DQ Grill & Chill
Last inspected: Apr 14, 2026
39
Score
Public records show five inspections at DQ Grill & Chill stretching back to 2022. The latest inspection on file is from Apr 14, 2026. A high risk rating points to multiple serious findings at the most recent inspection.
The trend has been favorable: violation counts have eased from around 14 violations to closer to 11 violations per visit over the last few inspections.
Looking across the full record, “ice buildup in reach-in freezer and/or walk-in freezer” is the recurring theme, flagged three times.
By comparison, the average Gainesville facility scores 75, putting DQ Grill & Chill on the weaker side. Diners may want to scan the inspection details before deciding to visit.
5
Inspections
2
Critical latest
4
Major latest
5
Minor latest
Inspection History
Apr 14, 2026
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 4 major violations. 5 minor violations.
View 11 violations
High Priority - Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. Flip-top make table cooler on cook line COLD HOLDING hot dogs 49F; queso 49F; Cut Tomato 50F, house made ranch dressing 48F Ambient Temperature 47F, all the items had been in the flip-top make table cooler over 4hours. **Warning**
01B-02-5
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Flip-top make table cooler on cook line COLD HOLDING hot dogs 49F; queso 49F; Cut Tomato 50F, house made ranch dressing 48F Ambient Temperature 47F **Warning**
03A-02-5
Intermediate - Ambient air thermometer in holding unit not accurate within plus or minus 3 degrees Fahrenheit. Ambient Temperature thermometer in reach in cooler registered 30F, actual temperature Ambient Temperature was 47F. Ambient Temperature thermometer in walk-in-cooler registered at 20F, actual temperature was 40F.
05-05-4
Intermediate - Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Handwash sink by ice machine had mop wringer in sink. Manager removed. Employee washed bottle in drive thru handwash sink **Repeat Violation**
31A-09-4
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. All food handler training expired in 2025 **Warning**
53B-05-5
Intermediate - Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled. Observed spray bottle not properly labeled with identifying contents (sanitizer for tables ).
41-17-4
Basic - Ice buildup in reach-in freezer and/or walk-in freezer. Ice build up in reach in freezer chest on cook line **Repeat Violation**
14-69-4
Basic - Ice scoop handle in contact with ice. Ice scoop handle touching ice in ice bin at drive thru window.
10-08-5
Basic - No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees. Handwash sink sign missing at handwash sink on cook line and drive thru window. Inspector provided sign.
31B-04-4
Basic - Carbon dioxide/helium tanks not adequately secured. Carbon dioxide tanks not adequately secured in kitchen hall. Manager chains tanks **Corrected On-Site**
51-11-4
Basic - Food-contact surface not smooth and easily cleanable. Wood panels on shelf of walk-in-cooler have not been sealed and are not smooth and cleanable.
14-13-4
39
Mar 14, 2025
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 3 major violations. 8 minor violations.
View 12 violations
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Containers of gravy stored on cook line in drawers of holding unit next to cook line broiler: gravy (104F - Hot Holding). Employee stated gravy placed in holding unit one hour prior to temperature being taken. Employee voluntarily discarded containers of gravy. **Corrective Action Taken**
03B-01-6
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 procedure available. Inspector provided operator with written procedure. **Corrective Action Taken** **Repeat Violation**
11-27-4
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Cutting board on cook line reach-in cooler. Mixer heads for tabletop mixers in drive thru area. **Repeat Violation**
22-02-4
Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Wringer for mop bucket stored in hand washing sink next to kitchen ice machine.
31A-11-4
Basic - Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Employee phone on counter across from front register.
40-06-5
Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Employee drink on counter across from registers.
12B-07-4
Basic - Food stored on floor. Case of fries on walk-in freezer floor. Cases of shake mix on walk-in cooler floor.
08B-38-4
Basic - Ice bucket not inverted between uses. Ice bucket stored on prep table across from walk-in cooler. **Repeat Violation**
10-14-5
Basic - Ice buildup in reach-in freezer and/or walk-in freezer. Reach-in freezer in front of cook line broiler.
14-69-4
Basic - In-use ice scoop stored on soiled surface between uses. Ice scoop stored on kitchen ice machine.
10-12-5
Basic - No Heimlich maneuver/choking sign posted. No choking poster posted. Inspector provided operator with choking poster. **Corrective Action Taken**
51-13-4
Basic - Open dumpster lid. Dumpster behind building.
33-16-4
43
Jul 17, 2023
Complaint Full
3 critical violations. 4 major violations. 8 minor violations.
