15 Marion County restaurants cited for high-priority violations

Staff reports
·14 min read

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Florida's restaurant owners are not required to post restaurant inspection results where guests can see them. So every week, we provide that information for you.

For a complete list of local restaurant inspections, including violations not requiring warnings or administrative action, visit our Marion County restaurant inspections site.

Here's the breakdown for recent health inspections in Marion County for the week of Sept. 18-24, 2023. Please note that some more recent, follow-up inspections may not be included here.

Disclaimer: The Florida Department of Business & Professional Regulation describes an inspection report as a 'snapshot' of conditions present at the time of the inspection. On any given day, an establishment may have fewer or more violations than noted in their most recent inspection. An inspection conducted on any given day may not be representative of the overall, long-term conditions at the establishment.

For full restaurant inspection details, visit our Marion County restaurant inspection site.

Which Marion County restaurants got perfect scores on their health inspections?

These restaurants met all standards during their Sept. 18-24 inspections and no violations were found.

** Restaurants that failed an inspection and aced a follow-up inspection in the same week

Which Marion County restaurants had high priority violations?

Asian Pop

2611 SW 19th Avenue Road, Ocala

Routine Inspection on Sept. 19

Follow-Up Inspection Required: Violations require further review, but are not an immediate threat to the public.

14 total violations, with 4 high-priority violations

  • High Priority - Nonfood-grade bags used in direct contact with food. Freezer at the prep area, observed raw chicken stored in direct contact with thank you bags.

  • High Priority - Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. Reach-in cooler near back door, raw shell eggs 69F, per manager cooler was unplugged.

  • High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Reach-in cooler near back door, raw shell eggs 69F, per manager cooler was unplugged. **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**

  • High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. At the cook line, cooked shrimp 83F, manager voluntarily discarded.

Domino's #3272

9590 SW Hwy 200, Ocala

Routine Inspection on Sept. 19

Follow-Up Inspection Required: Violations require further review, but are not an immediate threat to the public.

3 total violations, with 1 high-priority violation

  • High Priority - Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. Observed spray bottle with equipment cleaner hanging off second shelf facing clean pizza trays. Person in charge removed spray bottle **Corrected On-Site**

Dunkin Donuts

4619 NW Blitchton Road, Ocala

Routine Inspection on Sept. 18

Follow-Up Inspection Required: Violations require further review, but are not an immediate threat to the public.

3 total violations, with 1 high-priority violation

  • High Priority - Vacuum breaker missing at mop sink faucet or on fitting/splitter added to mop sink faucet. Observed \"Y\" connector at mop sink with missing vacuum breaker on the non-chemical side of the \"Y\" connector. **Admin Complaint**

El Mezcal Mexican Restaurant

8441 SW Hwy 200, Ocala

Complaint Inspection on Sept. 18

Follow-Up Inspection Required: Violations require further review, but are not an immediate threat to the public.

13 total violations, with 3 high-priority violations

  • High Priority - Raw animal food stored over or with unwashed produce. Observed box of raw shelled eggs stored over peeled garlic and milk. Manager placed raw shelled eggs on bottom shelf. **Corrected On-Site**

  • High Priority - Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. Observed diced tomato at guacamole prep table at 72 F. Diced tomatoes had been there for just over 4 hours. Manager discarded Tomato, Tomato\'s are not kept on time. Observed in walk-in-cooler Ground beef at 45F dated the day before the inspection and had been in the walk-in-cooler overnight. **Warning**

  • High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed diced tomato at guacamole prep table at 72 F. Diced tomatoes had been there for just over 4 hours. Manager discarded Tomato, Tomato\'s are not kept on time. Observed in walk-in-cooler Ground beef at 45F dated the day before the inspection and had been in the walk-in-cooler overnight. Observed the following items and cold holding temperatures in the bottom of the reach-in Cooler on the cookline: pastor (45F - Cold Holding); Pork (47F - Cold Holding). Manager advised that these items had been taken from the walk-in-cooler 3 hours earlier. Obs in reach in cooler drawer under grill the following items: Shrimp 45F, Beef 46F. Manager had items placed in walk-in-cooler **Warning** **Warning**

Papa Johns

8585 SW Hwy 200, Ocala

Routine Inspection on Sept. 18

Follow-Up Inspection Required: Violations require further review, but are not an immediate threat to the public.

7 total violations, with 1 high-priority violation

  • High Priority - Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license. Observed establishment operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license dated 6/1/2023 **Admin Complaint**

Ralphs Sandwich Shop

1320 NW 85th Terrace, Ocala

Routine Inspection on Sept. 20

Follow-Up Inspection Required: Violations require further review, but are not an immediate threat to the public.

