Backwater
Last inspected: Jan 12, 2026
82
Score
Going back to 2022, Backwater has 10 inspections in the public record. The most recent visit was on Jan 12, 2026. Low risk indicates the latest report didn't flag anything that would worry the average customer.
There hasn't been much movement either way: counts have stayed near six violations per visit across recent inspections.
Looking across the full record, “equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting” is the recurring theme, flagged five times.
Compared to the broader Melbourne restaurant scene, this is about average. The record reflects steady performance over time.
10
Inspections
0
Critical latest
0
Major latest
4
Minor latest
Inspection History
Jan 12, 2026
Routine - Food
4 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Basic - Accumulation of debris on exterior of warewashing machine.
16-21-4
Basic - Light not functioning. Under hood fan
36-62-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Hood filter Under counter reach in cooler gaskets front
23-03-4
Basic - Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Seasoned flour **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
02D-01-5
82
Aug 1, 2025
Routine - Food
3 critical violations. 4 minor violations.
View 7 violations
High Priority - Raw animal foods not properly separated from each other in holding unit based upon minimum required cooking temperature. Raw chicken over raw gator. Reach in cooler **Corrected On-Site**
08A-20-5
High Priority - Spray hose at mop sink lower than flood rim of sink. **Corrected On-Site**
29-37-4
High Priority - Stop Sale issued due to adulteration of food product. Cracked shell egg. Operator discarded. 2 door reach in cooler **Corrected On-Site**
01B-03-5
Basic - Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Cup used to scoop salt **Corrected On-Site**
14-01-5
Basic - Carbon dioxide/helium tanks not adequately secured. **Corrected On-Site**
51-11-4
Basic - Equipment in poor repair. Gasket small reach in cooler cook line **Repeat Violation**
14-11-5
Basic - Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Salt **Corrected On-Site**
02D-01-5
52
Jan 14, 2025
Routine - Food
6 minor violations.
View 6 violations
Basic - Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Phone on prep table by dish washer **Corrected On-Site**
40-06-5
Basic - Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting.
24-08-4
Basic - Equipment in poor repair. Gasket small reach in cooler cook line
14-11-5
Basic - Hood filter missing from automatic fire suppression/exhaust system. Are in process of washing but still using grill to cook breakfast
14-42-4
Basic - No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees. Bathroom in office **Corrected On-Site**
31B-04-4
Basic - Old labels stuck to food containers after cleaning.
16-46-4
74
Nov 18, 2024
Routine - Food
No violations found.
100
Oct 18, 2024
Routine - Food
1 major violation. 1 minor violation.
View 2 violations
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : Intermediate - Menu does not identify which items contain raw or undercooked animal foods covered by the consumer advisory. Eggs Benedict **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2024-10-18: Time extension for 30 days. Waiting for new menu the will have printed **Time Extended**
02B-01-5
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting. Cups drink station and pans **Repeat Violation** **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2024-10-18: **Time Extended**
24-08-4
86
Aug 16, 2024
Routine - Food
5 critical violations. 2 major violations. 9 minor violations.
View 16 violations
High Priority - Employee failed to wash hands before putting on gloves to initiate a task working with food. Cook educated **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning**
12A-07-5
High Priority - Live, small flying insects in kitchen, food preparation area, food storage area and/or bar area. Fly observed in kitchen Per next unannounced inspection per Christal **Warning**
35A-02-6
High Priority - Nonfood-grade containers used for food storage - direct contact with food. Shrimp stored in to go bags in freezer **Warning**
14-15-4
High Priority - Quaternary ammonium sanitizer not at proper minimum strength for manual warewashing. Do not use equipment/utensils not properly sanitized. 0 ppm. Corrected to 200 ppm **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
22-43-4
High Priority - Single-use gloves not changed as needed after changing tasks or when damaged or soiled. Cook. Educated **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning**
12A-09-4
Intermediate - Required employee training expired for some employees. To order approved program food safety material, call DBPR contracted provider: Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (SafeStaff) 866-372-7233. Ronald Jackson **Warning**
53B-14-5
Intermediate - Menu does not identify which items contain raw or undercooked animal foods covered by the consumer advisory. Eggs Benedict **Warning**
02B-01-5
Basic - Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Cup used to scoop flour **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
14-01-5
Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Drink on shelf with bread **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
12B-07-4
Basic - Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting. Cups drink station and pans **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
24-08-4
Basic - Light not functioning. Under hood fan **Warning**
36-62-4
Basic - Old labels stuck to food containers after cleaning. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
16-46-4
Basic - Raw fruits/vegetables not washed prior to preparation. Didn't wash bananas before cutting. Educated operator **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning**
08B-39-4
Basic - Time/temperature control for safety food thawed in an improper manner. Chicken thawing at room temperature **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
06-01-5
Basic - Wiping cloth quaternary ammonium compound sanitizing solution not at proper minimum strength. 0 ppm. Operator fixed hose corrected 200 ppm **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
21-08-4
Basic - Stored food not covered. Gumbo reach in freezer **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
08B-12-5
25
Mar 22, 2024
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 2 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Employee Health Policies Present
FL-03
Warewashing Facilities Maintained and Used
FL-24
Approved Thawing Methods Used
FL-31
78
Sep 19, 2023
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 1 major violation. 7 minor violations.
