SALSA
2270 VINDALE RD, Tavares FL 32778 · 352-609-2666
Last inspected Aug 6, 2026 · 9 visits since July 2023
AUG 24
MAR 25
AUG 25
JAN 26
JUL 26
— STEADY
5 inspections within 22 points of each other. Whatever this kitchen does, it does consistently.
Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. Per operator from day prior. cooked Corn (51F - Cold Holding)
★ Spotless◆ Clean streak● Perfect year✓ Never fined
Awarded on the inspection record alone. What they mean →
Disciplinary actions
1 case · $160
| Case | Violation date | Final order | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4--2019051559 | Aug 13, 2019 | Oct 25, 2019 | $160 |
Inspection history
9 visits, newest first
Aug 6, 2026□ Call Back - CompliedRoutine Inspection
A return visit. The problems from the previous inspection had been dealt with.
0 High priority0 Intermediate5 Basic
What the inspector wrote — 5 findingsThe state's own report →
Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance. Vents over dish area. Ceiling tiles in the kitchen.
Floor soiled/has accumulation of debris. Floor by reach in freezer soiled. Floor at cook line. Floor in walk in cooler.
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Reach in cooler gaskets. Reach in gaskets Upright Reach in freezer gaskets Fan guards in walk in cooler.
Reach-in cooler interior/shelves have accumulation of soil residues. Reach in cooler interior. Upright Reach in freezer interior
Show the remaining 1 finding ▾
Wall soiled with accumulated grease, food debris, and/or dust.
Jul 29, 2026Warning IssuedRoutine Inspection
Violations found and a warning issued, with a return visit required. 9 recorded, 1 high priority.
1 High priority1 Intermediate7 Basic
Show 9 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. 0 ppm
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Can opener soiled.
Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance. Vents over dish area. Ceiling tiles in the kitchen.
Employee personal food not properly identified and segregated from food to be served to the public. Operator removed.
Floor soiled/has accumulation of debris. Floor by reach in freezer soiled. Floor at cook line. Floor in walk in cooler.
Food stored on floor. Bag of beans in dry storage.
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Reach in cooler gaskets. Reach in gaskets Upright Reach in freezer gaskets Fan guards in walk in cooler.
Reach-in cooler interior/shelves have accumulation of soil residues. Reach in cooler interior. Upright Reach in freezer interior
Wall soiled with accumulated grease, food debris, and/or dust.
Jan 13, 2026Inspection 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 ▾
Raw animal foods not properly separated from one another based upon minimum required cooking temperature when stored in a freezer - not all products commercially packaged. Raw chicken over raw pork in reach in freezer. Operator removed.
Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Per operator less than 4 hours. Moved to freezer for quick cooling. Raw Chicken (48F - Cold Holding)
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Can opener soiled.
Multiuse food-contact surface not smooth, free of breaks/cracks/chips/pits/crevices. Plates on dish drying rack
No probe thermometer provided to measure temperature of food products.
Accumulation of debris inside warewashing machine.
Clean glasses, cups, bowls, plates, pots and pans not stored inverted or in a protected manner. Plates on dish drying rack on the kitchen.
Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Employee sweater on prep table. Operator removed.
Floor soiled/has accumulation of debris. Floor throughout back kitchen Floor in walk in cooler soiled.
In-use utensil stored in standing water less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. In water 76F at prep area. Operator removed.
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Reach in cooler gasket at cook line Reach in freezer gaskets to the right of cook line soiled. Kelvinator reach in freezer gasket and exterior soiled. Fan guards in walk in cooler.
Reach-in cooler interior/shelves have accumulation of soil residues. Reach in cooler at cook line Reach in freezer interior to the right of cook line soiled. Kelvinator reach in freezer interior soiled.
Standing water in bottom of reach-in-cooler. Reach in cooler to the left of cook line.
Stored food not covered. Ground beef, salsa tortillas soup in walk in cooler. Operator covered.
Walk-in cooler/freezer shelves with rust that has pitted the surface. Walk in cooler shelves.
Wall soiled with accumulated grease, food debris, and/or dust. Wall by prep area. Wall by three compartment sink
Aug 4, 2025Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 18 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
3 High priority3 Intermediate12 Basic
Show 18 findings ▾
Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. Per operator from day prior. cooked Corn (51F - Cold Holding)
Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Per operator from day prior. cooked Corn (51F - Cold Holding)
Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. Bottle of fabulous stored at the end of cook line on table next to box of rice and above seasonings. Operator removed
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Can opener soiled Green cutting boards in the kitchen
Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Blocked with cart and mop bucket. Operator removed.
Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Cooked beef in walk in cooler
Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin. Ice machine by drink area in dining room.
Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance. Vents and ceiling tiles in the kitchen
Clean glasses, cups, bowls, plates, pots and pans not stored inverted or in a protected manner. Plates and bowls on dish ranch in the kitchen. Open inverted.
Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting. Plastic containers on dish rack
Floor soiled/has accumulation of debris. Floor under steam table soiled. Floor between flat top grill and stove. Soiled Floor by prep table soiled. Floor in dry storage Flip in walk in cooler
Ice buildup in reach-in freezer and/or walk-in freezer. In reach in freezer next to reach in freezer to the right of cook line.
