TIJUANA FLATS
17475 N DALE MABRY HWY, Lutz FL 33548 · 813-235-4257
Last inspected Aug 18, 2026 · 12 visits since December 2023
JAN 25
MAY 25
DEC 25
APR 26
AUG 26
▲ GETTING WORSE
5 inspections, one direction. The current grade is the worst on record.
Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license. Verified same business ownership. Business license expired 2-1-2026. Establishment is currently open and operating serving food to the public.
★ 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3--2024048637 | Apr 19, 2024 | Sep 23, 2024 | $160 |
Inspection history
12 visits, newest first
Aug 18, 2026□ Call Back - CompliedRoutine Inspection
A return visit. The problems from the previous inspection had been dealt with.
1 High priority0 Intermediate1 Basic
What the inspector wrote — 2 findings
Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license. Current Division of Hotels and Restaurants licenses expired on 2/1/2026. Verified ownership and not changed. Establishment is opening, preparing food and beverages to sell to the public.
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Reach in cooler gasket soiled and black mold like substance buildup in cooking line
Aug 17, 2026Administrative complaint recommendedRoutine Inspection
Referred for a formal case, which can lead to a fine. 6 violations recorded, 2 high priority.
2 High priority1 Intermediate3 Basic
Show 6 findings ▾
Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license. Current Division of Hotels and Restaurants licenses expired on 2/1/2026. Verified ownership and not changed. Establishment is opening, preparing food and beverages to sell to the public.
Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. shredded lettuce (48F - Cold Holding); shredded cheese mix (50F - Cold Holding); diced tomatoes (51F - Cold Holding); corn salad (50F - Cold Holding); pico (49F - Cold Holding) in reach in cooler in cooking line at 1:15pm, reach in cooler ambient temperature is 41F. Manager stated that the all items in the cooler from last night and he took all temperature was below 41F today around 11:00am when opening and he shown the temperature log. Operator moved all items into walk in cooler chill off quickly Second temperature taken shredded lettuce (43F- cold holding ); shredded cheese mix 45F-cold holding) corn salad (45F-cold holding ) in walk in cooler at2:00pm
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Green cutting board stained in kitchen
Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Cellphone on shelf with bottle sauce together in front of restaurant, operator removed the cellphone
Employee with no beard guard/restraint while engaging in food preparation. Employee no beard guard while preparing food in cooking line.
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Reach in cooler gasket soiled and black mold like substance buildup in cooking line
Apr 23, 2026Administrative complaint recommendedRoutine Inspection
Referred for a formal case, which can lead to a fine. 6 violations recorded, 1 high priority.
1 High priority0 Intermediate5 Basic
Show 6 findings ▾
Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license. Verified same business ownership. Business license expired 2-1-2026. Establishment is currently open and operating serving food to the public.
Ceiling tile missing over prep area.
Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Observed employee drink next to sauces in prep area. Drinks on dry storage rack by single service items. Manager removed
Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Observed employee sweater, purse and keys on single service dry storage shelf. Manager moved all items to designated area
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Walk in cooler shelving and fan covers have accumulated dust and debris
Stored food not covered. Pans of corn salsa in walk in cooler not covered. Manager covered
Feb 18, 2026□ Call Back - CompliedRoutine Inspection
A return visit. The problems from the previous inspection had been dealt with.
0 High priority0 Intermediate0 Basic
Dec 19, 2025Warning IssuedRoutine Inspection
Violations found and a warning issued, with a return visit required. 6 recorded.
0 High priority3 Intermediate3 Basic
Show 6 findings ▾
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. Handwash sink blocked by a large container of tortilla chips at kitchen. Operator relocated chips away from handwash sink.
Manager or person in charge lacking proof of food manager certification and no other certified food service manager employed at this location. Manon Mozingo is the food manager on duty.
Floor area(s) covered with standing water. At front service counter.
Food not stored at least 6 inches off of the floor. A fountained of tortilla chips stored on floor in kitchen. Operator moved to shelf.
No Heimlich maneuver/choking sign posted.
