Maikels Kitchen

3864 Waters Ave, Tampa, FL 33614 · Permanent Food Service · License 3916706

Official report

out of 100

Grade F

Safety score 10 of 100

Latest visit: Sep 1, 2026

What drove the grade

Live, small flying insects foundHigh priority · not yet fixed · 29 other violations

How the score was calculated

Starting score100
Violations at the Aug 24 routine inspection
8 high priority (2 fixed on the spot, 1 repeat), 6 intermediate (2 repeats), 16 basic (1 repeat); intermediate violations cost 18 at most; basic violations cost 12 at most; all violations together cost 70 at most
-70
Complaint after follow-up on Sep 1
Counts in full until a follow-up finds the problems fixed
-20
Safety score10

Our own summary of the public record, not an official state rating. How grades work · Report an error

Inspection history

1 inspection · 3 visits

Aug242026

Routine inspection

30 violations found · Inspector came back 2 times

2nd follow-up visitSep 1, 2026 Complaint after follow-up
Problems from the first visit still weren't fixed, so the inspector recommended formal action by the state, which can include fines.
7 violations still not corrected:
- 1 High priority
- 2 Intermediate
- 4 Basic
What was still cited
High priority1
- Code 29, Plumbing and backflow prevention: Vacuum breaker missing at hose bibb or on fitting/splitter added to hose bibb.
  Vacuum breaker still missing at mop sink and outside hose.
  More time given
Intermediate2
- Code 31, Handwash sinks and supplies: Handwash sink removed from food preparation/dishwashing area.
  No hand wash sinks installed at this time.
  Administrative complaint
- Code 51, Other sanitary and safe operation: No plan review submitted and approved - renovations were made or are in progress.
  Not available at this time.
  More time given
Basic4
- Code 02, Labeling, date marking and consumer advisory: Label on a food item prepared and packaged onsite for customer self-service does not include product identity/description, date product was packaged and name and address of the establishment that prepared and packaged the food.
  At this time, the juices in the case are not labeled. Manager showed us the label being made but has not arrived at store yet.
  Administrative complaint
- Code 23, Non-food contact surfaces clean: Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust.
  Racks in walk in cooler replaced. Dry storage rack and hood vents still soiled. Hand wash sink soap dispenser cleaned.
  More time givenFixed on the spot
- Code 33, Garbage and refuse: Missing drain plug at dumpster.
  The city has been called to have the dumpster changed out.
  More time given
- Code 36, Floors, walls, ceilings and ventilation: Wall soiled with accumulated grease, food debris, and/or dust in kitchen area behind storage racks.
  Observed wall still soiled with food build up and grease.
  More time given
Official report, on the Florida DBPR website
1st follow-up visitAug 25, 2026 Extension granted
Some problems still weren't fixed, but the owner was working on them, so the inspector allowed more time and will come back again.
14 violations still not corrected:
- 3 High priority
- 4 Intermediate
- 7 Basic
What was still cited
High priority3
- Code 08, Food protection and cross-contamination: Raw animal food stored over or with unwashed produce.
  Observed unwashed produce over milk and ready to eat food items. Educated operator to move produce.
  More time given
- Code 29, Plumbing and backflow prevention: Vacuum breaker missing at hose bibb or on fitting/splitter added to hose bibb.
  Observed vacuum breaker still missing at mop sink and dumpster area hose.
  More time given
- Code 35, Insects, rodents, pests and animals: Live, small flying insects found
  Observed one flying insect. Operator eradicated and discarded.
  More time given
Intermediate4
- Code 22, Food-contact surfaces clean and sanitized: Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime.
  Cutting boards still in use.
  More time given
- Code 31, Handwash sinks and supplies: Handwash sink removed from food preparation/dishwashing area.
  No hand wash sinks were installed at this time.
  More time given
  Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing.
  Observed buckets of water in hand wash sink in prep area.
  More time given
- Code 51, Other sanitary and safe operation: No plan review submitted and approved - renovations were made or are in progress.
  Went over how to fill this paperwork out with operator.
  More time given
Basic7
- Code 02, Labeling, date marking and consumer advisory: Label on a food item prepared and packaged onsite for customer self-service does not include product identity/description, date product was packaged and name and address of the establishment that prepared and packaged the food.
