17 restaurants in Alachua County cited for food violations in weekly inspection report

Staff report
·22 min read

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 Alachua County restaurant inspections site.

Here's the breakdown for recent health inspections in Alachua County, Florida, for the week of July 24-30, 2023. 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 Alachua County restaurant inspection site.

More: School district reminds parents to register new students before class starts. Here's how

Which Alachua County restaurants got perfect scores on their health inspections?

These restaurants met all standards during their July 24-30 inspections and no violations were found.

** Restaurants that failed an inspection and aced a follow-up inspection in the same week

Which Alachua County restaurants had high priority violations?

Billy-Bobz Bar-B-Q

501 NW 23 Ave Unit A, Gainesville

Routine Inspection on July 24

Follow-Up Inspection Required: Violations require further review, but are not an immediate threat to the public.

18 total violations, with 7 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. Items in reach-in cooler across from grill: chicken (46F - Cooling); chicken (47F - Cooling); bacon (46F - Cooling). Manager stated items were placed in cooler two days prior to temperature being taken. **Warning**

  • High Priority - Cooked/heated time/temperature control for safety food not cooled from 135 degrees Fahrenheit to 70 degrees Fahrenheit within two hours and from 135 degrees Fahrenheit to 41 degrees Fahrenheit within six hours. See stop sale. Items in reach-in cooler across from grill: chicken (46F - Cooling); chicken (47F - Cooling); bacon (46F - Cooling). Manager stated items were placed in cooler two days prior to temperature being taken. **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**

  • High Priority - Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license. License expired on 6/1/2023.

  • High Priority - Roach activity present as evidenced by live roaches found. Observed one live roach in office next to kitchen. **Admin Complaint**

  • High Priority - Rodent activity present as evidenced by rodent droppings found. Observed approximately 50 rodent droppings on floor behind deep freezer in dry storage room next to back door. Observed two rodent droppings on top of Sheetrock leaning against wall next to deep freezer in dry storage room next to back door. **Admin Complaint**

  • High Priority - Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. Items in reach-in cooler across from grill: hamburger (47F - Cold Holding); ham (46F - Cold Holding); bacon (46F - Cold Holding). Manager stated items stored in cooler over night. **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**

  • High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Items in reach-in cooler across from grill: hamburger (47F - Cold Holding); ham (46F - Cold Holding); bacon (46F - Cold Holding). Manager stated items stored in cooler over night. **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**

Billy-Bobz Bar-B-Q

501 NW 23 Ave Unit A, Gainesville

Routine Inspection on July 26

Follow-Up Inspection Required: Violations require further review, but are not an immediate threat to the public.

6 total violations, with 5 high-priority violations

  • High Priority - - From initial inspection : High Priority - Cooked/heated time/temperature control for safety food not cooled from 135 degrees Fahrenheit to 41 degrees Fahrenheit within 6 hours. Items in reach-in cooler across from grill: chicken (46F - Cooling); chicken (47F - Cooling); bacon (46F - Cooling). Manager stated items were placed in cooler two days prior to temperature being taken. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2023-07-26: Reach-in cooler across from grill: Ribs 45F. Manager stated item prepared and placed in the reach-in cooler the previous day. **Admin Complaint**

  • High Priority - - From initial inspection : High Priority - Cooked/heated time/temperature control for safety food not cooled from 135 degrees Fahrenheit to 70 degrees Fahrenheit within two hours and from 135 degrees Fahrenheit to 41 degrees Fahrenheit within six hours. See stop sale. Items in reach-in cooler across from grill: chicken (46F - Cooling); chicken (47F - Cooling); bacon (46F - Cooling). Manager stated items were placed in cooler two days prior to temperature being taken. **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint** - From follow-up inspection 2023-07-26: Reach-in cooler across from grill: Ribs 45F. Manager stated item prepared and placed in the reach-in cooler the previous day. **Admin Complaint**

  • High Priority - - From initial inspection : High Priority - Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license. License expired on 6/1/2023. - From follow-up inspection 2023-07-26: No change. **Time Extended**

  • High Priority - - From initial inspection : High Priority - Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. Items in reach-in cooler across from grill: hamburger (47F - Cold Holding); ham (46F - Cold Holding); bacon (46F - Cold Holding). Manager stated items stored in cooler over night. **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint** - From follow-up inspection 2023-07-26: Hamburger 45F, milk 46F, bacon 45F. Manager stated items stored 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. Items in reach-in cooler across from grill: hamburger (47F - Cold Holding); ham (46F - Cold Holding); bacon (46F - Cold Holding). Manager stated items stored in cooler over night. **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint** - From follow-up inspection 2023-07-26: Hamburger 45F, milk 46F, bacon 45F. Manager stated items stored in cooler overnight. **Admin Complaint**

Bleu Bird Wings

5156 SW 34 St, Gainesville

Routine Inspection on July 24

Follow-Up Inspection Required: Violations require further review, but are not an immediate threat to the public.

