TIKKA EXPRESS
1011 W UNIVERSITY AVE, Gainesville FL 32601 · 352.672.6078
Last inspected Jul 23, 2026 · 9 visits since July 2023
JUL 24
NOV 24
JUL 25
DEC 25
JUL 26
▲ GETTING WORSE
5 inspections, one direction. The current grade is the worst on record.
Food with mold-like growth. See stop sale. Lamb curry in walk in cooler, operator placed "do not use" sign on item until trash day to discard item.
★ Spotless◆ Clean streak● Perfect year✓ Never fined
Awarded on the inspection record alone. What they mean →
Inspection history
9 visits, newest first
Jul 23, 2026Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 5 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
2 High priority3 Intermediate0 Basic
What the inspector wrote — 5 findingsThe state's own report →
Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed : red sauce on the kitchen prep table 45°. This had been out for 15 minutes, per the owner. This was placed back in the reach-in cooler, with no cover. An ice bath was discussed.
Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed : rice cooked today, 95° in the rice warmer. A small portion was converted to time as a public health control, time for discard is 2:45pm. The rest was moved to the chest freezer to quickly drop to close to 41°, and then placed in the walk-in cooler, and covered for later use.
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Observed : the can opener had dried food debris on the blade. This was removed from the base for cleaning. ALSO, : the seasoning blender was moved to the 3 compartment sink for cleaning.
No probe thermometer provided to measure temperature of food products. Observed : the probe thermometer was not found.
Show the remaining 1 finding ▾
Required employee training expired for some employees. To order approved program food safety material, call DBPR contracted provider: Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (SafeStaff) 866-372-7233. Observed : 1 expired certificate.
Dec 8, 2025Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 5 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
1 High priority0 Intermediate4 Basic
Show 5 findings ▾
Food with mold-like growth. See stop sale. Lamb curry in walk in cooler, operator placed "do not use" sign on item until trash day to discard item.
Ceiling tile missing. 3 tiles missing above prep table by water heater. 1 tile missing above walk in cooler door.
Food stored on floor. Bag of onions on floor in walk in cooler.
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Hood filters above cooks line.
Walk-in cooler/freezer shelves with rust that has pitted the surface. Walk in cooler shelves rusted.
Jul 29, 2025Call 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
Show 1 finding ▾
Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. chickpeas (46F - Cold Holding); sauce (47F - Cold Holding); chicken (46F - Cold Holding); chicken (47F - Cold Holding) items in walk in cooler, operator stated they were in/out cooler all morning prepping, ambient thermometer reads 42F. cheese (61F - Cold Holding) item sitting on counter. samosas (45F - Cold Holding); chickpeas (46F - Cold Holding); sauce (45F - Cold Holding); chicken (46F - Cold Holding); green sauce (46F - Cold Holding)items in reach in cooler on cooks line, the flip top lid is kept open during lunch rush, operator stated she checked cooler this morning and food was at 39F. Operator added ice to rapidly drop to 41F or below.
Jul 22, 2025Warning IssuedRoutine Inspection
Violations found and a warning issued, with a return visit required. 3 recorded, 2 high priority.
2 High priority0 Intermediate1 Basic
Show 3 findings ▾
Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. chickpeas (46F - Cold Holding); sauce (47F - Cold Holding); chicken (46F - Cold Holding); chicken (47F - Cold Holding) items in walk in cooler, operator stated they were in/out cooler all morning prepping, ambient thermometer reads 42F. cheese (61F - Cold Holding) item sitting on counter. samosas (45F - Cold Holding); chickpeas (46F - Cold Holding); sauce (45F - Cold Holding); chicken (46F - Cold Holding); green sauce (46F - Cold Holding)items in reach in cooler on cooks line, the flip top lid is kept open during lunch rush, operator stated she checked cooler this morning and food was at 39F. Operator added ice to rapidly drop to 41F or below.
Wiping cloth solution exceeding the maximum concentration allowed stored in a location that could result in the cross contamination of food, equipment, utensils, linens, single-service, or single-use articles. Spray bottle chlorine tested over 500ppm. Operator added water.
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Walk in cooler shelves soiled with debris.
Nov 21, 2024Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 9 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
0 High priority2 Intermediate7 Basic
Show 9 findings ▾
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Can opener blade soiled.
Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled. Spray bottle with pink liquid inside, operator labeled as sanitizer.
Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. A bowl with no handle in sugar container on dry storage shelf. Operator removed.
Floor soiled/has accumulation of debris. Under shelves in back corner of walk in cooler.
No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees. In kitchen, inspector provided and operator posted.
Nonfood-contact equipment exposed to splash/spillage not constructed of materials that are corrosion resistant, non-absorbent, smooth and easily cleanable. Wooden shelving pieces in dry storage room, wooden shelf above reach in cooler on cooks line, and wooden pieces near air conditioner unit by has in kitchen.
