Dozens of Alachua County restaurants fail food inspections from state

Staff report
·27 min read

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 Alachua County restaurant inspections site. You can use the database to search by county or by restaurant name.

Here's the breakdown for recent health inspections in Alachua County, Florida, for the week of Aug. 7-13, 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 its 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 Alachua County restaurant inspection site.

Which Alachua County restaurants got perfect scores on their health inspections?

These restaurants met all standards during their Aug. 7-13 inspections and no violations were found.

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

Which Alachua County restaurants had high-priority violations?

Bento Cafe

3832 W. Newbery Road 1-J, Gainesville

Routine inspection on Aug. 10

Follow-up inspection required: Violations require further review, but are not an immediate threat to the public.

11 total violations, with three high-priority violations

  • High Priority - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food marked with a date that exceeds 7 days after opening/preparation. Shrimp in walk-in cooler dated 8/2. Manager stated item was prepared on 8/2 and stored in walk-in freezer. Item was then removed on 8/9. Manager had employee place correct date mark on item. **Corrected On-Site**

  • High Priority - Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. Items in reach-in cooler behind front counter: krab salad (48F,51F - Cold Holding); cream cheese (51F - Cold Holding); krab cakes (52F - Cold Holding). Manager stated items stored in cooler overnight. **Warning**

  • High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Items in reach-in cooler behind front counter: krab salad (48F,51F - Cold Holding); cream cheese (51F - Cold Holding); krab cakes (52F - Cold Holding). Manager stated items stored in cooler overnight. **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**

Birdie Box Sando

Mobile food dispensing vehicle

Routine inspection on Aug. 10

Follow-up inspection required: Violations require further review, but are not an immediate threat to the public.

Six total violations, with one high-priority violation

  • High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food identified in the written procedure as a food held using time as a public health control has no time marking and the time removed from temperature control cannot be determined. Observed: the eggs in the hot box lacking a time mark. An adjusted time mark is being produced. **Corrective Action Taken**

Cava

1404 W. University Ave., Suite 20, Gainesville

Routine inspection on Aug. 7

Follow-up inspection required: Violations require further review, but are not an immediate threat to the public.

Six total violations, with four high-priority violations

  • High Priority - Live, small flying insects in kitchen, food preparation area, food storage area and/or bar area. Observed: a fly by the desk. ALSO, a fly by the mop sink.

  • High Priority - Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license. Observed: the license expired on 6-1-2023. **Admin Complaint**

  • High Priority - Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. Observed: crazy feta 59, egg plant 58, taziki 59, tomato 57, corn 55, hummus 47, red hummus 44, corn 67, cut tomato 61, feta 65F. **Warning**

  • High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed: crazy feta 59, egg plant 58, taziki 59, tomato 57, corn 55, hummus 47, red hummus 44, corn 67, cut tomato 61, feta 65F, front line. **Warning**

Checkers #6320

912 W. University Ave., Gainesville

Complaint inspection on Aug. 8

Follow-up inspection required: Violations require further review, but are not an immediate threat to the public.

12 total violations, with two high-priority violations

  • High Priority - Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. ice cream mix (65F - Cold Holding) manager on duty unable to give an approximate time that item has been in dispensing machine. hot dogs (51F - Cold Holding) cream cheese (50F - Cold Holding); tomatoes (51F - Cold Holding); chili (51-54F - Cold Holding); lettuce (52F - Cold Holding) items in walk in cooler, 2 thermometers in cooler reading 50-51 no truck deliveries door has been kept closed. **Warning**

  • High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. ice cream mix (65F - Cold Holding) manager on duty unable to give an approximate time that item has been in dispensing machine. cream cheese (50F - Cold Holding); tomatoes (51F - Cold Holding); hot dogs (51F - Cold Holding) chili (51-54F - Cold Holding); lettuce (52F - Cold Holding) items in walk in cooler, 2 thermometers in cooler reading 50-51 no truck deliveries door has been kept closed. **Warning**

Checkers Drive in Rest # 3215

3325 W. University Ave., Gainesville

Routine inspection on Aug. 10

Follow-up inspection required: Violations require further review, but are not an immediate threat to the public.