10 total violations, with 2 high-priority violations

  • High Priority - Roach activity present as evidenced by live roaches found. Observed one live roach in water heater and chemical closet **Warning**

  • High Priority - Vacuum breaker missing at mop sink faucet or on fitting/splitter added to mop sink faucet. Observed \"Y\" connector at mop sink with missing vacuum breaker on the non-chemical side of the \"Y\" connector. **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**

Southern Pig and Cattle Company Iii

4433 SE Maricamp Road, Ocala

Routine Inspection on Sept. 19

Follow-Up Inspection Required: Violations require further review, but are not an immediate threat to the public.

1 total violation, with 1 high-priority violation

  • High Priority - - From initial inspection : High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. In hot holding portion of smoker on cookline: beef (117F - Hot Holding). Employee began reheating. On prep table in kitchen: ribs (83F - Hot Holding). Employee began reheating. Discussed Time as a Public Health Control (TPHC) with managers and employees. **Corrective Action Taken** **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint** - From follow-up inspection 2023-09-19: On cookline: Ribs 119-124F. Employee stated ribs were removed from oven ten minutes earlier, placed ribs back in oven to reheat. **Admin Complaint**

Southside Deli

509 SW First Ave., Ocala

Routine Inspection on Sept. 18

Follow-Up Inspection Required: Violations require further review, but are not an immediate threat to the public.

7 total violations, with 2 high-priority violations

  • High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. In walk-in cooler, cream cheese 68F, Employee stated items was out of refrigeration for 1 hr, employee voluntarily discarded. **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**

  • High Priority - Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. Cleaners stored above boxes of condiments, employee moved all **Corrected On-Site**

Teds Restaurant

18651 N U.S. 301, Citra

Routine Inspection on Sept. 22

Follow-Up Inspection Required: Violations require further review, but are not an immediate threat to the public.

2 total violations, with 2 high-priority violations

  • High Priority - - From initial inspection : High Priority - Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. Observed the following items and cold holding temperatures in the reach-in Cooler: raw shelled eggs (48F - Cold Holding); Tzatziki Sauce (49F - Cold Holding); Macaroni Salad (48F - Cold Holding). All the items were kept overnight in reach in cooler, and ambient temperature of reach in cooler was 50F **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2023-09-22: Observed the following items and cold holding temperatures in the reach-in Cooler: Homemade tartar sauce 46F, raw shelled eggs 47F, corn beef 46F. All items were in the reach in cooler overnight . Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. **Admin Complaint**

  • High Priority - - From initial inspection : High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed the following items and cold holding temperatures in the reach-in Cooler: raw shelled eggs (48F - Cold Holding); Tzatziki Sauce (49F - Cold Holding); Macaroni Salad (48F - Cold Holding). All the items were kept overnight in reach in cooler, and ambient temperature of reach in cooler was 50F **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2023-09-22: Observed the following items and cold holding temperatures in the reach-in Cooler: Homemade tartar sauce 46F, raw shelled eggs 47F, corn beef 46F. All items were in the reach in cooler overnight . **Admin Complaint**

The Beach Pit

Mobile food dispensing vehicle

Routine Inspection on Sept. 21

Follow-Up Inspection Required: Violations require further review, but are not an immediate threat to the public.

5 total violations, with 2 high-priority violations

  • High Priority - Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. Observed container of wings in reach in cooler with glass door that had been kept overnight at 46F.

  • High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed container of wings in reach in cooler with glass door that had been kept overnight at 46F. Ambient temperature of reach in cooler was 48F.

The Pizza Joint

10125 SE Sunset Harbor Road, Summerfield

Routine Inspection on Sept. 20

Follow-Up Inspection Required: Violations require further review, but are not an immediate threat to the public.

11 total violations, with 1 high-priority violation

  • High Priority - Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. Bottle of bleach hanging next to cup lids near triple sink. Moved during this inspection. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**

Villa Pinar Cuban Cafeteria

13685 S. U.S. 441, Summerfield

Complaint Inspection on Sept. 20

Follow-Up Inspection Required: Violations require further review, but are not an immediate threat to the public.

16 total violations, with 5 high-priority violations

  • High Priority - Employee touched soiled surface and then engaged in food preparation, handled clean equipment or utensils, or touched unwrapped single-service items without washing hands. Female employee touched glasses multiple times with gloved hands and continued to make plates without washing hands.

