Chow Tyme Grill & Buffet Restaurant
Last inspected: Oct 21, 2025
26
Score
Going back to 2022, Chow Tyme Grill & Buffet Restaurant has 17 inspections in the public record. The newest entry in the record is dated Oct 21, 2025. Diners may want to take note: high risk reflects issues that a health inspector considered important.
Violation counts have ticked up lately, averaging around eight violations per visit versus roughly three violations earlier in the record.
The most common issue across all inspections has been “exterior door has a gap at the threshold that opens”, showing up five times.
Restaurants in Pensacola average 95, so Chow Tyme Grill & Buffet Restaurant trails the local norm. Taken together, the history suggests a facility that has struggled with consistency.
17
Inspections
6
Critical latest
1
Major latest
7
Minor latest
Inspection History
Oct 21, 2025
Complaint Full
6 critical violations. 1 major violation. 7 minor violations.
View 14 violations
High Priority - Dishmachine chlorine sanitizer not at proper minimum strength. Discontinue use of dishmachine for sanitizing and set up manual sanitization until dishmachine is repaired and sanitizing properly. Chlorine sanitizer at dishwasher reading 0ppm. 3 compartment sink is already set up with chlorine sanitizer at 50ppm. Operator later achieved 50ppm. **Corrected On-Site**
22-41-4
High Priority - Food-contact surfaces not sanitized after cleaning, before use. Do not use equipment/utensils not properly sanitized. Dishwashing employee moved silverware from dishwasher to silverware sorting area after being informed dishwasher was not sanitizing dishes, and also kept stacking cups that went through dishwasher without proper sanitization.
22-45-4
High Priority - Raw animal foods not properly separated from each other in holding unit based upon minimum required cooking temperature. Raw chicken wings over raw pork and beef in walk-in cooler.
08A-20-5
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Raw pork at hibachi buffet at 48f for approximately 2 hours.
03A-02-5
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Fried chicken at buffet steam tables at 130f for approximately 1 hour at time of inspection. **Repeat Violation**
03B-01-6
High Priority - Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. Chlorox spray bottle on shelf over reach-in cooler on cook line. Operator removed items during inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
41-10-4
Intermediate - Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Handwashing sink in sushi area is full of dishes and inaccessible, and handwashing sink in back of kitchen has hose attached to faucet. Operators removed items during inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
31A-09-4
Basic - Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Observed employees using bowls and pans without handles to scoop ice. Pot with missing handle used as scoop for shrimp at make line. **Repeat Violation**
14-01-5
Basic - Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting. Observed dishwashing employee stacking cups with moisture trapped between them.
24-08-4
Basic - Exterior door has a gap at the threshold that opens to the outside. Gaps along threshold of back door. **Repeat Violation**
35B-01-4
Basic - Ice buildup in walk-in freezer. **Repeat Violation**
14-69-4
Basic - In-use knife/knives stored in cracks between pieces of equipment. Knife stored between reach-in coolers at make line. Operator removed knife during inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
10-17-4
Basic - Plumbing system in disrepair. Hot water handle is loose and does not turn on water at handwashing sink by mop sink. Operator began repairing sink during inspection. Operator repaired sink during inspection. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
29-08-4
Basic - Wall in disrepair above wall for walk-in freezer with ice build-up.
36-24-5
26
Aug 25, 2025
Complaint Full
No violations found.
100
Aug 14, 2025
Complaint Full
3 critical violations. 6 minor violations.
View 9 violations
High Priority - Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license. Establishment observed preparing, serving, and selling food to customers with an expired license. License expired 6/1/25. License renewed during inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
50-17-3
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Raw chicken stored over ready-to-eat krab sticks in walk-in freezer.
08A-05-6
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Pork chops on buffet line at 113f for approximately 1 hour.
03B-01-6
Basic - Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Bowls used as scoops for dry goods and for soy sauce. **Repeat Violation**
14-01-5
Basic - Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance. Ceiling vent in hibachi area.
36-34-5
Basic - Equipment in poor repair. Walk-in cooler doors are unable to open from inside. Handle for walk-in cooler is very loose. **Warning**
14-11-5
Basic - Exterior door has a gap at the threshold that opens to the outside. Back door has gaps along threshold. **Repeat Violation**
35B-01-4
Basic - Ice buildup in walk-in freezer. Ice buildup is preventing door from properly closing.
14-69-4
Basic - Plumbing system in disrepair. Hot water handle at hand wash sink next to mop sink is loose and does not turn on water.
29-08-4
47
Feb 11, 2025
Complaint Full
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Dead roaches on premises. Observed one dead roach under hibachi grills. Operator cleaned and sanitized area during inspection. **Corrected On-Site** **Admin Complaint** - From follow-up inspection 2025-02-11: Upon inspection observed no dead roaches under Hibachi grill. **Admin Complaint**
35A-03-4
95
Feb 10, 2025
Complaint Full
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 5 minor violations.
