Gator Bait Sports Bar & Grill
Last inspected: Feb 6, 2026
100
Score
Going back to 2022, Gator Bait Sports Bar & Grill has 12 inspections in the public record. The most recent visit was on Feb 6, 2026. When a facility lands in the low risk tier, it usually means nothing alarming showed up at the most recent visit.
Inspection results have stayed in a similar range over the last few visits, averaging around five violations each.
When inspectors have written things up, “nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease” has been the most frequent reason, cited four times.
That puts the facility ahead of the local pack: the average Melrose restaurant scores 84. Taken together, the history is a positive one.
12
Inspections
0
Critical latest
0
Major latest
0
Minor latest
Inspection History
Feb 6, 2026
Complaint Partial
No violations found.
100
Jan 14, 2026
Complaint Full
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 7 minor violations.
View 9 violations
High Priority - Stop Sale issued due to food not being in a wholesome, sound condition. In the walk in cooler, 4 packages of commercially sealed fully thawed vacuum sealed grouper. Operator removed from walk in cooler. **Corrective Action Taken** **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
01B-13-4
Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Hand wash sink at entrance to bar counter used to store wiping cloths.
31A-11-4
Basic - Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Employees phone on wire shelf over clean utensils. Operator relocated employee phone. **Corrected On-Site**
40-06-5
Basic - Commercially processed reduced oxygen packaged fish bearing a label indicating that it is to remain frozen until time of use no longer frozen and not removed from reduced oxygen package. In the walk in cooler, 4 packages of commercially sealed fully thawed vacuum sealed grouper. Operator removed from walk in cooler. **Corrective Action Taken** **Repeat Violation**
06-09-1
Basic - Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting. On shelf of prep area, clean plastic containers stacked while wet.
24-08-4
Basic - Interior of oven/microwave has accumulation of black substance/grease/food debris. Microwave oven has burned food debris on rotating plate. Toaster oven in waitstation with burned food debris.
22-08-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Debris build up on hood filter over fryers. Walk in cooler door gasket soiled. **Repeat Violation**
23-03-4
Basic - Standing water in bottom of reach-in-cooler. Standing water at base of cookline flip top reach in cooler.
29-49-6
Basic - Time/temperature control for safety food thawed in an improper manner. Raw alligator thawing in standing water at ambient air temperature on bottom of prep cart. Employee relocated to walk in cooler. **Corrective Action Taken** **Repeat Violation**
06-01-5
55
Sep 18, 2025
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 1 major violation. 6 minor violations.
View 9 violations
High Priority - Stop Sale issued due to food not being in a wholesome, sound condition. In the walk in cooler, 5 individually packages of salmon and 4 individually packaged of tilapia fully thawed and sealed in reduced oxygen packaged bags. Discussed with operator to discard.
01B-13-4
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. In warmer by bulk ice bin, chowder (122F - Hot Holding), warmer set on warm, operator adjusted settings to reheat. **Corrective Action Taken**
03B-01-6
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Fryer baskets have build up of grease on basket wiring. Metal mixing bowls by fryer have grease build up under lip of bowl.
22-02-4
Basic - Clean glasses, cups, bowls, plates, pots and pans not stored inverted or in a protected manner. Clean containers store on top shelf of storage rack not inverted or covered.
24-05-4
Basic - Commercially processed reduced oxygen packaged fish bearing a label indicating that it is to remain frozen until time of use no longer frozen and not removed from reduced oxygen package. In the walk in cooler, 5 individually packages of salmon and 4 individually packaged of tilapia fully thawed and sealed in reduced oxygen packaged bags. Discussed with operator to discard. **Corrective Action Taken**
06-09-1
Basic - Food stored on floor. Bulk container of chips stored on the floor by the walk in cooler.
08B-38-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Cook line hood filters with grease/debris build up. Walk in cooler door gasket soiled. **Repeat Violation**
23-03-4
Basic - Time/temperature control for safety food thawed in an improper manner. Frozen Turkey thawing in standing water on ledge behind three compartment sink, discussed with employee to relocate to refrigeration or cold running water. **Corrective Action Taken**
06-01-5
Basic - Utensils in poor condition. Pork skins container lid cracked.
14-12-4
50
Mar 5, 2025
Routine - Food
3 major violations. 4 minor violations.
View 7 violations
Certified Food Manager Identification
FL-02
Food Received at Proper Temperature
FL-12
Potentially Hazardous Food Held at Proper Temperature
FL-16
Proper Hot and Cold Holding Temperatures
FL-21
Food Contact Surfaces Clean and Sanitized
FL-22
Non-Food Contact Surfaces Clean
FL-23
Personal Cleanliness
FL-40
58
Aug 28, 2024
Routine - Food
2 major violations. 5 minor violations.
View 7 violations
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Fryer baskets with heavy build up of grease and food debris.
22-02-4
Intermediate - No probe thermometer provided to measure temperature of food products. At time of inspection no functional probe thermometer available, probe thermometer on shelf not used with debris on the probe and glass display.
05-08-4
Basic - Employee personal food not properly identified and segregated from food to be served to the public. In the walk in cooler employee lunch box stored on box of unwashed limes. Discussed alternative storage of personal food with operator. **Corrective Action Taken**
08B-49-4
Basic - Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Employee phone on kitchen crash cart with single service gloves. Operator relocated the employee phone. **Corrected On-Site**
40-06-5
Basic - Interior of oven/microwave has accumulation of black substance/grease/food debris. Debris build up inside the cook line microwave and wait station toaster oven. **Repeat Violation**
22-08-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Kitchen cook line hood filters with dust build up. Back side of fryers has build up of grease around the top vent. Walk in cooler door gasket with mold like substance staining. **Repeat Violation**
23-03-4
Basic - Stored food not covered. In the reach in freezer, shrimp skewers and Philly steaks stored uncovered. Operator covered the containers. **Corrected On-Site**
08B-12-5
64
Jun 10, 2024
Routine - Food
No violations found.