15 total violations, with four high-priority violations

  • High Priority - Live, small flying insects in kitchen, food preparation area, food storage area and/or bar area. Observed two flies in kitchen area. Observed three flies in dish area. **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**

  • High Priority - Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. Items in walk-in cooler: heesecake (47F,48F - Cold Holding); lettuce (47F,47F - Cold Holding); shake mix (47F,48F,47F - Cold Holding); cheese (47F,46F,47F - Cold Holding); cheese sauce (47F - Cold Holding). Manager stated items stored in cooler overnight, not sure when last temperature of items was taken **Warning**

  • High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Items in walk-in cooler: cheesecake (47F,48F - Cold Holding); lettuce (47F,47F - Cold Holding); shake mix (47F,48F,47F - Cold Holding); cheese (47F,46F,47F - Cold Holding); cheese sauce (47F - Cold Holding). Manager stated items stored in cooler overnight, not sure when last temperature of items was 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 and the time removed from temperature control cannot be determined. No time mark for lettuce,cheese and sliced tomatoes on make line. Manager stated items placed on make line at 10 am. Manager placed proper time mark on items. **Corrected On-Site**

Chili's Hamburger Grill & Bar

3530 SW Archer Road, Gainesville

Routine inspection on Aug. 9

Follow-up inspection required: Violations require further review, but are not an immediate threat to the public.

Eight total violations, with two high-priority violations

  • High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed: cut leafy greens in side the cut leafy greens hopper at 47F. The internal and external doors were close, the hot holding equipment below had lids added to them. **Corrective Action Taken** **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 back flow device on the non chemical side of the splitter in the mop sink. **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**

China Bowl

5200 NW 43rd St., Suite 506, Gainesville

Routine inspection on Aug. 8

Follow-up inspection required: Violations require further review, but are not an immediate threat to the public.

21 total violations, with two 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 and began handling clean pans in dish area. Manager had employee wash hands and rewash pans. **Corrective Action Taken** **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**

  • High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Shell eggs stored above tofu in walk-in cooler. Manager moved eggs to shelf below tofu. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**

Great Outdoors Restaurant

18587 High Springs Main St., High Springs

Routine inspection on Aug. 9

Follow-up inspection required: Violations require further review, but are not an immediate threat to the public.

11 total violations, with one high-priority violation

  • High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Reach in cooler by fryers: wings (64F - Cold Holding); fish (54F - Cold Holding); chicken (55F - Cold Holding); conch fritter mix (51F - Cold Holding); coleslaw (52F - Cold Holding); egg wash (62F - Cold Holding) inspector viewed temperatures logs all temps were between 38-40F 3 hours previous to inspection. Ice bags were added to items. Retemps: egg wash 42, chicken 40, conch 39, fish 49. On counter on cooks line: pico (39-51F - Cold Holding) top portion warmer than bottom. Retemped 39,47. Low boy under grill/flat top: beef (45F - Cold Holding); chicken (47F - Cold Holding) bluecheese (47F - Cold Holding); rice (50F - Cold Holding); mozzarella cheese (48F - Cold Holding); sliced cheese (52F - Cold Holding) drawers constantly opened during lunch rush, cooks line is very hot during operation. Ice added to cooler drawers. Rice 50, mozzarella 46, blue cheese 48, beef 43. Dessert reach in cooler: bread pudding (74F - Cold Holding); pizza sauce (46F - Cold Holding); tomatoes mix (44,45F - Cold Holding) items were checked less than 4 hours ago all items logged below 41F. *bread pudding sits out during lunch rush, item was back in cooler and moved to freezer. Other items ice was added too. Bread pudding 69, pizza sauce 43, tomatoes 45. front line: ranch (47F - Cold Holding); blue cheese (49F - Cold Holding) items sitting on top of ice, operator filled with water and ice to surround container. Blue cheese was discarded. Ranch 42, blue cheese 41. **Corrective Action Taken** **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**

Harvest Thyme X-Press

7415 NW 4th Blvd., Suite 30, Gainesville

Routine inspection on Aug. 7

Follow-up inspection required: Violations require further review, but are not an immediate threat to the public.

Five total violations, with two high-priority violations

  • High Priority - Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. Item in front counter reach-in cooler closest to register: potato salad (47F). Employee stated item stored in cooler over night. Item in front counter reach-in cooler across from soda machine: turkey (48F - Cold Holding). Employee stated item stored in cooler overnight. **Warning**

  • High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Items in front counter reach-in cooler closest to register: cheese (48F - Cold Holding); coleslaw (47F - Cold Holding); cantaloupe (47F - Cold Holding). Employee stated items placed in cooler 1 hour prior to temperature being taken. Manager placed items in ice bath to reduce temperature to 41F. Item in front counter reach-in cooler closest to register: potato salad (47F). Employee stated item stored in cooler over night. Item in front counter reach-in cooler across from soda machine: turkey (48F - Cold Holding). Employee stated item stored in cooler overnight. **Warning**

Koto Hibachi Express

3222 SW 35th Blvd., Gainesville

Routine inspection on Aug. 9

Follow-up inspection required: Violations require further review, but are not an immediate threat to the public.

