Caribbean Spice
Last inspected: Nov 14, 2025
50
Score
Across the available record, Caribbean Spice has nine inspections on file, the first dated 2022. The most recent report on file is from Nov 14, 2025. A high risk tier suggests the facility had a rough recent inspection, with multiple violations on record.
Violation counts have ticked up lately, averaging around seven violations per visit versus roughly four violations earlier in the record.
The pattern that stands out is “nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease”, which has been cited four times.
Caribbean Spice's latest score of 50 falls below the Gainesville average of 75. Diners may want to scan the inspection details before deciding to visit.
9
Inspections
2
Critical latest
0
Major latest
6
Minor latest
Inspection History
Nov 14, 2025
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 6 minor violations.
View 8 violations
Hands Clean and Properly Washed
FL-08
Food Received at Proper Temperature
FL-12
Required Records Available; Shellstock Tags/Labels
FL-14
Non-Food Contact Surfaces Clean
FL-23
Warewashing Facilities Maintained and Used
FL-24
Hot and Cold Water Available; Adequate Pressure
FL-25
Lighting Adequate; Required Shields in Place
FL-36
Personal Cleanliness
FL-40
50
Jul 14, 2025
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 2 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Certified Food Manager Identification
FL-02
Employee Health Policies Present
FL-03
Hands Clean and Properly Washed
FL-08
Non-Food Contact Surfaces Clean
FL-23
70
Feb 13, 2025
Routine - Food
3 critical violations. 1 major violation. 5 minor violations.
View 9 violations
Certified Food Manager Identification
FL-02
Employee Health Policies Present
FL-03
Hands Clean and Properly Washed
FL-08
Required Records Available; Shellstock Tags/Labels
FL-14
Food Contact Surfaces Clean and Sanitized
FL-22
Non-Food Contact Surfaces Clean
FL-23
Hot and Cold Water Available; Adequate Pressure
FL-25
Equipment Adequate to Maintain Product Temperature
FL-29
Plumbing Maintained; Sewage Disposal
FL-51
45
Oct 28, 2024
Routine - Food
3 critical violations. 1 major violation. 4 minor violations.
View 8 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 ground beef in reach-in cooler next to office. Manager placed chicken on bottom shelf. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
08A-20-5
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Items stored in front counter steam table: cabbage (128F - Hot Holding); chicken (126F - Hot Holding). Item stored on counter across from front counter steam table: rice (108F - Hot Holding). Manager returned items to kitchen oven to reheat, chicken (188F - Reheating); rice (169F - Reheating); cabbage (175F - Reheating. **Corrected On-Site**
03B-01-6
High Priority - Vacuum breaker missing at mop sink faucet or on fitting/splitter added to mop sink faucet. No vacuum breaker on hose side of splitter for mop sink.
29-42-4
Intermediate - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Bread pudding stored in reach-in cooler across from office. Manager stated bread pudding was prepared the previous morning.
02C-02-5
Basic - Food stored on floor. Bag of flour stored on kitchen floor across from three compartment sink. Manager placed bag on rack. **Corrected On-Site**
08B-38-4
Basic - No Heimlich maneuver/choking sign posted. No choking poster available. Inspector provided operator with choking poster. **Corrective Action Taken**
51-13-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Outside of storage bin on shelf beneath kitchen prep table. Hood vents above kitchen oven. **Repeat Violation**
23-03-4
Basic - Storage of maintenance equipment/tools in areas that may result in cross contamination of food, equipment, utensils, linens and/or single-service and single-use articles. Tools stored next to cans of coconut milk and above single use gloves on dry storage shelf next to office. Manager removed tools from shelf. **Corrected On-Site**
42-03-5
47
Apr 10, 2024
Routine - Food
No violations found.
100
Feb 12, 2024
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 2 major violations. 1 minor violation.
View 4 violations
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Eggs over ready to eat vegetable in reach in cooler in storage area. Operator moved eggs to the bottom. **Corrected On-Site**
08A-05-6
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. 1 employee prepping chicken in back kitchen working longer than 60 days, other 2 employees are new. **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 had all employees sign during inspection. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
11-26-1
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Interior rack inside reach in freezer across from dry storage rack. Reach in cooler gasket soiled in hallway. Reach in freezer gasket soiled across from dry storage rack. **Repeat Violation**
23-03-4
67
Oct 16, 2023
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 3 major violations. 2 minor violations.
View 6 violations
High Priority - Nonfood-grade bags used in direct contact with food. Dough in thank you Togo bags, operator stated he is throwing dough away. He threw away dough. **Corrected On-Site**
14-31-5
Intermediate - No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. In women's restroom and in men's the towels are unable to dispense. Operator placed new rolls at sinks. No handwashing sign at sink on front counter. Inspector emailed sign. **Corrected On-Site**
31B-02-4
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. 2 new employees.
11-26-1
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
Basic - Stored food not covered. Dough pieces in reach in cooler, operator discarded. **Corrected On-Site**
08B-12-5
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Reach in freezer door jam soiled in mid kitchen.
23-03-4
58
May 25, 2023
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 2 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Food Received at Proper Temperature
FL-12
Required Records Available; Shellstock Tags/Labels
FL-14
Wiping Cloths Properly Used and Stored
FL-41
78
Nov 28, 2022
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 2 minor violations.
View 4 violations
High Priority - Nonfood-grade bags used in direct contact with food. With dough.
14-31-5
High Priority - Wiping cloth solution exceeding the maximum concentration allowed stored in a location that could result in the cross contamination of food, equipment, utensils, linens, single-service, or single-use articles. The solution bleached out the test strips indicating the solution was too strong.
41-15-5
Basic - No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees. At front counter sink.
31B-04-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Reach in cooler gasket soiled. Interior reach in freezer in side room. **Repeat Violation**
23-03-4
67
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Caribbean Spice last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Caribbean Spice on file is from Nov 14, 2025. The public record contains nine inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Caribbean Spice?
Across the inspection record, “nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease” has been cited four times, more than any other issue at Caribbean Spice.
How does Caribbean Spice compare to other restaurants in Gainesville?
Caribbean Spice most recently scored 50 out of 100, which is lower than the Gainesville average of 75.
Has Caribbean Spice's inspection record improved over time?
No. Recent inspections at Caribbean Spice have averaged around seven violations per visit, up from roughly four earlier in the record.
What does a high risk rating mean?
A high risk rating at Caribbean Spice 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 Caribbean Spice inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Caribbean Spice is inspected around three times per year on average.
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