Baba on Central

2701 Central Ave, St. Petersburg, FL 33713
Greek / Mediterranean
Last inspected: Nov 7, 2025
58
Score
Medium Risk

Baba on Central appears in inspection records seven times, starting in 2023. The latest inspection on file is from Nov 7, 2025. Medium risk typically reflects a handful of issues that inspectors wrote up but didn't deem critical.

Violation counts have ticked up lately, averaging around 10 violations per visit versus roughly three violations earlier in the record.

When inspectors have written things up, “interior of oven/microwave has accumulation” has been the most frequent reason, cited three times.

Compared to other St. Petersburg restaurants (averaging 77), there's room to close the gap. Taken together, the history looks like that of a busy facility working through the usual inspection cycle.

7
Inspections
1
Critical latest
2
Major latest
4
Minor latest
Inspection History
Nov 7, 2025
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 2 major violations. 4 minor violations.
View 7 violations
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Raw shell eggs over cooked produce and syrups in walk-in cooler. Manager relocated eggs to bottom shelf. **Corrected On-Site**
08A-05-6
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/
53A-05-6
Intermediate - No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. No paper towels at handwashing sink next to cook line and ice machine. Manager provided towels. **Corrected On-Site**
31B-02-4
Basic - Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Plastic cup used as scoop in dry container. Manager discarded cup. **Corrected On-Site**
14-01-5
Basic - Equipment in poor repair. Torn gaskets on multiple hold cold holding units. **Repeat Violation**
14-11-5
Basic - Interior of oven/microwave has accumulation of black substance/grease/food debris. Interior of bottom stacked shelf oven soiled with food debris **Repeat Violation**
22-08-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Gaskets soiled on reach-in cooler at front and side bars. **Repeat Violation**
23-03-4
58
Apr 15, 2025
Complaint Full
2 critical violations. 5 major violations. 11 minor violations.
View 18 violations
High Priority - Single-use gloves not changed as needed after changing tasks or when damaged or soiled. Employee with gloved hands moved from prep area to walk in cooler back to food preparation no glove change or hand wash. Educated employee and he washed hands and changed gloves. **Corrective Action Taken**
12A-09-4
High Priority - Live, small flying insects found 1 live fly in bar area. Educated on flies and employee opened door and fly went out door. **Corrected On-Site**
35A-02-7
Intermediate - Certified Food Manager or person in charge lacks knowledge of employee health policy and health requirements. Person in charge no knowledge of policy. Educated on big 6 .
11-03-5
Intermediate - Clam/mussel/oyster tags not marked with last date served. Last date and not in chronological order on multiple oyster tags.
01C-03-4
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Cutting board soiled on cook line deli reach in cooler. Can opener soiled with food debris build up on cook line. Employee removed to clean cutting board and can opener . **Corrective Action Taken**
22-02-4
Intermediate - No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. No paper towels at hand sink in dish area. Employee refilled paper towels. **Corrected On-Site**
31B-02-4
Intermediate - Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled. Multiple spray bottles not labeled. Employee labeled sanitizer and water. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
41-17-4
Basic - Accumulation of debris on exterior of warewashing machine. Exterior of dish machine soiled.
16-21-4
Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Employee drink on prep table shelf next to clean equipment. Employee removed drink. **Corrected On-Site**
12B-07-4
Basic - Equipment in poor repair. Gaskets torn on reason in cooler in drink station.
14-11-5
Basic - Ice scoop handle in contact with ice. Ice scoop handle in ice in rear ice machine. Employee removed scoop. **Corrected On-Site**
10-08-5
Basic - Interior of oven/microwave has accumulation of black substance/grease/food debris. Interior of south end oven on cook line soiled with burnt on food debris.
22-08-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Exterior of ice machine soiled with green mold like debris.
23-03-4
Basic - Open dumpster lid. Employee closed lids. **Corrected On-Site**
33-16-4