View 7 violations
High Priority - Vacuum breaker missing at mop sink faucet or on fitting/splitter added to mop sink faucet. No automatic vacuum breaker attached to splitter attachment at mop sink.
29-42-4
Intermediate - Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Hand wash sink in prep/ ware washing area inaccessible due to hose attached to faucet. Operator removed hose during inspection. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
31A-09-4
Basic - Exterior door has a gap at the threshold that opens to the outside. Gap along bottom and side of exterior side door.
35B-01-4
Basic - Food stored on floor. Box of avocados stored on floor in sushi area. Operator corrected storage during inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
08B-38-4
Basic - Worn, torn and/or soiled floors. Floor soiled underneath hibachi grills with grease and food debris. Floor in walk-in cooler in disrepair.
36-10-4
Basic - Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Bowls used to scoop items on cook line. Operator removed bowls during inspection. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
14-01-5
Basic - Dead roaches on premises. Observed one dead roach under hibachi grills. Operator cleaned and sanitized area during inspection. **Corrected On-Site** **Admin Complaint**
35A-03-4
61
Aug 8, 2024
Complaint Partial
1 critical violation.
View 1 violation
High Priority - - From initial inspection : High Priority - Live, small flying insects in kitchen, food preparation area, food storage area and/or bar area. Observed approximately 9 flying insects in the following locations: approximately seven flying insects observed around hand wash sink between walk-in cooler door and mop sink, across from dishwasher, and two flying insects observed on edges of can with sugar. **Admin Complaint** - From follow-up inspection 2024-06-20: No flying insects observed during callback. **Admin Complaint** - From follow-up inspection 2024-08-08: **Admin Complaint**
35A-02-6
86
Aug 7, 2024
Complaint Full
2 critical violations. 2 major violations. 4 minor violations.
View 8 violations
High Priority - Live, small flying insects in kitchen, food preparation area, food storage area and/or bar area. Observed four flying insects in kitchen area. **Warning**
35A-02-6
High Priority - Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license. License expired 6/1/2024 **Admin Complaint**
50-17-3
Intermediate - Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Hose attached to handwash sink at back cook line. Operator removed hose during inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
31A-09-4
Intermediate - No chemical test kit provided when using sanitizer at three-compartment sink/warewashing machine or wiping cloths. No chlorine test kit available.
16-37-1
Basic - Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting. Observed cups wet nesting on rack in dish area.
24-08-4
Basic - Food stored on floor. Container of wontons on floor in kitchen
08B-38-4
Basic - Stored food not covered. Sausage in walk in freezer not covered
08B-12-5
Basic - Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Bowls used as scoops for various items in kitchen
14-01-5
50
Jun 20, 2024
Complaint Partial
1 critical violation. 1 major violation.
View 2 violations
High Priority - - From initial inspection : High Priority - Live, small flying insects in kitchen, food preparation area, food storage area and/or bar area. Observed approximately 9 flying insects in the following locations: approximately seven flying insects observed around hand wash sink between walk-in cooler door and mop sink, across from dishwasher, and two flying insects observed on edges of can with sugar. **Admin Complaint** - From follow-up inspection 2024-06-20: No flying insects observed during callback. **Admin Complaint**
35A-02-6
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : Intermediate - Required employee training expired for all employees. To order approved program food safety material, call DBPR contracted provider: Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (SafeStaff) 866-372-7233. All employee food handler training certificates expired. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2024-06-20: Time extended to original callback date. **Time Extended**
53B-05-5
78
Jun 19, 2024
Complaint Partial
4 critical violations. 1 major violation. 1 minor violation.
View 6 violations
High Priority - Live, small flying insects in kitchen, food preparation area, food storage area and/or bar area. Observed approximately 9 flying insects in the following locations: approximately seven flying insects observed around hand wash sink between walk-in cooler door and mop sink, across from dishwasher, and two flying insects observed on edges of can with sugar. **Admin Complaint**
35A-02-6
High Priority - Raw animal foods not properly separated from each other in holding unit based upon minimum required cooking temperature. Raw chicken over raw beef in walk-in cooler.
08A-20-5
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Chicken in reach-in cooler at 45f for 5 minutes. Per operator, chicken was pulled from other reach-in cooler before being set in current reach-in cooler.
03A-02-5
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. Sushi held on time as a public health control with no identifiable time marking. Per operator, sushi was made 20 minutes prior.
03F-02-5
Intermediate - Required employee training expired for all employees. To order approved program food safety material, call DBPR contracted provider: Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (SafeStaff) 866-372-7233. All employee food handler training certificates expired. **Warning**
53B-05-5
Basic - Exterior door has a gap at the threshold that opens to the outside. Exterior back door has gap along side threshold. Observed holes in screen of door, creating further openings.
