How many health inspections has KAHWA HOOKAH LOUNGE had?

KAHWA HOOKAH LOUNGE has had 22 inspections according to Florida DBPR records.

Has KAHWA HOOKAH LOUNGE ever been shut down?

Yes, KAHWA HOOKAH LOUNGE has been shut down 1 time by state inspectors.

What are the most common violations at KAHWA HOOKAH LOUNGE?

The most frequently cited violations at KAHWA HOOKAH LOUNGE are: Food contact surfaces, Employee health policy, Proper ventilation.

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.

What does Florida violation V23 (Chemical properly stored) mean?

CHEMICAL POISONING: Improperly stored chemicals near food can cause acute poisoning through contamination, mislabeling, or accidental use. Sanitizer concentrate causes chemical burns to mouth and esophagus. Pesticides cause neurological damage. Degreaser ingestion requires emergency treatment. Cross-contamination from chemical storage areas can affect all food in facility. Store ALL chemicals: below food and food contact surfaces, in original labeled containers, separated from food storage areas, in designated chemical storage area. Never store chemicals in food containers. Maintain Safety Data Sheets (SDS) for all chemicals. Train employees on proper chemical handling, storage, and emergency procedures.

What does Florida violation V29 (Proper sewage disposal) mean?

SEWAGE EXPOSURE: Improper sewage disposal creates risk of fecal contamination throughout the facility. Raw sewage contains billions of pathogens per liter including Norovirus, Hepatitis A, pathogenic E. coli, Campylobacter, and parasites. Sewage backup in food areas requires immediate closure and extensive decontamination. Groundwater contamination affects entire communities. All sewage and waste water must be disposed through approved sanitary sewer or private system. No direct connections between sewage lines and water supply. Grease traps must be maintained and cleaned regularly. Floor drains must function properly. Report sewage backups immediately and cease food operations until resolved.

KAHWA HOOKAH LOUNGE

4019 E BUSCH BLVD, Tampa, FL 33617

Hillsborough County · Permanent Food Service · Owner: KAHWA HOOKAH LOUNGE LLC · License: SEA3917685

KAHWA HOOKAH LOUNGE in Tampa, FL has 22 inspections on record with 126 total violations (5.7 per inspection) and 1 emergency closure.

22Inspections

126Violations

1Closures

Data current as of March 31, 2025

Emergency Closures (1)

Emergency closure history for KAHWA HOOKAH LOUNGE
Date	Reason	Reopened
Sep 12, 2018	Roach activity	13:15:00

Inspection History (22)

Mar 31, 2025 — Routine - Food· 6 violations · Call Back - Complied

Jan 28, 2025 — Routine - Food· 8 violations · Warning Issued

High Priority Violations

V14 Food contact surfaces

V23 Chemical properly stored

Intermediate Violations

V29 Proper sewage disposal

V36 Proper ventilation

Basic Violations

V50 Adequate lighting

V51 Premises clean

V53 Outer openings protected

Dec 18, 2023 — Food-Licensing Inspection· 0 violations · Inspection Completed - No Further Action

No violations recorded for this inspection.

Nov 30, 2023 — Routine - Food· 9 violations (1 high priority)· Administrative complaint recommended

High Priority Violations

V02 Employee health policy

V08 Proper hand/arm washing

V11 Food in good condition

V14 Food contact surfaces

Basic Violations

V50 Adequate lighting

V53 Outer openings protected

Aug 23, 2023 — Routine - Food· 6 violations (1 high priority)· Call Back - Admin. complaint recommended

High Priority Violations

V11 Food in good condition

Basic Violations

V50 Adequate lighting

V51 Premises clean

V53 Outer openings protected

Jun 20, 2023 — Routine - Food· 8 violations (1 high priority)· Administrative complaint recommended

High Priority Violations

V11 Food in good condition

Basic Violations

V50 Adequate lighting

V51 Premises clean

V53 Outer openings protected

V54 License display

Jan 24, 2023 — Routine - Food· 4 violations · Inspection Completed - No Further Action

High Priority Violations

V02 Employee health policy

V14 Food contact surfaces

Intermediate Violations

V31 Clean multi-use utensils

Basic Violations

V50 Adequate lighting

Apr 21, 2022 — Food-Licensing Inspection· 7 violations (2 high priority)· Inspection Completed - No Further Action

