VALLARTA'S MEXICAN RESTAURANT
9255 N 56 ST, Temple Terrace FL 33617 · (813)987-2720
Last inspected Mar 30, 2026 · 9 visits since October 2023
MAR 24
DEC 24
APR 25
OCT 25
MAR 26
— STEADY
5 inspections within 10 points of each other. Whatever this kitchen does, it does consistently.
Roach activity present as evidenced by live roaches found. Observed following: 1 live roach crawling on empty bucket in dishwashing area, employee eradicated roach and disposed of empty bucket in trash.
★ Spotless◆ Clean streak● Perfect year✓ Never fined
Awarded on the inspection record alone. What they mean →
Disciplinary actions
3 cases · $760
| Case | Violation date | Final order | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3--2021052115 | Sep 13, 2021 | Jan 10, 2022 | $160 |
| 3--2018033340 | May 23, 2018 | Jul 20, 2018 | $200 |
| 3--2015051295 | Nov 23, 2015 | Jan 14, 2016 | $400 |
Inspection history
9 visits, newest first
Mar 30, 2026Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 5 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
0 High priority1 Intermediate4 Basic
What the inspector wrote — 5 findingsThe state's own report →
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Observed the interior of the soda gun being soiled with a brown mold like substance.
Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable.
Ice buildup on walk-in freezer door frame.
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed mold like substance built on the the fan guards in the walk in cooler.
Show the remaining 1 finding ▾
Standing water in bottom of reach-in-cooler in bar area..
Oct 27, 2025Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 7 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
1 High priority1 Intermediate5 Basic
Show 7 findings ▾
Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Observed raw eggs and raw beef over ready to eat sauce and beans. Employee corrected storage.
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Observed stained cutting board on the hot holding unit.
Current Hotel and Restaurant license not displayed. Observed the expired license being on display.
Floor area(s) covered with standing water in the walk in cooler.
In-use utensil in non-time/temperature control for safety food not stored with handle above top of food within a closed container. Observed the handle to the ice scoop touching the ice. Storage corrected.
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed the exterior of the lid holding dry beans being soiled.
Standing water in bottom of reach-in-cooler in bar area.
Apr 1, 2025Inspection 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. Observed a stained cutting board on the steam table.
No soap,paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink near the cook line. Employees were able to provide soap and paper.
Current Hotel and Restaurant license not displayed.
Food stored on floor in the walk in cooler. Manager stored correctly.
Ice buildup in walk-in freezer.
Light shield damaged/in disrepair in the dish washing area.
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed rusted shelves in the dry storage area and near the cook line.
Standing water in bottom of reach-in-cooler in the bar area.
Unsealed concrete floor in food preparation, food storage, warewashing area.
Dec 16, 2024Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 10 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
0 High priority1 Intermediate9 Basic
Show 10 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. Emailed operator a copy of procedures.
Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents/wall soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance. Observed stained ceiling tiles in the kitchen in the prep area, cook line, and in the dish washing area. Observed grease build up on the wall behind the cooking equipment on the cook line.
Current Hotel and Restaurant license not displayed.
Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Observed an employee cell phone on the storage rack near the steam table on the cook line.
Food stored on floor. Observed three cases of meat being stored on the floor in the walk in freezer.
In-use utensil stored in standing water less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed bar spoons being stored in standing water temping at 71F in the bar area. Manager removed.
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed black mold-like substance on the fan guard in the walk in cooler. Observed food debris on the exterior of the hot holding and cooking equipment.
Standing water in bottom of reach-in-cooler in the bar area.
Unsealed concrete floor in food preparation, food storage, warewashing area or bathroom. Observed in the kitchen on the cook line, prep area, dish washing area and the storage area.
Walk-in cooler/freezer shelves with rust that has pitted the surface. Observed rusted shelves in the walk in cooler.
Mar 21, 2024□ 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 ▾
Exterior door has a gap at the threshold that opens to the outside. Observed at rear exit door.
Mar 20, 2024Warning IssuedRoutine Inspection
Violations found and a warning issued, with a return visit required. 5 recorded, 1 high priority.
1 High priority0 Intermediate4 Basic
Show 5 findings ▾
Roach activity present as evidenced by live roaches found. Observed following: 1 live roach crawling on empty bucket in dishwashing area, employee eradicated roach and disposed of empty bucket in trash.
Dead roaches on premises. Observed 1 dead roach behind equipment in bar area.
Exterior door has a gap at the threshold that opens to the outside. Observed at rear exit door.
Interior of oven/microwave has accumulation of black substance/grease/food debris. Observed food debris in microwave, employee cleaned interior of microwave.
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed spice shelf with food debris.
Oct 31, 2023□ Call Back - CompliedRoutine Inspection
A return visit. The problems from the previous inspection had been dealt with.
0 High priority1 Intermediate1 Basic
Show 2 findings ▾
No proof provided that food some employees are informed of their responsibility to report to the person in charge information about their health and activities related to foodborne illnesses. Operator had a few forms signed but not all employees
Walk-in cooler/freezer shelves with rust that has pitted the surface.
Oct 30, 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 priority1 Intermediate1 Basic
Show 3 findings ▾
Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Cook line: shredded cheese (47F - Cold Holding); pico de gallo (48F - Cold Holding); cut tomatoes (51F - Cold Holding); cut lettuce (51F - Cold Holding)
No proof provided that food some employees are informed of their responsibility to report to the person in charge information about their health and activities related to foodborne illnesses. Operator had a few forms signed but not all employees
Walk-in cooler/freezer shelves with rust that has pitted the surface.
Oct 27, 2023Warning IssuedRoutine Inspection
Violations found and a warning issued, with a return visit required. 11 recorded, 5 high priority.
5 High priority5 Intermediate1 Basic
Show 11 findings ▾
Employee failed to wash hands before putting on gloves to initiate a task working with food. Observed employee grab gloves to work with food and did not wash hands
Observed prep cook prepping raw chicken and then grabbed back pack, and left kitchen. Employee then came back into kitchen and did not change gloves or wash hands
Single-use gloves not changed as needed after changing tasks or when damaged or soiled. Observed cook handle raw shrimp then grabbed container of ice and didn't wash hands
Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Cook line: shredded cheese (47F - Cold Holding); pico de gallo (48F - Cold Holding); cut tomatoes (51F - Cold Holding); cut lettuce (51F - Cold Holding)
Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Steam well: cooked rice (129F - Hot Holding); cooked chicken (126F - Hot Holding); refried beans (119F - Hot Holding); tomato sauce (118F - Hot Holding)
Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Hand sink on cook line not operational.
No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. At either cook line hand sink. Manager put soap
No proof provided that food some employees are informed of their responsibility to report to the person in charge information about their health and activities related to foodborne illnesses. Operator had a few forms signed but not all employees
No soap provided at handwash sink. At either cook line hand sinks. Manager put soap
Water with a temperature of at least 85 degrees Fahrenheit shut off at employee handwash sink. By dish area. Manager turned on water
Walk-in cooler/freezer shelves with rust that has pitted the surface.
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.