Candlelight South Restaurant
Last inspected: Feb 27, 2026
100
Score
The health department has logged 14 inspections at Candlelight South Restaurant, the earliest from 2022. The newest entry in the record is dated Feb 27, 2026. A low risk rating suggests inspectors haven't found much to be concerned about lately.
Violation counts have been trending down, averaging around three violations across recent inspections versus roughly eight violations before.
When inspectors have written things up, “time/temperature control for safety food cold held” has been the most frequent reason, cited four times.
Compared to the broader St. Augustine restaurant scene, where the average is 81, this is a stronger showing. Taken together, the history is a positive one.
14
Inspections
0
Critical latest
0
Major latest
0
Minor latest
Inspection History
Feb 27, 2026
Routine - Food
No violations found.
100
Feb 23, 2026
Routine - Food
No violations found.
100
Feb 20, 2026
Routine - Food
3 critical violations. 5 minor violations.
View 8 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. Employee was using his phone then grabbed a pan without washing his hands. Addressed and he washed hands. **Corrective Action Taken**
12A-13-4
High Priority - Stop Sale issued due to food not being in a wholesome, sound condition. Mahi thawed in sealed bags bag clearly states it should remain frozen then removed from bag and thawed.
01B-13-4
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. In cooler since 11:30; Blue cheese, cheese, tomatoes, burgers51F, mahi 52F, pepperoni 59F, beef 49F, roast beef, sauerkraut 51F; ( - Cold Holding) Cheese, lettuce 50F; ( - Cold Holding) Per person in charge in cooler since 11:30. Placed in walk in cooler. **Warning**
03A-02-5
Basic - Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Brown used to scoop flour. Person in charge removed. **Corrected On-Site**
14-01-5
Basic - Commercially processed reduced oxygen packaged fish bearing a label indicating that it is to remain frozen until time of use no longer frozen and not removed from reduced oxygen package. Mahi thawed in sealed bags bag clearly states it should remain frozen then removed from bag and thawed.
06-09-1
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. Person in charge removed. **Corrected On-Site**
40-06-5
Basic - Wall soiled with accumulated grease, food debris, and/or dust. Wall in dish has black mold like substance on it.
36-27-5
Basic - Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Flour/sugar not labeled. Person in charge labeled. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
02D-01-5
50
Jan 15, 2026
Routine - Food
2 major violations. 7 minor violations.
View 9 violations
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Cutting boards on cookline soiled. - From follow-up inspection 2026-01-15: **Time Extended**
22-02-4
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : Intermediate - No proof of required state approved employee training provided for employee hired more than 60 days ago. To order approved program food safety material, call DBPR contracted provider: Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (SafeStaff) 866-372-7233. No proof of training for employees currently on staff tom, Robert,Joe, Jodi all been employees over 60 days of hire. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2026-01-15: Employees not trained operator still waiting on books to arrive. **Time Extended**
53B-02-5
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Clean glasses, cups, bowls, plates, pots and pans not stored inverted or in a protected manner. Ice bucket near ice machine not stored in inverted. **Repeat Violation** - From follow-up inspection 2026-01-15: **Time Extended**
24-05-4
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Covered waste receptacle not provided in women's bathroom. No covered waste receptacle in smaller shared restroom. - From follow-up inspection 2026-01-15: **Time Extended**
32-12-6
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting. Cups near soda machine wet nesting. **Repeat Violation** - From follow-up inspection 2026-01-15: **Time Extended**
24-08-4
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Floor not cleaned when the least amount of food is exposed. Behind and underneath equipment in kitchen soiled with old food debris and utensils. Walls in kitchen soiled with food splash. **Repeat Violation** - From follow-up inspection 2026-01-15: **Time Extended**
36-01-4
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees. No employee handwashing sign in smaller shared restroom. - From follow-up inspection 2026-01-15: **Time Extended**
31B-04-4
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Reach in cooler gaskets on cookline soiled with food debris. Walk in cooler shelves soiled with food debris. **Repeat Violation** - From follow-up inspection 2026-01-15: **Time Extended**
23-03-4
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Reach-in cooler interior/shelves have accumulation of soil residues. Reach in cooler shelves on the cookline soiled with food debris. **Repeat Violation** - From follow-up inspection 2026-01-15: **Time Extended**
22-16-4
58
Nov 14, 2025
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 3 major violations. 8 minor violations.
View 12 violations
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Raw box of chicken over box of shredded cheese. Operator removed cheese to proper location. **Corrected On-Site**
08A-05-6
Intermediate - No currently certified food service manager on duty with four or more employees engaged in food preparation/handling. A list of accredited food manager certification examination providers can be found at http://www.myfloridalicense.com/DBPR/hotels-restaurants/food-lodging/food-manager/ No certified manager available during time of inspection six employees currently on site.
