Rodent or roach activity temporarily closes 2 St. Johns restaurants; 19 fail inspection

Staff reports
·28 min read

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 April 15-21, 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 April 15-21 inspections and no violations were found.

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

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

These restaurants failed their April 15-21 inspections and were temporarily closed. Follow-up inspections are required.

Back 40 Urban Cafe

40 S Dixie Hwy, Saint Augustine

Routine Inspection on April 18

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

4 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. Observed approximately 20 live flying insects at hand washing station by ice machine. Observed approximately 4 live flying insects at hand washing station by triple sink Observed approximately 2 live flying insects near back door. **Repeat Violation** **Warning**

  • High Priority - Presence of insects, rodents, or other pests. Observed live lizard like creature crawling on floor by back door reach in cooler. Person in charge swept up creature and removed it from establishment. **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning**

  • High Priority - Rodent activity present as evidenced by rodent droppings found. Observed approximately 16 rodent droppings on floor by back door. Observed two rodent droppings inside hand washing station by ice machine. Observed approximately four rodent droppings behind ice machine. Employee started sweeping rodent droppings. **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning**

Yummy Asian Bistro

2245 Cr 210 W Ste 117, St Johns

Complaint Inspection on April 15

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. 2 live roaches under wok station on cook line in kitchen. **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint** - From follow-up inspection 2024-04-13: Approximately 12 live roaches in cracks of wok station on cook line. 2 live roaches under dish machine in kitchen across from make line. 1 live roach in shelf at sushi bar area. Operator began to kill and clean up roaches during inspection. **Admin Complaint** **Corrective Action Taken** - From follow-up inspection 2024-04-15: 1 live roach under stove top on cook line. 4 live roaches behind fryers and reach in cooler at end of cook line. 2 live roaches in cabinets next to reach in coolers in sushi bar area. 1 live roach on underside of drainboard of dish machine in kitchen. Operator killed and cleaned up all live roaches. **Admin Complaint** **Corrective Action Taken**

Yummy Asian Bistro

2245 Cr 210 W Ste 117, St Johns

Complaint Inspection on April 16

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. 2 live roaches under wok station on cook line in kitchen. **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint** - From follow-up inspection 2024-04-13: Approximately 12 live roaches in cracks of wok station on cook line. 2 live roaches under dish machine in kitchen across from make line. 1 live roach in shelf at sushi bar area. Operator began to kill and clean up roaches during inspection. **Admin Complaint** **Corrective Action Taken** - From follow-up inspection 2024-04-15: 1 live roach under stove top on cook line. 4 live roaches behind fryers and reach in cooler at end of cook line. 2 live roaches in cabinets next to reach in coolers in sushi bar area. 1 live roach on underside of drainboard of dish machine in kitchen. Operator killed and cleaned up all live roaches. **Admin Complaint** **Corrective Action Taken** - From follow-up inspection 2024-04-16: 2 live roaches under wok station in cook line 2 live roaches behind reach in cooler by fryers on cook line 1 live roach under prep table in corner of kitchen near entrance to kitchen. Operator killed and cleaned up all live roaches. **Admin Complaint** **Corrective Action Taken**

