St. Petersburg, Pinellas County

RED MESA CANTINA

128 3 ST S, St. Petersburg, FL 33701

FoodSeating
Latest violations
4
3 Intermediate
Apr 13, 2026
City
St. Petersburg
County
Pinellas
Status
Current / Active
Inspections
15

Violation history

Florida violations grouped by priority level over time.

Inspection history

Florida inspections are violation-priority based, with high priority, intermediate, and basic counts shown separately.

Apr 13, 2026

Routine - Food

Inspection Completed - No Further Action

Intermediate: 3Basic: 1Total: 4

22-02-4

Detail 24508057

Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Can opener blade soiled with food debris. Item sent back to dish machine to be washed and sanitized. Corrected On-Site

31A-11-4

Detail 24508056

Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Observed brown liquid substance and ice inside handsink at the end of cook line. Educated employees about the handsink only being used for handwashing purposes. Corrective Action Taken

41-17-4

Detail 24508055

Intermediate - Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled. Spray bottle labeled degreaser. Corrected On-Site

22-20-5

Detail 24508054

Basic - Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin. Interior of ice machine soiled with yellow, pink, and black substance.

Jul 1, 2025

Complaint Full

Inspection Completed - No Further Action

Basic: 4Total: 4

22-20-5

Detail 23847328

Basic - Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin.

24-08-4

Detail 23847329

Basic - Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting. Plastic cups at bar Repeat Violation

29-49-6

Detail 23847330

Basic - Standing water in bottom of reach-in-cooler. Cooler in prep area Repeat Violation

29-17-4

Detail 23847327

Basic - Waste line missing at soda gun holster. Outdoor bar

May 2, 2025

Complaint Partial

Inspection Completed - No Further Action

No violations recorded for this inspection.

Mar 27, 2025

Complaint Partial

Inspection Completed - No Further Action

High Priority: 1Intermediate: 1Basic: 4Total: 6

08A-05-6

Detail 23664908

High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Raw calamari over open fries in walk in freezer. Employee removed to raw to lower shelf. Corrected On-Site

22-02-4

Detail 23664909

Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Cutting boards soiled on cook line reach in coolers. Can opener soiled in prep area.

35A-06-4

Detail 23664907

Basic - Accumulation of dead or trapped birds, insects, rodents, or other pests, in control devices. 100 flies in sticky trap on wall in prep area. Employee removed sticky trap and discarded dead. Corrected On-Site

24-08-4

Detail 23664906

Basic - Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting. Wet nesting of plastic pans on drying rack in prep room.

16-46-4

Detail 23664911

Basic - Old labels stuck to food containers after cleaning. Old date dot labels on clean plastic pans in drying rack. Employee removed to dish area to clean. Corrected On-Site

29-49-6

Detail 23664910

Basic - Standing water in bottom of reach-in-cooler. Standing water in reach in beer cooler in exterior bar area.

Mar 27, 2025

Routine - Food

Call Back - Complied

Basic: 1Total: 1

24-08-4

Detail 23664945

Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting. - From follow-up inspection 2025-03-27: Time Extended

Mar 12, 2025

Routine - Food

Warning Issued

High Priority: 1Intermediate: 1Basic: 2Total: 4

03A-02-5

Detail 23627442

High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. flautas(55F - Cold Holding); pork (55F - Cold Holding); yucca fries (55F - Cold Holding); plantains (55F - Cold Holding Placed items in freezer for 15 mins. All foods 41f Corrected On-Site

02B-02-5

Detail 23627440

Intermediate - Raw animal foods must be fully cooked prior to service. Consumer advisory needs to be better identified on menu.

24-08-4

Detail 23627443

Basic - Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting.

08B-17-4

Detail 23627441

Basic - Unwashed fruits/vegetables stored with ready-to-eat food. Tuna moved out from under produce Corrected On-Site

Sep 9, 2024

Routine - Food

Inspection Completed - No Further Action

High Priority: 1Intermediate: 3Basic: 2Total: 6

22-57-6

Detail 23130287

High Priority - Heat strip failed to turn black to indicate the sanitization temperature of 160 degrees Fahrenheit was achieved on the dish surface and/or high temperature holding thermometer did not reach 160F. Discontinue use of dishmachine for sanitizing and set up manual sanitization until dishmachine is repaired. High temperature dishwasher machine only reached 159.1 F after running more than 6 times. Sanitization will occur in three compartment sink at 200 ppm quaternary. Operator was able to get dish machine to work properly. Dish machine is now sanitizing at 161.6 F. Corrected On-Site Repeat Violation

