2 Martin County restaurants get perfect scores; 8 fail inspection

Staff reports
·11 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 Martin County restaurant inspections site.

Here's the breakdown for recent health inspections in Martin County, Florida, for the week of Nov. 27-Dec. 3, 2023. Please note that some more recent, follow-up inspections may not be included here.

St. Lucie County: 4 restaurants get perfect scores; 3 fail inspection

Indian River County: 2 restaurants fail inspection

All things food: New restaurants, reviews, inspections & best bets

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 Martin County restaurant inspection site.

Which Martin 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.

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

Which Martin County restaurants had high priority violations?

Banquet Kitchen

555 NE Ocean Blvd, Stuart

Routine Inspection on Nov. 30

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 - Raw animal foods not properly separated from each other in holding unit based upon minimum required cooking temperature. Observed raw Ground beef patties over raw bacon at walk in cooler. Operator stored properly. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**

Banyan Creek Golf Club

1701 SW Crane Creek Avenue, Palm City

Routine Inspection on Nov. 27

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

7 total violations, with 5 high-priority violations

  • High Priority - Dishmachine not sanitizing properly. Discontinue use of dishmachine for sanitizing and set up manual sanitization until dishmachine is repaired and sanitizing properly. High temperature dish machine not functioning properly at time of inspection. No color change on DBPR provided heat strip used by inspector. **Warning**

  • High Priority - Raw animal food stored over or with ready-to-eat food in a freezer - not all products commercially packaged. Observed Raw pork sausage opened from commercial packaging over cooked lobster not in commercial packaging at walk in freezer. Operator stored properly. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**

  • High Priority - Raw animal foods not properly separated from each other in holding unit based upon minimum required cooking temperature. Observed Ground beef over fish at reach in drawer cooler on cook line. Operator stored properly. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**

  • High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. sliced cheese (54F - Cold Holding) Observed at reach in cooler at cook line in plastic pan lined with deli paper. Per operator, not prepared or portioned today. Per operator, out of temperature for approximately three hours. Operator decided to discard product. **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning**

  • High Priority - Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. Observed Pain reliever stored over cooking oil and single service utensils at dry storage. Operator stored properly. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**

Basil Garden Of Palm City

2655 SW Feroe Ave, Palm City

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 - Raw animal food stored over or with ready-to-eat food in a freezer - not all products commercially packaged. Observed Raw chicken over cooked beef at reach in freezer at cook line. Both products not in commercial packaging. Operator stored properly. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**

  • High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. cut red cabbage (78F - Cold Holding); cooked rice noodles (68F - Cold Holding) Observed sitting out on counter on cook line. Per operator, not prepared or portioned today. Per operator, out of temperature for approximately 3 hours. Operator decided to use time control. Operator placed time stamp for remaining 1 hour. Time control procedure sent to operator. **Corrective Action Taken** **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**

La Costena Mexican Food LLC

Mobile food dispensing vehicle

Routine Inspection on Nov. 28

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

8 total violations, with 5 high-priority violations

  • High Priority - Nonfood-grade bags used in direct contact with food. Observed Carrots and bread stored and in direct contact with thank you to go bags. Advised operator to remove products from to go bags. **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**

  • High Priority - Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license. License expired 12/1/2022. **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**

  • High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Observed Raw pork over green salsa reach in cooler. Operator stored properly. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**

  • High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. sour cream (45F - Cold Holding) Observed on top portion of flip top cooler in a squeeze bottle. Per operator, not prepared or portioned today. Per operator, out of temperature for approximately 3 hours. Operator discarded product. **Corrective Action Taken**

  • High Priority - Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. Observed Hand soap over to go boxes by steering wheel. Operator stored properly. **Corrected On-Site**

Lazy Dog Donut Cafe LLC

3350 NE Indian River Dr, Jensen Beach

Routine Inspection on Dec. 1

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. Observed Raw shell eggs over cooked bacon and iced tea at reach in cooler by hand wash sink. Operator stored properly. **Corrected On-Site**

  • High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. milk (51F - Cold Holding) Observed in insulated container on counter. Per operator, not prepared or portioned today. Per operator, out of temperature for approximately 3 hours. Operator decided to use time control. Operator placed time stamp for remaining 1 hour. Time control procedure sent to operator. **Corrective Action Taken**

Ripper's Restaurant

4207 SW Martin Hwy, Palm City

Routine Inspection on Nov. 29

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

7 total violations, with 6 high-priority violations

  • High Priority - Employee cracked raw shell eggs and then handled ready-to-eat food and/or clean equipment or utensils without washing hands. Observed employee Cracking raw shell eggs then used spatula to scramble eggs with no hand wash. Educated employee and operator on proper hand washing procedures. Employee removed gloves and washed hands.

