PAPA JOE'S CUBANS

Name: PAPA JOE'S CUBANS
Address: 9520 E MARTIN LUTHER KING JR BLVD, TAMPA, FL, 33610, US
Rating: 48.8

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

License #3911941

🌴 Cuban/Caribbean ℹ️

48.8 Grade F / 100

Failing Health Score

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Latest inspection

May 5, 2026 · 7 findings · 2 critical

Routine - Food

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Quick take

PAPA JOE'S CUBANS in TAMPA currently holds an InspectFL Health Score of 48.8 out of 100 — an F grade — a serious pattern of repeat or critical violations. This restaurant has been inspected 8 times from Florida DBPR, with the most recent inspection on May 5, 2026. Across those visits, inspectors documented 76 total violations — 10 critical, 15 major, 51 minor.

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

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PAPA JOE'S CUBANS has a rough inspection history. Would you risk it?

F record

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*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: Met Inspection Standards
[51-11-4] Carbon dioxide tank not adequately secured. Observed carbon dioxide tank near soda fountain not secured at time of inspection.
[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.
[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.
[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.
[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.
[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.

Disposition: Emergency order recommended
[51-11-4] Carbon dioxide/helium tanks not adequately secured. Observed Carbon dioxide tank by soda machine not secured by chains.
[36-37-5] Ceiling not smooth, nonabsorbent and easily cleanable in food preparation, food storage, or warewashing areas. Throughout kitchen area.
[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.
[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.
[35A-20-4] Dead rodent present. Observed 1 dead rodent underneath reach in cooler in back storage area
[36-17-5] Floor tiles missing and/or in disrepair. Floors tiles throughout entire establishment not smooth and easily cleanable.
[33-19-4] Garbage on the ground and/or pad around dumpster. Observed old food debris on ground around dumpster
[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
[35A-05-4] Observed 3 live roaches on wall next to refrigerator across from stairwell. Observed 2 lives roaches on stairwell. Observed 1 live roach underneath cabinet. Observed 3 lives roaches roaches underneath front counter Observed 1 live roach in bathroom Observed 1 live roach on wall in dining area
[35A-04-4] Observed 1 rodent dropping on wall at the top of stairwell. Observed 16 rodent droppings upstairs in dry goods storage area. Observed 1 rodent dropping underneath 3 compartment sink. Observed 3 rodent droppings in sandwich prep area. Observed approximately 3 rodent droppings next to self service drink machine. Observed approximately 10 rodent droppings underneath stairwell.
[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.

Disposition: Emergency order recommended
[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.
[51-11-4] Carbon dioxide/helium tanks not adequately secured. Observed Carbon dioxide tank by soda machine not secured by chains.
[36-37-5] Ceiling not smooth, nonabsorbent and easily cleanable in food preparation, food storage, or warewashing areas. Throughout kitchen area.
[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.
[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.
[35A-20-4] Dead rodent present. Observed 1 dead rodent underneath reach in cooler in back storage area
[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.
[36-17-5] Floor tiles missing and/or in disrepair. Floors tiles throughout entire establishment not smooth and easily cleanable.
[08B-43-4] Food stored in a room/shed that is not fully enclosed. Observed reach in freezer hard cut salami, smoked ham.
[33-19-4] Garbage on the ground and/or pad around dumpster. Observed old food debris on ground around dumpster
[22-08-4] Interior of oven/microwave has accumulation of black substance/grease/food debris. Observed microwave near back door soiled with grease.
[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
[25-05-4] Single-service articles improperly stored. Observed box of drinking straws on floor in upstairs in dry storage area.
[25-06-4] Single-service articles not stored inverted or protected from contamination. Observed single service forks on reach in cooler not stored inverted.
[21-12-4] Wet wiping cloth not stored in sanitizing solution between uses. Observed wet wiping cloth on prep table near sandwich press.
[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.
[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
[35A-23-4] Roach excrement and/or droppings present. Observed 1 egg sac casing underneath soda machine
[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
[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.
[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.
[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
[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.