King State Coffee in Tampa, FL, was cited for 30 violations in Hillsborough County

King State Coffee CafePhoto byGoogle Reviews

King State Coffee, located at 520 E Floribraska Ave in Tampa, Florida, has drawn attention following an inspection that uncovered 30 violations across various operational aspects.

Let's Look At The Findings: This inspection, which included four high-priority violations, eight intermediate violations, and 18 basic violations, resulted in a recommendation for an administrative complaint and another follow-up inspection scheduled.

Despite the findings, the Hillsborough County, FL, establishment's overall 4.7-star rating from 567 Google reviews suggests a loyal customer base.

This Happened During The Inspection: The initial inspection at King State Coffee on August 12, 2024, revealed a series of infractions that highlighted areas that require improvement but do not pose an immediate threat to public safety.

The high-priority violations included unsuitable storage of unhealthy substances and inadequate temperature control for safety foods, with sliced cooked potatoes found at an unsuitable temperature.

Additionally, live insects were observed in the kitchen, though they were not in contact with food.

Intermediate violations were noted, such as blocked handwash sinks and the absence of a chemical test kit for sanitizers. There was also a lack of proof of food manager certification and employee training, which are essential for maintaining high standards in food safety.

Meanwhile, there were numerous basic violations, with issues like mold-like substances in the ice machine, missing ceiling tiles, and unsuitable storage of clean equipment.

The inspection also found problems with the plumbing system, inadequate handwashing signage, and the presence of flies in the kitchen area. These findings were compounded by a lack of hot water at the mop sink and structural concerns, such as damaged light shields and soiled walls.

Follow-up Review: A follow-up inspection at King State Coffee on August 14, 2024, indicated that some violations persisted, requiring further attention, with 8 infractions still identified.

A customer review highlighted the presence of flies and unclean conditions, contrasting with the generally positive feedback King State Coffee has received.

A recent customer named Mina Nicola shared in a Google review

"The place has thousand flies, that was absurd! I went there only because of the reviews but I was shocked on how things were at this place. The floor was so dirty and there were flies all over me however, the employees were nice. I stayed for 5 mins and left."

This situation underpins the importance of addressing these issues promptly to maintain the establishment's reputation and ensure a safe environment for patrons.

NOTE: Please note that an inspection report, per the Florida Department of Business & Professional Regulation, provides a snapshot of the conditions observed during the inspection.