3 Martin County restaurants get perfect scores; 9 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 Sept. 25-Oct. 1, 2023. Please note that some more recent, follow-up inspections may not be included here.

St. Lucie County: One restaurant gets perfect score; 4 fail inspection

Indian River County: One restaurant gets perfect score; 9 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 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 Martin County restaurants had high priority violations?

Alberto\'s Pizzeria

4272 NE Ocean Blvd, Jensen Beach

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 - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Reach in by Pizza oven: sliced sausage (53F - Cold Holding) Per operator, not prepared or portioned today. Per operator, out of temperature for 2 hours. Observed gaps between pans on top portion of reach in cooler where sausage was stored allowing cold air to escape. Operator placed sausage in bottom portion of reach 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. Observed Pizza slices with no time mark. Per operator, out of temperature for 1 hour. Operator put time stamp for remaining 3 hours. **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning**

Dixie Grill

3840 SE Dixie Hwy, Stuart

Routine Inspection on Sept. 25

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

6 total violations, with 4 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 Philly beef (not in commercial packaging) over sweet potato fries reach in freezer by waffle iron, raw fish ( not in commercial packaging)over vegetables reach in freezer across from hot line, raw chicken ( not in commercial packaging)over pita bread reach in freezer near restrooms. Operator stored properly. **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**

  • High Priority - Raw animal food stored over or with unwashed produce. Observed Raw shell eggs over unwashed lettuce at walk in cooler. Operator stored properly.

  • High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. cream cheese (61F - Cold Holding) Observed individually packaged cream cheese cups double panned on ice by server pick up line. Per operator, out of temperature for 2 hours. Operator decided to add to time control procedure. Operator placed time stamp for remaining 2 hours. **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. Observed cooked Onions (cook line) and whole butter (server line) missing time stamp. Per operator, out of temperature for 2 hours. Operator placed time stamp for remaining 2 hours. **Corrective Action Taken**

Domino\'s Pizza

3311 SE Federal Hwy 1, Stuart

Routine Inspection on Sept. 26

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 - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. chicken wings (46F - Cold Holding) Observed on top storage portion of reach in cooler at pizza assembly area. Observed missing pan allowing cold air to escape near chicken wings. Per operator, not prepared or portioned today. Per operator, out of temperature for 1.5 hours. Operator placed in walk in cooler to quick chill. **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning**

  • High Priority - Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. Observed Quat sanitizer spray bottle stored on prep table. Per operator, table is generally used to portion sauces into squirt bottles. Operator stored sanitizer properly. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**

  • High Priority - Vacuum breaker missing at mop sink faucet or on fitting/splitter added to mop sink faucet. Observed lack of vacuum breaker at mop sink with hose attached. Advised operator to purchase vacuum breaker or remove hose. **Warning**

King Neptune Seafood Restaurant

4795 SE Dixie Hwy, Port Salerno

Routine Inspection on Sept. 27

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

7 total violations, with 4 high-priority violations

  • High Priority - Chlorine sanitizer not at proper minimum strength for manual warewashing. Do not use equipment/utensils not properly sanitized. Observed 3 compartment sink chlorine sanitizer at 10ppm. Operator corrected to 50ppm. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**

  • High Priority - Raw animal food stored over or with ready-to-eat food in a freezer - not all products commercially packaged. Observed Raw conch over cooked chicken wings (not in commercial packaging) stand up freezer directly across from 3 compartment sink. Operator stored properly. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**

  • 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. Reach in cooler in dish washing area: Cooked rice (47F - cold holding) Per operator, not prepared or portioned today. Per operator, held overnight in cooler. See stop sale. **Warning**

  • High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Reach in cooler in dish washing area: Cooked rice (47F - cold holding) Per operator, not prepared or portioned today. Per operator, held overnight in cooler. See stop sale. Cook line counter: butter (68F - Cold Holding). Cook line counter buttermilk batter (66F - Cold Holding) Per operator, not prepared or portioned today. Per operator, out of temperature for 1.5 hours. Advised operator to use time control. Sent time control procedure to operator. Operator placed time stamp for remaining 2.5 hours. **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning**

Mangia Clam Bar

4817 SE Dixie Hwy, Stuart

Routine Inspection on Sept. 25

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

7 total violations, with 4 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 breaded Raw clams, oysters and scallops over French fries reach in freezer cook line. All shellfish not in commercial packaging. 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 Raw chicken over calamari reach in cooler cook line. Operator stored properly. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**

  • High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. marinara (133F - Hot Holding) Observed at steam well on cook line. Per operator, reheated on stove then transferred to steam well. Rechecked 165+F **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**

  • High Priority - Vacuum breaker missing at mop sink faucet or on fitting/splitter added to mop sink faucet. Observed No Vacuum breaker at mop sink, splitter added. **Warning**

Original Anna\'s Pizza

150 NE Dixie Hwy, Stuart

Complaint Inspection on Sept. 28

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

7 total violations, with 4 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. Observed dish machine, chlorine sanitizer 0ppm. Advised operator to set up 3 compartment sink, chlorine sanitizer. **Warning**

  • High Priority - Raw animal food stored over or with unwashed produce. Observed Raw shell eggs over basil at tall black 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. pizza sauce (ingredients added) (56F - Cold Holding) Observed sitting out on counter. Per operator, not prepared or portioned today. Per operator, out of temperature for 15 minutes. Operator returned to reach in cooler. Recommended to operator to put pizza sauce on time control. **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. No time mark observed for garlic and oil bread knots, Stromboli and stuffed bread knots. Per operator, out of temperature for 30 minutes. Advised operator to place time mark for all products. **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**

Phapha\'s Taste LLC

3711 SE Dixie Hwy, Stuart

Routine Inspection on Sept. 25

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

9 total violations, with 5 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 beef over cooked ham white reach in freezer back room, both products not in commercial packaging. Operator stored 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. Observed raw Chicken over raw goat reach in freezer outdoor area. Both products not in commercial packaging. Operator stored properly. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**

  • 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. cooked black rice (55F - Cold Holding); cut cabbage in vinegar(pikliz) (55F - Cold Holding) Observed at reach in cooler by cook line. Per operator, not prepared or portioned today. Per operator, held in cooler overnight. See stop sale.

  • High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. cooked black rice (55F - Cold Holding); cut cabbage in vinegar(pikliz) (55F - Cold Holding) Observed at reach in cooler by cook line. Per operator, not prepared or portioned today. Per operator, held in cooler overnight. See stop sale.

  • High Priority - Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. Observed Perfume stored over prep table in kitchen area. Operator stored properly. **Corrected On-Site**

Vesuvio\'s Pizzeria

4225 SE Federal Hwy, Stuart

Routine Inspection on Sept. 26

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 or with ready-to-eat food in a freezer - not all products commercially packaged. Observed Raw beef Philly meat (not in commercial packaging) over French fries and cooked clams, reach in freezer by fryer station. Operator stored properly. **Corrected On-Site** **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. Observed Marinara with no time mark. Per operator, marinara out of temperature control for 1 hour. Operator placed time stamp for remaining 3 hours. **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 Sept. 25-Oct. 1: Restaurant inspection: 3 Martin are perfect; 9 fail