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Licensee
Name: LA MARGARITAS RESTAURANT License Number: SEA3904704
Rank: Seating License Expiration Date: 02/01/2020
Primary Status: Ownership Changed Secondary Status:
Location Address: 4031 W HILLSBOROUGH AVE
TAMPA, FL 33614

Inspection Information
Inspection Type Inspection Date Result High Priority Violations Intermediate Violations Basic Violations
Routine - Food 05/23/2019 Follow-up Inspection Required
Violations require further review, but are not an immediate threat to the public.
More information about inspections.
7 10 14
Violations:
A summary of the violations found during the inspection are listed below. The department cites violations of Florida's sanitation and safety laws, which are based on the standards of U.S. Food and Drug Administration's Food Code. High Priority violations are those which could contribute directly to a foodborne illness or injury and include items such as cooking, reheating, cooling and hand-washing. Intermediate violations are those which, if not addressed, could lead to risk factors that contribute to foodborne illness or injury. These violations include personnel training, documentation or record keeping and labeling. Basic violations are those which are considered best practices to implement. While most establishments correct all violations in a timely manner (often during the inspection), the division's procedures are designed to compel compliance with all violations through follow-up visits, administration action or closure when necessary.
Violation    Observation
32-02-4    Basic - Bathroom door left open other than during cleaning or maintenance. **Warning**
23-03-4    Basic - Build-up of grease on nonfood-contact surface. Cooking equipment Rolling cart next to fryers Chest freezer next to fryers Shelves across from fryers **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
36-37-4    Basic - Ceiling not smooth, nonabsorbent and easily cleanable in food preparation, food storage, warewashing areas or bathroom. **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
24-07-4    Basic - Cleaned and sanitized equipment or utensils not properly stored. Pots and pans stored outside **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
12B-07-4    Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. In shelf next to seasoning **Warning**
08B-38-4    Basic - Food stored on floor. Bag of onions in storage shed **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
33-19-4    Basic - Garbage on the ground and/or pad around dumpster. **Warning**
36-14-4    Basic - Grease accumulated on kitchen floor and/or under cooking equipment **Warning**
14-42-4    Basic - Hood filter missing from automatic fire suppression/exhaust system. Gaps **Warning**
22-08-4    Basic - Interior of oven has heavy accumulation of black substance/grease/food debris. Microwave soiled **Warning**
33-16-4    Basic - Open dumpster lid. **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
23-09-4    Basic - Soiled reach-in cooler gaskets. Tall 2 door across from oven **Warning**
33-31-5    Basic - Unnecessary items/unused equipment on the premises. Unused equipment stored outside **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
36-27-5    Basic - Wall soiled with accumulated grease, food debris, and/or dust. Throughout kitchen **Warning**
03A-16-4    High Priority - All potentially hazardous (time/temperature control for safety) foods in walk-in cooler cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Oxtail 48F, shrimp 50F, beef 47F, chicken 48F, sauce 48F. **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
09-01-4    High Priority - Employee touching ready-to-eat food with their bare hands - food was not being heated as a sole ingredient to 145 degrees F or immediately added to other ingredients to be cooked/heated to the minimum required temperature to allow bare hand contact. Establishment has no approved Alternative Operating Procedure. Waitress touching Cuban bread **Warning**
22-45-4    High Priority - Food-contact surfaces not sanitized after cleaning, before use. Do not use equipment/utensils not properly sanitized. Employee washing dishes and nit sanitizing **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
35A-02-5    High Priority - Live, small flying insects in kitchen, food preparation area, or food storage area. 3 flies in storage shed **Warning**
50-17-2    High Priority - Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license. **Admin Complaint**
08A-05-4    High Priority - Raw animal food stored over ready-to-eat food. Raw shrimp over ready to eat food in the walk in cooler **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
12A-02-4    High Priority - Server handled soiled dishes or utensils and then picked up plated food, served food, or prepared a beverage without washing hands. **Warning**
22-20-4    Intermediate - Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine. **Warning**
02C-03-4    Intermediate - Commercially processed ready-to-eat, potentially hazardous (time/temperature control for safety) food opened and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked after opening. Milk in tall 2 door across from stove **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
22-28-4    Intermediate - Interior of reach-in cooler soiled with accumulation of food residue. Tall 2 door across from stove **Warning**
53A-01-6    Intermediate - Manager lacking proof of food manager certification. A list of accredited food manager certification examination providers can be found at http://www.myfloridalicense.com/DBPR/hotels-restaurants/food-lodging/food-manager/ **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
53A-05-6    Intermediate - 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/ **Warning**
31B-02-4    Intermediate - No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink.back sink **Warning**
53B-01-5    Intermediate - 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. **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
31B-03-4    Intermediate - No soap provided at handwash sink. Back sink **Warning**
22-06-4    Intermediate - Slicer blade and guard soiled with old food debris. Cutting board soiled **Warning**
41-17-4    Intermediate - Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled. Next to stove **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
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2601 Blair Stone Road, Tallahassee FL 32399 :: Email: Customer Contact Center :: Customer Contact Center: 850.487.1395

The State of Florida is an AA/EEO employer. Copyright ©2023 Department of Business and Professional Regulation - State of Florida. Privacy Statement

Under Florida law, email addresses are public records. If you do not want your email address released in response to a public-records request, do not send electronic mail to this entity. Instead, contact the office by phone or by traditional mail. If you have any questions, please contact 850.487.1395. *Pursuant to Section 455.275(1), Florida Statutes, effective October 1, 2012, licensees licensed under Chapter 455, F.S. must provide the Department with an email address if they have one. The emails provided may be used for official communication with the licensee. However email addresses are public record. If you do not wish to supply a personal address, please provide the Department with an email address which can be made available to the public. Please see our Chapter 455 page to determine if you are affected by this change.