509 Caribbean Cuisine
Last inspected: Apr 15, 2026
64
Score
Inspectors have visited 509 Caribbean Cuisine 14 times, with records going back to 2023. 509 Caribbean Cuisine was last inspected on Apr 15, 2026. The medium risk tier sits in the middle: not spotless, but not alarming either.
Performance has remained roughly level over recent inspections, averaging near four violations each time.
The pattern that stands out is “operating with an expired division of hotels”, which has been cited seven times.
Compared to other Tallahassee restaurants (averaging 87), there's room to close the gap. The record is unremarkable in either direction.
14
Inspections
2
Critical latest
0
Major latest
3
Minor latest
Inspection History
Apr 15, 2026
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 3 minor violations.
View 5 violations
High Priority - Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license. **Admin Complaint**
50-17-3
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed following food items cold holding for less than 4 hours: Sliced tomatoes 47F Lettuce 46F Mac n cheese 45F. Operator placed food items inside reach in freezer during time of inspection. **Corrective Action Taken**
03A-02-5
Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Observed bottle of water stored on food prep table.
12B-07-4
Basic - Opened employee beverage container in a cold holding unit with food to be served to customers. Observed opened beverages stored inside walk in cooler.
12B-13-4
Basic - Plumbing system in disrepair. Observed sink detaching from wall in kitchen.
29-08-4
64
Sep 15, 2025
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 1 minor violation.
View 2 violations
High Priority - Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license. **Admin Complaint**
50-17-3
Basic - Observed opened employee beverage container inside reach in freezer with food to be served to customers. Operator removed drinks during time of inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
12B-13-4
82
Apr 21, 2025
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 1 major violation. 3 minor violations.
View 6 violations
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Observed raw chicken stored above turkey inside reach in cooler #2. Employee properly placed raw chicken during time of inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
08A-05-6
High Priority - Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license. **Admin Complaint**
50-17-3
Intermediate - No chemical test kit provided when using sanitizer at three-compartment sink/warewashing machine or wiping cloths.
16-37-1
Basic - Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance. Observed ceiling vents accumulated with dust throughout kitchen.
36-34-5
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed hood vents soiled with grease.
23-03-4
Basic - Plumbing system in disrepair. Observed PVC pipe leaking at handwashing sink next to three compartment sink.
29-08-4
58
Jan 28, 2025
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 1 major violation.
View 2 violations
High Priority - - From initial inspection : High Priority - Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license. **Admin Complaint** - From follow-up inspection 2024-12-19: Upon call back license is still delinquent. **Admin Complaint** - From follow-up inspection 2025-01-28: Upon call back license is still delinquent. **Admin Complaint**
50-17-3
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : Intermediate - Manager or person in charge lacking proof of food manager certification and no other certified food service manager employed at this location. Kayla Saintagne. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2024-12-19: Operator stated he took Food manager test, but left his certificate home. **Time Extended** - From follow-up inspection 2025-01-28: Operator stated his employee left booklet containing Certification at home. **Admin Complaint**
53A-02-7
78
Dec 19, 2024
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 1 major violation.
View 2 violations
High Priority - - From initial inspection : High Priority - Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license. **Admin Complaint** - From follow-up inspection 2024-12-19: Upon call back license is still delinquent. **Admin Complaint**
50-17-3
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : Intermediate - Manager or person in charge lacking proof of food manager certification and no other certified food service manager employed at this location. Kayla Saintagne. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2024-12-19: Operator stated he took Food manager test, but left his certificate home. **Time Extended**
53A-02-7
78
Dec 5, 2024
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 1 major violation. 5 minor violations.
View 8 violations
High Priority - Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license. **Admin Complaint**
50-17-3
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed Mac and cheese hot holding at 111F. Operator started reheating Mac and cheese during inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
03B-01-6
Intermediate - Manager or person in charge lacking proof of food manager certification and no other certified food service manager employed at this location. Kayla Saintagne. **Warning**
53A-02-7
Basic - Ceiling/ceiling tile shows damage or is in disrepair. Observed whole in ceiling above ware washing area.
36-32-5
Basic - Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable. Observed grooved cutting board next to reach in coolers.
