Independent in Tampa
Last inspected:
5016 N Florida Ave, Tampa, FL 33603This permanent food service establishment in Tampa has been inspected 24 times since 2016, accumulating 126 violations—averaging 5.3 violations per inspection, consistent with the Florida statewide average of 5.2. The facility has experienced no emergency closures. Fire safety violations were documented in three inspections between February and October 2023, all citing use of cooking equipment producing grease-laden vapors with no hood suppression system installed. High-priority violations have included shell stock requirements (cited in multiple inspections), employee health reporting, food contact surfaces, and parasite destruction. The most recent inspection on October 15, 2025 identified six violations—all basic-level consumer advisory and toxic substance control issues—and was completed with no further action required.
Summary generated from Florida DBPR public inspection records.
Independent in Tampa: Comparison to Hillsborough County Averages
This Facility
5.1
violations / inspection
5.1 violations per inspection
Hillsborough County Avg
5.75
violations / inspection
5.75 county average
This Facility
0
emergency closures
0 closures
Hillsborough County Avg
0.25
closures / facility
0.25 county average
Independent in Tampa: Fire Safety & Life Safety Violations (5)
— 4 fire violations
— Routine - Food · 45-04-4 · Inspection Completed - No Further Action
Inspector Observation: Use of cooking equipment producing grease laden vapors/smoke with no hood suppression system installed. Notified Fire AHJ. For reporting purposes only. **Repeat Violation**
Legal Basis: Reporting: (d) The division, or its agent, shall notify the local firesafety authority or the State Fire Marshal of any readily observable violation of a rule adopted under chapter 633 which relates to public lodging establishments or public food establishments, and the identification of such violation does not require any firesafety inspection certification. For reporting purposes only.
— Routine - Food · 45-04-4 · Call Back - Complied
Inspector Observation: - From initial inspection : Use of cooking equipment producing grease laden vapors/smoke with no hood suppression system installed. Notified Fire AHJ. For reporting purposes only. **Repeat Violation** - From follow-up inspection 2023-02-07: **Time Extended** - From follow-up inspection 2023-04-11: **Time Extended**
Legal Basis: Reporting: (d) The division, or its agent, shall notify the local firesafety authority or the State Fire Marshal of any readily observable violation of a rule adopted under chapter 633 which relates to public lodging establishments or public food establishments, and the identification of such violation does not require any firesafety inspection certification. For reporting purposes only.
— Routine - Food · 45-04-4 · Call Back - Extension given, pending
Inspector Observation: - From initial inspection : Use of cooking equipment producing grease laden vapors/smoke with no hood suppression system installed. Notified Fire AHJ. For reporting purposes only. **Repeat Violation** - From follow-up inspection 2023-02-07: **Time Extended**
Legal Basis: Reporting: (d) The division, or its agent, shall notify the local firesafety authority or the State Fire Marshal of any readily observable violation of a rule adopted under chapter 633 which relates to public lodging establishments or public food establishments, and the identification of such violation does not require any firesafety inspection certification. For reporting purposes only.
— Routine - Food · 45-04-4 · Warning Issued
Inspector Observation: Use of cooking equipment producing grease laden vapors/smoke with no hood suppression system installed. Notified Fire AHJ. For reporting purposes only. **Repeat Violation**
Legal Basis: Reporting: (d) The division, or its agent, shall notify the local firesafety authority or the State Fire Marshal of any readily observable violation of a rule adopted under chapter 633 which relates to public lodging establishments or public food establishments, and the identification of such violation does not require any firesafety inspection certification. For reporting purposes only.
— 1 fire violation
— Routine - Food · 45-04-4 · Inspection Completed - No Further Action
Inspector Observation: Use of cooking equipment producing grease laden vapors/smoke with no hood suppression system installed. Notified Fire AHJ. For reporting purposes only. Observed operator cooking pot fingers on flat top grill.
Legal Basis: Reporting: (d) The division, or its agent, shall notify the local firesafety authority or the State Fire Marshal of any readily observable violation of a rule adopted under chapter 633 which relates to public lodging establishments or public food establishments, and the identification of such violation does not require any firesafety inspection certification. For reporting purposes only.
Independent in Tampa: Full Inspection History — DBPR (25)
— 1 inspection2 violations · 1 high priority
— Routine - Food· 2 violations (1 high priority)· Inspection Completed - No Further Action
— 2 inspections3 violations · 2 high priority
— Routine - Food· 2 violations (2 high priority)· Inspection Completed - No Further Action
— Routine - Food· 1 violations · Inspection Completed - No Further Action
Intermediate Violations
— 3 inspections7 violations · 3 high priority
— Routine - Food· 4 violations (2 high priority)· Inspection Completed - No Further Action
High Priority Violations
Intermediate Violations
— Routine - Food· 0 violations · Call Back - Complied
No violations recorded for this inspection.
