Five Escambia, Santa Rosa restaurants temporarily closed after January inspections

Brittany Misencik, Pensacola News Journal
·7 min read

As the calendar turned to 2023, the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation wasted no time in bringing in the first round of restaurant inspections across Escambia and Santa Rosa counties for the new year.

Of the 175 eateries inspected last month, 156 eateries passed on the first try. There were 19 eateries that did not pass and five that were forced to temporarily close their doors. There was reason to celebrate for some though, as 70 of the passing restaurants did not receive a single violation. A full list of those receiving perfect scores can be found at the bottom of this article.

Five restaurants temporarily shut down

The Fishing Hole, 15 Brent Lane

Following a Jan. 3 inspection from the DBPR, The Fishing Hole received 14 violations, two of which were deemed a high priority. The report noted that food was being stored for an improper duration of time.

In a follow-up inspection on Jan. 25, the restaurant received three additional violations all involving roach activity. There were about 30 dead roaches found in the kitchen, six live roaches and six roach droppings found in the kitchen, according to the DPBR. As a result, the restaurant was temporarily closed.

The Fishing Hole complied with a follow-up visit on Jan. 27 with zero violations.

Zaytouna Greek and Lebanese Restaurant, 440 East Chase St,

Following a Jan. 24 inspection from the DBPR, Zaytouna received six violations, three of which were deemed a high priority. The report noted that 71 rodent droppings were found in the kitchen and cleaning sanitizers were not found to be at the proper strength. The restaurant was temporarily closed but complied with a follow-up visit the same day without violation.

Tom Collins Diner, 1717 N. T St.

Following a Jan. 19 inspection from the DBPR, Tom Collins received nine violations, two of which were deemed a high priority. The report noted that six live roaches were found caught in a sticky trap in a storage room and about 200 rodent droppings were found on the shelves in the storage room. The restaurant was temporarily closed but complied with a follow-up inspection the next day with zero violations.

Thai Curry House, 8200 U.S. Highway 98

Following a Jan. 3 inspection from the DBPR, Thai Curry House received five violations, one of which was deemed a high priority. The report noted that a total of 111 rodent droppings were found in the restaurant. The restaurant was forced to temporarily close but complied with a follow-up inspection the following day with zero violations.

Royal Mexican Grill, 13951 Alabama Street, Jay

Following a Jan. 3 inspection from the DBPR, Royal Mexican Grill received six violations, three of which were deemed a high priority. The report noted cleaning sanitizers were not at the proper strength, wastewater was backing up through the floor drains and food was not being stored at the proper temperature. In a follow-up visit the next day, the restaurant was still found to have two unresolved violations from the initial inspection and a follow-up inspection is still required.

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Five restaurants receive administrative complaints

Checkers 6298, 5300 N. Davis Highway

Following a Jan. 10 inspection from the DBPR, Checkers received six violations and a warning for three dead roaches observed in the restaurant, food being stored at improper temperatures and water in the handwash sink not being able to reach the proper temperature. In a follow-up inspection the next day, the restaurant received five violations and an administrative complaint for food being stored at improper temperatures. A follow-up inspection is still required.

Vallarta of Century, 9010 Century Boulevard

Following a Jan. 3 inspection from the DBPR, Vallarta received an administrative complaint for not submitting its plans for renovations after multiple time extensions. A follow-up inspection is still required.

The Bridge Bar and Sunset Lounge, 33C Gulf Breeze Parkway

Following a Jan. 3 inspection from the DBPR, The Bridge Bar received an administrative complaint for operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license. A follow-up inspection is still required.

Quality Inn, 6919 Pensacola Blvd.

Following a Jan. 25 inspection from the DBPR, Quality Inn received an administrative complaint for operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license.

Residence Inn by Marriott, 601 E. Chase Street

Following a Jan. 19 inspection from the DBPR, Residence Inn received an administrative complaint for operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license.

Two restaurants top 10 violations

Five Sisters Blues Café, 421 W. Belmont Street

Following a Jan. 11 inspection from the DBPR, Five Sisters received 12 violations with two violations deemed high priority. Some of the top offenses include raw food not being separated properly from ready to eat food and food not being stored at the proper temperature. The restaurant still met inspection standards and no further action is required.

Grand Buffet C & L, 4210 U.S. Highway 90, Pace

Following a Jan. 9 inspection from the DBPR, Grand Buffet C & L received 14 violations with five violations deemed a high priority. Some of the top offenses include sanitizers not being at the minimum strength, an employee working with food after working with chemicals, raw food not being separated properly from ready to eat food and food not being stored at the proper temperature. The restaurant still met inspection standards and no further action is required.