53A-03-7

Detail 23130288

Intermediate - Food manager certification expired. A list of accredited food manager certification examination providers can be found at http://www.myfloridalicense.com/DBPR/hotels-restaurants/food-lodging/food-manager/

22-02-4

Detail 23130286

Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Green cutting boards on cook line have built up food debris. Can opener on prep table in rear part of kitchen has built up food debris. Repeat Violation

16-54-4

Detail 23130284

Intermediate - Wash solution in spray type hot water sanitizing dishmachine not reaching proper temperature according to manufacturer's specifications. High temperature dishwasher machine only reached 159.1 F after running more than 6 times. Sanitization will occur in three compartment sink at 200 ppm quaternary. Operator was able to get dish machine to work properly. Dish machine is now sanitizing at 161.6 F. Corrected On-Site Repeat Violation

12B-07-4

Detail 23130283

Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Employee beverage on prep table across from walk in cooler. Manager removed. Corrected On-Site

16-46-4

Detail 23130285

Basic - Old labels stuck to food containers after cleaning.

May 9, 2024

Routine - Food

Inspection Completed - No Further Action

High Priority: 8Intermediate: 5Basic: 11Total: 24

12A-07-5

Detail 22862873

High Priority - Employee failed to wash hands before putting on gloves to initiate a task working with food.

12A-13-4

Detail 22862867

High Priority - Employee handled soiled equipment or utensils and then engaged in food preparation, handled clean equipment or utensils, or touched unwrapped single-service items without washing hands. Dishwasher goes from scraping dirty dishes to putting away clean dishes with no hand wash.

22-57-6

Detail 22862872

High Priority - Heat strip failed to turn black to indicate the sanitization temperature of 160 degrees Fahrenheit was achieved on the dish surface and/or high temperature holding thermometer did not reach 160F. Discontinue use of dishmachine for sanitizing and set up manual sanitization until dishmachine is repaired. High temperature dishwasher machine only reaches 154.7 F. Maintenance fixed booster and temperature taken again reached 159.3 F. Corrected On-Site

35A-02-6

Detail 22862862

High Priority - Live, small flying insects in kitchen, food preparation area, food storage area and/or bar area. 1 live fly in kitchen by server expo line not landing on food or food contact surfaces.

08A-05-6

Detail 22862878

High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Employee on cook line was working with raw beef with the spatula and dipped the spatula in the salt container to add salt. Inspector discussed with Certified Food Manager.

01B-02-5

Detail 22862871

High Priority - Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. Raw beef, ham, and refried beans vacuum sealed and stored in walk in freezer without a HAACP plan for more than 48 hours. 17 packages of flan marked more than 7 days.

03A-02-5

Detail 22862866

High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. In reach in cooler underneath cook top: cooked beef (48F - Cold Holding); raw beef (48F - Cold Holding); raw shrimp (48F - Cold Holding) temperatures taken at 2:00 pm. Temperatures taken again at 2:40 pm: cooked beef (42F - Cold Holding); raw beef (42F - Cold Holding); raw shrimp (43F - Cold Holding) Corrected On-Site

41-15-5

Detail 22862883

High Priority - Wiping cloth solution exceeding the maximum concentration allowed stored in a location that could result in the cross contamination of food, equipment, utensils, linens, single-service, or single-use articles. Wiping cloth solution over 400 ppm quaternary. Corrected to 200 ppm quaternary. Corrected On-Site

22-02-4

Detail 22862875

Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Cutting boards on cook line have built up food debris. Can opener in prep table behind cook line has built up food debris. Repeat Violation

31A-11-4

Detail 22862885

Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Hand wash sink on cook line used to fill pan. Hand wash sink in outdoor bar used to dump straws.

16-62-1

Detail 22862880

Intermediate - No measuring device available for measuring utensil surface temperature when using hot water as sanitizer in a dishmachine.

31B-02-4

Detail 22862874

Intermediate - No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink in bar area. Manager replaced. Corrected On-Site

16-54-4

Detail 22862877

Intermediate - Wash solution in spray type hot water sanitizing dishmachine not reaching proper temperature according to manufacturer's specifications.

22-20-5

Detail 22862863

Basic - Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin. Interior of ice machine has mold like substance.

50-09-4

Detail 22862869

Basic - Current Hotel and Restaurant license not displayed.

