18 Marion 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 Marion County restaurant inspections site.
Here's the breakdown for recent health inspections in Marion County for the week of Nov. 27-Dec. 3, 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 Nov. 27-Dec. 3 inspections and no violations were found.
Domino's #3272, 9590 SW Hwy 200 #5, Ocala**
El Toreo, 3510 SW 36th Ave., Ocala**
Happy Pineapple II, Mobile food dispensing vehicle
La Michoacana Factory, 4125 W. Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala**
Little Joey's Italian Restaurant, 16840 S. U.S. 441, Summerfield
Mic's 19th Hole Pub, 166 Marion Oaks Blvd., Ocala
Ocala Golf Club Banquet Hall, 3130 E. Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala**
Panera Bread Bakery, 4414 SW College Rd, Ocala**
Papys Place, 9475 NE Jacksonville Rd, Anthony**
Riccardo's, 11783 SE U.S. 441, Belleview**
The Beach Ocala, 13201 W. Hwy 326, Ocala**
The Beach Pit, Mobile food dispensing vehicle**
The Crazy Cucumber Market Street, 4414 SW College Rd, Ocala**
** Restaurants that failed an inspection and aced a follow-up inspection in the same week
Which Marion County restaurants had high priority violations?
Ak Pho Vietnamese Noodle House
2635 SW College Rd, Ocala
Routine Inspection on Nov. 28
Follow-Up Inspection Required: Violations require further review, but are not an immediate threat to the public.
13 total violations, with 4 high-priority violations
High Priority - Non-food grade paper/paper towel used as liner for food container. Observed cloth towel used to cover food in walk-in-cooler that is not food grade.
High Priority - Nonfood-grade bags used in direct contact with food. Observed nonfood-grade t-shirt bag used in direct contact with food. (Frozen squid at prep sink). Manager removed squid from bag. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed bean sprouts in bucket of water at 68F in prep sink. Manager advised they had been out for 45 minutes. Manager placed in walk-in-cooler **Corrective Action Taken** **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
High Priority - Vacuum breaker missing at hose bibb or on fitting/splitter added to hose bibb. Observed hose Bibb behind establishment next to air conditioner units and hose Bibb on cook line by stove next to door between kitchen and front server area missing vacuum breaker
Alda's Peruvian Kitchen
Mobile food dispensing vehicle
Routine Inspection on Dec. 1
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 - Nonexempt fish offered raw or undercooked has not undergone proper parasite destruction. Fish must be fully cooked or discarded. Fish and shrimp served raw in ceviche, operator unable to provide proof of parasite destruction. **Warning**
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Two flats with raw shell eggs on shelf over cups of sour cream. Moved during this inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
Ayuttaya Thai Cuisine
2437 SW 27th Ave., Ocala
Routine Inspection on Nov. 29
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 - 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. Observed dishmachine at 10ppm, manager primed machine and brought concentration to 50ppm CL
High Priority - Vacuum breaker missing at hose bibb or on fitting/splitter added to hose bibb. Observed hose Bibb at mopsink with attached hose does not have back flow preventer. **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
Brooklyn's Backyard
2019 E. Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala
Routine Inspection on Nov. 28
Follow-Up Inspection Required: Violations require further review, but are not an immediate threat to the public.
20 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. In walk-in cooler, marinara sauce cooked 11/27/23(PM) at 11:50, temperature was 45F and 48F. **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
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. In walk-in cooler, marinara sauce cooked 11/27/23(PM) at 11:50, temperature was 45F and 48F. **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
High Priority - Employee failed to wash hands before putting on gloves to initiate a task working with food. Female employee at the cook line, started wearing gloves and hand washed never occurred, Inspector instructed to washed her hands and use gloves, female employee washed her hands. **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 cook line, observed Male employee working with cheese (shredding) no gloves, Inspector instructed to washed his hands and use gloves. Also observed two female employees touching toast with her bare hands, Inspector instructed to stopped and use utensils or gloves. **Corrective Action Taken**
High Priority - Food with mold-like growth. See stop sale. Reach-in cooler at the cook line (pizza cooler), American cheese with mold like substance.
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over or with ready-to-eat food in a freezer - not all products commercially packaged. Near walk-in cooler entrance, observed raw beef packaged(opened) stored above opened container of ice cream, manager stored properly. **Corrected On-Site**
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, meatloaf date marked 11/21/23 and egg salad date marked 11/20/22.
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, mashed Potatoes cooked today at 10:00am, at 11:45 temperature was 129F, manager placed in the oven to reheated, temperature reached 165F. **Corrected On-Site**
High Priority - Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. Cleaner stored on top of soda bags, manager moved. **Corrected On-Site**
Campo Azul Mexican Kitchen
17860 SE 109th Ave., Summerfield
Routine Inspection on Nov. 27
Follow-Up Inspection Required: Violations require further review, but are not an immediate threat to the public.
