5 Tallahassee-area restaurants ace inspection, 10 fail with high-priority violations

Caitlyn Stroh-Page, Tallahassee Democrat
·9 min read

You can use the database to search by county or by restaurant name.

Each week we share the area restaurants — filed by state safety and sanitation inspectors — that aced their inspections, while also rounding up those that didn't pass muster.

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.

Please note that some more recent, follow-up inspections may not be included here.

For full restaurant inspection details, visit our Leon County restaurant inspections site.

Leon County and Wakulla County best restaurant inspections

These restaurants met all standards during their Jan. 9-15 inspections and no violations were found.

  • Dairy Queen, 2227 N. Monroe Street, Tallahassee

  • Earley's Coffee Shop, 400 S. Monroe St., Tallahassee

  • Pizza Hut, 2910 Kerry Forest Pkwy A3, Tallahassee

  • Steak N Shake, 1459 Capital Cir Nw, Tallahassee

  • Tropical Smoothie Cafe, 1500 Apalachee Pkwy # 1255, Tallahassee

Restaurants that did not pass the first inspection

These restaurants were issued warnings or administrative complaints during their Jan. 9-15 inspections.

32 Degree Creamery

1500 Apalachee Pkwy #1460Routine Inspection Jan. 10Follow-Up Inspection Required: Violations require further review, but are not an immediate threat to the public. 1 total violation -- Intermediate - - From initial inspection : Intermediate - No certified food manager for establishment. A list of accredited food manager certification examination providers can be found at http://www.myfloridalicense.com/DBPR/hotels-restaurants/food-lodging/food-manager/ **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2023-01-10: Manager has made contact with trainer. In the process of scheduling training. **Time Extended**

509 Caribbean Cuisine

2450 Springhill Rd #4Routine Inspection Jan. 13Follow-Up Inspection Required: Violations require further review, but are not an immediate threat to the public. 1 total violation -- Intermediate - - From initial inspection : Intermediate - No proof of required state approved employee training provided for any employees. To order approved program food safety material, call DBPR contracted provider: Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (SafeStaff) 866-372-7233. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2023-01-13: Manager states that he was sick the month of December. Will host training for employees as soon as possible. **Time Extended**

Backwoods Crossing

6725 Mahan DriveRoutine Inspection Jan. 11Follow-Up Inspection Required: Violations require further review, but are not an immediate threat to the public. 6 total violations, with 2 high-priority violations -- Basic - Cold holding equipment not maintained in good repair. Do not store time/temperature control for safety food in this unit until the unit is repaired.Lowboy on line. Left side prep cooler on line. Both coolers not maintaining foods at or below 41°.-- Basic - Equipment in poor repair. Lowboy cooler gaskets torn and detached.-- Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Lowboy cooler gaskets soiled.-- Basic - Old labels stuck to food containers after cleaning.-- High Priority - Shell eggs in use or stored with cracks or broken shells. Eggs discarded. **Corrected On-Site**-- High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit.Corn 48, beef 48, cut tomatoes 48, blue cheese 51, buttermilk 51. **Warning**-- Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing.At bar used as a dump sink.

Big Randy's

1875 Oak Ridge Rd E.Routine Inspection Jan. 12Follow-Up Inspection Required: Violations require further review, but are not an immediate threat to the public. 8 total violations -- Basic - Dumpster overflowing garbage. -- Basic - No handwashing sign provided at a hand sinks throughout establishment used by food employees. -- Basic - Standing water in floor drain/floor drain draining very slowly. Observed drain from handwash sink close by office not draining. **Warning** -- Intermediate - Commercially processed ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food opened and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked after opening. Observed whipped cream can opened on 1-10-23 not date marked today 1-12-23. -- Intermediate - Establishment has no written procedures for employees to follow in response to a vomiting or diarrheal event where the vomit or diarrhea is discharged onto surfaces in the establishment. Issued DBPR form. Observed operator post form. **Corrected On-Site** -- Intermediate - Handwash sink closest to office not accessible for employee use at all times due to floor drains not draining. **Warning** -- Intermediate - No proof of required state approved employee training provided for any employees. To order approved program food safety material, call DBPR contracted provider: Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (SafeStaff) 866-372-7233. **Warning** -- Intermediate - No proof provided that food employees are informed of their responsibility to report to the person in charge information about their health and activities related to foodborne illnesses.

Clarion Pointe Tallahassee Fl

2702 N. Monroe StreetRoutine Inspection Jan. 11Follow-Up Inspection Required: Violations require further review, but are not an immediate threat to the public. 5 total violations, with 1 high-priority violation -- Basic - No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink in bathroom next to kitchen used by food employees. -- High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed sausage links and egg patties in buffet area since 8am hot held below 135F at 8:30am. Sausage 119F, egg patties 112F. Observed employee place food in microwave. Re-temped at 8:45am sausage 167F, egg patties 178F. -- Intermediate - Establishment has no written procedures for employees to follow in response to a vomiting or diarrheal event where the vomit or diarrhea is discharged onto surfaces in the establishment. -- Intermediate - No plan review submitted and approved - renovations were made or are in progress. Must submit plans and plan review application to DBPR H and R Plan Review office located at 2601 Blair Stone Rd., Tallahassee, FL 32399-1011. Plans must be submitted AND approved within 60 days. The direct link to the Plan Review page is http://www.myfloridalicense.com/DBPR/hotels-restaurants/licensing/plan-review/. Observed buffet setup in dining room area not reflected in establishment plans that includes beverage dispenser, steam table, sink, waffle maker and large toaster. Issued plan review referral. **Warning** -- Intermediate - No proof provided that food employees are informed of their responsibility to report to the person in charge information about their health and activities related to foodborne illnesses.