6 total violations, with 2 high-priority violations

  • High Priority - Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license. Observed the license expired on 6-1-2023.

  • High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed: in the walk-in cooler: prepped raw chicken 49,49, prepped house ranch 51F. Items that are time/temperature control for safety wee then moved to the make table(36-37F) and the working reach-in freezer. Truck was unloaded this morning, walk-in cooler door left open. Kitchen temperature is 83F+. **Warning**

Bleu Bird Wings

5156 SW 34 St, Gainesville

Routine Inspection on July 25

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 - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed: in the walk-in cooler: prepped raw chicken 49,49, prepped house ranch 51F. Items that are time/temperature control for safety wee then moved to the make table(36-37F) and the working reach-in freezer. Truck was unloaded this morning, walk-in cooler door left open. Kitchen temperature is 83F+. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2023-07-25: Buttermilk 54F, salad mix 53F, slice cheese 53F, Mac n cheese 53F, still in the walk-in cooler. These items were in the walk-in cooler overnight. Chicken and ranch were moved to the reach-in freezer and make table yesterday. Stellar services have been here for hours, per the owner, working on the equipment. **Admin Complaint**

Bolay

2905 SW 42 St Ste 80, Gainesville

Routine Inspection on July 27

Follow-Up Inspection Required: Violations require further review, but are not an immediate threat to the public.

4 total violations, with 3 high-priority violations

  • High Priority - Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. Observed: kale salad made today, 49F while stored on the front line and out for service.

  • High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed: on the front line guacamole 49, cut tomato 47, guacamole 45. Items were then placed on time for the remaking 2 hours. **Warning**

  • High Priority - Vacuum breaker missing at mop sink faucet or on fitting/splitter added to mop sink faucet. Observed lack of back flow device on the non chemical side of the splitter in the mop sink.

China Express Alachua

16181 NW US Hwy 441 #160, Alachua

Complaint Inspection on July 25

Follow-Up Inspection Required: Violations require further review, but are not an immediate threat to the public.

13 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 a dead fly on the portioned wontons in container in reach in cooler, see stop sale. **Warning**

  • High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Raw beef over green peppers in walk in cooler also raw chicken over cut onions. **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**

  • High Priority - Stop Sale issued due to food not being in a wholesome, sound condition. One fly on wontons in 1 container in reach in cooler.

  • High Priority - Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. Bottle of cleaning soap by white vinegar on pallet next to cooks line, operator moved soap. **Corrected On-Site**

Chuys

3410 SW Archer Rd, Gainesville

Routine Inspection on July 27

Follow-Up Inspection Required: Violations require further review, but are not an immediate threat to the public.

8 total violations, with 2 high-priority violations

  • High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed: on the cook line, far end make table, corn mix 48F, shred white cheese 48, shred mix cheese 50F. Ice bags were added to bin, temperature was down to 45F in15 minutes. **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning**

  • High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed: on the flat top: cooked chicken 130, cooked beef 120F. Items were placed on the flattop to bring temps to 165F, water was added to the double pan bath, and less meat was kept in the pans. **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning**

El Dorado Mexican Restaurant LLC

4005 SW 40 Blvd, Gainesville

Routine Inspection on July 25

Follow-Up Inspection Required: Violations require further review, but are not an immediate threat to the public.

10 total violations, with 5 high-priority violations

  • High Priority - Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license. Observed the license expired on 6-1-23.

  • High Priority - Raw animal food stored over or with ready-to-eat food in a freezer - not all products commercially packaged. Observed: in the 2 door reach-in cooler at the cook line, raw fish over shred cheese. The fish was moved below. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**

  • High Priority - Shell eggs in use or stored with cracks or broken shells. See stop sale. Observed: cracked egg in the 2 door reach-in cooler on the cook line.

