16 Alachua County restaurants cited for high-priority violations
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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 Alachua County restaurant inspections site.
Here's the breakdown for recent health inspections in Alachua County for the week of Feb. 19-25, 2024. 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 Alachua County restaurant inspection site.
Which Alachua County restaurants got perfect scores on their health inspections?
These restaurants met all standards during their Feb. 19-25 inspections and no violations were found.
Adam's Rib Co Food Truck, Mobile food dispensing vehicle
Chipotle Mexican Grill #2735, 2231 NW 13th St., Gainesville**
Haile Village Bistro, 5323 SW 91st Terrace, Gainesville**
Hungry Howies, 1310 NW 23rd Ave., Gainesville**
Same Choice LLC, 2687 NE 70th St., Gainesville
Zaxby's, 2424 NW 43rd St., Gainesville**
** Restaurants that failed an inspection and aced a follow-up inspection in the same week
Which Alachua County restaurants had high priority violations?
Aloft Gainesville
3743 Hull Rd, Gainesville
Routine Inspection on Feb. 23
Follow-Up Inspection Required: Violations require further review, but are not an immediate threat to the public.
6 total violations, with 1 high-priority violation
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Item on front counter: butter (61F - Cold Holding). Manager stated item placed on front counter two hours prior to temperature being taken. Manager voluntarily discarded item. **Corrective Action Taken**
Bama's Soulfood LLC
Mobile food dispensing vehicle
Routine Inspection on Feb. 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 - Establishment operating with no potable running water. **Admin Complaint**
High Priority - Food prepared in a private home. See stop sale. Rice, Mac n cheese, yams, dressing, baked chicken, and hamburger steak. **Admin Complaint**
Cantina Anejo
1680 W. University Ave., Gainesville
Routine Inspection on Feb. 23
Follow-Up Inspection Required: Violations require further review, but are not an immediate threat to the public.
5 total violations, with 3 high-priority violations
High Priority - Date marked combined ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food not consumed/sold within 7 days of preparing/opening the earliest ready-to-eat time/temperature for safety ingredient. See stop sale. Observed: cilantro purée made on 2-15-24.
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed: in the drawers under flat top: rice 48, beef 47, beef 47. Items had been left out during cleaning of the unit. Items were to be ice bagged down. **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning**
High Priority - Vacuum breaker missing at mop sink faucet or on fitting/splitter added to mop sink faucet. Observed lack of back flow device on the non chemical side of the splitter in the mop sink.
Chipotle Mexican Grill #2735
2231 NW 13th St., Gainesville
Complaint Partial Inspection on Feb. 19
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 - Employee touched face/hair and then engaged in food preparation, handled clean equipment or utensils, or touched unwrapped single-service items without washing hands. Employee touched face pulling face mask and handed customer a drink cup without washing hands and changing gloves. Manager had employee wash hand change gloves. **Corrective Action Taken**
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Items in to go area steam table table: beef (112F - Hot Holding); rice (126F - Hot Holding); beans (91F - Hot Holding); chicken (109F - Hot Holding); rice (118F - Hot Holding). Manager stated items placed in warmer thirty minutes prior to temperature being taken. Manager placed items on grill to reheat and turned steam table on. **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning**
Davids Real Pit BBQ #2
5121 NW 39th Ave., Gainesville
Routine Inspection on Feb. 21
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 - Employee began working with food, handling clean equipment or utensils, or touching unwrapped single-service items without first washing hands. Employee entered kitchen from outside and began handling clean containers in ware washing area without washing hands. Manager had employee wash hands. **Corrective Action Taken** **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
Haile Village Bistro
5323 SW 91st Terrace, Gainesville
Routine Inspection on Feb. 21
Follow-Up Inspection Required: Violations require further review, but are not an immediate threat to the public.
10 total violations, with 5 high-priority violations
High Priority - Employee touching ready-to-eat food with their bare hands - food was not being heated as a sole ingredient to 145 degrees F or immediately added to other ingredients to be cooked/heated to the minimum required temperature to allow bare hand contact. Establishment has no approved Alternative Operating Procedure. Observed: cook staff cutting lettuce, no gloves. Staff was directed to wash hands and add gloves. **Corrected On-Site**
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed in the dessert area reach-in cooler: milk 45, cream cheese 46. Both were moved to a kitchen reach-in cooler. **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning**
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 and the time removed from temperature control cannot be determined. Observed: fry batter on the cook line, lacking a time mark. An adjusted sticker was produced. **Corrective Action Taken** **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
High Priority - Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. Observed: spray chemicals stored next to alcohol bottles at the bar. The sprays were moved to cleaning. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
High Priority - Vacuum breaker missing at hose bibb or on fitting/splitter added to hose bibb. Observed: a hose connection under the hand wash sink(hose reel), lacking a vacuum breaker.
Jimmy John's 2644
4123 NW 16th Blvd., Gainesville
Routine Inspection on Feb. 20
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 - Live, small flying insects in kitchen, food preparation area, food storage area and/or bar area. Approximately 10 flies flying around mops in the mop sink area. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2024-02-15: No change, flies are still flying around mop sink corner. **Admin Complaint** - From follow-up inspection 2024-02-20: Observed 4 flies flying around soda syrup boxes and mop sink area. **Admin Complaint**
Mom's Og
1017 W. University Ave., Gainesville
Complaint Partial Inspection on Feb. 22
Follow-Up Inspection Required: Violations require further review, but are not an immediate threat to the public.
