Cava
Last inspected: Dec 5, 2025
70
Score
Public records show 14 inspections at Cava stretching back to 2022. Inspectors last stopped by on Dec 5, 2025. The medium risk tier sits in the middle: not spotless, but not alarming either.
Recent inspections have turned up roughly the same number of issues each time, hovering near three violations per visit.
Looking across the full record, “nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease” is the recurring theme, flagged five times.
The city-wide average sits at 75, which Cava's 70 doesn't quite reach. On the whole, the file is mixed but not concerning.
14
Inspections
1
Critical latest
1
Major latest
2
Minor latest
Inspection History
Dec 5, 2025
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 2 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Employee Health Policies Present
FL-03
Required Records Available; Shellstock Tags/Labels
FL-14
Food Contact Surfaces Clean and Sanitized
FL-22
Hot and Cold Water Available; Adequate Pressure
FL-25
70
Aug 14, 2025
Routine - Food
1 major violation.
View 1 violation
Food Contact Surfaces Clean and Sanitized
FL-22
90
Apr 4, 2025
Complaint Partial
No violations found.
100
Jan 28, 2025
Complaint Partial
1 critical violation.
View 1 violation
High Priority - Employee touched soiled surface and then engaged in food preparation, handled clean equipment or utensils, or touched unwrapped single-service items without washing hands. Observed: front line staff use touch screen register with gloves on, then plate food for next order, touch screen and then remove gloves. **Warning**
12A-29-4
86
Jan 8, 2025
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 1 minor violation.
View 2 violations
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over or with unwashed produce. Observed: raw prepped lamb stored over unprepared cucumbers. The lamb was moved to the correct shelf area. **Corrected On-Site**
08A-04-5
Basic - In-use utensil not stored on a clean portion of food preparation or cooking equipment. Observed: clean utensils stored in a soiled food pan in the prep area. The pan was moved to dish. **Corrective Action Taken**
10-02-4
82
Sep 13, 2024
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 1 major violation. 5 minor violations.
View 8 violations
High Priority - Live, small flying insects in kitchen, food preparation area, food storage area and/or bar area. Observed: 1 flying insect by the clean dish rack.
35A-02-6
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed: white long grain rice under the expo window, 114°. ALSO, black lentils on the stove, 104°. These were discarded by the manager. This item-**Corrected On-Site** **Corrected On-Site**
03B-01-6
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Observed the last soda nozzle with build up.
22-02-4
Basic - Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Observed a back pack stored on a case of bulk soda.
40-06-5
Basic - Carbon dioxide/helium tanks not adequately secured. Observed: a tank by the back door not secured.
51-11-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed: the area over the soda nozzles is soiled. **Repeat Violation**
23-03-4
Basic - Sanitizer bucket stored with food, equipment, utensils, linens, single-service, or single-use articles. Observed: a sanitizer bucket stored next to cases of avocados under the back prep table.
21-44-1
Basic - Wet wiping cloth not stored in sanitizing solution between uses. Observed wet cloths on the cook line not in a solution.
21-12-4
52
May 1, 2024
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 2 minor violations.
View 4 violations
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 and the time removed from temperature control cannot be determined. Observed: the pans of cut leafy greens in the stand up display on the front line, no time mark was visible.
03F-02-5
Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Observed: a vinyl apron in the dish wash machine area hand wash sink.
31A-11-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed: in the customer service area, the area around the soda machine has an accumulation of soil/debris.
23-03-4
Basic - Sanitizer bucket stored with food, equipment, utensils, linens, single-service, or single-use articles. Observed: in the kitchen, on a prep table with clean dishes, an in use sanitizer bucket.
21-44-1
70
Apr 3, 2024
Complaint Full
2 critical violations. 2 major violations. 2 minor violations.
View 6 violations
Required Records Available; Shellstock Tags/Labels
FL-14
Hands Clean and Properly Washed
FL-08
Food Contact Surfaces Clean and Sanitized
FL-22
Equipment Adequate to Maintain Product Temperature
FL-29
Wiping Cloths Properly Used and Stored
FL-41
Toilet Rooms Maintained
FL-53
55
Jan 4, 2024
Complaint Partial
No violations found.
