San Jose Mexican Restaurant
Last inspected: Apr 21, 2026
43
Score
Going back to 2022, San Jose Mexican Restaurant has 11 inspections in the public record. The most recent visit was on Apr 21, 2026. A high risk tier suggests the facility had a rough recent inspection, with multiple violations on record.
Violation counts have been trending down, averaging around six violations across recent inspections versus roughly eight violations before.
When inspectors have written things up, “accumulation of black/green mold-like substance” has been the most frequent reason, cited seven times.
Compared to other Lutz restaurants (averaging 80), there's room to close the gap. Taken together, the history suggests a facility that has struggled with consistency.
11
Inspections
2
Critical latest
3
Major latest
5
Minor latest
Inspection History
Apr 21, 2026
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 3 major violations. 5 minor violations.
View 10 violations
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Right side reach in cooler next to fryer: cut tomatoes (44F - Cold Holding); raw beef (51F - Cold Holding); raw bacon (50F - Cold Holding) raw chicken (44F - Cold Holding); raw chorizo (45F - Cold Holding) Manager moved items into walk in cooler. And will call for service or let unit defrost overnight **Warning**
03A-02-5
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Steam well: beef soup (119F - Hot Holding). Manager placed on flat top to reheat. Reheated to 179f **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
03B-01-6
Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Hand sink on cook line had a bucket of water stored in the hand sink. Employee removed **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
31A-11-4
Intermediate - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Walk in cooler observed container of black beans, sauces, and stocks not dated with prep date **Warning**
02C-02-5
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Can opener blade soiled with debris, Knives stored soiled with raw pork still on blade **Warning**
22-02-4
Basic - Ice buildup in observed on condenser of make line cooler to right side of fryer causing the unit to not work properly **Warning**
14-69-4
Basic - Stored food not covered. Walk in cooler: observed containers of raw meat, cooked beans, cooked meats, washed and cut tomatoes and jalapeños, and sauces are not covered. **Warning**
08B-12-5
Basic - Time/temperature control for safety food thawed in an improper manner. Observed pack of raw pork in standing water in three compartment sink **Warning**
06-01-5
Basic - Walk-in cooler shelves and dry storage shelves have rust that has pitted the surface. **Warning**
14-17-4
Basic - Wood food-contact surface not properly sealed. Observed wooden shelving in dish and on cook line not sealed **Warning**
14-06-4
43
Dec 11, 2025
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 3 minor violations.
View 5 violations
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Hot holding: beans 120F reheated to 165F on stove **Corrected On-Site**
03B-01-6
Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. White bucket in sink employee removed **Corrected On-Site**
31A-11-4
Basic - Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin. Machine in back kitchen **Repeat Violation**
22-20-5
Basic - Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable.
14-09-4
Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Employee drink White cut board cooks line
12B-07-4
67
Jul 2, 2025
Routine - Food
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin. - From follow-up inspection 2025-07-02: Has not been cleaned **Time Extended**
22-20-5
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Area under soda nozzles at soda fountain has food debris buildup. Ice machine fan guard has buildup of dust. Gaskets on reach in freezer soiled. Bottom shelf of reach in freezer had food debris accumulation. - From follow-up inspection 2025-07-02: **Time Extended**
23-03-4
90
Jun 9, 2025
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 3 major violations. 7 minor violations.
View 12 violations
High Priority - Dishmachine chlorine sanitizer not at proper minimum strength. Discontinue use of dishmachine for sanitizing and set up manual sanitization until dishmachine is repaired and sanitizing properly. Tested 2 times at 0ppm **Warning**
22-41-4
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Raw beef held at 45F. Operator placed in walk in cooler. **Corrective Action Taken**
03A-02-5
Intermediate - Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled. Spray bottle of cleaner not labeled at 3-sink. Operator placed label **Corrected On-Site**
41-17-4
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Can opener. Operator cleaned. **Corrected On-Site**
22-02-4
Intermediate - No proof of required state approved employee training provided for any employees. To order approved program food safety material, call DBPR contracted provider: Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (SafeStaff) 866-372-7233. All certificates expired. **Warning**
53B-01-5
Basic - Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin.
22-20-5
Basic - Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting. Drink glasses at bar. Operator separated to air dry. **Corrective Action Taken**
24-08-4
Basic - Food stored on floor. Fryer oil on floor in dish area. Operator placed on shelf. **Corrected On-Site**
08B-38-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Area under soda nozzles at soda fountain has food debris buildup. Ice machine fan guard has buildup of dust. Gaskets on reach in freezer soiled. Bottom shelf of reach in freezer had food debris accumulation.
23-03-4
Basic - Stored food not covered. Multiple items in walk in cooler uncovered. Operator placed covers. **Corrected On-Site**
08B-12-5
Basic - Unwashed fruits/vegetables stored with ready-to-eat food. Unwashed pineapple over bottles of water in walk in cooler. Operator moved water. **Corrected On-Site**
08B-17-4
Basic - Wet mop not stored in a manner to allow the mop to dry. Operator hung to dry **Corrected On-Site**
42-01-4
39
Jan 7, 2025
Routine - Food
3 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin. Crushed ice bin. - From follow-up inspection 2025-01-07: **Time Extended**
22-20-5
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Exterior door has a gap at the threshold that opens to the outside. Back door need a new door sweep - From follow-up inspection 2025-01-07: **Time Extended**
35B-01-4
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Hood filters. Reach in freezer bottom shelf. - From follow-up inspection 2025-01-07: Reach in cooler complete. **Time Extended**
23-03-4
86
Jan 6, 2025
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 1 major violation. 5 minor violations.
