Darrell's Diner 3
Last inspected: Jan 28, 2026
100
Score
Across the available record, Darrell's Diner 3 has 13 inspections on file, the first dated 2022. The most recent visit was on Jan 28, 2026. A low risk tier reflects an inspection that turned up minimal issues.
Recent inspections have found fewer violations than earlier ones, averaging around five violations lately and about seven violations before that.
Across the inspection history, “food-contact surface soiled with food debris” is the issue that surfaces most often, recorded four times.
Restaurants in Ocala average 78, so Darrell's Diner 3 is doing better than most peers. The file should reassure diners considering a visit.
13
Inspections
0
Critical latest
0
Major latest
0
Minor latest
Inspection History
Jan 28, 2026
Routine - Food
No violations found.
100
Jan 23, 2026
Routine - Food
6 critical violations. 5 major violations. 4 minor violations.
View 15 violations
High Priority - Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. Items stored in reach-in cooler next to kitchen hand washing sink: cottage cheese (47F - Cold Holding); ham (46F - Cold Holding); turkey (46F - Cold Holding); chicken salad (47F - Cold Holding); tuna salad (46F - Cold Holding); potato salad (46F - Cold Holding); cheese (47F - Cold Holding); tomatoes (46F - Cold Holding). Manager stated items stored in cooler overnight.
01B-02-5
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Items stored in reach-in cooler next to kitchen hand washing sink: cottage cheese (47F - Cold Holding); ham (46F - Cold Holding); turkey (46F - Cold Holding); chicken salad (47F - Cold Holding); tuna salad (46F - Cold Holding); potato salad (46F - Cold Holding); cheese (47F - Cold Holding); tomatoes (46F - Cold Holding). Manager stated items stored in cooler overnight. **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
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. Eggs and cooked potatoes stored on cook line. Manager stated eggs placed on cook line thirty minutes earlier and potatoes placed out one hour earlier. Manager placed proper times on items. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
03F-02-5
High Priority - Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. Bottle of hand sanitizer stored on shelf with coffee filters in wait station. Manager removed hand sanitizer during inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
41-10-4
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 handled dirty dishes and proceeded to handle clean dishes without washing hands. Manager had employee wash hands and rewash dishes. **Corrective Action Taken** **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
12A-13-4
High Priority - Employee cracked raw shell eggs and then handled ready-to-eat food and/or clean equipment or utensils without washing hands. Employee cracked eggs and proceeded to handle clean plate without washing hands and changing gloves. Manager had employee wash hands and change gloves. **Corrective Action Taken** **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
12A-27-4
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Cutting boards on kitchen reach-in coolers stained. Ice bin for kitchen ice machine stained. **Repeat Violation**
22-02-4
Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Employee dumped ice in cook line hand washing sink. **Repeat Violation**
31A-11-4
Intermediate - 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/. Five employees working with no certified food manager present. Manager arrived during inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
53A-05-6
Intermediate - Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled. Spray bottle of window cleaner hanging above mop sink.
41-17-4
Intermediate - Water with a temperature of least 85 degrees Fahrenheit not provided/shut off at employee handwash sink. Cook line hand washing sink, 71F. **Repeat Violation**
27-16-4
Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Employee drink on prep table across from steam table. Manager removed drink during inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
12B-07-4
Basic - Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting. Cups stored in wait station.
24-08-4
Basic - In-use tongs stored on equipment door handle between uses. Tongs hanging on fryer handle. Manager placed tongs on grill. **Corrected On-Site**
10-20-4
Basic - Single-service articles not stored inverted or protected from contamination. Coffee filters stored on shelf in wait station.
25-06-4
20
Aug 22, 2025
Routine - Food
No violations found.
100
Aug 19, 2025
Routine - Food
3 critical violations. 4 major violations. 9 minor violations.
View 16 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 handled dirty dishes and proceeded to handle clean dishes without washing hands. Manager had employee wash hands and rewash dishes. **Corrective Action Taken**
12A-13-4
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Items stored in reach-in cooler across from cook line: bacon (45F - Cold Holding); cheese (51F - Cold Holding); ham (44F - Cold Holding). Manager stated items placed in cooler two hours prior to temperature being taken. Manager moved items to reach-in freezer to reduce temperature to 41F. **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning**
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. Eggs stored on cook line. Manager Stated eggs placed on cook line twenty minutes prior. Manager placed proper time on eggs. **Corrected On-Site**
03F-02-5
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. White cutting boards stored on prep table in front of kitchen ice machine. Bin for kitchen ice machine. Water nozzle for wait station tea machine.
22-02-4
Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Wiping cloth in hand washing sink across from cook line. Manager removed wiping cloth during inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
31A-11-4
Intermediate - No probe thermometer provided to measure temperature of food products. No probe thermometer available for measuring cold items.
