15 St. Johns County restaurants get high-priority violations, 3 ace inspections
Each week, The St. Augustine Record will share the area restaurants — filed by state safety and sanitation inspectors — that aced their inspections, while mentioning those that didn't pass muster.
Florida's digital database of restaurant health inspections is updated regularly with information on which St. Augustine area restaurants pass and fail.
The database can be searched by St. Johns County or by restaurant name. You will see which restaurants passed with no violations, those that were fined and forced to close temporarily.
Recent restaurant inspections
From Aug. 2: 9 St. Johns County restaurants get high-priority violations, 1 aces inspections
From July 26: 4 St. Johns County restaurants get high-priority violations, 1 aces inspection
From July 19: 6 St. Johns County restaurants get high-priority violations, 2 ace inspections
Disclaimer: The Florida Department of Business & Professional Regulation describes an inspection report as "a 'snapshot' of conditions present at the time of the inspection." On any given day, an establishment may have fewer or more violations than noted in its most recent inspection. An inspection conducted on any given day may not represent the establishment's overall, long-term conditions.
St. Johns County’s best restaurant inspections
The following restaurants passed their inspections from July 31 to Aug. 6 with zero violations:
Mister Softee Northeast Florida, 51 Ellis St., St. Augustine, July 31
Taco’s Queen, 2369 State Road 16, St. Augustine, Aug. 3
Cold Stone Creamery, 2570 Racetrack Road, Unit E, Fruit Cove, Aug. 6
St. Johns County inspections with high-priority violations
The following restaurants were issued warnings or administrative complaints due to failed inspections from July 31 to Aug. 6:
Burger Buckets
3 Cordova St., St. Augustine
Aug. 5
Follow-up inspection required: Administrative complaint recommended
Nine total violations, with four high-priority violations.
High Priority: Employee failed to wash hands before putting on gloves to initiate a task working with food. Food employee touched personal bag and started putting gloves on with no hand wash. Addressed immediately and employee washed hands and placed on clean gloves. **Corrected On-Site**
High Priority: Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license. License expired 6/1/2022. Informed person in charge and provided division website. Operator is permanently closing the restaurant in one week. **Admin Complaint**
High Priority: Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Raw beef Patties stored above marinara sauce in reach in cooler. Person in charge corrected the organization of the reach in cooler. **Corrected On-Site**
High Priority: Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. reach in cooler cut lettuce, chicken (54F - Cold Holding) double door reach in cooler in storage area ambient 57F. Person in charge move items to reach-in freezer and brought them to 41F by end of inspection.
Prohibition Kitchen
119 St. George St., St. Augustine
Aug. 5
Follow-up inspection required: Administrative complaint recommended
Three total violations, with one high-priority violation.
High Priority: Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. 1) flip-top cooler top cooler on cook line: butter 62 ( - Cold Holding). Cooler top left open near hot stove. Instructed employee to keep cooler top closed. Person in charge has ice bags placed on butter. 2) fry cart (ice baths) cut green tomatoes (62F - Cold Holding); house made ranch (48F - Cold Holding); white fish (51F - Cold Holding) person in charge added more ice to ice baths and fully submerged food in ice. 3) burger flip-top cooler: cut tomatoes (54F - Cold Holding); cut lettuce (52F - Cold Holding); vegetable burger (54F - Cold Holding); shredded cheese x 4 (52F-54F - Cold Holding). Top of cooler left open for lunch. Instructed person in charge to use ice bags to **Corrective Action Taken** **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
Tank’s Sushi Bistro
46 Tuscan Way, Suite 303, St. Augustine
Aug. 5
Follow-up inspection required: Administrative complaint recommended
14 total violations, with three high-priority violations.
High Priority: Live, small flying insects in kitchen, food preparation area, food storage area and/or bar area. Observed one fly over the prep table closest to the warewashing area and flat top grill. Operator attempted to remove the fly. **Corrective Action Taken**
High Priority: Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. In the walk-in cooler, raw chicken in metal bowl stored over plastic container of cut and prepared vegetables. In the walk in cooler raw shell eggs stored on shelf over raw shrimp. **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. At time of inspection shrimp tempura and container of butter held on time as public health control on the main cook line between the fryers and flat top grill with no time marking for the products. Operator states tempura cooked 30 minutes prior and butter placed on time at time of opening daily at 11am. Operator placed a time mark on the product containers. Establishment is missing one page of the time as public health control written plan. Inspector provided a new form to be filled out by the operator. **Corrected On-Site**
Tank’s Sushi Bistro
46 Tuscan Way, Suite 303, St. Augustine
Aug. 5 (inspected later in the day)
Met standards.
