13 St. Johns County restaurants fail inspection; 1 temporarily closed
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 July 15-21, 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 July 15-21 inspections and no violations were found.
180 Vilano Grill, 180 Vilano Rd, Saint Augustine**
Baitong Thai & Sushi Restaurant, 3915 A1a S Ste 101, Saint Augustine**
Crabby's Beachside , 361 A1a Beach Blvd, Saint Augustine Beac**
Gypsy Cab Company, 828 Anastasia Blvd, St Augustine**
Iggy's Grill & Bar, 104 Bartram Oaks Walk Ste 101, St. Johns**
Lodge at Ponte Vedra Beach Restaurant Seaview, 607 Ponte Vedra Blvd, Ponte Vedra Beach**
Organic Power Acai, Mobile food dispensing vehicle**
Taco's Queen, 2369 Sr 16, 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 July 15-21 inspections and were temporarily closed. Follow-upinspections are required.
Arepa Life
Mobile food dispensing vehicle
Complaint Partial Inspection on July 15
Facility Temporarily Closed: Operations ordered stopped until violations are corrected.
12 total violations, with 5 high-priority violations
High Priority - Displayed food not properly protected from contamination. Observed food truck service window does not have sliding windows that can be closed between guests. Window is left open allowing environmental contamination to occur inside food truck. **Warning**
High Priority - Food-contact surfaces not sanitized after cleaning, before use. Do not use equipment/utensils not properly sanitized. Observed cutting boards and utensils not sanitized after washing in triple sink. **Warning**
High Priority - Live, small flying insects in kitchen, food preparation area, food storage area and/or bar area. Observed approximately four live flying insects inside food truck landing on squeeze bottles filled with food, and while food preparation is happening. **Warning**
High Priority - Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license. Observed license expired 6/1/2024
High Priority - Raw sewage on ground of establishment. Observed black sewage hose, connected from food truck to commissary's dump outlet, leaking through holes onto ground next to food truck. **Warning**
Which St. Johns County restaurants had high-priority violations?
Arepa Life
Mobile food dispensing vehicle
Complaint Partial Inspection on July 16
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 - Displayed food not properly protected from contamination. Observed food truck service window does not have sliding windows that can be closed between guests. Window is left open allowing environmental contamination to occur inside food truck. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2024-07-16: Observed three plexiglass inserts with a center sliding window. Holes have been cut out to accommodate hydraulic arms for side folding window. Operator has place screen mesh to cover hydraulic holes for the time being. Operator is sourcing permanent sliding glass window to install but needs more time to find and order window. **Time Extended**
Baitong Thai & Sushi Restaurant
3915 A1a S Ste 101, Saint Augustine
Routine Inspection on July 16
Follow-Up Inspection Required: Violations require further review, but are not an immediate threat to the public.
28 total violations, with 8 high-priority violations
High Priority - Live, small flying insects in kitchen, food preparation area, food storage area and/or bar area. In prep area on shelf under table, observed 7 live flying insects at onion container. Called district office, following day call back per Linda. **Warning**
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over or with ready-to-eat food in a freezer - not all products commercially packaged. In prep area, chest freezer raw chicken in plastic wrap stored over tray of cooked chicken. Operator moved chicken. **Corrected On-Site**
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. In walk in cooler raw salmon and tuna stored on shelf over ready to eat food, and raw chicken stored over rice noodles. Operator moved to correct levels. **Corrected On-Site**
High Priority - Stop Sale issued due to food not being in a wholesome, sound condition. At cook line at bottom section of cooler, fish in rop packaging, not opened and thawed. At prep area, on lower shelf in plastic container, 4 rotted onions. **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. At cook line in both flip top reach in coolers, pot stick (46F- Cold Holding); calamari (59F - Cold Holding); sprouts (64F - Cold Holding); peas (47F - Cold Holding); tofu (46F - Cold Holding). Operator stated all items placed on line 1.5 hours prior, lids open during lunch rush. At cook line, shell eggs (63F - Cold Holding); rice noodles (65F - Cold Holding); fresh garlic in oil (74F - Cold Holding). All items sitting on counters for approximately 1.5 hours. At wait station, cut lettuce (51F - Cold Holding). Salads in cooler 1.5 hours. Can drinks on top shelf blocking air flow to salads. **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, rice (108F - Hot Holding). Rice sitting on counter approximately 1 hour per employee.