12B-12-5

Detail 22862865

Basic - Employee drinking from an unenclosed beverage container in a food preparation/clean dishware area and the container does not have a dispensing mechanism to prevent hand contact with lip contact area of drink container. Open container of water above dish machine. Employee removed. Corrected On-Site

13-04-4

Detail 22862868

Basic - Employee with no beard guard/restraint while engaging in food preparation. Repeat Violation

10-17-4

Detail 22862881

Basic - In-use knife/knives stored in cracks between pieces of equipment. Knives stored in between reach in cooler and door.

22-08-4

Detail 22862884

Basic - Interior of oven/microwave has accumulation of black substance/grease/food debris. Microwave oven on cook line has built up food debris.

23-03-4

Detail 22862882

Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Light fixtures over bar have dust and other debris.

24-18-4

Detail 22862864

Basic - Silverware/utensils stored upright with the food-contact surface up. Spoons in cook line stored with food contact surfaces upright.

25-06-4

Detail 22862870

Basic - Single-service articles not stored inverted or protected from contamination. Coffee filters in kitchen not covered for protection. Manager stored correctly. Corrected On-Site

03G-53-1

Detail 22862879

Basic - Time/temperature control for safety food packaged using a reduced oxygen method without a HACCP plan not properly labeled with the production time and date. Raw beef vacuum sealed and held under refrigeration in walk in cooler with no date, time or product information.

03G-54-1

Detail 22862876

Basic - Time/temperature control for safety food packaged using a reduced oxygen method without a HACCP plan not removed from its package within 48 hours after packaging. Raw beef, ham, and refried beans vacuum sealed and stored in walk in freezer without a HAACP plan for more than 48 hours.

Oct 26, 2023

Routine - Food

Inspection Completed - No Further Action

Intermediate: 1Basic: 1Total: 2

22-02-4

Detail 22398856

Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Green cutting board on cook line across from fryers has built up food debris. Repeat Violation

13-04-4

Detail 22398855

Basic - Employee with no beard guard/restraint while engaging in food preparation. Employee preparing food on cook line with no beard guard.

Apr 10, 2023

Routine - Food

Inspection Completed - No Further Action

High Priority: 2Intermediate: 1Basic: 4Total: 7

22-49-4

Detail 21922673

High Priority - Dishmachine not sanitizing properly. Discontinue use of dishmachine for sanitizing and set up manual sanitization until dishmachine is repaired and sanitizing properly. High temperature dish machine only reaches 148.2 F. Sanitation will take place in three-compartment sink at 200 ppm quaternary.

35A-02-6

Detail 21922671

High Priority - Live, small flying insects in kitchen, food preparation area, food storage area and/or bar area. 1 lie fly in dry goods storage area not landing on food or food contact surfaces. 1 live fly behind outdoor bar not landing on food or food contact surfaces. Repeat Violation

22-02-4

Detail 21922672

Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Food debris build up on can opener on prep table. Manager gave to ware washing to clean. Corrective Action Taken Repeat Violation

12B-07-4

Detail 21922675

Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Employee beverage on cutting board behind bar area. Employee removed. Corrected On-Site Repeat Violation

08B-49-4

Detail 21922669

Basic - Employee personal food not properly identified and segregated from food to be served to the public. Employee food stored in cooler with food to be served to the public. Manager removed. Corrected On-Site

24-08-4

Detail 21922674

Basic - Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting. Wet nesting on pans in prep area outside of walk in cooler. Repeat Violation

08B-38-4

Detail 21922670

Basic - Food stored on floor. Bread rolls stored on floor of walk in freezer. Manager stored 6 inches off the floor.

Nov 16, 2022

Routine - Food

Inspection Completed - No Further Action

High Priority: 2Intermediate: 1Basic: 7Total: 10

35A-02-6

Detail 21576237

High Priority - Live, small flying insects in kitchen, food preparation area, food storage area and/or bar area. 1 live fly on last light fixture above bar in dining room.

03A-02-5

Detail 21576228

High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. In server prep area: salsa (50F - Cold Holding) In reach in coolers across from cooktops: butter (55F - Cold Holding); cut tomatoes (48F - Cold Holding); shredded queso (48F - Cold Holding); cut leafy greens (48F - Cold Holding) Manager put items on ice. Temperature of items taken at 1:30 pm. Temperature items taken again at 2:30 pm: cut tomatoes 43 F, cut leafy greens 42 F, shredded queso cheese 43 F, butter 44 F, salsa 47 F. Corrective Action Taken

22-02-4

Detail 21576233

Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Can opener on prep table in rear of kitchen has built up food debris. Manager had can opener scrubbed, cleaned and sanitized. Corrected On-Site

22-20-5

Detail 21576232

Basic - Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin. Interior of ice machine near mop sink has mold like substance.

