RICK'S ON THE RIVER
2305 N WILLOW ST, Tampa FL 33607 · 8132510369
Last inspected Aug 3, 2026 · 13 visits since October 2023
JUN 25
AUG 25
NOV 25
JAN 26
AUG 26
— STEADY
5 inspections within 18 points of each other. Whatever this kitchen does, it does consistently.
Stop Sale issued due to food not being in a wholesome, sound condition. Observed portioned corned beef stored on line that was spoiled. Operator decided dispose of during inspection. See stop sale
★ Spotless◆ Clean streak● Perfect year✓ Never fined
Awarded on the inspection record alone. What they mean →
Disciplinary actions
1 case · $200
| Case | Violation date | Final order | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3--2019043692 | May 2, 2019 | Sep 18, 2019 | $200 |
Inspection history
13 visits, newest first
Aug 3, 2026Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 7 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
2 High priority2 Intermediate3 Basic
What the inspector wrote — 7 findingsThe state's own report →
Raw animal foods not properly separated from each other in holding unit based upon minimum required cooking temperature. Raw chicken stored over raw steaks and raw beef burgers in reach-in cooler at cook line. Operator moved raw chicken to bottom shelf at time of inspection.
Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. A pan of shucked oyster 46 F stored in walk-in cooler. Operator states that shucked oysters was stored at bar less than 30 minutes, employee moved to walk-in cooler a few minutes ago.
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Cutting boards stained stored on reach-in coolers at cook line.
Water with a temperature of least 85 degrees Fahrenheit not provided/shut off at employee handwash sink. Handwash sink has no running hot water provided at three-compartments sink area. Running water temped 72F.
Show the remaining 3 findings ▾
Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable. On reach-in coolers at cook line.
Food not stored at least 6 inches off of the floor. A few cases of strawberry purées stored on floor at dry food storage area. Operator moved to shelves.
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Walk-in cooler fan guards soiled with accumulation of dust debris.
Jan 20, 2026Inspection Completed - No Further ActionComplaint Investigation
Met inspection standards. 6 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
1 High priority0 Intermediate5 Basic
Show 6 findings ▾
Raw animal foods not properly separated from each other in holding unit based upon minimum required cooking temperature. Raw beef burgers stored over raw fish in small reach-in cooler at cook line. Employee rearranged items to prevent cross contamination at time of inspection.
Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine. Slimy black/green mold-like substance on the interior of the poor repair lid at 1 of the 3 ice machines.
Covered waste receptacle not provided in women's bathroom. In unisex employee bathroom.
Duct tape used to repair nonfood-contact surface. On 1 of the 3 ice machine lid.
Food not stored at least 6 inches off of the floor. A case of fried onion rings stored on floor in walk-in freezer. Employee moved to shelf.
No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees. At oyster bar.
Nov 3, 2025Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 6 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
1 High priority0 Intermediate5 Basic
Show 6 findings ▾
Raw animal foods not properly separated from each other in holding unit based upon minimum required cooking temperature. Raw beef burger stored over raw fish in small reach-in cooler. Operator rearranged items to prevent cross contamination at time of inspection.
Cutting boards has cut marks and is no longer cleanable. On small and large reach-in coolers at cook line.
Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Employee opened bottled water stored with buns at prep counter in kitchen. Employee removed drink.
Open dumpster lid. Operator closed lid at time of inspection.
Single-service articles improperly stored. 2 cases of single service food trays stored on floor at dry storage area. Operator moved to shelves.
Straws provided for customer self-service not individually wrapped or in an approved dispenser. At bar. Employee moved straws behind counter.
Aug 25, 2025Administrative complaint recommendedRoutine Inspection
Referred for a formal case, which can lead to a fine. 5 violations recorded, 1 high priority.
1 High priority1 Intermediate3 Basic
Show 5 findings ▾
Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Raw beef burgers stored over pasteurized liquid egg in walk-in cooler. Employee rearranged items to prevent cross contamination.
Manager or person in charge lacking proof of food manager certification. Gary Jerman.
Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Employee's opened bottle water stored on sheet pan with bread in kitchen. Employee removed.
Food not stored at least 6 inches off of the floor. A case of potato fries and fried chicken strips stored on floor in walk-in freezer. Employee moved to shelves.
