How many health inspections has POLLO TROPICAL #217 had?

POLLO TROPICAL #217 has had 24 inspections according to Florida DBPR records.

Has POLLO TROPICAL #217 ever been shut down?

Yes, POLLO TROPICAL #217 has been shut down 2 times by state inspectors.

What are the most common violations at POLLO TROPICAL #217?

The most frequently cited violations at POLLO TROPICAL #217 are: Proper ventilation, Food contact surfaces, Clean multi-use utensils.

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 V36 (Proper ventilation) mean?

AIR QUALITY: Inadequate ventilation allows accumulation of grease-laden vapors, carbon monoxide, smoke, steam, and odors. Grease deposits on surfaces attract pests and create fire hazards. Poor ventilation promotes mold growth, which produces allergenic spores and mycotoxins. Carbon monoxide from gas equipment causes headaches, dizziness, and can be fatal at high levels. Provide adequate mechanical ventilation to remove cooking fumes, smoke, steam, and odors. Maintain hood systems with clean filters — degrease monthly. Ensure adequate makeup air to prevent negative pressure. Provide sufficient lighting: 50 foot-candles at food preparation surfaces, 20 foot-candles in equipment/utensil areas, 10 foot-candles in walk-ins and storage.

POLLO TROPICAL #217

5101 E FOWLER AVE, Tampa, FL 33617

Hillsborough County · Permanent Food Service · Owner: POLLO OPERATIONS INC · License: SEA3917969

POLLO TROPICAL #217 in Tampa, FL has 24 inspections on record with 98 total violations (4.1 per inspection) and 2 emergency closures.

24Inspections

98Violations

2Closures

Data current as of February 10, 2025

Emergency Closures (2)

Emergency closure history for POLLO TROPICAL #217
Date	Reason	Reopened
Sep 22, 2022	Sewage back up	16:47:00
Nov 16, 2018	Sewage leaks	14:39:00

Inspection History (24)

Feb 10, 2025 — Routine - Food· 2 violations · Inspection Completed - No Further Action

High Priority Violations

V14 Food contact surfaces

Intermediate Violations

V36 Proper ventilation

Sep 19, 2024 — Complaint Full· 4 violations · Inspection Completed - No Further Action

High Priority Violations

V14 Food contact surfaces

V24 Toxic substance control

Intermediate Violations

V36 Proper ventilation

Mar 26, 2024 — Routine - Food· 1 violations · Inspection Completed - No Further Action

Intermediate Violations

V36 Proper ventilation

Oct 24, 2023 — Routine - Food· 1 violations (1 high priority)· Inspection Completed - No Further Action

High Priority Violations

V12 Shell stock requirements

Dec 5, 2022 — Complaint Full· 8 violations (1 high priority)· Inspection Completed - No Further Action

High Priority Violations

V08 Proper hand/arm washing

V14 Food contact surfaces

V22 Consumer advisory

Intermediate Violations

V33 Proper cooling equipment

V36 Proper ventilation

Sep 22, 2022 — Routine - Food· 4 violations (1 high priority)· Emergency order recommended

High Priority Violations

V28 Water supply

Intermediate Violations

V36 Proper ventilation

Sep 22, 2022 — Routine - Food· 2 violations · Emergency Order Callback Complied

Intermediate Violations

V36 Proper ventilation

Sep 22, 2022 — Routine - Food· 2 violations · Call Back - Complied

Intermediate Violations

V36 Proper ventilation

Sep 21, 2022 — Routine - Food· 9 violations (2 high priority)· Warning Issued

Dec 3, 2021 — Complaint Full· 9 violations (3 high priority)· Inspection Completed - No Further Action

High Priority Violations

V02 Employee health policy

V08 Proper hand/arm washing

V12 Shell stock requirements

V22 Consumer advisory

V24 Toxic substance control

Intermediate Violations

V31 Clean multi-use utensils

V36 Proper ventilation

V41 Toilet facilities

Aug 18, 2021 — Complaint Full· 5 violations · Inspection Completed - No Further Action

High Priority Violations

V14 Food contact surfaces

V16 Proper cooking temps

V23 Chemical properly stored

V24 Toxic substance control

Intermediate Violations

V33 Proper cooling equipment

Jul 9, 2021 — Routine - Food· 7 violations (1 high priority)· Inspection Completed - No Further Action

