Gator Shack
Last inspected: Jan 21, 2026
74
Score
Inspectors have visited Gator Shack nine times, with records going back to 2022. The most recent report on file is from Jan 21, 2026. Diners should read medium risk as a signal that some issues exist but aren't extreme.
Violation counts have held steady across recent visits, averaging around six violations each.
Across the inspection history, “time/temperature control for safety food cold held” is the issue that surfaces most often, recorded two times.
Gator Shack scores about where you'd expect for a Sebring restaurant. The full record sits in fairly typical territory for a working restaurant.
9
Inspections
0
Critical latest
2
Major latest
2
Minor latest
Inspection History
Jan 21, 2026
Routine - Food
2 major violations. 2 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Proper Eating, Tasting, Drinking, or Tobacco Use
FL-06
Potentially Hazardous Food Held at Proper Temperature
FL-16
Lighting Adequate; Required Shields in Place
FL-36
Toilet Rooms Maintained
FL-53
74
Aug 26, 2025
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 1 major violation.
View 3 violations
Supervisor/Person in Charge Present
FL-01
Employee Health Policies Present
FL-03
Approved Thawing Methods Used
FL-31
67
Mar 25, 2025
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 7 minor violations.
View 9 violations
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Raw fish in water, temperature tested at 66 F for less than 15 minutes. Operator applied rapid cooling in freezer. Fish was tested at 40 F. **Corrected On-Site**
03A-02-5
Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing as a dump sink.
31A-11-4
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. Fish at 43F in walk in cooler. Operator removed from packaging. **Corrected On-Site**
06-09-1
Basic - Employee with no beard guard/restraint while engaging in food preparation.
13-04-4
Basic - Establishment using wood (other than a hard, close-grained wood) as a food-contact surface as shelf covering in walk in cooler .
14-25-5
Basic - Frozen time/temperature control for safety food being slacked at room temperature is no longer frozen solid. Raw shrimp in water at 43 F. Operator placed in walk in cooler near dishwasher. **Corrected On-Site**
06-06-5
Basic - In-use utensil in non-time/temperature control for safety food not stored with handle above top of food within a closed container. Shaker can with seasoning on top of onions on cook line. Operator removed. **Corrected On-Site**
10-01-5
Basic - Time/temperature control for safety food thawed in an improper manner. Raw fish in water, temperature tested at 66 F for less than 15 minutes. Operator applied rapid cooling in freezer. Fish was tested at 40 F. **Corrective Action Taken**
06-01-5
Basic - Walk-in cooler shelves with rust that has pitted the surface.
14-17-4
55
Aug 21, 2024
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 2 major violations. 2 minor violations.
View 6 violations
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Raw chicken over macaroni and cheese. Operator removed chicken and stored correctly. **Corrected On-Site**
08A-05-6
High Priority - Employee failed to wash hands before putting on gloves to initiate a task working with food. Cook was educated and washed hands. **Corrected On-Site**
12A-07-5
Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing as dump sink for ketchup bottles.
31A-11-4
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.
53B-02-5
Basic - Equipment in poor repair: reach in chest freezer repaired with duct tape.
14-11-5
Basic - No conspicuously located ambient air temperature thermometer in holding units on line.
05-09-4
55
Mar 20, 2024
Routine - Food
1 major violation. 2 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime: cutting boards **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2024-03-20: **Time Extended**
22-02-4
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable. **Repeat Violation** **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2024-03-20: **Time Extended**
14-09-4
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Hole in or other damage to wall at hand washing sink, vent not covered. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2024-03-20: **Time Extended**
36-24-5
82
Nov 14, 2023
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 5 major violations. 2 minor violations.
