Staff reports| The St. Augustine Record
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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 June 10-16, 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 June 10-16 inspections and no violations were found.
- A1a Burritowork Taco Shop, 671 A1a Beach Blvd, Saint Augustine**
- China Cafe, 165 Blackford Way, Saint Augustine**
- Dunkin Donuts, 641 Crosswater Pkwy Ste A, Ponte Vedra Beach
- , 60 Shops Blvd Unit 80, Saint Johns**
- Food Mafia, Mobile food dispensing vehicle**
- Hangar One Bistro, 4900 Us 1 North, Saint Augustine**
- , 6101 A1a S Unit 111, Saint Augustine**
- Osprey Tacos, 300 Anastasia Blvd, Saint Augustine**
- Raintree Rest, 102 San Marco Ave, St Augustine**
- Smokin D'S BBQ, 110 Sr 206 East, Saint Augustine**
- The Little Sombrero, Mobile food dispensing vehicle**
- Tropical Smoothie Cafe, 4255 US Hwy 1 Ste 20, Saint Augustine**
- , 6149 A1a S, 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 June 10-16 inspections and were temporarily closed. Follow-up inspections are required.
De Leon Pizza
84 Theatre Dr Unit 2000, St Augustine
Routine Inspection on June 12
Facility Temporarily Closed: Operations ordered stopped until violations are corrected.
15 total violations, with 5 high-priority violations
- High Priority - Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license. Expired 6.1.24.
- High Priority - Roach activity present as evidenced by live roaches found. Observed 14 live roaches in trap under pizza oven. **Warning**
- High Priority - Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. Sitting on counter; marinara 70F; ( - Cold Holding) Cheese 50F; ( - Cold Holding) In small ric; Pasta 51F; ( - Cold Holding) All in cooler 4+ hours. **Warning**
- High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Sitting on counter; marinara 70F; ( - Cold Holding) Cheese 50F; ( - Cold Holding) In small ric; Pasta 51F; ( - Cold Holding) All in cooler 4+ hours. **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 and the time removed from temperature control cannot be determined. Missing on pizzas. Person in charge placed time on pizzas. **Corrective Action Taken** **Repeat Violation**
Trattoria Di Bernardone
425 Durbin Pavilion Drive, Saint Johns
Routine Inspection on June 12
Facility Temporarily Closed: Operations ordered stopped until violations are corrected.
8 total violations, with 3 high-priority violations
- High Priority - Pasteurized eggs or egg products not substituted for raw shell eggs in foods such as Caesar salad, hollandaise or Bearnaise sauce, mayonnaise, eggnog, ice cream, and egg-fortified beverages. Identified foods made with raw shell eggs must be fully cooked prior to service. Per operator they are using raw shell eggs in their Amaretto Sour. **Warning**
- High Priority - Roach activity present as evidenced by live roaches found. Approximately 5 live roaches inside large white catch tray under flip top reach in cooler in kitchen near main entrance to kitchen 3 live roaches under standing 3 door reach in cooler in back of kitchen by walk in cooler. Approximately 3 live roaches under standing reach in cooler next to main entrance to kitchen. Approximately 3 live roaches behind standing reach in cooler in server area near entrance to kitchen. Operator began to kill and clean up all dead roaches during inspection. **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning**
- High Priority - Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. Spray bottle of sanitizer spray stored over salad make station reach in cooler near entrance to kitchen, bottle removed **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
Which St. Johns County restaurants had high-priority violations?
Banquet Kitchen (The)
25655 Marsh Landing Pkwy, Ponte Vedra Beach
Routine Inspection on June 12
Follow-Up Inspection Required: Violations require further review, but are not an immediate threat to the public.
10 total violations, with 3 high-priority violations
- High Priority - Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license. Expired 6/1/2024
- High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. roast beef (70F - Hot Holding) in warming cabinet in kitchen, per manager beef was heated and placed in warming unit approximately 1 hour prior, beef moved to oven to reheat. **Corrective Action Taken**
- High Priority - Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. Bottle of bleach stored with napkins and over bottles of condiments in cabinet at bar area.
