Drake's Bistro
Last inspected: Jan 30, 2026
100
Score
Inspectors have visited Drake's Bistro 11 times, with records going back to 2022. On Jan 30, 2026, the health department conducted the most recent visit. Low risk indicates the latest report didn't flag anything that would worry the average customer.
The picture has gotten worse over the last few visits, with the average climbing from around one violation to closer to six violations.
When inspectors have written things up, “nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease” has been the most frequent reason, cited seven times.
Compared to the broader St. Augustine restaurant scene, where the average is 81, this is a stronger showing. On the whole, the file is mixed but not concerning.
11
Inspections
0
Critical latest
0
Major latest
0
Minor latest
Inspection History
Jan 30, 2026
Complaint Full
No violations found.
100
Jan 21, 2026
Complaint Full
1 critical violation. 3 major violations. 9 minor violations.
View 13 violations
High Priority - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food marked with a date that exceeds 7 days after opening/preparation. Pork in reach in cooler is dated 1.14. Today is 1.21.
02C-01-5
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. Cheeses not dated. Person in charge dated all yesterday. **Corrected On-Site**
02C-03-5
Intermediate - Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled. Spray bottle is unlabeled. Person in charge labeled. **Corrected On-Site**
41-17-4
Intermediate - Water with a temperature of least 85 degrees Fahrenheit not provided/shut off at employee handwash sink. Hand washing sink in kitchen does not have hot or cold water. **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
27-16-4
Basic - Reach-in cooler interior/shelves have accumulation of soil residues. Reach in cooler (far side) are soiled.
22-16-4
Basic - Unnecessary items/unused equipment on the premises. Old equipment on property. Ie cooktop, prep tables etc.
33-31-5
Basic - Unsealed concrete floor in food preparation, food storage, warewashing area or bathroom. Unsealed concert under 3 compartment sink.
36-02-5
Basic - Wet mop not stored in a manner to allow the mop to dry. Wet mop on floor.
42-01-4
Basic - Floor not cleaned when the least amount of food is exposed. Grease, debris on floor under cook line.
36-01-4
Basic - Hood ventilation system inadequate as evidenced by grease accumulation on walls/ceiling. Wall and hood have accusation of grease.
36-68-5
Basic - Interior of oven/microwave has accumulation of black substance/grease/food debris. Small oven is soiled.
22-08-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Gaskets on far reach in cooler are soiled. Fans in cooler (tall 2 door) are soiled. **Repeat Violation**
23-03-4
Basic - Open dumpster lid. Dumpster lid is open.
33-16-4
41
Sep 10, 2025
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 2 major violations. 3 minor violations.
View 6 violations
High Priority - Live, small flying insects found Observed one(1) live flying insects near ware washing in kitchen.
35A-02-7
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Observed cutting boards stained with food debris.
22-02-4
Intermediate - Water with a temperature of least 85 degrees Fahrenheit not provided/shut off at employee handwash sink. Observed hand washing station in kitchen with water at 70F. Hot water handle not working.
27-16-4
Basic - Exterior door has a gap at the threshold that opens to the outside. Observed gap shown by light beneath back exterior door.
35B-01-4
Basic - Floor, walls, ceiling soiled/has accumulation of debris. Observed floor in kitchen soiled with food debris. Observed walls on cook line soiled with grease. Observed ceiling tiles near kitchen soiled with grease Observed bathroom ceiling vents heavily soiled with dust. Observed door frames in woman's restroom soiled with dust.
36-73-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed hood system filters heavily soiled with grease. Observed gaskets on flip-top cooler soiled with black/green mold like substance. **Repeat Violation**
23-03-4
61
Feb 3, 2025
Routine - Food
1 major violation. 2 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Observed cutting board stained with food debris.
22-02-4
Basic - Floor tiles missing and/or in disrepair. Observed tiles on floor near entrance cracked.
36-17-5
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed gaskets on reach in cooler and stand up reach in cooler soiled with food debris.
23-03-4
82
Aug 16, 2024
Food-Licensing Inspection
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed gaskets on flip-top cooler and reach in cooler soiled with food debris. Observed gaskets on freezer door soiled with dust.
23-03-4
95
Aug 15, 2024
Routine - Food
No violations found.
100
Aug 14, 2024
Routine - Food
1 critical violation.
View 1 violation
High Priority - - From initial inspection : High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed raw beef (62F - Cold Holding); sliced cheeses x 2 (60F - Cold Holding); Cooked Vegetables (54F - Cold Holding) **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint** - From follow-up inspection 2024-08-14: Observed in flip-top cooler: Sliced cheeses x 3 (46F - Cold Holding); cooked onions and green peppers (46F - Cold HoldIng) person in charge had ice bags blocking air flow. Person in charge move ice bags, and will place all contents in metal containers with no lids to help air flow cool food. Ambient air temperature 41F **Admin Complaint** **Corrective Action Taken**
03A-02-5
86
Mar 19, 2024
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 1 major violation. 3 minor violations.