  • High Priority - Raw animal food stored over or with ready-to-eat food in a freezer - not all products commercially packaged. Observed Raw beef country fried steak opened from commercial packaging over hot dogs at reach in freezer. Operator stored properly. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**

  • High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Observed Raw shell egg batter over diced onions reach in cooler by flat top. Operator stored properly. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**

  • High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. On counter: raw shell eggs (61F - Cold Holding) Per operator, not prepared or portioned today. Per operator, out of temperature for approximately 2 hours. Operator decided to use time control. Operator placed time stamp for remaining 2 hours. Time control procedure sent to operator. - Reach in cooler: diced ham (48F - Cold Holding) Observed in a plastic pan on top portion of flip top cooler resting on top of another pan of shredded cheese. Per operator, not prepared or portioned today. Per operator, out of temperature for approximately 2 hours. Operator placed ham inside bottom portion of 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. home fries (120F - Hot Holding) Observed in fryer basket. Per operator, out of temperature for approximately 20 minutes. Operator put back in fryer to reheat to 165+F and then placed in steam table. **Corrective Action Taken** **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**

  • High Priority - Wiping cloth solution exceeding the maximum concentration allowed stored in a location that could result in the cross contamination of food, equipment, utensils, linens, single-service, or single-use articles. Observed sanitizer bucket, Chlorine sanitizer 200ppm. Operator corrected to 100ppm. **Corrected On-Site**

Sailfish Point Clubhouse

2201 SE Sailfish Point Blvd, Stuart

Routine Inspection on Dec. 1

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

8 total violations, with 6 high-priority violations

  • High Priority - Raw animal food stored over or with ready-to-eat food in a freezer - not all products commercially packaged. Observed Raw fish not in commercial packaging over ready to eat sauce not in commercial packaging walk in freezer. Operator stored properly. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**

  • High Priority - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food marked with a date that exceeds 7 days after opening/preparation. Observed peanut Dressing with cooked shallots added dated 11/21. See stop sale.

  • High Priority - Stop Sale issued due to food not being in a wholesome, sound condition. Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food marked with a date that exceeds 7 days after opening/preparation. Observed peanut Dressing with cooked shallots added dated 11/21. See stop sale.

  • High Priority - Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. black bean soup (46-50F - Cold Holding) Observed in large covered plastic containers at walk in cooler. Per operator, not prepared or portioned today. Per operator, held in cooler overnight in excess of 24 hours. See stop sale.

  • High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. black bean soup (46-50F - Cold Holding) Observed in large covered plastic containers at walk in cooler. Per operator, not prepared or portioned today. Per operator, held in cooler overnight in excess of 24 hours. See stop sale. **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. spinach quiche (129F - Hot Holding) Observed in hot holding box. Per operator, out of temperature for approximately 30 minutes. Operator returned to oven to bring up to 165+F. **Corrective Action Taken**

Wok N Roll Of Wang Inc

6578 S Kanner Hwy, Stuart

Routine Inspection on Nov. 28

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

6 total violations, with 3 high-priority violations

  • High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Observed Raw chicken over cooked vegetable egg rolls reach in cooler by register. Operator stored properly. **Corrected On-Site** **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. Observed Raw chicken not in commercial packaging over raw shrimp at reach in freezer by back door. Advised operator to place chicken on bottom shelf. **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**

  • High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. raw shell eggs (56F - Cold Holding) Observed under prep counter in kitchen. Per operator, not prepared or portioned today. Per operator, out of temperature for approximately 15 minutes. Operator returned to reach in cooler. **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 Treasure Coast Newspapers: Stuart area restaurant and food truck inspections Nov. 27-Dec. 3: Restaurant inspection: 2 Martin are perfect; 8 fail