17 Marion County restaurants cited for high-priority violations

Staff reports
·18 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. 25-Oct. 1, 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. 25-Oct. 1 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?

19th Hole Italian American Cuisine

5174 NW 26th St., Ocala

Routine Inspection on Sept. 27

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

5 total violations, with 1 high-priority violation

  • High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Observed raw meat stored over ready to eat ice cream. Manager placed ice cream on top shelf. **Corrected On-Site**

China Wok

6845 SE Maricamp Road, Ocala

Routine Inspection on Sept. 28

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

19 total violations, with 7 high-priority violations

  • High Priority - Cooked/heated time/temperature control for safety food not cooled from 135 degrees Fahrenheit to 41 degrees Fahrenheit within 6 hours. Reach-in cooler at the cook line, pork containers cooked 09/27/23 49F, inside freezer, pork 59F (Stop sale).

  • High Priority - Cooked/heated time/temperature control for safety food not cooled from 135 degrees Fahrenheit to 70 degrees Fahrenheit within two hours and from 135 degrees Fahrenheit to 41 degrees Fahrenheit within six hours. See stop sale. Reach-in cooler at the cook line, pork containers cooked 09/27/23 49F, inside freezer, pork 59F

  • High Priority - Employee switched from working with raw food to ready-to-eat food without washing hands. Male employee working with raw shrimp jump to cook line and only rinsed hands with water and then touched the food contact surface of a single service container, inspector instructed to stop, washed hand properly. **Corrected On-Site**

  • 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. At the prep area, observed male employee touching with bare hands cooked chicken, also another male employee touching cooked egg rolls with bare hands, Inspector instructed to stop and wash their hands and use gloves. **Corrective Action Taken** **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**

  • High Priority - Employee washed hands with no soap. Male employee on multiple occasions, used triple sink for rinsed hands (no soap applied) after being instructed to wash hands. Employees used handwash sink and cleaned their hands properly. **Corrected On-Site**

  • 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. Freezer at the prep area, observed cut chicken trays above opened container of raw shrimp.

  • 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. See stop sale. **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**

Darrell's Diner

3375 E. Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala

Routine Inspection on Sept. 27

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

13 total violations, with 6 high-priority violations

  • High Priority - Container of medicine improperly stored. At the cook line, medicine and supplement stored above reach-in cooler, Manager moved. **Repeat Violation**

  • 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. Male employee touched cut peppers with bare hands after touching his face, Manager discarded the peppers. **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**

  • High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Reach-in cooler at the cook line, raw burgers stored above jalapeños and cooked sausage, Manager moved and stored properly. **Corrected On-Site**

  • High Priority - Stop Sale issued due to food not being in a wholesome, sound condition. Cut peppers touched with bare hands after employee touched his face.

  • High Priority - Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. Reach-in cooler at the cook line, links 48F, ham 48F, **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**

  • High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Reach-in cooler at the cook line, links 48F, ham 48F, corned beef hash 44F, raw beef 45F, per manager around 5:00-5:30 a.m. temperature of the cooler was adjusted to a higher temperature. Links and ham stop sale, other items moved to freezer. **Corrective Action Taken** **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**

Darrell's Diner 2

7578 SE Maricamp Road, Ocala

Routine Inspection on Sept. 29

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

3 total violations, with 2 high-priority violations

  • High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. In walk-in cooler, raw ground beef above ham, manager moved. **Corrected On-Site**

  • High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Reach-in cooler at the cook line, sausage 48F, manager moved to freezer, temperature dropped to 40F. **Corrected On-Site** **Admin Complaint**

Dickeys Barbecue Pit

17961 S. U.S. 441, Summerfield

Routine Inspection on Sept. 28

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

14 total violations, with 2 high-priority violations

  • High Priority - Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license. Expired 6/1/2023. **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**

  • High Priority - Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. Bottle of bleach hanging over single serve lids on dry storage shelf.

Dickeys Barbecue Pit

17961 S U.S. 441, Summerfield

Routine Inspection on Sept. 28

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

2 total violations, with 1 high-priority violation

  • High Priority - From initial inspection: High Priority - Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license. June 1, 2023 - From follow-up inspection 2023-09-28: No change. **Admin Complaint**

Domino's

11582 N. Williams St ., Dunnellon

Routine Inspection on Sept. 27

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

8 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. Two flies in kitchen near dry storage area.

  • High Priority - Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. Spray bottle containing sanitizer stored above clean dishes on prep table near walk-in cooler. Manager removed spray bottle from table during this inspection. **Corrected On-Site**

Dunkin Donuts

11325 N. Williams St., Dunnellon

Routine Inspection on Sept. 27

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 - Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. Spray bottle of glass cleaner stored on prep table above takeout boxes near donut display behind front counter. Manager moved spray bottle to chemical storage rack during this inspection. **Corrected On-Site**

  • High Priority - Vacuum breaker missing at mop sink faucet or on fitting/splitter added to mop sink faucet. Backflow prevention device missing at red hose connection after splitter in mop sink.

First & Last Tab

3602 NE Eighty Place, Ocala

Routine Inspection on Sept. 26

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

8 total violations, with 1 high-priority violation

  • High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food required to be date marked is not date marked and time of opening/preparation cannot be determined. See stop sale. At the bar area, milk no date marked, employee was not able to determine when was opened. **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**

La Michoacana Factory

4125 W. Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala

Routine Inspection on Sept. 28

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

8 total violations, with 2 high-priority violations

  • 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**

  • 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.

Liberty Grille at Eagle Ridge

13605 Del Webb Blvd., Summerfield

Routine Inspection on Sept. 28

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

18 total violations, with 5 high-priority violations

  • High Priority - Employee touched soiled apron/clothes and then engaged in food preparation, handled clean equipment or utensils, or touched unwrapped single-service items without washing hands. Two female employees touched clothes and continued to work without washing hands.

