Bites by Ema
Last inspected: Feb 3, 2026
55
Score
The health department has logged six inspections at Bites by Ema, the earliest from 2025. The most recent report on file is from Feb 3, 2026. A medium risk rating points to a few notable findings at the last inspection, though nothing severe.
Recent inspections have found fewer violations than earlier ones, averaging around three violations lately and about 12 violations before that.
When inspectors have written things up, “employee with no hair restraint while engaging” has been the most frequent reason, cited three times.
Restaurants in Jacksonville average 74, so Bites by Ema trails the local norm. Taken together, the history looks like that of a busy facility working through the usual inspection cycle.
6
Inspections
1
Critical latest
2
Major latest
5
Minor latest
Inspection History
Feb 3, 2026
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 2 major violations. 5 minor violations.
View 8 violations
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Raw hamburger patties stored over sour cream, raw chicken stored over bread in freezer.
08A-05-6
Intermediate - Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Drink dispenser and soap bottle stored in hand wash sink, employee removed items from Hand wash sink. **Corrected On-Site**
31A-09-4
Intermediate - No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. No paper towels at hand wash sink, employee provided paper towels.
31B-02-4
Basic - Wood food-contact surface not properly sealed. Back wooden cover on back door of trailer.
14-06-4
Basic - Water leaking from pipe and/or faucet/handle. Water leaking from pump into a clear container near triple sink.
29-11-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Hood filters soiled with grease.
23-03-4
Basic - Employee with no hair restraint while engaging in food preparation. No Hair restraint on cook working flat top grill.
13-03-4
Basic - Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable. Thin white cutting boards on prep line.
14-09-4
55
Aug 27, 2025
Complaint Full
No violations found.
100
Aug 20, 2025
Complaint Full
1 major violation.
View 1 violation
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : Intermediate - Manager or person in charge lacking proof of food manager certification. Operator has no proof of manager certification and no other certified food manager employed at this establishment **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2025-07-22: Has 360 principles only and can't find the real test certificate **Time Extended** - From follow-up inspection 2025-08-20: Still the same and has more time to be in compliance by August 24, 2025 **Time Extended**
53A-01-7
90
Jul 22, 2025
Complaint Full
4 critical violations. 8 major violations. 7 minor violations.
View 19 violations
High Priority - Nonfood-grade containers used for food storage - direct contact with food. One container with flour has blanket on label, explained to operator
14-15-4
High Priority - Live, small flying insects found. One by upright cooler
35A-02-7
High Priority - Employee switched from working with raw food to ready-to-eat food without washing hands. Employee cut raw chicken then changed gloves and grabbed bag of fries, explained to her and washed hands **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
12A-12-4
High Priority - Raw animal foods not properly separated from each other in holding unit based upon minimum required cooking temperature. Raw chicken on shelf above raw beef, explained to employee, on open warning **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
08A-20-5
Intermediate - Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Lots of things in hand sink, employee moved them **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
31A-09-4
Intermediate - No certified food manager for establishment. A list of accredited food manager certification examination providers can be found at http://www.myfloridalicense.com/DBPR/hotels-restaurants/food-lodging/food-manager/. Mgr has principles certificate only on email and he stated he took test but he can't find certificate, he's called them and he cannot reach them, their customer service states it's temporary closed and the chat never gets him anywhere, trued while inspecting, on open warning **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
53A-07-6
Intermediate - No chemical test kit provided when using sanitizer at three-compartment sink/warewashing machine or wiping cloths. Chlorine
16-37-1
Intermediate - No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. Employee placed some **Corrected On-Site**
31B-02-4
Intermediate - No probe thermometer provided to measure temperature of food products. Could find it
05-08-4
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. Two employees here since it was licensed and he was confused on what to do, explained to him, on open warning. **Repeat Violation**
53B-01-5
Intermediate - No proof provided that food employees are informed of their responsibility to report to the person in charge information about their health and activities related to foodborne illnesses. All of them, on open warning **Repeat Violation**
11-26-1
Intermediate - No soap provided at handwash sink. Employee placed some **Corrected On-Site**
31B-03-4
Basic - Single-service articles improperly stored. Plastic silverware boxes on floor **Repeat Violation**
25-05-4
Basic - No conspicuously located ambient air temperature thermometer in holding unit. Employee placed one, black upright cooler, **Corrected On-Site**
05-09-4
Basic - No Heimlich maneuver/choking sign posted. Not posted, on email
51-13-4
Basic - Mobile food dispensing vehicle license number not permanently affixed on the side of the unit in figures at least 2 inches high and in contrasting colors from the background of the vehicle. Operator said they came off with rain one day **Repeat Violation**
50-04-4
Basic - Hood filter missing from automatic fire suppression/exhaust system. A couple **Repeat Violation**
14-42-4
Basic - Employee with no hair restraint while engaging in food preparation. Cook cooking **Repeat Violation**
13-03-4
Basic - Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Purse above unwashed onions, employee rearranged **Corrected On-Site**
40-06-5
17
Jun 25, 2025
Complaint Full
6 critical violations. 7 major violations. 5 minor violations.
