TROPICAL CUISINE

Name: TROPICAL CUISINE
Address: 3405 E HILLSBOROUGH AVE, TAMPA, FL, 33610, US
Rating: 54.9

3405 E HILLSBOROUGH AVE, TAMPA, FL 33610

License #3918267

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

54.9 Grade F / 100

Failing Health Score

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Quick take

TROPICAL CUISINE in TAMPA currently holds an InspectFL Health Score of 54.9 out of 100 — an F grade — a serious pattern of repeat or critical violations. This restaurant has 4 inspections on record from Florida DBPR, with the most recent inspection on May 7, 2026. Across those visits, DBPR recorded 82 total findings; InspectFL has detailed violation rows for 76 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 7, 2026 shows 10 observation rows: no critical rows, 1 major, and 9 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.

Location + actions

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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
[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.
[33-16-4] Open dumpster lid. Observed dumpster lid open at time of inspection.
[36-27-5] Wall soiled with accumulated grease, food debris, and/or dust. Observed soiled wall behind burners on cooks line at time of inspection.
[23-24-4] Buildup of food debris/soil residue on equipment door handles. Observed walk in cooler handle is soiled at time of inspection.
[10-08-5] Ice scoop handle in contact with ice. Observed ice scoop handle in ice at time of inspection.
[10-01-5] In-use utensil in non-time/temperature control for safety food not stored with handle above top of food within a closed container. Observed scoop handle in bulk dried rice at time of inspection.
[23-03-4] Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed sides of kitchen equipment are soiled at time of inspection.
[36-73-4] Floor soiled/has accumulation of debris. Observed floor soiled in kitchen around equipment at time of inspection.
[36-50-4] Unclean building components, attachments or fixtures. Hoods soiled at time of inspection.
[36-36-4] Ceiling tile missing. Observed hole and water damage to ceiling in front of back door at time of inspection.

Disposition: Emergency Order Callback Not Complied
[29-42-4] Vacuum breaker missing at mop sink faucet or on fitting/splitter added to mop sink faucet.
[11-26-1] 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.
[22-08-4] Interior of oven/microwave has accumulation of black substance/grease/food debris. Observed microwave in dry food storage area soiled with grease and old food debris.
[21-12-4] Wet wiping cloth not stored in sanitizing solution between uses. Observed wet wiping cloth stored on prep table in kitchen across from stove.
[31A-11-4] Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Observed pot in handwashing sink in back kitchen near 3 compartment sink. Employee removed
[42-01-4] Wet mop not stored in a manner to allow the mop to dry. Observed wet mop not allowed to dry near kitchen entrance.
[36-73-4] Floor soiled/has accumulation of debris. Observed floor throughout main kitchen soiled with an accumulation of debris.
[02C-02-5] Walk in cooler locked at the time of inspection.
[23-03-4] Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed hood filters soiled with grease. Observed stoved, flat top grill and fryers soiled with grease and old food debris
[24-08-4] Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting. Observed wet nesting on hotel pans across from 3 compartment sink underneath prep table.
[32-02-4] Bathroom door left open other than during cleaning or maintenance. Observed womens bathroom door open. Bathroom located inside establishment not completely enclosed with tight-fitting, self-closing doors. Observed womens and mens bathroom door not self-closing.
[53B-13-5] Proof of required state approved employee training not available for some employees. To order approved program food safety material, call DBPR contracted provider: Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (SafeStaff) 866-372-7233. Missing employee trainings for 5 employees, operator presented 1.
[08B-47-4] Walk in cooler locked at the time of callback.
[31A-10-4] Equipment drain line draining into handwash sink. Observed condensation hose connected to AC draining into Hand washing sink in back kitchen near 3 compartment sink.
[36-24-5] Hole in or other damage to wall. Observed damage to lower wall near exit door in dry food storage area.
[36-27-5] Wall soiled with accumulated grease, food debris, and/or dust. Observed wall soiled with an accumulation of grease in kitchen next to stove equipment.
[35A-04-4] Rodent activity present as evidenced by rodent droppings found. Observed approximately 70 rodent droppings found in hallway closet next to kitchen door. Observed approximately 50 rodent droppings in closet inside of kitchen. Observed approximately 25 rodent droppings in dry food storage area inside of kitchen.
[36-34-5] Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance. Observed ceiling soiled with mold-like substance in dry food storage area. Observed AC vents throughout kitchen soiled with dust and mold-like substance.
[31B-03-4] No soap provided at handwash sink. Observed no soap at Hand washing sink behind front counter, Hand washing sink in kitchen next to 3 compartment sink.
[36-32-5] Ceiling/ceiling tile shows damage or is in disrepair. Observed ceiling with water damage above 3 compartment sink. Observed hole in ceiling in womens bathroom.

