3 St. Johns County restaurants temporarily closed; 23 fail inspection

Staff reports
·27 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 St. Johns County restaurant inspections site.

Here's the breakdown for recent health inspections in St. Johns County, Florida, for the week of March 25-31, 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 St. Johns County restaurant inspection site.

Which St. Johns County restaurants got perfect scores on their health inspections?

These restaurants met all standards during their March 25-31 inspections and no violations were found.

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

Which St. Johns County restaurants were temporarily closed by inspectors?

These restaurants failed their March 25-31 inspections and were temporarily closed. Follow-upinspections are required.

Mayday Ice Cream

1765 Tree Blvd Unit 5, Saint Augustine

Routine Inspection on March 25

Facility Temporarily Closed: Operations ordered stopped until violations are corrected.

12 total violations, with 1 high-priority violation

  • High Priority - Rodent activity present as evidenced by rodent droppings found. Observed approximately 27 rodent droppings on floor near walk-in freezer and dry storage area. Observed approximately 2 rodent droppings on floor near white deep freezers. Observed approximately 43 rodent droppings on floor near triple sink and left of chrome wire rack. Observed approximately 46 rodent droppings inside unused ice cream machines to the right of walk-in freezer. **Warning**

Taste Of India

155 Hampton Point Dr Ste 5-8, Saint Augustine

Routine Inspection on March 28

Facility Temporarily Closed: Operations ordered stopped until violations are corrected.

8 total violations, with 4 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. Manager touching face and hair with hands and then proceeded to handle clean equipment without washing hands between tasks.

  • 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. Employee pulling seasoning leaves off stems with bare hands, employee put gloves on. **Corrected On-Site**

  • High Priority - Roach activity present as evidenced by live roaches found. Approximately 10 live roaches in small food storage area in kitchen behind bar area. Approximately 6 live roaches under reach in coolers in server area in kitchen next to walk in cooler. Approximately 6 live roaches in sticky traps in server area in kitchen. **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**

  • High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. curry (45F,46F,47F - Cold Holding); cooked cauliflower (45F - Cold Holding); peas and ground beef (46F - Cold Holding) all items in walk in cooler, per manager door was consistently open for a delivery and food preparation no more then 2 hour prior. **Warning**

Taste Of India

155 Hampton Point Dr Ste 5-8, Saint Augustine

Routine Inspection on March 29

Facility Temporarily Closed: Operations ordered stopped until violations are corrected.

3 total violations, with 2 high-priority violations

  • High Priority - - From initial inspection : High Priority - Roach activity present as evidenced by live roaches found. Approximately 10 live roaches in small food storage area in kitchen behind bar area. Approximately 6 live roaches under reach in coolers in server area in kitchen next to walk in cooler. Approximately 6 live roaches in sticky traps in server area in kitchen. **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint** - From follow-up inspection 2024-03-29: 1 live roach on shelf above Reach in cooler on end of cook line in back kitchen. 1 live roach at front service counter bottom of wall. Operator cleaned up all live roaches during inspection. **Admin Complaint** **Corrective Action Taken**

  • High Priority - - From initial inspection : High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. curry (45F,46F,47F - Cold Holding); cooked cauliflower (45F - Cold Holding); peas and ground beef (46F - Cold Holding) all items in walk in cooler, per manager door was consistently open for a delivery and food preparation no more then 2 hour prior. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2024-03-29: In walk in cooler: 2 pans Curry beef (45F,47F - Cold Holding); 1 pan cooked chicken(46F - Cold Holding); 2 pans of cooked cauliflower(46F - Cold Holding) cooked jalapeno(48F - Cold Holding); cooked chicken (48F - Cold Holding); meatballs 46F - Cold Holding; 7 cs heavy Cream (45F,46F,47F - Cold Holding); various curry sauces 10 ea (45F, 46F - Cold Holding); 1 pan of carrot pudding 46F - Cold Holding; 1 pan Garbanzo beans 45F- cold holding; 5 ea pans of curry sauce 44F-46F cold holding ; 1 pan of cooked fish 46F-cold holding; 12 ea milk 45F-cold holding. Per manager all items have been in walk in cooler since last night with no additional prep, with no one entering/exiting cooler. Inspector instructed operator to stop selling all items. **Admin Complaint**

Taste Of India

155 Hampton Point Dr Ste 5-8, Saint Augustine

Routine Inspection on March 30

Facility Temporarily Closed: Operations ordered stopped until violations are corrected.

