One Alachua County restaurant gets perfect score; Dozen fail inspection
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 Sept. 25-Oct. 1, 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 Sept. 25-Oct. 1 inspection and no violations were found.
China Garden, 1216 N. Main Street, Gainesville**
Dianne\'s Old Time Barbeque, Us 301, Hawthorne
Mexi Cocina Mobile Kitchen, Mobile food dispensing vehicle**
** Restaurants that failed an inspection and aced a follow-up inspection in the same week
Which Alachua County restaurants had high-priority violations?
Charleys Philly Steaks
6419 W. Newberry Road, Ste G6, Gainesville
Routine inspection on Sept. 29
Follow-up inspection required: Violations require further review, but are not an immediate threat to the public.
19 total violations, with three high-priority violations
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. cooked onions (47F - Cold Holding); item in cooler across from grill, cooler lid kept open by tongs in mushroom container, operator placed item in reach in freezer retemped at 41. lettuce (53F - Cold Holding) no time mark and not listed on time as a public health control application, all other items in reach in cooler on time, operator added to application and time stamped 11-3. **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 and the time removed from temperature control cannot be determined. Cheeses and tomatoes in reach in cooler to the left of grill. Operator time stamped 11-3. **Corrected On-Site**
High Priority - Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. Soap next to salt bin, operator moved soap. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
China Wok
2308 SE Hawthorne Road, Ste E, Gainesville
Routine inspection on Sept. 28
Follow-up inspection required: Violations require further review, but are not an immediate threat to the public.
14 total violations, with six high-priority violations
High Priority - Nonfood-grade containers used for food storage - direct contact with food. Eggrolls directly in cardboard box in walk in cooler. Operator moved eggrolls to a plastic food grade container. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
High Priority - Raw animal foods not properly separated from each other in holding unit based upon minimum required cooking temperature. Raw chicken over raw shell eggs in walk in cooler, operator placed chicken at bottom. **Corrected On-Site**
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. corn (47F - Cold Holding); pork (49F - Cold Holding); chicken (48F - Cold Holding); raw chicken (48F - Cold Holding); shrimp raw (50F - Cold Holding); shrimp (51F - Cold Holding) items in reach in cooler on cooks line, ice is placed inside the bottom portion, other items are 41 or below, operators also have a new cooler to replace old one. **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 and the time removed from temperature control cannot be determined. See stop sale.
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit.
High Priority - Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. Soap next to vinegar bottles on bottom shelf on cooks line, operator moved soap away from food. Medicine pills over bulk containers of cornstarch flour etc. Roach spray container next to rice bags by back door, operator moved chemical away from food. **Corrected On-Site**
Court Of Hero's LLC
2028 SW 34th St., Gainesville
Complaint partial inspection on Sept. 28
Follow-up inspection required: Violations require further review, but are not an immediate threat to the public.
Three total violations, with two high-priority violations
High Priority - Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license. Observed the license expired on 6-1-2023. **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed in the walk-in cooler: marinara 45, house ranch 46, chicken 47F. The chicken was in the freezer yesterday. A box by the cooling fans was blocking the flow of air(cooled air blows against the wall). The boxes were moved. **Corrective Action Taken**
El Portento Restaurant
Mobile food dispensing vehicle
Routine inspection on Sept. 28
Follow-up inspection required: Violations require further review, but are not an immediate threat to the public.
10 total violations, with four high-priority violations
High Priority - Container of medicine improperly stored. Bottle of advil pills over chest reach in freezer.
High Priority - Raw animal food stored in same container as ready-to-eat food. Container of raw shell eggs in cooler with an avocado. Operator moved vegetables. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. pico (44F - Cold Holding); beef (47F - Cold Holding) items prepared previous day, multiple items in same cooler that are in the cooling process and other items are 41 or below. Cooler was kept close to ensure all cold air can get to all foods. **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. cooked vegetables (77F - Hot Holding) item in small cup on counter, operator stated they are used for the beans, operator placed in cooler to rapidly drop temperature. **Corrective Action Taken**
Homewood Suites By Hilton Gainesville
3333 SW 42nd St., Gainesville
Complaint inspection on Sept. 28
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 - Refrigerated time/temperature control for safety food received at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed: yogurt received at 61F. The driver was called to come back and pick it up. **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning**
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed: at the buffet(time as a public health control is not in use here) melon 51, yogurt 51, butter 49, **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
Los Tacos De Mi Abuela
Mobile food dispensing vehicle
Routine inspection on Sept. 26
Follow-up inspection required: Violations require further review, but are not an immediate threat to the public.
18 total violations, with five high-priority violations
High Priority - Container of medicine improperly stored. First aid kit on shelf above reach in cooler by door.
High Priority - Nonfood-grade containers used for food storage - direct contact with food. Container holding shredded cheese with hinged handles. Paper towel wrapped around homemade tortillas in reach in cooler by door.
