3247 W COLUMBUS DR, TAMPA, FL 33607
CHILES MEXICAN RESTAURANT has a mixed inspection record — 19 violations in the past year, including 3 high-priority. Not alarming, but worth knowing before you order. The trailing-year record shows 19 violations, including 3 high-priority and 0 Emergency Orders of Closure.
Scores higher than 20% of the 2196 inspected restaurants in TAMPA on the trailing-year record.
3 high-priority violations on the trailing-year record — above the Hillsborough County average of 2.0.
Full available history. The score uses only the most recent 365 days — older visits are shown for context, not counted.
Missing consumer advisory for raw or undercooked items, ready-to-eat food not date-marked, or food not properly labeled.
Food-contact or nonfood-contact surfaces improperly designed, constructed, maintained, or located.
Raw meat, poultry, or seafood not separated from ready-to-eat food, or food left unprotected during prep, storage, or display.
Hands not washed or gloves not changed when required, or employees eating, drinking, or smoking in food areas.
Missing consumer advisory for raw or undercooked items, ready-to-eat food not date-marked, or food not properly labeled.
Handwash sink missing, blocked, or used for other purposes, or missing soap, towels, or the handwash sign.
Missing or expired food manager certification, or employee food-safety training not documented.
Food-contact or nonfood-contact surfaces improperly designed, constructed, maintained, or located.
The establishment's license expired, not obtained, or not properly displayed.
Food held, cooled, cooked, or reheated outside safe temperatures, letting dangerous bacteria multiply.
Hands not washed or gloves not changed when required, or employees eating, drinking, or smoking in food areas.
Missing consumer advisory for raw or undercooked items, ready-to-eat food not date-marked, or food not properly labeled.
Handwash sink missing, blocked, or used for other purposes, or missing soap, towels, or the handwash sign.
Missing hair or beard restraint, dirty work clothes, jewelry, or painted/artificial fingernails during food prep.
Food-contact or nonfood-contact surfaces improperly designed, constructed, maintained, or located.
Raw meat, poultry, or seafood not separated from ready-to-eat food, or food left unprotected during prep, storage, or display.
Handwash sink missing, blocked, or used for other purposes, or missing soap, towels, or the handwash sign.
Surfaces that touch food — cutting boards, ice bins, dish racks — soiled or not sanitized.
High-risk food (like meat) thawed improperly, promoting bacterial growth.
Missing hair or beard restraint, dirty work clothes, jewelry, or painted/artificial fingernails during food prep.
Food-contact or nonfood-contact surfaces improperly designed, constructed, maintained, or located.
The establishment's license expired, not obtained, or not properly displayed.
Other conditions related to sanitary and safe operation.
Raw meat, poultry, or seafood not separated from ready-to-eat food, or food left unprotected during prep, storage, or display.
Hands not washed or gloves not changed when required, or employees eating, drinking, or smoking in food areas.
Missing consumer advisory for raw or undercooked items, ready-to-eat food not date-marked, or food not properly labeled.
Food-contact or nonfood-contact surfaces improperly designed, constructed, maintained, or located.
High-risk food (like meat) thawed improperly, promoting bacterial growth.
Scoops and other in-use utensils stored improperly (e.g. handle down in the food).
Restrooms not clean, stocked, or maintained as required.
Other conditions related to sanitary and safe operation.
Raw meat, poultry, or seafood not separated from ready-to-eat food, or food left unprotected during prep, storage, or display.
Missing consumer advisory for raw or undercooked items, ready-to-eat food not date-marked, or food not properly labeled.
Handwash sink missing, blocked, or used for other purposes, or missing soap, towels, or the handwash sign.
High-risk food (like meat) thawed improperly, promoting bacterial growth.
Scoops and other in-use utensils stored improperly (e.g. handle down in the food).
The establishment's license expired, not obtained, or not properly displayed.
Raw meat, poultry, or seafood not separated from ready-to-eat food, or food left unprotected during prep, storage, or display.
Hands not washed or gloves not changed when required, or employees eating, drinking, or smoking in food areas.
Missing consumer advisory for raw or undercooked items, ready-to-eat food not date-marked, or food not properly labeled.
Scoops and other in-use utensils stored improperly (e.g. handle down in the food).
Food-contact or nonfood-contact surfaces improperly designed, constructed, maintained, or located.
Dirty wiping cloths not stored in sanitizer, or soiled linens handled improperly.
Single-use items (cups, straws, to-go containers) stored or handled improperly.
Every violation on this record falls into one of the state's standardized categories. Here is what each category covers and why inspectors check for it — in plain English, with the trailing-year count for this kitchen.
Raw meat, poultry, and seafood must be kept away from ready-to-eat food, and all food must be protected during prep, storage, and display. Inspectors treat separation seriously because raw-food drips and splashes carry pathogens onto food that will not be cooked again.
On this record, the category appears in 1 of the 2 trailing-year inspections. The written details for each entry are in the state inspection documents linked above.
Dirty Dish List is built from public inspection data published by the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation. The inspection dates, dispositions, and violations on this report card mirror what the state has on file for License No. 3900863 — you can read the original documents yourself and compare.