35B-01-4
47
Jan 23, 2024
Routine - Food
3 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Basic - Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Upon inspection observed employee cell phone on top of main cook line in the kitchen.
40-06-5
Basic - Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting. Upon inspection observed moisture between stacked pans on drying racks.
24-08-4
Basic - Walk-in cooler/freezer shelves with rust that has pitted the surface. Upon inspection observed rusted shelves in multiple walk-in coolers and freezers.
14-17-4
86
Aug 22, 2023
Complaint Full
No violations found.
100
Aug 11, 2023
Complaint Full
3 critical violations. 2 major violations. 4 minor violations.
View 9 violations
Supervisor/Person in Charge Present
FL-01
Employee Health Policies Present
FL-03
Hands Clean and Properly Washed
FL-08
Required Records Available; Shellstock Tags/Labels
FL-14
Adequate Handwashing Facilities Supplied and Accessible
FL-10
Food Contact Surfaces Clean and Sanitized
FL-22
Sewage and Wastewater Properly Disposed
FL-27
Approved Thawing Methods Used
FL-31
Lighting Adequate; Required Shields in Place
FL-36
43
Apr 27, 2023
Complaint Partial
No violations found.
100
Mar 28, 2023
Complaint Partial
1 critical violation.
View 1 violation
High Priority - Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. Fly sticky traps hanging over prep area in kitchen. Operator removed items. **Corrected On-Site**
41-10-4
86
Mar 2, 2023
Routine - Food
No violations found.
100
Dec 1, 2022
Complaint Full
2 critical violations. 1 major violation. 3 minor violations.
View 6 violations
High Priority - Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. Boiled Eggs 47F in walk cooler across from cook line.
01B-02-5
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Boiled eggs in walk in cooler next to cook line held at 47F for more than 4 hours. Employee through food item away during inspection. No other TCS foods were located in walk in cooler.
03A-02-5
Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Observed steel wool in hand wash sink at end of cook line. Employees removed item from sink during inspection.
31A-11-4
Basic - Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin. Ice shield in ice machine looked with mold like substance.
22-20-5
Basic - Ceiling tile missing. Ceiling tiles above WIC are not properly seated/missing.
36-36-4
Basic - Exterior door has a gap at the threshold that opens to the outside. Small gaps to outside observed at kitchen exit. Manager stated door is in the process of being replaced.
35B-01-4
58
Sep 6, 2022
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 5 minor violations.
View 6 violations
High Priority - Dishmachine chlorine sanitizer not at proper minimum strength. Discontinue use of dishmachine for sanitizing and set up manual sanitization until dishmachine is repaired and sanitizing properly. On initial test ppm showed no reading on Inspector test strips. Chlorine supply to unit had run out. Employees replaced chlorine supply and Machine ppm showed at least 100ppm reading on Inspector and establishments test strips .
22-41-4
Basic - Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin. Observed black substance buildup on ice shield in ice machine. Employee wiped down ice machine during inspection. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
22-20-5
Basic - Ceiling tile missing. Ceiling tile in kitchen missing between dish-machine area and cook line.
36-36-4
Basic - Fly sticky tape hanging over food/food preparation area/food-contact equipment. Multiple sticky tape fly traps through-out kitchen over food prep areas. **Repeat Violation**
35B-08-4
Basic - Ice buildup in reach-in freezer and/or walk-in freezer. Ice buildup throughout middle walk in freezer. **Repeat Violation**
14-69-4
Basic - Stored food not covered. Observed crab salad in walk in cooler uncovered. Employee covered item with plastic wrap during inspection. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
08B-12-5
67
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Chow Tyme Grill & Buffet Restaurant last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Chow Tyme Grill & Buffet Restaurant on file is from Oct 21, 2025. The public record contains 17 inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Chow Tyme Grill & Buffet Restaurant?
Across the inspection record, “exterior door has a gap at the threshold that opens” has been cited five times, more than any other issue at Chow Tyme Grill & Buffet Restaurant.
How does Chow Tyme Grill & Buffet Restaurant compare to other restaurants in Pensacola?
Chow Tyme Grill & Buffet Restaurant most recently scored 26 out of 100, which is lower than the Pensacola average of 95.
Has Chow Tyme Grill & Buffet Restaurant's inspection record improved over time?
No. Recent inspections at Chow Tyme Grill & Buffet Restaurant have averaged around eight violations per visit, up from roughly three earlier in the record.
What does a high risk rating mean?
A high risk rating at Chow Tyme Grill & Buffet Restaurant 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 Chow Tyme Grill & Buffet Restaurant inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Chow Tyme Grill & Buffet Restaurant is inspected around five times per year on average.
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