100
Oct 30, 2023
Complaint Partial
3 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Basic - Bathroom facility not clean. Observed: both restrooms with paper towels throughout and garbage cans overflowing. **Warning**
32-07-4
Basic - Inside/outside of dumpster not clean. Observed: the inside and outside of the dumpster has an accumulation of grease and soil. **Warning**
33-10-4
Basic - Worn, torn and/or soiled floors/carpeting. Observed: the floor and baseboards under the dish cleaning equipment has and accumulation of grease and soil. **Warning**
36-10-4
86
Aug 24, 2023
Complaint Full
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 2 minor violations.
View 4 violations
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over or with ready-to-eat food in a freezer - not all products commercially packaged. Observed: raw lamb over tomatoes in the walk-in cooler. These were switched. **Corrected On-Site**
08A-02-6
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Observed: the soda nozzles and ice chute are soiled.
22-02-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed: the area over the soda nozzles is soiled. **repeat** ALSO, the surface of multiple dining room tables has a gummy residue. **Warning**
23-03-4
Basic - Sanitizer bucket stored with food, equipment, utensils, linens, single-service, or single-use articles. Observed: quaternary amonia sanitizer stored on a mid kitchen prep table. This was moved below. **Corrected On-Site**
21-44-1
70
Jun 26, 2023
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 3 major violations. 2 minor violations.
View 7 violations
High Priority - Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. Observed two pans of rice on the front server line at 82 and 84F hot holding. Manager advised that the hot holding table was not working and that they were keeping the rice on time, however the establishment doe not have any time recorded, and the rice had been there for more than 4 hours.
01B-02-5
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed two pans of rice on the front server line at 82 and 84F hot holding. Manager advised that the hot holding table was not working and that they were keeping the rice on time, however the establishment does not have any time recorded, and the rice had been there for more than 4 hours.
03B-01-6
Intermediate - Manager or person in charge lacking proof of food manager certification and no other certified food service manager employed at this location. Observed Manager or person in charge lacking proof of food manager certification and no other certified food service manager employed at this location. **Warning**
53A-02-7
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. Observed person in charge No proof of required state approved employee training provided for employee hired more than 60 days ago. **Warning**
53B-02-5
Intermediate - No written procedures available for use of time as a public health control to hold time/temperature control for safety food. Observed rice on server line in non-working heating unit. Establishment did not have any plan or time marked for rice.
03F-10-5
Basic - Carbon dioxide/helium tanks not adequately secured. Observed Carbon dioxide tanks not adequately secured in kitchen.
51-11-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed mold like substance on the underside of the non food contact surface of the nozzles on the soda dispensing machine at server station.
23-03-4
50
Nov 21, 2022
Food-Licensing Inspection
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Basic - No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees. Observed no hand wash signs or paper towels in either of the public restrooms used by employees. Inspector provided signs that were posted. General Manager purchased paper towels and stocked dispenser. **Corrected On-Site**
31B-04-4
95
Aug 11, 2022
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 1 major violation. 2 minor violations.
View 5 violations
High Priority - Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license. Observed license displayed dated 6/1/22....expired **Admin Complaint**
50-17-2
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed Falafel at 119F cooked 30 minutes earlier. Employee reheated to 165F **Corrective Action Taken**
03B-01-6
Intermediate - Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled. Observed unlabeled spray bottle with chemical substance located above three compartment sink
41-17-4
Basic - Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable. Observed cutting board on cook line with multiple cutting marks with stains in kitchen
14-09-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed mold like substance on the underside of the non food contact surface of the nozzles on the soda dispensing machine.
23-03-4
61
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Cava last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Cava on file is from Dec 5, 2025. The public record contains 14 inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Cava?
Across the inspection record, “nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease” has been cited five times, more than any other issue at Cava.
How does Cava compare to other restaurants in Gainesville?
Cava most recently scored 70 out of 100, which is lower than the Gainesville average of 75.
Has Cava's inspection record improved over time?
Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at Cava have averaged around three violations per visit across the recent record.
What does a medium risk rating mean?
A medium risk rating at Cava 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 Cava inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Cava is inspected around four times per year on average.
Nearby Restaurants