How many health inspections has MR. EMPANADA had?

MR. EMPANADA has had 23 inspections according to Florida DBPR records.

Has MR. EMPANADA ever been shut down?

No, MR. EMPANADA has no emergency closures on record.

What are the most common violations at MR. EMPANADA?

The most frequently cited violations at MR. EMPANADA are: Consumer advisory, Outer openings protected, Clean multi-use utensils.

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 V13 (Parasite destruction) mean?

PARASITE SURVIVAL: Without proper freezing or cooking, parasites in fish (Anisakis, tapeworm), pork (Trichinella), and wild game survive to infect consumers. Anisakis larvae in raw sushi cause severe abdominal pain and allergic reactions. Tapeworm cysts in undercooked pork/beef grow into 15-30 foot worms in intestines. Proper freezing (-4°F for 7 days) kills parasites. Fish intended for raw consumption (sushi, sashimi, ceviche, tartare) must be frozen to -4°F for 7 days, or -31°F for 15 hours before service. Exception: tuna species and aquacultured fish fed processed feed. Pork and wild game must reach minimum internal cooking temperature. Document all freezing records.

What does Florida violation V14 (Food contact surfaces) mean?

CROSS-CONTAMINATION: Improperly cleaned food contact surfaces are a primary vehicle for bacterial transfer. Cutting boards can harbor 200x more fecal bacteria than a toilet seat. Biofilms form on surfaces within 24 hours, protecting Listeria, Salmonella, and E. coli from routine cleaning. One contaminated surface can transfer pathogens to dozens of food items throughout the day. Clean and sanitize ALL food contact surfaces: after each use, between different food types (especially raw meat to ready-to-eat), every 4 hours during continuous use, and when contaminated. Use proper sanitizer concentration: chlorine 50-100 ppm, quaternary ammonium 200-400 ppm. Air dry — do not towel dry. Test sanitizer concentration every 2 hours.

MR. EMPANADA

17693 N DALE MABRY HWY, Lutz, FL 33548

Hillsborough County · Permanent Food Service · Owner: SM RESTAURANT GROUP LLC · License: SEA3916691

MR. EMPANADA in Lutz, FL has 23 inspections on record with 138 total violations (6 per inspection) and 0 emergency closures.

23Inspections

138Violations

0Closures

Data current as of June 2, 2025

Inspection History (23)

Jun 2, 2025 — Routine - Food· 7 violations · Inspection Completed - No Further Action

High Priority Violations

V08 Proper hand/arm washing

V13 Parasite destruction

V14 Food contact surfaces

V23 Chemical properly stored

Intermediate Violations

V31 Clean multi-use utensils

V36 Proper ventilation

V38 Waste properly disposed

Jan 15, 2025 — Food-Licensing Inspection· 0 violations · Inspection Completed - No Further Action

No violations recorded for this inspection.

Jan 10, 2025 — Routine - Food· 10 violations (1 high priority)· Inspection Completed - No Further Action

Jun 13, 2024 — Routine - Food· 0 violations · Call Back - Complied

No violations recorded for this inspection.

Apr 12, 2024 — Routine - Food· 2 violations · Warning Issued

Basic Violations

V53 Outer openings protected

Feb 26, 2024 — Routine - Food· 4 violations · Administrative complaint recommended

High Priority Violations

V22 Consumer advisory

Basic Violations

V53 Outer openings protected

Dec 14, 2023 — Routine - Food· 23 violations (4 high priority)· Administrative complaint recommended

High Priority Violations

V01 Management awareness

V03 Employee health reporting

V08 Proper hand/arm washing

V11 Food in good condition

V12 Shell stock requirements

V13 Parasite destruction

V14 Food contact surfaces

V22 Consumer advisory

V25 Allergen awareness

Intermediate Violations

V31 Clean multi-use utensils

V36 Proper ventilation

V40 Wiping cloths usage

Basic Violations

V50 Adequate lighting

V51 Premises clean

V53 Outer openings protected

Jul 19, 2023 — Routine - Food· 7 violations (1 high priority)· Call Back - Admin. complaint recommended

High Priority Violations

V03 Employee health reporting

V11 Food in good condition

V22 Consumer advisory

Basic Violations

V50 Adequate lighting

V53 Outer openings protected

May 15, 2023 — Routine - Food· 9 violations (2 high priority)· Warning Issued

High Priority Violations

V03 Employee health reporting

V11 Food in good condition

V22 Consumer advisory

Intermediate Violations

V31 Clean multi-use utensils

Basic Violations

V50 Adequate lighting

V53 Outer openings protected

Feb 2, 2022 — Complaint Full· 0 violations · Call Back - Complied

No violations recorded for this inspection.