53A-05-6
Intermediate - No proof of required state approved employee training provided for employee hired more than 60 days ago. To order approved program food safety material, call DBPR contracted provider: Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (SafeStaff) 866-372-7233. No proof of training for employees currently on staff tom, Robert,Joe, Jodi all been employees over 60 days of hire. **Warning**
53B-02-5
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Cutting boards on cookline soiled.
22-02-4
Basic - No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees. No employee handwashing sign in smaller shared restroom.
31B-04-4
Basic - Clean glasses, cups, bowls, plates, pots and pans not stored inverted or in a protected manner. Ice bucket near ice machine not stored in inverted. **Repeat Violation**
24-05-4
Basic - Covered waste receptacle not provided in women's bathroom. No covered waste receptacle in smaller shared restroom.
32-12-6
Basic - Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting. Cups near soda machine wet nesting. **Repeat Violation**
24-08-4
Basic - Floor not cleaned when the least amount of food is exposed. Behind and underneath equipment in kitchen soiled with old food debris and utensils. Walls in kitchen soiled with food splash. **Repeat Violation**
36-01-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Reach in cooler gaskets on cookline soiled with food debris. Walk in cooler shelves soiled with food debris. **Repeat Violation**
23-03-4
Basic - Reach-in cooler interior/shelves have accumulation of soil residues. Reach in cooler shelves on the cookline soiled with food debris. **Repeat Violation**
22-16-4
Basic - Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Bulk container of white powder substance not labeled. Operator labeled flour. **Corrected On-Site**
02D-01-5
43
Jun 11, 2025
Routine - Food
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Reach in gaskets soiled. Soda gun holder soiled behind bar. Walk in cooler shelves soiled. **Repeat Violation** - From follow-up inspection 2025-06-11: **Time Extended**
23-03-4
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Reach-in cooler interior/shelves have accumulation of soil residues. Reach in cooler shelves soiled on cookline. - From follow-up inspection 2025-06-11: **Time Extended**
22-16-4
90
Jun 10, 2025
Routine - Food
4 critical violations. 1 major violation. 11 minor violations.
View 16 violations
High Priority - Live, small flying insects found Observed 23 live fling insects 15 behind bar area 8 in kitchen area **Warning**
35A-02-7
High Priority - Food with mold-like growth. See stop sale. Sliced tomatoes in reach in cooler mold like substance.
01B-07-4
High Priority - Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. In reach in cooler on cookline corn beef (47F - Cold Holding); raw beef (48F - Cold Holding); roast beef (51F - Cold Holding)
01B-02-5
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. In reach in cooler on cookline corn beef (47F - Cold Holding); raw beef (48F - Cold Holding); roast beef (51F - Cold Holding) **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
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. Employees Andres, Christian, jozsef not informed of responsibility. Emailed operator document. **Corrective Action Taken**
11-26-1
Basic - Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin. Ice machine deflector plate soiled.
22-20-5
Basic - Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. No handle scoop cup used for gravy. Operator discarded. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
14-01-5
Basic - Clean glasses, cups, bowls, plates, pots and pans not stored inverted or in a protected manner. Ice bucket not stored in a protected manner. Operator fixed. **Corrected On-Site**
24-05-4
Basic - Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable. Cutting board on small reach in cooler no longer cleanable.
14-09-4
Basic - Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting. Cups wet nesting near soda machine. **Repeat Violation**
24-08-4
Basic - Floor not cleaned when the least amount of food is exposed. Behind and underneath equipment throughout kitchen soiled. Walls soiled in kitchen area and dishwasher area. **Repeat Violation**
36-01-4
Basic - Food not stored at least 6 inches off of the floor. Bulk containers of oil not stored 6 inches off floor. **Repeat Violation**
08B-47-4
Basic - Ice buildup in reach-in freezer and/or walk-in freezer. Ice buildup in reach in deep freezers in kitchen.
14-69-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Reach in gaskets soiled. Soda gun holder soiled behind bar. Walk in cooler shelves soiled. **Repeat Violation**
23-03-4
Basic - Reach-in cooler interior/shelves have accumulation of soil residues. Reach in cooler shelves soiled on cookline.
22-16-4
Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Employee Red Bull on prep table. Operator discarded. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
12B-07-4
29
Dec 2, 2024
Routine - Food
3 critical violations. 2 major violations. 7 minor violations.
View 12 violations
Employee Health Policies Present
FL-03
Hands Clean and Properly Washed
FL-08
Certified Food Manager Identification
FL-02
Food Received at Proper Temperature
FL-12
Required Records Available; Shellstock Tags/Labels
FL-14
Equipment, Food and Non-Food Contact Surfaces Approved
FL-35
Food Contact Surfaces Clean and Sanitized
FL-22
Non-Food Contact Surfaces Clean
FL-23
Warewashing Facilities Maintained and Used
FL-24
Lighting Adequate; Required Shields in Place
FL-36
Personal Cleanliness
FL-40
Wiping Cloths Properly Used and Stored
FL-41
33
May 31, 2024
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 5 major violations. 6 minor violations.
