How many health inspections has NICO'S AREPAS GRILL RESTAURANT had?

NICO'S AREPAS GRILL RESTAURANT has had 21 inspections according to Florida DBPR records.

Has NICO'S AREPAS GRILL RESTAURANT ever been shut down?

No, NICO'S AREPAS GRILL RESTAURANT has no emergency closures on record.

What are the most common violations at NICO'S AREPAS GRILL RESTAURANT?

The most frequently cited violations at NICO'S AREPAS GRILL RESTAURANT are: Food contact surfaces, Proper ventilation, Employee health policy.

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 V12 (Shell stock requirements) mean?

SHELLFISH TRACEABILITY: Shellfish (oysters, clams, mussels) are high-risk foods consumed raw or lightly cooked. Without proper identification tags, contaminated shellfish cannot be traced during outbreaks. Vibrio vulnificus from Gulf shellfish has a 50% fatality rate in at-risk populations. Norovirus in shellfish causes 50% of shellfish-related illnesses. Proper tags enable rapid recall during outbreaks. Maintain shellfish tags for 90 days from date of sale/service. Tags must include: harvester name and certification number, harvest date and location, quantity, dealer information. Store shellfish in original tagged container until empty. Record date on each container when last shell is removed. Never commingle shellfish from different lots.

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.

NICO'S AREPAS GRILL RESTAURANT

8303 N ARMENIA AVE STE B, Tampa, FL 33604

Hillsborough County · Permanent Food Service · Owner: CASTILLO, ADRIAN · License: SEA3917635

NICO'S AREPAS GRILL RESTAURANT in Tampa, FL has 21 inspections on record with 163 total violations (7.8 per inspection) and 0 emergency closures.

21Inspections

163Violations

0Closures

Data current as of February 13, 2025

Inspection History (21)

Feb 13, 2025 — Routine - Food· 5 violations (2 high priority)· Inspection Completed - No Further Action

Aug 23, 2024 — Routine - Food· 7 violations · Inspection Completed - No Further Action

High Priority Violations

V11 Food in good condition

V12 Shell stock requirements

V14 Food contact surfaces

V23 Chemical properly stored

Intermediate Violations

V36 Proper ventilation

Basic Violations

V50 Adequate lighting

V51 Premises clean

Mar 18, 2024 — Routine - Food· 7 violations (1 high priority)· Inspection Completed - No Further Action

High Priority Violations

V08 Proper hand/arm washing

V12 Shell stock requirements

V14 Food contact surfaces

V23 Chemical properly stored

Intermediate Violations

V42 Equipment condition

Sep 26, 2023 — Routine - Food· 6 violations · Inspection Completed - No Further Action

High Priority Violations

V11 Food in good condition

V14 Food contact surfaces

Intermediate Violations

V36 Proper ventilation

V42 Equipment condition

May 2, 2023 — Routine - Food· 8 violations · Inspection Completed - No Further Action

High Priority Violations

V02 Employee health policy

V14 Food contact surfaces

V21 Time as control

V22 Consumer advisory

Intermediate Violations

V31 Clean multi-use utensils

V36 Proper ventilation

V42 Equipment condition

Basic Violations

V51 Premises clean

Nov 28, 2022 — Routine - Food· 5 violations · Inspection Completed - No Further Action

High Priority Violations

V02 Employee health policy

V12 Shell stock requirements

V14 Food contact surfaces

Intermediate Violations

V31 Clean multi-use utensils

V36 Proper ventilation

Apr 8, 2022 — Routine - Food· 4 violations · Inspection Completed - No Further Action

High Priority Violations

V02 Employee health policy

V14 Food contact surfaces

V21 Time as control

Intermediate Violations

V36 Proper ventilation

Dec 22, 2021 — Routine - Food· 7 violations (1 high priority)· Inspection Completed - No Further Action

High Priority Violations

V08 Proper hand/arm washing

V12 Shell stock requirements

V14 Food contact surfaces

V25 Allergen awareness

Intermediate Violations

V36 Proper ventilation

V42 Equipment condition

Dec 16, 2020 — Routine - Food· 9 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

V21 Time as control

Intermediate Violations

V40 Wiping cloths usage

V41 Toilet facilities

Basic Violations

V51 Premises clean

Jul 29, 2020 — Routine - Food· 5 violations (2 high priority)· Inspection Completed - No Further Action

High Priority Violations

V08 Proper hand/arm washing

V12 Shell stock requirements

Intermediate Violations

V33 Proper cooling equipment

V41 Toilet facilities

Mar 17, 2020 — Routine - Food· 4 violations (2 high priority)· Inspection Completed - No Further Action

