Cucina South
Last inspected: Feb 12, 2026
41
Score
Inspectors have visited Cucina South nine times, with records going back to 2023. The most recent visit was on Feb 12, 2026. Diners may want to take note: high risk reflects issues that a health inspector considered important.
Violation counts have ticked up lately, averaging around 14 violations per visit versus roughly two violations earlier in the record.
“Floor soiled/has accumulation of debris” accounts for the largest share of issues, appearing three times across the record.
By comparison, the average Fernandina Beach facility scores 68, putting Cucina South on the weaker side. There are enough flags in the record to merit a second thought.
9
Inspections
4
Critical latest
0
Major latest
6
Minor latest
Inspection History
Feb 12, 2026
Routine - Food
4 critical violations. 6 minor violations.
View 10 violations
High Priority - Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license. Establishment is operating either license that expired June 1, 2025. Chef contacted the owner and let him know to renew. **Corrective Action Taken** **Admin Complaint**
50-17-3
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. In outside walk-in cooler on speed rack, metal pan of raw tuna stored next to dessert cake. Chef moved raw tuna to lower shelf. **Corrected On-Site**
08A-05-6
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. In reach in cooler at end of cook line, noodles (46F - Cold Holding). Chef stated noodles were out of cooler 20 mins prior to stock cooler then placed back into cooler. Chef placed noodles in freezer to bring temperature down quickly. **Corrective Action Taken**
03A-02-5
High Priority - Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. Behind bar, four spray bottles of assorted cleaners hung on side of rack next to clean rolled utensils. Chef put spray bottles on bottom shelf. Also, in kitchen on clean dish rack spray bottle of bleach, bottle of soap and spray bottler of cleaner next/above clean dishes. Chef removed chemicals from shelf and placed on floor under 3 compartment sink. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
41-10-4
Basic - Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin. Interior deflector plate of ice machine soiled with black mold-like substance.
22-20-5
Basic - Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. In container of sugar, plastic cup used as scoop. Chef removed cup from product. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
14-01-5
Basic - Floor soiled/has accumulation of debris. Floor under kitchen equipment soiled with food debris. Also, floor under dish machine and 3 compartment sink soiled with black residue. Also, floor in non-working pizza oven room soiled with debris. **Repeat Violation**
36-73-4
Basic - Ice buildup in reach-in freezer and/or walk-in freezer. Ice buildup up in reach in freezer on back door of kitchen. **Repeat Violation**
14-69-4
Basic - Standing water in bottom of reach-in-cooler. Standing water in bottom of beer cooler behind bar area. **Repeat Violation**
29-49-6
Basic - Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. In server area on top floor, container of sugar not labeled. Chef added label. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
02D-01-5
41
May 8, 2025
Routine - Food
4 critical violations. 1 major violation. 9 minor violations.
View 14 violations
High Priority - Live, small flying insects found. One (1) live fly observed on cook line in kitchen.
35A-02-7
High Priority - Vacuum breaker missing at hose bibb or on fitting/splitter added to hose bibb. Breaker missing on outside faucet on back side of building where green hose is attached. Chef states he will purchase breaker. **Corrective Action Taken** **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
29-34-4
High Priority - Spray hose at dish sink lower than flood rim of sink. Spray hose at triple sink.
29-37-4
High Priority - Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. Spray bottle containing chemical cleaner stored on counter of cook line in kitchen. Bottle moved and stored correctly. On shelf below prep table in kitchen, can of insecticide stored next to clean cutting boards and bowls. Can moved and stored correctly. **Corrected On-Site**
41-10-4
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Multiple cutting boards in kitchen are soiled/stained.
22-02-4
Basic - Dead roaches on premises. One (1) dead roach on floor in bar. Dead roach discarded. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
35A-03-4
Basic - Floors, walls, and/or ceilings soiled/has accumulation of debris. Floor under equipment in kitchen. Floor in bar. Floor in upstairs storage area. Floor in non-working pizza oven area. Walls under dish area. **Repeat Violation**
36-73-4
Basic - Hole in or other damage to wall. Wall under dish area.
36-24-5
Basic - Ice buildup in reach-in freezer and/or walk-in freezer. Chest freezer outside near walk in cooler. Chest freezer in pizza oven room. **Repeat Violation**
14-69-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact equipment exposed to splash/spillage not constructed of materials that are corrosion resistant, non-absorbent, smooth and easily cleanable. Outside back door near walk in cooler, white chest freezer shows rust. In kitchen across from cook line, shelf below prep table shows rust.
14-47-4
Basic - Single-service articles not stored inverted or protected from contamination. Foil containers on top shelf in upstairs storage area. Containers inverted. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
25-06-4
Basic - Standing water in bottom of reach-in-cooler. Reach in cooler on cook line near rear exit.
29-49-6
Basic - Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. In upstairs storage area, bulk container of sugar not labeled.
02D-01-5
Basic - Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. In walk in cooler, pan used to scoop marinara sauce.
14-01-5
32
Dec 27, 2024
Routine - Food
4 critical violations. 6 major violations. 9 minor violations.
View 19 violations
High Priority - Employee handled soiled equipment or utensils and then engaged in food preparation, handled clean equipment or utensils, or touched unwrapped single-service items without washing hands. Employee in kitchen handle exterior of sanitizer bucket on floor and immediately handled clean knife to cut parsley without washing hands. Manager coached employee on proper hand washing procedures. Employee washed hands correctly. **Corrective Action Taken**
12A-13-4
High Priority - Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license. License expired 06/01/2024. **Admin Complaint**
50-17-3
High Priority - Stop Sale issued due to adulteration of food product. 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. In reach in cooler on cook line, seven (7) packages of thawed red snapper not removed from reduced oxygen packaging. Snapper discarded. See stop sale.
