Nico's Arepas Grill Restaurant
8303 N Armenia Ave Ste B, Tampa, FL 33604 · Permanent Food Service · License 3917635
What drove the grade
Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food.
How the score was calculated
- Starting score100
- Violations at the Aug 31 routine inspection2 high priority (fixed on the spot, 1 repeat), 3 intermediate (1 repeat), 5 basic-23
- Safety score77
Our own summary of the public record, not an official state rating. How grades work · Report an error
Inspection history
1 inspection · 2 visitsRoutine inspection
- Follow-up visitNov 2, 2026 Fixed at follow-up
The inspector came back and found the problems fixed.
5 earlier violations still noted, but not enough to need another visit:
Official report, on the Florida DBPR websiteWhat was still cited
Intermediate2
Code 22, Food-contact surfaces clean and sanitized: Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime.
More time given
Code 31, Handwash sinks and supplies: Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing.
Plastic container in Handwash sink.
More time given
Basic3
Code 08, Food protection and cross-contamination: Food stored on floor.
More time given
Code 14, Food-contact surfaces designed and maintained: Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable.
More time given
Code 51, Other sanitary and safe operation: Carbon dioxide tanks not adequately secured.
More time given
- First visitAug 31, 2026 Warning issued
Problems were found that had to be fixed. The inspector will come back to check.
10 violations found:
Official report, on the Florida DBPR websiteWhat the inspector cited
High priority2
Code 08, Food protection and cross-contamination: Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food.
Raw shell eggs stored over a jar of sauce in front line reach in cooler. Manager relocated raw shell eggs to an approved location at time of inspection.
Fixed on the spotRepeat violation
Code 12, Handwashing and hygienic practices: Employee failed to wash hands before putting on gloves to initiate a task working with food.
Observed front line cook wear new gloves without first washing hands after changing tasks. Discussed with employee, employee washed hands then wore new gloves at time of inspection.
Fixed on the spot
Intermediate3
Code 22, Food-contact surfaces clean and sanitized: Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime.
Multiple cutting boards inside establishment are soiled.
Code 31, Handwash sinks and supplies: Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing.
One purple knife is stored inside a hand washing sink adjacent to ice machine.
Repeat violation
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/. Establishment added a walk in cooler located at the back exterior of establishment. A plan review handout has been provided to the manager at time of inspection.
Basic5
Code 08, Food protection and cross-contamination: Stored food not covered.
Located inside front line reach in freezer.
Unwashed fruits/vegetables stored with ready-to-eat food.
Unwashed romaine stored over cooked pasta in front line reach in cooler. Manager relocated unwashed Romain to an washing hands approved location at time of inspection.
Fixed on the spot
Food stored on floor.
Six cases of oil are stored on the floor next to the ice machine, next to the Walk in freezer, and outside the men's restroom. Multiple boxes of food are stored on the floor inside the walk-in cooler.
Code 14, Food-contact surfaces designed and maintained: Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable.
Located on front line cook.
Code 51, Other sanitary and safe operation: Carbon dioxide tanks not adequately secured.
Three unsecured tanks located next to mop sink.
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
- 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.