China Cafe Yang Inc
165 Blackford Way, Saint Augustine
Routine Inspection on June 10
Follow-Up Inspection Required: Violations require further review, but are not an immediate threat to the public.
12 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. One live flying insect at back hand wash sink. One live flying insect at front counter.
- High Priority - Raw animal foods not properly separated from each other in holding unit based upon minimum required cooking temperature. Raw pork stored on top of cooked pork in container in walk in cooler. Operator moved all to proper storage. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
- High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. See stop sale. Observed raw beef (47F - Cold Holding); shrimp (48F - Cold Holding); chicken (48F - Cold Holding); pork (48F - Cold Holding); shell egg ambient (61F - Cold Holding) in flip top reach in cooler in kitchen. Ambient holding temperature 45F. Observed pork (46F/49F - Cold Holding); egg rolls (50F/49F - Cold Holding); butter (56F - Cold Holding); cooked chicken (48F - Cold Holding); butter (57F - Cold Holding) in walk in cooler. Ambient holding temperature 57F. Morning chicken delivery at temperature moved to freezer. **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
Cinco De Mayo Authentic Mexican Restaurant
389 Paseo Reyes Dr Ste 208, Saint Augustine
Routine Inspection on June 12
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 - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Raw chorizo stored over cut lettuce in walk in cooler. Raw pork stored over salsa in walk in cooler. All items rearranged. **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. queso cheese sauce (122F - Hot Holding) in steam table on make line, per employee cheese was heated up and placed in table less then 1 hour prior, temperature of steam table turned up. **Corrective Action Taken**
- High Priority - Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. Bottles of dish soap stored over bucket of chicken broth base in storage area in back of kitchen.
Cravings and More Bakery
4010 Us 1 Ste 103, Saint Augustine
Routine Inspection on June 11
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 - Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license. License expired June 1, 2023.
- High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Butter pats at front counter at 70F. Employee states butter removed from refrigeration at 9:00. Temperature taken at 11:34. Inspector recommended holding butter on time controls. Operator added to current written time procedures and employee marked appropriate butter discard time. **Corrected On-Site** **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. Empanadas in front display case and cooked potatoes in kitchen being held on time as a public health control are not marked with time. Employees marked discard time on all products. **Corrective Action Taken**
Ebb Tide Poolside Bar and Grill
4225 A1a S, Saint Augustine
Routine Inspection on June 10
Follow-Up Inspection Required: Violations require further review, but are not an immediate threat to the public.
15 total violations, with 4 high-priority violations
- High Priority - Food with mold-like growth. See stop sale. In the walk in cooler, container of cheese sauce with build up of mold. Operator discarded the cheese sauce. **Corrective Action Taken**
- High Priority - Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license. At time of inspection current license is expired from 06/01/2024.
- High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. In the flip top reach in cooler on the side of the cook line, raw beef over ready to eat cheese sauce. In the standup reach in freezer raw tuna over bag of ice. **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
- High Priority - Rodent activity present as evidenced by rodent droppings found. Observed 5 rodent droppings on top of the dishmachine. Observed 4 rodent droppings on top of the standup reach in freezer in the front kitchen area closest the bar. Per operator had previous issue addressed by pest control company and likely missed during cleaning. **Warning**
Food Mafia
Mobile food dispensing vehicle
Food-Licensing Inspection Inspection on June 11
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 - Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. in bottom; lobster 47F, hotdogs 46F, tomatoes 46F, batter 52Fcheese 46F; ( - Cold Holding)
- High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. in bottom; lobster 47F, hotdogs 46F, tomatoes 46F, batter 52Fcheese 46F; ( - Cold Holding). Time coul not be determined. **Warning**
Gas Full Service Restaurant
9-C Anastasia Blvd, Saint Augustine
Routine Inspection on June 12
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 - Live, small flying insects in kitchen, food preparation area, food storage area and/or bar area. Observed live flying insects near hand washing station on cook line.