View 10 violations
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. raw chicken (50F - Cold Holding) operator had out this morning suggested rapid chill on item Raw chicken retemped at 40F **Corrected On-Site**
03A-02-5
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. Tested Dishwasher (Chlorine 00ppm) primed and retested Dishwasher (Chlorine 100ppm) **Corrected On-Site**
22-41-4
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Ice chute on drink machine **Repeat Violation**
22-02-4
Basic - Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting.
24-08-4
Basic - Faucet/handle missing at plumbing fixture. Handle for cold water missing at hand sink by triple sink
29-09-4
Basic - Ice buildup in reach-in freezer
14-69-4
Basic - No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees. Hand Sink by triple sink and women's restroom **Corrected On-Site**
31B-04-4
Basic - Unwashed fruits/vegetables stored with ready-to-eat food. Unwashed mushrooms and avocados over ready to eat food **Corrected On-Site**
08B-17-4
Basic - Wet wiping cloth not stored in sanitizing solution between uses. On prep table **Corrected On-Site**
21-12-4
Basic - Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Unlabeled seasoning **Corrected On-Site**
02D-01-5
47
Feb 2, 2023
Routine - Food
4 major violations. 9 minor violations.
View 13 violations
Intermediate - Commercially processed ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food opened and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked after opening. Both open buttermilks in 2 door cooler
02C-03-5
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Cutting boards all on cookline
22-02-4
Intermediate - Proof of required state approved employee training not available for some employees. To order approved program food safety material, call DBPR contracted provider: Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (SafeStaff) 866-372-7233. Devin and Charlie **Repeat Violation**
53B-13-5
Intermediate - Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled. By ice machine **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
41-17-4
Basic - Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance. Kitchen
36-34-5
Basic - Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable. All on cookline
14-09-4
Basic - Employee with no hair restraint while engaging in food preparation prep cook **Corrected On-Site**
13-03-4
Basic - Equipment in poor repair. Gaskets small make table on cookline
14-11-5
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Hood filters Gaskets small reach in cooler cookline
23-03-4
Basic - Reach-in cooler shelves with rust that has pitted the surface. Single glass door reach in cooler **Repeat Violation**
14-33-4
Basic - Accumulation of debris inside warewashing machine.
16-03-4
Basic - Accumulation of debris on exterior of warewashing machine.
16-21-4
Basic - Ceiling tile missing. By dishwasher
36-36-4
43
Aug 25, 2022
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 5 major violations. 7 minor violations.
View 14 violations
High Priority - Employee handled soiled equipment or utensils and then engaged in food preparation, handled clean equipment or utensils, or touched unwrapped single-service items without washing hands. Dish person. Educated employee.
12A-13-4
High Priority - Stop Sale issued due to food not being in a wholesome, sound condition. Fresh squeezed orange juice, operator states squeezed daily at 4pm for next day.
01B-13-4
Intermediate - Employee applied hand antiseptic in place of washing hands as required. **Repeat Violation**
12A-01-4
Intermediate - Original container of toxic substance or chemical does not bear the manufacturer's label. Degreaser bottle not labled **Corrected On-Site**
41-21-4
Intermediate - Required employee training expired for some employees. To order approved program food safety material, call DBPR contracted provider: Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (SafeStaff) 866-372-7233. Devin and Charlie
53B-14-5
Intermediate - Required employee training provided by a third-party employee training program and operator unable to provide original certificate for employees trained. Several photo copies.
53B-09-4
Intermediate - Required employee training provided by an unapproved provider. To order approved program food safety material, call DBPR contracted provider: Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (SafeStaff) 866-372-7233. Dartagna using Food Handler Solutions, not on list of approved providers.
53B-03-5
Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Mason jar glass of soda over prep area. **Corrected On-Site**
12B-07-4
Basic - Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Backpack stored on shelf with bread **Corrected On-Site**
40-06-5
Basic - Employee with no beard guard/restraint while engaging in food preparation. One cook and one prep employee.
13-04-4
Basic - Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting. Pans on shelf. **Corrective Action Taken** **Repeat Violation**
24-08-4
Basic - Reach-in cooler shelves with rust that has pitted the surface. Shelves in glass door cooler in prep area.
14-33-4
Basic - Stored food not covered. Soups in 2 door upright freezer uncovered **Corrected On-Site**
08B-12-5
Basic - Unwashed fruits/vegetables stored with ready-to-eat food. In 3 door cooler observed unwashed Avocados and unwashed mushrooms over pickles and cut fruit. **Corrected On-Site**
08B-17-4
32
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Backwater last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Backwater on file is from Jan 12, 2026. The public record contains 10 inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Backwater?
Across the inspection record, “equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting” has been cited five times, more than any other issue at Backwater.
How does Backwater compare to other restaurants in Melbourne?
Backwater most recently scored 82 out of 100, which is about the same as the Melbourne average of 84.
Has Backwater's inspection record improved over time?
Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at Backwater have averaged around six violations per visit across the recent record.
What does a low risk rating mean?
A low risk rating at Backwater means inspectors found minimal or no significant issues at the most recent visit. Most facilities at this tier have a clean recent inspection report.
How often is Backwater inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Backwater is inspected around three times per year on average.
Nearby Restaurants