903 N FRANKLIN ST, TAMPA, FL 33602
NUEVA CANTINA has a mixed inspection record — 7 violations in the past year, including 2 high-priority. Not alarming, but worth knowing before you order. The trailing-year record shows 7 violations, including 2 high-priority and 0 Emergency Orders of Closure.
Scores higher than 46% of the 2196 inspected restaurants in TAMPA on the trailing-year record.
2 high-priority violations on the trailing-year record — right at 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.
Food held, cooled, cooked, or reheated outside safe temperatures, letting dangerous bacteria multiply.
Plumbing not installed or maintained properly — leaks, mop sink issues, unserviced water filters, or missing backflow prevention.
Employee jackets, phones, drinks, or other personal items stored where they can contaminate food.
Food held, cooled, cooked, or reheated outside safe temperatures, letting dangerous bacteria multiply.
Scoops and other in-use utensils stored improperly (e.g. handle down in the food).
Surfaces that touch food — cutting boards, ice bins, dish racks — soiled or not sanitized.
Employee jackets, phones, drinks, or other personal items stored where they can contaminate food.
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.
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.
This visit closed with no further action required.
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.
Cold food must stay at 41°F or below and hot food at 135°F or above, through receiving, holding, cooking, cooling, and reheating. The range in between is where bacteria multiply fastest, which is why temperature control is checked on nearly every visit.
On this record, the category appears in 2 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. 3918247 — you can read the original documents yourself and compare.