11 total violations, with six 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: male staff cutting broccoli, no gloves. Gloves were added. **Corrected On-Site**

  • High Priority - Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license. Observed the license expired on 6-1-2023. **Admin Complaint**

  • High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food controlled by time and required to be marked with the use by time is not marked and the required time of disposal cannot be determined. See stop sale. Observed: the wet batter was added to and not changed out completely at 3:15. **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**

  • High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food held using time as a public health control not discarded at the end of the 4-hour/6-hour period. See stop sale. Observed: the wet batter was added to and not discarded at the end of 4 hours.

  • High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food identified in the written procedure as a food held using time as a public health control has no time marking and the time removed from temperature control cannot be determined. Observed: batter, the morning till 3:15 time as a public health control time mark was not changed when new product was brought out. The board was adjusted. **Corrected On-Site**

  • High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed cooked vegetables stored over the wok line, 78F.

Marilu Tienda Latina Taqueria

Mobile food dispensing vehicle

Routine inspection on Aug. 9

Follow-up inspection required: Violations require further review, but are not an immediate threat to the public.

One total violation, with one high-priority violation

  • High Priority - - From initial inspection: High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Silver cooler: cheese (63F - Cold Holding); pico (47F - Cold Holding) items in top part of flip top cooler, lid kept open during busy times truck is super hot. white cooler: pico (45F - Cold Holding) chicken (46F - Cold Holding) operator stated item had been in and out of cooler when orders or taken. Operator stated that employee is going to put ice on food items. **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2023-08-09: White cooler: all foods were 41 or below. Silver cooler: pico 47, lettuce 47, cheese 63, chicken 52, beef tongue 50. Operator stated he just cleaned cooler and left doors opened. Operator placed ice on items. **Admin Complaint**

Mcdonalds

9260 NW 39th Ave., Gainesville

Routine inspection on Aug. 9

Follow-up inspection required: Violations require further review, but are not an immediate threat to the public.

Eight total violations, with two 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. Employee cracked eggs and proceeded to handle containers of pies without washing hands or changing gloves. 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 on counter across from egg grill: butter (72F - Cold Holding). Manager stated butter placed on counter 30 minutes prior to temperature being taken. Manager had employee move butter to reach-in freezer to reduce temperature to 41F. **Corrective Action Taken** **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**

Mcdonald's

2880 NW 13th St., Gainesville

Routine inspection on Aug. 8

Follow-up inspection required: Violations require further review, but are not an immediate threat to the public.

Six total violations, with one high-priority violation

  • High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Items in walk-in cooler: rehydrated onions (48F - Cold Holding); butter (47F - Cold Holding); tomatoes (47F - Cold Holding); eggs (46F - Cold Holding). Manager stated cooler was operating at 40F at 4 am according to HACCP checklist. Manager opened door to walk-in freezer to reduce temperatures in walk-in cooler. **Corrective Action Taken** **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**

Mojo Hogtown BBQ

12 SE 2nd Ave., Gainesville

Routine inspection on Aug. 8

Follow-up inspection required: Violations require further review, but are not an immediate threat to the public.

14 total violations, with four 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. Employee scratched nose then placed on a glove no hand washing. **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**

  • High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. sausage links (64F - Cold Holding); item sitting on cutting board, employee stated item has been out of cooler for 2 hours, item then placed back in cooler. tomatoes (49F - Cold Holding) items in flip top part of cooler in the middle of cooks line, employee stated cooler is left open during lunch rush, closed lid and added bags of ice to items. **Corrective Action Taken** **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**

  • High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food reheated for hot holding not reaching 165 degrees Fahrenheit for 15 seconds within 2 hours. grits <2 hours (102F - Reheating) employee stated item was in steam table for almost 2 hours, inspector had employee place in microwave to rapidly heat to 165. Retemped at 166F. **Corrective Action Taken**

  • High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Mac n cheese (106F - Hot Holding); item in oven, employee stated item was hot holding until needed in steam table, item had been there for no more than 2 hours, employee placed back in oven that is on, retemped at 169F. pork (121F - Hot Holding) in sliding door hot bin, employee stated drawer is constantly opened and closed during lunch rush, employee placed back in oven, retemped at 166F. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**

Ocean Buffet

6795 W. Newberry Road, Gainesville

Routine inspection on Aug. 8

Follow-up inspection required: Violations require further review, but are not an immediate threat to the public.