3 total violations, with 2 high-priority violations

  • High Priority - - From initial inspection : High Priority - Roach activity present as evidenced by live roaches found. Approximately 10 live roaches in small food storage area in kitchen behind bar area. Approximately 6 live roaches under reach in coolers in server area in kitchen next to walk in cooler. Approximately 6 live roaches in sticky traps in server area in kitchen. **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint** - From follow-up inspection 2024-03-29: 1 live roach on shelf above Reach in cooler on end of cook line in back kitchen. 1 live roach at front service counter bottom of wall. Operator cleaned up all live roaches during inspection. **Admin Complaint** **Corrective Action Taken** - From follow-up inspection 2024-03-30: 1 live roach behind stove on cook line. 1 live roach behind dish machine in ware washing area. Operator killed and cleaned up all live roaches during inspection. **Admin Complaint** **Corrective Action Taken**

  • High Priority - - From initial inspection : High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. curry (45F,46F,47F - Cold Holding); cooked cauliflower (45F - Cold Holding); peas and ground beef (46F - Cold Holding) all items in walk in cooler, per manager door was consistently open for a delivery and food preparation no more then 2 hour prior. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2024-03-29: In walk in cooler: 2 pans Curry beef (45F,47F - Cold Holding); 1 pan cooked chicken(46F - Cold Holding); 2 pans of cooked cauliflower(46F - Cold Holding) cooked jalapeno(48F - Cold Holding); cooked chicken (48F - Cold Holding); meatballs 46F - Cold Holding; 7 cs heavy Cream (45F,46F,47F - Cold Holding); various curry sauces 10 ea (45F, 46F - Cold Holding); 1 pan of carrot pudding 46F - Cold Holding; 1 pan Garbanzo beans 45F- cold holding; 5 ea pans of curry sauce 44F-46F cold holding ; 1 pan of cooked fish 46F-cold holding; 12 ea milk 45F-cold holding. Per manager all items have been in walk in cooler since last night with no additional prep, with no one entering/exiting cooler. Inspector instructed operator to stop selling all items. **Admin Complaint** - From follow-up inspection 2024-03-30: curry (45F,46F,47F, 44F, - Cold Holding); cooked cauliflower (45F - Cold Holding); cooked chicken (46F - Cold Holding); raw chicken (46F - Cold Holding) all items in walk in cooler, per operator they have not been in the cooler since the previous day and no additional preparation for any items in walk in cooler have been done today. **Admin Complaint**

Two Dudes Red's

262 Solana Rd, Ponte Vedra Beach

Complaint Inspection on March 29

Facility Temporarily Closed: Operations ordered stopped until violations are corrected.

13 total violations, with 3 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. Two employees touching face and hair with bare hands then put on gloves and behind to handle single service items without washing hands between tasks.

  • High Priority - Rodent activity present as evidenced by rodent droppings found. Approximately 80 rodent droppings in back corner of dining area under curtained storage shelf by bathrooms. Approximately 25 rodent droppings against wall in hallway of bathrooms connected to dining rooms. **Warning**

  • High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. hushpuppies mix (46F - Cold Holding); cut tomato (46F - Cold Holding); sliced tomatoes (45F - Cold Holding); shredded cheese (46F - Cold Holding); crab cake mix (46F - Cold Holding) all items in reach in cooler on cook line, per employee lid and items where consistently taken out of cooler/left open for approximately 3 hours, all items moved to reach in freezer, all items retemped below 41F. cooked garlic in oil (52F - Cold Holding) sitting out on rack in kitchen, per employee garlic was taken out of cooler less then 1 hour prior, garlic placed back in cooler. **Corrective Action Taken** **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**

Which St. Johns County restaurants had high-priority violations?

Anejo Cocina Mexicana

335 Pine Lake Dr Ste D104, Ponte Vedra

Routine Inspection on March 25

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 - Sewage/wastewater backing up through floor drains. Drain under dish machine in ware washing area drain waste water onto floor where employees walk, employee snaked out drain, drain no longer backs up onto floor. Also plastic sink in ware washing area used as a dump sink that does not have any plumbing, discussed with manager about removing sink. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2024-03-25: Per manager they have called the plumbers to install piping under the plastic sink used as a dump sink and that should be done within a few days. **Time Extended**

Borrillos Pizza & Subs

88 San Marco Ave, Saint Augustine

Complaint Inspection on March 27

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

16 total violations, with 2 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 employee barehand contact cut tomatoes, cut lettuce, cut onions while making a salad. Immediately discussed with employee. Employee washed hands before making salad and no visible contamination was observed. Employee washed hands and placed gloves on. **Corrected On-Site**

