RICKS CAFE
5002 MISSION SQUARE LANE, Zephyrhills FL 33542 · 8137806262
Last inspected Aug 13, 2026 · 8 visits since November 2023
AUG 24
JAN 25
SEP 25
MAR 26
AUG 26
▼ IMPROVING
5 inspections, climbing. The current grade is the best on record.
Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Reach in cooler top make table by dish machine Cold holding Milk 47 f operator placed in freezer 2nd temp
★ Spotless◆ Clean streak● Perfect year✓ Never fined
Awarded on the inspection record alone. What they mean →
Disciplinary actions
2 cases · $1,200
| Case | Violation date | Final order | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3--2021040527 | Aug 24, 2021 | Oct 6, 2021 | $800 |
| 3--2019058783 | Nov 15, 2019 | Jan 3, 2020 | $400 |
Inspection history
8 visits, newest first
Aug 13, 2026Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 3 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
0 High priority1 Intermediate2 Basic
What the inspector wrote — 3 findings
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Can opener blade soiled with accumulation of food debris. Operator had employee start to clean and sanitize.
Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine on white guard. Operator cleaned and sanitized.
Ceiling/ceiling tile shows damage or is in disrepair in hallway above reach-in freezers near office area.
Mar 3, 2026Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 5 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
1 High priority2 Intermediate2 Basic
Show 5 findings ▾
Employee cracked raw shell eggs and then handled ready-to-eat food and/or clean equipment or utensils without washing hands. Observed cook crack raw shell eggs then wipe hands on a towel, place cooked food on plate. Manager discussed hand washing with cook.
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Slicer soiled with food debris.
Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Meatloaf in reach in cooler not date marked.
Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin. Operator cleaned.
Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting. Drink glasses at soda fountain.
Sep 8, 2025Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 3 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
0 High priority2 Intermediate1 Basic
Show 3 findings ▾
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Employee washed can opener.
Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Employee marked meatloaf in reach in cooler.
Food stored on floor. Employee removed oil from the floor in dry storage.
Jan 27, 2025Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 6 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
3 High priority1 Intermediate2 Basic
Show 6 findings ▾
Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Raw beef over cheese in white reach in cooler by can goods employee removed to proper storage
Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Reach in cooler on cooks line Cold holding: cheese 44 f cut ham 44 f cut sausage 44 f employee moved to freezer 2nd temps all to 43 f Cook sausage 53 f thawing on counter employee moved to refrigerator 2nd temp Butter package 56 f in container sitting on ice. Manager moved to freezer 2nd temp 43 f
Time/temperature control for safety food held using time as a public health control marked with a time that exceeds the 4-hour limit. Raw shelled eggs shows on white board at 6:00 am chef stated they never changed the time and eggs were placed on counter 1 hour pior
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Can opener blade
Reach-in cooler interior/shelves have accumulation of soil residues.
Time/temperature control for safety food thawed in an improper manner. Frozen food sitting on the counter in prep area by office.
Aug 27, 2024□ Call Back - CompliedRoutine Inspection
A return visit. The problems from the previous inspection had been dealt with.
1 High priority0 Intermediate2 Basic
Show 3 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. Dishwasher emptied dump bucket, wiped hands on dry towel, then removed clean dishes from dishwasher. Discussed with manager on duty and he discussed with staff.
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Multiple gaskets of reach in coolers Exterior of white refrigerators in kitchen
Reach-in cooler interior/shelves have accumulation of soil residues. 3 door cooler on cook line White refrigerator in Kitchen White Cutting board stained Can opener blade soiled
Aug 21, 2024Warning IssuedRoutine Inspection
Violations found and a warning issued, with a return visit required. 12 recorded, 4 high priority.
4 High priority0 Intermediate8 Basic
Show 12 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. Dishwasher emptied dump bucket, wiped hands on dry towel, then removed clean dishes from dishwasher. Discussed with manager on duty and he discussed with staff.
Raw animal food stored over or with ready-to-eat food in a freezer - not all products commercially packaged. Opened bag of raw chicken nuggets over French fries in single door vertical freezer in back room, moved to bottom
Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. butter pats (73F - Cold Holding) diced ham (47F - Cold Holding); sliced tomatoes (53F - Cold Holding); diced tomatoes (49F - Cold Holding); shredded cheese (49F - Cold Holding)
Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. In Reach in cooler cook line - diced ham (47F - Cold Holding); sliced tomatoes (53F - Cold Holding); diced tomatoes (49F - Cold Holding); canned mushrooms (46F - Cold Holding); shredded cheese (49F - Cold Holding) temperatures taken at 5:45 am were 41F or below. butter pats (73F - Cold Holding)removed from refrigerator 2 hours ago, see stop sale
Clean utensils or equipment stored in dirty drawer or rack. Utensils in soiled drawer under prep table with toaster
Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Personal beverage on front counter over to go boxes, operator moved to bottom
Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Speaker on lift top cooler by 3 compartment sink
Employee wearing jewelry other than a plain ring on their hands/arms while preparing food. Watch on cook
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Multiple gaskets of reach in coolers Exterior of white refrigerators in kitchen
Reach-in cooler interior/shelves have accumulation of soil residues. 3 door cooler on cook line White refrigerator in Kitchen White Cutting board stained Can opener blade soiled
Sanitizer bucket stored with food, equipment, utensils, linens, single-service, or single-use articles. On front counter next to to go cups, lids, moved to bottom shelf
Wiping cloth quaternary ammonium compound sanitizing solution not at proper minimum strength. At front counter 0 ppm, corrected to 200 ppm
Apr 25, 2024Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 4 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
0 High priority1 Intermediate3 Basic
Show 4 findings ▾
Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled. Bottle of Surface cleaner not labeled. Operator label during inspection.
Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin. Inside ice tray corners soiled with black mold like substance. Operator cleaned tray during inspection.
Food storage container/container lid cracked or broken. Cracked 6 pan In ware washing area.
Single-service articles not stored inverted or protected from contamination. Single service containers on cook line. Operator turned all containers face down.
Nov 2, 2023Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 5 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
2 High priority0 Intermediate3 Basic
Show 5 findings ▾
Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Reach in cooler top make table by dish machine Cold holding Milk 47 f operator placed in freezer 2nd temp
Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Steam table Hot holding: cook sausage 120 f 2nd temp 165 f
Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin.
Unwashed fruits/vegetables stored with ready-to-eat food. Tomato's over hot dogs reach in cooler by raw shelled eggs cooler. Employee removed to proper storage
Wiping cloth quaternary ammonium compound sanitizing solution not at proper minimum strength. Tested at 100 ppm remade to 200 ppm
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.