In-use utensil stored in standing water less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Scoop in standing water 76F. Operator removed feather.
Interior of oven/microwave has accumulation of black substance/grease/food debris. Microwave on prep table soiled. Oven at cook line soiled Operator cleaned.
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Reach in cooler gaskets to the right of cook line. Reach in freezer gasket next to reach in cooler to the right of cook line. Fan guards in walk in cooler.
Reach-in cooler interior/shelves have accumulation of soil residues. Reach in cooler to the right of cook line. Reach in freezer next to reach in freezer to the right of cook line. Reach in cooler shelves in low boy by cook line.
Stored food not covered. Queso and cooked beef in walk in cooler
Wall soiled with accumulated grease, food debris, and/or dust. Wall by three compartment sink
Mar 27, 2025Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 17 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
1 High priority5 Intermediate11 Basic
Show 17 findings ▾
Raw animal food stored over or with unwashed produce. - raw pork stored vegan eat in reach in freezer. - raw shell eggs stored over bag of onions
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. - white cutting boards at salad station
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. -1 new hire
Non-pitting surface rust on food-contact equipment. - wire shelving in walk in cooler.
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.
Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled. - -spray bottle of clear liquid.
Accumulation of debris inside warewashing machine.
Accumulation of debris on exterior of warewashing machine.
Clean equipment/utensils not stored at least 6 inches above the floor. - Foam containers in dry storage area.
Floor soiled/has accumulation of debris. - walk-in cooler - under ice machine in service area.
Food stored on floor. -Cooking oil
In-use tongs stored on equipment door handle between uses.
Interior of oven/microwave has accumulation of black substance/grease/food debris. - katom oven on cooks line
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. - exterior of all cooking equipment. - walk-in door gasket
Old labels stuck to food containers after cleaning.
Raw fruits/vegetables not washed prior to preparation.
Reach-in cooler interior/shelves have accumulation of soil residues.
Aug 26, 2024Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 11 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
1 High priority5 Intermediate5 Basic
Show 11 findings ▾
Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. - spray bottle of cleaner stored next to microwave on cooks line.
Commercially processed ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food opened and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked after opening. -Gallon milk
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. - can opener - drink nozzle on soda nozzle
Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. - hand sink in kitchen block with dishwasher trays.
Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. - plastic container draining in hand sink at front bar
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. - 2 new hires
Accumulation of debris inside warewashing machine.
Accumulation of debris on exterior of warewashing machine.
In-use tongs stored on equipment door handle between uses.
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. -Gaskets on kelvinator freezer - walk-in gasket
Open dumpster lid.
Jan 22, 2024Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 9 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
2 High priority3 Intermediate4 Basic
Show 9 findings ▾
Dented/rusted cans present. See stop sale.
Raw animal foods not properly separated from each other in holding unit based upon minimum required cooking temperature. - raw beef stored over raw shell eggs in walk-in cooler.
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. - white cutting board on salsa station
No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. - Hans sink at front bar
Toxic substance/chemical on premise that is not required for the operation of establishment. - WD40 stored on bottom shelf at prep station
Accumulation of debris inside warewashing machine.
Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. - bottle of water stored on prep table in kitchen area.
In-use tongs stored on equipment door handle between uses.
Interior of oven/microwave has accumulation of black substance/grease/food debris. - microwave on cooks line.
Sep 13, 2023□ Call Back - CompliedRoutine Inspection
A return visit. The problems from the previous inspection had been dealt with.
0 High priority0 Intermediate0 Basic
Jul 11, 2023Warning IssuedRoutine Inspection
Violations found and a warning issued, with a return visit required. 16 recorded, 5 high priority.
5 High priority5 Intermediate6 Basic
Show 16 findings ▾
Employee began working with food, handling clean equipment or utensils, or touching unwrapped single-service items without first washing hands.
Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Raw chicken stored over liquid margarine.
Single-use gloves not changed as needed after changing tasks or when damaged or soiled. Employees moving in and out of walk-in changing task.
Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. Spray bottle of cleaner hanging on shelf with liquor at bar area.
Vacuum breaker missing at hose bibb or on fitting/splitter added to hose bibb. Hose bib located next to hand sink in kitchen area.
Commercially processed ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food opened and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked after opening. Gallon milk open day prior.
Food manager certification expired. A list of accredited food manager certification examination providers can be found at http://www.myfloridalicense.com/DBPR/hotels-restaurants/food-lodging/food-manager/Le Lesya Pinyan
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Can opener
No currently certified food service manager on duty with four or more employees engaged in food preparation/handling. A list of accredited food manager certification examination providers can be found at http://www.myfloridalicense.com/DBPR/hotels-restaurants/food-lodging/food-manager/
Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled. Spray bottle of purple liquid stored on shelf in kitchen area.
Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin.
Accumulation of debris inside warewashing machine.
Accumulation of debris on exterior of warewashing machine.
Employee with no hair restraint while engaging in food preparation. 2 Line cooks
Interior of oven/microwave has accumulation of black substance/grease/food debris. Microwave on cooks line.
Reach-in freezer interior/shelves have accumulation of soil residues.
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.