Cava
Last inspected: Nov 17, 2025
78
Score
Inspectors have visited Cava 12 times, with records going back to 2023. The latest inspection on file is from Nov 17, 2025. A low risk tier reflects an inspection that turned up minimal issues.
Recent inspections have turned up roughly the same number of issues each time, hovering near four violations per visit.
Looking across the full record, “carbon dioxide/helium tanks not adequately secured” is the recurring theme, flagged three times.
The city-wide average is 75, putting Cava squarely in typical territory. The record reflects steady performance over time.
12
Inspections
1
Critical latest
1
Major latest
0
Minor latest
Inspection History
Nov 17, 2025
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 1 major violation.
View 2 violations
Food Contact Surfaces Clean and Sanitized
FL-22
Equipment Adequate to Maintain Product Temperature
FL-29
78
Aug 5, 2025
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 6 minor violations.
View 7 violations
Employee Health Policies Present
FL-03
Adequate Handwashing Facilities Supplied and Accessible
FL-10
Proper Hot and Cold Holding Temperatures
FL-21
Equipment Adequate to Maintain Product Temperature
FL-29
Lighting Adequate; Required Shields in Place
FL-36
Personal Cleanliness
FL-40
Plumbing Maintained; Sewage Disposal
FL-51
64
Jan 24, 2025
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 2 major violations.
View 4 violations
High Priority - Employee touched face/hair and then engaged in food preparation, handled clean equipment or utensils, or touched unwrapped single-service items without washing hands. Observed: cook staff with gloves on, wipe forehead with back of hand, no glove change. She was asked to change gloves and wash hands, and she did. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
12A-25-4
High Priority - Vacuum breaker missing at mop sink faucet or on fitting/splitter added to mop sink faucet. Observed lack of back flow device on the non chemical side of the splitter in the mop sink. There is a redundant back flow device at the top of the splitter. Another vacuum breaker was added in the correct spot. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
29-42-4
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/ Observed: 4+ employees involved in food preparation and serving at the counter. No Certified Food Manager on site. Night shift arrived, Bart is a Certified Food Manager. **Corrected On-Site**
53A-05-6
Intermediate - Records/documents for required employee training do not contain all of the required information. Observed: lack of expiration date on multiple employee certificates.
53B-10-4
61
Oct 8, 2024
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 1 major violation. 2 minor violations.
View 5 violations
High Priority - Employee failed to wash hands before putting on gloves to initiate a task working with food. Employee on front serving line wearing gloves had cell phone in hand typed on the cell phone, put cell phone away, removed gloves, did not wash hands, then put on new gloves, then handled serving utensils to complete and order. Discussed with Manager and he spoke to employee **Corrective Action Taken**
12A-07-5
High Priority - Vacuum breaker missing at mop sink faucet or on fitting/splitter added to mop sink faucet. "Y" connector at mop sink is missing vacuum breaker on the non-chemical side of the "Y" connector.
29-42-4
Intermediate - Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Hand wash sink at front serving line blocked with soiled food bins. Manager removed soiled bins. **Corrected On-Site**
31A-09-4
Basic - Unwashed fruits/vegetables stored with ready-to-eat food. Unwashed produce ( cucumbers and pineapple ) stored over ready-to-eat food ( juice containers ) in reach in cooler
08B-17-4
Basic - Carbon dioxide/helium tanks not adequately secured. Two Carbon dioxide tanks not adequately secured in kitchen.
51-11-4
61
Jun 28, 2024
Complaint Full
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 1 minor violation.
View 3 violations
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed: the items on hot hold front line: rice 104,122, lentils 108°. The manager put the items on high temperature to bring that back to a complying temperature. A breaker had flipped recently. The unit was plugged in prior to the inspectors arrival. The items were hot holding at 146 and 137 at the end of the inspection. **Corrected On-Site** **Admin Complaint**
03B-01-6
Intermediate - Records/documents for required employee training do not contain all of the required information. Observed: lack of dates of birth on multiple certificates. Dates were added. **Corrected On-Site**
53B-10-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed under the House Made juices containers in the dining area, build of splash up.
