Top 25 in depth: Tampa Bay

By Clancy & Gracie
October 18, 2026

Clancy: Pull up a stool. These are the 25 restaurants in Tampa Bay with the heaviest enforcement record between October 19, 2021 and October 18, 2026. Between them: 98 emergency closures, $59,420 in fines and 112 inspector-cited complaints.

98 emergency closures25 of 25 venues

$59,420 in fineson the record

112 inspector-cited complaintsadministrative

In Tampa Bay, 9 of every 100 licensed restaurants had at least one emergency closure in these five years; statewide it was 6. That is higher than the statewide rate.

#1 EL SANTAFE MEXICAN GRILL* — Largo
Emergency closures 7 (July 2022, January 2023, August 2023, October 2023, February 2024, March 2024, May 2024)Fines $4,200 (8)Complaints 7Order filings 30Ownership change: record kept
An ownership change was approved on January 17, 2025, but the business name stayed the same and two or more inspector complaints were filed in the year before it, so the earlier record still counts.
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Clancy: El Santafe Mexican Grill in Largo had emergency closures in July 2022, January 2023, August 2023, October 2023, February 2024, March 2024, and May 2024. Fines totaled $4,200.00. The record stayed intact after a January 2025 ownership change because the name remained and multiple complaints were filed the prior year.
Gracie: Gade pi byen, my coffee grounds are swirling like Baron Samedi's dance. This list of closures is long as a summer day.
#2 DISCOVERY INDIAN CUISINE* — Palm Harbor
Emergency closures 5 (November 2022, May 2026, June 2026, July 2026, September 2026)Fines $2,800 (6)Complaints 14Order filings 20Ownership change: record kept
An ownership change was approved on August 30, 2022, but the business name stayed the same, so the earlier record still counts.
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Clancy: DISCOVERY INDIAN CUISINE in Palm Harbor had an emergency closure order 5 times, in November 2022, May 2026, June 2026, July 2026 and September 2026. It also has $2,800.00 in fines on the books. Add 14 inspector-cited administrative complaints to that.
Gracie: This entry receives a reading, not a performance. Papa Legba keeps the crossing; I keep the evidence on this side of it.
#3 BAYOU CAFE — Tarpon Springs
Emergency closures 5 (December 2022, February 2023, August 2023, December 2025, February 2026)Fines $4,680 (6)Complaints 9Order filings 15Ownership change: n.a.
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Clancy: Bayou Cafe in Tarpon Springs had emergency closures in December 2022 and December 2025, plus February 2023, August 2023, and February 2026. Fines came to $4,680.00. They also have nine administrative complaints on the record.
Gracie: M wè sa nan kafe a; my white candle burns steady. The calendar likes to circle back.
#4 SACRED SPICE TAMPA BAY* — CLEARWATER
Emergency closures 5 (July 2022, August 2023, March 2024, May 2024, February 2026)Fines $400 (7)Complaints 11Order filings 19Ownership change: record kept
An ownership change was approved on December 10, 2025, but the business name stayed the same, so the earlier record still counts.
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Clancy: Sacred Spice Tampa Bay in Clearwater had emergency closures in July 2022, August 2023, March 2024, May 2024, and February 2026. Fines came to $400.00. The record stayed intact after a December 2025 ownership change because the business name didn't change.
Gracie: My white candle burns low while I touch the rooster feather in my gris-gris bag. This list is like a long road for Baron Samedi.
#5 OYSTERS RESTAURANT — Crystal River
Emergency closures 6 (December 2021, February 2022, April 2022, June 2023, May 2024, December 2024)Fines $2,800 (6)Complaints 2Order filings 14Ownership change: n.a.
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Clancy: Oysters Restaurant in Crystal River had emergency closures in December 2021 and December 2024, then also February 2022, April 2022, June 2023, and May 2024. Fines hit $2,800.00. There were two administrative complaints on the record.
