Bono's BBQ
Last inspected: Dec 15, 2025
52
Score
The health department has logged eight inspections at Bono's BBQ, the earliest from 2022. The newest entry in the record is dated Dec 15, 2025. Diners may want to take note: high risk reflects issues that a health inspector considered important.
There hasn't been much movement either way: counts have stayed near eight violations per visit across recent inspections.
The pattern that stands out is “nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease”, which has been cited six times.
That's lower than the typical Jacksonville restaurant, which scores around 74. There are enough flags in the record to merit a second thought.
8
Inspections
2
Critical latest
1
Major latest
5
Minor latest
Inspection History
Dec 15, 2025
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 1 major violation. 5 minor violations.
View 8 violations
High Priority - Non-food grade paper/paper towel used as liner for food container. Observed non food grade to go bag filled with ice stored on top of Raw shrimp in walk in cooler. Employee removed from raw shrimp. **Corrected On-Site**
14-86-1
High Priority - Vacuum breaker missing at mop sink faucet or on fitting/splitter added to mop sink faucet. Observed splitter added to mop sink. Back flow needed on non chemical side after splitter.
29-42-4
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. Observed some employee food training expired. **Repeat Violation**
53B-13-5
Basic - Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin. Observed interior of ice machine soiled with mold like substance near ice chute of unit. **Repeat Violation**
22-20-5
Basic - Clean utensils or equipment stored in dirty drawer or rack. Observed large sheet pan used for ribs stored on trash can located near walk in cooler. Employee removed and stored properly. **Corrected On-Site**
24-06-4
Basic - Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Observed employee phone stored on counter near food. Employee removed and stored properly. **Corrected On-Site**
40-06-5
Basic - Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting. Observed plastic cups stacked next to ice machine wet nesting. Employee will remove and dry properly. **Corrective Action Taken**
24-08-4
Basic - Walk-in cooler/freezer shelves with rust that has pitted the surface. Observed some walk in cooler shelves rusted.
14-17-4
52
Jul 8, 2025
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 1 major violation. 2 minor violations.
View 5 violations
High Priority - Live, small flying insects found Observed total of 2 flying insects in back room of kitchen. Manager was able to kill and discard from premises, Cleaned and sanitized area. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
35A-02-7
High Priority - Vacuum breaker missing at mop sink faucet or on fitting/splitter added to mop sink faucet. Observed splitter add to mop sink without back flow device on non chemical side of splitter. Observed threaded hose Bibb on hot water tank without back flow device.
29-42-4
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Observed can opener soiled. Manager removed and had employee clean during inspection. **Corrective Action Taken**
22-02-4
Basic - Employee with no beard guard/restraint while engaging in food preparation. Observed employee engaging in food preparation without beard guard. Observed employee engaging in food preparation without hair restraint. **Repeat Violation**
13-04-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed walk in cooler door gasket soiled. **Repeat Violation**
23-03-4
61
Dec 12, 2024
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 8 minor violations.
View 9 violations
High Priority - Live, small flying insects in kitchen, food preparation area, food storage area and/or bar area. Observed 2 flying insects near ware washing area. Manager was able to kill the flying insects. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
35A-02-6
Basic - Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin. Observed interior of ice machine soiled behind splash guard near ice chute of unit. **Repeat Violation**
22-20-5
Basic - Clean utensils or equipment stored in dirty drawer or rack. Observed utensils on dry rack stored in large soiled container. Manager removed and placed in ware washing area. **Corrective Action Taken**
24-06-4
Basic - Drain cover(s) missing. Observed drain cover missing at drain under dish machine. Manager found cover and placed on drain. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
29-18-4
Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Observed employee drink stored on prep table in prep area. Manager removed and stored properly. **Corrected On-Site**
12B-07-4
Basic - Employee with no beard guard/restraint while engaging in food preparation. Observed employee engaging in food preparation without beard guard. **Repeat Violation**
13-04-4
Basic - Equipment in poor repair. Observed stand alone cooler on cook line with torn door gasket. **Repeat Violation**
14-11-5
Basic - Insect control device installed over food preparation area. Observed bug zapper gun stored on prep table. Manager removed and stored properly. **Corrected On-Site**
35B-02-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed walk in cooler door soiled. **Repeat Violation**
23-03-4
58
Jul 9, 2024
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 2 major violations. 7 minor violations.