High Priority Violations

V02 Employee health policy

V03 Employee health reporting

V08 Proper hand/arm washing

Intermediate Violations

V36 Proper ventilation

V38 Waste properly disposed

V42 Equipment condition

Feb 17, 2022 — Routine - Food· 5 violations (1 high priority)· Call Back - Admin. complaint recommended

High Priority Violations

V02 Employee health policy

V08 Proper hand/arm washing

V14 Food contact surfaces

Intermediate Violations

V31 Clean multi-use utensils

Basic Violations

V53 Outer openings protected

Dec 16, 2021 — Routine - Food· 9 violations (2 high priority)· Warning Issued

High Priority Violations

V02 Employee health policy

V06 Handwashing facilities

V08 Proper hand/arm washing

V14 Food contact surfaces

V23 Chemical properly stored

Intermediate Violations

V31 Clean multi-use utensils

V42 Equipment condition

Basic Violations

V53 Outer openings protected

Jul 20, 2021 — Routine - Food· 2 violations · Call Back - Complied

High Priority Violations

V14 Food contact surfaces

Intermediate Violations

V36 Proper ventilation

May 20, 2021 — Routine - Food· 8 violations · Warning Issued

High Priority Violations

V02 Employee health policy

V14 Food contact surfaces

V16 Proper cooking temps

V22 Consumer advisory

Intermediate Violations

V31 Clean multi-use utensils

V36 Proper ventilation

Basic Violations

V53 Outer openings protected

Mar 19, 2020 — Routine - Food· 4 violations · Inspection Completed - No Further Action

High Priority Violations

V14 Food contact surfaces

Intermediate Violations

V31 Clean multi-use utensils

Feb 13, 2019 — Routine - Food· 0 violations · Admin. Complaint Callback Complied

No violations recorded for this inspection.

Sep 28, 2018 — Routine - Food· 0 violations · Call Back - Complied

No violations recorded for this inspection.

Sep 27, 2018 — Routine - Food· 6 violations (1 high priority)· Warning Issued

High Priority Violations

V14 Food contact surfaces

V23 Chemical properly stored

V25 Allergen awareness

Intermediate Violations

V31 Clean multi-use utensils

V35 Single-use items

Sep 13, 2018 — Routine - Food· 0 violations · Emergency Order Callback Complied

No violations recorded for this inspection.

Sep 12, 2018 — Routine - Food· 8 violations (1 high priority)· Emergency order recommended

High Priority Violations

V14 Food contact surfaces

V22 Consumer advisory

V23 Chemical properly stored

Intermediate Violations

V33 Proper cooling equipment

V35 Single-use items

V36 Proper ventilation

Aug 29, 2017 — Routine - Food· 6 violations · Inspection Completed - No Further Action

High Priority Violations

V02 Employee health policy

Intermediate Violations

V36 Proper ventilation

Aug 29, 2017 — Routine - Food· 7 violations · Call Back - Complied

High Priority Violations

V02 Employee health policy

Intermediate Violations

V36 Proper ventilation

Jun 28, 2017 — Routine - Food· 9 violations · Call Back - Extension given, pending

High Priority Violations

V02 Employee health policy

Intermediate Violations

V36 Proper ventilation

Basic Violations

V53 Outer openings protected

Jun 26, 2017 — Routine - Food· 14 violations (1 high priority)· Warning Issued

High Priority Violations

V02 Employee health policy

V13 Parasite destruction

V24 Toxic substance control

Intermediate Violations

V31 Clean multi-use utensils

V35 Single-use items

V36 Proper ventilation

Basic Violations

V53 Outer openings protected

How Does This Facility Compare?

KAHWA HOOKAH LOUNGE has had 1 emergency closures, compared to the Hillsborough County average of 0.16 closures per facility. It has averaged 5.7 violations per inspection vs. the county average of 3.43.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many health inspections has KAHWA HOOKAH LOUNGE had?: KAHWA HOOKAH LOUNGE has had 22 inspections according to Florida DBPR records.
Has KAHWA HOOKAH LOUNGE ever been shut down?: Yes, KAHWA HOOKAH LOUNGE has been shut down 1 time by state inspectors.
What are the most common violations at KAHWA HOOKAH LOUNGE?: The most frequently cited violations at KAHWA HOOKAH LOUNGE are: Food contact surfaces, Employee health policy, Proper ventilation.

Nearby Establishments

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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.

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: March 31, 2025 | Our methodology | Editorial standards | Report an error

This page is maintained by FloridaFoodSafety.org and is not affiliated with KAHWA HOOKAH LOUNGE.