View 8 violations
High Priority - Dishmachine chlorine sanitizer not at proper minimum strength. Discontinue use of dishmachine for sanitizing and set up manual sanitization until dishmachine is repaired and sanitizing properly. 0 ppm changed empty container now 100 ppm. **Corrected On-Site**
22-41-4
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Milk 48f, pulled chicken 47f, refried beans 46f, taco beef 46f, raw chicken 45f, operators has a call in for service.
03A-02-5
Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Line hand sink used as dump sink as evidend by chopped lettuce in sink.
31A-11-4
Basic - Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin. Crushed ice bin.
22-20-5
Basic - Floor soiled/has accumulation of debris. Under fryers. **Repeat Violation**
36-73-4
Basic - Food stored on floor. Soda box stored on floor. **Repeat Violation**
08B-38-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Hood filters. Reach in freezer bottom shelf.
23-03-4
Basic - Exterior door has a gap at the threshold that opens to the outside. Back door need a new door sweep
35B-01-4
52
Apr 30, 2024
Routine - Food
1 major violation. 7 minor violations.
View 8 violations
Intermediate - Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled. No label on spray bottle on serve cart. Operator labeled it **Corrected On-Site**
41-17-4
Basic - Food stored on floor. 5 cases of meat stored In walk in cooler on floor. operator removed from floor and stored on shelf. **Corrected On-Site**
08B-38-4
Basic - Accumulation of build up of calcium in the interior of the ice machine/bin.
22-20-5
Basic - Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Observed pint container as scooper on oven top. Operator removed **Corrected On-Site**
14-01-5
Basic - Floor soiled/has accumulation of debris. Grease build up under cook line stoves.
36-73-4
Basic - Ice scoop handle in contact with ice.observed Ice machine near back exit **Corrected On-Site**
10-08-5
Basic - In-use knife/knives stored in cracks between pieces of equipment. Knife stored between cook line corner. **Corrected On-Site**
10-17-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed soda machine soil build up bottom of soda head. **Corrected On-Site**
23-03-4
64
Nov 30, 2023
Routine - Food
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Food stored on floor. Oil cases throughout the kitchen Chips bucket on floor in bar area. - From follow-up inspection 2023-11-30: **Time Extended**
08B-38-4
95
Nov 29, 2023
Routine - Food
5 critical violations. 2 minor violations.
View 7 violations
High Priority - Container of medicine improperly stored. On reach in shelf on cooks line
41-07-4
High Priority - Employee touched bare body part and then engaged in food preparation, handled clean equipment or utensils, or touched unwrapped single-service items without washing hands. Employee touched face and began touching clean equipment to serve food discussion with management on the importance of hand washing.
12A-10-4
High Priority - Live, small flying insects in kitchen, food preparation area, food storage area and/or bar area. 8 live flies on dry storage rack landing on outside of cans and containers. Employee removing all dry goods from storage area.
35A-02-6
High Priority - Raw animal food stored in top portion of make table over ready-to-eat food in bottom portion of make table - no complete physical barrier between top and bottom. Raw beef over ready to eat onions. Employee removed to proper storage. **Corrected On-Site**
08A-13-5
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Raw beef over ready to eat bread reach in cooler by walk in cooler. Employee removed to proper storage. **Corrected On-Site**
08A-05-6
Basic - Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin.
22-20-5
Basic - Food stored on floor. Oil cases throughout the kitchen Chips bucket on floor in bar area.
08B-38-4
43
Jun 21, 2023
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 2 major violations.
View 3 violations
Hands Clean and Properly Washed
FL-08
Food Obtained from Approved Sources
FL-11
Food Contact Surfaces Clean and Sanitized
FL-22
67
Jul 13, 2022
Complaint Full
1 major violation. 2 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : Intermediate - Original container of toxic substance or chemical does not bear the manufacturer's label. Spray bottles not labeled l **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2022-07-12: **Time Extended** - From follow-up inspection 2022-07-13: **Time Extended**
41-21-4
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Grease on the ground and/or pad around grease receptacle. Grease receptacle lid open **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2022-07-12: **Time Extended** - From follow-up inspection 2022-07-13: **Time Extended**
33-20-4
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Hood filter missing from automatic fire suppression/exhaust system. 1 filter missing **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2022-07-12: **Time Extended** - From follow-up inspection 2022-07-13: **Time Extended**
14-42-4
82
Frequently Asked Questions
When was San Jose Mexican Restaurant last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at San Jose Mexican Restaurant on file is from Apr 21, 2026. The public record contains 11 inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at San Jose Mexican Restaurant?
Across the inspection record, “accumulation of black/green mold-like substance” has been cited seven times, more than any other issue at San Jose Mexican Restaurant.
How does San Jose Mexican Restaurant compare to other restaurants in Lutz?
San Jose Mexican Restaurant most recently scored 43 out of 100, which is lower than the Lutz average of 80.
Has San Jose Mexican Restaurant's inspection record improved over time?
Yes. Recent inspections at San Jose Mexican Restaurant have averaged around six violations per visit, down from roughly eight earlier in the record.
What does a high risk rating mean?
A high risk rating at San Jose Mexican Restaurant means the most recent inspection flagged either critical violations or a substantial number of smaller ones. Diners may want to read the violation details before deciding to visit.
How often is San Jose Mexican Restaurant inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, San Jose Mexican Restaurant is inspected around three times per year on average.
Nearby Restaurants