Gators Dockside Ocala
Last inspected: Feb 2, 2026
47
Score
Inspectors have visited Gators Dockside Ocala eight times, with records going back to 2022. The latest inspection on file is from Feb 2, 2026. A high risk rating points to multiple serious findings at the most recent inspection.
Recent inspections have turned up roughly the same number of issues each time, hovering near five violations per visit.
“Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease” comes up most often, recorded five times in the inspection record.
Restaurants in Ocala average 78, so Gators Dockside Ocala trails the local norm. This restaurant has more on its record than most do.
8
Inspections
1
Critical latest
2
Major latest
7
Minor latest
Inspection History
Feb 2, 2026
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 2 major violations. 7 minor violations.
View 10 violations
Supervisor/Person in Charge Present
FL-01
Food in Good Condition, Safe, and Unadulterated
FL-13
Required Records Available; Shellstock Tags/Labels
FL-14
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
Approved Thawing Methods Used
FL-31
Lighting Adequate; Required Shields in Place
FL-36
Wiping Cloths Properly Used and Stored
FL-41
47
Oct 17, 2025
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 1 minor violation.
View 3 violations
Food Received at Proper Temperature
FL-12
Food Contact Surfaces Clean and Sanitized
FL-22
Lighting Adequate; Required Shields in Place
FL-36
70
Apr 7, 2025
Routine - Food
4 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Basic - Food-contact surface not smooth and easily cleanable. Damaged and/or loose plastic on right-side wall inside ice machine.
14-13-4
Basic - No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees. Handwash signs at handwash sinks throughout kitchen read as "Handwash Only" and do not instruct employees to wash their hands.
31B-04-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Exterior of dish rack containing clean drinking cups heavily soiled with lime-like substance in front of kitchen. **Repeat Violation**
23-03-4
Basic - Unclean building components, attachments or fixtures. Air vent and wires on ceiling at cookline soiled with dust. **Repeat Violation**
36-50-4
82
Oct 16, 2024
Routine - Food
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Basic - Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance. Ceiling tiles and vents in kitchen area soiled with dust and grease accumulation.
36-34-5
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Soda machine backsplash soiled with mold-like substances. Underside of pass-through shelves soiled with rust, old food debris, and grease accumulation.
23-03-4
90
Mar 25, 2024
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 3 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Employee Health Policies Present
FL-03
Non-Food Contact Surfaces Clean
FL-23
Hot and Cold Water Available; Adequate Pressure
FL-25
Equipment Adequate to Maintain Product Temperature
FL-29
74
Dec 5, 2023
Routine - Food
1 major violation. 5 minor violations.
View 6 violations
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Hot water nozzle of wait station tea machine. Inside of ice machine.
22-02-4
Basic - Accumulation of lime scale on the inside of the dishmachine. Dish machine in dish area.
16-23-4
Basic - Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance. Vents in front of cook line hood.
36-34-5
Basic - Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Apron on dry storage shelf at end of server aisle.
40-06-5
Basic - In-use tongs stored on equipment door handle between uses. Tongs hanging on cook line grill handle.
10-20-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Fan covers in walk-in cooler closest to office. Gasket of reach-in cooler across from cook line grill. **Repeat Violation**
23-03-4
70
May 9, 2023
Routine - Food
3 critical violations. 1 major violation. 5 minor violations.
View 9 violations
High Priority - Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. At the server station, marinara sauce placed around 11:00-12:00 120F, also chili 92F.
01B-02-5
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food reheated for hot holding not reaching 165 degrees Fahrenheit for 15 seconds within 2 hours. At the server station, marinara sauce placed around 11:00-12:00 120F, also chili 92F.
03E-02-5
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. At the cook line on prep table, grilled onions 68F, grilled peppers 65, Manager voluntarily discarded.
