SPARTA SEAFOOD AND GRILL EXPRESS
7545 W HILLSBOROUGH AVE, Tampa FL 33615 · 813-280-2543
Last inspected Jul 23, 2026 · 10 visits since August 2023
MAY 25
FEB 26
APR 26
MAY 26
JUL 26
≈ ERRATIC
5 inspections, swinging between A and D. Consistency is the problem here, not any single visit.
Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license. License expired on 2/1/2026.
★ Spotless◆ Clean streak● Perfect year✓ Never fined
Awarded on the inspection record alone. What they mean →
Inspection history
10 visits, newest first
Jul 23, 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. Front line cutting board is soil.
Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Employee personal drink stored on top of kitchen prep table adjacent to deep fryers. Operator removed personal drink at time of inspection.
Floor soiled/has accumulation of debris. Inside walk in freezer.
Ice buildup in reach-in chest freezer. Located adjacent to deep fryers and ice machine.
May 20, 2026Inspection Completed - No Further ActionComplaint Investigation (Partial)
Nothing was found. The inspector recorded no violations at all.
0 High priority0 Intermediate0 Basic
Apr 23, 2026□ Call Back - CompliedRoutine Inspection
A return visit. The problems from the previous inspection had been dealt with.
0 High priority0 Intermediate0 Basic
Apr 22, 2026Administrative complaint recommendedRoutine Inspection
Referred for a formal case, which can lead to a fine. 6 violations recorded, 4 high priority.
4 High priority1 Intermediate1 Basic
Show 6 findings ▾
Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license. Open and operating serving to public same ownership.
Stop Sale issued due to adulteration of food product. 6 Reduced oxygen packaging sealed raw fish. Not removed from packaging reach in cooler by kitchen entrance
Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. Reach in cooler by drive thru window. Operator states the refrigerator was at 48F when arrival. Operator worked on machine inspector tested Cold holding: American cheese 47F feta cheese 48F held over night.
Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Reach in cooler by drive thru window. Operator states the refrigerator was at 48F when arrival. Operator worked on machine inspector tested Cold holding: American cheese 47F feta cheese 48F held over night. See stop sale Reach in cooler: mozzarella cheese 46F cut tomatoes 45F American cheddar 50F takizi sauce 45F.
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.
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. Stop Sale issued due to adulteration of food product. 6 Reduced oxygen packaging sealed raw fish. Not removed from packaging reach in cooler by kitchen entrance
Feb 9, 2026Inspection 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 ▾
Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license. License expired on 2/1/2026.
Raw animal foods not properly separated from each other in holding unit based upon minimum required cooking temperature. Raw chicken stored over raw shrimp in reach in cooler. Located next to mop sink. Manager relocated raw chicken to an approved location at time of inspection.
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 manager certification expired. A list of accredited food manager certification examination providers can be found at https://www2.myfloridalicense.com/hotels-restaurants/food-lodging/food-manager/ Expired for Mohamed.
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Cutting boards on front line soiled.
Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable. Cutting boards on front line with cut marks.
Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Personal drink stored on top of shelf over kitchen prep table on front line. Manager relocated drink at time of inspection.
No Heimlich maneuver/choking sign posted.
Time/temperature control for safety food thawed in an improper manner. Observed 1 bag of vacuum sealed raw swai thawing in room temperature in office area. Discussed proper thawing methods with Manager. Manager began to thaw frozen swai in three compartment sink under cold running water.
May 14, 2025Inspection Completed - No Further ActionLicensing Inspection
Nothing was found. The inspector recorded no violations at all.
0 High priority0 Intermediate0 Basic
Aug 20, 2024Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 2 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
1 High priority0 Intermediate1 Basic
Show 2 findings ▾
Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Walk-in cooler Cold Holding: hot dog 45 F, sliced cheese 45 F, cheese sauce 46 F, chili 47 F. Manager moved all time/temperature control for safety food to walk-in freezer at time of inspection. Re temp: hot dog 42 F, sliced cheese 43 F, chili 45 F, cheese sauce 43 F.
Employee with no hair restraint while engaging in food preparation. 1 food employee.
Feb 2, 2024Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 2 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
1 High priority0 Intermediate1 Basic
Show 2 findings ▾
Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. A container of sliced cheeses 50 F stored on ice well. Operator pushed container deeper into ice cubes.
No Heimlich maneuver/choking sign posted.
Aug 3, 2023□ Call Back - CompliedRoutine Inspection
A return visit. The problems from the previous inspection had been dealt with.
0 High priority0 Intermediate0 Basic
Aug 2, 2023Warning IssuedRoutine Inspection
Violations found and a warning issued, with a return visit required. 4 recorded, 1 high priority.
1 High priority1 Intermediate2 Basic
Show 4 findings ▾
Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Walk-in cooler Cold holding: chili 44 F, cheese sauce 45 F, cooked beef burger 44 F, shredded lettuce 45 F. Employee stated that door was opened frequently during opening hour. Door kept closed during inspection, re temped: chili 44 F, cheese sauce 44 F, cooked beef burger 44 F, shredded lettuce 45 F. Employee informed manager to contact repair company at time of inspection.
Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Observed ice cubes in handwash sink at cook line. Discussed with employee about handwash sink for handwash only.
Insect control device installed over food preparation area. Bread stored under insect control device. Employee relocated bread at time of inspection.
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.