STERLING CIGAR
1531 E 7 AVE, Tampa FL 33605 · 813-466-5723
Last inspected May 29, 2026 · 11 visits since August 2023
DEC 23
FEB 24
MAY 25
MAY 26
— STEADY
4 inspections within 20 points of each other. Whatever this kitchen does, it does consistently.
Employee touching ready-to-eat food with their bare hands - food was not being heated as a sole ingredient to 145 degrees F or immediately added to other ingredients to be cooked/heated to the minimum required temperature to allow bare hand contact. Establishment has no approved Alternative Operating Procedure. Employee cut orange peel with bare hand and added to drink to serve customer.
★ Spotless◆ Clean streak● Perfect year✓ Never fined
Awarded on the inspection record alone. What they mean →
Inspection history
11 visits, newest first
May 29, 2026Call Back - Admin. complaint recommendedRoutine Inspection
Referred for a formal case, which can lead to a fine. 1 violations recorded, 1 high priority.
1 High priority0 Intermediate0 Basic
What the inspector wrote — 1 finding
Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license. License expired 2/1/2026. Establishment open, operating, and serving to the public.
May 26, 2026Call Back - Admin. complaint recommendedRoutine Inspection
Referred for a formal case, which can lead to a fine. 2 violations recorded, 2 high priority.
2 High priority0 Intermediate0 Basic
Show 2 findings ▾
Dishmachine not sanitizing properly. Discontinue use of dishmachine for sanitizing and set up manual sanitization until dishmachine is repaired and sanitizing properly. High temp dish machine tested 128 F on high temp thermometer. Ran dish machine multiple times. Establishment does not have a 3 compartment sink. Set up bus tub with operator using quaternary ammonium base on instructions. Operator contacted dishwasher company and they are scheduled to come out today.
Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license. License expired 2/1/2026. Establishment open, operating, and serving to the public.
May 22, 2026Call Back - Admin. complaint recommendedRoutine Inspection
Referred for a formal case, which can lead to a fine. 2 violations recorded, 2 high priority.
2 High priority0 Intermediate0 Basic
Show 2 findings ▾
Dishmachine not sanitizing properly. Discontinue use of dishmachine for sanitizing and set up manual sanitization until dishmachine is repaired and sanitizing properly. High temp dish machine tested 128 F on high temp thermometer. Ran dish machine multiple times. Establishment does not have a 3 compartment sink. Set up bus tub with operator using quaternary ammonium base on instructions. Operator contacted dishwasher company and they are scheduled to come out today.
Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license. License expired 2/1/2026. Establishment open, operating, and serving to the public.
May 21, 2026Administrative complaint recommendedRoutine Inspection
Referred for a formal case, which can lead to a fine. 4 violations recorded, 2 high priority.
2 High priority2 Intermediate0 Basic
Show 4 findings ▾
Dishmachine not sanitizing properly. Discontinue use of dishmachine for sanitizing and set up manual sanitization until dishmachine is repaired and sanitizing properly. High temp dish machine tested 128 F on high temp thermometer. Ran dish machine multiple times. Establishment does not have a 3 compartment sink. Set up bus tub with operator using quaternary ammonium base on instructions. Operator contacted dishwasher company and they are scheduled to come out today.
Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license. License expired 2/1/2026. Establishment open, operating, and serving to the public.
No measuring device available for measuring utensil surface temperature when using hot water as sanitizer in a dishmachine. For high temp dish machine.
No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. At hand wash sink at bar.
Jul 10, 2025□ Call Back - CompliedRoutine Inspection
A return visit. The problems from the previous inspection had been dealt with.
0 High priority0 Intermediate0 Basic
May 7, 2025Administrative complaint recommendedRoutine Inspection
Referred for a formal case, which can lead to a fine. 3 violations recorded, 1 high priority.
1 High priority2 Intermediate0 Basic
Show 3 findings ▾
Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license.
Manager or person in charge lacking proof of food manager certification.
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. Per operator there are 6 employees all have worked longer then 60 days.
Apr 30, 2024□ Call Back - CompliedComplaint Investigation
A return visit. The problems from the previous inspection had been dealt with.
0 High priority0 Intermediate0 Basic
Feb 28, 2024Warning IssuedComplaint Investigation
Violations found and a warning issued, with a return visit required. 7 recorded, 4 high priority.
4 High priority3 Intermediate0 Basic
Show 7 findings ▾
Dishmachine not sanitizing properly. Discontinue use of dishmachine for sanitizing and set up manual sanitization until dishmachine is repaired and sanitizing properly. High temp dish machine temped 149, ran a different cycle dish machine temped 160F.
Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license. Expired 2/1/2024.
Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Raw chicken over cheese in reach in cooler.
Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit.
Manager or person in charge lacking proof of food manager certification. Harry Kayafas.
No measuring device available for measuring utensil surface temperature when using hot water as sanitizer in a dishmachine. For high temp dish machine.
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.
Dec 15, 2023Call Back - Extension given, pendingRoutine Inspection
A return visit. The problems were not fixed yet and the kitchen was given more time.
0 High priority2 Intermediate0 Basic
Show 2 findings ▾
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Cutting boards in kitchen.
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. Per employee Hillary Post she has been working since July 2023.
Dec 14, 2023Administrative complaint recommendedRoutine Inspection
Referred for a formal case, which can lead to a fine. 8 violations recorded, 2 high priority.
2 High priority4 Intermediate2 Basic
Show 8 findings ▾
Employee touching ready-to-eat food with their bare hands - food was not being heated as a sole ingredient to 145 degrees F or immediately added to other ingredients to be cooked/heated to the minimum required temperature to allow bare hand contact. Establishment has no approved Alternative Operating Procedure. Employee cut orange peel with bare hand and added to drink to serve customer.
Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Cold holding: milk 48 F, almond milk 47 F, operator voluntarily threw out items at time of inspection.
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Cutting boards in kitchen.
Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Tongs in handwash sink.
Hot water sanitizing dishmachine final rinse not reaching proper temperature at manifold. Discontinue use of dishmachine for sanitizing and set up manual sanitization until dishmachine is repaired. High temperature dish machine not temping at 160 F. Dish machine ran 4 times with temperatures reaching 133 F, 137 F, 144 F, 146 F. There is no three compartment sink in establishment. After multiple times of operator running machine high temperature was 159 F.
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. Per employee Hillary Post she has been working since July 2023.
Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Employee drink and banana on bar.
Food stored on floor. Juice and seltzer water on floor in bar.
Aug 16, 2023□ Call Back - CompliedLicensing Inspection
A return visit. The problems from the previous inspection had been dealt with.
0 High priority0 Intermediate0 Basic
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.