El Saussie
Last inspected: Feb 11, 2026
43
Score
The health department has logged eight inspections at El Saussie, the earliest from 2022. Inspectors last stopped by on Feb 11, 2026. A high risk tier suggests the facility had a rough recent inspection, with multiple violations on record.
Recent inspections have turned up roughly the same number of issues each time, hovering near nine violations per visit.
The pattern that stands out is “food-contact surface soiled with food debris”, which has been cited three times.
El Saussie's latest score of 43 falls below the Vero Beach average of 77. This restaurant has more on its record than most do.
8
Inspections
3
Critical latest
2
Major latest
4
Minor latest
Inspection History
Feb 11, 2026
Routine - Food
3 critical violations. 2 major violations. 4 minor violations.
View 9 violations
High Priority - Stop Sale issued due to food originating from an unapproved source. 5 dozen raw shelled eggs
01B-04-5
High Priority - Food received from unapproved source/no invoice provided to verify source. See Stop Sale. Operator is selling fresh eggs brought in from home. **Admin Complaint**
01A-05-4
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over canned/bottled drinks. Raw eggs over sodas in front cooler. Employee moved **Corrected On-Site**
08A-11-5
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Purple cutting board is heavily stained. Advised to discard **Corrective Action Taken**
22-02-4
Intermediate - No soap provided at handwash sink. Front counter hand sink. Soap was put in place **Corrected On-Site**
31B-03-4
Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Drinks on prep table next to grill
12B-07-4
Basic - Food stored on floor. Mayo at front counter Salad in dry storage area
08B-38-4
Basic - No conspicuously located ambient air temperature thermometer in holding unit. Front cooler **Repeat Violation**
05-09-4
Basic - Time/temperature control for safety food thawed in an improper manner. Observed raw steak thawing on top of freezer in back room. Educated employee, advised to move to cooler or 3 bay sink under running water **Corrective Action Taken** **Repeat Violation**
06-01-5
43
Aug 25, 2025
Routine - Food
3 critical violations. 1 major violation. 4 minor violations.
View 8 violations
High Priority - Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. Shredded mozzarella observed at 51f in cooler overnight
01B-02-5
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Mozzarella cheese in tall white refrigerator reading 51f. In cooler overnight. Manager discarded **Corrected On-Site**
03A-02-5
High Priority - 1 Live, small flying insects found in kitchen
35A-02-7
Intermediate - No chemical test kit provided when using sanitizer at three-compartment sink/warewashing machine or wiping cloths. Operator needs chlorine test strips
16-37-1
Basic - Cold holding equipment not maintained in good repair. Do not store time/temperature control for safety food in this unit until the unit is repaired. Ambient 56f. Tall white refrigerator. Observed cheese at 51f. Cooler is used to store produce. Advised to keep cheese in make table
14-74-7
Basic - Food stored on floor. Chicken in bucket under 3 bay sink thawing in standing water. Vinegar and Shortening on floor in dry storage
08B-38-4
Basic - No conspicuously located ambient air temperature thermometer in holding unit. Glass door cooler at front counter **Repeat Violation**
05-09-4
Basic - Time/temperature control for safety food thawed in an improper manner. Chicken in bucket under 3 bay sink thawing in standing water. Bowl of chicken thawing in bowl on top of freezer in storage room. Advised to move to cooler or under running water **Corrective Action Taken** **Repeat Violation**
06-01-5
47
Mar 7, 2025
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 6 minor violations.
View 8 violations
Certified Food Manager Identification
FL-02
Procedures for Responding to Vomiting/Diarrheal Events
FL-05
Proper Eating, Tasting, Drinking, or Tobacco Use
FL-06
Hands Clean and Properly Washed
FL-08
Warewashing Facilities Maintained and Used
FL-24
Hot and Cold Water Available; Adequate Pressure
FL-25
Lighting Adequate; Required Shields in Place
FL-36
Personal Cleanliness
FL-40
58
Sep 12, 2024
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 2 major violations. 4 minor violations.
View 7 violations
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Cheese found sitting out on counter at 70f for 30 minutes . Advised to move to cooler to chill.
03A-02-5
Intermediate - Food being cooled by nonapproved method as evidenced by inadequate rate of cooling during time of inspection. Cooked Beans found at 97f cooling on counter wrapped in plastic. Rechecked 20 minutes later and still reading 97f. Advised to move to cooler to rapid cool. **Repeat Violation**
03D-15-4
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Can opener **Repeat Violation**
22-02-4
Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils.
12B-07-4
Basic - Light not functioning. Hood lightbulb burned out
36-62-4
Basic - No conspicuously located ambient air temperature thermometer in holding unit. In white refrigerators
05-09-4
Basic - Wet mop not stored in a manner to allow the mop to dry.
