Donna's Caribbean Restaurant
Last inspected: Jan 21, 2026
100
Score
Across the available record, Donna's Caribbean Restaurant has nine inspections on file, the first dated 2023. The latest inspection on file is from Jan 21, 2026. When a facility lands in the low risk tier, it usually means nothing alarming showed up at the most recent visit.
The picture has improved over the last few visits: recent inspections have averaged around two violations, down from roughly six violations earlier in the record.
Looking across the full record, “ready-to-eat” is the recurring theme, flagged two times.
The city-wide average for Fort Lauderdale sits at 80, putting Donna's Caribbean Restaurant on the better side of that line. Taken together, the history is a positive one.
9
Inspections
0
Critical latest
0
Major latest
0
Minor latest
Inspection History
Jan 21, 2026
Routine - Food
No violations found.
100
Nov 17, 2025
Routine - Food
3 critical violations. 1 major violation. 1 minor violation.
View 5 violations
Food Received at Proper Temperature
FL-12
Adequate Handwashing Facilities Supplied and Accessible
FL-10
Employee Health Policies Present
FL-03
Proper Hot and Cold Holding Temperatures
FL-21
Toilet Rooms Maintained
FL-53
55
Aug 6, 2025
Food-Licensing Inspection
No violations found.
100
Dec 11, 2024
Routine - Food
1 major violation. 1 minor violation.
View 2 violations
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/ observed 4 employees on duty, no certified food manager present.
53A-05-6
Basic - Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin.
22-20-5
86
Aug 12, 2024
Routine - Food
4 major violations. 4 minor violations.
View 8 violations
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris. Observed dicer with onion debris inside. **Warning**
22-02-4
Intermediate - Probe thermometer not within the intended measuring range of use. Digital Thermometer would not calibrate. **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
05-03-4
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. **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
53B-13-5
Intermediate - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Observed beans, plantains, rice, marinated chicken, etc. all no date marks and all 24 hrs + per owner. **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
02C-02-5
Basic - Employee eating in a food preparation or other restricted area. Observed drink and food in freezer. **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
12B-02-4
Basic - In-use utensil stored in standing water less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed at front line, utensils in 77F water. **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
10-07-4
Basic - No conspicuously located ambient air temperature thermometer in holding unit. **Warning**
05-09-4
Basic - Time/temperature control for safety food thawed in an improper manner. Observed both chicken and oxtails thawing in standing water. Per oper, less than 2 hours. Operator returned to refrigerator. **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
06-01-5
55
Jan 3, 2024
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 3 major violations. 3 minor violations.
View 7 violations
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Raw shell eggs stored above ready to eat raw vegetables. Operator relocated to bottom shelf. **Corrective Action Taken**
08A-05-6
Intermediate - Probe thermometer not within the intended measuring range of use. Operator has thermometer but no batteries. **Repeat Violation**
05-03-4
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.
53B-13-5
Intermediate - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Observed multiple containers in walk-in cooler, prepared 24 hours ago with no date marks.
02C-02-5
Basic - Time/temperature control for safety food thawed in an improper manner. Observed 2 prep sinks full of chicken in standing water. Operator states less than 2 hours. Operator proceeded to prep one and ice bath the other. **Corrective Action Taken**
06-01-5
Basic - Employee eating in a food preparation or other restricted area. Observed: 1.drink cup on top of produce in walk-in cooler. 2. Drink cup in reach in freezer. Operator removed. **Corrective Action Taken**
12B-02-4
Basic - In-use utensil stored in standing water less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed line utensils stored in 72F water. Operation cleaned, sanitized, and held dry.
10-07-4
55
Oct 24, 2023
Complaint Full
2 major violations. 2 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Intermediate - Certified Food Manager or person in charge lacks knowledge of foodborne illnesses and symptoms of illness that would prevent an employee from working with food, clean equipment and utensils, and single-service items.
11-07-5
Intermediate - No chemical test kit provided when using sanitizer at three-compartment sink/warewashing machine or wiping cloths. No chlorine test kit present.
16-37-1
Basic - Wet wiping cloths used for occasional spills on equipment food- and nonfood-contact surfaces not clean.
21-09-4
Basic - Wet wiping cloth not stored in sanitizing solution between uses.
21-12-4
74
Aug 11, 2023
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 4 major violations. 4 minor violations.
View 10 violations
Hands Clean and Properly Washed
FL-08
Procedures for Responding to Vomiting/Diarrheal Events
FL-05
Food Obtained from Approved Sources
FL-11
Food Received at Proper Temperature
FL-12
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
Plumbing Maintained; Sewage Disposal
FL-51
Personal Cleanliness
FL-40
Non-Food Contact Surfaces Clean
FL-23
39
Apr 7, 2023
Food-Licensing Inspection
1 major violation.
View 1 violation
Intermediate - Observed: No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. Restrooms. Operator replaced. **Corrected On-Site** Priority: Intermediate
31B-02-4
90
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Donna's Caribbean Restaurant last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Donna's Caribbean Restaurant on file is from Jan 21, 2026. The public record contains nine inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Donna's Caribbean Restaurant?
Across the inspection record, “ready-to-eat” has been cited two times, more than any other issue at Donna's Caribbean Restaurant.
How does Donna's Caribbean Restaurant compare to other restaurants in Fort Lauderdale?
Donna's Caribbean Restaurant most recently scored 100 out of 100, which is higher than the Fort Lauderdale average of 80.
Has Donna's Caribbean Restaurant's inspection record improved over time?
Yes. Recent inspections at Donna's Caribbean Restaurant have averaged around two violations per visit, down from roughly six earlier in the record.
What does a low risk rating mean?
A low risk rating at Donna's Caribbean Restaurant 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 Donna's Caribbean Restaurant inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Donna's Caribbean Restaurant is inspected around three times per year on average.
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