180 Vilano Grill
180 Vilano Road, St. Augustine
Aug. 4
Follow-up inspection required: Warning issued
10 total violations, with four high-priority violations.
High Priority: Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license. License expired 6/1/2022. Discussed with operator. Operator renewed license during inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
High Priority: Raw animal foods not properly separated from each other in holding unit based upon minimum required cooking temperature. Raw shell egg above raw beef Patties in reach in cooler. Person in charge rearranged the reach-in cooler. **Corrected On-Site**
High Priority: Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. pico de Gallo (54F - Cold Holding) pico dated 7/30/22. Not left on counter per employee.
High Priority: Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. 1) flip-top cooler by cook line: shrimp (49F - Cold Holding); white fish (45F - Cold Holding); salmon (55F - Cold Holding); cut tomatoes (54F - Cold Holding); items were placed in ice in reach in freezer. 2) Large double door cool: ambient egg temperature (49F - Cold Holding); eggs just received 30 min prior to inspection. Person in charge stated eggs were left out longer than normal. Person in charge placed eggs in the freezer to cool them fast. pico de Gallo (54F - Cold Holding) pico dated 7/30/22. Not left on counter per employee. See stop sale. **Warning**
Jack’s BBQ
690 A1A Beach Blvd., St. Augustine Beach
Aug. 5
Facility temporarily closed: Emergency order callback not complied.
Five total violations, with two high-priority violations.
High Priority: From initial inspection: High Priority: Rodent activity present as evidenced by rodent droppings found. 16 rodent droppings under flat top grill area. Two droppings under fryers. 13 droppings in liquor closet. 41 around floor, also inside and on top of boxes containing single service items in dry storage area. Four droppings on south side of bar. 10 droppings under sinks on north side of bar. - From follow-up inspection 2022-08-05: Four rodent droppings behind south side of bar. Five droppings in dry storage on top and around cases of single service items. Two droppings in liquor closet. Six droppings under flat top grill on cookline. Three under hand washing sink located by dishwashing area. Owner stated three rodents were trapped inside the establishment last night. Owner began cleaning up droppings as they were observed. **Admin Complaint**
High Priority: From initial inspection: High Priority: Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Sliced cheese in flip top make station located on cookline 51F cold-holding. - From follow-up inspection 2022-08-05: **Time Extended**
Jack’s BBQ
690 A1A Beach Blvd., St. Augustine Beach
Aug. 6
Met standards, reopened.
Cinco de Mayo
124 Capulet Drive, Suite 109, St. Augustine
Aug. 3
Follow-up inspection required: Administrative complaint recommended
22 total violations, with four 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. Observed employee on main cook line crack raw shell eggs on the grill then continue to work with spatulas and other foods on the flat top grill. Operator instructed employee to wash hands and educated them about washing hands and switching gloves in between tasks. **Corrected On-Site**
High Priority: Live, small flying insects in kitchen, food preparation area, food storage area and/or bar area. Observed two flies flying around the dirty dishes stored in the three-compartment sink by the rear exterior door. **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
High Priority: Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. In the walk-in cooler, raw beef stored on shelf over open bulk container of salsa. Operator relocated the beef to proper storage shelf. In the walk in cooler raw beef stored over unwashed whole lettuce. Operator relocated raw beef. In the standup reach in freezer on the main cook line by the entrance to the bar area, raw frozen fish stored over frozen prepared tamales stored wrapped on a sheet tray. **Corrective Action Taken**
High Priority: Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. On the storage shelf opposite the three-compartment sink, a jug of bleach stored on the shelf over clean container lids. Operator relocated the bleach to the proper storage location. **Corrected On-Site**
Zabas
701 A1A Beach Blvd., St. Augustine Beach
Aug. 2
Follow-up inspection required: Administrative complaint recommended
Four total violations, with two high-priority violations.
