How many health inspections has LAS TAPATIAS RESTAURANT had?

LAS TAPATIAS RESTAURANT has had 18 inspections according to Florida DBPR records.

Has LAS TAPATIAS RESTAURANT ever been shut down?

No, LAS TAPATIAS RESTAURANT has no emergency closures on record.

What are the most common violations at LAS TAPATIAS RESTAURANT?

The most frequently cited violations at LAS TAPATIAS RESTAURANT are: Proper hand/arm washing, Employee health policy, Clean multi-use utensils.

What does Florida violation V02 (Employee health policy) mean?

DISEASE TRANSMISSION: Without a written employee health policy, sick food workers transmit Norovirus (20 million US cases/year), Hepatitis A (causes liver failure), Salmonella, Shigella, and E. coli O157:H7. CDC estimates 40% of restaurant outbreaks involve ill food workers. A single infected employee can contaminate food for thousands of customers. Maintain written employee health policy addressing: reporting of symptoms (vomiting, diarrhea, jaundice, sore throat with fever), diagnosed illnesses (Norovirus, Hepatitis A, Salmonella, Shigella, E. coli), exclusion and restriction criteria, and return-to-work requirements. Train all employees on policy at hiring and annually.

What does Florida violation V08 (Proper hand/arm washing) mean?

TECHNIQUE FAILURE: Improper handwashing technique leaves pathogens on hands even when a handwashing attempt is made. Studies show 95% of people wash hands incorrectly — most don't scrub for 20 seconds or miss fingertips, thumbs, and between fingers. Incomplete washing creates a false sense of security while still transferring E. coli, Norovirus, and Salmonella to food. Correct technique requires: wet hands with clean warm water, apply soap, lather and scrub for 20+ seconds covering all surfaces including fingertips/nails/between fingers/back of hands, rinse thoroughly, dry with single-use towel. Use towel to turn off faucet. Do NOT use hand sanitizer as substitute for handwashing.

What does Florida violation V10 (Approved food source) mean?

UNSAFE FOOD SOURCE: Food from unapproved sources bypasses USDA/FDA safety inspections, potentially harboring Listeria, Salmonella, E. coli O157:H7, parasites, or chemical contaminants. Uninspected meat may contain antibiotics, hormones, or prions (mad cow disease). Home-canned foods risk deadly Clostridium botulinum toxin. Wild-harvested shellfish may contain paralytic toxins. All food must come from approved, inspected sources. Maintain supplier documentation and invoices. Shellfish must have proper tags retained for 90 days. No home-prepared, home-canned, or uninspected foods. Wild game must be commercially processed. Verify supplier licenses and inspection status.

LAS TAPATIAS RESTAURANT

12798 COUNTY RD 512, Fellsmere, FL 32948

Indian River County · Permanent Food Service · Owner: LAS TAPATIAS RESTAURANT INC · License: SEA4105355

LAS TAPATIAS RESTAURANT in Fellsmere, FL has 18 inspections on record with 127 total violations (7.1 per inspection) and 0 emergency closures.

18Inspections

127Violations

0Closures

Data current as of February 6, 2025

Inspection History (18)

Feb 6, 2025 — Routine - Food· 7 violations (2 high priority)· Inspection Completed - No Further Action

High Priority Violations

V02 Employee health policy

V08 Proper hand/arm washing

V10 Approved food source

V12 Shell stock requirements

Basic Violations

V53 Outer openings protected

Aug 30, 2024 — Routine - Food· 4 violations · Inspection Completed - No Further Action

High Priority Violations

V10 Approved food source

V23 Chemical properly stored

Intermediate Violations

V31 Clean multi-use utensils

V36 Proper ventilation

Jan 12, 2024 — Routine - Food· 9 violations (2 high priority)· Inspection Completed - No Further Action

High Priority Violations

V08 Proper hand/arm washing

V14 Food contact surfaces

V21 Time as control

V23 Chemical properly stored

Intermediate Violations

V31 Clean multi-use utensils

V36 Proper ventilation

Sep 22, 2023 — Routine - Food· 0 violations · Call Back - Complied

No violations recorded for this inspection.

Jul 14, 2023 — Routine - Food· 6 violations (1 high priority)· Warning Issued

Mar 15, 2023 — Routine - Food· 7 violations (1 high priority)· Inspection Completed - No Further Action

High Priority Violations

V03 Employee health reporting

V11 Food in good condition

V22 Consumer advisory

Intermediate Violations

V36 Proper ventilation

Basic Violations

V53 Outer openings protected

Sep 20, 2022 — Routine - Food· 11 violations (2 high priority)· Inspection Completed - No Further Action

High Priority Violations

V02 Employee health policy

V08 Proper hand/arm washing

V09 No contamination

V12 Shell stock requirements

V14 Food contact surfaces

V16 Proper cooking temps

Intermediate Violations

V29 Proper sewage disposal

V32 Proper sanitizing

V33 Proper cooling equipment

Basic Violations

V50 Adequate lighting

Apr 1, 2022 — Routine - Food· 10 violations (3 high priority)· Inspection Completed - No Further Action

High Priority Violations

V03 Employee health reporting

V08 Proper hand/arm washing

V21 Time as control

V22 Consumer advisory

V23 Chemical properly stored

Intermediate Violations

V36 Proper ventilation

Basic Violations

V51 Premises clean

V53 Outer openings protected

Nov 12, 2021 — Routine - Food· 12 violations (3 high priority)· Inspection Completed - No Further Action