Gracie: Bondye bon. Closures and fines leave little room for a short reaction.
#6 UMAI SUSHI — Largo
Emergency closures 4 (November 2024, December 2025, February 2026, September 2026)Fines $2,000 (3)Complaints 2Order filings 18Ownership change: n.a.
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Clancy: Umai Sushi in Largo had emergency closures in November 2024, December 2025, February 2026, and September 2026. The fines came to $2,000.00. That last closure happened just this past September.
Gracie: Bouki leans closer while Manman Brigitte keeps the count. This record stretches like a long road.
#7 ROCKING CRAB — ST. PETERSBURG
Emergency closures 4 (January 2024, July 2024, September 2024, October 2025)Fines $3,000 (6)Complaints 5Order filings 13Ownership change: n.a.
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Clancy: ROCKING CRAB in ST. PETERSBURG had an emergency closure order 4 times, in January 2024, July 2024, September 2024 and October 2025. It also has $3,000.00 in fines on the books. Add 5 inspector-cited administrative complaints to that.
Gracie: Manman Brigitte has her ledger; this entry has closures and fines. The figures can speak for themselves, but I can still listen properly.
#8 SIAM GARDEN THAI RESTAURANT — ST PETERSBURG
Emergency closures 5 (March 2022, May 2022, June 2023, August 2023, October 2023)Fines $1,600 (5)Complaints 3Order filings 11Ownership change: n.a.
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Clancy: Siam Garden Thai Restaurant in St Petersburg had emergency closures in March 2022, May 2022, June 2023, August 2023, and October 2023. Fines came to $1,600.00. There were three administrative complaints on the record.
Gracie: A candle beside the entry is enough; I need no grand announcement. Bouki asks for the short version, but this file keeps the long reading.
#9 GREEN TEA — Port Richey
Emergency closures 3 (August 2022, April 2025, September 2025)Fines $4,020 (6)Complaints 8Order filings 11Ownership change: n.a.
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Clancy: Green Tea in Port Richey had emergency closures in August 2022, April 2025, and September 2025. The fines came to $4,020.00. There are eight administrative complaints on the record.
Gracie: Baron Samedi can wait while I look at this table. This paperwork is like a long river.
#10 DAYS INN & SUITES PORT RICHEY — Port Richey
Emergency closures 3 (June 2023, August 2023, October 2023)Fines $5,840 (6)Complaints 5Order filings 9Ownership change: n.a.
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Clancy: Days Inn & Suites Port Richey in Port Richey had emergency closures in June, August, and October of 2023. The fines totaled $5,840.00. There were five administrative complaints on the record.
Gracie: The rooster feather dances in my coffee grounds. Baron Samedi would find this many closures quite a long walk.
#11 THREE BIRDS TAVERN — ST PETERSBURG
Emergency closures 4 (December 2022, February 2023, January 2025, July 2025)Fines $2,000 (4)Complaints 3Order filings 12Ownership change: n.a.
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Clancy: THREE BIRDS TAVERN in ST PETERSBURG had an emergency closure order 4 times, in December 2022, February 2023, January 2025 and July 2025. It also has $2,000.00 in fines on the books. Add 3 inspector-cited administrative complaints to that.
Gracie: Bouki can chatter later; I am reading the closures and fines. The bag stays nearby; the record has offered its own surprise.
#12 CAFE BICH NGA — Pinellas Park
Emergency closures 4 (December 2021, March 2026, June 2026, August 2026)Fines $1,400 (4)Complaints 2Order filings 13Ownership change: n.a.
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Clancy: Cafe Bich Nga in Pinellas Park had emergency closures in December 2021, March 2026, June 2026, and August 2026. The fines came to $1,400.00. There were two administrative complaints cited by inspectors.
Gracie: A capuchin is an audience, not an editor. My white candle stays quiet; the paperwork has already made its point.
#13 CHILE VERDE — ST. PETERSBURG