High Priority - Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. In prep area on shelf, can of foam spray above reach in freezer. Operator moved can of foam spray. **Corrected On-Site**
High Priority - Vacuum breaker missing at mop sink faucet or on fitting/splitter added to mop sink faucet. No back flow preventer on faucet with hose attached.
Baitong Thai & Sushi Restaurant
3915 A1a S Ste 101, Saint Augustine
Routine Inspection on July 17
Follow-Up Inspection Required: Violations require further review, but are not an immediate threat to the public.
2 total violations, with 2 high-priority violations
High Priority - - From initial inspection : High Priority - Live, small flying insects in kitchen, food preparation area, food storage area and/or bar area. In prep area on shelf under table, observed 7 live flying insects at onion container. Called district office, following day call back per Linda. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2024-07-17: One live flying insect observed around plastic bins in prep area. **Time Extended**
High Priority - - From initial inspection : High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. At cook line in both flip top reach in coolers, pot stick (46F- Cold Holding); calamari (59F - Cold Holding); sprouts (64F - Cold Holding); peas (47F - Cold Holding); tofu (46F - Cold Holding). Operator stated all items placed on line 1.5 hours prior, lids open during lunch rush. At cook line, shell eggs (63F - Cold Holding); rice noodles (65F - Cold Holding); fresh garlic in oil (74F - Cold Holding). All items sitting on counters for approximately 1.5 hours. At wait station, cut lettuce (51F - Cold Holding). Salads in cooler 1.5 hours. Can drinks on top shelf blocking air flow to salads. **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint** - From follow-up inspection 2024-07-17: Spring rolls 53F in overfilled container in top section of flip top cooler on cook line, rolls have been in cooler since 11:00 am. Employee took top part of rolls out of pan and put in bottom of cooler. **Admin Complaint** **Corrective Action Taken**
Cantina Louie
3735 Longleaf Pine Pkwy #201, St. Johns
Complaint Inspection on July 16
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 - Live, small flying insects in kitchen, food preparation area, food storage area and/or bar area. Approximately 2 live flying insects around dish machine in kitchen. Approximately 2 live flying insects around bar area. 1 live flying insect around back door to kitchen.
High Priority - Nonfood-grade bags used in direct contact with food. Rice stored in to go bags in reach in cooler on cook line, bag removed. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Raw beef stored over raw grouper in reach in cooler drawers under on cook line. Also raw shrimp stored over unwashed peppers in walk in cooler. Employee rearranged all items **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
High Priority - Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. Sprays can of pesticide, bleach, and soap stored mixed in with rolls of paper towels in cabinet under hand wash station in women's bathroom, employee began to rearrange items during inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
Gas Full Service Restaurant
9-C Anastasia Blvd, Saint Augustine
Complaint Inspection on July 16
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 - Live, small flying insects in kitchen, food preparation area, food storage area and/or bar area. Observed total of 4 flying insects. One at dish area, one by reach in cooler at storage area, 2 in dry storage area. **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
High Priority - Raw animal foods not properly separated from each other in holding unit based upon minimum required cooking temperature. In walk in cooler pan of raw chicken stored over raw shell eggs. Operator moved raw chicken. **Corrected On-Site**
High Priority - Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. In wait station in small black reach in cooler, ranch dressing (48F - Cold Holding). Operator stated dressing in cooler over night.
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. In wait station in small black reach in cooler, ranch dressing (48F - Cold Holding). Operator stated dressing in cooler over night. **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
Green Papaya Thai Sushi Cuisine
841 S Ponce De Leon Blvd Unit 10, Saint Augustine
Routine Inspection on July 18
Follow-Up Inspection Required: Violations require further review, but are not an immediate threat to the public.
