Country Pizza Italian Grill
Last inspected: Jan 15, 2026
64
Score
The health department has logged 10 inspections at Country Pizza Italian Grill, the earliest from 2022. On Jan 15, 2026, the health department conducted the most recent visit. The medium risk tier sits in the middle: not spotless, but not alarming either.
Recent visits have flagged more than earlier ones: around eight violations per visit lately, up from roughly two violations before.
“Food-contact surface (cutting boards) soiled” accounts for the largest share of issues, appearing five times across the record.
By comparison, the average Clearwater facility scores 79, putting Country Pizza Italian Grill on the weaker side. The full record sits in fairly typical territory for a working restaurant.
10
Inspections
0
Critical latest
2
Major latest
5
Minor latest
Inspection History
Jan 15, 2026
Routine - Food
2 major violations. 5 minor violations.
View 7 violations
Intermediate - Food-contact surface (cutting boards) soiled with food debris on cook line. **Repeat Violation**
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. Marcelino Hernandez expired.
53B-14-5
Basic - Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Employee jacket on prep table in server station. Operator moved jacket. **Corrected On-Site**
40-06-5
Basic - Fly sticky tape hanging over food/food preparation area/food-contact equipment. Operator removed sticky trap. **Corrected On-Site**
35B-08-4
Basic - In-use utensil not stored on a clean portion of food preparation or cooking equipment. Pizza peel stored on top pizza oven. Operator placed peel on sheet pan.**Repeat Violation** **Corrected On-Site**
10-02-4
Basic - Unprotected ice machine in a customer/nonsecure area. Ice machine outside unprotected by unlocked gate. Operator closed gate. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
08B-62-4
Basic - Walk-in cooler shelves with rust that has pitted the surface. **Repeat Violation**
14-17-4
64
Sep 2, 2025
Routine - Food
3 critical violations. 4 major violations. 5 minor violations.
View 12 violations
High Priority - Food placed in soiled container/equipment. Per operator, peppers washed and returned to original cardboard box in walk in cooler, will remove and re-wash
08B-27-4
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Raw chicken over soup in walk in cooler, chicken relocated **Corrected On-Site**
08A-05-6
High Priority - Vacuum breaker missing at mop sink faucet or on fitting/splitter added to mop sink faucet. Cold water valve missing vacuum breaker
29-42-4
Intermediate - Food being cooled by nonapproved method as evidenced by inadequate rate of cooling during time of inspection. Soup in walk in cooler 199F in covered plastic bin, discussed proper cooling with operator, lid removed **Corrective Action Taken**
03D-15-4
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Stained cutting boards on prep coolers **Repeat Violation**
22-02-4
Intermediate - Operator is not properly tracking/marking the number of days ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite was held at refrigeration temperatures prior to freezing in order to properly date mark the food when it is thawed and held at refrigeration temperatures again. Meatballs hawing in walk in cooler, prepared and frozen on 8/25 **Repeat Violation**
02C-04-5
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. One expired certificate provided
53B-14-5
Basic - In-use ice scoop stored on soiled surface between uses. Ice scoop on top of outdoor ice machine
10-12-5
Basic - In-use utensil not stored on a clean portion of food preparation or cooking equipment. Pizza peel on top of pizza oven
10-02-4
Basic - Open dumpster lid.
33-16-4
Basic - Unprotected ice machine in a customer/nonsecure area. Outdoor ice machine in a customer accessible area, gate not locked
08B-62-4
Basic - Walk-in cooler/freezer shelves with rust that has pitted the surface.
14-17-4
33
Feb 12, 2025
Routine - Food
3 major violations. 3 minor violations.
View 6 violations
Food Obtained from Approved Sources
FL-11
Food Received at Proper Temperature
FL-12
Certified Food Manager Identification
FL-02
Required Records Available; Shellstock Tags/Labels
FL-14
Food Contact Surfaces Clean and Sanitized
FL-22
Approved Thawing Methods Used
FL-31
58
Oct 25, 2024
Routine - Food
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Old labels stuck to food containers after cleaning. - From follow-up inspection 2024-10-25: **Time Extended**
16-46-4
95
Sep 18, 2024
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 3 minor violations.
View 5 violations
High Priority - Dishmachine chlorine sanitizer not at proper minimum strength. Discontinue use of dishmachine for sanitizing during inspection set up manual sanitization until dishmachine is repaired and sanitizing properly. Chlorine 0 ppm ran machine 3 times. **Repeat Violation**
22-41-4
Intermediate - Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled. Degreaser employee marked **Corrected On-Site**
41-17-4
Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Drink on prep table while actively preparing pizza. Employee moved. **Corrected On-Site**
12B-07-4
Basic - Old labels stuck to food containers after cleaning.
16-46-4
Basic - Wiping cloth chlorine sanitizing solution not at proper minimum strength. At cook line Was at 0 ppm employee replace bucket now at 50 ppm.
21-07-4
67
Mar 12, 2024
Routine - Food
No violations found.
100
Mar 5, 2024
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 2 major violations.
View 3 violations
High Priority - Dishwasher chlorine sanitizer. 0ppm owner charged bucket still at 0ppm. Do not use equipment/utensils properly sanitized. Set up three compartment sink. **Corrective Action Taken** **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
22-41-4
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Slicer soiled **Warning**
22-02-4
Intermediate - Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled. Spray bottle with degreaser, management labeled **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
41-17-4
70
Oct 30, 2023
Routine - Food
4 critical violations. 2 major violations. 6 minor violations.