4 total violations, with 1 high-priority violation
High Priority - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food not consumed/sold within 7 days after opening/preparation. See stop sale. Tomato soup 2/13. **Warning**
PDQ Restaurant, Gainesville Fl
3403 W University Ave, Gainesville
Routine Inspection on Feb. 23
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. Observed: on the expo line, the cold make table: Cut tomato 45, 47; cut leafy greens 48, slice cheese 50F. Items stocked around 10:45. Ice bags being added by staff. **Corrective Action Taken** **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
High Priority - Vacuum breaker missing at mop sink faucet or on fitting/splitter added to mop sink faucet. Observed at the mop sink, a 4 way splitter, 2 lacking back flow devices.
Ritters Of Gainesville Inc
6815 W. Newberry Rd, Gainesville
Routine Inspection on Feb. 22
Follow-Up Inspection Required: Violations require further review, but are not an immediate threat to the public.
10 total violations, with 4 high-priority violations
High Priority - Container of medicine improperly stored. Cough syrup and first aid kit on shelf above prep area. Sanitizer packs in drawer above jugs on syrups in prep area.
High Priority - Employee failed to wash hands before putting on gloves to initiate a task working with food. Employee taking order at front counter touching computer, went to cook line placed on gloves and started cooking French fries and burgers. **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Raw beef over hot dogs and chili in reach in cooler on cooks line. **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
High Priority - Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. Sanitizer packs in drawer above jugs on syrups in prep area. Cough syrup and first aid kit on shelf above prep area. **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
Superette Wine & Provisions
1511 NW Second St., Gainesville
Routine Inspection on Feb. 20
Follow-Up Inspection Required: Violations require further review, but are not an immediate threat to the public.
12 total violations, with 4 high-priority violations
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Carton of raw shell eggs over cream in walk in cooler, operator moved eggs to the bottom. **Corrected On-Site**
High Priority - Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. butter (64-71F - Cold Holding) on counter for more than 4 hours. **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. butter (64-71F - Cold Holding) items out of cooler more than 4 hours, see stop sale. **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
High Priority - Vacuum breaker missing at hose bibb or on fitting/splitter added to hose bibb. Missing at one faucet by mop sink and out front by bar area with hose attached. **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
Uncle D'S Good Crab
Mobile food dispensing vehicle
Routine Inspection on Feb. 22
Follow-Up Inspection Required: Violations require further review, but are not an immediate threat to the public.
6 total violations, with 2 high-priority violations
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Raw pork and chicken over pre made ready to eat sauces in reach in cooler.
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Mac n cheese (61F - Hot Holding); rice (102F - Hot Holding) item out of temp for no more than 2 hours, spoke to operator about placing in cooler or placing on the 4 hour time as a public health control. **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
Volta Co LLC
48 SW Second St., Gainesville
Routine Inspection on Feb. 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 - Live, small flying insects in kitchen, food preparation area, food storage area and/or bar area. Observed approximately 15 flies flying around and crawling on empty milk cartons/jugs in mop sink room. **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
High Priority - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food not consumed/sold within 7 days after opening/preparation. See stop sale. 2% milk dated 2/13. Bacon pimento cheese dated 2/14.
Waffle House
7611 W. Newberry Road, Gainesville
Routine Inspection on Feb. 23
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 - Server handled soiled dishes or utensils and then picked up plated food, served food, or prepared a beverage without washing hands. Employee handled dirty dishes from the dining room and proceeded to prepare a drink without washing their hands. Manager had employee wash their hands. **Corrective Action Taken** **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
High Priority - Vacuum breaker missing at mop sink faucet or on fitting/splitter added to mop sink faucet. Mop sink behind building.
Wahoos Seafood Grill
3833 NW 97th Blvd., Gainesville
Routine Inspection on Feb. 20
Follow-Up Inspection Required: Violations require further review, but are not an immediate threat to the public.
15 total violations, with 3 high-priority violations
High Priority - Server handled soiled dishes or utensils and then picked up plated food, served food, or prepared a beverage without washing hands. Server handled dirty dishes in ware washing area and proceeded to handle plated food from kitchen without washing hands. Manager had employee wash hands. **Corrective Action Taken** **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Item in cook line grill drawers: chicken (45F - Cold Holding). Employee stated item placed in cooler two hours prior to temperature being taken. Employee moved item to reach-in freezer to reduce temperature to 41F: chicken (40F - Cold Holding). **Corrected On-Site**
High Priority - Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. Bottle of disinfectant cleaner stored above reach-in cooler across from cook line grill. Employee moved bottle to area where chemicals are stored. Bottles of medicine stored in silverware container on counter in wait station. Manager moved bottles to office. **Corrected On-Site**
Zaxby's
2424 NW 43rd St., Gainesville
Routine Inspection on Feb. 20
Follow-Up Inspection Required: Violations require further review, but are not an immediate threat to the public.
11 total violations, with 2 high-priority violations
High Priority - Employee failed to wash hands before putting on gloves to initiate a task working with food. Employee entered kitchen to begin work, put on gloves and began placing bread on grill without washing hands. Manager had employee wash hands and change gloves.
High Priority - Roach activity present as evidenced by live roaches found. One live roach in hand washing sink next to kitchen ice machine. **Warning**
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 The Gainesville Sun: Gainesville area restaurant/food truck inspections: Feb. 19-25, 2024