  • 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 three pizzas in hot box in kitchen used for sell by slice option kept on time but missing time mark. Person in charge added time marks. **Corrected On-Site**

Castillo Craft Bar + Kitchen and Coffee Bar

6 W Castillo Dr, Saint Augustine

Routine Inspection on March 26

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 - Fish not held frozen before, during and after being packaged onsite using a reduced oxygen packaging method. Observed employee vacuum package unfrozen fish on-site. Immediately discussed with person in charge. Person in charge directed employee to remove all fish from reduced oxygen packaging. Moving forward person in charge is crimping fish bags only. **Corrected On-Site**

  • High Priority - Live, small flying insects in kitchen, food preparation area, food storage area and/or bar area. Observed approximately 6 live flying insects near floor drain in bar area. Person in charge killed flys during inspection. Person in charge cleaned out floor drain suspected to cause the flying insects. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**

Castillo Ice Cream and Coffee

20 Castillo Dr, Saint Augustine

Routine Inspection on March 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 - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed small reach in cooler milk (50F - Cold Holding); half n half (48F - Cold Holding); ambient air temperature (48F) person in charge moved all unopened gallons of milk to another reach in cooler. **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning**

Catullo Italian

120 Marketside Ave 305, Ponte Vedra Beach

Routine Inspection on March 25

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, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. marinara sauce (97F,61F - Hot Holding) in deep containers inside steam well on cook line, per employee sauce was already heated prior to being in well and items have been in well approximately 2.5 hours, both items reheated over 165F **Corrected On-Site**

  • High Priority - Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. White chemical spray bottle stored hanging on rack in server area over tea, cherries, and sugar, bottle removed. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**

Cimarrone Golf Club

2800 Cimarrone Blvd, Jacksonville

Routine Inspection on March 28

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

5 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. Box of cheesecake dated 2/7 in reach in cooler at front counter area. Container of creme en glaze dated 3/1 in reach in cooler at front counter area.

  • High Priority - Roach activity present as evidenced by live roaches found. 1 live roach in AC closet in liquor room next to kitchen. 5 live roaches under triple prep sink in corner of kitchen. Operator began to kill and clean up all live roaches. **Corrective Action Taken** **Admin Complaint**

  • High Priority - Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. blue cheese crumbles (52F - Cold Holding); cut salad mix (56F - Cold Holding); mozzarella (55F - Cold Holding); artichoke hearts (56F - Cold Holding) in reach in cooler make table at front counter near entrance to kitchen, per manager all items have been in cooler over night without any additional preparation. **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**

  • High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. blue cheese crumbles (52F - Cold Holding); cut salad mix (56F - Cold Holding); mozzarella (55F - Cold Holding); artichoke hearts (56F - Cold Holding) in reach in cooler make table at front counter near entrance to kitchen, per manager all items have been in cooler over night without any additional preparation. **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**

Comfort Inn & Suite St Augustine

2367 Sr 16, Saint Augustine

Routine Inspection on March 28

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 - Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. Observed yogurt from dispenser machine (46F - Cold Holding). Breakfast employees do not remove yogurt from machine. Todays employee did not put yogurt in machine and thinks yogurt has been inside machine over night. See stop sale.

  • High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed yogurt from dispenser machine (46F - Cold Holding). Breakfast employees do not remove yogurt from machine. Todays employee did not put yogurt in machine and thinks yogurt has been inside machine over night. See stop sale.

Cucina Giovanni

2730 Sr 16 Unit 101, Saint Augustine

Routine Inspection on March 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. Approximately 7 live flying insects around pipes under sinks and drain boards. Approximately 11 live flying insects around drains at the large bar area. Approximately 4 live flying insects around mop sink by office. **Warning**

  • High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Raw shell eggs stored over cheese in walk in cooler.

Cucina Giovanni

2730 Sr 16 Unit 101, Saint Augustine

Routine Inspection on March 28

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 7 live flying insects around pipes under sinks and drain boards. Approximately 11 live flying insects around drains at the large bar area. Approximately 4 live flying insects around mop sink by office. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2024-03-28: Approximately 3 flying insects around drain and soda lines at far end of large bar. Approximately 2 flying insects around drain at hand wash station at large bar area. Approximately 8 flying insects around drain under drain boards of dish machine. **Time Extended**

Everything Bagel

176 Sr 312, Saint Augustine

Routine Inspection on March 28

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

26 total violations, with 11 high-priority violations

  • High Priority - Container of medicine improperly stored. In prep area by lg mixer, employee dietary fiber was stored above prep table.

