Heaton's Reef Bar and Grill
Last inspected: Feb 20, 2026
90
Score
The health department has logged 10 inspections at Heaton's Reef Bar and Grill, the earliest from 2023. The latest inspection on file is from Feb 20, 2026. Diners can read the low risk label as a sign that recent inspections have gone well.
The picture has improved over the last few visits: recent inspections have averaged around two violations, down from roughly seven violations earlier in the record.
“Ice scoop handle in contact with ice” accounts for the largest share of issues, appearing three times across the record.
Compared to the broader Vero Beach restaurant scene, where the average is 77, this is a stronger showing. There isn't much in the file that would give a customer pause.
10
Inspections
0
Critical latest
1
Major latest
0
Minor latest
Inspection History
Feb 20, 2026
Routine - Food
1 major violation.
View 1 violation
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : 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. Half and half - From follow-up inspection 2026-02-20: **Time Extended**
02C-03-5
90
Feb 11, 2026
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 2 minor violations.
View 4 violations
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. Bar reading 0ppm. Primed and ran multiple times. Reading 0ppm **Warning**
22-41-4
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. Half and half
02C-03-5
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. Tuna pulled this morning from freezer. Employee removed from packaging **Corrected On-Site**
06-09-1
Basic - Ice bucket not stored inverted or in a protected manner. **Corrected On-Site**
24-05-4
70
Jul 22, 2025
Routine - Food
No violations found.
100
Dec 18, 2024
Routine - Food
4 critical violations. 5 minor violations.
View 9 violations
High Priority - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food not consumed/sold within 7 days after opening/preparation. See stop sale. Baked clams dated the 7th
01B-24-5
High Priority - Stop Sale issued due to food not being in a wholesome, sound condition.
01B-13-4
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Butter milk on ice bath 64F **Corrective Action Taken**
03A-02-5
High Priority - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food marked with a date that exceeds 7 days after opening/preparation. Baked clams dated the 7 th
02C-01-5
Basic - Clean pitchers, cups, bowls, plates, pots and pans not stored inverted or in a protected manner.
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.
06-09-1
Basic - Ice scoop handle in contact with ice. **Corrected On-Site**
10-08-5
Basic - In-use ice scoop stored on soiled surface between uses. **Corrected On-Site**
10-12-5
Basic - No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees. Cook line **Corrected On-Site**
31B-04-4
43
Jul 19, 2024
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 2 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Food Contact Surfaces Clean and Sanitized
FL-22
Warewashing Facilities Maintained and Used
FL-24
Wiping Cloths Properly Used and Stored
FL-41
Plumbing Maintained; Sewage Disposal
FL-51
67
Jan 23, 2024
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 2 major violations. 4 minor violations.
View 7 violations
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. 0 ppm. Will call repair company. Will sanitize in triple sink until repaired corrected to 50 ppm **Corrected On-Site**
22-41-4
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. Buttermilk. Walk in cooler
02C-03-5
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Cutting board
22-02-4
Basic - Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin. **Repeat Violation**
22-20-5
Basic - Carbon dioxide/helium tanks not adequately secured. **Corrected On-Site**
51-11-4
Basic - Ice bucket/shovel stored not inverted
10-14-5
Basic - Ice scoop handle in contact with ice. Bar **Corrected On-Site**
10-08-5
58
Sep 5, 2023
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 2 major violations. 5 minor violations.
View 8 violations
Supervisor/Person in Charge Present
FL-01
Hands Clean and Properly Washed
FL-08
Food Received at Proper Temperature
FL-12
Food in Good Condition, Safe, and Unadulterated
FL-13
Food Contact Surfaces Clean and Sanitized
FL-22
Warewashing Facilities Maintained and Used
FL-24
Approved Thawing Methods Used
FL-31
Lighting Adequate; Required Shields in Place
FL-36
52
Jun 7, 2023
Routine - Food
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance. Over dish area. **Repeat Violation** **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2023-06-07: **Time Extended**
36-34-5
95
Apr 7, 2023
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 4 major violations. 4 minor violations.
View 9 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. Bartender touching oranges and lemons for garnish with a bare hand. Employee put on gloves. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
09-01-4
Intermediate - Raw or undercooked oysters offered and establishment has no consumer advisory sign provided on wall, menu, placard, table tent or by any other written means. Raw animal foods must be fully cooked prior to service. Provided, printed and posted. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
02A-01-4
Intermediate - No plan review submitted and approved - oyster/raw bar area added. 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 http://www.myfloridalicense.com/DBPR/hotels-restaurants/licensing/plan-review/. Portable Raw bar added to east side of kitchen with hand wash sink. Oysters observed in prep sink for shucking. No hot or cold water at hand sink oyster/raw bar noted on plan review violation set up on east side of kitchen. Manager moved oysters to kitchen area for shucking. Provided plan review hand out with email address. **Warning**
51-14-7
Intermediate - Water with a temperature of at least 100 degrees Fahrenheit not provided/shut off at employee handwash sink. No hot or cold water at hand sink oyster/raw bar noted on plan review violation set up on east side of kitchen. **Warning**
27-16-4
Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Used as dump-sink at bar. Strainer in hand sink. **Warning**
31A-11-4
Basic - Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance. Over dish area. **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
36-34-5
Basic - Employee with no hair restraint while engaging in food preparation. Hat put on. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
13-03-4
Basic - Ice scoop handle in contact with ice. At bar. Removed. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
10-08-5
Basic - Wet wiping cloth not stored in sanitizing solution between uses. At multiple cutting boards. **Warning**
21-12-4
47
Jan 13, 2023
Routine - Food
2 major violations. 4 minor violations.
View 6 violations
Food Obtained from Approved Sources
FL-11
Required Records Available; Shellstock Tags/Labels
FL-14
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
64
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Heaton's Reef Bar and Grill last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Heaton's Reef Bar and Grill on file is from Feb 20, 2026. The public record contains 10 inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Heaton's Reef Bar and Grill?
Across the inspection record, “ice scoop handle in contact with ice” has been cited three times, more than any other issue at Heaton's Reef Bar and Grill.
How does Heaton's Reef Bar and Grill compare to other restaurants in Vero Beach?
Heaton's Reef Bar and Grill most recently scored 90 out of 100, which is higher than the Vero Beach average of 77.
Has Heaton's Reef Bar and Grill's inspection record improved over time?
Yes. Recent inspections at Heaton's Reef Bar and Grill have averaged around two violations per visit, down from roughly seven earlier in the record.
What does a low risk rating mean?
A low risk rating at Heaton's Reef Bar and 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 Heaton's Reef Bar and Grill inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Heaton's Reef Bar and Grill is inspected around three times per year on average.
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