  Fresh squeezed juice in reach in cooler behind counter without warning label. Establishment sells orange, pineapple, coconut, guarapo, soursop, mamey, passion fruit, blackberry, watermelon, cantaloupe, tamarind, guava, mango, papaya, grapefruit, and limonade juices. Just needs a warning label.
  More time given
- Code 14, Food-contact surfaces designed and maintained: Walk-in cooler and freezer shelves with rust that has pitted the surface.
  Shelvings still rusted.
  More time given
- Code 23, Non-food contact surfaces clean: Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust.
  Operator replaced parchment paper on dry storage shelves. Observed oven handles, dry storage racks and containers next to hot boxes soiled, hand wash soap dispenser at hand wash sinks in kitchen area soiled, hood vents in kitchen area soiled with grease. Observed racks in walk in cooler soiled with mold-like substance.
  More time given
- Code 33, Garbage and refuse: Missing drain plug at dumpster.
  Dumpster still missing drain plug
  More time given
- Code 36, Floors, walls, ceilings and ventilation: Wall soiled with accumulated grease, food debris, and/or dust in kitchen area behind storage racks.
  Observed wall still soiled behind dry storage racks in kitchen
  More time given
  Unclean building components, attachments or fixtures.
  Condenser still soiled.
  More time given
- Code 51, Other sanitary and safe operation: Establishment did not report seating change that affects the license fee, Clean Indoor Air Act, sewage system approval or other related requirements.
  Operator did not fill out seating change form.
  More time given
Official report, on the Florida DBPR website
First visitAug 24, 2026 Warning issued
Problems were found that had to be fixed. The inspector will come back to check.
30 violations found:
- 8 High priority
- 6 Intermediate
- 16 Basic
What the inspector cited
High priority8
- Code 01, Approved source; food safe and unadulterated: Stop Sale issued due to adulteration of food product.
  Observed sugar container cross contaminated with ants in/on and surrounding.
- Code 03, Food out of temperature: Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41°F.
  Observed garlic and oil dressing at room temperature next to press station in servers station. Educated operator on time as a public health control.
  Repeat violation
  Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135°F.
  Observed Chicken temped at 156f and 98f 11:25 ; operator put clear wrap on top as well as other chicken and retemped at 155f. Fried fish 125f and salmon 98f hot holding, operator reheated to get to 165f- retemped after reheated 188f and 206f. Observed chicken and beef empanadas at 117f, operator voluntarily discarded.
  Fixed on the spot
- Code 08, Food protection and cross-contamination: Raw animal food stored over or with unwashed produce.
  Observed unwashed produce on shelves on top of cooked and ready to eat rice and pork in walk in coolers.
- Code 12, Handwashing and hygienic practices: Employee handled soiled equipment or utensils and then engaged in food preparation, handled clean equipment or utensils, or touched unwrapped single-service items without washing hands.
  Establishment covers trash cans with tin foil to prevent splashing and insects. Employee on main cook line placed tin foil back onto trash can, and went back to cooking without washing hands/changing gloves.
- Code 29, Plumbing and backflow prevention: Vacuum breaker missing at hose bibb or on fitting/splitter added to hose bibb.
  Observed splitter missing back flow preventer at mop sink and at hose outside in dumpster area.
- Code 35, Insects, rodents, pests and animals: Live, small flying insects found
  Observed 2 flying insects in dining area and main preparation area.
- Code 41, Chemicals and toxic substances: Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored.
  Observed cleaning chemicals next to squash in dry storage unit outside. Operator moved.
  Fixed on the spot
Intermediate6
- Code 02, Labeling, date marking and consumer advisory: Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked.
  Observed juices made on site in cooler in servers station without labeling or date marking.
- Code 22, Food-contact surfaces clean and sanitized: Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime.
  Observed two cutting boards soiled in main preparation area.
  Repeat violation
- Code 31, Handwash sinks and supplies: Handwash sink removed from food preparation/dishwashing area.
  Must be reinstalled in the same location where removed. Observed no hand wash sinks in buffet area, where two hand wash sinks are showing in approved plans.
  Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing.
  Observed employee washing dishes in front area next to drive through window hand sink. Observed hand wash sink being used as a prep sink in front of walk in coolers. Educated operator. Observed hand wash sink in prep area next to oven soiled with grease build up.