13 total violations, with one high-priority violation

  • High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. beef (46F - Cold Holding); shrimp (45F - Cold Holding); chicken (45F - Cold Holding); oyster (46F - Cold Holding); krab (56F - Cold Holding); shrimp (44F - Cold Holding) items in walk in cooler, cooler blowing at 40-41F, truck delivery 2 hours previous to inspection. **Warning**

Panera Bread #4152

3443 SW Archer Road, Gainesville

Routine inspection on Aug. 9

Follow-up inspection required: Violations require further review, but are not an immediate threat to the public.

7 total violations, with four high-priority violations

  • High Priority - Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. Observed: creamers in the catering area at 47-51F. These were in there overnight. ALSO, orange juice, label requires refrigeration, stored overnight in the catering corner make table, 47. **Warning**

  • High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed: creamers in the catering area at 47-51F. These were in there overnight. ALSO, orange juice, label requires refrigeration, stored overnight in the catering corner make table, 47. **Warning**

  • High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed: cooked egg 97F in the hot hold tower. ALSO, cooked pork patties 109F. All items moved to the steam well(170F+) for reheating to 165F+ and then to be hot held at 135F or above. **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning**

  • High Priority - Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. Observed: multiple cans of paint stored over bulk sodas in the dry storage area.

Public & General

1000 NE 16th Ave., Bldg H, Gainesville

Routine inspection on Aug. 10

Follow-up inspection required: Violations require further review, but are not an immediate threat to the public.

17 total violations, with three high-priority violations

  • High Priority - Food with mold-like growth. See stop sale. Sliced tomatoes in walk in cooler.

  • High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Raw beef over pre made bar ice cubes in reach in freezer in storage room. Raw pork and fish over sauces in reach in cooler on cooks line.

  • High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. hamburger (45F - Cold Holding) clams ambient (45F - Cold Holding) walk in cooler fans are half way being blocked by bags of bread, items in front of fan is 41F or below others in varies parts of cooler are not. Employee moved items to allow cold air to be evenly dispensed. salmon mix (54F - Cold Holding) item must have been out of cooler, all other items in cooler are 41F or below. sausage (59F - Cold Holding); onions cooked (52F - Cold Holding); hamburgers (47F - Cold Holding); cheese (60F - Cold Holding); coleslaw (46F - Cold Holding); chicken wings (48F - Cold Holding); cheese (51F - Cold Holding) items in small plastic containers in sitting in large metal pan in cooler, flip top lid of cooler opened constantly during lunch, cold air not being retained. Employees closed lids. **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**

Relish - Big Tasty Burgers!

201 SE 2nd Ave., #106, Gainesville

Routine inspection on Aug. 8

Follow-up inspection required: Violations require further review, but are not an immediate threat to the public.

12 total violations, with four 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 cleaning dining room, went back on cooks line placed new gloves on then started cooking no Handwash. **Warning**

  • High Priority - Employee failed to wash hands before putting on gloves to initiate a task working with food. Employee taking orders from customers touching computer, placed on gloves and started building burgers. No hand wash in between. **Warning**

  • High Priority - Employee switched from working with raw food to ready-to-eat food without washing hands. Employee placed raw beef on flat top no hand wash or glove change, then touched fryer basket handle and frozen fries. **Warning**

  • High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. hot dog (49F - Cold Holding); beef (52F - Cold Holding) in reach in cooler drawers, operator stated drawer had broke right before inspection and drawer also kept open and closed during lunch rush, operator placed hotdogs in freezer and beef in ice. Retemped hot dogs at 34 beef at 45. tomatoes (45F - Cold Holding) item in front reach in cooler. No change. **Corrective Action Taken**

Rush Bowls

1360 W. University Ave., Suite 40, Gainesville

Routine inspection on Aug. 7

Follow-up inspection required: Violations require further review, but are not an immediate threat to the public.

Five total violations, with two high-priority violations

  • High Priority - - From initial inspection: High Priority - Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. Observed: in the front line reach-in cooler: milk 58, Almond milk 63, oat milk 61, chai tea 62F. The last 3 containers require refrigeration after opening. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2023-08-07: Chai tea, open, 49F Milk 47F See stop sale. **Admin Complaint**

  • High Priority - - From initial inspection: High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed: in the front line reach-in cooler: milk 58, Almond milk 63, oat milk 61, chai tea 62F. The last 3 containers require refrigeration after opening. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2023-08-07: Front line reach-in cooler Chai tea 49F, milk 47F. **Admin Complaint**

Suki's Vegan

5141 SW 91st Way, I-101, Gainesville

Routine inspection on Aug. 8

Follow-up inspection required: Violations require further review, but are not an immediate threat to the public.