Disposition: Emergency order recommended
[10-08-5] Ice scoop handle in contact with ice. Observed ice scoop in contact with ice inside of ice machine inside of kitchen.
[11-26-1] 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.
[12A-07-5] Employee failed to wash hands before putting on gloves to initiate a task working with food. Observed employee serve food then cash out on register before returning to serve food again without washing hands in between glove changes.
[14-05-4] Cardboard used to line food-contact shelves. Observed cardboard lining the shelves next to hot box in kitchen.
[21-12-4] Wet wiping cloth not stored in sanitizing solution between uses. Observed wet wiping cloth stored on prep table in kitchen across from stove.
[23-03-4] Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed hood filters soiled with grease. Observed stoved, flat top grill and fryers soiled with grease and old food debris
[24-05-4] Clean glasses, cups, bowls, plates, pots and pans not stored inverted or in a protected manner. Observed pans and pot lids on shelf next to hot box not inverted.
[31B-03-4] No soap provided at handwash sink. Observed no soap at Hand washing sink behind front counter, Hand washing sink in kitchen next to 3 compartment sink.
[53B-13-5] Proof of required state approved employee training not available for some employees. To order approved program food safety material, call DBPR contracted provider: Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (SafeStaff) 866-372-7233. Missing employee trainings for 5 employees, operator presented 1.
[29-42-4] Vacuum breaker missing at mop sink faucet or on fitting/splitter added to mop sink faucet.
[22-08-4] Interior of oven/microwave has accumulation of black substance/grease/food debris. Observed microwave in dry food storage area soiled with grease and old food debris.
[22-45-4] Food-contact surfaces not sanitized after cleaning, before use. Do not use equipment/utensils not properly sanitized. Observed Employee washing dishes with soap and water only no sanitizer.
[35A-04-4] Rodent activity present as evidenced by rodent droppings found. Observed approximately 70 rodent droppings found in hallway closet next to kitchen door. Observed approximately 50 rodent droppings in closet inside of kitchen. Observed approximately 25 rodent droppings in dry food storage area inside of kitchen.
[33-16-4] Open dumpster lid.
[36-34-5] Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance. Observed ceiling soiled with mold-like substance in dry food storage area. Observed AC vents throughout kitchen soiled with dust and mold-like substance.
[36-32-5] Ceiling/ceiling tile shows damage or is in disrepair. Observed ceiling with water damage above 3 compartment sink. Observed hole in ceiling in womens bathroom.
[02D-01-5] Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Observed containers of rice, beans unlabeled in kitchen. Observed spices above hot box in kitchen not labeled.
[31A-11-4] Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Observed pot in handwashing sink in back kitchen near 3 compartment sink. Employee removed
[35A-05-4] Roach activity present as evidenced by live roaches found. Observed 1 live roach in mens bathroom next to kitchen door. Observed 3 live roaches inside dry food storage area inside kitchen.
[42-01-4] Wet mop not stored in a manner to allow the mop to dry. Observed wet mop not allowed to dry near kitchen entrance.
[36-27-5] Wall soiled with accumulated grease, food debris, and/or dust. Observed wall soiled with an accumulation of grease in kitchen next to stove equipment.
[35A-02-7] Live, small flying insects found. Observed 1 fly in kitchen area.
[35A-09-4] Presence of insects, rodents, or other pests. Observed approximately 10 dead maggots behind trash can in mens bathroom next to kitchen door.
[03A-02-5] Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. sliced ham (65F - Cold Holding); sliced white cheese (64F - Cold Holding) located in sandwich cooler next to drink cooler.
[32-02-4] Bathroom door left open other than during cleaning or maintenance. Observed womens bathroom door open. Bathroom located inside establishment not completely enclosed with tight-fitting, self-closing doors. Observed womens and mens bathroom door not self-closing.
[08B-47-4] Food not stored at least 6 inches off of the floor. Observed lettuce, broccoli, and milk not stored at least 6 inches off the floor inside of walk in cooler.
[03B-01-6] Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. mashed potatoes (127F - Hot Holding) yuca (100F - Hot Holding); cooked potatoes (127F - Hot Holding)
[02C-02-5] Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Observed no date marking on food items in walk in cooler.
[36-22-4] Floor area(s) covered with standing water. Observed standing water inside of closet next to 3 compartment sink.
[36-24-5] Hole in or other damage to wall. Observed damage to lower wall near exit door in dry food storage area.
[36-73-4] Floor soiled/has accumulation of debris. Observed floor throughout main kitchen soiled with an accumulation of debris.
[31A-10-4] Equipment drain line draining into handwash sink. Observed condensation hose connected to AC draining into Hand washing sink in back kitchen near 3 compartment sink.
[24-08-4] Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting. Observed wet nesting on hotel pans across from 3 compartment sink underneath prep table.

Community reaction

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Community pulse