View 13 violations
High Priority - Raw animal food stored in same container as ready-to-eat food. Observed raw shell eggs inside same container as roasted lemons. Person in charge voluntarily disposed of lemons and placed eggs by themselves. Observed raw bacon on top of butter in flip-top cooler. Person in charge moved bacon go bottom shelf. **Corrected On-Site**
08A-08-5
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food identified in the written procedure as a food held using time as a public health control has no time marking. Observed par cooked wings on prep near fryer on time with no time mark. Person in charge added time mark.
03F-02-5
Intermediate - Establishment conducts non-continuous cooking of raw animal foods without monitoring and documenting initial heating time and temperature, cooling times and temperatures, cold holding temperature and final cooking temperature. Observed temperature log empty. Discussed with person in charge. **Repeat Violation**
03C-96-4
Intermediate - Establishment conducts non-continuous cooking of raw animal foods without written procedures approved by the division. Observed wings being partially cooked without written procedures. Person in charge filled out written procedures during inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
03C-89-4
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Observed multiple cutting boards on flip-top coolers soiled and stained with food debris. **Repeat Violation**
22-02-4
Intermediate - Records/documents for required employee training do not contain all of the required information. Observed two certificates missing date of training. Discussed with person in charge.
53B-10-4
Intermediate - Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled. Observed one chemical spray bottle filled with yellow liquid by kitchen entrance missing common name label. Person in charge added label. **Corrected On-Site**
41-17-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed gaskets on cook line coolers soiled with food debris. **Repeat Violation**
23-03-4
Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Observed multiple drinks on flip-top coolers on cook line. Person in charge moved all drinks away from food 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. Observed employee cell phone, keys, cigarettes stored on plastic cart next to food prep line and above vegetable oil. Person in charge removed personal items from food area. **Corrected On-Site**
40-06-5
Basic - Equipment in poor repair. Observed ice machine lid is broken and completely falling off machine.
14-11-5
Basic - Floor area(s) covered with standing water. Observed standing water by ice machine and in dish washing area.
36-22-4
Basic - Floor soiled/has accumulation of debris. Observed floor at bar soiled with single service trash
36-73-4
33
Oct 18, 2023
Routine - Food
No violations found.
100
Oct 16, 2023
Routine - Food
2 critical violations.
View 2 violations
High Priority - - From initial inspection : High Priority - Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. 32 blocks of butter at 49F-50F and 4 cartons of buttermilk at 46F-48F moved from outside walk-in cooler to reach in freezer and keg walk-in cooler, per manager all items where delivered around 11:30am and final temperature check at 4:20pm. **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint** - From follow-up inspection 2023-10-16: In outdoor walk-in cooler, whipped cream 69F ambient. **Admin Complaint**
01B-02-5
High Priority - - From initial inspection : High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. In outside walk-in cooler, roast beef (55F - Cold Holding); corned beef hash (54F - Cold Holding); butter milk (46F - Cold Holding); provolone (55F - Cold Holding); sliced cheddar cheese (55F - Cold Holding); blue cheese crumbles (56F - Cold Holding); sliced American cheese (55F - Cold Holding); heavy cream (54F - Cold Holding); mashed potatoes (54F - Cold Holding) butter (49F-50F - Cold Holding) Per operator, he had been dealing with issues since the day before. He moved all items to different walk-in cooler and put them on ice. In reach-in cooler across from cook line, Swiss cheese (47F - Cold Holding); mixed grated cheese (50F - Cold Holding); cut tomato (47F - Cold Holding); cut lettuce (50F - Cold Holding) Per operator, employees had been in and out of cooler multiple times during lunch rush. Operator moved items to different cooler. On prep counter next to grill, ranch (60F - Cold Holding) Operator stated it came from non working walk-in cooler. He moved it to different cooler. Everything re temped at or below 41F, except for butter 49-50F and butter milk 46-48F **Corrective Action Taken** **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint** - From follow-up inspection 2023-10-16: In outdoor walk-in cooler, whipped cream 69F ambient. In reach-in cooler across from cook line, blue cheese crumbles 45F, cut lettuce 55F, mozzarella cheese 52F. **Admin Complaint**
03A-02-5
74
Oct 13, 2023
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 2 major violations. 7 minor violations.
