Roach activity temporarily closes 1 St. Johns County restaurant; 16 fail inspection
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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 4-10, 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 4-10 inspections and no violations were found.
Champions Club at Julington Cr, 1111 Durbin Creek Blvd, Jacksonville**
China Wok, 155 Bartram Market Dr Ste 140, St. Johns**
Creative Juices, 846 Anastasia Blvd, Saint Augustine**
Libby's Thai Bistro, 525 Sr 16 Suite 103, Saint Augustine**
Marsh Landing Country Club, 25655 Marsh Landing Pkwy, Ponte Vedra Beach**
Red Roof Plus, 2445 Sr 16, Saint Augustine
** 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 4-10 inspections and were temporarily closed. Follow-up inspections are required.
Libby's Thai Bistro
525 Sr 16 Suite 103, Saint Augustine
Routine Inspection on March 4
Facility Temporarily Closed: Operations ordered stopped until violations are corrected.
14 total violations, with 2 high-priority violations
High Priority - Nonfood-grade containers used for food storage - direct contact with food. Soft wooden woven basket used to steam noodles over boiling water on stove. Noodles contacts basket during the process. Visible noodles in between woven pieces of wood. Basket is not easily cleanable or easily sanitized.
High Priority - Roach activity present as evidenced by live roaches found. Observed four live roaches on floor of kitchen near and on cook line. Person in charge was able to kill and remove three. Observed two live roaches in glue traps on floor of front counter area. **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
Libby's Thai Bistro
525 Sr 16 Suite 103, Saint Augustine
Routine Inspection on March 5
Facility Temporarily Closed: Operations ordered stopped until violations are corrected.
2 total violations, with 1 high-priority violation
High Priority - - From initial inspection : High Priority - Roach activity present as evidenced by live roaches found. Observed four live roaches on floor of kitchen near and on cook line. Person in charge was able to kill and remove three. Observed two live roaches in glue traps on floor of front counter area. **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint** - From follow-up inspection 2024-03-05: Observed one live roach on crawling behind black pump box of the bag n box machine. Discussed with operator about having machine serviced so it can be disassembled and cleaned. **Admin Complaint**
Which St. Johns County restaurants had high-priority violations?
1928 Bistro 2
160 Shops Blvd 30, Saint Johns
Routine Inspection on March 4
Follow-Up Inspection Required: Violations require further review, but are not an immediate threat to the public.
6 total violations, with 4 high-priority violations
High Priority - Raw animal foods not properly separated from one another based upon minimum required cooking temperature when stored in a freezer - not all products commercially packaged. Raw chicken stored over raw beef in reach in cooler in kitchen by office.
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. whipped cream (61F - Cold Holding) in small refrigerator at front counter, per employee door has been consistently opened for no more then a couple of hours, cream placed in different cooler. **Corrective Action Taken**
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. beef (103F - Hot Holding) in warming cabinet next to ovens on cook line, per employee beef was cooked no more then a couple of hours ago and placed in warmer, temperature of warmer turned up. **Corrective Action Taken**
High Priority - Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. Chemical spray bottle with orange liquid stored with clean equipment and box of to go containers on lower portion of prep table in middle of kitchen.
Canopy Road Cafa
90 Shops Blvd Unit 10, Saint Johns
Routine Inspection on March 5
Follow-Up Inspection Required: Violations require further review, but are not an immediate threat to the public.
9 total violations, with 5 high-priority violations
High Priority - Employee cracked raw shell eggs and then handled ready-to-eat food and/or clean equipment or utensils without washing hands. Employee cracking raw shell eggs with gloved hands, then changed gloves, then went to handle clean bowl and tongs without washing hands between tasks. **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Raw crab cakes stored over various ready to eat items in bottom of reach in cooler on cook line, cakes moved
High Priority - Stop Sale issued due to food not being in a wholesome, sound condition. 1 package of smoked salmon in walk in cooler fully thawed out still in packaged.
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. milk (49F - Cold Holding) in small reach in cooler at front counter, per manager milk is consistently taken in and out and usually used up within 4 hours, milk placed on time control. raw hamburger (50F - Cold Holding); sausage (47F - Cold Holding); sliced cheese (47F - Cold Holding); shredded cheese (45F - Cold Holding); cut tomatoes (50F - Cold Holding) all items in reach in cooler drawers under grill on cook line, per employee drawers have been consistently open for a couple of hours, temperature of cooler turned down and ice bags added to items, all retemps at or below 41F. **Corrective Action Taken**
High Priority - Vacuum breaker missing at hose bibb or on fitting/splitter added to hose bibb. Missing from one hose bibb next to grill on cook line.
Champions Club at Julington Cr
1111 Durbin Creek Blvd, Jacksonville
Complaint Inspection on March 5
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 - 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. In use dish machine reading 0ppm, dish machine ran multiple times and primed and machine still reading 0ppm, inspector advised only employee on site to set up the triple sink. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2024-02-27: Dish machine still reading 0ppm, machine ran multiple times and still reading 0ppm, per manager they have called ECO lab to come out and service machine, but they have not come out yet. **Admin Complaint** - From follow-up inspection 2024-03-05: Per manager ECO Lab came out and told them their sanitizer is expired. There is a sign on the dish machine to not use it and they should be getting new sanitizer tomorrow. **Time Extended**
Fancy Sushi
155 Bartram Market Dr #145, St. Johns
Routine Inspection on March 5
Follow-Up Inspection Required: Violations require further review, but are not an immediate threat to the public.
11 total violations, with 3 high-priority violations
High Priority - Food-contact surfaces not sanitized after cleaning, before use. Do not use equipment/utensils not properly sanitized. Employee washed and rinsed plastic tubs then stored them on rack to dry without sanitizing them.
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over or with ready-to-eat food in a freezer - not all products commercially packaged. Raw fish eggs and raw fish, removed from original packaging stored over box of krab sticks in walk in freezer, krab sticks removed. Also plate of raw shrimp stored over vegetables on top section of reach in cooler on make line in kitchen, shrimp moved. Also raw salmon stored over bucket of ginger in walk in cooler. Also raw fish eggs stored over various sauce bottles in reach in cooler at sushi bar, eggs moved. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. fish roe (56F,60F - Cold Holding) sitting out next to cutting boards at sushi bar, per manager roe has been sitting out less then 1 hour, roe placed in reach in cooler. **Corrective Action Taken**
Golf Club at South Hampton
315 S Hampton Club Way, Saint Augustine
Complaint Inspection on March 6
Follow-Up Inspection Required: Violations require further review, but are not an immediate threat to the public.
8 total violations, with 3 high-priority violations
High Priority - Live, small flying insects in kitchen, food preparation area, food storage area and/or bar area. Approximately 12 live flying insects in cabinet with floor drain under tea urns in kitchen. **Warning**
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over or with ready-to-eat food in a freezer - not all products commercially packaged. Raw breaded shrimp stored over open container of mozzarella sticks in reach in freezer on cook line, shrimp moved. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. whipped cream (58F - Cold Holding) in small reach in cooler at bar area, per employee door has been consistently open for the past hour, crew, moved to walk in cooler. sour cream (58F - Cold Holding) in standing reach in cooler at end of cook line, per manager employees have been taking the sour cream in and out of cooler for the last 1.25 hours, cream placed in walk in cooler. **Corrective Action Taken**
Holiday Inn Express & Suites St Augustine North
2300 Sr 16, Saint Augustine
Routine Inspection on March 4
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. Observed glass door reach in cooler: butter (50F - Cold Holding); yogurt (51F - Cold Holding); no shell hard boiled egg (50F - Cold Holding). Filled midway into breakfast shift less than four hours ago per person in charge. Person in charge removed items from small glass door refrigerator and placed in kitchen reach in cooler. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2024-03-04: Observed glass door reach in cooler: butter (51F - Cold Holding); yogurt (49F - Cold Holding); no shell hard boiled egg (48F - Cold Holding); Cream cheese (50F - Cold Holding) Ambient air temperature 49F. **Admin Complaint**
La Catrina Tacos & Tequila Bar
155 Hampton Point Dr, Saint Augustine
Routine Inspection on March 4
Follow-Up Inspection Required: Violations require further review, but are not an immediate threat to the public.
11 total violations, with 7 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. beef (49F - Cooling over 6 hours) in large deep covered plastic container in walk in cooler, per employee beef was cooked last night and placed in walk in cooler without any additional preparation.
High Priority - Cooked/heated time/temperature control for safety food not cooled from 135 degrees Fahrenheit to 70 degrees Fahrenheit within two hours and from 135 degrees Fahrenheit to 41 degrees Fahrenheit within six hours. See stop sale. beef (49F - Cooling over 6 hours) in large deep covered plastic container in walk in cooler, per employee beef was cooked last night and placed in walk in cooler without any additional preparation.