View 15 violations
High Priority - Single-use gloves not changed as needed after changing tasks or when damaged or soiled. Employee handled garbage can and proceeded to handle clean pans without washing hands and changing gloves. Manager had employee wash hands, change gloves and return pan to dish area. **Corrective Action Taken** **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
12A-09-4
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Items in reach-in cooler across from fryers: tomatoes (45F - Cold Holding); lettuce (45F - Cold Holding); cheese (46F - Cold Holding). Manager stated items placed in grill two hours prior to temperature being taken. Manager had employee place items in ice bath to reduce temperature to 41F. **Corrective Action Taken** **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
03A-02-5
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Items held in cook line warmer: fries (115F - Hot Holding); chicken (121F - Hot Holding); hamburger (125F - Hot Holding). Manager stated items placed in warmer 20 minutes prior to temperature being taken. Employee reheated items and served. **Corrective Action Taken** **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
03B-01-6
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 procedure available for establishment. Inspector provided written procedure for establishment. **Corrective Action Taken** **Repeat Violation**
11-27-4
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Soda nozzles on drive thru soda machine. Cutting board on reach-in cooler across from fryers.
22-02-4
Intermediate - No chemical test kit provided when using sanitizer at three-compartment sink/warewashing machine or wiping cloths. No quaternary test kit available. **Repeat Violation**
16-37-1
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/. Four employees working with no certified food manager present. **Repeat Violation**
53A-05-6
Basic - Dead roaches on premises. Two dead roaches in cabinet across from sandwich make line. **Repeat Violation**
35A-03-4
Basic - Employee personal food not properly identified and segregated from food to be served to the public. Employee bottle of water stored in reach-in cooler next to sandwich make line.
08B-49-4
Basic - Ice bucket/shovel not inverted between uses. Ice buckets stored across from ice machine.
10-14-5
Basic - Ice buildup in reach-in freezer and/or walk-in freezer. Reach-in freezer in front of broiler.
14-69-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Top of front counter ice cream machine. Inside of cabinets across from sandwich make line.
23-03-4
Basic - Old labels stuck to food containers after cleaning. Containers stored over three compartment sink. **Repeat Violation**
16-46-4
Basic - Wet mop not stored in a manner to allow the mop to dry. Mop stored on floor in front of mop sink. **Repeat Violation**
42-01-4
Basic - Cardboard used to line food-contact shelves. Cardboard on kitchen shelf beneath toppings.
14-05-4
29
Jun 27, 2023
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 3 major violations. 5 minor violations.
View 10 violations
Adequate Handwashing Facilities Supplied and Accessible
FL-10
Employee Health Policies Present
FL-03
Food Received at Proper Temperature
FL-12
Potentially Hazardous Food Held at Proper Temperature
FL-16
Food Obtained from Approved Sources
FL-11
Approved Thawing Methods Used
FL-31
Proper Sanitizer Contact Time and Concentration
FL-33
Equipment, Food and Non-Food Contact Surfaces Approved
FL-35
Washing Fruits and Vegetables
FL-42
Toilet Rooms Maintained
FL-53
33
Nov 9, 2022
Complaint Full
1 critical violation. 3 major violations. 3 minor violations.
View 7 violations
High Priority - Non-food grade paper/paper towel used as liner for food container. Observed sliced cheese and shred cheese in the cook line flip top, in contact with non durable paper.
14-86-1
Intermediate - Commercially processed ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food opened and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked after opening. Observed almost empty gallon of milk, no open Date mark, in the prep are reach-in cooler.
02C-03-5
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Observed the soda nozzles have build up. The inspector took them apart to be cleaned again. **Corrective Action Taken** **Repeat Violation**
22-02-4
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 lack of proof of any training. **Warning**
53B-01-5
Basic - Floor area(s) covered with standing water. Observed standing floor along the walk-in cooler/ walk-in freezer hallway. **Repeat Violation**
36-22-4
Basic - Food stored on floor. Observed multiple cases of soft serve mix on the floor of the walk-in cooler.
08B-38-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed the hood has a build up of grease in the filters. ALSO, the grease rail is soiled. ALSO, the Blizzard mixer has build up at the attachment point.
23-03-4
55
Frequently Asked Questions
When was DQ Grill & Chill last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at DQ Grill & Chill on file is from Apr 14, 2026. The public record contains five inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at DQ Grill & Chill?
Across the inspection record, “ice buildup in reach-in freezer and/or walk-in freezer” has been cited three times, more than any other issue at DQ Grill & Chill.
How does DQ Grill & Chill compare to other restaurants in Gainesville?
DQ Grill & Chill most recently scored 39 out of 100, which is lower than the Gainesville average of 75.
Has DQ Grill & Chill's inspection record improved over time?
Yes. Recent inspections at DQ Grill & Chill have averaged around 11 violations per visit, down from roughly 14 earlier in the record.
What does a high risk rating mean?
A high risk rating at DQ Grill & Chill 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 DQ Grill & Chill inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, DQ Grill & Chill is inspected roughly once per year on average.
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