RICKY MELA RESTAURANT
10277 BIG BEND RD, Riverview FL 33578 · 6562001621
Last inspected Apr 21, 2026 · 7 visits since December 2023
APR 24
DEC 24
MAY 25
DEC 25
APR 26
≈ ERRATIC
5 inspections, swinging between A and C. Consistency is the problem here, not any single visit.
Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Cut tomatoes 44 F on counter on cook line. Operator placed in walk in cooler.
★ Spotless◆ Clean streak● Perfect year✓ Never fined
Awarded on the inspection record alone. What they mean →
Inspection history
7 visits, newest first
Apr 21, 2026Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 2 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
0 High priority0 Intermediate2 Basic
What the inspector wrote — 2 findings
Food stored on floor. Fryer oil on floor, employee removed at time of inspection.
No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees. Employee placed sign.
Feb 17, 2026□ Call Back - CompliedRoutine Inspection
A return visit. The problems from the previous inspection had been dealt with.
0 High priority0 Intermediate2 Basic
Show 2 findings ▾
Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Employee drink on prep table.
Ice scoop handle in contact with ice.
Dec 16, 2025Warning IssuedRoutine Inspection
Violations found and a warning issued, with a return visit required. 11 recorded, 2 high priority.
2 High priority4 Intermediate5 Basic
Show 11 findings ▾
Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Cooked vegetables 79 F left on counter for 1 hour, manager placed in reach in cooler at time of inspection.
Vacuum breaker missing at mop sink faucet or on fitting/splitter added to mop sink faucet.
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Soda machine.
No chemical test kit provided when using sanitizer at three-compartment sink/warewashing machine or wiping cloths. For quat
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.
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.
Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Employee drink on prep table.
Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Employees phone on prep table.
Ice scoop handle in contact with ice.
No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees. In women's restrooms.
Wet mop not stored in a manner to allow the mop to dry. Manager hung at time of inspection.
May 1, 2025Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 3 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
0 High priority1 Intermediate2 Basic
Show 3 findings ▾
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Cutting boards stained at time of inspection.
Floor soiled/has accumulation of debris. Floor soiled around kitchen equipment at time of inspection.
Floor tiles missing and/or in disrepair. Missing floor tiles around triple sinks.
Dec 3, 2024Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 16 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
2 High priority3 Intermediate11 Basic
Show 16 findings ▾
Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Cut tomatoes 44 F on counter on cook line. Operator placed in walk in cooler.
Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. Cleaner above ice machine.
No chemical test kit provided when using sanitizer at three-compartment sink/warewashing machine or wiping cloths. For chlorine.
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 new hire. Employee signed at time of inspection.
Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Multiple food items in walk in cooler not date marked.
Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin. Ice machine.
Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance. Vents near 3 compartment sink.
Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Employee drink on prep table.
Equipment in poor repair. Reach in cooler on cook line not working. Dish machine tested 0ppm chlorine. Establishment not using dish machine at time of inspection. Discussed with operator to use 3 compartment sink until dish machine is working properly.
Floors not maintained smooth and durable. Floor under 3 compartment sink.
In-use utensil in non-time/temperature control for safety food not stored with handle above top of food within a closed container. Scoop handle in flour.
No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees. At handwash sink near mop sink.
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Reach in cooler gaskets.
Single-service articles not stored inverted or protected from contamination. To go boxes not inverted.
Unclean building components, attachments or fixtures. Hood.
Wet mop not stored in a manner to allow the mop to dry.
Apr 9, 2024Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 11 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
3 High priority1 Intermediate7 Basic
Show 11 findings ▾
Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Raw chicken over eggplant in walk in cooler.
Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Butter 45 F, pasta 46 F, employee placed in ice bath.
Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. Cleaner above ice machine.
Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Pasta and meatballs in walk in cooler not date marked.
Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin. Ice machine.
Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance. Ceiling vents soiled above soda machine.
Clean glasses, cups, bowls, plates, pots and pans not stored inverted or in a protected manner. Plates not inverted across from mop sink.
Food stored on floor. Water bottles on walk in cooler floor. Oil on floor, employee removed oil at time of inspection.
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Reach in cooler gaskets on cook line.
Single-service articles not stored inverted or protected from contamination. To go boxes not inverted on shelf near soda machine.
Walk-in cooler/freezer shelves with rust that has pitted the surface. Walk in cooler shelves rusted.
Dec 5, 2023Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 10 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
2 High priority1 Intermediate7 Basic
Show 10 findings ▾
Chlorine sanitizer not at proper minimum strength for manual warewashing. Do not use equipment/utensils not properly sanitized. 3 Compartment sink tested 10 ppm chlorine, operator remade tested 50ppm.
Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Spinach 62 F- retemp 60 F, cut tomatoes 51 F- retemp 48 F, cheese 45 F- retemp 43 F, shrimp 47 F- retemp 38 F, chicken 45 F- retemp 43 F, in reach in cooler on cook line. Operator placed items on ice.
Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Pasta in reach in cooler not date marked.
Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin. Ice machine,
Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting. Containers wet nesting above 3 Compartment Sink.
Equipment in poor repair. Reach in cooler gaskets on cook line in poor repair.
In-use tongs stored on equipment door handle between uses.tongs on oven door handle.
In-use utensil in non-time/temperature control for safety food not stored with handle above top of food within a closed container. Scoop handle in flour and breading.
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Hood filters.
Wet mop not stored in a manner to allow the mop to dry.
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.