Garden Restaurant
Last inspected: Nov 3, 2025
35
Score
The health department has logged eight inspections at Garden Restaurant, the earliest from 2022. Inspectors last stopped by on Nov 3, 2025. A high risk rating points to multiple serious findings at the most recent inspection.
Violation counts have held steady across recent visits, averaging around nine violations each.
The pattern that stands out is “employee with no hair restraint while engaging”, which has been cited four times.
Compared to other Fort Lauderdale restaurants (averaging 80), there's room to close the gap. The pattern in the record is worth a careful look.
8
Inspections
4
Critical latest
0
Major latest
9
Minor latest
Inspection History
Nov 3, 2025
Routine - Food
4 critical violations. 9 minor violations.
View 13 violations
High Priority - Container of medicine improperly stored. Observed milk of magnesium and pepto bismol stored in reach in cooler next containers of chili and gravy. Employee removed. **Corrected On-Site**
41-07-4
High Priority - Employee cracked raw shell eggs and then handled ready-to-eat food and/or clean equipment or utensils without washing hands. Observed employee cracked raw shell eggs and then handled clean plate without washing hands.
12A-27-4
High Priority - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food marked with a date that exceeds 7 days after opening/preparation. Observed 4 slices of scrapple dated 10/18 in victory reach in cooler. See stop sale
02C-01-5
High Priority - Stop Sale issued due to food not being in a wholesome, sound condition. Observed 4 slices of scrapple dated 10/18 in victory reach in cooler.
01B-13-4
Basic - Carbon dioxide/helium tanks not adequately secured.
51-11-4
Basic - Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Observed employe cell phone stored on storage shelf next to salt and sugar containers.
40-06-5
Basic - Employee with no hair restraint while engaging in food preparation.
13-03-4
Basic - Interior of oven/microwave has accumulation of black substance/grease/food debris. Interior of Emerson microwave soiled with food debris.
22-08-4
Basic - Lights in food preparation, food storage or warewashing area missing the proper shield, sleeve coatings or covers. Prep table area
38-07-4
Basic - Raw fruits/vegetables not washed prior to preparation. Observed avocado half with label still intact to exterior skin.
08B-39-4
Basic - Single-service articles improperly stored. Observed single serve insulated cups stored on the floor next to the ice machine.
25-05-4
Basic - Stored food not covered. Observed plate of sausage patties and links hard boiled eggs, pooled eggs not covered in reach in cooler other kitchen.
08B-12-5
Basic - Wall soiled with accumulated grease, food debris, and/or dust. Observed black mold like substance on walls by three compartment sink
36-27-5
35
Jul 29, 2025
Routine - Food
3 critical violations. 2 major violations. 2 minor violations.
View 7 violations
High Priority - Cooked/heated time/temperature control for safety food not cooled from 135 degrees Fahrenheit to 41 degrees Fahrenheit within 6 hours. Observed breakfast potatoes (45-47F - Cooling) in reach in cooler per operator prepared on 07/28 held in cooler overnight.see stop sale. Explain to manager about cooling method.
03D-02-5
High Priority - Nonfood-grade bags used in direct contact with food. Observed hoagie rolls and slices stored in direct contact with a thank you t shirt bag in reach in cooler.
14-31-5
High Priority - Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. Observed breakfast potatoes (45-47F - Cooling) in reach in cooler per operator prepared on 07/28 held in cooler overnight
01B-02-5
Intermediate - Food being cooled by nonapproved method as evidenced by inadequate rate of cooling during time of inspection. Observed cooked diced potatoes stored in deep cover pans
03D-15-4
Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Observed bowl stored in hand washing sink at front counter . Employee removed. **Corrected On-Site**
31A-11-4
Basic - Employee with no hair restraint while engaging in food preparation. Cook with no hair restraint while engaging in food preparation. **Repeat Violation**
13-03-4
Basic - Lights in food preparation, food storage or warewashing area missing the proper shield, sleeve coatings or covers. Prep table **Repeat Violation**
38-07-4
47
Dec 16, 2024
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 1 major violation. 4 minor violations.
View 7 violations
Employee Health Policies Present
FL-03
Hands Clean and Properly Washed
FL-08
Food Received at Proper Temperature
FL-12
Food in Good Condition, Safe, and Unadulterated
FL-13
Lighting Adequate; Required Shields in Place
FL-36
Insects, Rodents, and Animals Not Present
FL-38
Wiping Cloths Properly Used and Stored
FL-41
55
Sep 12, 2024
Routine - Food
4 critical violations. 1 major violation. 6 minor violations.
View 11 violations
High Priority - Employee cracked raw shell eggs and then handled ready-to-eat food and/or clean equipment or utensils without washing hands. Observed employee cracked raw shell eggs then replaced gloves without washing hands and then handle a clean plate.
