Darrell's Diner #17
Last inspected: Jan 13, 2026
61
Score
Inspectors have visited Darrell's Diner #17 12 times, with records going back to 2022. On Jan 13, 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 produced comparable findings, with counts hovering near five violations per visit.
The pattern that stands out is “time/temperature control for safety food cold held”, which has been cited three times.
Darrell's Diner #17's latest score of 61 falls below the Gainesville average of 75. The inspection history reads as standard for a restaurant of this size.
12
Inspections
2
Critical latest
1
Major latest
1
Minor latest
Inspection History
Jan 13, 2026
Food-Licensing Inspection
2 critical violations. 1 major violation. 1 minor violation.
View 4 violations
Food Contact Surfaces Clean and Sanitized
FL-22
Sewage and Wastewater Properly Disposed
FL-27
Lighting Adequate; Required Shields in Place
FL-36
Wiping Cloths Properly Used and Stored
FL-41
61
Jul 24, 2025
Routine - Food
3 critical violations. 3 major violations. 4 minor violations.
View 10 violations
Proper Eating, Tasting, Drinking, or Tobacco Use
FL-06
Employee Health Policies Present
FL-03
Hands Clean and Properly Washed
FL-08
Adequate Handwashing Facilities Supplied and Accessible
FL-10
Potentially Hazardous Food Held at Proper Temperature
FL-16
Food Contact Surfaces Clean and Sanitized
FL-22
Toilet Rooms Maintained
FL-53
Washing Fruits and Vegetables
FL-42
Wiping Cloths Properly Used and Stored
FL-41
Equipment, Food and Non-Food Contact Surfaces Approved
FL-35
39
Jan 3, 2025
Routine - Food
1 major violation. 1 minor violation.
View 2 violations
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Observed the back side of the slicer blade and frame have debris. ALSO, the can opener blade has dried food debris on it. This item **Repeat Violation**
22-02-4
Basic - Ice buildup in reach-in freezer and/or walk-in freezer. Observed: the walk-in freezer floor has chunks of ice under the shelves. There is an ice sculpture growing on the shelf below the fans.
14-69-4
86
Sep 13, 2024
Routine - Food
3 critical violations. 1 major violation. 1 minor violation.
View 5 violations
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed cooked potatoes in the hot hold unit on the front line, 89°. According to staff, this was an overage from a recent order. These were placed in a steaming hot well to be brought back to 165°. **Corrective Action Taken**
03B-01-6
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed: shell eggs in the cook line flip top reach-in cooler, in a carton above the cold level of the unit, 54°. These were placed in the walk-in freezer for 11 minutes to quick chill and then were placed below in the cold hold unit. **Corrective Action Taken** **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
03A-02-5
High Priority - Chlorine sanitizer in spray bottle/bucket not at proper minimum strength. Observed: the sanitizer bucket on the front line, per staff was chlorine. This tested to 0 ppm for chlorine. Chlorine was added to 100 ppm **Corrected On-Site**
22-39-4
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Observed the can opener with an accumulation of dried food debris.
22-02-4
Basic - Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Observed: a back pack behind the secondary counter, stored with guest food. The back pack was moved to the floor. **Corrected On-Site**
40-06-5
55
May 21, 2024
Complaint Partial
No violations found.
100
Feb 6, 2024
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 2 major violations. 3 minor violations.
View 7 violations
High Priority - Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. Observed: 3 bottles of spray sanitizer stored on the wait station bar, with to go clam shell carry out containers, ketchup, mustard and to go items. The sprays were moved to cleaning. ALSO, bleach jugs stored next to bulk potatoes by the walk-in cooler. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
41-10-4
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed: at the cold make table on the front line in the corner, pork Pattie 45, cubed ham 46, large link pork 47F. Ice bags are being added. **Corrective Action Taken** **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
03A-02-5
Intermediate - No chemical test kit provided when using sanitizer at three-compartment sink/warewashing machine or wiping cloths. Observed: dish wash machine(uses chlorine) no working test strips available.
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. Observed: Homer lacks an Employee Reporting form. He handles dish washing, clean dishes and cleaning.
