One St. Johns County restaurant gets perfect score; 1 closed; 15 fail inspection
You can use the database to search by county or by restaurant name.
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 Oct. 23-29, 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 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 Oct. 23-29 inspections and no violations were found.
Mcdonalds #34349, 103 Tuscan Way, Saint Augustine
Poppys Italiano, 832 1 A1a N, Ponte Vedra**
The Little Sombrero, Mobile food dispensing vehicle**
** 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 Oct. 23-29 inspections and were temporarily closed. Follow-up inspections are required.
Gourmet Garden
17 Cuna St, St Augustine
Routine Inspection on Oct. 27
Facility Temporarily Closed: Operations ordered stopped until violations are corrected.
8 total violations, with 1 high-priority violation
High Priority - Rodent activity present as evidenced by rodent droppings found. Observed approximately 10 rodent droppings on floor left of reach in cooler. Observed approximately 7 rodent droppings on floor left reach in freezer. Observed approximately 6 rodent droppings on floor under triple sink. Observed approximately 16 rodent droppings on window sill behind stoves. Observed approximately 4 rodent droppings on floor in between flip-top cooler and stove. Observed 1 rodent dropping on prep table next to air fryer. **Warning**
Which St. Johns County restaurants had high-priority violations?
Asado Life
173 Shipyard Way, Saint Augustine
Complaint Inspection on Oct. 26
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 - Cooked poultry not reaching a minimum internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed cook take chicken off grill at chicken breast (148F - Cooking). Cook placed back on grill. Retested at (178F - Cooking). **Corrected On-Site**
High Priority - Heat strip failed to turn black to indicate the sanitization temperature of 160 degrees Fahrenheit was achieved on the dish surface and/or high temperature holding thermometer did not reach 160F. Discontinue use of dishmachine for sanitizing and set up manual sanitization until dishmachine is repaired. Observed dish machine reach 157F using a min max thermometer. Person in charge will call service. Triple sink set up at 200 ppm. **Warning**
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed raw beef burger (60F - Cold Holding) on counter in ice bin. Person in charge placed bag of beef burgers in reach in cooler to cool. **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 y splitter on hose Bibb at mop sink missing vacuum breaker on green hose side.
Beachcomber Restaurant
2 A St, Saint Augustine Beac
Routine Inspection on Oct. 27
Follow-Up Inspection Required: Violations require further review, but are not an immediate threat to the public.
9 total violations, with 2 high-priority violations
High Priority - Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. In reach-in cooler across from expo window, corn and tomato salsa (55F - Cold Holding) Operator stated salsa had been in cooler over night Operator voluntarily discarded. **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. In reach-in cooler across from expo window, coconut cream (50F - Cold Holding); fish dip (50F); pico (55F - Cold Holding) Operator turned cooler down and move food to walk-in cooler In reach-in cooler under breading station, raw fish (50F - Cold Holding); raw chicken (48F - Cold Holding); raw shrimp 50 (48F - Cold Holding) Ice buildup on bottom shelf of cooler. Employee put everything in cooler on ice. **Corrective Action Taken** **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
Cafe Del Hidalgo
35 Hypolita St Ste 101, Saint Augustine
Routine Inspection on Oct. 23
Follow-Up Inspection Required: Violations require further review, but are not an immediate threat to the public.
10 total violations, with 1 high-priority violation
High Priority - Live, small flying insects in kitchen, food preparation area, food storage area and/or bar area. Observed two flying insects in kitchen near ice cream maker.
Caribbean & Soule Restaurant
1968 Us 1 S, St Augustine
Routine Inspection on Oct. 25
Follow-Up Inspection Required: Violations require further review, but are not an immediate threat to the public.
5 total violations, with 2 high-priority violations
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. On counter next to microwave, pork chops (67F - Cold Holding) Operator stated pork chops had been taken out of reach-in cooler less then one hour prior to be reheated. Operator reheated pork chops to 180F. **Corrected On-Site** **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. In kitchen on counter next to microwave, beans and rice (105F - Hot Holding) Operator stated food had been on counter for less than 1 hr and reheated to 202F. At front counter in reach in heated display, beef empanadas (120F - Hot Holding) Operator stated empanadas had been in heated display for approximately 3 hours and reheated to 202F. Provided operator with time as a public health control paperwork to possible keep empanadas on time. **Corrected On-Site**
Florida Cracker Cafe
81 St George St, St Augustine
Routine Inspection on Oct. 27
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 - Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license. At time of inspection current license is expired from 06/01/2023. **Admin Complaint**
Harry's Seafood Bar & Grill
46 Avenida Menendez, St Augustine
Routine Inspection on Oct. 27
Follow-Up Inspection Required: Violations require further review, but are not an immediate threat to the public.