Dec 2, 2021 — Complaint Full· 7 violations · Warning Issued

High Priority Violations

V02 Employee health policy

V22 Consumer advisory

V23 Chemical properly stored

Intermediate Violations

V31 Clean multi-use utensils

Basic Violations

V53 Outer openings protected

Oct 20, 2021 — Routine - Food· 0 violations · Call Back - Complied

No violations recorded for this inspection.

Oct 19, 2021 — Routine - Food· 3 violations (2 high priority)· Warning Issued

High Priority Violations

V01 Management awareness

V03 Employee health reporting

V27 Correct procedures

Sep 24, 2020 — Routine - Food· 0 violations · Call Back - Complied

No violations recorded for this inspection.

Jul 23, 2020 — Routine - Food· 4 violations (1 high priority)· Warning Issued

High Priority Violations

V08 Proper hand/arm washing

Intermediate Violations

V31 Clean multi-use utensils

Basic Violations

V53 Outer openings protected

Sep 20, 2019 — Routine - Food· 4 violations (1 high priority)· Inspection Completed - No Further Action

High Priority Violations

V14 Food contact surfaces

V23 Chemical properly stored

Intermediate Violations

V36 Proper ventilation

V42 Equipment condition

Jun 7, 2019 — Routine - Food· 0 violations · Call Back - Complied

No violations recorded for this inspection.

May 7, 2019 — Routine - Food· 1 violations · Call Back - Extension given, pending

Basic Violations

V53 Outer openings protected

Mar 6, 2019 — Routine - Food· 9 violations · Warning Issued

High Priority Violations

V13 Parasite destruction

V21 Time as control

V22 Consumer advisory

V23 Chemical properly stored

Intermediate Violations

V36 Proper ventilation

V42 Equipment condition

Basic Violations

V51 Premises clean

V53 Outer openings protected

Oct 13, 2017 — Routine - Food· 12 violations · Inspection Completed - No Further Action

High Priority Violations

V02 Employee health policy

V14 Food contact surfaces

V16 Proper cooking temps

V21 Time as control

V22 Consumer advisory

V23 Chemical properly stored

Intermediate Violations

V31 Clean multi-use utensils

V32 Proper sanitizing

V36 Proper ventilation

Basic Violations

V51 Premises clean

Mar 27, 2017 — Routine - Food· 6 violations · Call Back - Complied

High Priority Violations

V14 Food contact surfaces

V23 Chemical properly stored

Intermediate Violations

V36 Proper ventilation

Basic Violations

V51 Premises clean

Mar 10, 2017 — Routine - Food· 14 violations (3 high priority)· Warning Issued

High Priority Violations

V01 Management awareness

V02 Employee health policy

V03 Employee health reporting

V14 Food contact surfaces

V21 Time as control

V22 Consumer advisory

V23 Chemical properly stored

Intermediate Violations

V31 Clean multi-use utensils

V36 Proper ventilation

Basic Violations

V50 Adequate lighting

V51 Premises clean

Oct 11, 2016 — Routine - Food· 16 violations (1 high priority)· Inspection Completed - No Further Action

High Priority Violations

V02 Employee health policy

V03 Employee health reporting

V05 Handwashing procedures

V08 Proper hand/arm washing

V10 Approved food source

V14 Food contact surfaces

V22 Consumer advisory

V23 Chemical properly stored

Intermediate Violations

V31 Clean multi-use utensils

V32 Proper sanitizing

V36 Proper ventilation

Basic Violations

V51 Premises clean

How Does This Facility Compare?

MR. EMPANADA has had 0 emergency closures, compared to the Hillsborough County average of 0.16 closures per facility. It has averaged 6 violations per inspection vs. the county average of 3.43.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many health inspections has MR. EMPANADA had?: MR. EMPANADA has had 23 inspections according to Florida DBPR records.
Has MR. EMPANADA ever been shut down?: No, MR. EMPANADA has no emergency closures on record.
What are the most common violations at MR. EMPANADA?: The most frequently cited violations at MR. EMPANADA are: Consumer advisory, Outer openings protected, Clean multi-use utensils.

Nearby Establishments

CALUSA PIZZA AND CRAFT

17695 N DALE MABRY HWY, Lutz

25 inspections · 131 violations

Last inspected: Feb 3, 2025

HOUSE OF BREWS

17683 N DALE MABRY HWY, Lutz

25 inspections · 126 violations

Last inspected: Jun 6, 2025

UMAMI SUSHI

17677 N DALE MABRY HWY, Lutz

29 inspections · 274 violations

Last inspected: Jun 12, 2025

THAI CHILLI PEPPER LUTZ

17669 N DALE MABRY HWY, Lutz

41 inspections · 521 violations · 1 closures

Last inspected: Jun 2, 2025

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: June 2, 2025 | Our methodology | Editorial standards | Report an error

This page is maintained by FloridaFoodSafety.org and is not affiliated with MR. EMPANADA.