05-08-4
Intermediate - Water with a temperature of least 85 degrees Fahrenheit not provided/shut off at employee handwash sink. Hand washing sink across from cook line, 81F.
27-16-4
Basic - Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance. Ceiling vents and tiles throughout the kitchen. **Repeat Violation**
36-34-5
Basic - Food stored on floor. Box of soda stored on floor next to soda boxes outside stand. **Repeat Violation**
08B-38-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Hood vents above cook line. Top and exterior of doors on dish machine. Outside of door for kitchen ice machine. **Repeat Violation**
23-03-4
Basic - Reach-in cooler shelves with rust that has pitted the surface. Reach-in cooler at end of cook line.
14-33-4
Basic - Storage of maintenance equipment/tools in areas that may result in cross contamination of food, equipment, utensils, linens and/or single-service and single-use articles. Light bulbs stored over powdered sugar in dry storage room. Manager moved light bulbs to area next to ice machine. **Corrected On-Site**
42-03-5
Basic - Time/temperature control for safety food thawed in an improper manner. Ham thawing at room temperature on prep table in front of kitchen ice machine. Manager placed ham underneath running water. **Corrected On-Site**
06-01-5
Basic - Wall soiled with accumulated grease, food debris, and/or dust. Wall behind dish machine.
36-27-5
Basic - Wet wiping cloth not stored in sanitizing solution between uses. Wiping cloth stored on reach-in cooler next to kitchen entrance. Employee removed wet cloth during inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
21-12-4
Basic - Ceiling tile missing. Ceiling tile missing on cook line.
36-36-4
27
Feb 5, 2025
Complaint Full
No violations found.
100
Dec 27, 2024
Complaint Full
1 critical violation. 4 minor violations.
View 5 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. Dishmachine at 0ppm CL **Warning**
22-41-4
Basic - Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Bowl with no handle used to dispense food (sugar).
14-01-5
Basic - Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance. Air conditioning vents in dining area soiled with mold like substance **Warning**
36-34-5
Basic - Food stored on floor. Bag of sugar on floor in dry goods storage area
08B-38-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Mold like substance on the underside of the non food contact surface of the nozzles on the soda dispensing machine at server station. **Repeat Violation**
23-03-4
70
Aug 8, 2024
Routine - Food
1 major violation. 3 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Intermediate - No chemical test kit provided when using sanitizer at three-compartment sink/warewashing machine or wiping cloths. No test strips for dishmachine
16-37-1
Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Two employee drinks on top of the flip-top make table cooler in the kitchen and one employee drink above clean coffee cups at serving station.
12B-07-4
Basic - Employee with no hair restraint while engaging in food preparation. Male cook on cook line with no hair guard
13-03-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Mold like substance on the underside of the non food contact surface of the nozzles on the soda dispensing machine at server station.
23-03-4
78
Mar 14, 2024
Routine - Food
No violations found.
100
Dec 12, 2023
Routine - Food
3 major violations. 5 minor violations.
View 8 violations
Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Observed employee wash probe thermometer in hand wash sink on cook line.
31A-11-4
Intermediate - Manager or person in charge lacking proof of food manager certification. Observed person in charge was not able to provide any proof of food manager certification for any staff. **Warning**
53A-01-7
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. Observed person in charge was not able to provide any proof of food handler certification for any staff. **Warning**
53B-01-5
Basic - Cosmetics/toiletries stored with food, clean equipment and utensils, clean linens or single-service items. Observed employee cologne and hand cream stored over tea bags in server area. Person in charge removed items from above tea bags. **Corrected On-Site**
40-04-4
Basic - Current Hotel and Restaurant license not displayed. Observed person in charge was not able to produce a copy of the current license
50-09-4
Basic - No copy of latest inspection report available. Observed person in charge not able to produce last inspection.
51-18-6
Basic - Single-service articles not stored inverted or protected from contamination. Observed coffee filters not inverted or protected at server station. Manager inverted coffee filters **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
25-06-4
Basic - Wet mop not stored in a manner to allow the mop to dry. Observed wet mop not in use stored on floor behind establishment. Person in charge inverted mop to allow to dry. **Corrected On-Site**
42-01-4
58
Aug 21, 2023
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 2 major violations. 5 minor violations.
View 8 violations
Hands Clean and Properly Washed
FL-08
Food Received at Proper Temperature
FL-12
Required Records Available; Shellstock Tags/Labels
FL-14
Non-Food Contact Surfaces Clean
FL-23
Hot and Cold Water Available; Adequate Pressure
FL-25
Sewage and Wastewater Properly Disposed
FL-27
Approved Thawing Methods Used
FL-31
Toxic Substances Properly Identified, Stored, Used
FL-32
55
Jun 21, 2023
Complaint Partial
3 critical violations. 2 major violations. 7 minor violations.