Basic - Single-service articles not stored inverted or protected from contamination. Plastic spoons on cook line with eating surface up. Employee inverted spoons. **Corrected On-Site**
25-06-4
Basic - Standing water or very slow draining water in handwash sink, three-compartment sink, or mop sink. Hand sink on expo line slow draining.
29-20-5
Basic - Employee with no hair restraint while engaging in food preparation. Employee in kitchen working with food no hair restraint. Employee put on hat. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
13-03-4
Basic - Employee personal food not properly identified and segregated from food to be served to the public. Employee personal food scraps of fish vacuumed packed in walk in freezer on sheet pan over foods to be served to the public. Employee moved sheet pan to lower shelf. **Corrected On-Site**
08B-49-4
26
Dec 4, 2024
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 1 major violation. 2 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Potentially Hazardous Food Held at Proper Temperature
FL-16
Food in Good Condition, Safe, and Unadulterated
FL-13
Warewashing Facilities Maintained and Used
FL-24
Wiping Cloths Properly Used and Stored
FL-41
Equipment, Food and Non-Food Contact Surfaces Approved
FL-35
58
Jul 19, 2024
Routine - Food
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Food and Non-Food Contact Surfaces Designed and Constructed
FL-50
95
May 15, 2024
Routine - Food
3 critical violations. 1 major violation. 5 minor violations.
View 9 violations
High Priority - Stop Sale issued due to food not being in a wholesome, sound condition. 25 pounds of African Pompano fish vacuum sealed fresh in non 10K OTR bags. **Warning**
01B-13-4
High Priority - Pesticide-emitting strip present in food prep area. Pesticide emitting strip behind bar. **Warning**
41-24-4
High Priority - Fish not held frozen before, during and after being packaged onsite using a reduced oxygen packaging method. See stop sale. 25 pounds of African Pompano fish vacuum sealed fresh in non 10K OTR bags. **Warning**
03G-04-5
Intermediate - Equipment drain line draining into handwash sink. Drain line into hand wash sink just inside kitchen nearest the dining room. **Warning**
31A-10-4
Basic - Time/temperature control for safety food packaged using a reduced oxygen method without a HACCP plan not removed from its package within 48 hours after packaging. Establishment vacuum seals proteins and holds longer than 48 hours without a HAACP plan. **Warning**
03G-54-1
Basic - Current Hotel and Restaurant license not displayed. **Warning**
50-09-4
Basic - Food stored on floor. Meats stored in floor of walk in freezer. **Warning**
08B-38-4
Basic - In-use utensil stored in standing water less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Utensils in standing water of 73 F on cook line. **Warning**
10-07-4
Basic - Interior of oven/microwave has accumulation of black substance/grease/food debris. Double door ovens have food debris buildup. **Warning**
22-08-4
45
Feb 9, 2024
Routine - Food
No violations found.
100
Dec 5, 2023
Routine - Food
2 major violations. 2 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Intermediate - Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled. Bottle at bar with purple liquid needs identification
41-17-4
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.
53B-01-5
Basic - Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting.
24-08-4
Basic - Old labels stuck to food containers after cleaning.
16-46-4
74

Frequently Asked Questions

When was Baba on Central last inspected?

The most recent health inspection at Baba on Central on file is from Nov 7, 2025. The public record contains seven inspections in total.

What is the most common violation at Baba on Central?

Across the inspection record, “interior of oven/microwave has accumulation” has been cited three times, more than any other issue at Baba on Central.

How does Baba on Central compare to other restaurants in St. Petersburg?

Baba on Central most recently scored 58 out of 100, which is lower than the St. Petersburg average of 77.

Has Baba on Central's inspection record improved over time?

No. Recent inspections at Baba on Central have averaged around 10 violations per visit, up from roughly three earlier in the record.

What does a medium risk rating mean?

A medium risk rating at Baba on Central 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 Baba on Central inspected?

Based on the inspection history on file, Baba on Central is inspected around four times per year on average.