ZEN PHO & NOODLES TAMPA
3021 W WATERS AVE, Tampa FL 33614 · 8133922596
Last inspected Jun 15, 2026 · 8 visits since June 2024
DEC 24
APR 25
JUL 25
JAN 26
JUN 26
≈ ERRATIC
5 inspections, swinging between B and F. Consistency is the problem here, not any single visit.
Live, small flying insects found Observed 3 flying insects in the kitchen area
★ Spotless◆ Clean streak● Perfect year✓ Never fined
Awarded on the inspection record alone. What they mean →
Inspection history
8 visits, newest first
Jun 15, 2026Administrative complaint recommendedRoutine Inspection
Referred for a formal case, which can lead to a fine. 17 violations recorded, 6 high priority.
6 High priority2 Intermediate9 Basic
What the inspector wrote — 17 findingsThe state's own report →
In-use utensil stored in unclean water at or above 135 degrees Fahrenheit, observed flat spoon stored in water used to dispense rice in water at 81f, employee discarded the water container.
Live, small flying insects found Observed 3 flying insects in the kitchen area
Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. Observed cooked chicken nuggets at 71f cooked the day before at 8 pm,operator discarded item.
Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed cooked chicken nuggets at 71f above the cool line in the reach in cooler,operator states nuggets cooked the day before, operator discarded item.stop sale issued Raw chicken in walk in cooler temped at 44f operator place chicken in walk in freezer to quick chill.
Show the remaining 13 findings ▾
Vacuum breaker missing at mop sink faucet or on fitting/splitter added to mop sink faucet, in back kitchen.
Wiping cloth sanitizer solution exceeds the maximum concentration allowed. Observed Quat sanitizer measured over 500 ppm, operator corrected sanitizer ppm in spray bottle.
Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Observed employee tensing rice noodle in the handwashing sink next to stovetop area, employee moved item to prep sink.
Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked.did not observe dates on any items prepared more than 24 hours.
Current Hotel and Restaurant license not displayed.
Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable. Observed grooved cutting boards on the cooks line across from the stove and in the ware washing drying rack.
Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Observed employee phone on front counter used to place to go orders,
Equipment in poor repair. Dish machine not properly working, operator using 3 compartment sink for ware-washing.
Fly sticky tape hanging over food/food preparation area/food-contact equipment, close to food service window, operator removed fly paper from area and washed his hands.
Food stored on floor. Observed food stored on floor in the walk in freezer and dry storage, operator raised items off the floor to appropriate shelf.
Silverware/utensils dried with a towel/cloth. Observed dishwasher drying bowls and utensils with cloth, operator asked employee to let the items air dry.
Unwashed fruits/vegetables stored with ready-to-eat food. Observed unwashed produce in walk in cooler stored over ready to eat broth, operator said he will moved the items to correct location.
Wet mop not stored in a manner to allow the mop to dry in the back kitchen, operator hung mops to dry.
Apr 16, 2026□ Call Back - CompliedRoutine Inspection
A return visit. The problems from the previous inspection had been dealt with.
2 High priority0 Intermediate0 Basic
Show 2 findings ▾
Dishmachine chlorine sanitizer not at proper minimum strength. Discontinue use of dishmachine for sanitizing and set up manual sanitization until dishmachine is repaired and sanitizing properly. Dish machine unable to sanitize, broken 3 weeks prior. Employee set up Quaternary ammonia sanitizer at three compartment sink during time of inspection until Dish machine repairs can be made.
Vacuum breaker missing at splitter added to mop sink faucet.
Mar 11, 2026Call Back - Admin. complaint recommendedRoutine Inspection
Referred for a formal case, which can lead to a fine. 2 violations recorded, 2 high priority.
2 High priority0 Intermediate0 Basic
Show 2 findings ▾
Dishmachine chlorine sanitizer not at proper minimum strength. Discontinue use of dishmachine for sanitizing and set up manual sanitization until dishmachine is repaired and sanitizing properly. Dish machine unable to sanitize, broken 3 weeks prior. Employee set up Quaternary ammonia sanitizer at three compartment sink during time of inspection until Dish machine repairs can be made.
Vacuum breaker missing at splitter added to mop sink faucet.
Jan 5, 2026Warning IssuedRoutine Inspection
Violations found and a warning issued, with a return visit required. 13 recorded, 3 high priority.
3 High priority6 Intermediate4 Basic
Show 13 findings ▾
Dishmachine chlorine sanitizer not at proper minimum strength. Discontinue use of dishmachine for sanitizing and set up manual sanitization until dishmachine is repaired and sanitizing properly. Dish machine unable to sanitize, broken 3 weeks prior. Employee set up Quaternary ammonia sanitizer at three compartment sink during time of inspection until Dish machine repairs can be made.
Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. fried chicken 117F at 11:46am cooked at 11:20am reheated to 176F at 12:13pm, beef broth 97F at 11:43am placed on stovetop at 11:23am reheated to 186F at 12:14pm.