View 12 violations
Employee Health Policies Present
FL-03
Hands Clean and Properly Washed
FL-08
Food Received at Proper Temperature
FL-12
Required Records Available; Shellstock Tags/Labels
FL-14
Potentially Hazardous Food Held at Proper Temperature
FL-16
Proper Hot and Cold Holding Temperatures
FL-21
Food Contact Surfaces Clean and Sanitized
FL-22
Hot and Cold Water Available; Adequate Pressure
FL-25
Equipment Adequate to Maintain Product Temperature
FL-29
Lighting Adequate; Required Shields in Place
FL-36
Wiping Cloths Properly Used and Stored
FL-41
Toilet Rooms Maintained
FL-53
26
Mar 10, 2023
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 3 major violations. 5 minor violations.
View 10 violations
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over or with ready-to-eat food in a freezer - not all products commercially packaged. Observed raw chicken stored over bread product in the storage freezer. The chicken was moved below in the door. **Corrected On-Site**
08A-02-6
High Priority - Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. Observed Hand sanitizer, and spray deodorizer stored over clean plates and a refrigerated table under the expo window. ALSO, Gold bond cream stored over clean dishes behind the cook line. ALSO, white spray cleaner/sanitizer stored on a shelf pointed at a mustard container, under the front line expo window. All items were moved to below clean dishes and food. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
41-10-4
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Observed the coke nozzle with build up. **Repeat Violation**
22-02-4
Intermediate - No chemical test kit provided when using sanitizer at three-compartment sink/warewashing machine or wiping cloths. Observed lack of a chlorine test kit, when chlorine is used in the dish wash machine **Repeat Violation**
16-37-1
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. Observed one expired certificate.
53B-14-5
Basic - Single-service articles improperly stored. Observed a stack of coffee filters uncovered at the coffee station. These were then covered. **Corrected On-Site**
25-05-4
Basic - Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Observed a styrofoam to go cup, no handle, stored in the bulk sugar. This was removed. **Corrected On-Site**
14-01-5
Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Observed 4 drinks stored over/next to food or clean dishes. 1 in the corner of the expo windows, 2 in the expo window, and one in the dry storage closet shelf. All drinks were moved below. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
12B-07-4
Basic - Equipment in poor repair. Observed the dish wash machine drain was not holding water. A spoon was removed, 100 ppm achieved. **Corrected On-Site* ALSO, on the cook line cold table the right gasket is in poor repair.
14-11-5
Basic - Hole in or other damage to wall. Observed the wall(base) by the back door is in disrepair. **Repeat Violation**
36-24-5
43
Nov 30, 2022
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 3 major violations. 3 minor violations.
View 8 violations
High Priority - Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. Observed Gold bond cream stored over the new make table. This was moved to cleaning. ALSO, in dry storage, hand soap was stored over single serve. This was moved to cleaning. **Corrected On-Site**
41-10-4
High Priority - Wiping cloth sanitizer solution exceeds the maximum concentration allowed. Observed the chlorine bucket in the 3 compartment sink with 200+ ppm. Water was added to 100 ppm. **Corrected On-Site**
41-27-4
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Observed the long make table cutting board is stained. ALSO, the soda nozzles have foreign substance on the diffusers. Observed the reach-in freezer in storage room with an accumulation of debris in the bottom. **Repeat Violation**
22-02-4
Intermediate - No chemical test kit provided when using sanitizer at three-compartment sink/warewashing machine or wiping cloths. Observed lack of a test kit for chlorine.
16-37-1
Intermediate - No written procedures available for use of time as a public health control to hold time/temperature control for safety food. Observed 2 time as a public health control forms, neither is complete in being filled out.
03F-10-5
Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Observed 1 employee thermo cup in the pass thru window over the new make table. This was moved to dish. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
12B-07-4
Basic - Hole in or other damage to wall. Observed the wall by the back door and the baseboard right in front of it is in disrepair.
36-24-5
Basic - Reuse of single-service or single-use articles. Observed egg flats used to drain fry pans after use. Fry pans are moved to dish. **Corrective Action Taken**
25-32-4
47
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Darrell's Diner 3 last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Darrell's Diner 3 on file is from Jan 28, 2026. The public record contains 13 inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Darrell's Diner 3?
Across the inspection record, “food-contact surface soiled with food debris” has been cited four times, more than any other issue at Darrell's Diner 3.
How does Darrell's Diner 3 compare to other restaurants in Ocala?
Darrell's Diner 3 most recently scored 100 out of 100, which is higher than the Ocala average of 78.
Has Darrell's Diner 3's inspection record improved over time?
Yes. Recent inspections at Darrell's Diner 3 have averaged around five violations per visit, down from roughly seven earlier in the record.
What does a low risk rating mean?
A low risk rating at Darrell's Diner 3 means inspectors found minimal or no significant issues at the most recent visit. Most facilities at this tier have a clean recent inspection report.
How often is Darrell's Diner 3 inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Darrell's Diner 3 is inspected around four times per year on average.
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