13 total violations, with 5 high-priority violations
High Priority - Cooked/heated time/temperature control for safety food not cooled from 135 degrees Fahrenheit to 41 degrees Fahrenheit within 6 hours. In the walk in cooler, red beans (46F - Cold Holding) cooled in the walk in cooler over night and covered. Operator discarded the red beans. **Corrective Action Taken**
High Priority - Employee touching ready-to-eat food with their bare hands - ready-to-eat food used for multiple menu items, some of which will not be cooked/heated to the minimum required temperature to allow bare hand contact. Establishment has no approved Alternative Operating Procedure. Observed bartender peeling lemons behind the bar counter with barehands and a peeled with no gloves.
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. In the walk in cooler, raw shrimp over beignet mix and washed/cut produce. Operator relocated the raw shrimp. **Corrected On-Site**
High Priority - Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. In the walk in cooler, red beans (46F - Cold Holding) cooled in the walk in cooler over night and covered. Operator discarded the red beans. **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. In the hot holding cabinet closest to the warewashing area, jam sauce (98F - Hot Holding); etouffee (106F - Hot Holding). Operator placed both products into the steam cabinet to reheat to proper holding temperature. At conclusion of inspection both items back in temperature range over 165F. **Corrected On-Site**
Kilwins Chocolates
140 St George St, St Augustine
Routine Inspection on Oct. 23
Follow-Up Inspection Required: Violations require further review, but are not an immediate threat to the public.
5 total violations, with 1 high-priority violation
High Priority - Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license. Observed license expired 6/1/23. Discussed with manager over phone and they are working to renew. **Corrective Action Taken** **Admin Complaint**
Namaste
2180 Us1 South, Saint Augustine
Routine Inspection on Oct. 24
Follow-Up Inspection Required: Violations require further review, but are not an immediate threat to the public.
10 total violations, with 2 high-priority violations
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. In middle reach-in cooler across from cook line, heavy cream (73F - Cold Holding, 2nd temp 47F with 1.5 time lapse) Operator stated cream had been out for cooking 30 min prior In dry storage area in microwave, rice (59F - Cold Holding,2nd temp 43F with 1.5 time lapse) Operator state rice had been put in microwave within 15 minutes to microwave Operator put rice and heavy cream in walk-in cooler **Corrective Action Taken** **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
High Priority - Vacuum breaker missing at hose bibb or on fitting/splitter added to hose bibb. Outside at back of building on hose spout **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
Old Powder House
38 Cordova St, Saint Augustine
Routine Inspection on Oct. 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 - Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license. Observed license expired 6/1/23. **Admin Complaint**
Ruth's Chris Steak House
814 N A1a, Ponte Vedra Bch
Complaint Inspection on Oct. 25
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 - Raw animal food stored over or with ready-to-eat food in a freezer - not all products commercially packaged. In the storage area reach in freezer, commercially packaged raw frozen calamari over opened container of ice cream. Operator relocated the container of ice cream. **Corrected On-Site**
High Priority - Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. Unlabeled chemical spray bottle stored with clean linens at the waitstation storage area. Operator voluntarily discarded the chemical spray bottle. **Corrected On-Site**
Stir It Up - Sab
18 A St, St. Augustine
Routine Inspection on Oct. 23
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 - Vacuum breaker missing at hose bibb or on fitting/splitter added to hose bibb. To the left of the mop sink, hose Bibb missing vacuum breaker. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2023-10-23: Operator purchased wrong part. **Time Extended**
Sushi Zento and Grill
1061 A1a Beach Blvd, Saint Augustine
Routine Inspection on Oct. 23
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 - 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. Dishwasher (Chlorine 0ppm, re tested at 50ppm) **Corrected On-Site**
High Priority - Operator unable to provide documentation that aquacultured fish has been raised in a controlled environment and fed formulated feed. Establishment sells raw salmon but doesn't have proof of farm raised or pellet fed. Operator obtained documentation during inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over or with ready-to-eat food in a freezer - not all products commercially packaged. In walk-in cooler, raw chicken stored over unwashed zucchini. Operator moved chicken to bottom shelf. **Corrected On-Site**
High Priority - Wiping cloth solution exceeding the maximum concentration allowed stored in a location that could result in the cross contamination of food, equipment, utensils, linens, single-service, or single-use articles. On bottom shelf of prep counter across from cook line, Sanitizer Bucket (Chlorine 200+ppm, rested at 100ppm) At front of kitchen across from drink station, Sanitizer Bucket (Chlorine 200+ppm, retested at 50ppm) Operator re made both sanitizer buckets. **Corrected On-Site**
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 Oct. 23-29: Restaurant inspection: One St. Johns is perfect; 15 fail
