PAPA JOE'S CUBANS

Name: PAPA JOE'S CUBANS
Address: 9520 E MARTIN LUTHER KING JR BLVD, TAMPA, FL, 33610, US
Rating: 71.7

9520 E MARTIN LUTHER KING JR BLVD, TAMPA, FL 33610

License #3911941

🌴 Cuban/Caribbean ℹ️ Categories are auto-assigned based on restaurant names and may not be 100% accurate

71.7 Grade C / 100

Mixed Health Record

How is this score calculated? →

Quick take

PAPA JOE'S CUBANS in TAMPA currently holds an InspectFL Health Score of 71.7 out of 100 — a C grade — a noticeable pattern of violations across recent inspections. This restaurant has 4 inspections on record from Florida DBPR, with the most recent inspection on May 5, 2026. Across those visits, DBPR recorded 49 total findings; InspectFL has detailed violation rows for 46 of them so far.

How to read this page

Start with the newest inspection, then verify the pattern

The score is the shortcut. The inspection timeline is the real story. Read the latest visit first, open the official DBPR record when you need the source, then compare this restaurant with other options nearby.

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Record snapshot

What stands out in this inspection history

Use this as context before you scroll through every inspection.

Inspections on file

Clean inspections

Callback visits

Latest clean pass

None on file yet

The latest inspection on May 5, 2026 shows 7 observation rows: 2 critical, 1 major, and 4 minor.

Inspection data quality

What’s powering this page

Official source: DBPR

Inspection coverage

100%

Inspector notes

Coverage note

Inspector notes linked where available

InspectFL reorganizes public DBPR inspection records into a page you can actually scan. When exact inspector notes are available, they appear inline. Otherwise, the page falls back to violation categories plus the official DBPR record.

What you’ll see here

•Inspector notes appear inline when available.
•The official DBPR inspection timeline still stays visible, even on pages with zero violations or zero inspector notes.

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DBPR

*Scores are calculated by InspectFL based on public DBPR inspection data and are not official state ratings.

Inspection timeline

Inspection History

Read the newest inspection first, then scan for patterns. Repeated high-priority findings matter more than one isolated bad day.

Critical Major Minor

Inspector notes are being added across all restaurants. Some inspections may only show violation codes until notes are available.

Disposition: Inspection Completed - No Further Action
[08A-05-6] Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Observed raw shell eggs stored over shredded cheese. Operator moved eggs to lower shelf.
[51-11-4] Carbon dioxide tank not adequately secured. Observed carbon dioxide tank near soda fountain not secured at time of inspection.
[22-02-4] Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Observed stained cutting boards in kitchen at time of inspection.
[33-11-4] Missing drain plug at dumpster. Observed missing drain plug at dumpster at time of inspection. Dumpster is shared in strip mall location.
[06-01-5] Time/temperature control for safety food thawed in an improper manner. Observed pork butt in prep sink without running water. Operator turned water on during inspection.
[41-15-5] 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. Observed sani bucket tested 200ppm+. Operator diluted solution. Testing at 100ppm.
[33-19-4] Garbage on the ground and/or pad around dumpster. Observed discarded boxes and other trash in ground around dumpster at time of inspection. Dumpster is shared in strip mall location.

Disposition: Emergency order recommended
[35A-05-4] Roach activity present as evidenced by live roaches found. Observed 1 live roach on floor near hot box by bathroom. Observed approximately 6 live roaches in crease of bathroom door. Observed 4 live roaches underneath cabinets adjacent from mop sink
[22-20-5] Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin. Observed mold-like substance inside of ice machine near 3 compartment sink.
[14-09-4] Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable. Observed cutting board on sandwich reach in cooler with cut marks and no longer cleanable.
[41-17-4] Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled. Observed purple liquid in spray bottle underneath 3 compartment sink. Observed clear liquid in spray bottle underneath 3 compartment sink.
[23-03-4] Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed multiple sandwich press throughout kitchen soiled with old food debris
[51-11-4] Carbon dioxide/helium tanks not adequately secured. Observed Carbon dioxide tank by soda machine not secured by chains.
[36-17-5] Floor tiles missing and/or in disrepair. Floors tiles throughout entire establishment not smooth and easily cleanable.
[25-05-4] Single-service articles improperly stored. Observed box of drinking straws on floor in upstairs in dry storage area.
[33-19-4] Garbage on the ground and/or pad around dumpster. Observed old food debris on ground around dumpster
[08A-05-6] Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Observed raw shelled eggs stored over Swiss cheese in refrigerator to the right of 3 door freezer.
[02C-04-5] Operator is not properly tracking/marking the number of days ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite was held at refrigeration temperatures prior to freezing in order to properly date mark the food when it is thawed and held at refrigeration temperatures again. Observed roast pork in reach in cooler next to 3 door freezer dated 09-09, per employee was moved from freezer to thawed yesterday 09-17
[35A-23-4] Roach excrement and/or droppings present. Observed 1 egg sac casing underneath soda machine
[21-12-4] Wet wiping cloth not stored in sanitizing solution between uses. Observed wet wiping cloth on prep table near sandwich press.
[12B-07-4] Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Observed employee drink sitting on top of bottled water underneath front counter. Observed employee drink sitting on top of drain board of 3 compartment sink.
[35A-20-4] Dead rodent present. Observed 1 dead rodent underneath reach in cooler in back storage area
[03A-02-5] Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. sliced ham (44F - Cold Holding), employee moved to freezer for rapid cooling.
[35A-04-4] Rodent activity present as evidenced by rodent droppings found. Observed approximately 20 rodent droppings on the side of reach in cooler in back area. Observed approximately 20 rodent droppings underneath 3 compartment sink. Observed approximately 100 rodent droppings underneath stairwell in back storage area with coolers. Observed 2 rodent droppings in dining area by large mirror Observed approximately 25 rodent droppings upstairs with single service cups and drinking straws
[08B-43-4] Food stored in a room/shed that is not fully enclosed. Observed reach in freezer hard cut salami, smoked ham.
[22-02-4] Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Observed cutting board on reach in sandwich cooler soiled with food debris.
[16-37-1] No chemical test kit provided when using sanitizer at three-compartment sink/warewashing machine or wiping cloths.
[36-37-5] Ceiling not smooth, nonabsorbent and easily cleanable in food preparation, food storage, or warewashing areas. Throughout kitchen area.
[22-08-4] Interior of oven/microwave has accumulation of black substance/grease/food debris. Observed microwave near back door soiled with grease.
[25-06-4] Single-service articles not stored inverted or protected from contamination. Observed single service forks on reach in cooler not stored inverted.
[35A-03-4] Dead roaches on premises. Observed 1 dead roach inside of reach in freezer in back area. Employee discarded, cleaned and sanitized the area. Observed 1 dead roach underneath reach in cooler in back storage area. Observed 2 dead roaches in dining area. Observed 2 dead roaches underneath soda machine Observed 4 dead roaches underneath stairwell Observed approximately 10 dead roaches in spiderweb next to Coca Cola machine by front counter. Observed 1 dead roach on floor next to chip stand. Observed 2 dead roaches on wall by hot box near bathroom. Observed approximately 20 dead roaches on floor by hot box near bathroom. Observed 6 dead roaches inside of bathroom Observed 5 dead roaches in cabinets adjacent from mop sink. Observed approximately 10 dead roaches on rodent sticky trap underneath wooden shelf upstairs in dry storage area with single service items. Observed 1 dead roach on top of case of monster energy drinks.

Community reaction

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Community pulse