El Cuba Cafe
3501 S Bell Shoals Rd, Valrico, FL 33596 · Permanent Food Service · License 3912498
What drove the grade
Dented/rusted cans present.
How the score was calculated
- Starting score100
- Violations at the Aug 13 routine inspection2 high priority (fixed on the spot), 4 intermediate, 2 basic-20
- Safety score80
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 visitOct 14, 2026 Fixed at follow-up
The inspector came back and found the problems fixed.
1 earlier violation still noted, but not enough to need another visit:
Official report, on the Florida DBPR websiteWhat was still cited
Basic1
Code 13, Clean clothes, hair restraints, jewelry: Employee with no hair restraint while engaging in food preparation.
More time given
- First visitAug 13, 2026 Warning issued
Problems were found that had to be fixed. The inspector will come back to check.
8 violations found:
Official report, on the Florida DBPR websiteWhat the inspector cited
High priority2
Code 01, Approved source; food safe and unadulterated: Dented/rusted cans present.
See stop sale. Can of jalapeños dented at seam. Operator removed from inventory.
Fixed on the spot
Code 08, Food protection and cross-contamination: Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food.
Raw beef stored over cooked pork in reach in cooler. Operator arranged correctly.
Fixed on the spot
Intermediate4
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.
Cooked pork in reach in cooler
Commercially processed ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food opened and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked after opening.
Sliced ham and shredded cheese in flip top cooler. Portioned sliced cheese in reach in cooler.
Code 11, Employee health: 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.
2 employees with no food handler training, no reporting agreement. Emailed reporting agreement to operator.
Code 53, Manager certification and employee training: 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 & Lodging Association (SafeStaff) 866-372-7233. 1 employee, no training
Basic2
Code 13, Clean clothes, hair restraints, jewelry: Employee with no hair restraint while engaging in food preparation.
2 employees preparing food with no hair restraint.
Code 23, Non-food contact surfaces clean: Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust.
Hood filters
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.
- 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.