  • High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed: on the cook line guacamole 47F, salsa 45F, these were placed in the 2 door and iced bagged. **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. Observed gravy 111F, and sauce 117F, on the cook line **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**

El Dorado Mexican Restaurant LLC

4005 SW 40 Blvd, Gainesville

Routine Inspection on July 27

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 - Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license. Observed the license expired on 6-1-23. - From follow-up inspection 2023-07-27: No change, the 850 487 1395 was called, never got to speak to someone to pay **Time Extended**

  • High Priority - - From initial inspection : High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed: on the cook line guacamole 47F, salsa 45F, these were placed in the 2 door and iced bagged. **Corrective Action Taken** **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint** - From follow-up inspection 2023-07-27: Salsa 47 Guacamole 47 Ice bags added, time/temperature control for safety food moving to the next working reach-in cooler **Admin Complaint** **Corrective Action Taken**

Hardee's

24915 W Newberry Rd, Newberry

Routine Inspection on July 27

Follow-Up Inspection Required: Violations require further review, but are not an immediate threat to the public.

7 total violations, with 2 high-priority violations

  • High Priority - Live, small flying insects in kitchen, food preparation area, food storage area and/or bar area. One fly in kitchen near pickup window. One fly on deflector plate inside ice machine. Manager removed fly and then cleaned and sanitized the deflector plate during this inspection. **Corrective Action Taken**

  • High Priority - Vacuum breaker missing at mop sink faucet or on fitting/splitter added to mop sink faucet. Backflow prevention device missing at hose connections after splitter in mop sink. Manager added backflow prevention device after splitter during this inspection. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**

Hooters Of Gainesville

3105 SW 34 St, Gainesville

Routine Inspection on July 24

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 - Dishmachine chlorine sanitizer not at proper minimum strength. Discontinue use of dishmachine for sanitizing and set up manual sanitization until dishmachine is repaired and sanitizing properly. Observed: the dish wash machine at 0 ppm for chlorine. The supply tube was adjusted and 100ppm was achieved. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**

La Cocina De Abuela

125 NW 23 Ave, Gainesville

Routine Inspection on July 24

Follow-Up Inspection Required: Violations require further review, but are not an immediate threat to the public.

12 total violations, with 1 high-priority violation

  • High Priority - Raw animal foods not properly separated from each other in holding unit based upon minimum required cooking temperature. Raw ground beef stored over raw whole muscle beef in reach-in cooler across from mop sink room. Manager placed ground beef to shelf below whole muscle beef. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**

Liquid Ginger

101 SE 2 Pl Ste 118, Gainesville

Routine Inspection on July 25

Follow-Up Inspection Required: Violations require further review, but are not an immediate threat to the public.

19 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. Operator removed half of the bean sprouts with bare hands and placed in another container due to sprouts being overfilled in reach in cooler on cooks line. **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**

  • High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Raw beef over sauces in reach in cooler on the other side of reach in cooler and raw liquid egg in walk in cooler over sauces. Operator moved beef. **Corrective Action Taken** **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**

  • High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. bean sprouts (42-45F - Cold Holding) item was overfilled in container, operator moved half of the sprouts to the bottom of cooler. **Corrective Action Taken** **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**

Mahzu Sushi & Grill

5150 SW 34 St, Gainesville

Routine Inspection on July 25

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 - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed: in the cook line reach-in cooler cut cabbage 50, eggs 49 Ambient air temperature, pasta. 50F, chicken 49 and 46F, sushi roll 47F, items came from the walk-in cooler at 11:00, or were processed after 10:30 am. All items moved uncovered to the working walk-in freezer. There is a chest freezer available on the cook line. A service company was called immediately. **Corrective Action Taken**

  • 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 and the time removed from temperature control cannot be determined. Observed: the ginger dressing at the wait station lacking a time as a public health control time mark. An adjusted time for 11-3 was added. The ginger dressing was in a partial bed of ice. **Corrective Action Taken**

Manhattan Gyros and Subs

490 NE 23 Ave, Gainesville

Routine Inspection on July 24

Follow-Up Inspection Required: Violations require further review, but are not an immediate threat to the public.