Yummy Asian Bistro

2245 Cr 210 W Ste 117, St Johns

Complaint Inspection on April 17

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. 2 live roaches under wok station on cook line in kitchen. **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint** - From follow-up inspection 2024-04-13: Approximately 12 live roaches in cracks of wok station on cook line. 2 live roaches under dish machine in kitchen across from make line. 1 live roach in shelf at sushi bar area. Operator began to kill and clean up roaches during inspection. **Admin Complaint** **Corrective Action Taken** - From follow-up inspection 2024-04-15: 1 live roach under stove top on cook line. 4 live roaches behind fryers and reach in cooler at end of cook line. 2 live roaches in cabinets next to reach in coolers in sushi bar area. 1 live roach on underside of drainboard of dish machine in kitchen. Operator killed and cleaned up all live roaches. **Admin Complaint** **Corrective Action Taken** - From follow-up inspection 2024-04-16: 2 live roaches under wok station in cook line 2 live roaches behind reach in cooler by fryers on cook line 1 live roach under prep table in corner of kitchen near entrance to kitchen. Operator killed and cleaned up all live roaches. **Admin Complaint** **Corrective Action Taken** - From follow-up inspection 2024-04-17: Observed one live roach in gasket of right side lowboy at sushi bar. Observed two live roaches inside left side of fliptop across from wok station. Observed one live roach under wok station at cookline. Observed one live roach at piping to steam well unit. Person in charge killed and discarded 4 of the 5 roaches. **Admin Complaint** **Corrective Action Taken**

Yummy Asian Bistro

2245 Cr 210 W Ste 117, St Johns

Complaint Inspection on April 18

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. 2 live roaches under wok station on cook line in kitchen. **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint** - From follow-up inspection 2024-04-13: Approximately 12 live roaches in cracks of wok station on cook line. 2 live roaches under dish machine in kitchen across from make line. 1 live roach in shelf at sushi bar area. Operator began to kill and clean up roaches during inspection. **Admin Complaint** **Corrective Action Taken** - From follow-up inspection 2024-04-15: 1 live roach under stove top on cook line. 4 live roaches behind fryers and reach in cooler at end of cook line. 2 live roaches in cabinets next to reach in coolers in sushi bar area. 1 live roach on underside of drainboard of dish machine in kitchen. Operator killed and cleaned up all live roaches. **Admin Complaint** **Corrective Action Taken** - From follow-up inspection 2024-04-16: 2 live roaches under wok station in cook line 2 live roaches behind reach in cooler by fryers on cook line 1 live roach under prep table in corner of kitchen near entrance to kitchen. Operator killed and cleaned up all live roaches. **Admin Complaint** **Corrective Action Taken** - From follow-up inspection 2024-04-17: Observed one live roach in gasket of right side lowboy at sushi bar. Observed two live roaches inside left side of fliptop across from wok station. Observed one live roach under wok station at cookline. Observed one live roach at piping to steam well unit. Person in charge killed and discarded 4 of the 5 roaches. **Admin Complaint** **Corrective Action Taken** - From follow-up inspection 2024-04-18: Observed two live roaches inside dish machine drain Observed one live roach inside smoker Operator started killing and cleaning up roaches. **Admin Complaint** **Corrective Action Taken**

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

Alice & Pete's Pub

1000 Pga Tour Blvd, Ponte Vedra Beach

Complaint Inspection on April 15

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

6 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 4 live flying insects around sink at corner of bar closest to main entrance to dining area. Approximately 5 live flying insects in small bar under in main lobby. **Warning**

  • High Priority - Raw animal food stored over or with ready-to-eat food in a freezer - not all products commercially packaged. Open bag of raw chicken fingers stored over bags of french fries in reach in freezer on cook line, chicken moved. **Corrected On-Site**

  • High Priority - Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. All propose cleaner stored with single service cups at bar, cleaner removed **Corrected On-Site**

Back 40 Urban Cafe

40 S Dixie Hwy, Saint Augustine

Routine Inspection on April 17

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

10 total violations, with 5 high-priority violations

  • High Priority - Live, small flying insects in kitchen, food preparation area, food storage area and/or bar area. Observed approximately 22 live flys under both hand washing stations and triple sink. Flys are landing on food containers. Person in charge started having employee kill flys. Food containers were placed in ware washing to be rewashed. **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning**

  • High Priority - Stop Sale issued due to food not being in a wholesome, sound condition. Observed five packages of white fish not removed from their reduced oxygen environment prior to being completely thawed. See stop sale.

