RICKY'S CUBAN CAFE
5249 EHRLICH RD, Tampa FL 33624 · 8133740238
Last inspected Mar 27, 2026 · 8 visits since August 2023
JAN 24
NOV 24
APR 25
OCT 25
MAR 26
≈ ERRATIC
5 inspections, swinging between A and D. Consistency is the problem here, not any single visit.
Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food marked with a date that exceeds 7 days after opening/preparation. Shredded cooked pork, Red sauce, Picadillo in back kitchen Reach in cooler dated at 4/16.
★ Spotless◆ Clean streak● Perfect year✓ Never fined
Awarded on the inspection record alone. What they mean →
Inspection history
8 visits, newest first
Mar 27, 2026Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 4 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
0 High priority1 Intermediate3 Basic
What the inspector wrote — 4 findings
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Observed stained cutting boards on the prep tables..
Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable on prep tables.
Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting. Observed wet stacked containers on the dish drying rack.
Unwashed fruits/vegetables stored with ready-to-eat food. Observed a box of unwashed tomatoes being stored over pans of ready to eat ham and cheese.
Dec 11, 2025Call Back - Admin. complaint recommendedRoutine Inspection
Referred for a formal case, which can lead to a fine. 2 violations recorded.
0 High priority2 Intermediate0 Basic
Show 2 findings ▾
Certified Food Manager or person in charge lacks knowledge of foodborne illnesses and symptoms of illness that would prevent an employee from working with food, clean equipment and utensils, and single-service items.
No plan review submitted and approved - renovations were made or are in progress. Must submit plans and plan review application to DBPR H and R Plan Review office located at 2601 Blair Stone Rd., Tallahassee, FL 32399-1011. Plans must be submitted AND approved within 60 days. The direct link to the Plan Review page is https://www2.myfloridalicense.com/hotels-restaurants/licensing/plan-review/. Reach in cooler next to kitchen exit removed. Reach in freezer added beneath water heater and next to current Reach in cooler. Reach in cooler/Reach in freezer combo added in place of rice cooker. Small Reach in freezer added in place of blender.
Oct 10, 2025Warning IssuedRoutine Inspection
Violations found and a warning issued, with a return visit required. 7 recorded, 4 high priority.
4 High priority3 Intermediate0 Basic
Show 7 findings ▾
Employee cracked raw shell eggs and then handled ready-to-eat food and/or clean equipment or utensils without washing hands. Cook at front line touched clean plate without changing gloves of washing hands after cracking raw shell eggs. Discussed with employee. Employee changed gloves, washed hands and obtained a clean plate during time of inspection.
Employee touched soiled apron/clothes and then engaged in food preparation, handled clean equipment or utensils, or touched unwrapped single-service items without washing hands. Employee touched wiping cloth stored beneath sandwich press at front service counter, then began preparing sandwiches without washing hands. Discussed with employee, employee discarded gloves, washed hands and wore new gloves during time of inspection.
Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. 2 containers of raw chicken stored over chicken stock in kitchen Reach in cooler. Employee relocated raw chicken to an approved location during time of inspection.
Vacuum breaker missing at hose bibb or on fitting/splitter added to hose bibb. Located at external back of establishment next to mop sink.
Certified Food Manager or person in charge lacks knowledge of foodborne illnesses and symptoms of illness that would prevent an employee from working with food, clean equipment and utensils, and single-service items.
Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Employee handwash sink at front service counter used for dumping ice. Employee handwash sink inside kitchen used for collecting water.
No plan review submitted and approved - renovations were made or are in progress. Must submit plans and plan review application to DBPR H and R Plan Review office located at 2601 Blair Stone Rd., Tallahassee, FL 32399-1011. Plans must be submitted AND approved within 60 days. The direct link to the Plan Review page is https://www2.myfloridalicense.com/hotels-restaurants/licensing/plan-review/. Reach in cooler next to kitchen exit removed. Reach in freezer added beneath water heater and next to current Reach in cooler. Reach in cooler/Reach in freezer combo added in place of rice cooker. Small Reach in freezer added in place of blender.
May 19, 2025□ Call Back - CompliedRoutine Inspection
A return visit. The problems from the previous inspection had been dealt with.
0 High priority0 Intermediate0 Basic
Apr 24, 2025Warning IssuedRoutine Inspection
Violations found and a warning issued, with a return visit required. 5 recorded, 3 high priority.
3 High priority1 Intermediate1 Basic
Show 5 findings ▾
Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food marked with a date that exceeds 7 days after opening/preparation. Shredded cooked pork, Red sauce, Picadillo in back kitchen Reach in cooler dated at 4/16.
Stop Sale issued due to food not being in a wholesome, sound condition. Shredded cooked pork, Red sauce, Picadillo in back kitchen Reach in cooler dated at 4/16.
Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Raw shell eggs 74F at 9:10am left out at 8am retempt to 54F at 9:59am, sliced ham 58F at 9:17am left out at 8:16am retempt to 41F at 9:59am, chorizo 58F at 9:17am left out at 8:16am retempt to 40F at 9:59am, sausage patty 60F at 9:17am left out at 8:16am retempt to 41F at 9:59am, cut tomato 67F at 9:17am left out at 8:16am retempt to 35F at 9:59am. Operator relocated all items into Reach in freezer for quick cooling.
Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled. Located beneath three compartment sink.
Food stored on floor. Container of cooked pork stock on floor of front line cook. Operator relocated stock to an approved location during time of inspection.
Nov 21, 2024Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 3 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
1 High priority1 Intermediate1 Basic
Show 3 findings ▾
Raw animal foods not properly separated from each other in holding unit based upon minimum required cooking temperature. Observed raw chicken over raw pork in reach in cooler at time of inspection. Operator moved chicken to lower shelf.
Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Observed small pan with soapy water and scrub pad in hand wash sink in kitchen. Operator removed pan during inspection
In-use utensil in non-time/temperature control for safety food not stored with handle above top of food within a closed container. Observed scoop handles in bulk product at time of inspection. Operator set handles outside of product at time of inspection.
Jan 19, 2024Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 5 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
1 High priority1 Intermediate3 Basic
Show 5 findings ▾
Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Raw raw shelled egg over ready to eat food reach in glass cooler employee removed to proper storage
Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Cook chicken pork juice glass reach in cooler.
Floor soiled/has accumulation of debris. Grease under cooking stove kitchen equipment cooks line.
Sanitizer bucket stored with food, equipment, utensils, linens, single-service, or single-use articles. Stored on floor under three compartment sink
Time/temperature control for safety food thawed in an improper manner. Raw bacon on counter
Aug 28, 2023Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 4 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
3 High priority0 Intermediate1 Basic
Show 4 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 washed soiled dishes and began touching clean equipment to cook with.
Single-use gloves not changed as needed after changing tasks or when damaged or soiled. Employee washed gloves. Discussed with management the importance of removing soiled gloves and washing hands and put new gloves on
Warewashing sanitizing solution exceeding the maximum concentration allowed. Observed chlorine over 100 plus employe remade to 100 ppm
Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Plastic cup sitting on meat slicer
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.