23-03-4
74
Apr 29, 2024
Complaint Full
No violations found.
100
Feb 27, 2024
Complaint Full
3 critical violations. 1 major violation. 2 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. Observed: chicken on the front line steam well, 128-132F.
03B-01-6
High Priority - Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. Observed: yellow chemical spray stored over clean dishes at the 3 compartment sink. The spray was placed with cleaning supplies. **Corrected On-Site**
41-10-4
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food held using time as a public health control marked with a time that exceeds the 4-hour limit. Observed: the cut leafy greens food pans at the beginning of the ordering line lack timestamps.
03F-01-5
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. Observed: lack of proof f any training. **Warning**
53B-01-5
Basic - Food stored on floor. Observed: a case of cut leafy greens on the floor in the walk-in cooler.
08B-38-4
Basic - Carbon dioxide/helium tanks not adequately secured. Observed: a co2 tank is not secured, by the cook line.
51-11-4
52
Dec 5, 2023
Routine - Food
2 major violations. 2 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Observed: the can opener blade is soiled/rusty.
22-02-4
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: not all staff over 60 days has a certificate available for review.
53B-02-5
Basic - Single-service articles improperly stored. Observed: a case of to go single serve on the floor in dry storage.
25-05-4
Basic - Sanitizing solution for wiping cloths not free of food debris and visible soil. Observed the red sanitizer bucket in back prep has cloudy/soiled water.
21-11-4
74
Oct 20, 2023
Routine - Food
No violations found.
100
Aug 8, 2023
Routine - Food
1 major violation.
View 1 violation
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. Observed: lack of proof of any training. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2023-08-08: No employee training **Time Extended**
53B-01-5
90
Aug 7, 2023
Routine - Food
4 critical violations. 2 major violations.
View 6 violations
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed: crazy feta 59, egg plant 58, taziki 59, tomato 57, corn 55, hummus 47, red hummus 44, corn 67, cut tomato 61, feta 65F, front line. **Warning**
03A-02-5
High Priority - Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. Observed: crazy feta 59, egg plant 58, taziki 59, tomato 57, corn 55, hummus 47, red hummus 44, corn 67, cut tomato 61, feta 65F. **Warning**
01B-02-5
High Priority - Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license. Observed: the license expired on 6-1-2023. **Admin Complaint**
50-17-3
High Priority - Live, small flying insects in kitchen, food preparation area, food storage area and/or bar area. Observed: a fly by the desk. ALSO, a fly by the mop sink.
35A-02-6
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. Observed: no reporting forms were available for review. Emailed form.
11-26-1
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. Observed: lack of proof of any training. **Warning**
53B-01-5
45
Mar 17, 2023
Food-Licensing Inspection
2 major violations. 1 minor violation.
View 3 violations
Intermediate - No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. Observed no paper towels at any hand wash sink or hand wash sink signs. Inspector provided signs **Corrective Action Taken**
31B-02-4
Intermediate - Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled. Observed three spray bottle containing toxic substance not properly labeled identifying contents ( glass cleaner, disinfectant).
41-17-4
Basic - Carbon dioxide/helium tanks not adequately secured. Observed Carbon dioxide tanks not adequately secured outside establishment.
51-11-4
78
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Cava last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Cava on file is from Nov 17, 2025. The public record contains 12 inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Cava?
Across the inspection record, “carbon dioxide/helium tanks not adequately secured” has been cited three times, more than any other issue at Cava.
How does Cava compare to other restaurants in Gainesville?
Cava most recently scored 78 out of 100, which is about the same as the Gainesville average of 75.
Has Cava's inspection record improved over time?
Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at Cava have averaged around four violations per visit across the recent record.
What does a low risk rating mean?
A low risk rating at Cava 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 Cava inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Cava is inspected around four times per year on average.
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