24-05-4

Detail 21576235

Basic - Clean glasses, cups, bowls, plates, pots and pans not stored inverted or in a protected manner. Ice buckets near ice machine in mop sink room not inverted for protection. Manager inverted. Corrected On-Site

14-09-4

Detail 21576234

Basic - Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable. Grooved cutting board in outdoor bar area. Manager replaced. Corrected On-Site

12B-07-4

Detail 21576230

Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Employee beverage above prep table next to hot well. Manager removed. Corrected On-Site

40-06-5

Detail 21576231

Basic - Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Employee phone located above a food prep area. Manager removed. Corrected On-Site

24-08-4

Detail 21576236

Basic - Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting. Wet nesting on pans in rear of kitchen storage area.

21-12-4

Detail 21576229

Basic - Wet wiping cloth not stored in sanitizing solution between uses. Wet wash cloth not stored in sanitizing solution. Manager stored correctly. Corrected On-Site

May 23, 2022

Routine - Food

Call Back - Complied

High Priority: 1Basic: 2Total: 3

35A-02-6

Detail 21103628

High Priority - - From initial inspection : High Priority - Live, small flying insects in kitchen, food preparation area, food storage area and/or bar area. 5 live flies in rear prep area landing on food contact surfaces, utensils, operator washed utensils. 3 live flies in outside bar area not landing on food or food contact surfaces. 10 live flies in main inside bar area not landing on food or food contact surfaces. Warning - From follow-up inspection 2022-05-23: 1 live fly in kitchen area next to three-compartment sink not landing on food or food contact surfaces. 0 live flies in outside bar area. 11 live flys in inside main bar area. Operator killed 6 and disinfected the area. Time Extended

14-09-4

Detail 21103629

Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable. Cutting boards in ware washing area have grooved cut marks and are no longer cleanable. Repeat Violation Warning - From follow-up inspection 2022-05-23: Time Extended

23-03-4

Detail 21103630

Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Gaskets on walk in cooler have mold like debris. Warning - From follow-up inspection 2022-05-23: Time Extended

May 19, 2022

Routine - Food

Warning Issued

High Priority: 6Intermediate: 6Basic: 6Total: 18

03G-04-5

Detail 21097663

High Priority - Fish not held frozen before, during and after being packaged onsite using a reduced oxygen packaging method. See stop sale. Per operator raw mahi and raw corvina is received fresh and then vacuum sealed in non-permeable bags and placed in walk in freezer. Discussed with operator that fresh fish can only be vacuum sealed in 10K OTR bags at this time. Warning

22-57-6

Detail 21097680

High Priority - Heat strip failed to turn black to indicate the sanitization temperature of 160 degrees Fahrenheit was achieved on the dish surface and/or high temperature holding thermometer did not reach 160F. Discontinue use of dishmachine for sanitizing and set up manual sanitization until dishmachine is repaired. Temperature registered at 153.5 F on state thermometer. Operator called maintenance and they arrived during inspection. Re-temp at 163 F Corrected On-Site Warning

35A-02-6

Detail 21097668

High Priority - Live, small flying insects in kitchen, food preparation area, food storage area and/or bar area. 5 live flies in rear prep area landing on food contact surfaces, utensils, operator washed utensils. 3 live flies in outside bar area not landing on food or food contact surfaces. 10 live flies in main inside bar area not landing on food or food contact surfaces. Warning

01D-05-5

Detail 21097667

High Priority - Squid, octopus, conch, eel, crab, shrimp, crawfish, lobster or other non-finfish offered raw or undercooked have not undergone proper parasite destruction. Fish must be fully cooked or discarded. Raw corvina used for their ceviche, which doesn't go through any kind of heat-treated cooking. Operator is to either fully cook the fish for ceviche or discontinue item if fish is not farm raised and pellet fed Warning

01B-13-4

Detail 21097669

High Priority - Stop Sale issued due to food not being in a wholesome, sound condition. Fish not held frozen before, during and after being packaged onsite using a reduced oxygen packaging method. See stop sale. Per operator raw mahi and raw corvina is received fresh and then vacuum sealed in non-permeable bags and placed in walk in freezer. Discussed with operator that fresh fish can only be vacuum sealed in 10K OTR bags at this time. Warning

