Bowden's
Last inspected: Mar 6, 2026
55
Score
Bowden's has been inspected 11 times since 2022. Inspectors last stopped by on Mar 6, 2026. A medium risk score generally means inspectors found things to fix, though most weren't urgent.
Recent visits have produced comparable findings, with counts hovering near two violations per visit.
When inspectors have written things up, “carbon dioxide/helium tanks not adequately secured” has been the most frequent reason, cited two times.
By comparison, the average Tallahassee facility scores 87, putting Bowden's on the weaker side. The record is unremarkable in either direction.
11
Inspections
2
Critical latest
2
Major latest
2
Minor latest
Inspection History
Mar 6, 2026
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 2 major violations. 2 minor violations.
View 6 violations
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. shrimp 54F, chicken 45F, wings 45F. See stop sale.
03A-02-5
High Priority - Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. Kitchen line make unit: shrimp 54F, chicken 45F, wings 45F. See stop sale
01B-02-5
Intermediate - No soap provided at handwash sink. No soap at handwashing sink in kitchen by dish tank.
31B-03-4
Intermediate - Warewashing machine not automatically dispensing the detergent and/or the sanitizer. Chlorine sanitizer at 2nd dish tank reading 0ppm. They will use triple sink as necessary they do have a dish machine in main dining restaurant kitchen reading 50ppm.
16-59-1
Basic - Carbon dioxide/helium tanks not adequately secured. CO2 tanks not secured in kitchen by water heaters.
51-11-4
Basic - Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance. Multiple kitchen ceiling tiles has build up of dust debris on kitchen line and expo.
36-34-5
55
Jan 5, 2026
Routine - Food
No violations found.
100
Mar 14, 2025
Routine - Food
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Basic - Ceiling tile missing. Ceiling tiles missing in kitchen expo and dish tank area.
36-36-4
95
Feb 10, 2025
Routine - Food
No violations found.
100
Dec 30, 2024
Routine - Food
2 major violations.
View 2 violations
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : 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** - From follow-up inspection 2024-11-25: No proof of food handlers card per Manager. Manager stated that classes were completed waiting on corporate office to send to the restaurant. **Time Extended** - From follow-up inspection 2024-12-30: No proof of food handlers card per Manager. **Time Extended**
53B-01-5
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : 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. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2024-11-25: No proof of reporting agreement. Provided form to manager during inspection. **Time Extended** - From follow-up inspection 2024-12-30: No proof of reporting agreement. Manager stated they just reopened after 2 and half weeks. **Time Extended**
11-26-1
82
Nov 25, 2024
Routine - Food
2 major violations.
View 2 violations
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : 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** - From follow-up inspection 2024-11-25: No proof of food handlers card per Manager. Manager stated that classes were completed waiting on corporate office to send to the restaurant. **Time Extended**
53B-01-5
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : 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. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2024-11-25: No proof of reporting agreement. Provided form to manager during inspection. **Time Extended**
11-26-1
82
Sep 17, 2024
Routine - Food
3 major violations. 6 minor violations.
View 9 violations
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 - 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. **Warning**
11-26-1
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Observed can opener blade spoiled with food debris.
22-02-4
Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Observed employee Red Bull on prep table.
12B-07-4
Basic - Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting. **Repeat Violation**
24-08-4
Basic - Exterior door has a gap at the threshold that opens to the outside. Observed gap beneath back door.
35B-01-4
Basic - Ice scoop handle in contact with ice. Ice scoop handle in ice at bar area. Employee removed scoop during time of call back.
10-08-5
Basic - Old labels stuck to food containers after cleaning. Observed old labels on containers in preparation area. **Repeat Violation**
16-46-4
Basic - Carbon dioxide/helium tanks not adequately secured.
51-11-4
55
Mar 28, 2024
Routine - Food
2 major violations. 3 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Potentially Hazardous Food Held at Proper Temperature
FL-16
Warewashing Facilities Maintained and Used
FL-24
Approved Thawing Methods Used
FL-31
Personal Cleanliness
FL-40
Food and Non-Food Contact Surfaces Designed and Constructed
FL-50
67
Dec 14, 2023
Routine - Food
2 major violations. 4 minor violations.
View 6 violations
Intermediate - No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. No paper towels at hand wash sink at bar. Operator added paper towels to dispenser during time of inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
31B-02-4
Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Observed dishrag and ice dumped in hand wash sink at bar. Employee removed dishrag and ice from sink during time of inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
31A-11-4
Basic - Clean glasses, cups, bowls, plates, pots and pans not stored inverted or in a protected manner. Observed glass plates not inverted.
24-05-4
Basic - Current Hotel and Restaurant license not displayed. Did not observe current license on display.
50-09-4
Basic - Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting. Observed food pans wet nesting. Employee removed pans during time of inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
24-08-4
Basic - Exterior door has a gap at the threshold that opens to the outside. Observed gap beneath exterior backdoor.
35B-01-4
67
Mar 9, 2023
Routine - Food
4 major violations. 2 minor violations.
View 6 violations
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.
11-27-4
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Observed mold like substance in ice machine in kitchen and ice pan in soda fountain.
22-02-4
Intermediate - Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Hand wash sink in back of kitchen next to ice machine not working. Manager has called someone to repair. **Corrective Action Taken**
31A-09-4
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.
53B-13-5
Basic - Duct tape used to repair nonfood-contact surface. Observed auto sham with duct tape on handle and seal coming off bottom door.
14-71-4
Basic - In-use utensil not stored on a clean portion of equipment. Observed dirty knife stored on magnetic knife rack and in knife block. Manager put knifes in dish washing area. **Corrective Action Taken**
10-02-4
61
Sep 7, 2022
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 5 minor violations.
View 6 violations
High Priority - Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license. Observed operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license. License has been expired since June 01, 2022. **Admin Complaint**
50-17-2
Basic - Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Observed a speaker on a prep table next to the cook line. Observed the manager remove the speaker from the prep table. **Corrected On-Site**
40-06-5
Basic - Ice scoop handle in contact with ice. Observed the ice scoop handle touching the ice behind the bar. Observed the manager remove the handle from the ice. **Corrected On-Site**
10-08-5
Basic - In-use tongs stored on equipment door handle between uses by the cook's line. Observed the manager remove the tongs from the door handle. **Corrected On-Site**
10-20-4
Basic - Single-service articles improperly stored. Observed a case of to go trays on the floor by the dry storage area. Observed the manager remove the case of to go trays from the floor. **Corrected On-Site**
25-05-4
Basic - Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Observed a clear container containing rice with no label. Observed the manager place a label on the container. **Corrected On-Site**
02D-01-5
67
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Bowden's last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Bowden's on file is from Mar 6, 2026. The public record contains 11 inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Bowden's?
Across the inspection record, “carbon dioxide/helium tanks not adequately secured” has been cited two times, more than any other issue at Bowden's.
How does Bowden's compare to other restaurants in Tallahassee?
Bowden's most recently scored 55 out of 100, which is lower than the Tallahassee average of 87.
Has Bowden's inspection record improved over time?
Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at Bowden's have averaged around two violations per visit across the recent record.
What does a medium risk rating mean?
A medium risk rating at Bowden's 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 Bowden's inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Bowden's is inspected around three times per year on average.
Nearby Restaurants