Vacuum breaker missing at splitter added to mop sink faucet.
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.
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Multiple cutting boards inside kitchen area soiled.
Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Hand washing sink next to mop sink used for storing metal scrub. Employee removed metal scrub during time of inspection.
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/ 5 employees working, no CFM present.
No proof of required state approved employee training provided for any employees. To order approved program food safety material, call DBPR contracted provider: Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (SafeStaff) 866-372-7233.
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.
Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Open beverage on top of front line Reach in cooler. Employee discarded drink during time of inspection.
Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Car keys and phone charger stored inside a food basket on top of front line Reach in cooler. Employee removed all personal items during time of inspection.
Food stored on floor. Container of soy sauce stored in floor next to ice machine and inside office storage area. 1 bag of jasmine rice stored on floor in office storage area. Employee relocated all foods off floor during time of inspection.
Insect control device installed over food preparation area. Bug zapper stored on front service counter next to bottled sodas. Employee removed zapper to ground during time of inspection.
Jul 17, 2025Administrative complaint recommendedRoutine Inspection
Referred for a formal case, which can lead to a fine. 12 violations recorded, 5 high priority.
5 High priority3 Intermediate4 Basic
Show 12 findings ▾
Cooked/heated time/temperature control for safety food not cooled from 135 degrees Fahrenheit to 41 degrees Fahrenheit within 6 hours. Cooked white rice and fried rice in Walk in cooler not cooled within 6 hours. See stop sale.
Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license. Operating with an expired license. License expired 2/1/2025.
Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. cooked white rice 55F, fried rice 56F
Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. cooked white rice 55F at 1:01pm, fried rice 56F at 1:01pm in Walk in cooler. Both items cooked the previous day and placed in Walk in cooler at 7:30pm.
Vacuum breaker missing at mop sink faucet or on fitting/splitter added to mop sink faucet. Located at mop sink splitter.
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/ 5 employees present, no CFM present.
No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. Located at mop sink and at ice machine. Employee provided paper towels during time of inspection.
No soap provided at handwash sink. Hand sanitizer in soap dispenser located at Employee handwash sink adjacent to ice machine.
Employee eating in a food preparation or other restricted area. Open bottle water on kitchen front line prep table. Employee personal drink inside Walk in cooler shelf. Employee removed all drinks during time of inspection.
Food stored on floor. Buckets of beef bones stored on floor in Walk in freezer. Employee relocated all buckets 6 inches off floor during time of inspection. Bucket of stir-fry sauce, bag of rice, bag of sugar stored on floor in dry storage room. Employee relocated all items to an approved location during time of inspection.
Hood filter missing from automatic fire suppression/exhaust system. Missing over wok station.
Stored food not covered. Fried tofu and sauces in front line Reach in cooler not covered.
Apr 9, 2025Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 7 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
3 High priority1 Intermediate3 Basic
Show 7 findings ▾
Dented/rusted cans present. See stop sale. 5 dented cans of hello peaches in dry storage.
Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license.
Vacuum breaker missing at mop sink faucet or on fitting/splitter added to mop sink faucet. No Vacuum breaker for hose at mop sink.
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 present, no CFM present.
Food stored on floor. 2 buckets of rice noodles stored on kitchen floor on front line cook. Employee relocated noodles during time of inspection. Raw chicken and beef pho stock stored in soy sauce buckets are stored on floor in Walk in freezer. Box of beef bones stored on floor of Walk in freezer. Beef pho stock stored in soy sauce buckets are stored in Walk in cooler floor. Buckets of soy sauce stored on floor in storage room.
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Front line gaskets Reach in cooler soiled.
Stored food not covered. Beef pho stock, congee, and pig intestine not covered in Walk in cooler. Employee covered items during time of inspection.
Dec 2, 2024Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 9 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
2 High priority1 Intermediate6 Basic
Show 9 findings ▾
Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Raw shelled eggs stored over cooked noodles in reachin cooler adjacent to hand sink on cook line Employee placed on bottom shelf
Vacuum breaker missing at hose bibb or on fitting/splitter added to hose bibb. Backflow preventer missing at splitter for hose on mop sink
Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Knife sharpening block stored in hand sink on cook line
Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Employee drink stored on prep table on cook line Employee removed
Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting. Plastic containers wet nesting on shelf above prep table
In-use tongs stored on equipment door handle between uses. Stored on oven handles on cook line
Time/temperature control for safety food thawed in an improper manner. Raw steak thawing at room temperature on prep table on cook line Employee placed in walk-in cooler
Wet mop not stored in a manner to allow the mop to dry. Wet mop stored in mop bucket near office
Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Plastic bowl used to scoop bulk corn starch
Jun 18, 2024Inspection Completed - No Further ActionLicensing Inspection
Met inspection standards. 1 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
1 High priority0 Intermediate0 Basic
Show 1 finding ▾
Dented/rusted cans present. See stop sale. Can of bamboo dented. Can of hoisin sauce dented.
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.