11-26-1
Basic - Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance. Observed: the vent along the wall in the back kitchen has an accumulation of dust.
36-34-5
Basic - In-use wet wiping cloth/towel used under cutting board. Observed a wet cloth under the cutting board on the front line.
21-04-4
Basic - No copy of latest inspection report available. Observed: the last inspection was not available for review.
51-18-6
52
Oct 12, 2023
Routine - Food
No violations found.
100
May 22, 2023
Complaint Partial
No violations found.
100
Feb 20, 2023
Routine - Food
No violations found.
100
Nov 29, 2022
Complaint Full
No violations found.
100
Nov 16, 2022
Complaint Full
3 critical violations. 1 major violation. 1 minor violation.
View 5 violations
High Priority - Non-food grade paper/paper towel used as liner for food container. Observed non food grade paper towels used from the hand wash sink used to line the bottom of the cooked bacon container. Employee removed paper from the bottom of the container. **Corrected On-Site**
14-86-1
High Priority - Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. Observed the following items and cold holding temperatures in the flip-top make table cooler in the corner next to the grill : Raw bacon (58F - Cold Holding); Sausage (48F - Cold Holding); Raw eggs (63F - Cold Holding); Ham (48F - Cold Holding). Manager advised that all the items except for the bacon had been in the cooler over night. Raw bacon had been placed in the flip-top make table cooler an hour earlier and was placed in the Walk-in Cooler . **Warning**
01B-02-5
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed the following items and cold holding temperatures in the flip-top make table cooler in the corner next to the grill : Raw bacon (58F - Cold Holding); Sausage (48F - Cold Holding); Raw eggs (63F - Cold Holding); Ham (48F - Cold Holding). Manager advised that all the items except for the bacon had been in the cooler over night. Raw bacon had been placed in the flip-top make table cooler an hour earlier and was placed in the Walk-in Cooler . **Warning**
03A-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. Observed Required employee training expired for all employees. **Warning**
53B-05-5
Basic - Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable. Observed cutting board on cook line with multiple cutting marks with stains at the flip-top make table cooler
14-09-4
55
Aug 2, 2022
Routine - Food
2 major violations. 4 minor violations.
View 6 violations
Intermediate - Food manager certification expired. A list of accredited food manager certification examination providers can be found at http://www.myfloridalicense.com/DBPR/hotels-restaurants/food-lodging/food-manager/ Observed Person In Charge has expired food certified manager certificate dated 6/20/2017
53A-03-7
Intermediate - No soap provided at handwash sink. Observed no soap at hand wash sink in men's room
31B-03-4
Basic - Carbon dioxide/helium tanks not adequately secured. Observed bulk carbon dioxide tank not adequately secured outside establishment
51-11-4
Basic - Covered waste receptacle not provided in women's bathroom. Observed no covered waste receptacle provided in women's bathroom.
32-12-5
Basic - Employee with no hair restraint while engaging in food preparation. Observed cook with no hair restraint preparing food. **Repeat Violation**
13-03-4
Basic - Unwashed fruits/vegetables stored with ready-to-eat food. Observed unwashed vegetables stored above ready to eat sauces in Walk-in Cooler . Manager placed unwashed vegetables on bottom shelf **Corrected On-Site**
08B-17-4
67
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Darrell's Diner #17 last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Darrell's Diner #17 on file is from Jan 13, 2026. The public record contains 12 inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Darrell's Diner #17?
Across the inspection record, “time/temperature control for safety food cold held” has been cited three times, more than any other issue at Darrell's Diner #17.
How does Darrell's Diner #17 compare to other restaurants in Gainesville?
Darrell's Diner #17 most recently scored 61 out of 100, which is lower than the Gainesville average of 75.
Has Darrell's Diner #17's inspection record improved over time?
Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at Darrell's Diner #17 have averaged around five violations per visit across the recent record.
What does a medium risk rating mean?
A medium risk rating at Darrell's Diner #17 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 Darrell's Diner #17 inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Darrell's Diner #17 is inspected around three times per year on average.
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