View 6 violations
Employee Health Policies Present
FL-03
Hands Clean and Properly Washed
FL-08
Food Contact Surfaces Clean and Sanitized
FL-22
Non-Food Contact Surfaces Clean
FL-23
Toxic Substances Properly Identified, Stored, Used
FL-32
Lighting Adequate; Required Shields in Place
FL-36
55
Aug 4, 2023
Routine - Food
1 major violation. 4 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Intermediate - Required employee training provided by a third-party employee training program and operator unable to provide original certificate for employees trained. Observed some food handler certifications as photo copies. Discussed with person in charge.
53B-09-4
Basic - Equipment in poor repair. Obviously gaskets on double door reach in cooler torn. **Repeat Violation**
14-11-5
Basic - Floor tiles missing and/or in disrepair. Observed floor tiles missing and some cracked in kitchen. Person in charge has had conversations with contractor for renovations. **Corrective Action Taken**
36-17-5
Basic - Food stored on floor. Observed bag of onions on floor in dry storage. Person in charge placed onions on shelf. **Corrected On-Site**
08B-38-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed hood filters heavily soiled with grease. Observed gaskets on multiple coolers in kitchen soiled with food debris and black/green mold like substance. **Repeat Violation**
23-03-4
74
Feb 14, 2023
Routine - Food
1 major violation. 3 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Cutting boards stained with food debris on flip-top cooler. **Repeat Violation**
22-02-4
Basic - Equipment in poor repair. 1) Reach in cooler gaskets torn. 2) cutting board on cook line melted. **Repeat Violation**
14-11-5
Basic - Floor tiles missing and/or in disrepair. Floor tiles cracked and or missing in kitchen
36-17-5
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. 1) Hood Filters heavily soiled with grease. 2) flip-top coolers gaskets soiled with food debris. **Repeat Violation**
23-03-4
78
Aug 8, 2022
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 3 major violations. 9 minor violations.
View 13 violations
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. 1) cut lettuce (48F-54F - Cold Holding) item left out on counter. Person in charge placed bags of ice on item. 2) double door reach in cooler: ambient raw shell egg (54F - Cold Holding); milk (48F - Cold Holding). Person in charge states they had doors open due to receiving order. **Warning**
03A-02-5
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/ CFM expired 11/11/2019. **Warning**
53A-03-7
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. 1) Shelves in reach in cooler soiled with food debris. 2) cutting boards stained with food debris. 3) slicer soiled with food debris. **Repeat Violation**
22-02-4
Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Silverware in hand washing station sink near triple sink on arrival. Person in charge removed silverware. **Corrected On-Site**
31A-11-4
Basic - Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin. Ice machine deflector plate soiled with black/green mold like substance. **Repeat Violation**
22-20-5
Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. 1) employee drink on deli slicer. 2) employee drinks on shelf near front counter above single service items, sugar packets. Person in charge had employees remove all drinks. **Corrected On-Site**
12B-07-4
Basic - Equipment in poor repair. 1) double door standing and flip-top reach in cooler gaskets torn.
14-11-5
Basic - Floor tiles missing and/or in disrepair. Cracked tiles through out kitchen. **Repeat Violation**
36-17-5
Basic - Floors, walls, ceiling, and vents soiled/has accumulation of debris. 1) Floors through out kitchen soiled with an accumulated amount of food debris, grease, or dirt. 2) ceiling and ceiling vents in kitchen soiled with grease and dust. 3) walls near triple sink, hand washing station, soiled with black/green mold like substance. **Repeat Violation**
36-73-4
Basic - Food stored on floor. Bag in box soda stored on floor near back door. Person in charge had employee place on shelve. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
08B-38-4
Basic - In-use ice scoop stored on soiled surface between uses. Ice scoops kept on top of soiled ice machine. Person in charge placed ice scoops in triple sink. **Corrected On-Site**
10-12-5
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. 1) hoods soiled with accumulation of grease.
23-03-4
Basic - Interior of oven/microwave has accumulation of black substance/grease/food debris. 1) Microwave soiled with food debris. **Repeat Violation**
22-08-4
41
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Drake's Bistro last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Drake's Bistro on file is from Jan 30, 2026. The public record contains 11 inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Drake's Bistro?
Across the inspection record, “nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease” has been cited seven times, more than any other issue at Drake's Bistro.
How does Drake's Bistro compare to other restaurants in St. Augustine?
Drake's Bistro most recently scored 100 out of 100, which is higher than the St. Augustine average of 81.
Has Drake's Bistro's inspection record improved over time?
No. Recent inspections at Drake's Bistro have averaged around six violations per visit, up from roughly one earlier in the record.
What does a low risk rating mean?
A low risk rating at Drake's Bistro 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 Drake's Bistro inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Drake's Bistro is inspected around three times per year on average.
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