- High Priority - Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license. Observed license expired 6/1/24. Person in charge renewed license during inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
- High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed chicken (45F - Cold Holding); fish (44F - Cold Holding); shrimp (50F - Cold Holding) in flip-top cooler. Person in charge state out less than four hours for lunch rush. Discussed time control and moving defrost cycle of cooler to off hours. Person in charge added ice on all products. Observed house made egg rolls (45F - Cold Holding) egg rolls placed near cooling greens. Person in charge moved away from cooling greens to cool. Products were 41F or below by end of inspection due to corrective action taken by person in charge. **Corrected On-Site** **Admin Complaint**
Hurricane Grill and Wings
4255 Us A1a S #13-14, Saint Augustine
Routine Inspection on June 10
Follow-Up Inspection Required: Violations require further review, but are not an immediate threat to the public.
11 total violations, with 2 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. At bar sanitizer 0ppm. Primed several times and it tested at 75ppm. **Corrected On-Site**
- High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. In cooler 1 hr; Fish dip 45F, blue cheese 52F, salsa 45F; ( - Cold Holding) Drawers; chicken 45F; ( - Cold Holding). 30 minutes later 2nd temperature fish dip 43F, salsa, 42F, blue cheese 43F. Chicken 43F. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
Marsh Creek Country Club
169 Marshside Dr, Saint Augustine
Routine Inspection on June 12
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/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. In walk-in cooler, case of raw shell eggs stored on bottom shelf touching containers of dressings.
- High Priority - Vacuum breaker missing at hose bibb or on fitting/splitter added to hose bibb. At triple sink area in kitchen, splitter at mop sink missing backflow preventer on non chemical dispenser side. **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
Namaste
2180 Us1 South, Saint Augustine
Routine Inspection on June 11
Follow-Up Inspection Required: Violations require further review, but are not an immediate threat to the public.
10 total violations, with 3 high-priority violations
- High Priority - Dented/rusted cans present. Dented #10 can of tomato sauce with sharp edge on dry storage rack. Operator voluntarily discarded can of tomato sauce. **Corrected On-Site**
- High Priority - Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license. License expired June 1, 2024.
- High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Whipping cream in reach in cooler at 61F. Operator states has been out of the cooler for approximately ten minutes. Cream moved back to reach in cooler. Temperature taken approximately 15 minutes later at 54F. Fresh garlic on counter in kitchen at 79F. Operator states left out of refrigerator to prepare an order about 30 minutes prior. Garlic moved to reach in cooler and 15 minutes later temperature was 57F. **Corrective Action Taken** **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
Odd Birds co*cktail Lounge and Kitchen
200 Anastasia Blvd, Saint Augustine
Routine Inspection on June 11
Follow-Up Inspection Required: Violations require further review, but are not an immediate threat to the public.
13 total violations, with 4 high-priority violations
- High Priority - Observed: 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. Observed dishwasher,aching chlorine at 0ppm. Person in charge called for service. **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning** Priority: High Priority
- High Priority - Observed: Displayed food not properly protected from contamination. Observed drink garnishes on bar without sneeze guard. Person in charge had bartender move off bar and away from where people sit. Priority: High Priority
- High Priority - Observed: Stop Sale issued due to food not being in a wholesome, sound condition. Observed 7 packages of salmon not removed from its reduced oxygen environment before being completely thawed. See stop sale. Priority: High Priority
- High Priority - Observed: Vacuum breaker missing at hose bibb or on fitting/splitter added to hose bibb. Observed hose Bibb attached to wall on cook line missing vacuum breaker. Observed y splitter at mop sink missing vacuum breaker on non-chemical side **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint** Priority: High Priority
Romano's Pizzeria and Restaurant
4010 Us 1 South Ste 113-115, Saint Augustine
Routine Inspection on June 12
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 - 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. Dishmachine tested at 0ppm chlorine. **Warning**
- High Priority - Raw animal foods not properly separated from each other in holding unit based upon minimum required cooking temperature. Raw chicken in bowl stored on top of cooked eggplant in back kitchen reach in cooler. Employee moved chicken to proper storage. Raw chicken stored over beef in cooler drawer next to fryer. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
Sushi King
2750 Race Track Rd Ste 106, Saint Johns
Routine Inspection on June 11
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 - 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 preparing cream cheese at sushi bar with bare hands.