03B-01-6
Intermediate - Required employee training expired for some employees. To order approved program food safety material, call DBPR contracted provider: Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (SafeStaff) 866-372-7233. For one employee
53B-14-5
Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Multiple employee drinks on prep tables, employee moved all. **Corrected On-Site**
12B-07-4
Basic - Employee with no beard guard/restraint while engaging in food preparation. Male employee at the cook line. **Corrected On-Site**
13-04-4
Basic - Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting. Containers stacked near dish machine area. **Repeat Violation**
24-08-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Walk-in cooler shelves soiled also with mold like substance **Repeat Violation**
23-03-4
Basic - Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin. Ice machine interior with mold like substance
22-20-5
45
Aug 31, 2022
Routine - Food
4 critical violations. 1 major violation. 8 minor violations.
View 13 violations
High Priority - Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. Items in cook line reach-in cooler across from prep table: cheese (47F - Cold Holding); turkey (46F - Cold Holding); noodles (46,47F - Cold Holding); spinach dip (46,45F - Cold Holding); cream cheese (45F - Cold Holding); ham (45F - Cold Holding). Manager stated items held in cooler over night. Manager discarded items. **Warning**
01B-02-5
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Items in cook line reach-in cooler across from prep table: cheese (47F - Cold Holding); turkey (46F - Cold Holding); noodles (46,47F - Cold Holding); spinach dip (46,45F - Cold Holding); cream cheese (45F - Cold Holding); ham (45F - Cold Holding). Manager stated items held in cooler over night. Manager discarded items. **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning**
03A-02-5
High Priority - Dishmachine chlorine sanitizer not at proper minimum strength. Discontinue use of dishmachine for sanitizing and set up manual sanitization until dishmachine is repaired and sanitizing properly. Dish machine, 0 ppm. Manager primed machine, 75 ppm. **Corrected On-Site**
22-41-4
High Priority - Employee touched face/hair and then engaged in food preparation, handled clean equipment or utensils, or touched unwrapped single-service items without washing hands. Employee adjusted face mask then handled to go container without washing hands. Manager had employee wash hands. **Corrective Action Taken**
12A-25-4
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Cutting boards stored next to three compartment sink. Interior of cook line microwaves. **Repeat Violation**
22-02-4
Basic - Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting. Pans on shelf next to ice machine. **Repeat Violation**
24-08-4
Basic - Equipment in poor repair. Gasket of drawer for reach-in cooler across from the grill.
14-11-5
Basic - In-use tongs stored on equipment door handle between uses. Tongs hanging on cook line prep table handle. Employee placed tongs on top of prep table. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
10-20-4
Basic - In-use utensil for non-time/temperature control for safety food not stored in a clean, protected location. Handle of scoop for chicken wings in reach-in cooler across from fryers.
10-04-5
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Wall behind grill greasy. Faucet handles for hand washing sink at the end of the cook line closest to fryers.
23-03-4
Basic - Old labels stuck to food containers after cleaning. Containers stored on shelf above kitchen prep table.
16-46-4
Basic - Standing water in bottom of reach-in-cooler. Reach-in cooler on cook line across from prep table.
29-49-6
Basic - Walk-in cooler interior/shelves have accumulation of soil residues. Shelves in walk-in with beer. **Repeat Violation**
22-16-4
33
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Gators Dockside Ocala last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Gators Dockside Ocala on file is from Feb 2, 2026. The public record contains eight inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Gators Dockside Ocala?
Across the inspection record, “nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease” has been cited five times, more than any other issue at Gators Dockside Ocala.
How does Gators Dockside Ocala compare to other restaurants in Ocala?
Gators Dockside Ocala most recently scored 47 out of 100, which is lower than the Ocala average of 78.
Has Gators Dockside Ocala's inspection record improved over time?
Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at Gators Dockside Ocala have averaged around five violations per visit across the recent record.
What does a high risk rating mean?
A high risk rating at Gators Dockside Ocala 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 Gators Dockside Ocala inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Gators Dockside Ocala is inspected around two times per year on average.
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