In-use tongs stored on equipment door handle between uses. On oven door handle at cook line, employee removed tong.
Jun 13, 2025□ Call Back - CompliedRoutine Inspection
A return visit. The problems from the previous inspection had been dealt with.
0 High priority1 Intermediate0 Basic
Show 1 finding ▾
Manager or person in charge lacking proof of food manager certification. Gary Jerman.
Jun 5, 2025Warning IssuedRoutine Inspection
Violations found and a warning issued, with a return visit required. 8 recorded, 2 high priority.
2 High priority2 Intermediate4 Basic
Show 8 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 dish machine multiple times, tested 0ppm. Operator setup three-compartments sink to manually sanitize food contact surfaces and contacted dish machine service company at time of inspection.
Raw animal foods not properly separated from each other in holding unit based upon minimum required cooking temperature. Raw beef burger stored over raw steaks and raw salmon in reach-in cooler at cook line. Discussed with employees about minimum cooking temperatures for ground meat is 155F for 17 seconds and steak/fish are 145 F for 15 seconds.
Chemical test kit not used to ensure proper sanitization of equipment and utensils when using a chemical sanitizer. Dish machine was not being tested.
Manager or person in charge lacking proof of food manager certification. Gary Jerman.
Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Opened employee bottled water stored on storage shelf over bottled sauces. Removed.
Employee eating in a food preparation or other restricted area. Observed employee eating in kitchen.
Equipment and utensils not washed, rinsed and sanitized in the correct order in three-compartment sink. At main bar.
Wall soiled with accumulated grease, food debris, and/or dust. In beer walk-in cooler.
Jun 5, 2025□ 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 ▾
Wall soiled with accumulated grease, food debris, and/or dust. In beer walk-in cooler.
Apr 3, 2025Warning 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. A container of raw fish 50 F and raw chicken 45 F stored in reach-in cooler at cook line by fryers. Operator moved items to reach-in freezer, re temp: raw fish 44 F, raw chicken 41 F.
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. The establishment cooked and cooled crab meat with plant food sauce, then reduced oxygen packaged onsite and stored in freezer/cooler at 41F or less more than 48 hours but less than 30 days.
Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. 1 container of cooked bell peppers and 1 cooked onion not date marked in walk-in cooler.
Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Employee opened bottled water stored on prep table with hamburger buns. Operator removed drink.
Stored food not covered. Cooked chicken wings in walk-in cooler.
Wall soiled with accumulated grease, food debris, and/or dust. In beer walk-in cooler.
Feb 10, 2025□ Call Back - CompliedComplaint Investigation
A return visit. The problems from the previous inspection had been dealt with.
0 High priority1 Intermediate0 Basic
Show 1 finding ▾
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Observed: - Can opener soiled with food debris at time of inspection - Cutting boards stained on cooks line at time of inspection
Feb 10, 2025Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 9 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
1 High priority5 Intermediate3 Basic
Show 9 findings ▾
Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. A container of raw fish 48 F and egg wash 53 F stored in reach-in cooler at fry station. Employee placed egg wash in ice bath and moved fish to reach-in freezer for rapid cool.
Establishment has no written procedures for employees to follow in response to a vomiting or diarrheal event where the vomit or diarrhea is discharged onto surfaces in the establishment.
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Cutting boards stained on reach-in cooler at cook line.
No probe thermometer provided to measure temperature of food products.
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. Only 1 of approximately 20 food employee has proof of training.
Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Cooked chicken breasts, cooked onion and cooked peppers in walk-in cooler.
Food not stored at least 6 inches off of the floor. Soda syrup box at back area. Operator moved to higher shelves.
Food storage container/container lid cracked or broken. Crack lid used on raw fish container in reach-in cooler at cook line.
Wiping cloth quaternary ammonium compound sanitizing solution not at proper minimum strength. Tested less than 150ppm.
Oct 3, 2024Warning IssuedComplaint Investigation
Violations found and a warning issued, with a return visit required. 21 recorded, 5 high priority.