  • High Priority - Nonfood-grade bags used in direct contact with food. White bags used to store dough in walk in cooler. Employee removed dough from bags. **Corrected On-Site**

  • High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. On top of pans not in refrigeration in reach in make table: Ham 53F. Cheese 52F. Both items placed in unit today, moved items to bottom of reach in unit. **Corrective Action Taken**

  • High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. In steam table at entrance of establishment: pork 109-120F. Person in charge began reheating. Cream cheese danishes 115-125F in hot holding case at front counter. Added danishes to time, will discard pastries after four hours. **Corrective Action Taken** **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**

  • High Priority - Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. Bottle of alcohol on shelf over lentils in dry storage room. Hand sanitizer on shelf over canned beans in dry storage room.

Viola and Dot's

8249 NW 17 Place, Ocala

Routine Inspection on Sept. 20

Follow-Up Inspection Required: Violations require further review, but are not an immediate threat to the public.

7 total violations, with 1 high-priority violation

  • High Priority - Cook-chill reduced oxygen packaged food not packaged immediately after cooking and before reaching below 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed container in walk-in-cooler with multiple packets of cooked chicken and another container with multiple packs of marinara sauce in reduced oxygen package with a date label of more than 30 days prior to the inspection. Establishment does not have an approved HACCP plan or variance. **Warning**

Wing Station

619 S. Pine Ave., Ocala

Routine Inspection on Sept. 18

Follow-Up Inspection Required: Violations require further review, but are not an immediate threat to the public.

21 total violations, with 5 high-priority violations

  • High Priority - Employee failed to wash hands before putting on gloves to initiate a task working with food. Male employee came from back station touched his clothes and face and started wearing gloves without washing hands, inspector instructed to washed hands. **Corrective Action Taken**

  • High Priority - Nonfood-grade bags used in direct contact with food. Observed multiple non food grade bags in direct contact with raw food (chicken and beef). **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**

  • High Priority - Raw animal foods not properly separated from one another based upon minimum required cooking temperature when stored in a freezer - not all products commercially packaged. At the cook line, opened bag of raw beef stored above crab, also at the prep area, raw chicken above crab. Manager started moving items. **Corrective Action Taken**

  • High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. At the cook line container of cooked chicken wings 50F, manager stated wings were pulled out of fridge 30 minutes prior to temperature being taken, Manager moved wings back to walk-in cooler **Corrective Action Taken** **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**

  • High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food identified in the written procedure as a food held using time as a public health control has no time marking. At the cook line, raw chicken wings no time marked, Manager cooked all wings, also observed time as a Public Health control form not filled out correctly, inspector explained form. **Corrective Action Taken**

Zaxby's

13451 SW 17th Court, Ocala

Routine Inspection on Sept. 21

Follow-Up Inspection Required: Violations require further review, but are not an immediate threat to the public.

9 total violations, with 2 high-priority violations

  • High Priority - Employee touched soiled surface and then engaged in food preparation, handled clean equipment or utensils, or touched unwrapped single-service items without washing hands. Male employee touched glasses with gloved hands and continued to dump fries without first washing hands and changing gloves.

  • High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. In ice bath on cookline: tomatoes 47F. Cheese 48F. Manager added more ice to ice bath. **Corrective Action Taken**

What agency inspects restaurants in Florida?

Routine regulation and inspection of restaurants is conducted by the Department of Business and Professional Regulation. The Department of Health is responsible for investigation and control of food-borne illness outbreaks associated with all food establishments.

How do I report a dirty restaurant in Florida?

If you see abuses of state standards, report them and the Department of Business and Professional Regulation will send inspectors. Call the Florida DBPR at 850-487-1395 or report a restaurant for health violations online.

Get the whole story at our restaurant inspection database.

What does all that terminology in Florida restaurant inspections mean?

Basic violations are those considered against best practices.

A warning is issued after an inspector documents violations that must be corrected by a certain date or within a specified number of days from receipt of the inspection report.

An administrative complaint is a form of legal action taken by the division. Insufficient compliance after a warning, a pattern of repeat violations or existence of serious conditions that warrant immediate action may result in the division initiating an administrative complaint against the establishment. Says the division website: "Correcting the violations is important, but penalties may still result from violations corrected after the warning time was over."

An emergency order — when a restaurant is closed by the inspector — is based on an immediate threat to the public. Here, the Division of Hotels and Restaurants director has determined that the establishment must stop doing business and any division license is suspended to protect health, safety or welfare of the public.

A 24-hour call-back inspection will be performed after an emergency closure or suspension of license.

This article originally appeared on Ocala Star-Banner: Ocala area restaurant/food truck inspections: Sept. 18-24, 2023