70 restaurants receive a perfect score

  1. Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen 186, 4511 Saufley Field Road

  2. Holiday Inn Resort Ice Cream Shop, 14 Via De Luna Drive

  3. Lone Star Kitchens, 2551 North E. St.

  4. Surf & Sand Hotel, 40 Fort Pickens Road

  5. Paradise Beach Fillin’ Station, 13121 Lillian Highway

  6. Fast Eddies Fun Center, 505 Michigan Ave.

  7. Classic City Catering, 214 W. Intendencia St.

  8. Mom’s Place, 408 Highway 29 N.

  9. Greek’s Catering and Events Inc., 2325 Summit Blvd.

  10. Ozone Pizza Pub, 1010 N. 12th Ave., Suite 130

  11. Hyatt Place - Pensacola Airport, 161 Airport Lane

  12. Yummy Poke Sushi Bowl, 5046 Bayou Blvd., Suite C

  13. Beach House, 2430 Airport Blvd.

  14. Cousin’s Maine Lobster – Pensacola, 4051 Barrancas Ave., Suite C

  15. Chick-fil-A, 2430 Pensacola Regional Airport

  16. The Meat Candy BBQ, 661 Pensacola Beach Blvd.

  17. Peg Leg Pete’s Underwhere Bar, 1010 Fort Pickens Road

  18. Lamonte Gelato, 1010 N. 12thAve. Suite 133

  19. Bubba’s 33, 7001 North Davis Highway

  20. Coastal County Brewing Company, 3041 E. Olive Rd.

  21. Chicken Salad Chick, 5050 Bayou Blvd.

  22. Chick-fil-A, 5100 N. 9th Ave., #J928

  23. Jo’s As Always, 510 N. 9th Ave.

  24. Sushilife Catering, 6495 Lillian Highway

  25. DeLuna’s Hideout, 10421 Mills Swamp House Road

  26. Culvers of Pensacola, 4400 Bayou Blvd.

  27. Taqueria y Antojitos Salvadorenos LLC, 3494 E. Olive Road

  28. Grover’s Fingers & Wings, 9418 N. Davis Highway

  29. Hattie Marie’s Café, 105 Louis St.

  30. Krystal Restaurants LLC, 5660 N. 9th Ave.

  31. McDonald’s, 5897 W. Nine Mile Road

  32. Babes, 4024 N. Davis Highway

  33. Taco Bell, 6 E. Nine Mile Road

  34. I Heart Bento, 875 E. Nine Mile Road, Suite 10

  35. Waffle House #1046, 7329 North Davis Highway

  36. Whataburger 941, 1790 W. Fairfield Drive

  37. Sammy Barker’s 875 E. Nine Mile Road, Unit 7

  38. Subway, 5007 N. Davis Highway

  39. Philly’s, 3900 Creighton Road Suite 4

  40. Casks & Flights, 121 Palafox Place Suite B

  41. The Daily Squeeze Juice Bar and Café, 902 N. 12th Ave.

  42. Monster Cone Pensacola, 930 Aberdeen Drive

  43. IHOP #250, 6239 Davis Highway

  44. Bear Fruit Bowls and Coffee, 41 Fort Pickens Road

  45. All In One Kitchen Ministries, 1100 W. Scott St.

  46. The Olive Garden 1060, 5037 Bayou Blvd.

  47. Mr. Ole School Hot Dog’s and Popcorn, 623 Highway 95 A, Cantonment

  48. Super 8, 8001 Lavelle Way

  49. Azalea Cocktail Lounge, 810 N. Davis Highway

  50. Waffle House 586, 401 E. Gregory St., Unit A

  51. Scenic Hills Country Club, 8891 Burning Tree Road

  52. Rock N Roll Sushi, 1531 E. Nine Mile Road

  53. Lost Pizza Pensacola, 550 E. Nine Mile Road

  54. Delayunos Y Almuerzos Ely, 6890 Pensacola Blvd.

  55. Akari Sushi, 40 W. Nine Mile Road

  56. Di Da Food Truck, 500 E. Heinberg St.

  57. John Seafood, 6399 N. 9th Ave.

  58. Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen 193, 6401 N. 9th Ave.

  59. Wendy’s, 1706 W. Fairfield Drive

  60. Hardee’s 7137 N. 9th Ave.

  61. Waffle House 1262, 3340 Gulf Breeze Parkway

  62. Wild Honey Frozen Yogurt 2, 4871 U.S. Highway 90

  63. Chick-fil-A at the Ridge, 5023 U.S. Highway 90

  64. Brew Angels, 6821 Caroline St.

  65. Jack’s Dawghouse and Catering, 5760 Gulf Breeze Pkwy.

  66. Foley’s Grub, 3700 Garson Point Road

  67. Texas Roadhouse, 6645 U.S. Highway 90

  68. McDonald’s, 3540 U.S. Highway 90

  69. Cold Water Country Store, 9857 Highway 87, Milton

  70. Pika Grill & Café 2, 4596 Chumuckla Highway

Visit data.pnj.com/restaurant-inspections to read more.

This article originally appeared on Pensacola News Journal: Five Pensacola-area restaurants temporarily closed after inspections