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Raw chicken on top of tortillas and above uncut fruits/veggies in reach in cooler by door.
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. beef tongue (45F - Cold Holding); cheese (46F - Cold Holding); cheese constantly taken out of cooler for orders during lunch, tongue in bag on top of metal containers in the top portion of cooler, moved bag to the bottom part to contain cooler air. beans (51F - Cold Holding) sour cream (47F - Cold Holding) items in bottom portion of reach in cooler by sinks, operator stated items are taken out during lunch rush and placed back in cooler. All other items in cooler were 41 or below. **Warning**
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. onions cooked (112F - Hot Holding); jalepenos cooked (84F - Hot Holding) sitting next to grill on cutting board in metal container, spoke to operator about keeping hot at 135 or above or using time as a public health control. **Warning**
Lucille's Southern Kitchen
Mobile food dispensing vehicle
Routine inspection on Sept. 28
Follow-up inspection required: Violations require further review, but are not an immediate threat to the public.
10 total violations, with one high-priority violation
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. gravy (103F - Hot Holding) item sitting on top of oven less than 4 hours, operator placed in cooler. **Corrective Action Taken**
Natures Table
6419 W. Newberry Road, Ste. G7, Gainesville
Routine inspection on Sept. 29
Follow-up inspection required: Violations require further review, but are not an immediate threat to the public.
15 total violations, with 2 high-priority violations
High Priority - Food with mold-like growth. See stop sale. 2 cucumbers in reach in cooler.
High Priority - Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license. 6/1/2023. **Admin Complaint**
Original American Kitchen
15 SE 1st Ave., Gainesville
Routine inspection on Sept. 25
Follow-up inspection required: Violations require further review, but are not an immediate threat to the public.
19 total violations, with four high-priority violations
High Priority - Date marked combined ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food not consumed/sold within 7 days of preparing/opening the earliest ready-to-eat time/temperature for safety ingredient. See stop sale. Noodles cooked 9/18.
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. Dish washer wiped hands on clothes then proceeded to put away clean dishes.
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 grabbed bread buns out of package, toasted untouched side then took burger off of grill and used his fingers to push meat off of spatula onto bun. **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. tomatoes (51F - Cold Holding); spinach dip (48F - Cold Holding); cream (49F - Cold Holding); asparagus cooked (53F - Cold Holding); crab cake mix (46F - Cold Holding) items in reach in cooler on cooks line, manager stated during lunch rush cooler is kept open, operator closed all lids and added ice to ambiently chill food products. Retemped items, most items are dropping but has not reached 41F. **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning**
The Swamp Restaurant
1104 SW 2nd Ave., Gainesville
Routine inspection on Sept. 25
Follow-up inspection required: Violations require further review, but are not an immediate threat to the public.
15 total violations, with two high-priority violations
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. buttermilk (63F - Cold Holding) item in ice container, ice not touching bottom of milk pan, operator added water to ice pan, retemped milk at 43. shrimp (44F - Cold Holding) was discarded. quinoa (46F - Cold Holding) in walk in cooler, operator moved to walk in freezer to rapidly drop temperature. **Corrective Action Taken** **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
High Priority - Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. Spray bottle of sanitizer next to sugar packets at drink station in kitchen, employee moved bottle. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
Tropical Eatz
Mobile food dispensing vehicle
Routine inspection on Sept. 28
Follow-up inspection required: Violations require further review, but are not an immediate threat to the public.
Four total violations, with two high-priority violations
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. cut cabbage (46F - Cold Holding) operator had 2 oz containers over the fill line operator moved those over. Others were 41 or below. **Corrective Action Taken** **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
High Priority - Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. Butane lighters on top of reach in cooler, operator moved. **Corrected On-Site**
Woodyard Grill
102 NW 250 St., Newberry
Routine inspection on Sept. 29
Follow-up inspection required: Violations require further review, but are not an immediate threat to the public.
19 total violations, with five high-priority violations
High Priority - Live, small flying insects in kitchen, food preparation area, food storage area and/or bar area. Two flies in prep room near prep table. Four flies in drain of handwash sink in bar area. **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Open bag of raw chicken stored above frozen creamed corn inside reach-in freezer behind building near walk-in cooler.
High Priority - Raw animal foods not properly separated from each other in holding unit based upon minimum required cooking temperature. Raw chicken stored above raw shrimp on shelf inside reach-in cooler in prep area. Manager moved raw chicken to below shrimp during this inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Inside reach-in cooler at server station: milk (47F - Cold Holding); bleu cheese (47F - Cold Holding); sour cream (47F - Cold Holding). Manager stated all was placed into unit from reach-in cooler in prep room approximately two hours prior. Manager placed all into freezer wher they cooled to 41F or below. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
High Priority - Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. Bottle of "Fly Bait" on shelf beside plastic fry baskets and above reach-in freezer on shelf in warewash area. Manager removed fly bait from shelf during this inspection. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
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: Gainesville area restaurant and food truck inspections for last week
