Bearded Turtle
Last inspected: Mar 5, 2026
78
Score
Inspectors have visited Bearded Turtle six times, with records going back to 2025. The newest entry in the record is dated Mar 5, 2026. Low risk indicates the latest report didn't flag anything that would worry the average customer.
Violation counts have been trending down, averaging around four violations across recent inspections versus roughly nine violations before.
“Food-contact surface soiled with food debris” comes up most often, recorded five times in the inspection record.
That falls roughly in the middle of the pack for Tarpon Springs restaurants. The file should reassure diners considering a visit.
6
Inspections
1
Critical latest
1
Major latest
0
Minor latest
Inspection History
Mar 5, 2026
Food-Licensing Inspection
1 critical violation. 1 major violation.
View 2 violations
High Priority - Raw animal food stored in top portion of make table over ready-to-eat food in bottom portion of make table - no complete physical barrier between top and bottom. Raw chicken over sauce in reach in cooler, operator moved chicken to bottom **Corrected On-Site**
08A-13-5
Intermediate - Mobile food dispensing vehicle disposing liquid waste improperly. Waste water tank not holding grey water, water flows over top of tank onto ground. Operator leveled tank, water is no longer leaking from tank. **Corrected On-Site**
28-09-5
78
Oct 24, 2025
Routine - Food
3 critical violations. 2 major violations. 3 minor violations.
View 8 violations
High Priority - Food with mold-like growth. See stop sale. Hot dogs in reach in cooler have white mold -like substance **Warning**
01B-07-4
High Priority - Raw animal food stored in top portion of make table over ready-to-eat food in bottom portion of make table - no complete physical barrier between top and bottom. Raw chicken in reach in cooler over meatballs, operator discarded meatballs **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
08A-13-5
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. In reach in cooler - sliced Swiss chees (52F - Cold Holding), pan overfilled, moved to freezer. Recheck 37F **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
03A-02-5
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Fry baskets Cutting board at lift top cooler **Warning**
22-02-4
Intermediate - Manager or person in charge lacking proof of food manager certification. Brian H. **Warning**
53A-01-7
Basic - Unpackaged food not protected from environmental sources of contamination during preparation/ service . Server took food out of window of MFDV and took uncovered food to customers in tiki bar, food not covered. Discussed with operator. **Warning**
08B-60-4
Basic - Raw fruits/vegetables not washed prior to preparation. Mushrooms taken from box, not washed before breading and cooking. Operator states they are prewashed, per supplier, they have black debris. **Warning**
08B-39-4
Basic - Reach-in cooler interior/shelves have accumulation of soil residues. Both coolers **Warning**
22-16-4
45
Jul 2, 2025
Food-Licensing Inspection
1 major violation.
View 1 violation
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Flat top grill, charbroiled soiled **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2025-04-29: **Time Extended** - From follow-up inspection 2025-06-30: **Time Extended** - From follow-up inspection 2025-07-02: **Time Extended**
22-02-4
90
Jun 30, 2025
Food-Licensing Inspection
1 critical violation. 2 major violations. 1 minor violation.
View 4 violations
High Priority - - From initial inspection : High Priority - Establishment operating without a license from the Division of Hotels and Restaurants. Operator must obtain a public food service license from the Division of Hotels and Restaurants within 60 days. Submit a license application and payment to DBPR/Bureau of Central Intake Unit, 2601 Blair Stone Rd., Tallahassee, FL 32399-0783. To apply online or obtain an application for license visit https://www2.myfloridalicense.com/hotels-restaurants/ **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2025-04-29: No license issued **Time Extended** - From follow-up inspection 2025-06-30: Unable to license as plans were not submitted and approved. **Time Extended**
50-08-7
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Flat top grill, charbroiled soiled **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2025-04-29: **Time Extended** - From follow-up inspection 2025-06-30: **Time Extended**
22-02-4
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : Intermediate - No plan review submitted and approved - renovations were made or are in progress. Must submit plans and plan review application to DBPR H and R Plan Review office located at 2601 Blair Stone Rd., Tallahassee, FL 32399-1011. Plans must be submitted AND approved within 60 days. The direct link to the Plan Review page is https://www2.myfloridalicense.com/hotels-restaurants/licensing/plan-review/. Stand up refrigerators removed, prep tables added, chest freezer and sandwich prep table moved around, warmer added on service window table, plans on file are from previous owner **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2025-04-29: **Time Extended** - From follow-up inspection 2025-06-30: Called plan review and spoke with Cindy who confirmed that plans have not been sent in. Observed email sent to Sean in plan review from the operator on 5/13/25. There were 3 links attached, menu, plans and application. Was unable to open the menu and the plans documents at time of inspection. The operator followed up on 6/9/25 and 6/23/25 and states he has not received a response.**Admin Complaint** **Time Extended**
51-16-7
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Employee with no beard guard/restraint while engaging in food preparation. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2025-04-29: No employees at this time **Time Extended** - From follow-up inspection 2025-06-30: **Time Extended**
13-04-4
67
Apr 29, 2025
Food-Licensing Inspection
1 critical violation. 2 major violations. 3 minor violations.