  • High Priority - Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. Observed Mac n cheese 1000 (144F - Reheating) 1130 (156F - Reheating) 1210

  • High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food reheated for hot holding not reaching 165 degrees Fahrenheit for 15 seconds within 2 hours. Observed Mac n cheese 1000 (144F - Reheating) 1130 (156F - Reheating) 1210. Discussed with person in charge. Cook refused to place on flat top to rapidly reheat. See stop sale.

  • High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed Mac n cheese left on top of steamer well not in water (119F - Hot Holding). Discussed with person in charge. Cook refused to place Mac n cheese on flat top or in steamer well to reheat.

Bono's

2420 Us 1 S, Saint Augustine

Routine Inspection on April 15

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. At front counter, by beer keg cooler approximately 3 live flying insects. At server station between kitchen and dining area approximately 10 live flying insects landing on and around open containers of BBQ sauce. At server station by ice machine drain, 3 live flying insects. **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint** - From follow-up inspection 2024-04-11: In kitchen by server area, by soda machine, approximately 6 flying insects. Employee cleaned and flushed drain by soda machine, drain was soiled. Also, in dining room, service station by kitchen, Approximately 4 flying insects. **Admin Complaint** **Corrective Action Taken** - From follow-up inspection 2024-04-15: At front counter, at beer keg cooler, approximately 4 flying insects. Also, at service station in dining room by kitchen, 1 flying insect. Operator was able to kill 1 flying insect. **Admin Complaint**

Chili's Grill & Bar

215 Sr 312, St Augustine

Routine Inspection on April 15

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 - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. In walk in cooler, pans of ready to eat citrus marinade stored below raw hamburger and steak.

  • High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. On make line, at fryer station, ranch dressing (48F - Cold Holding); operator states ranch had been on line for an hour, moved to walk in cooler ranch dressing retemp (30F - Cold Holding); **Corrected On-Site**

  • High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. On cook line, warming box housing cooked chicken, chicken breast (128F - Hot Holding), operator states chicken had been held for no more than an hour. chicken breast retemp (178F - Hot Holding) Also at fryer station, in warming tray, southwest egg rolls (131F - Hot Holding); southwest enrolls retemp (178F); boneless wings (128F - Hot Holding); boneless wings retemp (180F - Hot Holding) employee states the two items above were held for no longer than 30 mins. Operator had employees heat all items above to 165F**Corrected On-Site** **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**

Cortesse's Bistro

172 San Marco Ave, Saint Augustine

Routine Inspection on April 15

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

16 total violations, with 8 high-priority violations

  • High Priority - Live, small flying insects in kitchen, food preparation area, food storage area and/or bar area. Observed two live flying insects in dry storage near bags of onions. Discussed with person in charge.

  • High Priority - Nonfood-grade containers used for food storage - direct contact with food. Observed orange Home Depot Homer bucket used to store elbow macaroni soup.

  • High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Observed frozen individually wrapped fish stored above frozen cakes in walk-in freezer. Not all originally packaged. Observed raw veal stored above ready to eat milk in glass door reach in cooler. Person in charge moved raw veal to another cooler. **Corrective Action Taken**

  • High Priority - Stop Sale issued due to food not being in a wholesome, sound condition. Observed sheet pan in glass door reach in cooler of oysters. Person in charge could not find any oyster tags.

  • High Priority - Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. Observed mushroom soup (112F - Hot Holding); chicken stock (120F - Hot Holding); escargot sauce (97F - Hot Holding); elbow macaroni in bucket (120F - Hot Holding); house made red sauce (89F - Hot Holding); gravy (92F - Hot Holding) **Warning**

  • High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed house made sauces (gravy, cream) x 4 (52-54F - Cold Holding) left on speed rack from walk-in cooler 30 mins prior to inspection per person in charge. Person in charge placed in cooler to cool. **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. Observed garlic butter missing time mark. Butter put since 1500 per person in charge.