5 High priority3 Intermediate13 Basic
Show 21 findings ▾
Employee failed to wash hands before putting on gloves to initiate a task working with food. Observed cook remove gloves and put on new gloves without washing his hands observed cook touch face and hair with gloves hands without removing gloves and washing hands during inspection
Employee touched face/hair and then engaged in food preparation, handled clean equipment or utensils, or touched unwrapped single-service items without washing hands. Observed cook touch face and hair with gloves hands without removing gloves and washing hands during inspection
Raw animal food stored over or with unwashed produce. Observed raw fish stored over unwashed vegetables in walk-in cooler at time of inspection
Stop Sale issued due to food not being in a wholesome, sound condition. Observed portioned corned beef stored on line that was spoiled. Operator decided dispose of during inspection. See stop sale
Vacuum breaker missing at mop sink faucet or on fitting/splitter added to mop sink faucet. Observed hose splitter on mop sink without vacuum breaker added at time of inspection
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Observed: - Can opener soiled with food debris at time of inspection - Cutting boards stained on cooks line at time of inspection
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.
Required employee training expired for all employees. To order approved program food safety material, call DBPR contracted provider: Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (SafeStaff) 866-372-7233. All cooks food handler training expired at time of inspection
Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin. Interior of ice machine has a dead front inside it.
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. Observed salmon and mahi thawed in manufacture packaging that states to remove from package before thawing. See stop sale
Duct tape used to repair nonfood-contact surface. Observed reach in cooler door handle repaired with silver duct tape at time of inspection
Equipment in poor repair. - Gaskets on small reach in cooler torn at time of inspection - Door to walk in freezer rusted at bottom exposing door insulation at time of inspection
Food stored on floor. Observed French fries stored on floor of cooks line at time of inspection. Case of food stored on walk in freezer floor at time of inspection
In-use knife/knives stored in cracks between pieces of equipment. Knife stored between reach in cooler and food preparation table on cooks line.
In-use tongs stored on equipment door handle between uses. Observed tongs stored on oven handles during inspection
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. - Shelves soiled on cooks line with old grease at time of inspection. - Gaskets on reach in coolers soiled at time of inspection Hood filters have buildup of grease.
Opened employee beverage container in a cold holding unit with food to be served to customers. The employee drink stored inside walk in cooler.
Standing water in bottom of reach-in-cooler. Observed standing water in two reach in coolers on cooks line at time of inspection
Walk-in cooler/freezer shelves with rust that has pitted the surface. Observed rust on shelves in walk in cooler during inspection
Water leaking from pipe and/or faucet/handle. Observed leaking drain pipe under bar triple sink at time of inspection.
Wet wiping cloth not stored in sanitizing solution between uses. Observed wash cloths stored on tables during inspection. Operator moved cloths to sanitizer bucket during inspection
Apr 18, 2024Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 6 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
0 High priority0 Intermediate6 Basic
Show 6 findings ▾
Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Observed employee bag stored on dry storage shelf Corrected -observed employee remove
In-use knife/knives stored in cracks between pieces of equipment. Observed 2 knifes stored between cookline refrigerator Corrected -observed employee remove
In-use tongs stored on equipment door handle between uses. Observed a pair of tongs stored on oven handles Corrected observed employee remove
Standing water in bottom of reach-in-cooler. Observed in reachin cooler adjacent to fryers on cookline
Stored food not covered. Observed garnish in bar area not covered Corrected-observed employee cover
Unprotected ice machine in a customer/nonsecure area. Observed 3 ice machines stored under a shed outside exposed to customer
Oct 17, 2023Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 8 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
1 High priority1 Intermediate6 Basic
Show 8 findings ▾
Dented/rusted cans present. See stop sale. One can Tuna with dent on brim.
Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Cut lettuce, garlic butter, corn dogs all held over 24 hrs not date marked in walk in cooler.
Carbon dioxide/helium tanks not adequately secured. Co2 container in dry storage area not secured.
Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Employee drink store on food prep table, corrected, employee removed drink during inspection.
Equipment in poor repair. Sugar container held together with duct tape.
Food stored on floor. Foods stored on floor in walk in freezer, corrected, cook placed food on shelf of walk in freezer.
In-use knife/knives stored in cracks between pieces of equipment. Corrected, employee removed knives from between equipment during inspection.
Time/temperature control for safety food thawed in an improper manner. Fish thawing out on counter.
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.