500 N CHARLESTON AVENUE, FORT MEADE, FL 33841
TACO EXPRESS has a mixed inspection record — 4 violations in the past year, including 2 high-priority. Not alarming, but worth knowing before you order. The trailing-year record shows 4 violations, including 2 high-priority and 0 Emergency Orders of Closure.
Scores higher than 7% of the 14 inspected restaurants in FORT MEADE on the trailing-year record.
2 high-priority violations on the trailing-year record — above the Polk County average of 0.8.
Full available history. The score uses only the most recent 365 days — older visits are shown for context, not counted.
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.
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.
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.
Single-use items (cups, straws, to-go containers) stored or handled improperly.
The establishment's license expired, not obtained, or not properly displayed.
Missing consumer advisory for raw or undercooked items, ready-to-eat food not date-marked, or food not properly labeled.
Single-use items (cups, straws, to-go containers) stored or handled improperly.
Floors, walls, ceilings, or attached equipment dirty, damaged, or poorly vented.
The establishment's license expired, not obtained, or not properly displayed.
Handwash sink missing, blocked, or used for other purposes, or missing soap, towels, or the handwash sign.
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.
Floors, walls, ceilings, or attached equipment dirty, damaged, or poorly vented.
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.
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 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. 6307559 — you can read the original documents yourself and compare.