100
Apr 9, 2024
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 4 minor violations.
View 6 violations
High Priority - Stop Sale issued due to food not being in a wholesome, sound condition. In the walk in cooler fully thawed vacuum packaged grouper, redfish and salmon in sealed bags. Discussed with operator that all vacuum packaged fish needs to be cut open or removed from packaging prior to thawing. Operator separated the fish to not be sold to the customers. **Corrective Action Taken**
01B-13-4
Intermediate - No proof of required state approved employee training provided for employee hired more than 60 days ago. To order approved program food safety material, call DBPR contracted provider: Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (SafeStaff) 866-372-7233. Two employees present at time of inspection both employed over 60 days with no valid food handler training certificates. **Warning**
53B-02-5
Basic - Commercially processed reduced oxygen packaged fish bearing a label indicating that it is to remain frozen until time of use no longer frozen and not removed from reduced oxygen package. In the walk in cooler fully thawed vacuum packaged grouper, redfish and salmon in sealed bags. Discussed with operator that all vacuum packaged fish needs to be cut open or removed from packaging prior to thawing. Operator separated the fish to not be sold to the customers. **Corrective Action Taken**
06-09-1
Basic - Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting. On the storage shelf by the walk in cooler, clean containers stacked while wet.
24-08-4
Basic - Interior of oven/microwave has accumulation of black substance/grease/food debris. Microwave on cook line and toaster oven at pass through window with food debris build up.
22-08-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Build up of grease and debris on backside of fryers and hood system filters. Walk in cooler door gaskets have debris build up.
23-03-4
64
Aug 23, 2023
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 4 major violations. 1 minor violation.
View 7 violations
Certified Food Manager Identification
FL-02
Proper Eating, Tasting, Drinking, or Tobacco Use
FL-06
No Bare Hand Contact with Ready-to-Eat Food
FL-09
Food Received at Proper Temperature
FL-12
Sewage and Wastewater Properly Disposed
FL-27
Approved Thawing Methods Used
FL-31
Toilet Rooms Maintained
FL-53
47
Jul 26, 2023
Routine - Food
No violations found.
100
May 25, 2023
Routine - Food
1 critical violation.
View 1 violation
High Priority - - From initial inspection : High Priority - Establishment operating with changed menu and/or increased seating without septic system approval for such change. Establishment is licensed for 32 seats, has 24 outside, 40 inside during inspection. Establishment utilized septic tank. Provided seating change evaluation during inspection. Person in charge states 6 out front not used for seating, are used for waiting.**Warning** **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2023-05-25: Owner not on site during inspection, form has not been complete. Needs more time to obtain. **Time Extended**
28-12-4
86
Mar 23, 2023
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 2 major violations. 4 minor violations.
View 7 violations
High Priority - Establishment operating with changed menu and/or increased seating without septic system approval for such change. Establishment is licensed for 32 seats, has 24 outside, 40 inside during inspection. Establishment utilized septic tank. Provided seating change evaluation during inspection. Person in charge states 6 out front not used for seating, are used for waiting.**Warning** **Warning**
28-12-4
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. Employee working for 2 weeks wirth no proof of being informed of reporting responsibility.
11-26-1
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/ Person in charge with expired CFM.
53A-03-7
Basic - Bathroom located inside establishment not completely enclosed with tight-fitting, self-closing doors. Door handle broken on far restroom door, rendering it out of order. Person in charge states has someone fixing.
32-04-4
Basic - Outer openings not protected with self-closing doors. Self closer missing from side door.
35B-03-4
Basic - Time/temperature control for safety food thawed in an improper manner. Observed meat thawing in container of standing water, person in charge moved to reach in cooler. **Corrected On-Site**
06-01-5
Basic - Unsealed concrete floor in food preparation, food storage, warewashing area or bathroom. Floors showing wear in kitchen area, no smooth and easily cleanable in parts.
36-02-5
58
Aug 31, 2022
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 2 minor violations.
View 4 violations
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Shrimp, cheese, cheese in flip top at 51-55F. Cooler was open for lunch rush prior to inspection and operator had delivery. Person in charge states items were brought from walk in cooler in the morning. Person in charge will move items to reach in freezer to rapidly chill. Ambient temperature of upper unit got down tom42F during inspection. **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning**
03A-02-5
Intermediate - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Soup in walk in cooler not date marked. Person in charge states made Sunday. Person in charge marked during inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
02C-02-5
Basic - Floor area(s) covered with standing water. In front of air conditioner. Person in charge states pipe was loosened after serviced, tightened pipe. **Corrective Action Taken**
36-22-4
Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Employee beverage stored on bag in box soda. Person in charge removed. **Corrected On-Site**
12B-07-4
70
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Gator Bait Sports Bar & Grill last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Gator Bait Sports Bar & Grill on file is from Feb 6, 2026. The public record contains 12 inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Gator Bait Sports Bar & Grill?
Across the inspection record, “nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease” has been cited four times, more than any other issue at Gator Bait Sports Bar & Grill.
How does Gator Bait Sports Bar & Grill compare to other restaurants in Melrose?
Gator Bait Sports Bar & Grill most recently scored 100 out of 100, which is higher than the Melrose average of 84.
Has Gator Bait Sports Bar & Grill's inspection record improved over time?
Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at Gator Bait Sports Bar & Grill have averaged around five violations per visit across the recent record.
What does a low risk rating mean?
A low risk rating at Gator Bait Sports Bar & Grill 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 Gator Bait Sports Bar & Grill inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Gator Bait Sports Bar & Grill is inspected around three times per year on average.
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