  • High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed mushroom soup (112F - Hot Holding); chicken stock (120F - Hot Holding); escargot sauce (97F - Hot Holding); elbow macaroni in bucket (120F - Hot Holding); house made red sauce (89F - Hot Holding); gravy (92F - Hot Holding) Products have been left out since 1200 in various places in kitchen per person in charge. **Warning**

Dennys

950 Sr 206 W, Saint Augustine

Routine Inspection on April 16

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

18 total violations, with 4 high-priority violations

  • High Priority - Employee touched face/hair and then engaged in food preparation, handled clean equipment or utensils, or touched unwrapped single-service items without washing hands. On cook line, employee placed raw hamburger on grill with gloved hand, walked to walk in freezer, grabbed package of onion rings, touched face and returned to work tasks without hand washing. Spoke to employee who removed gloves and washed hands. **Corrective Action Taken**

  • High Priority - Food with mold-like growth. See stop sale. In walk in cooler, sliced tomatoes have mold like substance. Manager discarded.

  • High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. At front counter, near pass through window, in reach in cooler. Butter filled above the fill line, butter (53F - Cold Holding). Operator moved excess to proper cooler storage, butter Retemp 41F-cold holding. Also, on cook line, in reach in cooler, turkey (49F - Cold Holding) cooler door had been open a few times per employee; Retemp 42F - Cold holding Also, on cook line, in cooler drawers under flattop grill sliced cheese (48F - Cold Holding) operator states drawers had been left open during rush. re temp @ 40F -cold holding **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**

  • High Priority - Vacuum breaker missing at mop sink faucet or on fitting/splitter added to mop sink faucet. Vacuum breaker at mop sink in incorrect location, needs to be moved to non chemical side of splitter.

Hyatt Place St Augustine Vilano Beach

117 Vilano Rd, St. Augustine

Routine Inspection on April 15

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 - Dishmachine quaternary ammonium sanitizer not at proper minimum strength. Discontinue use of dishmachine for sanitizing and set up manual sanitization until dishmachine is repaired and sanitizing properly. Observed triple sink quat sanitizer empty when person in charge tried setting up sink after dish machine not at minimum temperature required. Sink at 0ppm quat. Person in charge set up triple sink at 100ppm chlorine. **Warning**

  • High Priority - Displayed food not properly protected from contamination. Observed raisins stored on buffet in round container without a lid. Discussed with person in charge, person in charge removed raisins from buffet **Corrected On-Site**

  • High Priority - Food-contact surfaces not sanitized after cleaning, before use. Do not use equipment/utensils not properly sanitized. Observed utensils inside high temperature dish machine when max temperature 157F. Person in charge set up triple sink at 100ppm chlorine and sanitized utensils. **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning**

  • 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 high temperature dishwasher reaching 157F **Warning**

  • High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed butter (62F - Cold Holding); cream cheese (60F - Cold Holding); milk (59F - Cold Holding)

Marble Slab Creamery

1053 A1a Beach Blvd, Saint Augustine

Routine Inspection on April 15

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 - Employee touched soiled surface and then engaged in food preparation, handled clean equipment or utensils, or touched unwrapped single-service items without washing hands. Observed employee touch phone then goto ice cream machine without washing hands. Addressed immediately and person washed hands. **Corrected On-Site**

Miei Amici Pizzeria LLC

3735 Longleaf Pine Pkwy Ste 225, St Johns

Routine Inspection on April 19

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 - Cooked/heated time/temperature control for safety food not cooled from 135 degrees Fahrenheit to 70 degrees Fahrenheit within 2 hours. large door reach in cooler: house made red sauce cooling over night (84F - Cooling). Made 9pm previous night per person in charge. Left in deep pot. Person in charge showed chilling wand used and chilling wand is too short for pot. Suggested shallow pots or larger wands. See stop sale.

  • High Priority - Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. large door reach in cooler: house made red sauce cooling over night (84F - Cooling). Made 9pm previous night per person in charge. Left in deep pot. Person in charge showed chilling wand used and chilling wand is too short for pot. Suggested shallow pots or larger wands. See stop sale.