High Priority: Shell eggs not stored at an ambient air temperature of 45 degrees Fahrenheit or less. Eggs in back kitchen reach in cooler 51F. Eggs have been in and out for service during lunch. **Admin Complaint**
High Priority: Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
Back 40 Urban Fresh
450 State Road 13, Suite 113, Fruit Cove
Aug. 2
Follow-up inspection required: Administrative complaint recommended
14 total violations, with three high-priority violations.
High Priority: Evidence of mop/cleaning wastewater dumped onto ground. At rear exterior of building, observed soapy water build up on the ground in the parking lot.
High Priority: Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. In the reach in cooler on the main cook line under the server pass through and closest to the entrance of the kitchen line, marinated tuna (49F - Cold Holding) stored in walk in cooler over night and stocked on to the line at the beginning of the days shift. **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
High Priority: Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. In the reach in cooler on the main cook line under the server pass through and closest to the entrance of the kitchen line, marinated tuna (49F - Cold Holding) stored in walk in cooler over night and stocked on to the line at the beginning of the days shift.
Keke's Breakfast Café
135 Jenkins St., St. Augustine
Aug. 2
Follow-up inspection required: Administrative complaint recommended
Eight total violations, with four high-priority violations.
High Priority: Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license. Expired 6-1-2022. **Admin Complaint**
High Priority: Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. Portion cups at service window time stamped from 7am. At time of inspection, butter 72F. Owner discarded the butter.
High Priority: Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. In flip top make station located on cookline, shredded cheese 55F, lettuce 47F. Station has been open and closed for service.
High Priority: Time/temperature control for safety food held using time as a public health control marked with a time that exceeds the 4-hour limit. See stop sale. Butter portions time stamped at 7am. Time of inspection, butter 72F.
Mezcal Cantina
880 A1A N., Suite 18B, Ponte Vedra
Aug. 1
Follow-up inspection required: Administrative complaint recommended
26 total violations, with four 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, containers of pork carnitas and cooked beef made the night before and stored covered in the walk in cooler; beef (81F - Cold Holding); pork carnitas (56F - Cold Holding). Operator informed staff not to sell the products per the inspector. **Corrective Action Taken**
High Priority: Pesticide/insecticide labeled for household use only present in establishment. Household ant and roach killer stored on the floor of the reach in freezer storage room.
High Priority: Raw animal foods not properly separated from each other in holding unit based upon minimum required cooking temperature. In the stand up reach in cooler on the main cook line opposite the flat top grill, raw beef stored over raw chicken. In the reach in freezer in the back storage room, raw frozen beef stored over ready to eat frozen chicken. Operator relocated all products to proper storage levels. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
High Priority: Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. In the walk in cooler, containers of pork carnitas and cooked beef made the night before and stored covered in the walk in cooler; beef (81F - Cold Holding); pork carnitas (56F - Cold Holding). Operator informed staff not to sell the products per the inspector.
River and Fort
12 Avenida Menendez, St. Augustine
Aug. 1
Follow-up inspection required: Administrative complaint recommended
12 total violations, with five 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. cooked green beans (61F - Cold Holding), risotto (58F - Cold Holding) cooked the night before and placed in walk-in cooler. Didn't reach 41F within 6hrs. See stop sale. **Warning**
High Priority: Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Raw frozen beef stored over frozen corn in opened packages. Person in charge started having employee place raw beef on bottom shelf. **Warning**
High Priority: Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. cooked green beans (61F - Cold Holding), risotto (58F - Cold Holding) cooked the night before and placed in walk-in cooler. Didn't reach 41F within 6hrs. See stop sale. **Warning**
High Priority: Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. 1) house made herb butter (58F - Cold Holding), cubed butter (61F - Cold Holding) on top of ice. Person in charge had employee place in walk-in cooler to cool. Discussed with person in charge using ice baths for cold holding requires the container to be submerged in ice. 2) single glass door reach-in cooler: Butter milk (50F - Cold Holding); half and half (45F - Cold Holding); milk (51F - Cold Holding) items have been pulled out through out preparations for dinner. 3) cooked green beans (61F - Cold Holding), risotto (58F - Cold Holding) cooked the night before and placed in walk-in cooler. Didn't reach 41F within 6hrs. See stop sale. **Warning**
High Priority: Vacuum breaker missing at hose bibb or on fitting/splitter added to hose bibb. Hose Bibb by front entrance and y-splitter on no chemicals side at mop sink missing vacuum breakers. Discussed with person in charge. **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
River and Fort
12 Avenida Menendez, St. Augustine
Aug. 2
Met standards.