Home2 Suites By Hilton Tallahassee State Capital

210 S Magnolia Dr, TallahasseeRoutine Inspection Jan. 10Follow-Up Inspection Required: Violations require further review, but are not an immediate threat to the public. 1 total violation -- Intermediate - - From initial inspection : Intermediate - No proof of required state approved employee training provided for employee hired more than 60 days ago. To order approved program food safety material, call DBPR contracted provider: Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (SafeStaff) 866-372-7233. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2022-11-07: No training for employees observed. **Time Extended** - From follow-up inspection 2023-01-10: Manager has started training for Food Manager and in the process of getting employees trained. **Time Extended**

Jamaican Paradise Grill

Mobile food dispensing vehicleRoutine Inspection Jan. 13Follow-Up Inspection Required: Violations require further review, but are not an immediate threat to the public. 1 total violation -- Intermediate - - From initial inspection : Intermediate - No certified food manager for establishment. A list of accredited food manager certification examination providers can be found at http://www.myfloridalicense.com/DBPR/hotels-restaurants/food-lodging/food-manager/ **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2022-05-12: No certified food manager for establishment. **Time Extended** - From follow-up inspection 2022-08-17: Per the operator, test is scheduled for 10-13-22. **Time Extended** - From follow-up inspection 2022-12-09: Observed documentation stating exam was taken. **Time Extended** - From follow-up inspection 2023-01-13: Operator didn't pass the course. Operator's family member will take manager course and become the food manager for establishment. Test is scheduled 3-21-23. **Time Extended**

Las Braza's Mexican Grill

8159 Woodville Hwy, TallahasseeRoutine Inspection Jan. 12Follow-Up Inspection Required: Violations require further review, but are not an immediate threat to the public. 7 total violations, with 1 high-priority violation -- Basic - Cutting board on cook line has cut marks and is no longer cleanable. -- Basic - Standing water in floor drain in front of stove in kitchen. **Warning**-- High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed beef on stove since 1:20pm held at 81F at 3:20pm. Observed manager turn on burner. **Corrective Action Taken** -- Intermediate - Establishment has no written procedures for employees to follow in response to a vomiting or diarrheal event where the vomit or diarrhea is discharged onto surfaces in the establishment. -- Intermediate - No currently certified food service manager on duty with four or more employees engaged in food preparation/handling. A list of accredited food manager certification examination providers can be found at http://www.myfloridalicense.com/DBPR/hotels-restaurants/food-lodging/food-manager/ -- Intermediate - No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink in kitchen. Observed manager place paper towels at sink. **Corrected On-Site** -- Intermediate - No proof provided that food employees are informed of their responsibility to report to the person in charge information about their health and activities related to foodborne illnesses.

Sonic Drive-In

1414 Captial Circle Nw, TallahasseeRoutine Inspection Jan. 9Follow-Up Inspection Required: Violations require further review, but are not an immediate threat to the public. 4 total violations, with 1 high-priority violation -- 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. Observed employee use bare hands to finish wrapping sandwiches and burritos resulting in employee putting bare on foods. Coached management and staff on proper food handling procedures. **Corrective Action Taken** -- Intermediate - Establishment has no written procedures for employees to follow in response to a vomiting or diarrheal event where the vomit or diarrhea is discharged onto surfaces in the establishment. -- Intermediate - Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Observed handwash sink in front of ice cream machine with no handles to turn on the water. **Warning** -- Intermediate - No proof provided that food employees are informed of their responsibility to report to the person in charge information about their health and activities related to foodborne illnesses.

Taqueria El Sabor Mexican Grill

9762 Woodville Hwy, TallahasseeRoutine Inspection Jan. 12Follow-Up Inspection Required: Violations require further review, but are not an immediate threat to the public. 1 total violation -- Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Establishment did not report seating change that affects the license fee, Clean Indoor Air Act, sewage system approval or other related requirements. Establishment currently approved for 44 seat; Observed 78 seats. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2022-09-09: Establishment currently approved for 44 seat; Observed 78 seats. **Time Extended** - From follow-up inspection 2022-11-08: Seating change approval not filled out. **Time Extended** - From follow-up inspection 2023-01-12: Observed 60 seats on premises. Per Leon County Dept, of Health; establishment is only approved for 8 seats due to septic tank limits. **Time Extended**

This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Restaurant inspections in Tallahassee, January 9-15