TACO'S EL FLACO
1026 W HILLSBOROUGH AVE, Tampa FL 33603 · 727-657-5056
Last inspected Mar 20, 2026 · 10 visits since February 2025
FEB 25
OCT 25
JAN 26
JAN 26
≈ ERRATIC
4 inspections, swinging between A and F. Consistency is the problem here, not any single visit.
Live, small flying insects found Approximately 20 live flies in the plywood made shed stored with food seasoning, tomatillos, rice, bottle drinks and a reach in cooler with time/temperature control for safety food behind the food truck.
★ Spotless◆ Clean streak● Perfect year✓ Never fined
Awarded on the inspection record alone. What they mean →
Disciplinary actions
1 case · $400
| Case | Violation date | Final order | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3--2025075032 | Oct 6, 2025 | May 15, 2026 | $400 |
Inspection history
10 visits, newest first
Mar 20, 2026□ Call Back - CompliedComplaint Investigation
A return visit. The problems from the previous inspection had been dealt with.
0 High priority3 Intermediate2 Basic
What the inspector wrote — 5 findingsThe state's own report →
Observed: 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. Priority: Intermediate
Observed: No chemical test kit provided when using sanitizer at three-compartment sink/warewashing machine or wiping cloths. No chlorine test kit. Priority: Intermediate
Observed: Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Cooked yellow rice, cooked pork tamales and cooked pork not date marked. Priority: Intermediate
Observed: Mobile food dispensing vehicle license number not permanently affixed on the side of the unit in figures at least 2 inches high and in contrasting colors from the background of the vehicle. Priority: Basic
Show the remaining 1 finding ▾
Observed: No Heimlich maneuver/choking sign posted. Priority: Basic
Jan 15, 2026Warning IssuedComplaint Investigation
Violations found and a warning issued, with a return visit required. 12 recorded, 2 high priority.
2 High priority6 Intermediate4 Basic
Show 12 findings ▾
Observed: Raw animal food stored over canned/bottled drinks. Raw beef and raw chicken stored over canned sodas. Employee moved canned sodas to other reach-in cooler with no raw food items. Priority: High Priority
Observed: Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Raw chorizo stored over cooked pork. Operator rearranged items to prevent cross contamination. Priority: High Priority
Observed: Employee washed hands in a sink other than an approved handwash sink. Employee washed hands in three-compartments sink. Priority: Intermediate
Observed: 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. Priority: Intermediate
Observed: Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Reach-in cooler stored in front of the handwash sink and blocked access to utilized handwash sink. Plastic food containers and lids stored in handwash sink. Operator removed items from handwash sink and moved reach-in cooler aside from handwash sink. Priority: Intermediate
Observed: No chemical test kit provided when using sanitizer at three-compartment sink/warewashing machine or wiping cloths. No chlorine test kit. Priority: Intermediate
Observed: No probe thermometer provided to measure temperature of food products. Priority: Intermediate
Observed: Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Cooked yellow rice, cooked pork tamales and cooked pork not date marked. Priority: Intermediate
Observed: Employee with no hair restraint while engaging in food preparation. Priority: Basic
Observed: Mobile food dispensing vehicle is not self-propelled or otherwise movable from place to place. Observed a flat tire on the mfdv unit. Priority: Basic
Observed: Mobile food dispensing vehicle license number not permanently affixed on the side of the unit in figures at least 2 inches high and in contrasting colors from the background of the vehicle. Priority: Basic
Observed: No Heimlich maneuver/choking sign posted. Priority: Basic
Jan 5, 2026Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 9 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
1 High priority5 Intermediate3 Basic
Show 9 findings ▾
Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. A container of cooked beef (109F - Hot Holding) store on stove top. Employee starts reheating cooked beef on griddle top at time of inspection. Re temped: 153F.
Employee washed hands in a sink other than an approved handwash sink. Employee washed hands in three-compartments sink.
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.
Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. More than a dozen of oranges stored in handwash sink. A bucket of water stored on floor blocking access to handwash sink. Employee removed items from handwash sink at time of inspection.
No probe thermometer provided to measure temperature of food products.
Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Cooked yellow rice and cooked beef in large upright cooler.
Food not stored at least 6 inches off of the floor. A case of fry oil and a bottle of soy sauce stored on floor.
Mobile food dispensing vehicle license number not permanently affixed on the side of the unit in figures at least 2 inches high and in contrasting colors from the background of the vehicle.
No Heimlich maneuver/choking sign posted.
Dec 8, 2025□ Call Back - CompliedRoutine Inspection
A return visit. The problems from the previous inspection had been dealt with.
0 High priority0 Intermediate1 Basic
Show 1 finding ▾
Mobile food dispensing vehicle license number not permanently affixed on the side of the unit in figures at least 2 inches high and in contrasting colors from the background of the vehicle.
Oct 14, 2025Emergency Order Callback Time ExtensionRoutine Inspection
A return visit. The problems were not fixed yet and the kitchen was given more time.
0 High priority0 Intermediate2 Basic
Show 2 findings ▾
Mobile food dispensing vehicle connected to utilities on more than a temporary basis. Observed a PVC pipe permanently connected to waste water tank to dump waste water to unknown area behind fence at operating location. Observed propane permanently connected to a large propane tank on ground next to the food truck.
Mobile food dispensing vehicle license number not permanently affixed on the side of the unit in figures at least 2 inches high and in contrasting colors from the background of the vehicle.
Oct 13, 2025■ Emergency Order Callback Not CompliedRoutine Inspection
A return visit while the kitchen was already shut. The problems had not been fixed, so the closure stayed in place. 3 violations recorded.