View 6 violations
High Priority - - From initial inspection : High Priority - Establishment operating without a license from the Division of Hotels and Restaurants. Operator must obtain a public food service license from the Division of Hotels and Restaurants within 60 days. Submit a license application and payment to DBPR/Bureau of Central Intake Unit, 2601 Blair Stone Rd., Tallahassee, FL 32399-0783. To apply online or obtain an application for license visit https://www2.myfloridalicense.com/hotels-restaurants/ **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2025-04-29: No license issued **Time Extended**
50-08-7
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Flat top grill, charbroiled soiled **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2025-04-29: **Time Extended**
22-02-4
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : Intermediate - No plan review submitted and approved - renovations were made or are in progress. Must submit plans and plan review application to DBPR H and R Plan Review office located at 2601 Blair Stone Rd., Tallahassee, FL 32399-1011. Plans must be submitted AND approved within 60 days. The direct link to the Plan Review page is https://www2.myfloridalicense.com/hotels-restaurants/licensing/plan-review/. Stand up refrigerators removed, prep tables added, chest freezer and sandwich prep table moved around, warmer added on service window table, plans on file are from previous owner **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2025-04-29: **Time Extended**
51-16-7
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Employee with no beard guard/restraint while engaging in food preparation. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2025-04-29: No employees at this time **Time Extended**
13-04-4
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Employee with no hair restraint while engaging in food preparation. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2025-04-29: No employees at this time **Time Extended**
13-03-4
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Standing water in bottom of reach-in-cooler. Standing water bottom of reach in cooler by side door **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2025-04-29: **Time Extended**
29-49-6
61
Apr 28, 2025
Food-Licensing Inspection
3 critical violations. 7 major violations. 6 minor violations.
View 16 violations
High Priority - Establishment operating without a license from the Division of Hotels and Restaurants. Operator must obtain a public food service license from the Division of Hotels and Restaurants within 60 days. Submit a license application and payment to DBPR/Bureau of Central Intake Unit, 2601 Blair Stone Rd., Tallahassee, FL 32399-0783. To apply online or obtain an application for license visit https://www2.myfloridalicense.com/hotels-restaurants/ **Warning**
50-08-7
High Priority - Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. **Warning**
01B-02-5
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. sliced tomatoes (48F - Cold Holding); raw burgers (44F - Cold Holding); raw beef (78F - Cold Holding) in reach in cooler next to grill, raw fish (46F - Cold Holding); cooked pork (48F - Cold Holding); raw chicken (46F - Cold Holding) top part of reach in cooler by service window. All food moved to inside commissary kitchen **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning**
03A-02-5
Intermediate - Mobile food dispensing vehicle disposing liquid waste improperly. Wastewater tank leaking onto ground when running water inside mobile **Warning**
28-09-5
Intermediate - No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. No soap or paper towels at hand sink, soap and paper towels restocked **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
31B-02-4
Intermediate - No plan review submitted and approved - renovations were made or are in progress. Must submit plans and plan review application to DBPR H and R Plan Review office located at 2601 Blair Stone Rd., Tallahassee, FL 32399-1011. Plans must be submitted AND approved within 60 days. The direct link to the Plan Review page is https://www2.myfloridalicense.com/hotels-restaurants/licensing/plan-review/. Stand up refrigerators removed, prep tables added, chest freezer and sandwich prep table moved around, warmer added on service window table, plans on file are from previous owner **Warning**
51-16-7
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. **Warning**
53B-01-5
Intermediate - Raw/undercooked animal food offered and establishment has no written consumer advisory. Raw animal foods must be fully cooked prior to service. Operator states they offer burgers cooked any way customer wants with no consumer advisory on mobile Provided operator with form 5030-081, he posted on mobile **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
02B-02-5
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Flat top grill, charbroiled soiled **Warning**
22-02-4
Intermediate - Manager or person in charge lacking proof of food manager certification and no other certified food service manager employed at this location. Brian Healey **Warning**
53A-02-7
Basic - In-use utensil in non-time/temperature control for safety food not stored with handle above top of food within a closed container. 4 sets of tongs on oven door handle, tongs removed **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
10-01-5
Basic - No Heimlich maneuver/choking sign posted. Provided operator with form 5030-105, he posted on mobile **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
51-13-4
Basic - Standing water in bottom of reach-in-cooler. Standing water bottom of reach in cooler by side door **Warning**
29-49-6
Basic - Employee with no beard guard/restraint while engaging in food preparation. **Warning**
13-04-4
Basic - Employee with no hair restraint while engaging in food preparation. **Warning**
13-03-4
Basic - Hood filter missing from automatic fire suppression/exhaust system. All hood filters are missing, exhaust fans are on **Warning**
14-42-4
23
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Bearded Turtle last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Bearded Turtle on file is from Mar 5, 2026. The public record contains six inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Bearded Turtle?
Across the inspection record, “food-contact surface soiled with food debris” has been cited five times, more than any other issue at Bearded Turtle.
How does Bearded Turtle compare to other restaurants in Tarpon Springs?
Bearded Turtle most recently scored 78 out of 100, which is about the same as the Tarpon Springs average of 77.
Has Bearded Turtle's inspection record improved over time?
Yes. Recent inspections at Bearded Turtle have averaged around four violations per visit, down from roughly nine earlier in the record.
What does a low risk rating mean?
A low risk rating at Bearded Turtle means inspectors found minimal or no significant issues at the most recent visit. Most facilities at this tier have a clean recent inspection report.
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