View 10 violations
Hands Clean and Properly Washed
FL-08
Required Records Available; Shellstock Tags/Labels
FL-14
Food in Good Condition, Safe, and Unadulterated
FL-13
Proper Hot and Cold Holding Temperatures
FL-21
Food Contact Surfaces Clean and Sanitized
FL-22
Non-Food Contact Surfaces Clean
FL-23
Equipment Adequate to Maintain Product Temperature
FL-29
Equipment, Food and Non-Food Contact Surfaces Approved
FL-35
Lighting Adequate; Required Shields in Place
FL-36
Toilet Rooms Maintained
FL-53
47
Jan 23, 2024
Routine - Food
7 minor violations.
View 7 violations
Basic - Clean utensils or equipment stored in dirty drawer or rack. Observed utensils stored in dirty tub at dry storage rack. Manager removed and placed in ware washing area. **Corrective Action Taken**
24-06-4
Basic - Drain cover(s) missing. Observed drain cover missing at mop sink located outside. Manager placed cover on drain at mop sink. **Corrected On-Site**
29-18-4
Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Observed employee drinks on food preparation tables throughout kitchen. Manager removed and stored drinks properly. **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. Observed employee jacket on dish storage rack. Manager removed and stored properly. **Corrected On-Site**
40-06-5
Basic - Equipment in poor repair. Observed small white chest freezer with torn gasket. **Repeat Violation**
14-11-5
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed walk-in cooler door gasket soiled. Observed walk in cooler shelves with mold like substance. **Repeat Violation**
23-03-4
Basic - Time/temperature control for safety food thawed in an improper manner. Observed frozen raw meat in prep sink without running water. Manager turned water on meat in prep sink. **Corrected On-Site**
06-01-5
70
Jul 26, 2023
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 5 minor violations.
View 6 violations
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. At 11:45am found brisket (99-115F) stored in hot box on cook line by stove. Manager stated brisket was cooked at 9am and placed in hot box to hold hot. Manager moved brisket to oven and began reheating it. **Corrective Action Taken** **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
03B-01-6
Basic - Employee wearing jewelry other than a plain ring on their hands/arms while preparing food. Employee wearing a watch while preparing food on cook line by steam table. **Repeat Violation**
13-07-4
Basic - Equipment in poor repair. Small white chest freezer on cook line by fryers has a torn gasket **Repeat Violation**
14-11-5
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Indoor walk in cooler shelves soiled with mold like substance. **Repeat Violation**
23-03-4
Basic - Reach-in cooler shelves with rust that has pitted the surface. Stand alone prep freezer shelves with rust. Cooler by managers office
14-33-4
Basic - Stored food not covered. Uncovered box of raw beef stored in stand alone freezer near manager office. Manager covered beef. **Corrected On-Site**
08B-12-5
67
Feb 15, 2023
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 1 major violation. 7 minor violations.