12A-27-4
High Priority - Nonfood-grade bags used in direct contact with food. Observed sliced baguettes stored in direct contact with a thank you t shirt bag in migali reach in cooler.
14-31-5
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Observed raw shell eggs stored over RTE swirl raisin bread migali reach in cooler.
08A-05-6
High Priority - Wiping cloth solution exceeding the maximum concentration allowed stored in a location that could result in the cross contamination of food, equipment, utensils, linens, single-service, or single-use articles. Observed wiping cloth chlorine sanitizer 200+ Ppm .Employee diluted rechecked 100 Ppm. **Corrected On-Site**
41-15-5
Intermediate - Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Observed portable air conditioning unit in front of hand washing sink in rear kitchen. Employee removed. **Corrected On-Site**
31A-09-4
Basic - Employee with no hair restraint while engaging in food preparation. Observed employee with no hair restraint.
13-03-4
Basic - Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting. Observed stainless steel bowls and hotel pans not properly air-dried -wet nesting.
24-08-4
Basic - Lights in food preparation, food storage or warewashing area missing the proper shield, sleeve coatings or covers located by spice rack and prep table.
38-07-4
Basic - Wet wiping cloths used for occasional spills on equipment food- and nonfood-contact surfaces not clean on cook line table.employee removed **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
21-09-4
Basic - Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Observed working container of sugar removed from original container not identified by common name.
02D-01-5
Basic - Reach-in cooler interior/shelves have accumulation of soil residues. Observed reach in freezer accumulation of food.
22-16-4
37
Jan 19, 2024
Routine - Food
2 major violations. 3 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Observed sanitation bucket and pitcher in handwashing sink. Operator removed. **Corrected On-Site**
31A-11-4
Intermediate - Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled. Observed spray bottle with sanitizer not labeled at front counter area.
41-17-4
Basic - Wet wiping cloth not stored in sanitizing solution between uses. Observed several wet wiping clothes on counter throughout front counter area. Operator placed in sanitizer bucket. **Corrected On-Site**
21-12-4
Basic - Single-service articles not stored inverted or protected from contamination. Observed coffee filters not inverted. Operator turned filters over. **Corrected On-Site**
25-06-4
Basic - Stored food not covered. Observed uncovered rice and sausage in reach-in cooler at kitchen area and sausage gravy in walk-in cooler. Operator covered. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
08B-12-5
70
Oct 3, 2023
Routine - Food
5 major violations. 4 minor violations.
View 9 violations
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.
11-27-4
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/ Manager arrived during inspection **Corrected On-Site**
53A-05-6
Intermediate - Paper towel dispenser at handwash sink not working/unable to dispense paper towels. Hand wash sink
31B-05-4
Intermediate - Soap dispenser at handwash sink not working/unable to dispense soap. Located at Handwash sink next to stove
31B-06-4
Intermediate - Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled. Spray bottle containing clear liquid identified as a disinfectant located on Service Table. Manager labeled spray bottle **Corrected On-Site**
41-17-4
Basic - Employee with no beard guard/restraint while engaging in food preparation.. Cook
13-04-4
Basic - Employee with no hair restraint while engaging in food preparation. Cook
13-03-4
Basic - Stored food not covered. Sausage gravy in Kigali Cooler Food covered by the Chef **Corrected On-Site**
08B-12-5
Basic - Wall soiled with accumulated grease, food debris, and/or dust. Above 3 Compartment sink
36-27-5
50
Jun 22, 2023
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 2 major violations. 5 minor violations.
View 9 violations
Employee Health Policies Present
FL-03
Certified Food Manager Identification
FL-02
No Bare Hand Contact with Ready-to-Eat Food
FL-09
Hands Clean and Properly Washed
FL-08
Food Received at Proper Temperature
FL-12
Food in Good Condition, Safe, and Unadulterated
FL-13
Food Contact Surfaces Clean and Sanitized
FL-22
Approved Thawing Methods Used
FL-31
Wiping Cloths Properly Used and Stored
FL-41
37
Dec 2, 2022
Routine - Food
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Basic - Accumulation of slimy green substance in the interior of the ice machine.
22-20-5
95
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Garden Restaurant last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Garden Restaurant on file is from Nov 3, 2025. The public record contains eight inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Garden Restaurant?
Across the inspection record, “employee with no hair restraint while engaging” has been cited four times, more than any other issue at Garden Restaurant.
How does Garden Restaurant compare to other restaurants in Fort Lauderdale?
Garden Restaurant most recently scored 35 out of 100, which is lower than the Fort Lauderdale average of 80.
Has Garden Restaurant's inspection record improved over time?
Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at Garden Restaurant have averaged around nine violations per visit across the recent record.
What does a high risk rating mean?
A high risk rating at Garden Restaurant 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 Garden Restaurant inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Garden Restaurant is inspected around three times per year on average.
Nearby Restaurants