Larry’s Giant Subs
830-6 A1A N., Ponte Vedra Beach
Aug. 1
Follow-up inspection required: Administrative complaint recommended
Eight total violations, with four high-priority violations.
High Priority: Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license. At time of inspection, license expired from 06/01/2022. During the inspection operator renewed the license for 2023. **Corrected On-Site**
High Priority: Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. At the front-line flip top reach in cooler closest to the cash register in the top portion of the reach in cooler, container of tuna salad and chicken salad stored inside of a large tub stocked in the morning; tuna salad (54F - Cold Holding); chicken salad (51F - Cold Holding). Operator removed the products from the cooler to prevent selling the product. **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
High Priority: Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. At the front-line flip top reach in cooler closest to the cash register in the top portion of the reach in cooler, container of tuna salad and chicken salad stored inside of a large tub stocked in the morning; tuna salad (54F - Cold Holding); chicken salad (51F - Cold Holding). Operator removed the products from the cooler to prevent selling the product. **Corrective Action Taken** **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
High Priority: Vacuum breaker missing at hose bibb or on fitting/splitter added to hose bibb. At the rear exterior door, green hose connected to threaded hose bibb with no back flow preventer. **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
Bantam Chef
34 Granada St., St. Augustine
Aug. 1
Follow-up inspection required: Administrative complaint recommended
Six total violations, with two high-priority violations.
High Priority: Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license. License expired 6/1/2022. Discussed with operator and provided division website. **Admin Complaint**
High Priority: Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Raw pork over ready to eat sauces, dressings in walk-in cooler. Person in charge moved pork below ready to eat food. **Corrected On-Site**
Café Alcazar
25 Granada St., St. Augustine
Aug. 1
Follow-up inspection required: Administrative complaint recommended
Seven total violations, with three high-priority violations.
High Priority: Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food not consumed/sold within 7 days after opening/preparation. See stop sale. 3-gallon Ziploc bags of roast beef dated 7/20/22. Person in charge stated items are not kept frozen. Items are sliced placed in bags and then reach-in cooler. **Warning**
High Priority: Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. meat reach in cooler: 13-gallon Ziploc bags of assorted deli meats roast beef, corned beef, ham, turkey (44F-58F - Cold Holding). Discussed with person in charge. Person in charge states items are not held frozen and take out to defrost. Items are sliced, immediately placed into a Ziploc bag and into the reach in cooler. Discussed with person in charge that the deli meat possibly warms up during the cutting/prepping process and needs time to cool. Once sealed in a Ziploc bag the product has no air circulation and cannot cool in time. Ambient temperature of reach in cooler was 40F. Items were dated 7/28/22. Person in charge indicates no items were taken out within the day of inspection. **Warning**
High Priority: Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. meat reach in cooler: 16 gallon Ziploc bags of assorted deli meats roast beef, corned beef, ham, turkey (44F-58F - Cold Holding). Discussed with person in charge. Person in charge states items are not held frozen and take out to defrost. Items are sliced, immediately placed into a Ziploc bag and into the reach in cooler. Discussed with person in charge that the deli meat possibly warms up during the cutting/prepping process and needs time to cool. Once sealed in a Ziploc bag the product has no air circulation and cannot cool in time. Ambient temperature of reach in cooler was 40F. Items were dated 7/28/22 and 7/20/22. Person in charge indicates no items were taken out within the day of inspection. See stop sale. **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
Café Alcazar
25 Granada St., St. Augustine
Aug. 2
Met standards.
Aqua Grill
395 Front St., Ponte Vedra Beach
Aug. 1
Follow-up inspection required: Administrative complaint recommended
13 total violations, with two 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 walk in freezer on the back shelf, raw frozen turkey stored over chocolate chip cookies. Operator relocated the cookies from underneath the raw turkey. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
High Priority: Vacuum breaker missing at hose bibb or on fitting/splitter added to hose bibb. At the rear exterior storage area, no vacuum breaker after the splitter on the black hose side. **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
This article originally appeared on St. Augustine Record: Restaurant inspections in St. Augustine, Ponte Vedra: July 31-Aug. 6