High Priority Violations

V03 Employee health reporting

V23 Chemical properly stored

V24 Toxic substance control

Intermediate Violations

V31 Clean multi-use utensils

V33 Proper cooling equipment

V42 Equipment condition

Basic Violations

V51 Premises clean

Apr 6, 2021 — Routine - Food· 5 violations · Inspection Completed - No Further Action

High Priority Violations

V25 Allergen awareness

Intermediate Violations

V36 Proper ventilation

V41 Toilet facilities

V42 Equipment condition

Basic Violations

V50 Adequate lighting

Aug 24, 2020 — Routine - Food· 5 violations · Inspection Completed - No Further Action

High Priority Violations

V14 Food contact surfaces

V21 Time as control

V23 Chemical properly stored

Intermediate Violations

V29 Proper sewage disposal

Feb 13, 2020 — Complaint Full· 4 violations · Inspection Completed - No Further Action

High Priority Violations

V14 Food contact surfaces

Intermediate Violations

V29 Proper sewage disposal

V36 Proper ventilation

Jan 3, 2020 — Routine - Food· 3 violations · Inspection Completed - No Further Action

High Priority Violations

V14 Food contact surfaces

Intermediate Violations

V31 Clean multi-use utensils

Aug 20, 2019 — Complaint Full· 7 violations · Inspection Completed - No Further Action

High Priority Violations

V08 Proper hand/arm washing

V12 Shell stock requirements

V16 Proper cooking temps

V25 Allergen awareness

Intermediate Violations

V31 Clean multi-use utensils

V40 Wiping cloths usage

Basic Violations

V53 Outer openings protected

Jul 5, 2019 — Routine - Food· 5 violations (1 high priority)· Inspection Completed - No Further Action

High Priority Violations

V08 Proper hand/arm washing

V24 Toxic substance control

Intermediate Violations

V36 Proper ventilation

V41 Toilet facilities

Basic Violations

V53 Outer openings protected

Jan 22, 2019 — Routine - Food· 0 violations · Admin. Complaint Callback Complied

No violations recorded for this inspection.

Nov 16, 2018 — Food-Licensing Inspection· 2 violations (1 high priority)· Call Back - Extension given, pending

High Priority Violations

V14 Food contact surfaces

Intermediate Violations

V29 Proper sewage disposal

Nov 16, 2018 — Routine - Food· 3 violations (1 high priority)· Administrative complaint recommended

High Priority Violations

V08 Proper hand/arm washing

V25 Allergen awareness

V28 Water supply

Nov 16, 2018 — Food-Licensing Inspection· 1 violations · Call Back - Complied

High Priority Violations

V14 Food contact surfaces

Nov 16, 2018 — Routine - Food· 0 violations · Emergency Order Callback Complied

No violations recorded for this inspection.

Oct 12, 2018 — Food-Licensing Inspection· 9 violations (2 high priority)· Warning Issued

High Priority Violations

V05 Handwashing procedures

V14 Food contact surfaces

V27 Correct procedures

Intermediate Violations

V29 Proper sewage disposal

V31 Clean multi-use utensils

V32 Proper sanitizing

Basic Violations

V50 Adequate lighting

V51 Premises clean

How Does This Facility Compare?

POLLO TROPICAL #217 has had 2 emergency closures, compared to the Hillsborough County average of 0.16 closures per facility. It has averaged 4.1 violations per inspection vs. the county average of 3.43.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many health inspections has POLLO TROPICAL #217 had?: POLLO TROPICAL #217 has had 24 inspections according to Florida DBPR records.
Has POLLO TROPICAL #217 ever been shut down?: Yes, POLLO TROPICAL #217 has been shut down 2 times by state inspectors.
What are the most common violations at POLLO TROPICAL #217?: The most frequently cited violations at POLLO TROPICAL #217 are: Proper ventilation, Food contact surfaces, Clean multi-use utensils.

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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 10, 2025 | Our methodology | Editorial standards | Report an error

This page is maintained by FloridaFoodSafety.org and is not affiliated with POLLO TROPICAL #217.