  • High Priority - Dented/rusted cans present. See stop sale. 1 #10 can olives, dented pinched on side, top seam involved.

  • High Priority - Displayed food not properly protected from contamination. At front counter, juicing station facing customers not covered or protected, easily accessible for customers. **Warning**

  • High Priority - Live, small flying insects in kitchen, food preparation area, food storage area and/or bar area. In back prep area, observed approximately 10 flying insects. **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**

  • High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. In walk in cooler, Observed smoked salmon stored above butter.

  • High Priority - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food marked with a date that exceeds 7 days after opening/preparation. In grab and go cooler observed cream cheese with sell by date exceeding 7 days. **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. In walk in cooler and 1 pan on make line, observed house prepared cream cheese prepared on 3/20 still in operation. Also, 1 pan of chicken salad in walk in cooler dated 3/20.

  • High Priority - Single-use gloves not changed as needed after changing tasks or when damaged or soiled. At front counter Point of sale, employee was working with customers with a gloved hand, immediately changed tasks to cut bagels on cutting board without handwashing. Spoke to employee about proper handwashing.

  • High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. In makeline coolers top of unit sprouts (60F - Cold Holding); turkey (58F cold holding) turkey re temp (47F - Cold Holding); chicken salad (50F - Cold Holding) Tuna Salad; tuna salad (44F - Cold Holding); smoked whitefish (44F - Cold Holding). Observed unit opened frequently, several items filled well above fill line. Ambient temp of unit read a low of 38f. Operator began icing down unit with ice bags. In display case butter (64F - Cold Holding) other items in cooler temped in 38-40 range At guest coffee station milk (55F - Cold Holding) Person in charge states it had been out since 9 am, holding on time. **Corrective Action Taken** **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. At front counter display case Hash browns (115F - Hot Holding) Person in charge states has been out of temperature for less than 4 hours. Person in charge discarded at on will. **Corrective Action Taken**

  • High Priority - Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. In back prep area, Above soda bibs, chemicals stored above on shelf.

Everything Bagel

176 Sr 312, Saint Augustine

Routine Inspection on March 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 - - From initial inspection : High Priority - Displayed food not properly protected from contamination. At front counter, juicing station facing customers not covered or protected, easily accessible for customers. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2024-03-29: Spoke to operator about covering /wrapping top of juicer. No exposed food items in juicer upon arrival. **Time Extended**

  • High Priority - - From initial inspection : High Priority - Live, small flying insects in kitchen, food preparation area, food storage area and/or bar area. In back prep area, observed approximately 10 flying insects. **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint** - From follow-up inspection 2024-03-29: Approximately 4 flying insects present around stand mixer in prep area. **Time Extended**

Home2 Suites By Hilton St. Augustine I-95

270 Outlet Mall Blvd, St. Augustine

Routine Inspection on March 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 - Sanitizer solution other than chlorine, quat or iodine not at the proper minimum strength listed in the manufacturer's instructions. Do not use equipment/utensils not properly sanitized. Observed triple sink, sink and surface sanitizer at 0ppm. Person in charge placed work order with eco lab. **Corrective Action Taken**

  • High Priority - Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. Observed no shell hard boiled eggs (48F-60F - Cold Holding). Left out for full breakfast service and placed in reach in cooler per person in charge. See stop sale.

  • High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed no shell hard boiled eggs (48F-60F - Cold Holding). Left out for full breakfast service and placed in reach in cooler per person in charge. See stop sale.

Kaliburger

2555 Us 1 S, St. Augustine

Routine Inspection on March 28

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 - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. In walk in cooler observed these items out of temperature, bacon (49cold holding); tempeh (cold holding 47F); tomatos sliced (cold holding 47F); .Walk in door was not latched shut, spoke to operator, door was sealed. Took ambient temp and end of inspection, 38F. Operator states called for service on unit. **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning**

Kaliburger

2555 Us 1 S, St. Augustine

Routine Inspection on March 29

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 - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. In walk in cooler observed these items out of temperature, bacon (49cold holding); tempeh (cold holding 47F); tomatos sliced (cold holding 47F); .Walk in door was not latched shut, spoke to operator, door was sealed. Took ambient temp and end of inspection, 38F. Operator states called for service on unit. **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2024-03-29: Cut Tomato (43Fcold holding); cheese (cold holding 43F); burgers (cold holding 44F); . Sliced cheese (43Fcold holding) **Admin Complaint**

Quality Inn

2625 Sr 207, Elkton

Routine Inspection on March 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 - Displayed food not properly protected from contamination. Apples out for self service not wrapped. Person in charge removed, washed and wrapped. **Corrected On-Site**