View 9 violations
High Priority - Stop Sale issued due to food not being in a wholesome, sound condition. BBQ pork vacuum packed on 11/8. Operator removed and voluntarily discarded. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
01B-13-4
High Priority - Live, small flying insects in kitchen, food preparation area, food storage area and/or bar area. Four flies in kitchen, not landing on food. **Warning**
35A-02-6
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime: cutting boards **Warning**
22-02-4
Intermediate - Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Sanitizer bucket stored in hand wash sink at bar. Operator removed. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
31A-09-4
Intermediate - No measuring device available for measuring utensil surface temperature when using hot water as sanitizer in a dishmachine. Operator obtained strips. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
16-62-1
Intermediate - No plan review submitted and approved - renovations were made or are in progress. Must submit plans and plan review application to DBPR H and R Plan Review office located at 2601 Blair Stone Rd., Tallahassee, FL 32399-1011. Plans must be submitted AND approved within 60 days. The direct link to the Plan Review page is https://www2.myfloridalicense.com/hotels-restaurants/licensing/plan-review/. Operator added hot water sanitation dishwasher. Operator will need to contact plan review. **Warning**
51-16-7
Intermediate - Reduced oxygen packaged food lacking bold type on contrasting background, or other required information. BBQ pork vacuum packed on 11/8. Operator removed and voluntarily discarded. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
03G-06-5
Basic - Hole in or other damage to wall at hand washing sink, vent not covered. **Warning**
36-24-5
Basic - Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable. **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
14-09-4
41
Jul 11, 2023
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 4 major violations. 6 minor violations.
View 11 violations
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over or with ready-to-eat food in a freezer - not all products commercially packaged. Raw beef over lettuce. Operator removed. **Corrected On-Site**
08A-02-6
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/ E. Tillman 7/9/18
53A-03-7
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime, can opener blade. Operator cleaned and sanitized. **Corrected On-Site**
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. Provided Operator with the Food Reporting Agreement, and they signed form. **Corrected On-Site**
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. Pasta salad in walk in cooler made on 7/8 not date marked. Operator date marked **Corrected On-Site**
02C-02-5
Basic - Wall soiled with accumulated grease, food debris, and/or dust at line. **Repeat Violation**
36-27-5
Basic - Floor not cleaned when the least amount of food is exposed. **Repeat Violation**
36-01-4
Basic - Old labels stuck to food containers after cleaning.
16-46-4
Basic - Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable.
14-09-4
Basic - Water leaking from pipe and/or faucet/handle at triple sink.
29-11-4
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. Mahi-mahi at 38 F, operator sliced packages. **Corrected On-Site**
06-09-1
43
Oct 27, 2022
Routine - Food
1 major violation. 2 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Required Records Available; Shellstock Tags/Labels
FL-14
Toilet Rooms Maintained
FL-53
Lighting Adequate; Required Shields in Place
FL-36
70
Jul 14, 2022
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 3 major violations. 3 minor violations.
View 7 violations
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Gator at 48 degrees for less than 30 minutes . Operator applied rapid cooling and was later temperatures at 41°. **Corrected On-Site**
03A-02-5
Intermediate - Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times in kitchen. Operator removed items. **Corrected On-Site**
31A-09-4
Intermediate - No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink at corner by coffee. Operator placed paper towels at location. **Corrected On-Site**
31B-02-4
Intermediate - Operator is not properly tracking/marking the number of days ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite was held at refrigeration temperatures prior to freezing in order to properly date mark the food when it is thawed and held at refrigeration temperatures again. Cheese curds removed from original container and pre packaged for later service no date mark. Operator placed date mark on item. **Corrected On-Site**
02C-04-5
Basic - Cleaned and sanitized equipment or utensils not properly stored. Operator removed whisks. **Corrected On-Site**
24-07-4
Basic - Employee with no beard guard/restraint while engaging in food preparation.
13-04-4
Basic - Reach-in cooler shelves with rust that has pitted the surface.
14-33-4
55
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Gator Shack last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Gator Shack on file is from Jan 21, 2026. The public record contains nine inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Gator Shack?
Across the inspection record, “time/temperature control for safety food cold held” has been cited two times, more than any other issue at Gator Shack.
How does Gator Shack compare to other restaurants in Sebring?
Gator Shack most recently scored 74 out of 100, which is about the same as the Sebring average of 74.
Has Gator Shack's inspection record improved over time?
Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at Gator Shack have averaged around six violations per visit across the recent record.
What does a medium risk rating mean?
A medium risk rating at Gator Shack means the most recent inspection turned up a handful of issues that the health department wrote up but did not classify as critical.
How often is Gator Shack inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Gator Shack is inspected around three times per year on average.
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