THE HOT TOMATO
2702 E COLLEGE AVE · RUSKIN · Hillsborough County · FL 33570
Inspection Summary
Emergency Closure Summary
Violation Summary
Counts reported for this inspection visit.
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All DBPR Inspector Observations
21 full violation description(s) documented by the inspector during this visit.
High Priority 5
03D-01-5High Priority – Cooked/heated time/temperature control for safety food not cooled from 135 degrees Fahrenheit to 70 degrees Fahrenheit within 2 hours. Cooked onions at 73° 10 lbs. cooked peppers 10 lbs at 74° both cooked at 9:30 am and sitting out at room temperature on rolling rack in prep area. See Stop Sale **Warning**
01B-01-4High Priority – Dented/rusted cans present. See stop sale. (3) 6 lbs cans of al Dente pasta sauce; (3) 6 lbs cans of Chef Quality tomato sauce; (1) 7 lbs can of Globe lemon pie filling (rusted), (2) 6 lbs Tomato Magic ground tomatoes. **Warning**
35A-02-6High Priority – Live, small flying insects in kitchen, food preparation area and food storage area. 1 fly in kitchen prep area flying on ceiling. **Warning**
35A-04-4High Priority – Rodent activity present as evidenced by rodent droppings found. 12 rodent droppings underneath shelf in dry storage room. **Warning**
03A-02-5High Priority – Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Pre-made Cuban sandwiches in a bucket on cooksline at room 70°. Inspector spoke with manager and operators and gave a copy of time as a public health control form **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning**
Intermediate 2
22-05-4Intermediate – Cutting board(s) stained/soiled. **Warning**
31A-03-4Intermediate – Handwash sink not accessible for employee use due to items stored in the sink. Wet rag stored in hand sink in prep area. Food basket stored in hand sink at front counter prep area. **Warning**
Basic 14
14-01-5Basic – Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Food round bowl without a scoop in container. **Warning**
36-34-5Basic – Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated grease and dust. Kitchen area. **Warning**
14-09-4Basic – Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable. **Warning**
40-06-5Basic – Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Employees keys and cell phone on prep tabled in dessert prep area. **Warning**
08B-47-4Basic – Food not stored at least 6 inches off of the floor. 2 large bags of red velvet cake mix on floor in dry storage area. **Warning**
23-07-4Basic – Gaskets with slimy/mold-like build-up. On cooksline **Warning**
38-07-4Basic – Lights in food preparation, food storage or warewashing area missing the proper shield, sleeve coatings or covers. Over stove and prep area. **Warning**
31B-04-4Basic – No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees. Front counter prep area **Warning**
32-16-4Basic – Only means for public to access the bathroom is through a food preparation, ware washing, or food storage area. Inspector witness customers walking to restroom and waiting in line for restroom not attended by operator working. There is full access to the kitchen walking to only restroom of restaurant. **Warning**
08B-04-4Basic – Open large bag of sugar on floor in dry storage room not properly protected. **Warning**
12B-13-4Basic – Opened employee beverage container in a cold holding unit with food to be served to customers. Employee drink in reach-in-cooler near dessert prep area. **Warning**
14-67-4Basic – Reach-in cooler gasket torn/in disrepair. **Warning**
21-12-4Basic – Wet wiping cloth not stored in sanitizing solution between uses. Wet wiping clothes through out kitchen not in Sani buckets **Warning**
22-16-4Basic – Intermediate – Reach-in freezer shelves soiled with food debris. Reach-in-freezer near dessert prep area. **Warning**
Inspector observations synchronized from DBPR on August 10, 2026 5:20 PM.
Violation category totals
1 observation(s)
2 observation(s)
2 observation(s)
1 observation(s)
3 observation(s)
1 observation(s)
2 observation(s)
1 observation(s)
2 observation(s)
1 observation(s)
2 observation(s)
1 observation(s)
1 observation(s)
1 observation(s)
Inspection records and inspector observations reflect conditions documented by DBPR at the time of the inspection and may not reflect current conditions.