Inspection Report

Emergency Closure InspectionDBPR disposition: Emergency order recommended
Florida DBPR Inspection Report
Closed

SANTA FE MEXICAN GRILL

800 CLEARWATER LARGO RD · LARGO · Pinellas County · FL 33770

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Inspection Summary

Inspection dateOctober 26, 2023
Inspection typeRoutine – Food
Inspection classFood
DBPR dispositionEmergency order recommended
Resultfacility_temporarily_closed
Inspection number3382879
Visit number1
Inspection Visit ID8474395
DBPR license6217167

Emergency Closure Summary

ClosedOctober 26, 2023 12:16 PM
StatusReopened after callback/compliance
ReopenedOctober 27, 2023 9:33 AM
Record basisDBPR weekly closure extract
Closure conditionRodent & fly activity

Violation Summary

Counts reported for this inspection visit.

Full inspector observations available
10 High Priority4 Intermediate24 Basic0 Critical0 Non-Critical38 Total
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All DBPR Inspector Observations

38 full violation description(s) documented by the inspector during this visit.

High Priority 10

#25High Priority22-42-4

High Priority – Chlorine sanitizer not at proper minimum strength for manual warewashing. Do not use equipment/utensils not properly sanitized. Three-compartment sink chlorine sanitizer exceeding 200ppm.

#26High Priority01B-01-4

High Priority – Dented/rusted cans present. See stop sale. Dry-storage room a. #10 can of Jalapenos dented at seam.

Stop Sale
#27High Priority22-41-4

High Priority – Dishmachine chlorine sanitizer not at proper minimum strength. Discontinue use of dishmachine for sanitizing and set up manual sanitization until dishmachine is repaired and sanitizing properly. Dishmachine chlorine sanitizer reading 0ppm. Operator primed sanitizer solution, reading 50ppm **Corrected On-Site**

Corrected On-Site
#28High Priority35A-02-6

High Priority – Live, small flying insects in kitchen, food preparation area, food storage area and/or bar area. 1 live fly in dry-storage area. 1 live fly on top of prep table in kitchen. **Repeat Violation**

Repeat Violation
#29High Priority41-05-4

High Priority – Pesticide/insecticide labeled for household use only present in establishment. Can of raid labeled for household use only stored on bottom shelf of prep table in kitchen.

#30High Priority08A-11-5

High Priority – Raw animal food stored over canned/bottled drinks. Raw shell eggs stored over can beverages in walk-in cooler.

#31High Priority35A-04-4

High Priority – Rodent activity present as evidenced by rodent droppings found. 34 Rodent droppings on shelves and floor in wine room. 40 Rodent droppings on floor in dry-storage room 1 Rodent dropping on top of soda box in dry-storage 1 Rodent dropping on top of box foil in dry-storage room. 3 Rodent droppings behind stand-alone refrigerator in warewashing area. 4 Rodent droppings behind cart against wall in warewashing area. **Repeat Violation**

Repeat Violation
#32High Priority03A-02-5

High Priority – Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Reach-in cooler on cook line at 11:55am sliced tomatoes (45F – Cold Holding); cut lettuce (51F – Cold Holding) Operator moved items to stand-alone freezer. **Corrective Action Taken** **Repeat Violation**

Corrective Action TakenRepeat Violation
#33High Priority03B-01-6

High Priority – Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Steam table on cook line at 12:00pm refried beans (125F – Hot Holding) Operator turned heat up on steam table. Oven at 12:15pm cream sauce (91F – Hot Holding) Operator placed item in walk-in cooler.

#34High Priority41-10-4

High Priority – Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. Can of raid stored on bottom shelf of prep table in kitchen.

Intermediate 4

#35Intermediate53B-02-5

Intermediate – No proof of required state approved employee training provided for employee hired more than 60 days ago. To order approved program food safety material, call DBPR contracted provider: Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (SafeStaff) 866-372-7233. Establishment have no proof of training for two employees hired over 60 days ago. a. Moraima Guerra b. Nicholas Garcia **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**

Repeat ViolationAdmin Complaint
#36Intermediate11-26-1

Intermediate – 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. No proof provided for three recently hired employees and for one dishwasher. a. Mary Zambrano b. Elizabeth Alvarez c. Juan Garcia D. Frank Guerro **Repeat Violation**

Repeat Violation
#37Intermediate31B-05-4

Intermediate – Paper towel dispenser at handwash sink not working/unable to dispense paper towels at hand wash sink next to three-compartment sink.

#38Intermediate02C-02-5

Intermediate – Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Walk-in cooler items prepared more than 24 hours ago a. Ground beef taco b. Shredded chicken C. Refried beans

Basic 24

#1Basic22-20-5

Basic – Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin. Ice machine bin at wait station soiled with brown substance.

#2Basic23-24-4

Basic – Buildup of food debris/soil residue on equipment door handles. Reach-in cooler doors on cook line.

#3Basic51-11-4

Basic – Carbon dioxide/helium tanks not adequately secured. C02 tanks in warewashing area are not secured.