- High Priority - Food stored in ice used for drinks. See stop sale. Container of cut lemons in drink ice of ice bin of soda machine at front counter.
- High Priority - Stop Sale issued due to food not being in a wholesome, sound condition. Container of cut lemons in drink ice of ice bin of soda machine at front counter.
The Little Sombrero
Mobile food dispensing vehicle
Routine Inspection on June 11
Follow-Up Inspection Required: Violations require further review, but are not an immediate threat to the public.
4 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 on cookline; Chicken 44F; ( - Cold Holding) Small reach in cooler; mahi 44F, shrimp 48F, chicken 45F; ( - Cold Holding) **Warning**
- High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. In reach in cooler on cookline; Chicken 44F; ( - Cold Holding) Small reach in cooler; mahi 44F, shrimp 48F, chicken 45F; ( - Cold Holding) **Warning**
Trattoria Di Bernardone
425 Durbin Pavilion Drive, Saint Johns
Routine Inspection on June 13
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 - Pasteurized eggs or egg products not substituted for raw shell eggs in foods such as Caesar salad, hollandaise or Bearnaise sauce, mayonnaise, eggnog, ice cream, and egg-fortified beverages. Identified foods made with raw shell eggs must be fully cooked prior to service. Per operator they are using raw shell eggs in their Amaretto Sour. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2024-06-13: 60 day callback from original inspection **Time Extended**
Umai Japanese
880 Santa Maria Blvd Ste 2, Saint Augustine
Routine Inspection on June 12
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 - Operator unable to provide documentation that aquacultured fish has been raised in a controlled environment and fed formulated feed. No proof available for aquaculture salmon. Operator obtained letter from supplier during inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
- High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. In walk-in cooler, raw chicken stored over cut lettuce and sauces. Also, raw beef stored over unwashed produce and sauces. Operator rearranged items to correct storage levels. **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. At cook line, fried rice (118F - Hot Holding). Operator stated employee cooked to much and discarded. At cook line fry station, shrimp tempura, calamari (77, 78F - Hot Holding). Operator stated items are held on time, no time marked and no written procedures available. Items out less than 4 hours. Operator has written procedures form but it is not filled out.
6149 A1a S, Saint Augustine
Routine Inspection on June 12
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 - Employee used tobacco, ate, or drank then engaged in food preparation, handled clean equipment or utensils, or touched unwrapped single-service items without washing hands. Observed staff take a drink with gloves on out of open can. Addressed immediately and person discarded drinks and gloves and washed his hands. **Corrected On-Site**
- High Priority - Spray hose at dish sink lower than flood rim of sink. Spray hose is below flood rim of sink.
- High Priority - Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. In cooler 4+ hours; Antipasto rolls 56F, butter, cheese 52F, mozzarella 53F, ricotta 56F, lettuce 56F; ( - Cold Holding) **Warning**
- High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. In reach in cooler; Pasta 48F; ( - Cold Holding) pasta was above fill line. Person in charge took pasta out and placed inside reach in cooler. In cooler 4+ hours; Antipasto rolls 56F, butter, cheese 52F, mozzarella 53F, ricotta 56F, lettuce 56F; ( - Cold Holding) **Warning**
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.
