EL JEFE CAFE
5317 GUNN HWY UNIT 9 · TAMPA · Hillsborough County · FL 33624
Inspection Summary
Violation Summary
Counts reported for this inspection visit.
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All DBPR Inspector Observations
27 full violation description(s) documented by the inspector during this visit.
High Priority 6
12A-12-4High Priority – Employee switched from working with raw food to ready-to-eat food without washing hands. Employee cracked eggs and did not change gloves or wash hands before cutting avocado. Observed Employees touching raw eggs then handling clean plates. Discussed with operator proper handwashing when switching tasks and after handling raw foods. **Corrective Action Taken**
08A-08-5High Priority – Raw animal food stored in same container as ready-to-eat food. Raw chorizo stored with Ready to eat foods inside Reach in cooler next to deli slicer. Operator removed raw chorizo to another location during time of inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
03A-02-5High Priority – Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Guava and cheese pastry 78F at front service counter. Operator stated she will change pastries to time as a public health control. **Corrective Action Taken**
03F-02-5High Priority – Time/temperature control for safety food identified in the written procedure as a food held using time as a public health control has no time marking and the time removed from temperature control can be determined. Corned beef hash and hash browns not time marked. Operator added products to time mark during time of inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
03B-01-6High Priority – Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Milk 109F at 9:38am taken out at 9:25am, operator voluntarily discarded milk. **Corrective Action Taken**
41-10-4High Priority – Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. Non-food grade lubricant stored on kitchen shelf next to microwave, over Reach in cooler. Operator removed lubricant during time of inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
Intermediate 7
22-02-4Intermediate – Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Cutting boards cut at both Reach in coolers in back kitchen with dark stains.
31A-11-4Intermediate – Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Knife inside Employee handwash sink next to steam table. Operator removed knife during time of inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
16-37-1Intermediate – No chemical test kit provided when using sanitizer at three-compartment sink/warewashing machine or wiping cloths. No chlorine test strips for Dish machine.
53A-05-6Intermediate – No currently certified food service manager on duty with four or more employees engaged in food preparation/handling. A list of accredited food manager certification examination providers can be found at http://www.myfloridalicense.com/DBPR/hotels-restaurants/food-lodging/food-manager/ 9 employees present during time of inspection and no manager. Manager arrived during time of inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
02C-02-5Intermediate – Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. No date mark on chimichurri in Reach in cooler next to deli slicer. Operator added date during time of inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
53B-14-5Intermediate – Required employee training expired for some employees. To order approved program food safety material, call DBPR contracted provider: Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (SafeStaff) 866-372-7233. Employee training expired for 3 employees. Expired on February 2024.
41-17-4Intermediate – Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled. Unlabeled spray bottle on bottom prep table shelf next to fryer. Unlabeled spray bottles in cabinet under front service counter. Operator labeled bottles during time of inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
Basic 14
14-09-4Basic – Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable. Cutting boards cut at both Reach in coolers in back kitchen with cut marks.
12B-07-4Basic – Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Personal drink on Reach in cooler under microwave in kitchen. Personal drink on Reach in cooler next to waffle maker. Personal Drinks on prep table next to Dish machine. Personal drink on front service line counter next to Reach in cooler. Operator relocated drinks to another location during time of inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
08B-49-4Basic – Employee personal food not properly identified and segregated from food to be served to the public. Not segregated personal food in Reach in cooler next to deli slicer. **Corrected On-Site**
40-06-5Basic – Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Personal items on water filters in kitchen area. Cell phone over Reach in cooler. All items removed to another location during time of inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
08B-38-4Basic – Food stored on floor. Buckets of pickles and oil stored on floor outside dish pit. **Corrected On-Site**
21-04-4Basic – In-use wet wiping cloth/towel used under cutting board. Wet towel under cutting board in back kitchen prep table and next to waffle maker. **Corrected On-Site**
25-32-4Basic – Reuse of single-service or single-use articles. Single service containers, daisy sour cream and vigo chicken stock reused to store food.
24-17-4Basic – Silverware/utensils dried with a towel/cloth. Employee dried dishes with cloth after washing in Dish machine. Discussed with employee proper drying methods and to rewash dishes.
25-05-4Basic – Single-service articles improperly stored. Single service cups on floor by storage room. **Corrected On-Site**
08B-17-4Basic – Unwashed fruits/vegetables stored with ready-to-eat food. Unwashed carrots and celery store over sliced ham and cheese inside Reach in cooler next to deli slicer. **Corrected On-Site**
36-27-5Basic – Wall soiled with accumulated grease, food debris, and/or dust. Kitchen wall soiled behind Reach in coolers. Ceiling vent soiled with dust in back kitchen area.
42-01-4Basic – Wet mop not stored in a manner to allow the mop to dry. Mop not stored properly at mop sink. **Corrected On-Site**
21-12-4Basic – Wet wiping cloth not stored in sanitizing solution between uses. Wet towels not stored in sanitizer bucket in kitchen and front service counter. **Corrected On-Site**
02D-01-5Basic – Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Unlabeled cinnamon sugar shaker on cutting board of Reach in cooler. Unlabeled sugar containers stored inside cabinet beneath soda fountain. **Corrected On-Site**
Inspector observations synchronized from DBPR on September 30, 2026 1:31 PM.
Violation category totals
2 observation(s)
3 observation(s)
4 observation(s)
2 observation(s)
1 observation(s)
1 observation(s)
2 observation(s)
1 observation(s)
1 observation(s)
2 observation(s)
1 observation(s)
1 observation(s)
1 observation(s)
2 observation(s)
1 observation(s)
2 observation(s)
Inspection records and inspector observations reflect conditions documented by DBPR at the time of the inspection and may not reflect current conditions.