03A-02-5

Detail 21097679

High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. In reach in cooler next to cooktop: cut tomatoes (48F - Cold Holding); butter (50F - Cold Holding) temperatures taken at 11:30 am; operator put items on ice bags cut tomatoes temperature taken at 12:15 pm (43F - Cold Holding); butter temperature taken at 12:15 pm (48F - Cold Holding) Corrective Action Taken Repeat Violation Warning

31A-10-4

Detail 21097672

Intermediate - Equipment drain line draining into handwash sink. Drain line in hand wash sink in outside bar area to the left of the ice bin. Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Hand wash sink in kitchen on prep line used to fill water in 4 quart container. Operator removed. Warning

01C-02-4

Detail 21097664

Intermediate - Establishment not maintaining clam/mussel/oyster tags for 90 days. Mussels received fresh and operator is unable to provide tags from previous weeks. Warning

22-02-4

Detail 21097671

Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Can opener on prep table near three-compartment sink has food debris. Warning

02B-01-5

Detail 21097670

Intermediate - Menu does not identify which items contain raw or undercooked animal foods covered by the consumer advisory. Ceviche is served with raw corvina and is not indicated as being a raw animal food. Ahi tuna is served raw and is not indicated as being a raw animal food. Warning

01C-01-4

Detail 21097675

Intermediate - No tag on/for original container of raw, in-shell clams/mussels/oysters. Operator was able to provide invoice for mussels received on 05/11 from Sammy's Seafood, which is an approved provider on the FDA shellfish shipper's list. Operator is to ensure that tags are maintained onsite and in container of mussels Warning

41-17-4

Detail 21097673

Intermediate - Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled. Unlabeled spray bottle, sanitizer, in mop sink area. Warning

22-20-5

Detail 21097665

Basic - Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin. Interior of ice machine near mop sink has mold like debris on the interior of the machine. Warning

14-09-4

Detail 21097666

Basic - Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable. Cutting boards in ware washing area have grooved cut marks and are no longer cleanable. Repeat Violation Warning

24-08-4

Detail 21097676

Basic - Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting. Clean pans next to three-compartment sink has wet nesting. Warning

10-08-5

Detail 21097674

Basic - Ice scoop handle in contact with ice. Ice scoop handle in ice in outside bar area, employee placed ice scoop in designated area. Corrected On-Site Warning

23-03-4

Detail 21097678

Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Gaskets on walk in cooler have mold like debris. Warning

21-12-4

Detail 21097677

Basic - Wet wiping cloth not stored in sanitizing solution between uses. Wet wiping cloth on prep table next to three-compartment sink not stored in sanitizing solution. Warning

Oct 12, 2021

Routine - Food

Call Back - Complied

Basic: 1Total: 1

14-09-4

Detail 20579609

Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable. Warning - From follow-up inspection 2021-10-12: Time Extended

Oct 6, 2021

Routine - Food

Warning Issued

High Priority: 2Intermediate: 1Basic: 5Total: 8

08A-05-6

Detail 20567234

High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Raw tuna over Ready-to-eat Cut leafy greens in salad station. Employee removed. Corrected On-Site Warning

03A-02-5

Detail 20567238

High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Butter 58°f, cut tomato 58°f, in saute station. Employee placed in freezer. Cooked pork 48°f, cooked chicken 49°f cooked Piccadillo 49°f cooked pork 47°f in walk in cooler garlic in oil 68°f in server station Cut watermelon 64°f behind outside bar Warning

03F-10-5

Detail 20567241

Intermediate - No written procedures available for use of time as a public health control to hold time/temperature control for safety food. Provided time as a public health. Corrective Action Taken Warning

36-34-5

Detail 20567235

Basic - Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance. Over cook line. Warning

14-09-4

Detail 20567239

Basic - Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable. Warning

14-11-4

Detail 20567236

Basic - Equipment in poor repair. Reach in cooler gaskets Warning

29-19-4

Detail 20567240

Basic - Standing water in floor drain/floor drain draining very slowly. Next to cooked meat cooler next to walk in cooler. Warning

21-08-4

Detail 20567237

Basic - Wiping cloth quaternary ammonium compound sanitizing solution not at proper minimum strength. Sanitizer bucket reading 0ppm quaternary employee changed to 200ppm quaternary. Corrected On-Site Warning