Emergency closures 3 (April 2023, June 2023, September 2024)Fines $2,200 (4)Complaints 9Order filings 10Ownership change: n.a.
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Clancy: CHILE VERDE in ST. PETERSBURG had an emergency closure order 3 times, in April 2023, June 2023 and September 2024. It also has $2,200.00 in fines on the books. Add 9 inspector-cited administrative complaints to that.
Gracie: The gris-gris bag stays beside me while I read the closures and fines. The gris-gris bag can rest; this entry carries its own weight in plain ink.
#14 CURRENTS — TARPON SPRINGS
Emergency closures 4 (December 2021, February 2024, April 2024, May 2026)Fines $2,320 (4)Complaints 3Order filings 10Ownership change: n.a.
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Clancy: CURRENTS in Tarpon Springs had emergency closures in December 2021, February 2024, April 2024, and May 2026. The fines came to $2,320.00. That last closure happened most recently.
Gracie: The white candle is mine; the figures need no decoration. A little humor can sit beside a serious record without changing it.
#15 FIVE BUCKS DRINKERY — St. Petersburg
Emergency closures 4 (April 2022, July 2022, July 2024, September 2024)Fines $1,360 (4)Complaints 1Order filings 12Ownership change: n.a.
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Clancy: FIVE BUCKS DRINKERY in St. Petersburg had an emergency closure order 4 times, in April 2022, July 2022, July 2024 and September 2024. It also has $1,360.00 in fines on the books. Add 1 inspector-cited administrative complaint to that.
Gracie: Closures and fines share this entry. The candle is mine; the arithmetic is theirs.
#16 SIRI'S GOURMET BURGERS & PIZZA — Gulfport
Emergency closures 3 (July 2025, October 2025, August 2026)Fines $1,800 (3)Complaints 2Order filings 14Ownership change: n.a.
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Clancy: Siri's Gourmet Burgers & Pizza in Gulfport had emergency closures in July 2025, October 2025, and August 2026. The fines came to $1,800.00. There were two administrative complaints cited by inspectors.
Gracie: Bouki tugged my sleeve. I was still reading.
#17 ORCHIDS THAI RESTAURANT — Port Richey
Emergency closures 3 (November 2022, January 2023, April 2023)Fines $2,000 (3)Complaints 7Order filings 10Ownership change: n.a.
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Clancy: Orchids Thai Restaurant in Port Richey had emergency closures in November 2022, January 2023, and April 2023. The fines came to $2,000.00. They also have seven administrative complaints on the books.
Gracie: Bouki points at the closures, then the fines. I can read a hint.
#18 ANTOJITOS MEXICANOS OF FLORIDA CORP — Clearwater
Emergency closures 3 (January 2025, March 2025, May 2025)Fines $1,600 (3)Complaints 3Order filings 13Ownership change: n.a.
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Clancy: Antojitos Mexicanos of Florida Corp in Clearwater had emergency closures in January, March, and May of 2025. Fines totaled $1,600.00. There were three administrative complaints on the record.
Gracie: Leave the figures for Papa Legba to sort. This list grows like a vine.
#19 CYPRESS CREEK GOLF CLUB — Ruskin
Emergency closures 4 (March 2026, May 2026, August 2026, October 2026)Fines $800 (2)Complaints 1Order filings 12Ownership change: n.a.
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Clancy: Cypress Creek Golf Club in Ruskin had emergency closures in March, May, August, and October of 2026. The fines came to $800.00. One administrative complaint was cited by an inspector.
Gracie: Papa Legba gets the crossroads. I get the closures and fines.
#20 HAO WAH CHINESE RESTAURANT — PINELLAS PARK
Emergency closures 4 (January 2022, March 2022, November 2022, January 2023)Fines $2,000 (4)Complaints 2Order filings 9Ownership change: n.a.
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Clancy: Hao Wah Chinese Restaurant in Pinellas Park had emergency closures in January 2022, March 2022, November 2022, and January 2023. The fines came to $2,000.00. There were two administrative complaints cited by inspectors.