Six total violations, with two high-priority violations

  • High Priority - Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license. Observed the license expired on 6-1-23. **Admin Complaint**

  • High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed: Miso soup on the stove, 114F. This was placed in the freezer. **Corrective Action Taken**

Sushi 2 Go

1412 W. University Ave., Gainesville

Routine inspection on Aug. 7

Follow-up inspection required: Violations require further review, but are not an immediate threat to the public.

Five total violations, with one high-priority violation

  • High Priority - Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license. Observed: license expired on 6-1-2023. **Admin Complaint**

Taste

4860 NW 39th Ave., Suite C, Gainesville

Routine inspection on Aug. 8

Follow-up inspection required: Violations require further review, but are not an immediate threat to the public.

27 total violations, with eight 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. Dish machine, 0 ppm. **Warning**

  • 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 and began handling clean utensils without washing hands. Manager had employee wash hands. **Corrective Action Taken** **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**

  • High Priority - Employee failed to wash hands before putting on gloves to initiate a task working with food. Employee handled dirty dishes and put on gloves to handle food on cook line without washing hands. Manager had employee wash hands and change gloves. **Corrective Action Taken** **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**

  • 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. Employee handled dirty dishes and proceeded to handle clean dishes without washing hands. Manager had employee wash hands and rewash dishes. **Corrective Action Taken** **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**

  • High Priority - Employee used the bathroom and then engaged in food preparation, handled clean equipment or utensils, or touched unwrapped single-service items without washing hands upon returning to employee area. Employee returned from restroom and handled glasses without washing hand. Manager had employee wash hands. **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**

  • High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Raw chicken stored over seafood broth in walk-in cooler. Manager moved chicken to another shelf. **Corrected On-Site**

  • High Priority - Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. Item in reach-in cooler labeled drinks behind front counter: whipped topping (60F,61F,60F - Cold Holding). Employee stated item stored in cooler overnight.

  • High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Item in reach-in cooler labeled drinks behind front counter: whipped topping (60F,61F,60F - Cold Holding). Employee stated item stored in cooler overnight.

Routine inspection on Aug. 9

Follow-up inspection required: Violations require further review, but are not an immediate threat to the public.

One total violation, with one high-priority violation

  • High Priority - - From initial inspection : 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. Dish machine, 0 ppm. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2023-08-09: No change. **Time Extended**

The Cheesecake Factory

2851 SW 35th Drive, Suite 70, Butler Town Center, Gainesville

Routine inspection on Aug. 9

Follow-up inspection required: Violations require further review, but are not an immediate threat to the public.

Five total violations, with three 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: a female prep staff dice red bell pepper not for immediate cooking, no gloves. She put on gloves as requested. **Corrected On-Site**

  • High Priority - Live, small flying insects in kitchen, food preparation area, food storage area and/or bar area. Observed: 2 flys in the kitchen in the passage way.

  • High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed: on the salad prep/make line up front: Sprouts 47, salsa 49, chicken 57. Items brought to the walk-in freezer. Air duct sensor problems are causing air conditioning units to turn off, greatly increasing the ambient air temperature in the kitchen, in various zones. The Air conditioner technicians are already here and working on the multifaceted issues. **Corrective Action Taken** **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**

Zaxby's

1 NW 10th Ave., Gainesville

Routine inspection on Aug. 10

Follow-up inspection required: Violations require further review, but are not an immediate threat to the public.

12 total violations, with four high-priority violations

  • High Priority - Employee touched soiled apron/clothes and then engaged in food preparation, handled clean equipment or utensils, or touched unwrapped single-service items without washing hands. 2 employees on cooks line with hands on clothes then orders came through and they started putting together orders. **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**

  • High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. chicken water/batter (52F - Cold Holding); chicken (50-54F - Cold Holding) items in raw chicken cooler on cooks line. Employee stated the cooler is not working and is being replaced soon. Employee stated items had been placed in cooler between 10-11am to get ready for the day. Ice was added to food items. **Warning**

  • High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. chicken wings (128-132F - Hot Holding); in hot holding box set at 130F, employee turned heat up to 145F. grilled chicken (108F - Hot Holding) item in hot holding drawers on front cook line. Items were used/served before retemps could be taken.

  • High Priority - Vacuum breaker missing at hose bibb or on fitting/splitter added to hose bibb. At the end of splitter with hose attached.

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 The Gainesville Sun: Dozens of Alachua County restaurants fail food inspections