View 18 violations
High Priority - Raw animal foods not properly separated from each other in holding unit based upon minimum required cooking temperature. Raw chicken stored over raw beef in reach in cooler. **Warning**
08A-20-5
High Priority - Mobile Food Dispensing Vehicle conducted food preparation, food storage or other food activity in a private home. See stop sale. Operator stated has reach in freezer and reach in cooler coolers at home with stored food for food trailer and removed food at end of day to place at home. Stop sale provided for all items: 3 containers of prep banana pudding made at home 3 containers of commercial strawberry cake 4 containers of produce strawberries 1 container of commercial chocolate mouse cake 1 pack of raw chicken breast 1 pack of produce peppers 1 bag of prep raw broccoli Reviewed with operator below the following: A PRIVATE RESIDENCE CANNOT BE UTILIZED TO OBTAIN POTABLE WATER, DUMP WASTE WATER OR TO PREPARE, COOK OR STORE FOOD. If vehicle needs to store food, engage in food preparation or engage in dishwashing, the vehicle will be required to have a DBPR or Department of Agriculture licensed food service commissary. **Admin Complaint**
01A-04-4
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Coleslaw (53F - Cold Holding); cut lettuce (77F - Cold Holding), stored on prep table and place there approximately 10mins ago from reach in cooler and left out after preparing orders. Employee place back in reach in cooler **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning**
03A-02-5
High Priority - Stop Sale issued due to food originating from an unapproved source. Operator stated has reach in freezer and reach in cooler coolers at home with stored food for food trailer and removed food at end of day to place at home. Stop sale provided for all items: 3 containers of prep banana pudding made at home 3 containers of commercial strawberry cake 4 containers of produce strawberries 1 container of commercial chocolate mouse cake 1 pack of raw chicken breast 1 pack of produce peppers 1 bag of prep raw broccoli Reviewed with operator below the following: A PRIVATE RESIDENCE CANNOT BE UTILIZED TO OBTAIN POTABLE WATER, DUMP WASTE WATER OR TO PREPARE, COOK OR STORE FOOD. If vehicle needs to store food, engage in food preparation or engage in dishwashing, the vehicle will be required to have a DBPR or Department of Agriculture licensed food service commissary. **Warning**
01B-04-5
High Priority - Food-contact surfaces not sanitized after cleaning, before use. Do not use equipment/utensils not properly sanitized. Employee wash and rinse knife after cutting raw chicken and then place near grill area to be stored for later use without sanitizing. **Warning**
22-45-4
High Priority - Employee switched from working with raw food to ready-to-eat food without washing hands. Observed employee handling raw shrimp and then handling clean equipment without washing hands. **Warning**
12A-12-4
Intermediate - Water with a temperature of least 85 degrees Fahrenheit not provided/shut off at employee handwash sink. Water temperature at hand wash sink at 68F. Unit sink was unplugged. Manager plug in and now at 85F and above **Corrected On-Site**
27-16-4
Intermediate - Establishment has no written procedures for employees to follow in response to a vomiting or diarrheal event where the vomit or diarrhea is discharged onto surfaces in the establishment. Operator has no form. Provided form **Corrective Action Taken**
11-27-4
Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Hand wash sink block with food inside. Employee removed **Corrected On-Site**
31A-11-4
Intermediate - Manager or person in charge lacking proof of food manager certification. Operator has no proof of manager certification and no other certified food manager employed at this establishment **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. Operator has 2 total food handler employees hired over 60 days with no proof of training **Warning**
53B-01-5
Intermediate - No proof provided that food employees are informed of their responsibility to report to the person in charge information about their health and activities related to foodborne illnesses. Operator has 2 totally employees with no proof of form. Provided form **Warning**
11-26-1
Intermediate - Self-sufficient mobile food dispensing vehicle operating from an unapproved commissary. Spoke to operator of commissary on file and said this food trailer is no longer on their list. **Warning**
51-22-4
Basic - Food stored on floor. Condiments containers and case of ketchup packets stored on floor
08B-38-4
Basic - Hood filter missing from automatic fire suppression/exhaust system. Missing hood filters
14-42-4
Basic - Mobile food dispensing vehicle license number not permanently affixed on the side of the unit in figures at least 2 inches high and in contrasting colors from the background of the vehicle. No numbers on exterior of unit
50-04-4
Basic - Single-service articles improperly stored. To go portion cups stored on floor
25-05-4
Basic - Employee with no hair restraint while engaging in food preparation. Employee preparing food with no hair restraint
13-03-4
16
Feb 25, 2025
Food-Licensing Inspection
No violations found.
100
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Bites by Ema last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Bites by Ema on file is from Feb 3, 2026. The public record contains six inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Bites by Ema?
Across the inspection record, “employee with no hair restraint while engaging” has been cited three times, more than any other issue at Bites by Ema.
How does Bites by Ema compare to other restaurants in Jacksonville?
Bites by Ema most recently scored 55 out of 100, which is lower than the Jacksonville average of 74.
Has Bites by Ema's inspection record improved over time?
Yes. Recent inspections at Bites by Ema have averaged around three violations per visit, down from roughly 12 earlier in the record.
What does a medium risk rating mean?
A medium risk rating at Bites by Ema means the most recent inspection turned up a handful of issues that the health department wrote up but did not classify as critical.
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