View 10 violations
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. ribs (120-131F); turkey (122-130F) stored in front pit hot box. Manager stated meats were reheated and placed in hot box to hold hot 2 hours ago. Manager began reheating the food **Corrective Action Taken** **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
03B-01-6
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. coleslaw (54F) on ice in steam table on cook line. Manager stated coleslaw was placed on ice from cooler approximately 2 hours ago. Manager placed coleslaw in main reach in cooler. **Corrective Action Taken**
03A-02-5
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. Certified manager did not provided proof of employees reporting agreement. Reviewed with manager and emailed him employee reporting agreement form. **Corrective Action Taken**
11-26-1
Basic - Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance. AC vents soiled with accumulated dust throughout kitchen
36-34-5
Basic - Employee wearing jewelry other than a plain ring on their hands/arms while preparing food. Cook in front pit area wearing a watch while preparing food. After reviewing with cook he removed the watch. **Corrected On-Site**
13-07-4
Basic - Employee with no hair restraint while engaging in food preparation. Front cook and cook in back prep area not wearing a hair restraint while preparing food. After reviewing both employees put on a hair restraint **Corrected On-Site**
13-03-4
Basic - Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting. Wet cups stacked together next to ice machine in drink station. Reviewed policy with manager **Repeat Violation**
24-08-4
Basic - Equipment in poor repair. Main stand alone coolers on cook line have torn gaskets **Repeat Violation**
14-11-5
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Indoor walk in cooler gasket soiled **Repeat Violation**
23-03-4
Basic - Water softener salt (food) stored in a location that is not clean and dry. Bag of water softener salt stored on floor and next to bottles of bleach in warewashing area. Manager properly stored salt. **Corrected On-Site**
08B-74-1
47
Aug 18, 2022
Routine - Food
4 critical violations. 6 minor violations.
View 10 violations
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. 1. white beans (115-120F) in steam well on cook line. Manager stated beans were holding hot in steam well. Manager reheated beans to 167F. 2. turkey (126-130F) in hot box in front pit. Cook stated food is holding hot. Cook began reheating food. **Corrective Action Taken** **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
03B-01-6
High Priority - Employee touched soiled apron/clothes and then engaged in food preparation, handled clean equipment or utensils, or touched unwrapped single-service items without washing hands. Observed employee touched soiled shirt and pants and then handled cooked corn without washing his hands. After reviewing with cook he discarded corn and wash his hands. See stop sale.
12A-28-4
High Priority - Stop Sale issued due to food not being in a wholesome, sound condition. Observed employee touched soiled shirt and pants and then handled cooked corn without washing his hands. After reviewing with cook he discarded corn and wash his hands.
01B-13-4
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food reheated for hot holding not reaching 165 degrees Fahrenheit. ribs (143F - Reheating) on cook line. Cook removed ribs from oven an stated ribs were ready to be move to the hot box in front pit to hot hold. Reviewed with cook proper reheating temperatures. Cook began reheating food. **Corrective Action Taken**
03E-02-5
Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Employee drink stored on prep counter near steam table on cook line. Manager voluntarily discarded drink. **Corrected On-Site**
12B-07-4
Basic - Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting. Wet cups stacked together stored on the right side of the ice machine on cook line.
24-08-4
Basic - Equipment in poor repair. 1. Stand alone reach in cooler door gasket torn. Cooler located next to oven on cook line. And cooler door gasket torn on cooler next to ice machine. 2. Outdoor walk in cooler interior ceiling leaking water. Manager stated cooler ceiling will be fix in the couple few days.
14-11-5
Basic - Floor area(s) covered with standing water. Floor covered with standing water inside outdoor walk in cooler.
36-22-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Main walk in cooler door gasket soiled.
23-03-4
Basic - Wet wiping cloth not stored in sanitizing solution between uses. Wet towel store on counter next to ice tea urns on cook line. Manager properly stored wet towel **Corrected On-Site**
21-12-4
41
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Bono's BBQ last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Bono's BBQ on file is from Dec 15, 2025. The public record contains eight inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Bono's BBQ?
Across the inspection record, “nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease” has been cited six times, more than any other issue at Bono's BBQ.
How does Bono's BBQ compare to other restaurants in Jacksonville?
Bono's BBQ most recently scored 52 out of 100, which is lower than the Jacksonville average of 74.
Has Bono's BBQ's inspection record improved over time?
Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at Bono's BBQ have averaged around eight violations per visit across the recent record.
What does a high risk rating mean?
A high risk rating at Bono's BBQ means the most recent inspection flagged either critical violations or a substantial number of smaller ones. Diners may want to read the violation details before deciding to visit.
How often is Bono's BBQ inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Bono's BBQ is inspected around two times per year on average.
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