  Paper towel dispenser at handwash sink not working/unable to dispense paper towels.
  Observed at hand wash sink next to dish area.
- Code 51, Other sanitary and safe operation: No plan review submitted and approved - renovations were made or are in progress.
  Must submit plans and plan review application to DBPR H and R Plan Review office located at 2601 Blair Stone Rd., Tallahassee, FL 32399-1011. Plans must be submitted AND approved within 60 days. The direct link to the Plan Review page is https://www2.myfloridalicense.com/hotels-restaurants/licensing/plan-review/. Cold holding unit to the left of cashier station in buffet area unapproved.
  Repeat violationAdministrative complaint
Basic16
- Code 02, Labeling, date marking and consumer advisory: Label on a food item prepared and packaged onsite for customer self-service does not include product identity/description, date product was packaged and name and address of the establishment that prepared and packaged the food.
  Observed gallons of juice sold at establishment with no product labeling.
- Code 06, Food properly thawed: Time/temperature control for safety food thawed in an improper manner.
  Plantains thawing out in cardboard box near frying station. Educated operator on ways to thaw. Operator fried immediately.
  Fixed on the spot
- Code 08, Food protection and cross-contamination: Stored food not covered.
  Observed beef in walk in cooler with no cover and pork in the freezer uncovered.
- Code 10, In-use utensils properly stored: In-use utensil stored in standing water less than 135°F.
  Observed utensils sitting in 90f water. Operator refilled with hot water.
- Code 14, Food-contact surfaces designed and maintained: Walk-in cooler and freezer shelves with rust that has pitted the surface.
  Observed rusted dish racks in dish area.
  Ice buildup in reach-in freezer next to drive through window and in walk-in freezer on floor.
- Code 23, Non-food contact surfaces clean: Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust.
  Observed oven handles, dry storage racks and containers next to hot boxes soiled, hand wash soap dispenser at hand wash sinks in kitchen area soiled, hood vents in kitchen area soiled with grease. Observed racks in walk in cooler soiled with mold-like substance. Observed soiled paper lining dry storage shelves in front of hand wash sink and next to hot boxes in main preparation area.
  Repeat violation
- Code 33, Garbage and refuse: Missing drain plug at dumpster.
  Observed missing hole in dumpster from drain plug.
  Open dumpster lid.
  Unnecessary items stored in garbage enclosure.
  Observed pieces of wood, pants, a hat, pipes, and other miscellaneous items around the dumpster.
- Code 36, Floors, walls, ceilings and ventilation: Floor area(s) covered with standing water in dry storage unit outside in the left corner parallel to doorway.
  Hole in or other damage to wall.
  Observed open hole in dry storage area in unit outside.
  Wall soiled with accumulated grease, food debris, and/or dust in kitchen area behind storage racks.
  Unclean building components, attachments or fixtures.
  Observed condenser soiled with mold like substance blowing into more build up into light fixture.
- Code 40, Employee personal belongings: Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items.
  Observed employee purses and umbrella on top of beverages in dry storage area. Operator moved.
  Fixed on the spot
- Code 51, Other sanitary and safe operation: Establishment did not report seating change that affects the license fee, Clean Indoor Air Act, sewage system approval or other related requirements.
  Observed 20 units on license and 40 seats were in dining room.
Official report, on the Florida DBPR website

Reading this report

Priority levels

High priority The problems most likely to make someone sick directly.
Intermediate Could lead to a high-priority problem if not fixed.
Basic Best practices and general upkeep.

Terms in the inspectors’ reports

Time/temperature control for safety food: Food that has to be kept hot, at 135°F or above, or cold, at 41°F or below, to stay safe: meat, seafood, eggs, dairy, cooked rice and beans, cut melons and the like.
Ready-to-eat food: Food eaten without further cooking, such as salads, sandwiches, deli meats and cooked dishes.
Food-contact surface: Anything food touches, such as cutting boards, utensils, counters and the inside of ice machines.
Nonfood-contact surface: Surfaces food doesn’t touch, such as the outsides of equipment, handles and door gaskets.
Stop sale: An order that the food can’t be sold or served.
Vacuum breaker, backflow: Plumbing parts that keep dirty water, such as from a mop sink hose, from flowing back into the clean water supply.