High Priority Violations

V03 Employee health reporting

V08 Proper hand/arm washing

V10 Approved food source

Intermediate Violations

V29 Proper sewage disposal

Nov 5, 2019 — Routine - Food· 7 violations · Inspection Completed - No Further Action

High Priority Violations

V08 Proper hand/arm washing

V14 Food contact surfaces

V21 Time as control

V22 Consumer advisory

V25 Allergen awareness

Feb 5, 2019 — Routine - Food· 14 violations (5 high priority)· Inspection Completed - No Further Action

High Priority Violations

V01 Management awareness

V02 Employee health policy

V03 Employee health reporting

V08 Proper hand/arm washing

V10 Approved food source

V14 Food contact surfaces

V21 Time as control

V22 Consumer advisory

Intermediate Violations

V36 Proper ventilation

V41 Toilet facilities

Basic Violations

V51 Premises clean

V53 Outer openings protected

Nov 9, 2018 — Routine - Food· 8 violations (1 high priority)· Inspection Completed - No Further Action

High Priority Violations

V02 Employee health policy

V03 Employee health reporting

V14 Food contact surfaces

V21 Time as control

V25 Allergen awareness

Intermediate Violations

V31 Clean multi-use utensils

V36 Proper ventilation

May 29, 2018 — Routine - Food· 10 violations (3 high priority)· Inspection Completed - No Further Action

High Priority Violations

V02 Employee health policy

V03 Employee health reporting

V06 Handwashing facilities

V08 Proper hand/arm washing

V10 Approved food source

V14 Food contact surfaces

V21 Time as control

V22 Consumer advisory

V23 Chemical properly stored

Intermediate Violations

V31 Clean multi-use utensils

V41 Toilet facilities

Dec 11, 2017 — Routine - Food· 11 violations · Inspection Completed - No Further Action

High Priority Violations

V10 Approved food source

V14 Food contact surfaces

V21 Time as control

V22 Consumer advisory

V23 Chemical properly stored

V24 Toxic substance control

V25 Allergen awareness

Intermediate Violations

V31 Clean multi-use utensils

V40 Wiping cloths usage

V41 Toilet facilities

May 25, 2017 — Routine - Food· 1 violations · Call Back - Complied

High Priority Violations

V25 Allergen awareness

May 24, 2017 — Routine - Food· 2 violations (1 high priority)· Call Back - Extension given, pending

High Priority Violations

V03 Employee health reporting

V25 Allergen awareness

May 17, 2017 — Routine - Food· 25 violations (6 high priority)· Warning Issued

High Priority Violations

V02 Employee health policy

V03 Employee health reporting

V05 Handwashing procedures

V10 Approved food source

V12 Shell stock requirements

V13 Parasite destruction

V14 Food contact surfaces

V16 Proper cooking temps

V21 Time as control

V22 Consumer advisory

V24 Toxic substance control

V25 Allergen awareness

Intermediate Violations

V31 Clean multi-use utensils

V36 Proper ventilation

V40 Wiping cloths usage

V41 Toilet facilities

V42 Equipment condition

Basic Violations

V48 Food storage

V51 Premises clean

V53 Outer openings protected

Nov 7, 2016 — Routine - Food· 13 violations (3 high priority)· Inspection Completed - No Further Action

High Priority Violations

V02 Employee health policy

V03 Employee health reporting

V08 Proper hand/arm washing

V10 Approved food source

V12 Shell stock requirements

V14 Food contact surfaces

V23 Chemical properly stored

V25 Allergen awareness

Intermediate Violations

V41 Toilet facilities

Basic Violations

V51 Premises clean

Jul 1, 2016 — Routine - Food· 5 violations · Call Back - Complied

High Priority Violations

V02 Employee health policy

V10 Approved food source

Intermediate Violations

V36 Proper ventilation

Basic Violations

V51 Premises clean

How Does This Facility Compare?

NICO'S AREPAS GRILL RESTAURANT has had 0 emergency closures, compared to the Hillsborough County average of 0.16 closures per facility. It has averaged 7.8 violations per inspection vs. the county average of 3.43.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many health inspections has NICO'S AREPAS GRILL RESTAURANT had?: NICO'S AREPAS GRILL RESTAURANT has had 21 inspections according to Florida DBPR records.
Has NICO'S AREPAS GRILL RESTAURANT ever been shut down?: No, NICO'S AREPAS GRILL RESTAURANT has no emergency closures on record.
What are the most common violations at NICO'S AREPAS GRILL RESTAURANT?: The most frequently cited violations at NICO'S AREPAS GRILL RESTAURANT are: Food contact surfaces, Proper ventilation, Employee health policy.

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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: February 13, 2025 | Our methodology | Editorial standards | Report an error

This page is maintained by FloridaFoodSafety.org and is not affiliated with NICO'S AREPAS GRILL RESTAURANT.