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Bottom shelf of prep table near back door. Reach in cooler door jam soiled on cooks line. Walk in cooler food racks. Blender base on back prep table by dry storage room.
Standing water in bottom of reach-in-cooler. On cooks line.
Stored food not covered. Multiple cooked foods in walk in cooler no covers (chicken, chickpeas, vegetables, etc)
Jul 8, 2024Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 8 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
0 High priority1 Intermediate7 Basic
Show 8 findings ▾
Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled. Spray bottle containing window cleaner at front counter, operator labeled.
Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Black bowl inside bulk rice and flour containers.
Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Employee drink on reach in cooler on cooks line, operator moved.
Food stored on floor. Oil on floor in storage area. Onion sauce on floor in walk in cooler. Operator placed items on shelf.
No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees. Sink in kitchen.
Nonfood-contact equipment exposed to splash/spillage not constructed of materials that are corrosion resistant, non-absorbent, smooth and easily cleanable. Wooden shelf above reach in cooler on cooks line, wood around air conditioning unit, wooden pieces on wall in dry storage.
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Walk in cooler food racks. Fan guards in walk in cooler. Bulk container of flour exterior soiled.
Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Spray bottle with water inside used to spray bread, operator labeled. Bulk bin containing flour.
Dec 21, 2023Administrative complaint recommendedRoutine Inspection
Referred for a formal case, which can lead to a fine. 15 violations recorded, 4 high priority.
4 High priority3 Intermediate8 Basic
Show 15 findings ▾
Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Raw shell eggs over butter in walk in cooler.
Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. butter (66F - Cold Holding) item out of cooler 2 hours, operator chose to heat item. potatoes (49F - Cold Holding) item sitting on reach in cooler cutting board, operator placed item in cooler.
Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. Spray sanitizer bottle next to herbs on prep table. Operator moved bottle.
Wiping cloth solution exceeding the maximum concentration allowed stored in a location that could result in the cross contamination of food, equipment, utensils, linens, single-service, or single-use articles. Quaternary ammonia spray bottle over 500ppm. Operator diluted mixture with water, 400ppm.
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 employee working in kitchen no training.
Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. All foods in walk in cooler, operator stated all items were made between today and 2 days ago.
Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled. Spray bottle containing sanitizer no label.
Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Scoop no handle in cooked rice.
Drain cover(s) missing. In back storage room.
Exterior door has a gap at the threshold that opens to the outside. Back door in bathroom hallway.
Food stored on floor. Sauce on floor in walk in cooler.
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. The bottom of prep table. Area around can opener attachment.
Standing water in bottom of reach-in-cooler. Reach in cooler on cooks line.
Stored food not covered. Chicken dishes in walk in cooler no lids. Sugar and flour in dry storage area no lids.
Wall soiled with accumulated grease, food debris, and/or dust. On cooks line near back of kitchen. Floor in walk in cooler soiled.
Sep 7, 2023□ Call Back - CompliedRoutine Inspection
A return visit. The problems from the previous inspection had been dealt with.
0 High priority0 Intermediate0 Basic
Jul 6, 2023Administrative complaint recommendedRoutine Inspection
Referred for a formal case, which can lead to a fine. 16 violations recorded, 2 high priority.
2 High priority4 Intermediate10 Basic
Show 16 findings ▾
Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Raw shell eggs over sauces in walk in cooler. Operator moved eggs. Raw shrimp over French fries in reach in cooler on cooks line.
Vacuum breaker missing at hose bibb or on fitting/splitter added to hose bibb. At the mop sink outside.
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Can opener blade soiled. Food shelves in walk in cooler and reach in cooler.
No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. Men's bathroom Handwash sink.
No proof of required state approved employee training provided for employee hired more than 60 days ago. To order approved program food safety material, call DBPR contracted provider: Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (SafeStaff) 866-372-7233. 1 employee food handler certificate expired May 2023.
Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Multiple items in walk in cooler no date marks. Operator dated.
Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. In sugar container in back storage room and in some sauce/food in reach in cooler on cooks line.
Drain cover(s) missing. In back storage room.
Food stored on floor. Sauce and onions on floor in walk in cooler, operator placed on shelf.
Hole in or other damage to wall. By the Handwash sink in kitchen.
In-use tongs stored on equipment door handle between uses. On the cooks line.
No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees. Men's bathroom sink.
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Can opener and table attachment soiled. Fan guard in walk in cooler. Reach in cooler gaskets soiled. Clean cooking equipment shelves are soiled. Spice cart.
Single-service articles not stored inverted or protected from contamination. Small white Togo boxes next to rice cooker with the food contact surface facing upwards. Operator flipped.
Stored food not covered. Multiple items in walk in cooler, operator placed lids on all items.
Wall soiled with accumulated grease, food debris, and/or dust. All throughout kitchen the walls have old food spillage/splash. Ceiling tiles soiled around air vents.
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.