Half Shell Dockside

301 Market St, Apalachicola, FL 32329
Seafood
Last inspected: Mar 2, 2026
45
Score
High Risk

The health department has logged nine inspections at Half Shell Dockside, the earliest from 2022. Inspectors last stopped by on Mar 2, 2026. Diners may want to take note: high risk reflects issues that a health inspector considered important.

Performance has remained roughly level over recent inspections, averaging near seven violations each time.

“Food stored on floor” comes up most often, recorded four times in the inspection record.

The city-wide average sits at 84, which Half Shell Dockside's 45 doesn't quite reach. The pattern in the record is worth a careful look.

9
Inspections
0
Critical latest
2
Major latest
12
Minor latest
Inspection History
Mar 2, 2026
Routine - Food
2 major violations. 12 minor violations.
View 14 violations
Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Waitress station dumping ice into the hand sink.
31A-11-4
Intermediate - Raw/undercooked animal food offered and establishment has no written consumer advisory. Raw animal foods must be fully cooked prior to service.
02B-02-5
Basic - Food stored on floor. Cooking oil dry storage area. **Repeat Violation**
08B-38-4
Basic - Hood filter missing from automatic fire suppression/exhaust system. **Repeat Violation**
14-42-4
Basic - Knife stored between equipment on the cook line.
24-14-4
Basic - No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees. Women's and men's.
31B-04-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Top of the reach in cooler and the hood filters.
23-03-4
Basic - Wet mop not stored in a manner to allow the mop to dry.
42-01-4
Basic - Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance both of the interior of the ice machine/bin. **Repeat Violation**
22-20-5
Basic - Accumulation of lime scale on the inside of the dishmachine. Top area. **Repeat Violation**
16-23-4
Basic - Carbon dioxide/helium tanks not adequately secured, by the Ac unit in the dry storage area.
51-11-4
Basic - Covered waste receptacle not provided in women's bathroom.
32-12-6
Basic - Employee beverage container without a lid on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils.
12B-07-4
Basic - Equipment in poor repair. Front lid area of the ice machine is missing.
14-11-5
45
Dec 3, 2025
Routine - Food
1 major violation. 9 minor violations.
View 10 violations
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. Left a copy. **Corrected On-Site**
11-26-1
Basic - Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin. **Repeat Violation**
22-20-5
Basic - Accumulation of lime scale on the inside of the dishmachine.
16-23-4
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. Flounder walk in cooler.
06-09-1
Basic - Food not stored at least 6 inches off of the floor. Walk in cooler.
08B-47-4
Basic - Food stored on floor. Box of lance Saltines on the front line floor.
08B-38-4
Basic - Hood filter missing from automatic fire suppression/exhaust system.
14-42-4
Basic - Interior of oven/ has accumulation of black substance/grease/food debris. **Repeat Violation**
22-08-4
Basic - Stored food not covered inside the reach in freezer on the cook line do slow down time.
08B-12-5
Basic - Water leaking from pipe around the dish machine back flow area.
29-11-4
58
Aug 13, 2025
Routine - Food
No violations found.
100
May 28, 2025
Routine - Food
3 major violations. 7 minor violations.
View 10 violations
Intermediate - Clam/mussel/oyster tags not marked with last date served. Bar area.
01C-03-4
Intermediate - No proof of required state approved employee training provided for any employees. To order approved program food safety material, call DBPR contracted provider: Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (SafeStaff) 866-372-7233. **Warning**
53B-01-5
Intermediate - No soap provided at handwash sink. Cook line.
31B-03-4
Basic - Employee open beverage container without a lid on a food preparation table in the waitress station.
12B-07-4
Basic - Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin.
22-20-5
Basic - Interior of oven has accumulation of black substance/grease/food debris. **Repeat Violation**
22-08-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Fryers had buildup. **Repeat Violation**
23-03-4
Basic - Wet mop not stored in a manner to allow the mop to dry. Observed mop not stored in a manner to allow mop to dry properly in front of the mop sink by the bar area.
42-01-4
Basic - Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Seafood breading back stockroom area.
02D-01-5
Basic - Food stored on floor. Cooking oil on the floor in the kitchen area.
08B-38-4
52
Dec 5, 2024
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 3 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Procedures for Responding to Vomiting/Diarrheal Events
FL-05
Food Contact Surfaces Clean and Sanitized
FL-22
Non-Food Contact Surfaces Clean
FL-23
Approved Thawing Methods Used
FL-31
Wiping Cloths Properly Used and Stored
FL-41
64
Mar 15, 2024
Routine - Food
1 major violation. 3 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Hands Clean and Properly Washed
FL-08
Food Contact Surfaces Clean and Sanitized
FL-22
Equipment Adequate to Maintain Product Temperature
FL-29
Approved Thawing Methods Used
FL-31
78
Nov 3, 2023
Routine - Food
1 major violation. 4 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Observed employee hand sink use for dumping ice inside in the waitress station.
31A-11-4
Basic - Food stored on floor, cooking oil on the kit floor.
08B-38-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Fryers on the cook line.
23-03-4
Basic - Ripped/worn tin foil used as shelf cover.
14-20-4
Basic - Wall soiled with accumulated grease, food debris, and/or dust cook line.
36-27-5
74
Feb 27, 2023
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 4 major violations. 10 minor violations.
View 15 violations
High Priority - Employee touched bare body part and then engaged in food preparation, handled clean equipment or utensils, or touched unwrapped single-service items without washing hands. Waitress engaging in food prep touching her face.
12A-10-4
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 - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Can opener blade. Employee cleaned the can opener blade. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
22-02-4
Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Waitress station use for a dump sink.
31A-11-4
Intermediate - No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. Cook line.
31B-02-4
Basic - scoop handle in contact with cole slaw .
10-08-5
Basic - Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin. **Repeat Violation**
22-20-5
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.
06-09-1
Basic - Hole in or other damage to wall, by walk in cooler around the wood.
36-24-5
Basic - No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees. Cook line. And waitress station l **Repeat Violation**
31B-04-4
Basic - Old labels stuck to food containers after cleaning. Walk in cooler.
16-46-4
Basic - Reach-in cooler interior/shelves have accumulation of soil residues. Fries reach in freezer on the cook line. **Repeat Violation**
22-16-4
Basic - Single-service articles improperly stored. Observed coffee filter not protected from possible contamination in the waitress station.
25-05-4
Basic - Stored food not covered. Observed tea containers not covered in the waitress station.
08B-12-5
Basic - Wet mop not stored in a manner to allow the mop to dry.
42-01-4
35
Oct 6, 2022
Complaint Full
No violations found.
100

Frequently Asked Questions

When was Half Shell Dockside last inspected?

The most recent health inspection at Half Shell Dockside on file is from Mar 2, 2026. The public record contains nine inspections in total.

What is the most common violation at Half Shell Dockside?

Across the inspection record, “food stored on floor” has been cited four times, more than any other issue at Half Shell Dockside.

How does Half Shell Dockside compare to other restaurants in Apalachicola?

Half Shell Dockside most recently scored 45 out of 100, which is lower than the Apalachicola average of 84.

Has Half Shell Dockside's inspection record improved over time?

Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at Half Shell Dockside have averaged around seven violations per visit across the recent record.

What does a high risk rating mean?

A high risk rating at Half Shell Dockside 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 Half Shell Dockside inspected?

Based on the inspection history on file, Half Shell Dockside is inspected around three times per year on average.