#4Basic24-27-4

Basic – Clean equipment/dishware/utensils stored next to handwash/food preparation sink exposed to splash. Clean silverware exposed to splash when reaching for paper towels on table in wait station area next to hand wash sink.

#5Basic24-07-4

Basic – Cleaned and sanitized equipment or utensils not properly stored. Knife stored between wall and electrical cable in dry-storage room.

#6Basic14-09-4

Basic – Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable. All cutting boards in kitchen. **Repeat Violation**

Repeat Violation
#7Basic08B-20-4

Basic – Damaged/spoiled/recalled food not properly segregated. Dry-storage a. #10 can of Jalapenosdented at seam.

#8Basic14-11-5

Basic – Equipment in poor repair. Rack in warewashing area is rusted. **Repeat Violation**

Repeat Violation
#9Basic35B-01-4

Basic – Exterior door has a gap at the threshold that opens to the outside. **Repeat Violation**

Repeat Violation
#10Basic08B-37-4

Basic – Food stored in a prohibited area. Open box of corn flakes stored on bottom shelf near three-compartment with chemicals.

#11Basic08B-38-4

Basic – Food stored on floor. 2 containers of sour cream stored on floor in walk-in cooler. **Repeat Violation**

Repeat Violation
#12Basic08B-42-4

Basic – Food stored outside. Three 50lb bags of onions stored outside on table in unprotected area in rear of establishment. Discussed with operator storing onions inside of establishment.

#13Basic10-01-5

Basic – In-use utensil in non-time/temperature control for safety food not stored with handle above top of food within a closed container. Container of sugar with handle touching sugar not properly stored.

#14Basic38-07-4

Basic – Lights in food preparation, food storage or warewashing area missing the proper shield, sleeve coatings or covers. Light shield missing in prep area.

#15Basic36-62-4

Basic – Lights not functioning in prep area.

#16Basic31B-04-4

Basic – No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees at hand wash sink near cook line. Will email operator DBPR Form HR 5030-111

#17Basic23-03-4

Basic – Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Gaskets on reach-in cooler doors on cook line.

#18Basic22-16-4

Basic – Reach-in cooler interior/shelves have accumulation of soil residues. Reach-in cooler on cook line is soiled with food debris. **Repeat Violation**

Repeat Violation
#19Basic14-33-4

Basic – Reach-in cooler shelves with rust that has pitted the surface. Reach-in cooler on cook line

#20Basic29-49-6

Basic – Standing water in bottom of reach-in-cooler on cook line and stand-alone refrigerator across from flat-top grill.

#21Basic08B-12-5

Basic – Stored food not covered. Taco shells stored on prep table on cook line not covered. Stand-alone refrigerator across from flat-top grill a. Diced tomatoes in container b. Broccoli stored in container c. Shredded Beef Walk-in cooler a. Diced tomatoes b. Cut onions C. Parsley **Repeat Violation**

Repeat Violation
#22Basic08B-17-4

Basic – Unwashed fruits/vegetables stored with ready-to-eat food. Open box of unwashed avocados stored above uncovered ready-to-eat diced tomatoes in walk-in cooler. Unwashed produce stored over partially covered enchilada sauce in walk-in cooler. Will email operator DBPR Form HR 5030-098

#23Basic14-17-4

Basic – Walk-in cooler/freezer shelves with rust that has pitted the surface. Walk-in cooler shelves. **Repeat Violation**

Repeat Violation
#24Basic02D-01-5

Basic – Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Seasoning in 8 quart container on prep table not labeled. **Repeat Violation**

Repeat Violation

Inspector observations synchronized from DBPR on August 10, 2026 8:29 AM.

Violation category totals
Category 1 · Approved food source
1 observation(s)
Category 2 · Original container, labeling, date marking and consumer advisory
2 observation(s)
Category 3 · Time/temperature control for safety food
2 observation(s)
Category 8 · Food protection and cross-contamination
7 observation(s)
Category 10 · In-use food dispensing utensils
1 observation(s)
Category 11 · Employee health knowledge / ill employees
1 observation(s)
Category 14 · Food-contact and nonfood-contact surface design/maintenance
4 observation(s)
Category 22 · Food-contact surfaces clean and sanitized
4 observation(s)
Category 23 · Non-food-contact surfaces clean
2 observation(s)
Category 24 · Storage/handling of clean equipment and utensils
2 observation(s)
Category 29 · Plumbing, mop sink, filters and backflow prevention
1 observation(s)
Category 31 · Handwash sinks, supplies and signage
2 observation(s)
Category 35 · Pest control / insects / rodents / animals / outer openings
3 observation(s)
Category 36 · Floors, walls, ceilings, attached equipment and ventilation
1 observation(s)
Category 38 · Required lighting and protected fixtures/bulbs
1 observation(s)
Category 41 · Chemicals and toxic substances
2 observation(s)
Category 51 · Other sanitary and safe-operation conditions
1 observation(s)
Category 53 · Food manager certification / employee training verification
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.