— Routine - Food· 3 violations (1 high priority)· Warning Issued
High Priority Violations
Intermediate Violations
Basic Violations
— 4 inspections23 violations · 8 high priority
— Routine - Food· 8 violations (4 high priority)· Inspection Completed - No Further Action
High Priority Violations
Intermediate Violations
Basic Violations
— Routine - Food· 3 violations · Call Back - Complied
Intermediate Violations
Basic Violations
— Routine - Food· 4 violations · Call Back - Extension given, pending
Intermediate Violations
Basic Violations
— Routine - Food· 8 violations (4 high priority)· Warning Issued
High Priority Violations
Intermediate Violations
Basic Violations
— 2 inspections18 violations · 9 high priority
— Routine - Food· 15 violations (9 high priority)· Inspection Completed - No Further Action
High Priority Violations
Intermediate Violations
Basic Violations
— Routine - Food· 3 violations · Inspection Completed - No Further Action
Intermediate Violations
Basic Violations
— 2 inspections9 violations · 4 high priority
— Routine - Food· 4 violations (1 high priority)· Inspection Completed - No Further Action
High Priority Violations
Intermediate Violations
— Routine - Food· 5 violations (3 high priority)· Inspection Completed - No Further Action
High Priority Violations
Intermediate Violations
Basic Violations
— 3 inspections10 violations · 8 high priority
— Routine - Food· 4 violations (2 high priority)· Inspection Completed - No Further Action
High Priority Violations
Intermediate Violations
— Routine - Food· 3 violations (3 high priority)· Inspection Completed - No Further Action
High Priority Violations
— Routine - Food· 3 violations (3 high priority)· Inspection Completed - No Further Action
— 1 inspection5 violations · 4 high priority
— Routine - Food· 5 violations (4 high priority)· Inspection Completed - No Further Action
High Priority Violations
Intermediate Violations
— 2 inspections8 violations · 6 high priority
— Routine - Food· 4 violations (3 high priority)· Inspection Completed - No Further Action
High Priority Violations
Intermediate Violations
— Routine - Food· 4 violations (3 high priority)· Inspection Completed - No Further Action
High Priority Violations
Intermediate Violations
— 4 inspections27 violations · 14 high priority
— Routine - Food· 3 violations (1 high priority)· Call Back - Admin. complaint recommended
High Priority Violations
Intermediate Violations
Basic Violations
— Routine - Food· 3 violations (1 high priority)· Call Back - Extension given, pending
High Priority Violations
Intermediate Violations
Basic Violations
— Routine - Food· 11 violations (5 high priority)· Warning Issued
High Priority Violations
Intermediate Violations
Basic Violations
— Routine - Food· 10 violations (7 high priority)· Inspection Completed - No Further Action
High Priority Violations
Intermediate Violations
— 1 inspection5 violations · 3 high priority
— Routine - Food· 5 violations (3 high priority)· Inspection Completed - No Further Action
High Priority Violations
Intermediate Violations
Independent in Tampa: Frequently Asked Questions
- When was Independent in Tampa last inspected?
- Independent in Tampa was last inspected by Florida DBPR on April 29, 2026. The result was: Inspection Completed - No Further Action.
- What are the most common violations at Independent in Tampa?
- The most frequently cited violations at Independent in Tampa are: Food contact surfaces, Clean multi-use utensils, Proper hand/arm washing.
- How many health inspections has Independent in Tampa had?
- Independent in Tampa has had 25 inspections on record with Florida DBPR, averaging 5.1 violations per inspection, below the statewide average of 5.2.
- What did the most recent inspection of Independent in Tampa find?
- Independent in Tampa was most recently inspected on April 29, 2026 with 2 violation(s), including 1 high-priority violation(s). Disposition: Inspection Completed - No Further Action.
- Has Independent in Tampa ever been shut down?
- No, Independent in Tampa has no emergency closures on record with Florida DBPR.
- What does Florida violation V22 (Consumer advisory) mean?
- Violation 22 (Consumer advisory) is classified as a high priority violation under Florida DBPR food safety regulations. See the full explanation at floridafoodsafety.org/violation/22.
- What does Florida violation V50 (Adequate lighting) mean?
- Violation 50 (Adequate lighting) is classified as a basic priority violation under Florida DBPR food safety regulations. See the full explanation at floridafoodsafety.org/violation/50.
- Has Independent in Tampa had any fire safety violations?
- Yes, Independent in Tampa has 5 fire safety violation(s) on record from Florida state fire inspections.
- Has Independent in Tampa operated under other names?
- Yes, this location previously operated as: The Independent (2022-2023).
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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.
Disclaimer: All data reflects official state records at time of publication. Facilities may have since corrected cited violations, resolved enforcement actions, or changed ownership.
Editor: All content reviewed and verified by Christopher F. Nesbitt, Sr., Nationally Registered EMT & BU-trained Paralegal.
This page is maintained by FloridaFoodSafety.org and is not affiliated with Independent. How we collect and verify this data.