Zen Pho & Noodles Tampa
3021 W Waters Ave, Tampa, FL 33614 · Permanent Food Service · License 3919300
What drove the grade
Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored.
How the score was calculated
- Starting score100
- Violations at the Oct 21 routine inspection1 high priority (fixed on the spot), 1 intermediate, 12 basic (5 repeats); basic violations cost 12 at most-18
- Safety score82
Our own summary of the public record, not an official state rating. How grades work · Report an error
Inspection history
1 inspection · 1 visitRoutine inspection
- First visitOct 21, 2026 No follow-up needed
Met the state's inspection standards; the inspector didn't need to come back. Any violations cited still count toward the grade.
14 violations found:
Official report, on the Florida DBPR websiteWhat the inspector cited
High priority1
Code 41, Chemicals and toxic substances: Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored.
Observed glass cleaner being stored with to go containers. Employee removed.
Fixed on the spot
Intermediate1
Code 31, Handwash sinks and supplies: Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing.
Observed the hand washing sink near the mop sink being used as a dump sink, (observed coffee residue)
Basic12
Code 08, Food protection and cross-contamination: Unwashed fruits/vegetables stored with ready-to-eat food.
Observed unwashed green onions being stored over ready to eat shrimp. Observed unwashed vegetables being stored over ready to eat soy sauce. Manager corrected storage.
Fixed on the spotRepeat violation
Food stored on floor.
Observed a container of soy sauce being stored on the floor near the ice machine. Observed buckets of food in walk in freezer being stored on the floor. Discussed proper storage, employee corrected storage.
Fixed on the spotRepeat violation
Code 12, Handwashing and hygienic practices: Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils.
Observed two employee beverages being stored on the flip top unit ion the cook line.
Employee drinking from an unenclosed beverage container in a food preparation/clean dishware area and the container does not have a dispensing mechanism to prevent hand contact with lip contact area of drink container.
Observed two employee beverages in cups with no lids on the cook line.
Code 14, Food-contact surfaces designed and maintained: Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food.
Observed a bowl with no handle in the container of soy sauce. Employee removed and corrected scoop.
Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable in the clean dish storage area.
Repeat violation
Equipment in poor repair.
Observed the dishmachine being broken. Employee stated that it's not in use until it's repaired.
Repeat violation
Walk-in cooler shelves with rust that has pitted the surface.
Code 22, Food-contact surfaces clean and sanitized: Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin.
Observed the top interior of the ice machine soiled with a black mold like substance.
Code 24, Clean equipment storage and air drying: Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting.
Observed stacked wet containers on the drying rack with no air flow in between.
Repeat violation
Code 33, Garbage and refuse: Missing drain plug at dumpster.
Code 42, Premises and cleaning equipment: Wet mop not stored in a manner to allow the mop to dry.
Observed the mop drying in the mop bucket. Employee removed and corrected.
Fixed on the spot
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.
- Wet nesting
- Stacking dishes or containers before they have dried, which traps moisture where germs can grow.