  • High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed meatballs (108F - Hot Holding) person in charge placed meat balls back on stove to reheat. **Corrective Action Taken**

Old City House Inn&Restaruant

115 Cordova St, St Augustine

Routine Inspection on April 16

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

8 total violations, with 4 high-priority violations

  • High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Observed raw tuna stored above ready to eat cooked shrimp in reach in cooler. Person in charge placed tuna below ready to eat food. **Corrected On-Site**

  • High Priority - Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. Observed garlic cloves in oil (72F - Cold Holding) left on prep table over night per person in charge. See stop sale.

  • High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed garlic cloves in oil (72F - Cold Holding) left on prep table over night per person in charge. See stop sale.

  • High Priority - Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. Observed two chemical spray bottles filled with sanitizer hanging in side of clean plate storage racks. Person in charge moved spray bottles. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**

Poppys Italiano

104 Ashourian Way Unit 1-101/1-102, Saint Augustine

Routine Inspection on April 17

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

7 total violations, with 3 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 walk in cooler pasta, risotto, sauce and meatballs cooling overnight per person in charge at 45-52F. **Warning**

  • High Priority - Nonexempt fish offered raw or undercooked has not undergone proper parasite destruction. Fish must be fully cooked or discarded. Per person in charge customers may order salmon undercooked. Unable to provide proof of parasite destruction. **Warning**

  • High Priority - Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. In walk in cooler pasta, risotto, sauce and meatballs cooling overnight per person in charge at 45-52F.

Taco Libre

2600 N Ponce De Leon Blvd, Saint Augustine

Routine Inspection on April 17

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

14 total violations, with 4 high-priority violations

  • High Priority - Raw animal foods not properly separated from each other in holding unit based upon minimum required cooking temperature. Observed raw chicken above raw beef in walk-in cooler. Observed raw chicken above ready to eat sauce. Person in charge move raw chickens to bottom shelves. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**

  • High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed drawer: chicken, shrimp, beef (50-54F - Cold Holding); cut tomatoes x 3 (58F - Cold Holding) in cooler for three house per person in charge. Person in charge placed all products in walk-in cooler with ice. Observed cut lettuce, shredded mozzarella (53-56F - Cold Holding) in flip-top cooler with top left open near hit stove. Person in charge placed bags of ice in product and closed top. **Warning**

  • High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food identified in the written procedure as a food held using time as a public health control has no time marking. Observed salsa on ice missing time mark. Person in charge added time mark. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**

  • High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed queso (110F - Hot Holding) left on plastic cart next to cook line for less than one hour per person in charge. Person in charge placed queso on stove to reheat. **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning**

Tacos My Blessing

Mobile food dispensing vehicle

Routine Inspection on April 15

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 - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Observed raw shrimp above ready to eat cooked cooling chicken in refrigerator. Person in charge moved chicken to top shelf and shrimp below ready to eat. **Corrected On-Site**

Terra & Acqua

134 Sea Grove Main St, Saint Augustine

Routine Inspection on April 16

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

16 total violations, with 4 high-priority violations

  • High Priority - Nonexempt fish offered raw or undercooked has not undergone proper parasite destruction. Fish must be fully cooked or discarded. Establishment serves salmon undercooked. Person in charge unable to provide parasite destruction. Called supplier and provided during inspection. **Corrected On-Site**

  • High Priority - Rodent activity present as evidenced by rodent droppings found. Observed 1 rodent dropping in corner by glue trap on ground in dry storage. Observed 1 rodent dropping in corner by soda bibbs. Observed 4 rodent droppings on wooden shelf in dry storage area by soda bibbs. Person in charge cleaned during inspection. **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning**

  • High Priority - Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. In reach in cooler, multiple time/temperature control for safety items employee stated were left in cooler overnight; shredded mozzarella cheese, fresh mozzarella, ricotta cheese, marscapone cheese, salami, ham, ground beef, tomato sauce. (58-62F - Cold Holding) One dessert with mold like substance observed. **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**

