Cava
Last inspected: Feb 2, 2026
70
Score
Cava has been inspected seven times since 2022. The latest inspection on file is from Feb 2, 2026. The medium risk tier sits in the middle: not spotless, but not alarming either.
Recent inspections have found fewer violations than earlier ones, averaging around three violations lately and about five violations before that.
Across the inspection history, “food-contact surface soiled with food debris” is the issue that surfaces most often, recorded four times.
Cava's latest score of 70 falls below the Palm Harbor average of 74. Nothing in the record is alarming, but there's room to improve.
7
Inspections
0
Critical latest
1
Major latest
5
Minor latest
Inspection History
Feb 2, 2026
Routine - Food
1 major violation. 5 minor violations.
View 6 violations
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Interior of soda machine nozzles soiled with debris. Cutting board soiled.
22-02-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Exterior of soda machine soiled. Exterior of water dispenser soiled.
23-03-4
Basic - Open dumpster lid. Lid of dumpster left open.
33-16-4
Basic - Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable. In use cutting board grooved.
14-09-4
Basic - Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting. Wet nesting trays in ware washing area.
24-08-4
Basic - Interior of oven/microwave has accumulation of black substance/grease/food debris. Food debris in the interior of oven near grill.
22-08-4
70
Sep 16, 2025
Complaint Full
1 critical violation.
View 1 violation
High Priority - Vacuum breaker missing at mop sink faucet splitter added to mop sink faucet. Vacuum breaker added to top of splitter, not at threaded faucet with hose attached
29-42-4
86
Jul 10, 2025
Complaint Full
1 critical violation. 1 major violation.
View 2 violations
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. falafel (108F - Hot Holding) cooked 1 hour ago and hot held in hot holding unit in the employee prep area. cooked falafel (129F - Hot Holding) on service line hot well for 1 hour. Operator reheated both to 165F. **Corrected On-Site**
03B-01-6
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. Operator unable to show proof of state approved food handlers trainings for all employees at time of inspection.
53B-01-5
78
Feb 26, 2025
Food-Licensing Inspection
1 major violation.
View 1 violation
Approved Thawing Methods Used
FL-31
90
Jan 27, 2023
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 2 major violations. 2 minor violations.
View 6 violations
High Priority - - From initial inspection : High Priority - Food prepared with soiled equipment/utensil. Cornbread mix placed in pans heavily soiled with grease and food debris. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2023-01-27: **Time Extended**
08B-28-4
High Priority - - From initial inspection : High Priority - Live, small flying insects in kitchen, food preparation area, food storage area and/or bar area. 5 live flies observed near mop sink, 1 live fly observed in office. 6 live flies total **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2023-01-27: 2 live flies observed near mop sink. **Time Extended**
35A-02-6
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Cutting boards both behind front counter and in back of the house. Brown Cambro unit Insulated canvas bag. Baking pans used for cornbread heavily soiled. **Repeat Violation** **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2023-01-27: **Time Extended**
22-02-4
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : Intermediate - Required employee training expired for some employees. To order approved program food safety material, call DBPR contracted provider: Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (SafeStaff) 866-372-7233. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2023-01-27: **Time Extended**
53B-14-5
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Time/temperature control for safety food thawed in an improper manner. 2 bags of chicken noodle soup thawed in warm standing water. Water 97F, temperature of chicken 87F. Opera stated that the soup was in the water about 30 minutes. Water was drained. Operator to begin cooking process. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2023-01-27: **Time Extended**
06-01-5
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Floor soiled/has accumulation of debris. Cook line , prep area, storage areas **Repeat Violation** **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2023-01-27: **Time Extended**
36-73-4
55
Jan 26, 2023
Routine - Food
3 critical violations. 2 major violations. 4 minor violations.
View 9 violations
High Priority - Pesticide-emitting strip present in food prep area. Pesticide-emitting strip hanging from ceiling in front of mop sink and prep area. Discussed the importance of keeping pesticide emitting strips away from prep areas,. **Warning**
41-24-4
High Priority - Live, small flying insects in kitchen, food preparation area, food storage area and/or bar area. 5 live flies observed near mop sink, 1 live fly observed in office. 6 live flies total **Warning**
35A-02-6
High Priority - Food prepared with soiled equipment/utensil. Cornbread mix placed in pans heavily soiled with grease and food debris. **Warning**
08B-28-4
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Cutting boards both behind front counter and in back of the house. Brown Cambro unit Insulated canvas bag. Baking pans used for cornbread heavily soiled. **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
22-02-4
Intermediate - Required employee training expired for some employees. To order approved program food safety material, call DBPR contracted provider: Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (SafeStaff) 866-372-7233. **Warning**
53B-14-5
Basic - Floor area(s) covered with standing water. Walk in cooler has standing water on the floor. **Warning**
36-22-4
Basic - Floor soiled/has accumulation of debris. Cook line , prep area, storage areas **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
36-73-4
Basic - In-use utensil stored in standing water less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Scoops stored in standing water on prep table on cook line. **Warning**
10-07-4
Basic - Time/temperature control for safety food thawed in an improper manner. 2 bags of chicken noodle soup thawed in warm standing water. Water 97F, temperature of chicken 87F. Opera stated that the soup was in the water about 30 minutes. Water was drained. Operator to begin cooking process. **Warning**
06-01-5
43
Jul 14, 2022
Routine - Food
2 major violations. 3 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Cornbread pans
22-02-4
Intermediate - PIC name is Patrick Vega not CFM. 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/
53A-05-6
Basic - In-use utensil not stored on a clean portion of food preparation or cooking equipment. Knives stored in soiled knife rack Ice scoop in soiled holder
10-02-4
Basic - Floor soiled/has accumulation of debris. Under and behind fixed equipment Walk in freezer floor **Repeat Violation**
36-73-4
Basic - Equipment in poor repair. Ice machine
14-11-5
70
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Cava last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Cava on file is from Feb 2, 2026. The public record contains seven inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Cava?
Across the inspection record, “food-contact surface soiled with food debris” has been cited four times, more than any other issue at Cava.
How does Cava compare to other restaurants in Palm Harbor?
Cava most recently scored 70 out of 100, which is lower than the Palm Harbor average of 74.
Has Cava's inspection record improved over time?
Yes. Recent inspections at Cava have averaged around three violations per visit, down from roughly five earlier in the 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 two times per year on average.
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