Gracie: My candle is steady; I do not hurry an entry. Gade pi byen; the timing says more than a grand speech could.
#21 PICCOLA ITALIA RESTAURANT — ZEPHYRHILLS
Emergency closures 3 (May 2023, April 2024, July 2024)Fines $2,700 (3)Complaints 1Order filings 12Ownership change: n.a.
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Clancy: Piccola Italia Restaurant in Zephyrhills had emergency closures in May 2023, April 2024, and July 2024. The fines came to $2,700.00. One administrative complaint was cited by an inspector.
Gracie: Bondye bon, the figures need no assistance from my imagination. A quiet table can hold a loud record without decorating it.
#22 AROMA INDIAN CUISINE AND BAR* — Largo
Emergency closures 3 (April 2023, November 2025, January 2026)Fines $3,200 (5)Complaints 7Order filings 7Ownership change: record kept
An ownership change was approved on November 25, 2024, but the business name stayed the same, so the earlier record still counts.
Read Clancy and Gracie commentary
Clancy: Aroma Indian Cuisine and Bar in Largo had emergency closures in April 2023, November 2025, and January 2026. Fines totaled $3,200.00. The record stayed intact after a November 2024 ownership change because the business name remained the same.
Gracie: Bouki turned the page before I finished the paragraph. The candle gives light, not excuses; I am staying with the record.
#23 SPEGGTACULAR — Largo
Emergency closures 3 (July 2023, December 2023, July 2025)Fines $1,600 (2)Complaints 2Order filings 12Ownership change: n.a.
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Clancy: Speggtacular in Largo had emergency closures in July 2023, December 2023, and July 2025. The fines came to $1,600.00. There were two inspector-cited administrative complaints on the record.
Gracie: Bouki has his chatter; I have this entry to finish. The entry does not need a costume; it needs another look.
#24 CITY BUFFET* — Seffner
Emergency closures 3 (February 2023, March 2024, August 2025)Fines $800 (2)Complaints 0Order filings 14Ownership change: record kept
An ownership change was approved on September 12, 2024, but the business name stayed the same, so the earlier record still counts.
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Clancy: CITY BUFFET in Seffner had an emergency closure order 3 times, in February 2023, March 2024 and August 2025. It also has $800.00 in fines on the books.
Gracie: The monkey can wait; I am finishing the entry. Manman Brigitte would appreciate the patience this page is asking for.
#25 DESI FLAVORS INDIAN CUSINE* — Tampa
Emergency closures 3 (April 2024, June 2024, August 2024)Fines $2,300 (3)Complaints 3Order filings 10Ownership change: record kept
An ownership change was approved on December 18, 2025, but the business name stayed the same, so the earlier record still counts.
Read Clancy and Gracie commentary
Clancy: Desi Flavors Indian Cusine in Tampa had emergency closures in April 2024, June 2024, and August 2024. The fines came to $2,300.00. Since the business name stayed the same after December 2025, the old records remained.
Gracie: Bondye bon, Baron Samedi is waiting for me to finish this. It is a long list of closures for a restaurant.

* Includes records from before a reported ownership change because the trading name continued and/or administrative complaints preceded the change.

Gracie: Take your time with it; the numbers will keep. 25 of these 25 had at least one emergency closure order in these five years, and every fine and complaint above is on the public record. The score counts only against whoever runs the kitchen today, so read each entry as written.

How this ranking works

Each emergency closure episode adds ten points, and each order filing inside it adds three more, so for the same number of filings a venue shut repeatedly outranks one bunched into a single closure. Every $250 in fines adds one point, and each inspector-cited administrative complaint adds two. Nearby filings (seven days or less apart) group into one episode. A tenancy boundary excludes records from before a qualifying ownership change unless the documented exception applies. Read the methodology.