  • High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Milk 46F, butter 48F. Placed on time control and documented. **Corrected On-Site**

Sakada Japanese Steak House

120 San Marco Ave, Saint Augustine

Routine Inspection on March 28

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

14 total violations, with 4 high-priority violations

  • High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Raw animal food stored over or with unwashed produce. Observed raw chicken and shrimp stored over ready to eat soy sauce. Observed raw chicken stored above unwashed carrots. Observed raw beef stored above raw fish in walk-in freezer all not in manufacture packaging. Person in charge started rearranging walk-in cooler. **Corrective Action Taken** **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**

  • High Priority - Stop Sale issued due to food not being in a wholesome, sound condition. Observed one package each of mackerel, tuna, and white fish in reduced oxygen environment completely thawed. Packages indicated to remain frozen or removed from package. Discussed with person in charge. See stop sale.

  • 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 big bowl of fried rice on cook line without time mark. Person in charge added time mark.

  • High Priority - Vacuum breaker missing at hose bibb or on fitting/splitter added to hose bibb. Observed green hose connected to thread attachment in hand washing station by kitchen entrance without a vacuum breaker. Person in charge disconnected hose. **Corrective Action Taken** **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**

Tank's Sushi Bistro

46 Tuscan Way Ste 303, Saint Augustine

Routine Inspection on March 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 - Food stored in ice used for drinks. See stop sale. Container of lemons stored in ice bin of soda machine in kitchen, per manager ice is used for drinks.

  • High Priority - Raw animal food stored over or with unwashed produce. Raw beef stored over various boxes of vegetables in walk in cooler. Also raw shell eggs stored over raw shrimp in walk in cooler. Also raw beef and raw seafood stored mixed in together in basket in reach in freezer chest in back of kitchen, all items removed from original packaging. Also employee's raw pork stored over cream cheese wontons in reach in freezer chest in back of kitchen. Also raw tuna stored over various sauces in reach in cooler at sushi bar. **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**

  • High Priority - Stop Sale issued due to food not being in a wholesome, sound condition. Container of lemons stored in ice bin of soda machine in kitchen, per manager ice is used for drinks. One package of fully thawed out tuna in reach in cooler at sushi bar.

  • High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. cream cheese and krab sticks (56F - Cold Holding); raw tuna (56F - Cold Holding) in sushi display cooler, that was not turned on,closest to kitchen, per manager all items where placed in cooler approximately 1 hour prior, cooler turned on, all retemp at cooler down to 43F dumplings (56F - Cold Holding) in bottom of reach in cooler in kitchen per manager container has bee taken in and out of cooler for no more then 1 hour. **Corrective Action Taken**

The Kookaburra

4265 A1a S, Saint Augustine

Routine Inspection on March 27

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 - Dented/rusted cans present. See stop sale. In prep area on can rack, coconut milk can dented/pinched on side.

  • High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. In heated display case at front counter. veggo pie (125F - Hot Holding) employee stated items in case 3.75 hours, immediately placed in oven retemp veggo pie (169F - Hot Holding) **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**

The Metro Diner

1000 S Ponce Deleon Blvd Suite 15, Saint Augustine

Complaint Partial Inspection on March 26

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

3 total violations, with 1 high-priority violation

  • High Priority - Roach activity present as evidenced by live roaches found. Observed three live roaches crawling under service bar where counter meets wall. Person in charge killed one. **Corrective Action Taken** **Admin Complaint**

Tuptim Thai Restaurant

242 Solana Rd, Ponte Vedra Beach

Routine Inspection on March 25

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 - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. half and half (51F - Cold Holding); creamer (56F - Cold Holding) in standing reach in cooler in server area, per manager door has been consistently open for several hours, both items moved to different cooler. bean sprouts (47F - Cold Holding); cut cabbage (47F - Cold Holding) in bowls sitting on top of other containers in top section of reach in cooler next to cook line, per manager lid has been consistently opened for several hours, items moved to different reach in cooler. sushi rice (87F - Cold Holding) sitting out in rice cooker not turned on, per manager rice was made around 11am, time of temperature check at 3:30pm, inspector spoke with operator about holding the sushi rice on time control and filled out written procedures during inspection. **Corrective Action Taken** **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint** - From follow-up inspection 2024-03-25: half and half (55F - Cold Holding); whipped cream (58F - Cold Holding) in standing reach in cooler in server area, per manager all items where in cooler for 1.75 hours, all items moved to different cooler **Admin Complaint** **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 St. Augustine Record: St. Augustine area restaurant and food truck inspections March 25-31