7 total violations, with 1 high-priority violation
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed butter (72F - Cold Holding); pooled eggs (69F - Cold Holding) on cook line. Person in charge voluntarily disposed off. Discussed time control with person in charge and provided blank paper. **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
Gypsy Cab Company
828 Anastasia Blvd, St Augustine
Complaint Inspection on July 15
Follow-Up Inspection Required: Violations require further review, but are not an immediate threat to the public.
19 total violations, with 4 high-priority violations
High Priority - Live, small flying insects in kitchen, food preparation area, food storage area and/or bar area. In dish area one live flying insect. At wait station one live flying insect by soda dispenser.
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. At pass through window at cook line. black bean salsa (47F - Cold Holding); American cheese (42F - Cold Holding); provolone cheese (65F - Cold Holding. Operator stated placed out 1.25 hours earlier. Operator discarded cheese, placed salsa in reach in cooler. At prep station by dish area, ham (45F - Cold Holding); shredded cheese (46F - Cold Holding). Operator stated items placed out 2 hours earlier. Operator moved to walk in cooler. In walk in cooler in prep area, liquid egg (55F - Cold Holding); turkey (51F - Cold Holding); ham (54F - Cold Holding); pasta (47F - Cold Holding); pork (48F - Cold Holding). Operator stated he recorded temperature 2 hours earlier and all items were in. Operator stated door opened for prep. **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, sitting on burner not turned on, cooked chicken (122-retemp 30 minutes 140F - Hot Holding). Operator placed chicken in oven, heated above 165f, then held in oven **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
High Priority - Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. In back room in prep area, WD40 on shelf over prep table. Operator moved WD40. **Corrected On-Site**
Julington Creek Fish House and Oyster Co
112 Bartram Oaks Walk Ste 102, St. Johns
Routine Inspection on July 16
Follow-Up Inspection Required: Violations require further review, but are not an immediate threat to the public.
16 total violations, with 6 high-priority violations
High Priority - Dented/rusted cans present. See stop sale. 1 dented can of oyster sauce on rack in prep area. **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
High Priority - Displayed food not properly protected from contamination. Baskets of washed lemons and limes at the bar area stored on bar counter where customers sit, per employee they use they outside of the lemons and limes for zesting in drinks, all baskets moved to behind bar. **Corrected On-Site**
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Raw shell eggs stored on top of strawberries in reach in cooler at bar area, eggs moved. Plastic containers of raw oysters stored over containers of fried rice in reach in cooler in prep area, rice moved **Corrected On-Site**
High Priority - Stop Sale issued due to food not being in a wholesome, sound condition. 6 fully thawed out vacuum packages of tuna in reach in cooler in prep area. **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. cooked broccoli (46F - Cold Holding); cooked asperges (46F - Cold Holding); sausage (45F - Cold Holding) 3 hours, all items on speed rack in walk in cooler, per manager speed rack is constantly being taken in and out of walk in cooler for at least several hours prior. raw shell eggs (53F - Cold Holding) in reach in cooler at bar, per employee door was left open while taking inventory approximately 1 hour prior. cut tomatoes (51F - Cold Holding); blue cheese crumbles (51F - Cold Holding); corn (51F - Cold Holding); blue cheese dressing (51F - Cold Holding) sitting in double pans in top section of reach in cooler, per employee all items have been there a couple of hours, all items where previous held on time control, but manager and employees stated items are held on temperature control, manager stated they will continue to hold items on time control. egg wash (55F - Cold Holding); spring mix (68F - Cold Holding) sitting out on counter on cook line, per employee both items where made a couple hours prior and left sitting out, all items where previous held on time control, but manager and employees stated items are held on temperature control, manager stated they will continue to hold items on time control. coleslaw (48F - Cold Holding) in melted ice bath under service window in wait station, per manager coleslaw was placed in ice bath for a couple of hours, ice added **Corrective Action Taken** **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. sweet potato mash (116F - Hot Holding) in hot holding unit in prep area, per employee mash was made several hours prior, mash placed in oven on cook line. **Corrective Action Taken**
Lodge at Ponte Vedra Oasis Snack Bar
607 Ponte Vedra Blvd, Ponte Vedra Beach
Routine Inspection on July 15
Follow-Up Inspection Required: Violations require further review, but are not an immediate threat to the public.