24 total violations, with 8 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. Item in reach-in cooler across from walk-in freezer: noodles (46F - Cooling). Manager stated item cooked the previous day. Items in walk-in cooler: noodles (46F - Cooling); rice (46F - Cooling). Manager stated items prepared the previous day. **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**

  • High Priority - Cooked/heated time/temperature control for safety food not cooled from 135 degrees Fahrenheit to 70 degrees Fahrenheit within two hours and from 135 degrees Fahrenheit to 41 degrees Fahrenheit within six hours. See stop sale. Item in reach-in cooler across from walk-in freezer: noodles (46F - Cooling). Manager stated item cooked the previous day. Items in walk-in cooler: noodles (46F - Cooling); rice (46F - Cooling). Manager stated items prepared the previous day. **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**

  • 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 touched cooked chicken wings with bare hands. Employee reheated chicken wings. **Corrective Action Taken**

  • High Priority - Food with mold-like growth. See stop sale. One lemon and one tomato stored in walk-in cooler . Manager discarded items. **Corrective Action Taken** **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**

  • High Priority - Live, small flying insects in kitchen, food preparation area, food storage area and/or bar area. Observed three flies in kitchen area.

  • High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Shell egg stored over cooked noodles in reach-in cooler across from walk-in freezer. Manager removed egg from cooler. **Corrected On-Site**

  • High Priority - Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. Items in walk-in cooler: chicken (46F,46F - Cold Holding); provolone cheese (46F,47F,46F - Cold Holding); sour cream (46F,46F,46F,47F - Cold Holding). Manager stated items stored in cooler overnight. **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**

  • High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Items in walk-in cooler: chicken (46F,46F - Cold Holding); provolone cheese (46F,47F,46F - Cold Holding); sour cream (46F,46F,46F,47F - Cold Holding). Manager stated items stored in cooler overnight. **Warning**

Ritters Of Gainesville Inc

6815 W Newberry Rd, Gainesville

Routine Inspection on July 28

Follow-Up Inspection Required: Violations require further review, but are not an immediate threat to the public.

14 total violations, with 5 high-priority violations

  • High Priority - Dented/rusted cans present. See stop sale. 2 cans of cheese sauce heavily dented on canned food rack.

  • High Priority - Employee began working with food, handling clean equipment or utensils, or touching unwrapped single-service items without first washing hands. Employee taking orders and payments from customers no hand wash then started scooping custard into cups.

  • High Priority - Employee switched from working with raw food to ready-to-eat food without washing hands. Employee placed raw beef on flat top then proceeded to mix ice cream base and touch Togo box to start building burger. Inspector had employee change gloves and wash hands, he did change gloves but did not wash hands.

  • High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Raw beef over cooked chili in reach in cooler by cooking flat top, employee placed beef on the bottom. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**

  • High Priority - Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. Purple chemical cleaner next to clean pitchers/containers on rack in front of Three compartment sink.

Staybridge Suites / Holiday Inn Express

3370 SW 42 St, Gainesville

Routine Inspection on July 28

Follow-Up Inspection Required: Violations require further review, but are not an immediate threat to the public.

8 total violations, with 3 high-priority violations

  • High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Observed: eggs, HI side, stored over shred cheese. The items were switched. **Corrected On-Site**

  • 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 and the time removed from temperature control cannot be determined. Observed: cream cheese and butter packs lacking a time mark. Time frames will be initiated on the time as a public health control form for each kitchen.

  • High Priority - Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. Observed: dish soap, STAY side, stored over prep area. The soap was moved to cleaning. **Corrected On-Site**

The Copper Monkey West

14209 W Newberry Rd Suite A, Newberry

Routine Inspection on July 27

Follow-Up Inspection Required: Violations require further review, but are not an immediate threat to the public.

11 total violations, with 2 high-priority violations

  • High Priority - Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license. License expired on 06/01/2022. **Admin Complaint**

  • High Priority - Vacuum breaker missing at mop sink faucet or on fitting/splitter added to mop sink faucet. Backflow prevention device missing after splitter at hose connection in mop sink. Manager added a backflow prevention device to hose connection during this inspection. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**

Tijuana Flats

3205 Clark Butler Blvd Unit 70, Gainesville

Routine Inspection on July 28

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 - Live, small flying insects in kitchen, food preparation area, food storage area and/or bar area. Observed: approximately 6 flying insects at the mop sink which is in the kitchen/prep area. **Warning**

Yamato Japanese Restaurant

526 NW 60 St, Gainesville

Complaint Inspection on July 27

Follow-Up Inspection Required: Violations require further review, but are not an immediate threat to the public.

14 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. 2 employees peeling ginger no gloves. Operator had employees place gloves on hand.

  • High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Raw salmon over sauce bottles and raw beef over lettuce in reach in cooler on cooks line.

  • High Priority - Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. Green burn cream on same pan with clean utensils. **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**

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 The Gainesville Sun: Gainesville area restaurant and food truck inspections for July 24-30: