the walk in to drop the temperature.
No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. No soap or paper towels at handwash sink closest to dish machine. Operator stocked sink.
Water with a temperature of least 85 degrees Fahrenheit not provided/shut off at employee handwash sink. 82F handwash sink in the ware washing area. Hot water faucet handle unable to be turned. Discussed with manager.
Water draining onto floor surface. Handwash sink pipe closest to dishmachine. Operator placed bucket under the sink.
Apr 2, 2025□ Emergency Order Callback CompliedComplaint Investigation
A return visit. The problems from the previous inspection had been dealt with.
0 High priority2 Intermediate2 Basic
Show 4 findings ▾
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Cutting boards stained
No proof provided 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. For 2 new employees: Laura and Lesly
Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin. Top of ice chute
Ceiling/ceiling tile shows damage or is in disrepair. 2 holes in ceiling tile in ware washing area.
Apr 2, 2025■ Emergency Order Callback Not CompliedComplaint Investigation
A return visit while the kitchen was already shut. The problems had not been fixed, so the closure stayed in place. 6 violations recorded, 1 high priority.
1 High priority2 Intermediate3 Basic
Show 6 findings ▾
Rodent activity present as evidenced by rodent droppings found. 42 rodent droppings under dishmachine area. 2 rodent droppings on top of dishmachine 11 rodent droppings on top of sanitizer buckets. 9 rodent droppings under handwash sink and prep table in kitchen. 9 rodent droppings under rack holding equipment. 4 rodent droppings under soda machine bags. 1 rodent droppings under rack in dry storage.
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Cutting boards stained
No proof provided 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. For 2 new employees: Laura and Lesly
Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin. Top of ice chute
Ceiling/ceiling tile shows damage or is in disrepair. 2 holes in ceiling tile in ware washing area.
No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees. Provided operator with sign.
Apr 1, 2025■ Emergency order recommendedComplaint Investigation
Ordered shut on the spot. 11 violations recorded, 6 of them the tier the state says can make you ill. A reinspection is required before this kitchen may reopen.
6 High priority2 Intermediate3 Basic
Show 11 findings ▾
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. Ran 2 times: 0ppm both runs. Discontinue use of dishmachine and sanitize dishes in the 3 compartment sink until dishmachine is working properly. Operator ran a 3rd time and it was 10ppm.
Displayed food not properly protected from contamination. Operator has salsa cups sitting in an area that is not protected in the dining room. Discussed with employee who moved salsa cups to walk in cooler.
Live, small flying insects found 5 flies under dishmachine.
Roach activity present as evidenced by live roaches found. 1 live roach on chemical bucket under dishmachine
Rodent activity present as evidenced by rodent droppings found. 42 rodent droppings under dishmachine area. 2 rodent droppings on top of dishmachine 11 rodent droppings on top of sanitizer buckets. 9 rodent droppings under handwash sink and prep table in kitchen. 9 rodent droppings under rack holding equipment. 4 rodent droppings under soda machine bags. 1 rodent droppings under rack in dry storage.
Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Sitting in counter for less than an hour: salsa (62F - Cold Holding) operator relocated to walk in cooler. Discussed Time as a Public Health Control as an option with operator. In flip top cooler next to steam well: cheese (55F - Cold Holding) cheese was refilled less than an hour ago. Cheese is double panned. Discussed with operator. Cheese was relocated to the freezer for rapid chill.
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Cutting boards stained
No proof provided 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. For 2 new employees: Laura and Lesly
Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin. Top of ice chute
Ceiling/ceiling tile shows damage or is in disrepair. 2 holes in ceiling tile in ware washing area.
No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees. Provided operator with sign.
Dec 27, 2024Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 5 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
0 High priority2 Intermediate3 Basic
Show 5 findings ▾
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. White cutting board
No chemical test kit provided when using sanitizer at three-compartment sink/warewashing machine or wiping cloths.
Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin.
Floor area(s) covered with standing water. Cook line, prep srea
Reuse of single-service or single-use articles. Reuse of gallon containers for mixed beverages. Discussed the importance of of not reusing gallon containers.
Mar 12, 2024Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 6 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
1 High priority1 Intermediate4 Basic
Show 6 findings ▾
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. 0ppm corrected to 50ppm
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Can opener
Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine.
Clean utensils or equipment stored in soiled container. Clean dishes stored in a container containing food debris. Operator removed bus tub to wash rinse and sanitize the container and its contents
Commercially processed reduced oxygen packaged fish bearing a label indicating that it is to remain frozen until time of use no longer frozen and not removed from reduced oxygen package.
Food stored on floor. Oil stored on floor in rear of restaurant. Operator moved the oil to a minimum of 6inches off the floor
Oct 13, 2023□ Call Back - CompliedRoutine Inspection
A return visit. The problems from the previous inspection had been dealt with.
0 High priority2 Intermediate0 Basic
Show 2 findings ▾
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Can opener, cutting board at refrigeration unit to the left of the range.
Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Cooked beef, cooked chicken, cooked beans? Operator was able to determine the prep date and will date accordingly
Oct 3, 2023Warning IssuedRoutine Inspection
Violations found and a warning issued, with a return visit required. 6 recorded, 1 high priority.
1 High priority2 Intermediate3 Basic
Show 6 findings ▾
Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Cooked chicken 44F cold hold, cooked pork 45F cold hold. Operator placed food items in the walk in freezer for a quick cool.
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Can opener, cutting board at refrigeration unit to the left of the range.
Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Cooked beef, cooked chicken, cooked beans? Operator was able to determine the prep date and will date accordingly
Dishmachine not washing/rinsing properly. Must wash, rinse and sanitize all dishware, equipment and utensils in three-compartment sink until dishmachine is functioning properly. Operator has been utilizing the 3 compartment sink and has a call in for repairs. Dishwasher continuously runs
Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Operator moved employee beverage
Standing water or very slow draining water in handwash sink.
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.