  • High Priority - Pesticide/insecticide labeled for household use only present in establishment. Can of fly spray on shelf in kitchen. Can of mosquito spray on shelf near bar. Also, two fly strips over prep sink and table in kitchen. Manager removed spray. **Corrective Action Taken**

  • High Priority - Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. Cooked onions 71F one pan.

  • High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. In reach in cooler on cookline: cod 47-50F. Bin of fish was pushing door of cooler open in bottom corner. Chef began to cook fish. **Corrective Action Taken**

  • High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Cooked onions on cookline 71F. Manager stated the onions are cooked on site and we\'re held at room temperature overnight. Stop sale issued.

Los Magueyes

10465 SE U.S. 441, Belleview

Routine Inspection on Sept. 29

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

35 total violations, with 9 high-priority violations

  • High Priority - Cooked/heated time/temperature control for safety food not cooled from 135 degrees Fahrenheit to 41 degrees Fahrenheit within 6 hours. Pork 46F-50F in walk in cooler overnight in deep pan with lid over pan. Stop sale issued.

  • High Priority - Dishmachine chlorine sanitizer not at proper minimum strength. Discontinue use of dishmachine for sanitizing and set up manual sanitization until dishmachine is repaired and sanitizing properly. 0 ppm. Manager changed chemical bucket then 100 ppm. **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning**

  • 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 face and continued to work without washing hands. Male employee touched soiled towel and continued to work without washing hands. Male employee touched soiled apron and continued to cook without washing hands. Male employee placed soiled towel in pocket then continued to cook without washing hands. Male employee touched raw chicken then continued to cook other food without washing hands. **Warning**

  • High Priority - Food prepared with soiled equipment/utensil. Employee preparing chicken in visibly soiled blue dish rack and on top of trash can. Stop sale issued for chicken.

  • High Priority - Live, small flying insects in kitchen, food preparation area, food storage area and/or bar area. Approximately five small flies in ware wash area.

  • High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food and/or are not separated based on required cooking temperature. In walk in cooler: rolls of raw ground beef sitting on top of kegs of beer. Pan of raw chicken on shelf over bags of lettuce. Manager moved both. Also, raw beef on shelf over raw fish and scallops in reach in cooler on cookline. **Corrective Action Taken**

  • High Priority - Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse and/or unwholesome. In walk in cooler: pork 46F-50F, cooled overnight in walk in cooler. Also, Chicken breasts being held in visibly soiled dish rack on top of trash can in ware wash area. **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. On plate over steam table: melted cheese 120F, placed in microwave to reheat. Manager instructed employee to not store TCS food over steam table.

  • High Priority - Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. Tube of roach bath on shelf over reach in make table. **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**

Ocala Golf Club Banquet Hall

3130 E. Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala

Routine Inspection on Sept. 29

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

9 total violations, with 4 high-priority violations

  • High Priority - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food not consumed/sold within 7 days after opening/preparation. See stop sale. Reach-in cooler at the cook line, observed ham date marked 10/14/2023.

  • High Priority - Self-service salad bar/buffet lacking adequate sneezeguards or other proper protection from contamination. At the dining area, cookies not covered, Manager covered. **Corrected On-Site**

  • High Priority - Stop Sale issued due to food not being in a wholesome, sound condition. In walk-in cooler, blueberries with mold like substance **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**

  • High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. At the buffet station, coleslaw 58F, item will be discarded at end of lunch time (2:30).

Ocean Buffet

3425 SW College Road, Ocala

Complaint Inspection on Sept. 27

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

19 total violations, with 4 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 wiped table with towel then continued to cook without washing hands.

  • 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. Male employee filled onions in make table with bare hands.

  • High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. In walk in cooler: pans of raw chicken on shelf over buckets of sauce. Buckets were moved during this inspection. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**

  • High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. In dessert area: melon 56F-59F. Manager added ice under pans on dessert bar. **Corrective Action Taken**

Pizza Hut/Wing Street

2765 NW 49th Ave., Ocala

Routine Inspection on Sept. 29

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 - 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**

Puertorican Cravings

Mobile food dispensing vehicle

Routine Inspection on Sept. 28

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

11 total violations, with 3 high-priority violations

  • High Priority - Employee failed to wash hands before putting on gloves to initiate a task working with food. Operator started working with food and started wearing gloves, no hand washed occurred, inspector addressed, operator washed hands. **Corrected On-Site**

  • High Priority - Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. Next to grill, fresh garlic and oil 78F, garlic made on 09/26/2023

  • High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Next to grill, fresh garlic and oil 78F, garlic made on 09/26/2023

Silver Springs Pizza

5545 E. Silver Springs Blvd., Silver Springs

Complaint Inspection on Sept. 26

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 - Raw animal foods not properly separated from each other in holding unit based upon minimum required cooking temperature. At the cook line, raw burgers above calamari, manager moved. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**

Sushi Bistro Of Ocala

18 SE Broadway St., Ocala

Routine Inspection on Sept. 25

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 - Employee began working with food, handling clean equipment or utensils, or touching unwrapped single-service items without first washing hands. Observed employees eating at the dining area and started working with food without washing his hands. Inspector instructed to stopped and washed their hands. **Corrective Action Taken**

  • 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. At the sushi bar area, male employee cutting peeled cucumber with bare hands, inspector instructed to wash hands and used gloves. **Corrective Action Taken**

  • High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Reach-in cooler at the cook line, observed container of raw beef stored on top of cut onions, Manager moved. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**

  • High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Reach-in cooler at the cook line, raw shrimps and raw chicken 47F, manager added ice. **Corrective Action Taken** **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**

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. 25-Oct. 1, 2023