1 St. Johns County restaurant briefly closed; 7 others get high-priority violations

Ty Hinton, St. Augustine Record
·9 min read

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.

Each week we share the area restaurants that aced their inspections, while also rounding up those that racked up violations.
Each week we share the area restaurants that aced their inspections, while also rounding up those that racked up violations.

Recent inspections: 7 St. Johns County restaurants get high-priority violations

From the ground up: New Lotus Noodle Bar coming to St. Augustine

Dessert: Rita’s Italian Ice & Frozen Custard opens St. Johns location

The database can be searched by St. Johns County or by restaurant name. You will see which restaurants passed with no violations, which were fined and which were forced to close temporarily.

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

No restaurants passed their inspections from Oct. 10-15 with zero violations.

St. Johns County inspections with high-priority violations

The following restaurants were issued warnings or administrative complaints due to failed inspections from Oct. 10-15:

Wasabi Sushi

965 State Road 16, No. 108, St. Augustine 32084

Oct. 14

Follow-up inspection required: Warning issued

3 total violations, with 2 high-priority violations

  • High Priority: Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. 1) 5 dozen eggs (67F - Cold Holding); two cases firm tofu (60F - Cold Holding); three 16oz firm tofu (60F - Cold Holding); one case and 3 lbs of cream cheese (58F-61F - Cold Holding); 2 cans of whipped dairy (58F - Cold Holding); plate of crab legs (61F - Cold Holding); ambient walk-in cooler (64F - Cold Holding) Person in charge stated walk-in cooler was not working at 10am this morning. Food has been in walk-in cooler since 10am **Warning**

  • High Priority: Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. 1) 5 dozen eggs (67F - Cold Holding); two cases firm tofu (60F - Cold Holding); three 16oz firm tofu (60F - Cold Holding); one case and 3 lbs of cream cheese (58F-61F - Cold Holding); 2 cans of whipped dairy (58F - Cold Holding); plate of crab legs (61F - Cold Holding); ambient walk-in cooler (64F - Cold Holding) **Warning**

One Third Asian House

164 Everest Lane, No. 5, St. Johns 32259

Oct. 14

Call-back required: Administrative complaint recommended

8 total violations, with 3 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 reach in freezer,wrapped frozen raw chicken stored over box of ready to eat cheesecake. Operator switched the storage levels. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**

  • High Priority: Raw animal food stored over or with unwashed produce. In the walk-in cooler, raw beef stored over unwashed daikon, operator corrected the storage levels. **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. At time of inspection chicken tempura on the main cook line held on time with no time marking. Operator states chicken was placed on time at 1230, placed date marking on the container. **Corrected On-Site**

Mulligans Pub

43 PGA Tour Blvd., Ponte Vedra Beach 32082

Oct. 12

Call-back required: Administrative complaint recommended

12 total violations, with 3 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 standup reach in freezer on the main cook line, open raw frozen beef stored over open container of pretzel bites. Operator relocated the beef to the proper storage shelf. In the flip top reach in cooler on the main cook line, raw fish stored over container of corn beef. Operator relocated the raw fish. In the reach in cooler closest to the warewashing area, raw shrimp stored over cooked chicken wings. Operator relocated the shrimp to the proper storage location. **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. At time of inspection, container of hollandaise sauce on the server pass through window stored on time as public health control with no time marking. Operator labeled the container placed out at 8am daily. **Corrected On-Site**

  • High Priority: Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. Chemical spray bottles stored hanging on the soda syrup dispenser shelf, operator relocated the chemical spray bottles. **Corrected On-Site**

Napoli’s Pastaria

3787 Palm Valley Road, Ponte Vedra Beach 32082

Oct. 12

Follow-up inspection required: Warning issued

12 total violations, with 3 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 standup reach in freezer on the main cook line, open bag of raw frozen chicken tenders stored over open bag of frozen raviolis. Operator relocated the chicken tenders to the bottom shelf. **Corrected On-Site**

  • High Priority: Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. At front service counter, wrapped buttered garlic rolls stored at 127F, operator had employee place back into oven. Discussed alternative options for holding the garlic rolls.