0 High priority0 Intermediate3 Basic
Show 3 findings ▾
Dead roaches on premises. Observed 4 dead roaches on floor under sink
Mobile food dispensing vehicle connected to utilities on more than a temporary basis. Observed a PVC pipe permanently connected to waste water tank to dump waste water to unknown area behind fence at operating location. Observed propane permanently connected to a large propane tank on ground next to the food truck.
Mobile food dispensing vehicle license number not permanently affixed on the side of the unit in figures at least 2 inches high and in contrasting colors from the background of the vehicle.
Oct 9, 2025■ Emergency Order Callback Not CompliedRoutine Inspection
A return visit while the kitchen was already shut. The problems had not been fixed, so the closure stayed in place. 5 violations recorded, 1 high priority.
1 High priority0 Intermediate4 Basic
Show 5 findings ▾
Roach activity present as evidenced by live roaches found. 5 live roaches on white refrigerator 4 live roaches on wall and floor under handwash sink 8 live roaches on floor and wall under small prep table next to fryer 1 live roach on reach in cooler in the shed.
Dead roaches on premises. Observed 4 dead roaches on floor under sink
Mobile food dispensing vehicle connected to utilities on more than a temporary basis. Observed a PVC pipe permanently connected to waste water tank to dump waste water to unknown area behind fence at operating location. Observed propane permanently connected to a large propane tank on ground next to the food truck.
Mobile food dispensing vehicle license number not permanently affixed on the side of the unit in figures at least 2 inches high and in contrasting colors from the background of the vehicle.
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed mold like substance on air conditioning unit above handwash sink
Oct 7, 2025■ Emergency Order Callback Not CompliedRoutine Inspection
A return visit while the kitchen was already shut. The problems had not been fixed, so the closure stayed in place. 5 violations recorded, 1 high priority.
1 High priority0 Intermediate4 Basic
Show 5 findings ▾
Roach activity present as evidenced by live roaches found. 5 live roaches on white refrigerator 4 live roaches on wall and floor under handwash sink 8 live roaches on floor and wall under small prep table next to fryer 1 live roach on reach in cooler in the shed.
Dead roaches on premises. Observed 4 dead roaches on floor under sink
Mobile food dispensing vehicle connected to utilities on more than a temporary basis. Observed a PVC pipe permanently connected to waste water tank to dump waste water to unknown area behind fence at operating location. Observed propane permanently connected to a large propane tank on ground next to the food truck.
Mobile food dispensing vehicle license number not permanently affixed on the side of the unit in figures at least 2 inches high and in contrasting colors from the background of the vehicle.
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed mold like substance on air conditioning unit above handwash sink
Oct 6, 2025■ Emergency order recommendedRoutine Inspection
Ordered shut on the spot. 17 violations recorded, 5 of them the tier the state says can make you ill. A reinspection is required before this kitchen may reopen.
5 High priority3 Intermediate9 Basic
Show 17 findings ▾
Live, small flying insects found Approximately 20 live flies in the plywood made shed stored with food seasoning, tomatillos, rice, bottle drinks and a reach in cooler with time/temperature control for safety food behind the food truck.
Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Raw beef, raw chicken, raw pork stored over cooked onion in glass reach in cooler
Raw animal foods not properly separated from each other in holding unit based upon minimum required cooking temperature. Raw chicken stored over raw beef in glass reach in cooler
Roach activity present as evidenced by live roaches found. 5 live roaches on white refrigerator 4 live roaches on wall and floor under handwash sink 8 live roaches on floor and wall under small prep table next to fryer 1 live roach on reach in cooler in the shed.
Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Glass door cooler: raw beef (48F - Cold Holding); raw chicken (48F - Cold Holding); cooked yellow rice (48F - Cold Holding); White reach in cooler: sour cream (50F - Cold Holding); shredded lettuce (48F - Cold Holding); cut tomato (48F - Cold Holding)
No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink.
Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Observed no date mark on cooked yellow rice, cooked chicken, cooked black beans stored in glass door reach in cooler. No date mark on cut watermelon in white reach in cooler
Self-sufficient mobile food dispensing vehicle operating from an unapproved commissary. Observed a shed built of unfinished plywood on ground behind food truck. Multiple food items including rice, sugar, tomatillos, bottled beverages and also a reach in cooler with tcs food in it. The shed is not movable. No smooth and easy to clean smooth walls and floor. Ceiling is not completely sealed, able to see exterior light through gaps
Dead roaches on premises. Observed 4 dead roaches on floor under sink
Floors not maintained smooth and durable. Wall not smooth, nonabsorbent and easily cleanable in food preparation, food storage, warewashing areas or bathroom. Ceiling not smooth, nonabsorbent and easily cleanable in food preparation, food storage, or warewashing areas. Wooden food storage shed behind food truck
Food not stored at least 6 inches off of the floor. Case of fryer oil stored less than 6 inches off floor. Employee relocated
Food stored outside. Observed 1 case shredded mozzarella, a container of taco sauce, and various food items stored on unenclosed porch area. Employee moved all items into the truck
Interior of microwave has accumulation of black substance/grease/food debris.
Mobile food dispensing vehicle connected to utilities on more than a temporary basis. Observed a PVC pipe permanently connected to waste water tank to dump waste water to unknown area behind fence at operating location. Observed propane permanently connected to a large propane tank on ground next to the food truck.
Mobile food dispensing vehicle license number not permanently affixed on the side of the unit in figures at least 2 inches high and in contrasting colors from the background of the vehicle.
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed mold like substance on air conditioning unit above handwash sink
Wood food-contact surface not properly Observed food storage shelves made of unfinished plywood
Feb 5, 2025Inspection Completed - No Further ActionLicensing Inspection
Nothing was found. The inspector recorded no violations at all.
Recorded at 1912 N HOWARD AVE, Tampa — this licence has since moved.
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.