High Priority - Live, small flying insects in kitchen, food preparation area, food storage area and/or bar area. 2 live flying insects around soda machine in server area. Approximately 8 live flying insects in ware washing area around rack and keg cooler. **Warning**
High Priority - Nonfood-grade bags used in direct contact with food. Grocery bags used to stored raw beef in standing reach in freezer in storage area.
High Priority - Pesticide/insecticide labeled for household use only present in establishment. Cans of roach and ant spray in server area, per operator spray is used in corners of walls in server area. **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Raw shell eggs stored over produce in walk in cooler, eggs moved. Raw fish stored over cooked vegetables in bottom section of reach in cooler on cook line, fish moved. Also raw chicken stored over raw beef in walk in cooler, beef moved. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
High Priority - Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. Chemical spray bottle with yellow liquid stored with alcohol on rack in server area, bottle removed **Corrected On-Site**
La Catrina Tacos & Tequila Bar
155 Hampton Point Dr, Saint Augustine
Routine Inspection on March 5
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. 2 live flying insects around soda machine in server area. Approximately 8 live flying insects in ware washing area around rack and keg cooler. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2024-03-05: Approximately 3 live flying insects around drain of hand wash station in server area. Approximately 4 live flying insects around drain and keg reach in cooler in dish area. **Time Extended**
Marsh Landing Country Club
25655 Marsh Landing Pkwy, Ponte Vedra Beach
Routine Inspection on March 7
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 - 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. In use dish machine not reading any chlorine sanitizer and max temperature reading 131F, employee primed and ran machine multiple times, still no chlorine reading on dish machine, employee set up triple sink for sanitation. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2024-02-28: Dish machine ran and primed multiple times, dish machine still reading 0ppm, per manager they have not been able to get any technician out to service machine. **Admin Complaint** - From follow-up inspection 2024-03-07: Per manager maintenance serviced the dish machine but they have run out of sanitizer for the machine and will receive more tomorrow morning and technician will be out to service machine as well. **Time Extended**
Mochiatsu
1000-05 S Ponce De Leon Blvd, St. Augustine
Routine Inspection on March 7
Follow-Up Inspection Required: Violations require further review, but are not an immediate threat to the public.
13 total violations, with 3 high-priority violations
High Priority - Container of medicine improperly stored. Observed over the counter bottle of medication stored above flip-top cooler food. Discussed with employee.
High Priority - Pesticide/insecticide labeled for household use only present in establishment. Observed household pesticide stored in kitchen under hand washing station. Discussed with person in charge.
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Observed raw shell eggs stored above mozzarella cheese and hot dogs. Discussed with employee. **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
O'Steens Restaurant
205 Anastasia Blvd, Saint Augustine
Routine Inspection on March 7
Follow-Up Inspection Required: Violations require further review, but are not an immediate threat to the public.
10 total violations, with 7 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. Sanitizer was empty. Person in charge replaced and it tested at 75ppm. **Corrected On-Site**
High Priority - Non-food grade paper/paper towel used as liner for food container. Non food grade paper towels lining lettuce containers. Person in charge removed. **Corrected On-Site**
High Priority - Raw animal foods not properly separated from each other in holding unit based upon minimum required cooking temperature. In side room raw chicken over shell eggs. Person in charge moved chicken to bottom shelf. **Corrected On-Site**
High Priority - Spray hose at dish sink lower than flood rim of sink. Spray hose in dish is hanging below the rim. **Repeat Violation**
High Priority - Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. 4 door; cheese 48F, shrimp salad 45F; ( - Cold Holding) In cooler overnight. **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. 4 door; cheese 48F, shrimp salad 45F; ( - Cold Holding) In cooler overnight. **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
High Priority - Vacuum breaker missing at hose bibb or on fitting/splitter added to hose bibb. Hose Bibb on wrong spot on hose out back.
Peppers Mexicana Cocina and Tequila Bar
55 Harper Ln, St. Johns
Routine Inspection on March 6
Follow-Up Inspection Required: Violations require further review, but are not an immediate threat to the public.
