Gator Joe's
Last inspected: Mar 9, 2026
32
Score
Public records show 13 inspections at Gator Joe's stretching back to 2022. The most recent visit was on Mar 9, 2026. The high risk label is a heads-up that the most recent visit didn't go well.
Violation counts have been trending down, averaging around five violations across recent inspections versus roughly 10 violations before.
Across the inspection history, “food-contact surface soiled with food debris” is the issue that surfaces most often, recorded four times.
By comparison, the average Ocklawaha facility scores 77, putting Gator Joe's on the weaker side. Taken together, the history suggests a facility that has struggled with consistency.
13
Inspections
5
Critical latest
0
Major latest
8
Minor latest
Inspection History
Mar 9, 2026
Routine - Food
5 critical violations. 8 minor violations.
View 13 violations
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. In reach in cooler located in prep room, two raw shell eggs on shelf over case of tomatoes. Moved. **Corrected On-Site**
08A-05-6
High Priority - Employee began working with food, handling clean equipment or utensils, or touching unwrapped single-service items without first washing hands. Female employee scooped ice for customer drink with plastic cup touching the ice, employee did not wash hands prior to scooping ice.
12A-16-4
High Priority - Employee touched soiled surface and then engaged in food preparation, handled clean equipment or utensils, or touched unwrapped single-service items without washing hands. Male employee picked up box from floor the added red sauce to portion cup without washing hands.
12A-29-4
High Priority - Employee touching ready-to-eat food with their bare hands - food was not being heated as a sole ingredient to 145 degrees F or immediately added to other ingredients to be cooked/heated to the minimum required temperature to allow bare hand contact. Establishment has no approved Alternative Operating Procedure. Female employee scooped ice for customer drink with plastic cup touching the ice, employee did not wash hands prior to scooping ice. **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
09-01-4
High Priority - Food contaminated by employees/consumers and operator continued to serve food. See stop sale. Female employee scooped ice for customer drink with plastic cup touching the ice, employee did not wash hands prior to scooping ice. **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
01B-12-4
Basic - Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Cup in sugar. Removed. **Corrected On-Site**
14-01-5
Basic - Cloth used as a food-contact surface. Male employee wiped knife with towel.
21-05-5
Basic - Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Phone and vape on shelf over clean dishes in ware wash area. Moved during this inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
40-06-5
Basic - Employee with no beard guard/restraint while engaging in food preparation. Male employee in kitchen.
13-04-4
Basic - Floors not maintained smooth and durable. In kitchen area, rivets on floor. **Repeat Violation**
36-11-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Around doors of reach in cooler soiled with black substance.
23-03-4
Basic - Open dumpster lid. One lid open on dumpster.
33-16-4
Basic - Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Sugar not labeled at bar. Labeled. **Corrected On-Site**
02D-01-5
32
Oct 20, 2025
Routine - Food
No violations found.
100
Oct 13, 2025
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. In reach in make table: shrimp (50F - Cold holding); fish dip (50F - Cold Holding); tomatoes (50F - Cold Holding). Reach in cooler was unplugged. Operator discarded during this inspection. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2025-10-13: Tomatoes 50F. Chicken 51F. Boiled eggs 50F. Tuna 51F. All items in unit for 3 hours. All items iced down. **Admin Complaint** **Corrective Action Taken**
03A-02-5
86
Oct 7, 2025
Routine - Food
3 critical violations. 2 major violations. 10 minor violations.
View 15 violations
High Priority - Employee touching ready-to-eat food with their bare hands - food was not being heated as a sole ingredient to 145 degrees F or immediately added to other ingredients to be cooked/heated to the minimum required temperature to allow bare hand contact. Establishment has no approved Alternative Operating Procedure. Male employee cutting celery touching stalk with bare hands. Employee put on gloves. **Corrected On-Site**
09-01-4
High Priority - Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. In reach in make table: shrimp (50F - Cooling); fish dip (50F - Cold Holding); tomatoes (50F - Cold Holding). Operator discarded during this inspection. **Warning**
01B-02-5
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. In reach in make table: shrimp (50F - Cold holding); fish dip (50F - Cold Holding); tomatoes (50F - Cold Holding). Reach in cooler was unplugged. Operator discarded during this inspection. **Warning**
03A-02-5
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Keg lines in walk in cooler soiled with slimy substance.
22-02-4
Intermediate - No soap and/or handwashing sign provided at handwash sink. Sink at outdoor bar. Added during this inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
31B-03-4
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. Tuna steaks in walk in cooler, operator removed from packaging. **Corrected On-Site**
06-09-1
Basic - Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable. Green board on clean dish shelf.
