How many health inspections has RICKS CAFE had?

RICKS CAFE has had 24 inspections according to Florida DBPR records.

Has RICKS CAFE ever been shut down?

Yes, RICKS CAFE has been shut down 2 times by state inspectors.

What are the most common violations at RICKS CAFE?

The most frequently cited violations at RICKS CAFE are: Consumer advisory, Chemical properly stored, Proper ventilation.

What does Florida violation V03 (Employee health reporting) mean?

OUTBREAK ENABLER: Food workers who fail to report illness symptoms are the #1 cause of multi-victim outbreaks. Norovirus is shed in billions of viral particles per gram of stool — as few as 18 particles cause infection. One symptomatic worker can infect hundreds of customers before detection. CDC links 70% of Norovirus outbreaks to infected food handlers. Employees must immediately report: vomiting, diarrhea, jaundice, sore throat with fever, infected wounds or boils. Must also report diagnosed illness with Salmonella Typhi, Shigella, E. coli O157:H7, Hepatitis A virus, or Norovirus. Person in charge must exclude or restrict employees per FDA Food Code guidelines.

What does Florida violation V06 (Handwashing facilities) mean?

HYGIENE INFRASTRUCTURE FAILURE: Without adequate handwashing facilities, proper hand hygiene is impossible. Studies show handwashing compliance drops to 5% when sinks are inaccessible or poorly equipped. No hot water means grease and biofilms remain on hands. No soap reduces bacterial removal from 99.9% to 25%. No towels means wet hands spread 1,000x more bacteria. Provide handwashing facilities with: hot and cold running water (minimum 100°F), soap in dispensers, single-use paper towels or air dryers, waste receptacle. Sinks must be accessible at all times — never blocked by equipment, supplies, or used for other purposes. Install handwashing signs in employee language(s).

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.

RICKS CAFE

5002 MISSION SQUARE LANE, Zephyrhills, FL 33542

Pasco County · Permanent Food Service · Owner: BETTER HOLDINGS OF ZEPHYRHILLS · License: SEA6102713

RICKS CAFE in Zephyrhills, FL has 24 inspections on record with 127 total violations (5.3 per inspection) and 2 emergency closures.

24Inspections

127Violations

2Closures

Data current as of January 27, 2025

Emergency Closures (2)

Emergency closure history for RICKS CAFE
Date	Reason	Reopened
Aug 24, 2021	Roach & fly activity	13:16:00
Nov 15, 2019	Roach activity	13:53:00

Inspection History (24)

Jan 27, 2025 — Routine - Food· 6 violations (3 high priority)· Inspection Completed - No Further Action

High Priority Violations

V03 Employee health reporting

V06 Handwashing facilities

V08 Proper hand/arm washing

V22 Consumer advisory

Aug 27, 2024 — Routine - Food· 3 violations (1 high priority)· Call Back - Complied

High Priority Violations

V12 Shell stock requirements

V22 Consumer advisory

V23 Chemical properly stored

Aug 21, 2024 — Routine - Food· 12 violations (4 high priority)· Warning Issued

High Priority Violations

V01 Management awareness

V03 Employee health reporting

V08 Proper hand/arm washing

V12 Shell stock requirements

V13 Parasite destruction

V21 Time as control

V22 Consumer advisory

V23 Chemical properly stored

V24 Toxic substance control

Intermediate Violations

V40 Wiping cloths usage

Apr 25, 2024 — Routine - Food· 4 violations · Inspection Completed - No Further Action

High Priority Violations

V14 Food contact surfaces

V22 Consumer advisory

V25 Allergen awareness

Intermediate Violations

V41 Toilet facilities

Nov 2, 2023 — Routine - Food· 5 violations (2 high priority)· Inspection Completed - No Further Action

High Priority Violations

V03 Employee health reporting

V08 Proper hand/arm washing

V21 Time as control

V22 Consumer advisory

Apr 3, 2023 — Routine - Food· 6 violations (1 high priority)· Inspection Completed - No Further Action

High Priority Violations

V08 Proper hand/arm washing

V11 Food in good condition

V12 Shell stock requirements

V24 Toxic substance control

Intermediate Violations

V33 Proper cooling equipment

V35 Single-use items

Jul 28, 2022 — Complaint Full· 3 violations (2 high priority)· Inspection Completed - No Further Action

Intermediate Violations

V35 Single-use items

Basic Violations

V50 Adequate lighting

Oct 19, 2021 — Routine - Food· 4 violations · Inspection Completed - No Further Action