High Priority Violations

V01 Management awareness

V02 Employee health policy

V03 Employee health reporting

V06 Handwashing facilities

V08 Proper hand/arm washing

V12 Shell stock requirements

V14 Food contact surfaces

V22 Consumer advisory

V24 Toxic substance control

Intermediate Violations

V33 Proper cooling equipment

V36 Proper ventilation

Mar 19, 2021 — Routine - Food· 7 violations (2 high priority)· Inspection Completed - No Further Action

High Priority Violations

V02 Employee health policy

V08 Proper hand/arm washing

Intermediate Violations

V31 Clean multi-use utensils

V33 Proper cooling equipment

Nov 24, 2020 — Routine - Food· 6 violations · Inspection Completed - No Further Action

High Priority Violations

V02 Employee health policy

V12 Shell stock requirements

V24 Toxic substance control

V25 Allergen awareness

Intermediate Violations

V29 Proper sewage disposal

V31 Clean multi-use utensils

Jan 17, 2020 — Routine - Food· 11 violations (1 high priority)· Inspection Completed - No Further Action

High Priority Violations

V02 Employee health policy

V08 Proper hand/arm washing

V14 Food contact surfaces

V16 Proper cooking temps

V21 Time as control

V24 Toxic substance control

Intermediate Violations

V31 Clean multi-use utensils

V36 Proper ventilation

Sep 23, 2019 — Routine - Food· 13 violations (4 high priority)· Inspection Completed - No Further Action

High Priority Violations

V01 Management awareness

V08 Proper hand/arm washing

V12 Shell stock requirements

V14 Food contact surfaces

V16 Proper cooking temps

V21 Time as control

V22 Consumer advisory

V23 Chemical properly stored

V24 Toxic substance control

Intermediate Violations

V35 Single-use items

V36 Proper ventilation

Mar 29, 2019 — Routine - Food· 2 violations · Inspection Completed - No Further Action

Intermediate Violations

V36 Proper ventilation

Aug 17, 2018 — Routine - Food· 7 violations (1 high priority)· Inspection Completed - No Further Action

High Priority Violations

V02 Employee health policy

V08 Proper hand/arm washing

V12 Shell stock requirements

V24 Toxic substance control

Intermediate Violations

V31 Clean multi-use utensils

V41 Toilet facilities

Basic Violations

V51 Premises clean

Feb 16, 2018 — Routine - Food· 1 violations · Call Back - Complied

High Priority Violations

V16 Proper cooking temps

Feb 14, 2018 — Routine - Food· 13 violations (1 high priority)· Warning Issued

High Priority Violations

V02 Employee health policy

V03 Employee health reporting

V08 Proper hand/arm washing

V14 Food contact surfaces

V16 Proper cooking temps

V21 Time as control

V24 Toxic substance control

Intermediate Violations

V29 Proper sewage disposal

V31 Clean multi-use utensils

V32 Proper sanitizing

V41 Toilet facilities

Basic Violations

V53 Outer openings protected

Nov 14, 2017 — Food-Licensing Inspection· 1 violations · Inspection Completed - No Further Action

High Priority Violations

V14 Food contact surfaces

How Does This Facility Compare?

LAS TAPATIAS RESTAURANT has had 0 emergency closures, compared to the Indian River County average of 0.10 closures per facility. It has averaged 7.1 violations per inspection vs. the county average of 4.97.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many health inspections has LAS TAPATIAS RESTAURANT had?: LAS TAPATIAS RESTAURANT has had 18 inspections according to Florida DBPR records.
Has LAS TAPATIAS RESTAURANT ever been shut down?: No, LAS TAPATIAS RESTAURANT has no emergency closures on record.
What are the most common violations at LAS TAPATIAS RESTAURANT?: The most frequently cited violations at LAS TAPATIAS RESTAURANT are: Proper hand/arm washing, Employee health policy, Clean multi-use utensils.

Nearby Establishments

LA CASA DE LAS PUPUSAS #2, LLC

69 N WILLOW ST STE A, Fellsmere

23 inspections · 161 violations · 1 closures

Last inspected: Jun 5, 2025

GIUSEPPES ITALIAN RESTAURANT FELLSMERE

4 S.BAY STREET, Fellsmere

19 inspections · 136 violations

Last inspected: Dec 19, 2024

MARSH LANDING RESTAURANT INC

44 N BROADWAY ST, Fellsmere

24 inspections · 241 violations

Last inspected: Jun 5, 2025

WILLY'S BAR & GRILL LLC

130 N BROADWAY ST, Fellsmere

16 inspections · 74 violations

Last inspected: Oct 2, 2024

Editorial Standards & Data Oversight

Data Source: This report is based on official public inspection records from the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) and the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS).

Editorial Process: Content generated using AI to synthesize complex regulatory data, then reviewed and verified for accuracy by our editorial team.

Professional Review: All content undergoes standards and compliance oversight by Christopher F. Nesbitt, Sr., Nationally Registered EMT & BU-trained Paralegal, using professional regulatory data auditing protocols.

Last verified: February 6, 2025 | Our methodology | Editorial standards | Report an error

This page is maintained by FloridaFoodSafety.org and is not affiliated with LAS TAPATIAS RESTAURANT.