ZEKO'S MEDITERRANEAN GRILL
3609 E BUSCH BLVD, Tampa FL 33612 · 813-985-9356
Last inspected Aug 21, 2026 · 10 visits since December 2023
JUL 24
APR 25
AUG 25
APR 26
AUG 26
▼ IMPROVING
5 inspections trending up, 41 points better than where it started.
Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license. Expired 2/1/2024.
★ Spotless◆ Clean streak● Perfect year✓ Never fined
Awarded on the inspection record alone. What they mean →
Inspection history
10 visits, newest first
Aug 21, 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. Table mounted can opener in back kitchen area is soiled with old food debris.
Equipment in poor repair. Door on reach in cooler falls of when opening inside reach in cooler on cooks line.
Food stored on floor. Buckets of food stored on floor inside walk in cooler. Manager removed and properly stored food.
Ice buildup in reach-in freezer and/or walk-in freezer. Ice buildup inside walk in frezzer.
Show the remaining 1 finding ▾
Raw fruits/vegetables not washed prior to preparation. Onions not washed before preparation.
Apr 16, 2026Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 2 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
0 High priority1 Intermediate1 Basic
Show 2 findings ▾
Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Handwashing sink has supplies stored inside it by ice machine. Manger removed supplies and properly stored it.
Raw fruits/vegetables not washed prior to preparation. Celery not washed before cutting.
Aug 5, 2025Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 4 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
0 High priority0 Intermediate4 Basic
Show 4 findings ▾
Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Ramekin without a handle used as scoop in seasoning on dry storage shelves.
Ice buildup in reach-in freezer and/or walk-in freezer. Ice buildup around door on walk in freezer.
In-use utensil in non-time/temperature control for safety food not stored with handle above top of food within a closed container. Handle of spoon laying in salsa. Manager removed spoon handle.
Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Clear bottles of sauces used for cooking has no labeling of ingredients on cooks line.
Apr 3, 2025□ Call Back - CompliedRoutine Inspection
A return visit. The problems from the previous inspection had been dealt with.
0 High priority0 Intermediate0 Basic
Apr 2, 2025Warning IssuedRoutine Inspection
Violations found and a warning issued, with a return visit required. 6 recorded, 3 high priority.
3 High priority1 Intermediate2 Basic
Show 6 findings ▾
Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. tofu (55F - Cold Holding); grape leaves (57F - Cold Holding); Raw Chicken (67F - Cold Holding); potato salad (50F - Cold Holding); Raw Beef (cold holding 57F); hummus (62F - Cold Holding)
Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. tofu (55F - Cold Holding); grape leaves (57F - Cold Holding); Raw Chicken (67F - Cold Holding); potato salad (50F - Cold Holding); Raw Beef (cold holding 57F); hummus (62F - Cold Holding)
Time/temperature control for safety food identified in the written procedure as a food held using time as a public health control has no time marking and the time removed from temperature control cannot be determined. Fish held time as a public health control has no time markings. Management added proper time markings.
Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Handwashing sink has dishes stored inside it on cooks line.
Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Employee drink stored on reach in cooler. Employee discarded drink.
Employee drinking from an unenclosed beverage container in a food preparation/clean dishware area and the container does not have a dispensing mechanism to prevent hand contact with lip contact area of drink container. Employee drink has no lid.
Jul 24, 2024□ Call Back - CompliedComplaint Investigation
A return visit. The problems from the previous inspection had been dealt with.
1 High priority1 Intermediate2 Basic
Show 4 findings ▾
Time/temperature control for safety food identified in the written procedure as a food held using time as a public health control has no time marking and the time removed from temperature control can be determined. Discussed with operator on placing time marks on food. Raw animal products on cook line used for lunch rush.
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. Karina H Expired 06-01-2024
Equipment in poor repair. Gaskets on reach in cooler at end of cook line in disrepair. Gaskets on reach in cooler next to freezer in disrepair.
Floor tiles missing and/or in disrepair. Tiles in kitchen in disrepair. Tiles in walk in freezer in disrepair.
Jul 23, 2024Warning IssuedComplaint Investigation
Violations found and a warning issued, with a return visit required. 16 recorded, 3 high priority.
3 High priority3 Intermediate10 Basic
Show 16 findings ▾
Employee touched soiled apron/clothes and then engaged in food preparation, handled clean equipment or utensils, or touched unwrapped single-service items without washing hands. Observed employee wipe gloved hands on clothes without hand wash or glove change and proceed to prep food for customers. Discussed with operator. Employee washed hands at time of inspection.
Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Raw Chicken (51F - Cold Holding) 51F placed at 9:30AM first temperature at 11:30AM SECOND TEMP AT 12:00PM 43F Operator placed into freezer to quick cool. Lettuce (55F - Cold Holding); Salsa (55F - Cold Holding); Sliced Cheese (55F - Cold Holding) CORRECTED TO 42F Operator placed into freezer at time of inspection. FIRST TEMP 10:30 SECOND TEMP 11:00 Potato Salad (50F - Cold Holding); Beef Shawarma (50F - Cold Holding); Lettuce (50F - Cold Holding) CORRECTED TO 43F Operator placed into working cooler at time of inspection corrected to 43F FIRST TEMP 11:00 SECOND TEMP 12:00
Time/temperature control for safety food identified in the written procedure as a food held using time as a public health control has no time marking and the time removed from temperature control can be determined. Discussed with operator on placing time marks on food. Raw animal products on cook line used for lunch rush.
Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Front handwashing sink blocked by trash can. Operator moved at time of inspection.
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. Karina H Expired 06-01-2024
Water pressure lacking at fixtures that require the use of water. Slow trickle observed upon arrival, maintenance was fixing leaky pipe and turned off water. Maintenance fixed fixed pipe during inspection, water verified hot and functional Reviewed with operator. Handwash sink does not have enough water pressure to properly wash hands. Maintenance turned off water momentarily to fix pipe while restaurant is in operation. Maintenance turned on water, inspector verified water hot and functional.
Condensation or other drainage not disposed of according to law. Water filter near ice maker leaking onto floor not creating sanitary nuisance, operator placed bucket to contain leak and cleaned and sanitized at time of inspection
Cold holding equipment not maintained in good repair. Do not store time/temperature control for safety food in this unit until the unit is repaired. Audible sound emitting from cooler. Reach in cooler next to freezer in disrepair, operator moved all food to working cooler. Discussed with operator on having someone out to fix cooler.
Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Employee drinks observed throughout kitchen on equipment and shelves. Discussed with operator on separating drinks from food to be served to the public. Operator moved drinks to approved location at time of inspection.
Equipment in poor repair. Gaskets on reach in cooler at end of cook line in disrepair. Gaskets on reach in cooler next to freezer in disrepair.
Floor tiles missing and/or in disrepair. Tiles in kitchen in disrepair. Tiles in walk in freezer in disrepair.
Ice buildup in reach-in freezer and/or walk-in freezer. Build up of ice in walk in freezer.
In-use ice scoop stored on soiled surface between uses. Ice scoop stored on top of ice equipment, discussed with operator on placing in clean container. Operator rewashed scoop at time of inspection.
Plumbing system in disrepair. Water coming from 3 compartment sink pipe coming from ceiling, draining onto ground. Operator cleaned and sanitized at time of inspection. Slow trickle observed upon arrival, maintenance was fixing leaky pipe and turned off water. Maintenance fixed fixed pipe during inspection, water verified hot and functional Reviewed with operator. Handwash sink does not have enough water pressure to properly wash hands. Maintenance turned off water momentarily to fix pipe while restaurant is in operation. Maintenance turned on water, inspector verified water hot and functional.
Standing water in bottom of reach-in-cooler. Standing water in reach in cooler next to walk in freezer. Operator cleaned at time of time of inspection.
Time/temperature control for safety food thawed in an improper manner. Operator has raw chicken thawing in corner not under running water near ice machine Temperature at 51F placed at 9:30AM first temperature at 11:30. Operator placed into freezer to quick cool. SECOND TEMP 12:00 43F
Jun 3, 2024Inspection Completed - No Further ActionLicensing Inspection
Met inspection standards. 5 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
0 High priority1 Intermediate4 Basic
Show 5 findings ▾
Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Trash can in front of hand wash sink, operator moved at time of inspection.
Equipment in poor repair. Gasket throughout kitchen in disrepair. Hood filter above fryer in disrepair
Floor tiles missing and/or in disrepair. Floor tiles in walk in freezer in disrepair
Ice buildup in reach-in freezer and/or walk-in freezer. Walk-in freezer build up of ice on door frame. Discussed with operator.
Stored food not covered. Chicken in freezer not covered, operator covered at time of inspection.
Apr 24, 2024Administrative complaint recommendedRoutine Inspection
Referred for a formal case, which can lead to a fine. 10 violations recorded, 2 high priority.
2 High priority1 Intermediate7 Basic
Show 10 findings ▾
Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license. Expired 2/1/2024.
Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Potato salad 45 F-retemp 43 F, Cut tomatoes 58 F- retemp 50 F, cut lettuce 54 F- retemp 43 F, cheese 58 F- retemp 49 F in reach in coolers. Employee placed items on ice and in walk in cooler.
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. Operator provided one valid employee training.
Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Employee phone on shelf above sauces.
Food stored on floor. Oil on floor on cook line.
No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees. At handwash sink next to 3 Compartment Sink.
Single-service articles not stored inverted or protected from contamination. To go containers not inverted in dry storage.
Wet wiping cloth not stored in sanitizing solution between uses. Wet wiping cloth on prep table.
Wiping cloth chlorine sanitizing solution not at proper minimum strength. Sanitizer bucket tested 0ppm, operator remade tested 50 ppm.
Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Container of flour not labeled in dry storage.
Dec 11, 2023Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 8 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
1 High priority0 Intermediate7 Basic
Show 8 findings ▾
Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Cut lettuce 44 F- retemp 42 F, potatoes 45 F- retemp 43 F, chicken 45 F- retemp 42 F, beef 45F- retemp 43 F in reach in cooler. Operator moved items to walk in cooler.
Clean glasses, cups, bowls, plates, pots and pans not stored inverted or in a protected manner. Ice bucket not inverted above ice machine. Operator inverted at time of inspection.
Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Employee drink over soda machine. Operator removed at time of inspection.
Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Employee phone and speaker above reach in cooler on cook line. Operator removed at time of inspection.
Exterior door has a gap at the threshold that opens to the outside. Back door.
In-use utensil not stored with handle above the top of time/temperature control for safety food and rim of the container. Spoon handle in peas, operator removed at time of inspection.
Wet wiping cloth not stored in sanitizing solution between uses. Wet wiping cloth on prep table next to slicer. Operator removed at time of inspection.
Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Container of sugar and corn starch not labeled, operator labeled at time of inspection.
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.