  • High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. On cook line, in reach in cooler, lobster (46F - Cold Holding); roasted potatoes (46F); salmon (51F - Cold Holding); retemped items, some items 43F Also, at pizza station, reach in cooler shredded mozzarella cheese, fresh mozzarella, ricotta cheese, marscapone cheese, salami, ham, ground beef, tomato sauce. (58-62F - Cold Holding) stop sale issued Also, in dairy cooler, mozzarella (46F - Cold Holding); heavy cream 48F - Cold Holding)operator adjusted the thermostat. Retemped at 46-47F person in charge moved all time/temperature control for safety items to large walk in cooler. Also on cook line, tomato sauce (44F - Cold Holding); chicken breast (44F - Cold Holding) employee iced down product with ice bags. Also in walk in cooler, tomato sauce (44F - Cold Holding); chicken breast (44F - Cold Holding) Retemped at 43F. Person in charge opened freezer door to bring temperature down on unit.**Repeat Violation** **Corrective Action Taken** **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**

The Red Frog & Mctoads Grub & Pub

5545 A1a S #106, Saint Augustine

Routine Inspection on April 17

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

26 total violations, with 6 high-priority violations

  • High Priority - Dented/rusted cans present. See stop sale. In outside dry storage areas, 2 cans of cheese sauce rusted on top.

  • High Priority - Employee began working with food, handling clean equipment or utensils, or touching unwrapped single-service items without first washing hands. Employee arrived to work and began grabbing clean equipment without washing hands. **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**

  • High Priority - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food not consumed/sold within 7 days after opening/preparation. See stop sale. In walk in cooler, unlabeled container of corned beef stock (38F - Cold Holding), identified as corned beef stock by operator from St Patrick's day.

  • High Priority - Stop Sale issued due to food not being in a wholesome, sound condition. On cook line, in cooler drawers under chargrill, 4 portions of vacuum packaging tuna fully thawed and completely sealed in vacuum packaging

  • High Priority - Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. On cook line, in Reach in cooler flip top cooler, clam base (contains clams) (45F - Cold Holding), operator stated left in cooler overnight.

  • High Priority - Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. In outside storage area, caulk and sanitizer stored above single service times.

Vernon's Restaurant

1000 Pga Tour Blvd, Ponte Vedra Beach

Complaint Inspection on April 15

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

8 total violations, with 4 high-priority violations

  • High Priority - Live, small flying insects in kitchen, food preparation area, food storage area and/or bar area. Approximately 5 live flying insects at bar area around drains. Approximately 5 live flying insects area sink in server area behind the bar area. **Warning**

  • High Priority - Raw animal food stored over or with ready-to-eat food in a freezer - not all products commercially packaged. Raw fish stored over cooked pork empanadas in walk in freezer by office. Raw fish stored over cheese tortellini in walk in freezer by server area behind breakfast buffet area. All fish rearranged. **Corrected On-Site**

  • High Priority - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food not consumed/sold within 7 days after opening/preparation. See stop sale. In reach in cooler near multiple walk in coolers, cream cheese frosting dated 3/28 and 4/2, and brazo de mercedes dated 3/28. Lemon custard in walk in cooler dated 3/28.

  • High Priority - Self-service salad bar/buffet lacking adequate sneezeguards or other proper protection from contamination. Unwrapped apples, muffins, and multiple containers of topping at the breakfast buffet. **Warning**

Vernon's Restaurant

1000 Pga Tour Blvd, Ponte Vedra Beach

Complaint Inspection on April 16

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 - Self-service salad bar/buffet lacking adequate sneezeguards or other proper protection from contamination. Unwrapped apples, muffins, and multiple containers of topping at the breakfast buffet. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2024-04-16: 60 day callback from original inspection **Time Extended**

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 April 15-21