10 total violations, with 3 high-priority violations
High Priority - Container of medicine improperly stored. Bottle of headache medicine on top of towel dispenser on cookline. Moved during this inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
High Priority - Raw animal foods not properly separated from each other in holding unit based upon minimum required cooking temperature. In reach in drawer cooler: raw beef in fish in drawer over raw fish and shrimp. Employee began moving. **Corrective Action Taken**
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. On top of steam table: cheese 109F.
Cheers at Stonecrest
11560 SE 176th Place Rd, Summerfield
Routine Inspection on Nov. 27
Follow-Up Inspection Required: Violations require further review, but are not an immediate threat to the public.
15 total violations, with 5 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. Male employee touched face and continued to prepare food without washing hands.
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. Male employee touched clothes and continued to cook food 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 touched black bean burger with bare hands while placing on top of plated bread.
High Priority - Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. Heavy cream 47F in reach in cooler at bar. **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Heavy cream 47F in reach in cooler overnight at bar. **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
Hibachi Express
7578 SE Maricamp Rd, Ocala
Routine Inspection on Dec. 1
Follow-Up Inspection Required: Violations require further review, but are not an immediate threat to the public.
16 total violations, with 6 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. In walk-in cooler, observed white rice cooked 11/30/2023 at 52F.
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. In walk-in cooler, observed white rice cooked 11/30/2023 at 52F.
High Priority - Employee failed to wash hands before putting on gloves to initiate a task working with food. Male employee at the sushi bar area working with raw fish started wearing gloves and no hand washed occurred, Inspector instructed employee to wash his hands. **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 sushi bar area, observed male employee cutting raw fish for sushi with bare hands, Inspector instructed to stop and washed hands and use gloves to continue working with the fish. **Corrective Action Taken**
High Priority - In-use utensil stored in unclean water at or above 135 degrees Fahrenheit. At the cook line spatulas and spoons in 78F water, inspector instructed to washed utensils and placed it in Hot water. **Corrective Action Taken**
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, shrimp 125F, per employee shrimps were cooked 1hr prior of taking temperature, shrimp will be served within the next hour. **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
Keke's Breakfast Cafe
2427 SW 27th Ave., Ocala
Routine Inspection on Nov. 27
Follow-Up Inspection Required: Violations require further review, but are not an immediate threat to the public.
10 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. At the cook line, tuna salad date marked 11/20/23.
High Priority - Employee failed to wash hands before putting on gloves to initiate a task working with food. At the cook line, male employee changed he his gloves after touching and cracking raw shell eggs, no hand washed occurred, Inspector and manager addressed situation, employee washed his hands. **Corrected On-Site**
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. At the cook line, observed bowl with raw shell eggs residue on top of shredded cheese, Employee removed the bowl. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
Latinos Y Mas Rest
2030 S. Pine Ave., Ocala
Routine Inspection on Nov. 30
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 - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed raw shelled eggs in reach in cooler on cook line at 48F. Manager advised that they had been placed in the drawer 30 minutes earlier. Discussed keeping eggs on time as a pubic health control. Manager placed in in reach in cooler **Corrective Action Taken**
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed the following items in the steam table at prep table. rice (100F - Hot Holding); Chicken (125F - Hot Holding); beef (126F - Hot Holding). Manager advised that all the items had been placed there 30 minutes earlier. All items were removed to be reheated. Manager checked unit and found that unit had not been turned on **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning**
Mama B'S Diner
7651 SW SR 200, Ocala
Routine Inspection on Nov. 28
Follow-Up Inspection Required: Violations require further review, but are not an immediate threat to the public.
16 total violations, with 4 high-priority violations
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. In reach in make table on cookline: French toast mix containing raw shell eggs on shelf over bucket of strawberries. In walk in cooler: pan of French toast mix containing raw eggs on shelf over bread. All were moved. **Corrected On-Site**
High Priority - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food not consumed/sold within 7 days after opening/preparation. See stop sale. In reach in make table on cookline: turkey with a date mark of 11/20, discard date 11/26. Employee discarded. **Corrective Action Taken** **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Yellow American Cheese 51F. Cheese was on top of make table load limit, cook placed inside reach in cooler. **Corrective Action Taken**
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. Home fries and hash browns on cookline pulled one hour prior have no time mark.
Marion Woods
1661 SE 31th St., Ocala
Routine Inspection on Nov. 27
Follow-Up Inspection Required: Violations require further review, but are not an immediate threat to the public.
15 total violations, with 4 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. In walk-in cooler, observed Vegetable soup date marked 11/14-11/20.
High Priority - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food marked with a date that exceeds 7 days after opening/preparation. In walk-in cooler, observed container with chicken date marked 11/22/23-11/30/2023.