High Priority Violations

V22 Consumer advisory

Intermediate Violations

V33 Proper cooling equipment

V41 Toilet facilities

Aug 25, 2021 — Routine - Food· 3 violations · Emergency Order Callback Complied

Intermediate Violations

V33 Proper cooling equipment

V36 Proper ventilation

Aug 25, 2021 — Routine - Food· 5 violations (1 high priority)· Emergency Order Callback Not Complied

High Priority Violations

V23 Chemical properly stored

Intermediate Violations

V33 Proper cooling equipment

V35 Single-use items

V36 Proper ventilation

Aug 24, 2021 — Routine - Food· 7 violations (2 high priority)· Emergency order recommended

High Priority Violations

V23 Chemical properly stored

Intermediate Violations

V33 Proper cooling equipment

V35 Single-use items

V36 Proper ventilation

Feb 1, 2021 — Routine - Food· 2 violations (1 high priority)· Inspection Completed - No Further Action

High Priority Violations

V12 Shell stock requirements

Intermediate Violations

V41 Toilet facilities

Aug 12, 2020 — Routine - Food· 7 violations (2 high priority)· Inspection Completed - No Further Action

High Priority Violations

V01 Management awareness

V02 Employee health policy

V09 No contamination

V10 Approved food source

Intermediate Violations

V31 Clean multi-use utensils

V35 Single-use items

V36 Proper ventilation

Feb 5, 2020 — Routine - Food· 0 violations · Call Back - Complied

No violations recorded for this inspection.

Feb 4, 2020 — Routine - Food· 10 violations (3 high priority)· Administrative complaint recommended

High Priority Violations

V10 Approved food source

V12 Shell stock requirements

V21 Time as control

V24 Toxic substance control

Intermediate Violations

V31 Clean multi-use utensils

V35 Single-use items

V40 Wiping cloths usage

V41 Toilet facilities

Feb 4, 2020 — Routine - Food· 0 violations · Admin. Complaint Callback Not Complied

No violations recorded for this inspection.

Nov 15, 2019 — Routine - Food· 7 violations (1 high priority)· Emergency order recommended

High Priority Violations

V02 Employee health policy

V16 Proper cooking temps

V22 Consumer advisory

V23 Chemical properly stored

V24 Toxic substance control

Intermediate Violations

V35 Single-use items

Nov 15, 2019 — Routine - Food· 0 violations · Emergency Order Callback Complied

No violations recorded for this inspection.

Dec 4, 2018 — Complaint Full· 1 violations (1 high priority)· Call Back - Complied

Intermediate Violations

V29 Proper sewage disposal

Nov 26, 2018 — Complaint Full· 20 violations (6 high priority)· Warning Issued

High Priority Violations

V02 Employee health policy

V03 Employee health reporting

V08 Proper hand/arm washing

V12 Shell stock requirements

V14 Food contact surfaces

V16 Proper cooking temps

V21 Time as control

V22 Consumer advisory

V27 Correct procedures

Intermediate Violations

V29 Proper sewage disposal

V31 Clean multi-use utensils

V36 Proper ventilation

V40 Wiping cloths usage

V41 Toilet facilities

Nov 6, 2018 — Routine - Food· 8 violations · Inspection Completed - No Further Action

High Priority Violations

V10 Approved food source

V14 Food contact surfaces

V22 Consumer advisory

V24 Toxic substance control

V27 Correct procedures

Intermediate Violations

V29 Proper sewage disposal

V36 Proper ventilation

Jun 12, 2018 — Routine - Food· 5 violations · Inspection Completed - No Further Action

High Priority Violations

V10 Approved food source

V13 Parasite destruction

V16 Proper cooking temps

V23 Chemical properly stored

V25 Allergen awareness

Dec 7, 2017 — Routine - Food· 3 violations · Inspection Completed - No Further Action

High Priority Violations

V13 Parasite destruction

V23 Chemical properly stored

Intermediate Violations

V29 Proper sewage disposal

Sep 14, 2016 — Routine - Food· 6 violations (2 high priority)· 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

V36 Proper ventilation

How Does This Facility Compare?

RICKS CAFE has had 2 emergency closures, compared to the Pasco County average of 0.19 closures per facility. It has averaged 5.3 violations per inspection vs. the county average of 3.38.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many health inspections has RICKS CAFE had?: RICKS CAFE has had 24 inspections according to Florida DBPR records.
Has RICKS CAFE ever been shut down?: Yes, RICKS CAFE has been shut down 2 times by state inspectors.
What are the most common violations at RICKS CAFE?: The most frequently cited violations at RICKS CAFE are: Consumer advisory, Chemical properly stored, Proper ventilation.

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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: January 27, 2025 | Our methodology | Editorial standards | Report an error

This page is maintained by FloridaFoodSafety.org and is not affiliated with RICKS CAFE.