View 11 violations
High Priority - Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. 32 blocks of butter at 49F-50F and 4 cartons of buttermilk at 46F-48F moved from outside walk-in cooler to reach in freezer and keg walk-in cooler, per manager all items where delivered around 11:30am and final temperature check at 4:20pm. **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
01B-02-5
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. In outside walk-in cooler, roast beef (55F - Cold Holding); corned beef hash (54F - Cold Holding); butter milk (46F - Cold Holding); provolone (55F - Cold Holding); sliced cheddar cheese (55F - Cold Holding); blue cheese crumbles (56F - Cold Holding); sliced American cheese (55F - Cold Holding); heavy cream (54F - Cold Holding); mashed potatoes (54F - Cold Holding) butter (49F-50F - Cold Holding) Per operator, he had been dealing with issues since the day before. He moved all items to different walk-in cooler and put them on ice. In reach-in cooler across from cook line, Swiss cheese (47F - Cold Holding); mixed grated cheese (50F - Cold Holding); cut tomato (47F - Cold Holding); cut lettuce (50F - Cold Holding) Per operator, employees had been in and out of cooler multiple times during lunch rush. Operator moved items to different cooler. On prep counter next to grill, ranch (60F - Cold Holding) Operator stated it came from non working walk-in cooler. He moved it to different cooler. Everything re temped at or below 41F, except for butter 49-50F and butter milk 46-48F **Corrective Action Taken** **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
03A-02-5
Intermediate - Establishment conducts non-continuous cooking of raw animal foods without monitoring and documenting initial heating time and temperature, cooling times and temperatures, cold holding temperature and final cooking temperature. Operator doesn't keep temperature logs for his non-continuous cooking for chicken wings.
03C-96-4
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Behind bar, ice bin not in use has dirt buildup. Also behind bar, cooler not in use has dirt buildup. Also behind bar, soda gun not in use has buildup. **Repeat Violation**
22-02-4
Basic - Cold holding equipment not maintained in good repair. Do not store time/temperature control for safety food in this unit until the unit is repaired. Per operator, outside walk-in cooler not working properly. Breaker on walk-in cooler has been tripping on and off since yesterday. Electricians on site attempting to fix the breaker box for the cooler. All time/temperature controlled for safety foods moved to inside walk-in cooler. **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning**
14-74-7
Basic - Employee drinking from an unenclosed beverage container in a food preparation/clean dishware area and the container does not have a dispensing mechanism to prevent hand contact with lip contact area of drink container. On cook line, employee drinking from styrofoam cup. Employee removed cup.
12B-12-5
Basic - Hole in or other damage to ceiling. Over triple sink in dish area. **Repeat Violation**
36-24-5
Basic - In-use knife/knives stored in cracks between pieces of equipment. 2 knives stored between flip top coolers. Operator moved knives. **Corrected On-Site**
10-17-4
Basic - In-use tongs stored on equipment door handle between uses. On cook line, tongs on oven handle. Employee moved tongs. **Corrected On-Site**
10-20-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. In kitchen behind grill, hood filters have grease buildup. **Repeat Violation**
23-03-4
Basic - Time/temperature control for safety food thawed in an improper manner. In prep sink, bags of fish and shrimp sitting in cold water. Operator stated he had them under running water prior to us arriving. Operator turned water back on. **Corrected On-Site**
06-01-5
43
Feb 21, 2023
Routine - Food
No violations found.
100
Oct 18, 2022
Routine - Food
4 critical violations. 3 major violations. 5 minor violations.
View 12 violations
Food Received at Proper Temperature
FL-12
Adequate Handwashing Facilities Supplied and Accessible
FL-10
Certified Food Manager Identification
FL-02
Employee Health Policies Present
FL-03
Potentially Hazardous Food Held at Proper Temperature
FL-16
Food Contact Surfaces Clean and Sanitized
FL-22
Warewashing Facilities Maintained and Used
FL-24
Equipment Adequate to Maintain Product Temperature
FL-29
Approved Thawing Methods Used
FL-31
Equipment, Food and Non-Food Contact Surfaces Approved
FL-35
Wiping Cloths Properly Used and Stored
FL-41
Toilet Rooms Maintained
FL-53
23
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Candlelight South Restaurant last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Candlelight South Restaurant on file is from Feb 27, 2026. The public record contains 14 inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Candlelight South Restaurant?
Across the inspection record, “time/temperature control for safety food cold held” has been cited four times, more than any other issue at Candlelight South Restaurant.
How does Candlelight South Restaurant compare to other restaurants in St. Augustine?
Candlelight South Restaurant most recently scored 100 out of 100, which is higher than the St. Augustine average of 81.
Has Candlelight South Restaurant's inspection record improved over time?
Yes. Recent inspections at Candlelight South Restaurant have averaged around three violations per visit, down from roughly eight earlier in the record.
What does a low risk rating mean?
A low risk rating at Candlelight South Restaurant 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 Candlelight South Restaurant inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Candlelight South Restaurant is inspected around four times per year on average.
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