View 12 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. At 0 ppm manger replaced the sanitizer now at 50 ppm. **Corrected On-Site**
22-41-4
High Priority - Live, small flying insects in kitchen, food preparation area, food storage area and/or bar area. 1 live fly in prep area.
35A-02-6
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over or with ready-to-eat food in a freezer - not all products commercially packaged. Raw veal over cooked chicken nuggets in reach in freezer. Manager move. **Corrected On-Site**
08A-02-6
High Priority - Stop Sale issued due to food not being in a wholesome, sound condition. Raw fruits/vegetables not washed prior to preparation.observed cutting mushrooms before washing. Manger threw away. **Corrective Action Taken**
01B-13-4
Intermediate - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Garlic with oil in bottom of reach in fridge no date of preparation.
02C-02-5
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Slicer soiled Dough press Large mixer
22-02-4
Basic - Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance. Back of house all vents soiled.
36-34-5
Basic - Commercially processed reduced oxygen packaged fish bearing a label indicating that it is to remain frozen until time of use no longer frozen and not removed from reduced oxygen package. Observed reduced oxygen packaged grouper. Manger opened packaging **Corrected On-Site**
06-09-1
Basic - Employee eating in a food preparation or other restricted area. Employee eating sandwich in prep area. near walk in cooler.
12B-02-4
Basic - Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Employee keys on-top of oven mitts at cook line.
40-06-5
Basic - Food stored in undrained ice. Lettuce at cook line in reach in fridge. Cook drained water. **Corrected On-Site**
08B-31-4
Basic - Raw fruits/vegetables not washed prior to preparation.observed cutting mushrooms before washing.
08B-39-4
33
Jun 28, 2023
Routine - Food
1 major violation. 2 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Intermediate - Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Garbage can blocking hand wash sink on cooks line. Operator moved **Corrected On-Site**
31A-09-4
Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Employee drinks on rear dough prep table. Operator removed **Corrected On-Site**
12B-07-4
Basic - Reach-in cooler interior/shelves have accumulation of soil residues. -pizza prep cooler interior -double door stainless reach in freezer
22-16-4
82
Jul 18, 2022
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 13 minor violations.
View 15 violations
High Priority - Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. -spray bottles stored above bus tubs at hand sink and clear containers at dish drying rack Operator moved during time of inspection. **Repeat Violation** **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
41-10-4
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. -slicer has accumulation of food residue -reach in cooler at pizza oven has accumulation of food residue **Repeat Violation**
22-02-4
Basic - Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. -squeeze bottles at prep station not labeled -container with flour at cooks line **Repeat Violation**
02D-01-5
Basic - Clean glasses, cups, bowls, plates, pots and pans not stored inverted or in a protected manner. -pots at dish drying rack **Repeat Violation**
24-05-4
Basic - Current Hotel and Restaurant license not displayed.
50-09-4
Basic - Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable. -at cooks line **Repeat Violation**
14-09-4
Basic - Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting. -metal pans at dish drying rack -plastic cups at front counter
24-08-4
Basic - Food stored on floor. -bucket with food items at reach in cooler Operator moved items during time of inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
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. -fork handle in mozzarella cheese at reach in cooler next to pizza oven **Repeat Violation**
10-01-5
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. -reach in freezer at walk-in cooler has accumulation of food debris -side of reach in freezer above slicer has accumulation of dust -exterior of pizza oven has food debris -mixer head has accumulation of food residue -sides of dough roller has accumulation of food residue -green rack next to fryer has accumulation of grease -hood filters have accumulation of grease -salamander has accumulation of grease -sides of flat top grill have accumulation of grease **Repeat Violation**
23-03-4
Basic - Old labels stuck to food containers after cleaning. -plastic containers at dish drying rack **Repeat Violation**
16-46-4
Basic - Soiled dry wiping cloth in use. -at prep table below microwave
21-10-4
Basic - Standing water in bottom of reach-in-cooler. -next to pizza oven **Repeat Violation**
29-49-6
Basic - Unwashed fruits/vegetables stored with ready-to-eat food. -unwashed carrots over chopped onions in walk-in cooler Discussed proper hierarchy with operator
08B-17-4
Basic - Wall soiled with accumulated grease, food debris, and/or dust. -wall above dish machine has accumulation of dust -walk-in cooler fan covers have accumulation of dust -ceiling above prep table has accumulation of dust
36-27-5
41
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Country Pizza Italian Grill last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Country Pizza Italian Grill on file is from Jan 15, 2026. The public record contains 10 inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Country Pizza Italian Grill?
Across the inspection record, “food-contact surface (cutting boards) soiled” has been cited five times, more than any other issue at Country Pizza Italian Grill.
How does Country Pizza Italian Grill compare to other restaurants in Clearwater?
Country Pizza Italian Grill most recently scored 64 out of 100, which is lower than the Clearwater average of 79.
Has Country Pizza Italian Grill's inspection record improved over time?
No. Recent inspections at Country Pizza Italian Grill have averaged around eight violations per visit, up from roughly two earlier in the record.
What does a medium risk rating mean?
A medium risk rating at Country Pizza Italian Grill 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 Country Pizza Italian Grill inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Country Pizza Italian Grill is inspected around three times per year on average.
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