14-09-4
Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Observed opened beverage on prep table.
12B-07-4
Basic - Employee personal food not properly identified and segregated from food to be served to the public. Observed employee food stored inside reach in cooler not segregated from food being served to customers.
08B-49-4
Basic - Opened employee beverage container in a cold holding unit with food to be served to customers. Observed several opened drinks in reach in cooler/freezer.
12B-13-4
52
Apr 24, 2024
Routine - Food
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Basic - Exterior door has a gap at the threshold that opens to the outside. Observed gap beneath back door.
35B-01-4
Basic - In-use utensil not stored on a clean portion of food preparation or cooking equipment. Observed tongs stored on hood suppression system.
10-02-4
90
Nov 8, 2023
Routine - Food
No violations found.
100
Nov 7, 2023
Routine - Food
5 critical violations. 2 major violations. 3 minor violations.
View 10 violations
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food prepared from/mixed with ingredient(s) at ambient temperature not cooled to 41 degrees Fahrenheit within 4 hours. Observed bean sauce in reach in cooler 48F per owner held over night.
03D-06-5
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed beans and rice 71F, Mac and cheese 112F, mushroom base rice 70F all held 2.5 hours per owner, owner re heated to 165F or above during inspection **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning**
03B-01-6
High Priority - Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license. 6/1/23 expiration. Observed operator purchase license 6/1/24. **Corrected On-Site**
50-17-3
High Priority - Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. Time/temperature control for safety food prepared from/mixed with ingredient(s) at ambient temperature not cooled to 41 degrees Fahrenheit within 4 hours. Observed bean sauce in reach in cooler 48F per owner held over night.
01B-02-5
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed rice 48F placed in cooler 3 hours ago, owner placed on ice, re temp 43F 30 minutes later. **Corrective Action Taken**
03A-02-5
Intermediate - No handwash sink for employees. Observed only hand wash sink not working, clogged pipe, waiting on plumber. **Warning**
31A-12-4
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**
53B-01-5
Basic - Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance. Observed hood vents soiled with grease.
36-34-5
Basic - Exterior door has a gap at the threshold that opens to the outside. Observed side door in kitchen that has a gap at threshold and door frame.
35B-01-4
Basic - Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Observed rice in working container not labeled under prep table.
02D-01-5
33
Nov 2, 2023
Routine - Food
1 major violation.
View 1 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** - From follow-up inspection 2023-04-12: Time extension given **Time Extended** - From follow-up inspection 2023-10-10: **Admin Complaint** - From follow-up inspection 2023-11-02: **Time Extended**
53B-01-5
90
Oct 10, 2023
Routine - Food
1 major violation.
View 1 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** - From follow-up inspection 2023-04-12: Time extension given **Time Extended** - From follow-up inspection 2023-10-10: **Admin Complaint**
53B-01-5
90
Aug 9, 2023
Routine - Food
No violations found.
100
Apr 12, 2023
Routine - Food
2 major violations.
View 2 violations
Intermediate - Manager or person in charge lacking proof of food manager certification. **Warning**
53A-01-7
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.
53B-01-5
82
Jan 13, 2023
Routine - Food
1 major violation.
View 1 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**
53B-01-5
90
Frequently Asked Questions
When was 509 Caribbean Cuisine last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at 509 Caribbean Cuisine on file is from Apr 15, 2026. The public record contains 14 inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at 509 Caribbean Cuisine?
Across the inspection record, “operating with an expired division of hotels” has been cited seven times, more than any other issue at 509 Caribbean Cuisine.
How does 509 Caribbean Cuisine compare to other restaurants in Tallahassee?
509 Caribbean Cuisine most recently scored 64 out of 100, which is lower than the Tallahassee average of 87.
Has 509 Caribbean Cuisine's inspection record improved over time?
Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at 509 Caribbean Cuisine have averaged around four violations per visit across the recent record.
What does a medium risk rating mean?
A medium risk rating at 509 Caribbean Cuisine means the most recent inspection turned up a handful of issues that the health department wrote up but did not classify as critical.
How often is 509 Caribbean Cuisine inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, 509 Caribbean Cuisine is inspected around four times per year on average.
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