RENE'S MEXICAN KITCHEN AT 17TH
2802 N 16 ST, Tampa FL 33605 · 8133617472
Last inspected Jul 27, 2026 · 9 visits since November 2023
AUG 24
FEB 25
JUL 25
JAN 26
JUL 26
≈ ERRATIC
5 inspections, swinging between B and D. Consistency is the problem here, not any single visit.
Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license.
★ Spotless◆ Clean streak● Perfect year✓ Never fined
Awarded on the inspection record alone. What they mean →
Inspection history
9 visits, newest first
Jul 27, 2026Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 7 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
1 High priority1 Intermediate5 Basic
What the inspector wrote — 7 findingsThe state's own report →
Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. OFF Bug Spray on shelf over Togo straws. Operator relocated.
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Cutting boards in kitchen.
Dead roaches on premises. 1 dead roach on floor near prep table in kitchen. 1 dead roach on wall near Handwash sink. Employee cleaned and sanitized area.
Floor soiled/has accumulation of debris. Throughout kitchen.
Show the remaining 3 findings ▾
Old food stuck to clean dishware/utensils. Container lids on dish drying rack.
Time/temperature control for safety food thawed in an improper manner. Cooked frozen meat thawing at room temperature.
Wall soiled with accumulated grease, food debris, and/or dust. Throughout kitchen.
Jan 20, 2026Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 8 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
0 High priority3 Intermediate5 Basic
Show 8 findings ▾
Employee washed hands in a sink other than an approved handwash sink. Employee washed hands in 3 compartment sink.
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Cutting boards on reach in coolers.
Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Black plastic container in Handwash sink in kitchen.
Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Small plastic bowl in bulk cut garlic in reach in cooler.
Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Employee opened water bottles on prep table in kitchen.
Employee eating in a food preparation or other restricted area. Employee eating toast stored on dish drying rack.
Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Employees jackets and purses on dry storage rack in kitchen.
Food stored on floor. Raw chicken and bulk oil on floor in kitchen.
Jul 24, 2025Administrative complaint recommendedRoutine Inspection
Referred for a formal case, which can lead to a fine. 7 violations recorded, 2 high priority.
2 High priority2 Intermediate3 Basic
Show 7 findings ▾
Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license.
Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Raw chicken over cooked chicken. Operator relocated.
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Cutting boards in 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.
Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Employee water bottle on slicer in kitchen.
Floor not cleaned when the least amount of food is exposed. Under prep tables and reach in coolers.
In-use utensil in non-time/temperature control for safety food not stored with handle above top of food within a closed container. Handle of scoop in bulk sugar.
Feb 14, 2025Inspection 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 ▾
Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license.
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Cutting boards
Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Employee drinks on prep table in kitchen. Employee removed.
Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting. Plastic containers on dish drying rack.
Equipment and utensils not washed, rinsed and sanitized in the correct order in three-compartment sink. Do not use dishes/equipment not properly sanitized. Employee washing dishes with all 3 bays being set up. Operator has employee set up 3 compartment sink in correct order.
No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees. Handwash sink near grill.
Aug 7, 2024Administrative complaint recommendedRoutine Inspection
Referred for a formal case, which can lead to a fine. 9 violations recorded, 2 high priority.
2 High priority3 Intermediate4 Basic
Show 9 findings ▾
Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license.
Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food.raw fish over cut tomatoes in reach in cooler. Operator removed at time of inspection.
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Cutting boards in kitchen.
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.
Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Potatoes cooked in reach in cooler.
Employee drinking from an unenclosed beverage container in a food preparation/clean dishware area and the container does not have a dispensing mechanism to prevent hand contact with lip contact area of drink container. Employee drinking coffee from container with no lid.
Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Employee headphones on slicer in kitchen.
Food stored on floor. Bulk flour tortillas on floor.
Old labels stuck to food containers after cleaning on clear containers on dish drying rack.
Mar 27, 2024□ Call Back - CompliedRoutine Inspection
A return visit. The problems from the previous inspection had been dealt with.
0 High priority0 Intermediate4 Basic
Show 4 findings ▾
Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Employee water bottles and coffee cups on reach in cooler and prep table in kitchen.
Food stored on floor. Bulk box or jalapeños on floor in kitchen.
Interior of oven/microwave has accumulation of black substance/grease/food debris. Microwave in kitchen.
Wet wiping cloth not stored in sanitizing solution between uses. Wet wiping cloth on top of ice machine.
Mar 26, 2024Warning IssuedRoutine Inspection
Violations found and a warning issued, with a return visit required. 6 recorded.
0 High priority2 Intermediate4 Basic
Show 6 findings ▾
Manager or person in charge lacking proof of food manager certification.
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.
Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Employee water bottles and coffee cups on reach in cooler and prep table in kitchen.
Food stored on floor. Bulk box or jalapeños on floor in kitchen.
Interior of oven/microwave has accumulation of black substance/grease/food debris. Microwave in kitchen.
Wet wiping cloth not stored in sanitizing solution between uses. Wet wiping cloth on top of ice machine.
Jan 3, 2024Call Back - Admin. complaint recommendedRoutine Inspection
Referred for a formal case, which can lead to a fine. 6 violations recorded.
0 High priority3 Intermediate3 Basic
Show 6 findings ▾
Establishment preparing food using a method that has been determined by the Divisions of Hotels and Restaurants to require an approved variance from the Division. Establishment does not have an approved variance for the method observed in use during the inspection. Operator is vacuum packing cooked tofu, cooked eggs and potatoes.
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Cutting boards in kitchen.
Operator is doing a special process, conducting reduced oxygen packaging, cooking time/temperature control for safety food to a time and temperature combination lesser than those in the Food Code or operating a molluscan shellfish tank for human consumption without a HACCP plan approved by the Division of Hotels and Restaurants. Operator is vacuum packing queso fresco cheese labeled 10/30/23 and velveta cheese, cooked tofu, cooked eggs and potatoes.
Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Water bottle on prep table in kitchen. Employee removed at time of inspection.
Old labels stuck to food containers after cleaning. On clear container lids
Wet wiping cloth not stored in sanitizing solution between uses. Under grill in kitchen.
Nov 1, 2023Warning IssuedRoutine Inspection
Violations found and a warning issued, with a return visit required. 11 recorded, 1 high priority.
1 High priority4 Intermediate6 Basic
Show 11 findings ▾
Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Raw chorizo over tortillas in reach in cooler. Operator relocated at time of inspection.
Establishment preparing food using a method that has been determined by the Divisions of Hotels and Restaurants to require an approved variance from the Division. Establishment does not have an approved variance for the method observed in use during the inspection. Operator is vacuum packing cooked tofu, cooked eggs and potatoes.
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Cutting boards in kitchen.
Operator is doing a special process, conducting reduced oxygen packaging, cooking time/temperature control for safety food to a time and temperature combination lesser than those in the Food Code or operating a molluscan shellfish tank for human consumption without a HACCP plan approved by the Division of Hotels and Restaurants. Operator is vacuum packing queso fresco cheese labeled 10/30/23 and velveta cheese, cooked tofu, cooked eggs and potatoes.
Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Velveta cheese and eggs and potato mixture in reach in cooler.
Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Water bottle on prep table in kitchen. Employee removed at time of inspection.
Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Employee phone on prep table in kitchen.
Floor tiles missing and/or in disrepair. In front of grill.
Old labels stuck to food containers after cleaning. On clear container lids
Unwashed fruits/vegetables stored with ready-to-eat food. Unwashed avocados held over ready to eat cut tomatoes and cooked potatoes.
Wet wiping cloth not stored in sanitizing solution between uses. Under grill in kitchen.
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.