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Reach-in cooler at the server station area, milk 47F, employee moved to walk-in cooler. **Corrective Action Taken**
High Priority - Vacuum breaker missing at mop sink faucet or on fitting/splitter added to mop sink faucet. Splitter added, no back flow preventer installed at the non chemical side of the splitter. **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
Milano Italian Grille
5400 SW College Rd, Ocala
Routine Inspection on Nov. 29
Follow-Up Inspection Required: Violations require further review, but are not an immediate threat to the public.
15 total violations, with 2 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. Employee entered kitchen from outside, put on gloves and began preparing buttered bread without washing hands. Manager had employee wash hands and change gloves. **Corrective Action Taken**
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Item in reach-in cooler across from cook line oven: chicken (45F - Cold Holding). Manager stated item placed in pan 1 hour prior to temperature being taken. Item stacked over top of pan, manager removed chicken from the top of pan and placed chicken in reach-in freezer to reduce temperature to 41F. Item stored in ice bath on prep table in wait station: butter (68F - Cold Holding). Manager stated item placed in ice bath 2 hours prior to temperature being taken. Manager moved butter to reach-in freezer to reduce temperature to 41F.**Corrective Action Taken** **Corrective Action Taken**
Sammy's Pizza
6106 SR 200, Ocala
Routine Inspection on Nov. 28
Follow-Up Inspection Required: Violations require further review, but are not an immediate threat to the public.
12 total violations, with 2 high-priority violations
High Priority - Nonfood-grade containers used for food storage - direct contact with food. In reach in cooler at pizza station: Shredded mozzarella cheese stored in cardboard box that cheese was delivered in.
High Priority - Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. Hand sanitizer on shelf over prep table near kitchen back door. Also, spray bottle with bleach not labeled. Moved and labeled. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
Swampys Bar & Grille
19773 E. Pennsylvania Ave., Dunnellon
Complaint Inspection on Nov. 29
Follow-Up Inspection Required: Violations require further review, but are not an immediate threat to the public.
21 total violations, with 3 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. Female employee filled sanitizer bucket from triple sink then put on gloves and began to cook without washing hands. **Warning**
High Priority - Live, small flying insects in kitchen, food preparation area, food storage area and/or bar area. Two flys in kitchen ware wash area. Also, two bees observed at outdoor bar. **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. In reach in make table on cookline: raw beef on shelf over fries. Moved. **Corrected On-Site**
The Oak Room Bar and Grill / Royal Oaks Golf Club
11220 SW 69th Circle, Ocala
Routine Inspection on Nov. 29
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 - Raw animal food stored over or with ready-to-eat food in a freezer - not all products commercially packaged. In reach in freezer on cookline: bag with raw beef liver on shelf over bags of onion rings.
High Priority - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food not consumed/sold within 7 days after opening/preparation. See stop sale. Egg salad with a date mark of 11/22, discard date 11/27. Chef discarded.
Tom's Cuban on The Go LLC
1800 SW CR 484, Ocala
Routine Inspection on Nov. 30
Follow-Up Inspection Required: Violations require further review, but are not an immediate threat to the public.
18 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. Female employee touched clothes and apron multiple times with closed hands and continued to work without changing gloves and washing hands. Female employee moved trash can with gloved hands and continued to prepare food without washing hands. Female employee touched hair with gloved hands and continued to touch food contact surfaces without washing hands or changing gloves. Female employee touched face multiple times with gloved hands and continued to make food without changing gloves or washing hands. **Warning**
High Priority - Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license. Expired 6/1/2023. **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over or with ready-to-eat food in a freezer - not all products commercially packaged. In reach in freezer: pans of raw beef on shelf over pans of empanadas filled with cooked meats. Moved. **Corrected On-Site**
High Priority - Vacuum breaker missing at hose bibb or on fitting/splitter added to hose bibb. Extension added to hose Bibb at mop sink, no device located on hose connection point of extension.
Tropical Smoothie Cafe Fl-302
2505 SW College Rd, Ocala
Routine Inspection on Nov. 27
Follow-Up Inspection Required: Violations require further review, but are not an immediate threat to the public.
4 total violations, with 2 high-priority violations
High Priority - Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. Reach-in cooler near drive thru area, portions cups of corn 51F and 48F, sweet potatoes 51F, 46F and 47F. portions cups stored above the filling line, all items were left overnight.
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Reach-in cooler near drive thru area, portions cups of corn 51F and 48F, sweet potatoes 51F, 46F and 47F. portions cups stored above the filling line, all items were left overnight. **Warning**
Waffle House #508
2065 SW CR 484, Ocala
Routine Inspection on Nov. 30
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 - Employee touched face/hair and then engaged in food preparation, handled clean equipment or utensils, or touched unwrapped single-service items without washing hands. Female employee adjusted glasses then continued to cook without washing hands.
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: Nov. 27-Dec. 3, 2023
