Cava Mezze Grill
Last inspected: Mar 2, 2026
100
Score
Going back to 2022, Cava Mezze Grill has nine inspections in the public record. Cava Mezze Grill was last inspected on Mar 2, 2026. When a facility lands in the low risk tier, it usually means nothing alarming showed up at the most recent visit.
Violation counts have been trending down, averaging around one violation across recent inspections versus roughly five violations before.
Looking across the full record, “accumulation of debris on exterior of warewashing machine” is the recurring theme, flagged four times.
The city-wide average for St. Petersburg sits at 77, putting Cava Mezze Grill on the better side of that line. The file should reassure diners considering a visit.
9
Inspections
0
Critical latest
0
Major latest
0
Minor latest
Inspection History
Mar 2, 2026
Routine - Food
No violations found.
100
Sep 4, 2025
Routine - Food
No violations found.
100
Mar 17, 2025
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 1 minor violation.
View 3 violations
Supervisor/Person in Charge Present
FL-01
Employee Health Policies Present
FL-03
Warewashing Facilities Maintained and Used
FL-24
70
Aug 21, 2024
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 3 minor violations.
View 4 violations
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. Employee dropped cup on floor and picked up cup with gloves on, but did not remove gloves and wash hands.
12A-29-4
Basic - Accumulation of debris on exterior of warewashing machine. **Repeat Violation**
16-21-4
Basic - Clean glasses, cups, bowls, plates, pots and pans not stored inverted or in a protected manner. Ice bucket not inverted for protection. Manager stored correctly. **Corrected On-Site**
24-05-4
Basic - Current Hotel and Restaurant license not displayed. **Repeat Violation**
50-09-4
74
Feb 13, 2024
Routine - Food
1 major violation. 6 minor violations.
View 7 violations
Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Hand wash sink by three compartment sink used to wash off utensils.
31A-11-4
Basic - Current Hotel and Restaurant license not displayed.
50-09-4
Basic - Covered waste receptacle not provided in women's bathroom.
32-12-5
Basic - Bathroom located inside establishment not completely enclosed with tight-fitting, self-closing doors. Men's restroom door.
32-04-4
Basic - Accumulation of debris on exterior of warewashing machine. **Repeat Violation**
16-21-4
Basic - Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting. Pans on storage shelves across from dish machine have wet nesting.
24-08-4
Basic - Employee eating while preparing food. Employee beverage in walk in cooler above food to be served to the public. Manager stored correctly. **Corrected On-Site**
12B-01-4
67
Dec 1, 2023
Routine - Food
2 major violations. 2 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : Intermediate - Certified Food Manager or person in charge lacks knowledge of foodborne illnesses and symptoms of illness that would prevent an employee from working with food, clean equipment and utensils, and single-service items. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2023-12-01: Manager lacks knowledge of Big 6 Foodborne Illnesses and reporting responsibilities. Inspector emailed Inspector discussed and printed and emailed Big 6 restriction/exclusion. **Time Extended** **Corrective Action Taken**
11-07-5
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Can opener on prep table has built up food debris. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2023-12-01: Can opener on prep table still has built up food debris at the time of this callback inspection report. **Time Extended**
22-02-4
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - In-use utensil in non-time/temperature control for safety food not stored with handle above top of food within a closed container. Tong handle touching French fries at front counter. Employee stored correctly. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2023-12-01: **Time Extended**
10-01-5
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Interior of oven/microwave has accumulation of black substance/grease/food debris. Interior of oven on cook line has built up food debris. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2023-12-01: **Time Extended**
22-08-4
74
Sep 29, 2023
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 4 major violations. 7 minor violations.
View 12 violations
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. Employees dropped spatula on floor picked it up with gloved hands and proceeded to put chicken on the grill. **Warning**
12A-29-4
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 - Certified Food Manager or person in charge lacks knowledge of foodborne illnesses and symptoms of illness that would prevent an employee from working with food, clean equipment and utensils, and single-service items. **Warning**
11-07-5
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Can opener on prep table has built up food debris. **Warning**
22-02-4
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/ **Warning**
53A-05-6
Basic - Accumulation of debris on exterior of warewashing machine. Top of dish machine is soiled with food and hard water debris. **Warning**
16-21-4
Basic - Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Employee phone on prep table by pita prep station area. **Warning**
40-06-5
Basic - Employee with no beard guard/restraint while engaging in food preparation. Employee cooking chicken with no beard guard. **Warning**
13-04-4
Basic - Food stored on floor. Feta cheese stored on floor of walk in cooler. Employee stored correctly. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
08B-38-4
Basic - In-use utensil in non-time/temperature control for safety food not stored with handle above top of food within a closed container. Tong handle touching French fries at front counter. Employee stored correctly. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
10-01-5
Basic - Interior of oven/microwave has accumulation of black substance/grease/food debris. Interior of oven on cook line has built up food debris. **Warning**
22-08-4
Basic - Open dumpster lid. **Warning**
33-16-4
41
Mar 1, 2023
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 2 major violations. 4 minor violations.
View 7 violations
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. In upright cooler behind front counter: cut leafy greens (48F - Cold Holding) Manager relocated to another cooler. **Corrective Action Taken**
03A-02-5
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. Can opener on prep table has built up food debris.
22-02-4
Basic - Accumulation of debris on exterior of warewashing machine. Top of dish machine has calcium buildup.
16-21-4
Basic - Current Hotel and Restaurant license not displayed.
50-09-4
Basic - Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Employee speaker stored on top of sugar container. Manager removed. **Corrected On-Site**
40-06-5
Basic - Silverware/utensils stored upright with the food-contact surface up. Clean silverware utensils stored food contact surface upright in ware washing area.
24-18-4
58
Sep 2, 2022
Food-Licensing Inspection
1 major violation. 1 minor violation.
View 2 violations
Intermediate - No chemical test kit provided when using sanitizer at three-compartment sink/warewashing machine or wiping cloths. Chlorine and quaternary.
16-37-1
Basic - No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees.
31B-04-4
86
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Cava Mezze Grill last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Cava Mezze Grill on file is from Mar 2, 2026. The public record contains nine inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Cava Mezze Grill?
Across the inspection record, “accumulation of debris on exterior of warewashing machine” has been cited four times, more than any other issue at Cava Mezze Grill.
How does Cava Mezze Grill compare to other restaurants in St. Petersburg?
Cava Mezze Grill most recently scored 100 out of 100, which is higher than the St. Petersburg average of 77.
Has Cava Mezze Grill's inspection record improved over time?
Yes. Recent inspections at Cava Mezze Grill have averaged around one violation per visit, down from roughly five earlier in the record.
What does a low risk rating mean?
A low risk rating at Cava Mezze Grill 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 Mezze Grill inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Cava Mezze Grill is inspected around three times per year on average.
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