11 total violations, with 4 high-priority violations
High Priority - Dented/rusted cans present. See stop sale. 1 dented can of tomato paste on rack in prep area. **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over or with ready-to-eat food in a freezer - not all products commercially packaged. Open container of cooked chicken tamales stored under raw beef in walk in freezer, tamales moved. Also raw chicken stored over raw shrimp in reach in cooler on cook line, items rearranged. Packages of raw beef stored over various sauce bottles in reach in cooler on make line, beef moved **Corrected On-Site**
High Priority - Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. Soap, bleach, and Fabuloso stored with clean plates on rack in dish area, chemicals moved. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
High Priority - Vacuum breaker missing at hose bibb or on fitting/splitter added to hose bibb. Missing from one side of splitter on mop sink in dish area. **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
Salt Life Food Shack
321 A1a Beach Blvd, Saint Augustine Beac
Complaint Inspection on March 7
Follow-Up Inspection Required: Violations require further review, but are not an immediate threat to the public.
7 total violations, with 1 high-priority violation
High Priority - Sewage/wastewater backing up through floor drains. Observed on arrival floor drains under ice machine over filling on to floor. Multiple service men working on unclogging drain. Person in charge has employees mopping and sanitizing floor. Floor drain was unclogged during inspection. Floors were sanitized and mopped. **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning**
Tank's Sushi Bistro
151 Pine Lake Dr Suite A, Ponte Vedra
Complaint Inspection on March 7
Follow-Up Inspection Required: Violations require further review, but are not an immediate threat to the public.
10 total violations, with 4 high-priority violations
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over or with ready-to-eat food in a freezer - not all products commercially packaged. Raw beef and raw pork, both removed from original packaging, stored over bags of noodles and wonton wrappers in walk in freezer. Various raw fish and raw shrimp, both removed from original packaging, stored over ice and spring rolls in small reach in freezer chest near cook line in kitchen. Also raw salmon and raw tuna stored over various sauces in reach in coolers at sushi bar. Also raw chicken stored over raw beef in reach in cooler on cook line, chicken moved. **Corrective Action Taken** **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
High Priority - Shell eggs in use or stored with cracks or broken shells. See stop sale. 2 broken raw shell eggs in reach in cooler make table on cook line.
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. dumplings (56F - Cold Holding) in bay sitting on top of containers in top section of reach in cooler on make line, per manager bag has been there less then 1 hour, bag moved to bottom of cooler. raw fish roe (58F - Cold Holding) in display reach in cooler at sushi bar, per manager roe has been taken in and out of cooler for less then 1 hour. raw shrimp (64F - Cold Holding) portions of shrimp thawing out under cold running water in triple sink in kitchen, per manager shrimp has been thawing out for less then 1 hour, employee started to move thawed portions to walk in cooler during inspection. **Corrective Action Taken** **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
High Priority - Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. Chemical spray bottle with blue liquid stored box of potatoes on lower rack of table in middle of kitchen, bottle removed. **Corrected On-Site**
Taps Bar & Grill
2220 Cr 210 W #314, St. Johns
Routine Inspection on March 4
Follow-Up Inspection Required: Violations require further review, but are not an immediate threat to the public.
8 total violations, with 1 high-priority violation
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Package of raw hamburger patties stored in same pan as oranges stoved on top of box of bread in keg walk in cooler, hamburger removed. Raw shell eggs stored over packages of pasta and Alfredo in reach in cooler under service window, eggs moved. Cooked gyro meat stored under raw beef in standing reach in cooler behind keg walk in cooler, gyro meat moved. **Corrected On-Site**
Vito's Italian Restaurant
116 Bartram Oaks Walk #101, Saint Johns
Routine Inspection on March 5
Follow-Up Inspection Required: Violations require further review, but are not an immediate threat to the public.
7 total violations, with 5 high-priority violations
High Priority - Food stored in ice used for drinks. See stop sale. Stuffed olives and various drink mixes in full ice bins at bar, per employee they use that ice for drinks.
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Raw chicken wrapped in prosciutto stored over mixed vegetables in reach in cooler, chicken moved. **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
High Priority - Stop Sale issued due to food not being in a wholesome, sound condition. 8 individual packages of fully thawed out raw tuna in reach in cooler on cook line. Stuffed olives and various drink mixes in full ice bins at bar, per employee they use that ice for drinks.
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. individual butters (51F - Cold Holding) in standing reach in cooler in server area, per operator butters where left out to soften no more then 1 hour ago and they go through those butters in less then 4 hours, butter placed on time control. **Corrective Action Taken**
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. chicken soup (80F - Hot Holding) sitting out next to steam well on cook line, per manager soup was cooked early in the day and placed next to steam well to be used to refilled the well, soup placed in stove top to reheat. **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 4-10
