Fresh Mex
Last inspected: Jan 8, 2026
50
Score
Going back to 2022, Fresh Mex has seven inspections in the public record. The newest entry in the record is dated Jan 8, 2026. Diners may want to take note: high risk reflects issues that a health inspector considered important.
Violation counts have ticked up lately, averaging around seven violations per visit versus roughly four violations earlier in the record.
“No measuring device available” comes up most often, recorded three times in the inspection record.
Fresh Mex's latest score of 50 falls below the St. Johns average of 69. This restaurant has more on its record than most do.
7
Inspections
3
Critical latest
1
Major latest
3
Minor latest
Inspection History
Jan 8, 2026
Routine - Food
3 critical violations. 1 major violation. 3 minor violations.
View 7 violations
High Priority - Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. individual sour cream (48F - Cold Holding) in overfilled containers in top section of flip top reach in cooler at bar under service window, per employee they have been in cooler since the previous day without any preparation done today.
01B-02-5
High Priority - Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. Spray bottle of sanitizer stored on prep table at front counter used to bag food and drinks, bottle moved. **Corrected On-Site**
41-10-4
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. individual sour cream (48F - Cold Holding) in overfilled containers in top section of flip top reach in cooler at bar under service window, per employee they have been in cooler since the previous day without any preparation done today. **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
03A-02-5
Intermediate - No measuring device available for measuring utensil surface temperature when using hot water as sanitizer in a dishmachine. **Repeat Violation**
16-62-1
Basic - Inaccurate/damaged temperature and/or pressure gauge(s) on dishmachine. Wash temperature gauge on dish machine not working after running multiple times.
16-38-5
Basic - Sanitizer bucket stored with food, equipment, utensils, linens, single-service, or single-use articles. Sanitation bucket stored on counter top by beer taps at bar area, bucket moved. **Corrected On-Site**
21-44-1
Basic - Single-service articles improperly stored. Box of to go lids on floor in non working walk in freezer, lids moved. **Corrected On-Site**
25-05-4
50
Jul 31, 2025
Complaint Full
2 critical violations. 3 major violations. 2 minor violations.
View 7 violations
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. sour cream (45F,44F - Cold Holding) in squeeze bottles in small reach in cooler at drink station in dining room, per manager customers have been going in and out of cooler for several hours, manager moved bottles in reach in cooler in kitchen and states they usually go through bottles in a few hours, inspector recommended holding items on time control. **Corrective Action Taken**
03A-02-5
High Priority - Wiping cloth sanitizer solution exceeds the maximum concentration allowed. All sanitation bucket buckets reading over 400ppm as well at triple sink with quaternary ammonium reading over 400ppm, operator dumped out bucket and added water to triple sink. **Corrective Action Taken**
41-27-4
Intermediate - Required employee training provided by a third-party employee training program and operator unable to provide original certificate for employees trained. Multiple photo copies of certificates. **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
53B-09-4
Intermediate - No chemical test kit provided when using sanitizer at three-compartment sink/warewashing machine or wiping cloths. No test strips of any kind available.
16-37-1
Intermediate - No measuring device available for measuring utensil surface temperature when using hot water as sanitizer in a dishmachine.
16-62-1
Basic - Equipment in poor repair. Broken handle of large reach in freezer chest on cook line.
14-11-5
Basic - No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees. In bathroom in office, sign added. **Corrected On-Site**
31B-04-4
50
Jun 3, 2025
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 4 minor violations.
View 6 violations
High Priority - Vacuum breaker missing at hose bibb or on fitting/splitter added to hose bibb. Missing back flow preventer on water hose spigot under three compartment sink area
29-34-4
Intermediate - Required employee training provided by a third-party employee training program and operator unable to provide original certificate for employees trained. Multiple employees training certificates are photocopies
53B-09-4
Basic - Food stored on floor. Case of oil stored on floor in dry storage cooler
08B-38-4
Basic - Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Employee Bluetooth speaker stored on shelf above dry beans
40-06-5
Basic - In-use utensil not stored with handle above the top of time/temperature control for safety food and rim of the container. Handle stored touching cheese in cook line drawer reach in cooler . Moved by manager. **Corrected On-Site**
10-06-5
Basic - Employee personal food not properly identified and segregated from food to be served to the public. Employee food in walk in cooler on shelf no separated. Moved by manager. **Corrected On-Site**
08B-49-4
64
Nov 13, 2024
Food-Licensing Inspection
No violations found.
100
Jul 28, 2023
Routine - Food
1 major violation. 4 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Intermediate - No measuring device available for measuring utensil surface temperature when using hot water as sanitizer in a dishmachine. At time of inspection establishment is out of test strips for measuring high temperature dish machine.
16-62-1
Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Employee drink stored on the shelf by the microwave over the sandwich press. Operator removed the employee beverage. **Corrected On-Site**
12B-07-4
Basic - Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance. Dust on vent over main cook line flip top reach in cooler. **Repeat Violation**
36-34-5
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Sliding door tracks to the reach in freezer at the pass through window have food debris build up. Operator wiped out the reach in cooler door tracks. **Corrected On-Site**
23-03-4
Basic - Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting. On the storage shelf next to the dishmachine clean cutting boards stacked while wet.
24-08-4
74
Jan 23, 2023
Routine - Food
3 major violations. 3 minor violations.
View 6 violations
Certified Food Manager Identification
FL-02
Food Obtained from Approved Sources
FL-11
Proper Hot and Cold Holding Temperatures
FL-21
Food Contact Surfaces Clean and Sanitized
FL-22
Warewashing Facilities Maintained and Used
FL-24
Lighting Adequate; Required Shields in Place
FL-36
61
Sep 26, 2022
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 3 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Food Received at Proper Temperature
FL-12
Food Contact Surfaces Clean and Sanitized
FL-22
Non-Food Contact Surfaces Clean
FL-23
Wiping Cloths Properly Used and Stored
FL-41
74
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Fresh Mex last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Fresh Mex on file is from Jan 8, 2026. The public record contains seven inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Fresh Mex?
Across the inspection record, “no measuring device available” has been cited three times, more than any other issue at Fresh Mex.
How does Fresh Mex compare to other restaurants in St. Johns?
Fresh Mex most recently scored 50 out of 100, which is lower than the St. Johns average of 69.
Has Fresh Mex's inspection record improved over time?
No. Recent inspections at Fresh Mex have averaged around seven violations per visit, up from roughly four earlier in the record.
What does a high risk rating mean?
A high risk rating at Fresh Mex 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 Fresh Mex inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Fresh Mex is inspected around two times per year on average.
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