01B-03-5
High Priority - Vacuum breaker missing at hose bibb or on fitting/splitter added to hose bibb. Missing on outside faucet on back side of establishment where green hose is attached.
29-34-4
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. No written plan available. Inspector emailed Form 5030-104 (Clean Up Instructions for Vomitting/Diarrhea). **Corrective Action Taken**
11-27-4
Intermediate - Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Hand washing sink in pizza oven area blocked by chairs. Chairs moved and stored correctly. **Corrected On-Site**
31A-09-4
Intermediate - No chemical test kit provided when using sanitizer at three-compartment sink/warewashing machine or wiping cloths. Missing for quaternary ammonium sanitizer.
16-37-1
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. Missing for one employee working today.
11-26-1
Intermediate - Proof of required state approved employee training not available for some employees. To order approved program food safety material, call DBPR contracted provider: Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (SafeStaff) 866-372-7233. Missing for one employee working today.
53B-13-5
Intermediate - Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled. Spray bottle containing chemical cleaner stored on cart in upstairs server area. Bottle labeled. **Corrected On-Site**
41-17-4
Basic - Ice buildup in reach-in freezer and/or walk-in freezer. Reach in freezer in pizza oven area. **Repeat Violation**
14-69-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact equipment exposed to splash/spillage not constructed of materials that are corrosion resistant, non-absorbent, smooth and easily cleanable. Two white chest freezers (one outside) show rust.
14-47-4
Basic - Single-service articles improperly stored. Case of single use soufflé cups on floor in upstairs storage area. Cups moved and stored correctly. **Corrected On-Site**
25-05-4
Basic - Wiping cloth sanitizing solution stored on the floor. Red sanitizer bucket on floor on cook line. Bucket moved and stored correctly. **Corrected On-Site**
21-38-4
Basic - Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Employee cell phone on shelf in prep area above flip top cooler in kitchen. Phone moved and stored correctly. **Corrected On-Site**
40-06-5
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. In reach in cooler on cook line, seven (7) packages of thawed red snapper not removed from reduced oxygen packaging. Snapper discarded. See stop sale. **Repeat Violation**
06-09-1
Basic - Dead roaches on premises. One (1) dead roach on floor in pizza oven area. Dead roach discarded. **Corrected On-Site**
35A-03-4
Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Multiple employee water bottles on prep tables and shelves above prep areas. Bottles discarded. **Corrected On-Site**
12B-07-4
Basic - Floors, walls, and/or ceilings soiled/has accumulation of debris. Floor under ice machine in upstairs storage area. Floor in pizza oven area.
36-73-4
19
Apr 10, 2024
Routine - Food
No violations found.
100
Mar 27, 2024
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 3 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Employee Health Policies Present
FL-03
Proper Eating, Tasting, Drinking, or Tobacco Use
FL-06
Food in Good Condition, Safe, and Unadulterated
FL-13
Required Records Available; Shellstock Tags/Labels
FL-14
Food Contact Surfaces Clean and Sanitized
FL-22
64
Dec 22, 2023
Routine - Food
No violations found.
100
Dec 13, 2023
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 3 minor violations.
View 4 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. **Warning**
22-41-4
Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Multiple drinks Over coolers, moved **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
12B-07-4
Basic - Employee wearing jewelry other than a plain ring on their hands/arms while preparing food. Wearing watch, watch removed **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
13-07-4
Basic - In-use tongs stored on equipment door handle between uses. Tongs hanging on oven doors. **Warning**
10-20-4
74
Jun 2, 2023
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 2 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Hands Clean and Properly Washed
FL-08
Non-Food Contact Surfaces Clean
FL-23
Equipment Adequate to Maintain Product Temperature
FL-29
Food and Non-Food Contact Surfaces Designed and Constructed
FL-50
67
Feb 8, 2023
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 3 major violations. 4 minor violations.
View 8 violations
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Angels hair noddles 50f, fettuccine 48f rolled steak 47f stored at room temperature, on cook line
03A-02-5
Intermediate - Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled. Under bar area one clear bottle with clear substance inside
41-17-4
Intermediate - Clam/mussel/oyster tags not marked with last date served.
01C-03-4
Intermediate - Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Handsink in pizza oven station used as a dump sink , filled with ice
31A-09-4
Basic - Food not stored at least 6 inches off of the floor. In walk in cooler container of milk stored on floor, moved to shelf **Corrected On-Site**
08B-47-4
Basic - In-use tongs stored on equipment door handle between uses. Hanging on oven door
10-20-4
Basic - Old labels stuck to food containers after cleaning. On clear containers
16-46-4
Basic - Standing water in bottom of reach-in-cooler. Both flip top reach in coolers
29-49-6
52
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Cucina South last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Cucina South on file is from Feb 12, 2026. The public record contains nine inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Cucina South?
Across the inspection record, “floor soiled/has accumulation of debris” has been cited three times, more than any other issue at Cucina South.
How does Cucina South compare to other restaurants in Fernandina Beach?
Cucina South most recently scored 41 out of 100, which is lower than the Fernandina Beach average of 68.
Has Cucina South's inspection record improved over time?
No. Recent inspections at Cucina South have averaged around 14 violations per visit, up from roughly two earlier in the record.
What does a high risk rating mean?
A high risk rating at Cucina South 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 Cucina South inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Cucina South is inspected around three times per year on average.
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