14-09-4
Basic - Dead roaches on premises. One dead roach on floor in liquor room. Four dead roaches on floor in liquor cabinet near office. Discarded during this inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
35A-03-4
Basic - Employee personal food not properly identified and segregated from food to be served to the public. Employee lunch box on shelf over vegetables. Moved during this inspection **Corrected On-Site**
08B-49-4
Basic - Floors not maintained smooth and durable. Floor in kitchen
36-11-4
Basic - In-use knife/knives stored in cracks between pieces of equipment. Between prep table and make table. Removed during this inspection. **Corrective Action Taken**
10-17-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact equipment exposed to splash/spillage not constructed of materials that are corrosion resistant, non-absorbent, smooth and easily cleanable. Wood in walk in cooler under fans.
14-47-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Gaskets of reach in cooler gaskets soiled with food debris. Fan on dry storage shelf soiled with dust
23-03-4
Basic - Opened employee beverage container in a cold holding unit with food to be served to customers. Employee drink in reach in freezer.
12B-13-4
Basic - Standing water in bottom of reach-in-cooler. Bottom of reach in make table in kitchen.
29-49-6
32
Feb 21, 2025
Routine - Food
1 major violation. 2 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Potentially Hazardous Food Held at Proper Temperature
FL-16
Approved Thawing Methods Used
FL-31
Proper Hot and Cold Holding Temperatures
FL-21
82
Oct 14, 2024
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 9 minor violations.
View 11 violations
High Priority - Establishment operating with changed menu and/or increased seating without septic system approval for such change. Establishment operating with 200+ seats.
28-12-4
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Interior of oven soiled with grease.
22-02-4
Basic - Unclean building components, attachments or fixtures. Ceiling soiled with dust in kitchen area. Wall at bar has spider webs.
36-50-4
Basic - Dead roaches on premises. Dead roach on floor in prep room. Discarded. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
35A-03-4
Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Opened bottle of water on shelf over prep table. Moved. **Corrected On-Site**
12B-07-4
Basic - Employee wearing jewelry other than a plain ring on their hands/arms while preparing food. Female employee in kitchen with bracelets. Removed all. **Corrected On-Site**
13-07-4
Basic - Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting. Plastic pans on clean dish shelf.
24-08-4
Basic - No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees. Sign not posted at sink in outdoor bar. Added during this inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
31B-04-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Gaskets on seafood cooler soled with food debris.
23-03-4
Basic - Old food stuck to clean dishware/utensils. Old food on clean dishes in prep room.
16-48-4
Basic - Standing water in bottom of reach-in-cooler. Standing water in bottom of reach in make table in kitchen
29-49-6
50
May 8, 2024
Complaint Partial
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Basic - Dead roaches on premises. Seven dead roaches in cabinets at bar. Manager removed all. **Corrected On-Site**
35A-03-4
95
Apr 19, 2024
Complaint Full
1 critical violation. 2 major violations. 8 minor violations.
View 11 violations
High Priority - Establishment operating with changed menu and/or increased seating without septic system approval for such change. Establishment operating with more than 200 seats. Seating change evaluation form is missing water source sign off. **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
28-12-4
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Interior of ice machine has black substance on deflector plate. Interior of dish machine in kitchen has build up of grease and food debris.
22-02-4
Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Cup in sink at bar. Removed. **Corrected On-Site**
31A-11-4
Basic - Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Sugar with no label at front counter. Labeled. **Corrected On-Site**
02D-01-5
Basic - Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Cup in sugar. Removed. **Corrected On-Site**
14-01-5
Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Opened bottle of water on shelf over clean dishes in kitchen.
12B-07-4
Basic - Employee with no hair restraint and/or beard guard while engaging in food preparation. Male employee on cookline with no hair restraint. Also, Male employee making drinks with beard.
13-03-4
Basic - In-use utensil stored in standing water less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Tongs in club soda on bar at 50F. Manager removed club soda from cups. **Corrected On-Site**
10-07-4
Basic - Open dumpster lid. Lid open on one dumpster
33-16-4
Basic - Stored food not covered. Wings on top shelf of walk in cooler. Cut fruit on bar. Both were covered during this inspection. **Repeat Violation**
08B-12-5
Basic - Establishment did not report seating change that affects the license fee, Clean Indoor Air Act, sewage system approval or other related requirements. Establishment is operating with 200 seats. **Repeat Violation**
51-09-4
47
Jan 29, 2024
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 2 major violations. 1 minor violation.