  • High Priority: Vacuum breaker missing at hose bibb or on fitting/splitter added to hose bibb. At mop sink, green hose side after splitter missing back flow prevention. Operator switched sides of hose to side with vacuum breaker. **Corrected On-Site**

Panera Beach #1432

600 Tingle Court, St. Augustine 32086

Oct. 11

Call-back required: Administrative complaint recommended

5 total violations, with 1 high-priority violations

  • High Priority: Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. milk (46F - Cold Holding); shredded romaine (45F - Cold Holding) in reach in coolers on make line, per employees, doors to coolers for romaine have been consistently opened no more than 2 hours, and milk has been taken in and out of cooler for less than 45 minutes. **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**

Jack's BAR-B-Q

691 A1A Beach Blvd., St. Augustine 32080

Oct. 12

Emergency order callback complied

Jack's BAR-B-Q

691 A1A Beach Blvd., St. Augustine 32080

Oct. 11

Facility temporarily closed: Emergency order recommended

6 total violations, with 2 high-priority violations

  • High Priority: Rodent activity present as evidenced by rodent droppings found. Approximately 19 rodent droppings in liquor room. Approximately 36 rodent droppings in single service storage area between liquor storage room and ware washing area. Approximately 20 rodent droppings under bar area, at southeastern corner of building. **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**

  • High Priority: Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. raw shrimp (46F - Cold Holding); raw chicken (47F - Cold Holding) in bottom section of reach in cooler on cook line, per employee door has been consistently open for approximately 1 hour, both items moved to reach in freezers on cook line, both retemps below 41F. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**

A1A Burrito Works Taco Shop

671 A1A Beach Blvd., St. Augustine 32080

Oct. 13

Call back complied

A1A Burrito Works Taco Shop

671 A1A Beach Blvd., St. Augustine 32080

Oct. 12

Follow-up inspection required: Warning issued

2 total violations, with 2 high-priority violations

  • High Priority: From initial inspection: High Priority - Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. In overnight; Front; Guacamole, salsa, cheese 51F; ( - Cold Holding) Back; guacamole 52F, salsa 57F; ( - Cold Holding) 2 door back; sauce 47F; ( - Cold Holding) **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2022-10-12: Stop sale issued for refried beans and black beans. Both in cooler overnight. **Admin Complaint**

  • High Priority: From initial inspection: High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. In overnight; Front; Guacamole, salsa, cheese 51F; ( - Cold Holding) Back; guacamole 52F, salsa 57F; ( - Cold Holding) 2 door back; sauce 47F; ( - Cold Holding) **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2022-10-12: Temperatures in front; lettuce, tomatoes, cheese 41F Back 2 door cooler; refried beans 48F, black beans 47F, Back cooler not in use. **Admin Complaint**

A1A Burrito Works Taco Shop

671 A1A Beach Blvd., St. Augustine 32080

Oct. 11

Follow-up inspection required: Warning issued

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 overnight; Front; Guacamole, salsa, cheese 51F; ( - Cold Holding) Back; guacamole 52F, salsa 57F; ( - Cold Holding) 2 door back; sauce 47F; ( - Cold Holding) **Warning**

  • High Priority: Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. In overnight; Front; Guacamole, salsa, cheese 51F; ( - Cold Holding) Back; guacamole 52F, salsa 57F; ( - Cold Holding) 2 door back; sauce 47F; ( - Cold Holding) **Warning**

Beachcomber Restaurant

2 A St., St. Augustine Beach 32080

Oct. 13

Call-back complied

Beachcomber Restaurant

2 A St., St. Augustine Beach 32080

Oct. 12

Call-back required: Administrative complaint recommended

  • High Priority: From initial inspection : High Priority - Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. In drawers overnight per person in charge: shrimp 48F, flounder 48F, Brie 47F, mushrooms, onions 48F, gyro meat, chicken 47F, shrimp 47F ; ( - Cold Holding) **Admin Complaint** - From follow-up inspection 2022-10-12: **Time Extended**

  • High Priority: From initial inspection : High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. In drawers overnight per person in charge: shrimp 48F, flounder 48F, Brie 47F, mushrooms, onions 48F, gyro meat, chicken 47F, shrimp 47F ; ( - Cold Holding) **Admin Complaint** - From follow-up inspection 2022-10-12: Cooler is still waiting to be fixed. A part was ordered. **Time Extended**

Beachcomber Restaurant

2 A St., St. Augustine Beach 32080

Oct. 11

Call-back required: Administrative complaint recommended

2 total violations, with 2 high-priority violations

  • High Priority: Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. In drawers overnight per person in charge: shrimp 48F, flounder 48F, Brie 47F, mushrooms, onions 48F, gyro meat, chicken 47F, shrimp 47F ; ( - Cold Holding) **Admin Complaint**

  • High Priority: Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. In drawers overnight per person in charge: shrimp 48F, flounder 48F, Brie 47F, mushrooms, onions 48F, gyro meat, chicken 47F, shrimp 47F ; ( - Cold Holding) **Admin Complaint**

This article originally appeared on St. Augustine Record: St. Johns County best, worst restaurant inspections: Oct. 10-15