May 23, 2025Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 9 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
1 High priority1 Intermediate7 Basic
Show 9 findings ▾
Quaternary ammonium sanitizer not at proper minimum strength for manual warewashing. Do not use equipment/utensils not properly sanitized. Tested at 0ppm. Manager replaced sanitizer bottle, tested at 200ppm.
Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Sanitizer bucket in front counter hand sink. Operator removed.
Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Keys on prep table across from ice machine. Operator removed keys.
Employee with no hair restraint while engaging in food preparation. Female employee with no hair restraint.
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Dust buildup on ice machine vent screen. Food residue buildup observed under nozzles on soda fountain.
Raw fruits/vegetables not washed prior to preparation. Employee washed jalapeños, placed back into original box. Employee rehashed the jalapeños, placed into plastic container.
Sanitizer bucket stored with food, equipment, utensils, linens, single-service, or single-use articles. Observed on prep surface. Operator moved to lower shelf
Walk-in cooler shelves with rust that has pitted the surface.
Water leaking from pipe and/or faucet/handle. Water draining onto floor from front counter hand sink. Employee stated repairs are scheduled for today.
Jan 10, 2025Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 7 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
1 High priority3 Intermediate3 Basic
Show 7 findings ▾
Container of medicine improperly stored. Medicine stored above reach in cooler across from ice machine. Employee removed.
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Cutting boards on reach in cooler have built up food debris.
Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Hand wash sink in prep area has utensils in it. Employee removed.
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.
Employee with no hair restraint while engaging in food preparation.
In-use utensil not stored with handle above the top of time/temperature control for safety food and rim of the container. Handle of scoops for cheese touching the cheese. Employee stored correctly.
Opened employee beverage container in a cold holding unit with food to be served to customers. Employee beverage in walk in cooler above food to be served to the public.
Jun 24, 2024Call Back - Admin. complaint recommendedRoutine Inspection
Referred for a formal case, which can lead to a fine. 1 violations recorded.
0 High priority1 Intermediate0 Basic
Show 1 finding ▾
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/ Elit Medina 10/18/23 only CFM for location
Apr 19, 2024Warning IssuedRoutine Inspection
Violations found and a warning issued, with a return visit required. 6 recorded.
0 High priority4 Intermediate2 Basic
Show 6 findings ▾
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/ Elit Medina 10/18/23 only CFM for location
Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Storing container in hand washing sink on cookline. manager removed container.
No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. By 3-compartment sink.Manager replaced towels
No soap provided at handwash sink. By 3- compartment sink. manager replaced soap
Ice scoop handle in contact with ice.
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Bottom of soda head on frontline.
Dec 13, 2023□ Call Back - CompliedRoutine Inspection
A return visit. The problems from the previous inspection had been dealt with.
0 High priority0 Intermediate0 Basic
Dec 12, 2023Call Back - Admin. 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 ▾
Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Walk in cooler Cold holding: queso 44 f rice 44 f beef 44 f chicken 44 f cut tomatoes 44 f manager moved all time/temperature control for safety food to back of walk in cooler were the food temperature was 43 f 2nd temp cut tomatoes 44 f queso 44 f shrimp 44 f
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.
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/ 4 employees. No food manager
Dec 11, 2023Warning IssuedRoutine Inspection
Violations found and a warning issued, with a return visit required. 9 recorded, 1 high priority.
1 High priority4 Intermediate4 Basic
Show 9 findings ▾
Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Walk in cooler Cold holding: queso 44 f rice 44 f beef 44 f chicken 44 f cut tomatoes 44 f manager moved all time/temperature control for safety food to back of walk in cooler were the food temperature was 43 f 2nd temp cut tomatoes 44 f queso 44 f shrimp 44 f
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.
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/ 4 employees. No food manager
No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. Manager restocked
Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled. White substance by single service shelf manager placed label
Equipment in poor repair. Chip plastic containers in reach in cooler on main prep
Floor area(s) covered with standing water. By mop sink management was drying water
In-use utensil in non-time/temperature control for safety food not stored with handle above top of food within a closed container. Mozzarella mix cheese reach in cooler employee Removed to proper storage
Wiping cloth quaternary ammonium compound sanitizing solution not at proper minimum strength. Tested at 10 ppm retested to 200 ppm
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.