View 4 violations
High Priority - Establishment operating with changed menu and/or increased seating without septic system approval for such change. Establishment operating with over 200 seats, approved for 90. **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
28-12-4
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. Fish dip opened on Saturday with no date mark in reach in cooler. Date added. **Corrected On-Site**
02C-03-5
Intermediate - Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled. Window cleaner with no label. Labeled. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
41-17-4
Basic - Establishment did not report seating change that affects the license fee, Clean Indoor Air Act, sewage system approval or other related requirements. Operating with 200 seats approved for 90.
51-09-4
67
Jul 25, 2023
Complaint Full
No violations found.
100
Jul 20, 2023
Complaint Full
5 critical violations. 2 major violations. 9 minor violations.
View 16 violations
High Priority - Establishment operating with changed menu and/or increased seating without septic system approval for such change. Establishment is operating with approximately 200 seats, licensed with 90 seats. Form on file in plan review packet for seat increase is missing information required to increase seating, DBPR not able to increase seating. **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
28-12-4
High Priority - Live, small flying insects in kitchen, food preparation area, food storage area and/or bar area. Four live flies in exterior satellite prep kitchen. One live fly in bar area. **Admin Complaint**
35A-02-6
High Priority - Roach activity present as evidenced by live roaches found. Seven live roaches on wood behind prep sink in exterior building satellite kitchen. One live roach on wall behind clean dish shelf in exterior building satellite prep kitchen. Establishment immediately closed satellite prep kitchen for cleaning. Do not use prep area until DBPR has conducted a satisfactory callback inspection. **Admin Complaint**
35A-05-4
High Priority - Roach excrement and/or droppings present. Black pepper spots on wall and on wood behind prep sink in exterior satellite prep kitchen. Establishment immediately closed satellite prep kitchen for cleaning. Do not use prep area until DBPR has conducted a satisfactory callback inspection. **Admin Complaint**
35A-23-4
High Priority - Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. Window cleaner hanging on side of alcohol storage behind bar.
41-10-4
Intermediate - Records/documents for required employee training do not contain all of the required information. Two certificates missing date of birth.
53B-10-4
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Interior of ice bin has area of black substance on deflector plate behind bar. **Repeat Violation**
22-02-4
Basic - Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Bowl in croutons in kitchen. Cup in sugar behind bar.
14-01-5
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. Mahi and salmon in reach in cooler in satellite prep kitchen being thawed in packaging with label to remove package prior to thawing.
06-09-1
Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. One drink on prep table near walk in cooler. Two opened bottles of water on shelf over lettuce in walk in cooler located in kitchen.
12B-07-4
Basic - Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Egg cartons on shelf over clean dishes. Moved during this inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
40-06-5
Basic - Establishment did not report seating change that affects the license fee, Clean Indoor Air Act, sewage system approval or other related requirements. Establishment is operating with approximately 200 seats , license issued for 90. Incomplete Seating Change form on file.
51-09-4
Basic - In-use utensil not stored on a clean portion of food preparation or cooking equipment. Tongs on top of container of cut fruit at bar near door. Tongs on top of lid of lemons near fountain machine at bar.
10-02-4
Basic - Standing water in bottom of reach-in-cooler. Reach in make table on cookline. **Repeat Violation**
29-49-6
Basic - Unclean building components, attachments or fixtures. Walls and ceiling in kitchen soiled with dust buildup. Walls in exterior satellite prep kitchen soiled with food debris.
36-50-4
Basic - Wet wiping cloth not stored in sanitizing solution between uses. One on bar.
21-12-4
25
Jan 9, 2023
Routine - Food
1 critical violation.
View 1 violation
Plumbing Installed; Proper Backflow Devices
FL-28
86
Jul 29, 2022
Complaint Full
No violations found.
100
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Gator Joe's last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Gator Joe's on file is from Mar 9, 2026. The public record contains 13 inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Gator Joe's?
Across the inspection record, “food-contact surface soiled with food debris” has been cited four times, more than any other issue at Gator Joe's.
How does Gator Joe's compare to other restaurants in Ocklawaha?
Gator Joe's most recently scored 32 out of 100, which is lower than the Ocklawaha average of 77.
Has Gator Joe's inspection record improved over time?
Yes. Recent inspections at Gator Joe's have averaged around five violations per visit, down from roughly 10 earlier in the record.
What does a high risk rating mean?
A high risk rating at Gator Joe's 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 Gator Joe's inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Gator Joe's is inspected around four times per year on average.
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