42-01-4
58
Feb 27, 2024
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 4 major violations. 6 minor violations.
View 11 violations
High Priority - Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. Bottle ibuprofen on cooler **Corrected On-Site**
41-10-4
Intermediate - Food being cooled by nonapproved method as evidenced by inadequate rate of cooling during time of inspection. Salsa Verde sitting out on the counter being cooled. Manager stated it has been in the process of cooling for 1 hour. Temperature reading 108F. Advised manager to put in smaller containers and move to cooler uncovered **Corrective Action Taken**
03D-15-4
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Can opener blade **Repeat Violation**
22-02-4
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. 2 new employees hired under 60 days, printed out form for manager to go over with employees and have them sign. **Corrective Action Taken**
11-26-1
Intermediate - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Cooked chicken made yesterday in reach in cooler. Manager stated it would not be gone today.
02C-02-5
Basic - Buildup of food debris/soil residue on equipment door handles. Reach in coolers and microwave handles
23-24-4
Basic - Dead roaches on premises. 1 dead roach near back door. Manager swept up and sanitized. **Corrected On-Site**
35A-03-4
Basic - Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Cell phone on steam table **Corrected On-Site**
40-06-5
Basic - In-use wet wiping cloth/towel used under cutting board. **Repeat Violation**
21-04-4
Basic - Interior of oven/microwave has accumulation of black substance/grease/food debris. Black microwave **Repeat Violation**
22-08-4
Basic - Old labels stuck to food containers after cleaning.
16-46-4
43
Oct 10, 2023
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 10 minor violations.
View 12 violations
High Priority - Wiping cloth sanitizer solution exceeds the maximum concentration allowed. Reading over 200+++. Showed operator proper amounts. Now reading 100 ppm **Corrected On-Site**
41-27-4
Intermediate - No chemical test kit provided when using sanitizer at three-compartment sink/warewashing machine or wiping cloths. Using bleach, no test strips.
16-37-1
Basic - Interior of white microwave has accumulation of black substance/grease/food debris.
22-08-4
Basic - Label on a food item prepared and packaged onsite for customer self-service does not include product identity/description, date product was packaged and name and address of the establishment that prepared and packaged the food. Desserts labeled for sale missing information
02D-03-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Gaskets soiled on white upright cooler
23-03-4
Basic - Open dumpster lid. Shared with rest of plaza
33-16-4
Basic - Unnecessary items/unused equipment on the premises. Old smoker, wood and equipment stored in outside enclosure.
33-31-5
Basic - Unwrapped single-service utensils not presented so that only the handles are touched. Plastic utensils
25-02-4
Basic - In-use wet wiping cloth/towel used under cutting board. **Corrected On-Site**
21-04-4
Basic - Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance.
36-34-5
Basic - Current Hotel and Restaurant license not displayed.
50-09-4
Basic - Food stored on floor. Bag of onions **Corrected On-Site**
08B-38-4
47
Feb 22, 2023
Food-Licensing Inspection
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. Chlorine
16-37-1
Basic - In-use knife/knives stored in cracks between pieces of equipment.
10-17-4
Basic - Lights in food preparation, food storage or warewashing area missing the proper shield, sleeve coatings or covers. Throughout kitchen
38-07-4
Basic - Sanitizer bucket stored with food, equipment, utensils, linens, single-service, or single-use articles. Stored on floor, educated **Corrected On-Site**
21-44-1
78
Aug 29, 2022
Routine - Food
1 major violation. 5 minor violations.
View 6 violations
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. Milk **Corrected On-Site**
02C-03-5
Basic - Dead roaches on premises. 2 dead roaches observed. Operator swept away **Corrected On-Site**
35A-03-4
Basic - Employee with no beard guard/restraint while engaging in food preparation.
13-04-4
Basic - Floor not cleaned when the least amount of food is exposed. Back storeroom
36-01-4
Basic - No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees. Front counter sink. **Corrected On-Site**
31B-04-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Fan has dust buildup
23-03-4
70
Frequently Asked Questions
When was El Saussie last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at El Saussie on file is from Feb 11, 2026. The public record contains eight inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at El Saussie?
Across the inspection record, “food-contact surface soiled with food debris” has been cited three times, more than any other issue at El Saussie.
How does El Saussie compare to other restaurants in Vero Beach?
El Saussie most recently scored 43 out of 100, which is lower than the Vero Beach average of 77.
Has El Saussie's inspection record improved over time?
Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at El Saussie have averaged around nine violations per visit across the recent record.
What does a high risk rating mean?
A high risk rating at El Saussie 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 El Saussie inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, El Saussie is inspected around two times per year on average.
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