5 total violations, with 1 high-priority violation
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. shredded lettuce (47F - Cold Holding); cut watermelon (45F - Cold Holding) in reach in cooler at end of cook line in kitchen, per employee items where taken n and out of cooler to check inventory for less then 1 hour. **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
Penny Farthing Inn
83 Cedar St, St. Augustine
Complaint Inspection on July 15
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 - Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license. Observed license expired 6/1/24.
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Observed raw shell eggs above cut fruit and cheeses. Person in charge placed eggs on bottom shelf of refrigerator. **Corrected On-Site**
Pvo Bar & Grill
377 South Roscoe Blvd, Ponte Vedra Beach
Complaint Inspection on July 16
Follow-Up Inspection Required: Violations require further review, but are not an immediate threat to the public.
3 total violations, with 1 high-priority violation
High Priority - - From initial inspection : High Priority - Live, small flying insects in kitchen, food preparation area, food storage area and/or bar area. Approximately 4 live flying insects at end of main cook line in kitchen. Approximately 3 live flying insects around triple sink in back ware washing area in kitchen. Approximately 3 live flying insects are dish machine in back ware washing area. Approximately 4 live flying insects around inside bar area. Approximately 3 live flying insects around prep area next to main cook line in kitchen. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2024-07-16: Approximately 2 live flying insects at bar area at end of bar. Approximately 2 live flying insects around racks in back dry storage area. Approximately 2 live flying insects around dish machine in back of kitchen. **Time Extended**
Spark By Hilton
2367 Sr 16, Saint Augustine
Routine Inspection on July 17
Follow-Up Inspection Required: Violations require further review, but are not an immediate threat to the public.
3 total violations, with 1 high-priority violation
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed butter (57F - Cold Holding); cream cheese (56F - Cold Holding) on front counter in ice cup. Discussed time control and provided blank paper work with person in charge. **Admin Complaint**
The Kookaburra
4265 A1a S, Saint Augustine
Routine Inspection on July 17
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 - Food-contact surfaces sanitized with a quaternary ammonium solution not exposed to the sanitizer solution for at least 30 seconds. Do not use equipment/utensils not properly sanitized. Behind front counter employee just dipped blender lid in sanitizer for only 2 seconds.
High Priority - Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. In front bar area, by hand washing sink, under soap dispenser, bottles of ice brew. In kitchen area on top of microwave, 2 multi purpose bottles. Employee moved bottles. **Corrected On-Site**
Two Dudes Red's
262 Solana Rd, Ponte Vedra Beach
Complaint Inspection on July 15
Follow-Up Inspection Required: Violations require further review, but are not an immediate threat to the public.
17 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 on cook line touching fried shrimp from fryer basket to plate on cook line, employee put on gloves. **Corrected On-Site**
High Priority - Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license. Expired 6/1/2024, operator renewed license during inspection. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. sour cream (55F - Cold Holding); blue cheese dressing (56F - Cold Holding); shredded cheese (58F - Cold Holding); cheesecake (61F - Cold Holding) in standing reach in cooler in kitchen by large ice machine, per operator all items have been in cooler approximately 2.5 hours, all items moved to reach in freezer, all retypes at or below 41F. fresh garlic in oil (90F - Cold Holding) sitting out on cook line, per operator garlic has been sitting out for 2 hours, garlic put in reach in cooler. **Corrective Action Taken**
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.
This article originally appeared on St. Augustine Record: St. Augustine area restaurant and food truck inspections July 15-21
