Hooters of Ocala
Last inspected: Nov 12, 2025
52
Score
Going back to 2022, Hooters of Ocala has nine inspections in the public record. The most recent visit was on Nov 12, 2025. A high risk tier suggests the facility had a rough recent inspection, with multiple violations on record.
The trend has not been favorable: recent inspections average around 11 violations each, up from closer to two violations before.
Looking across the full record, “food-contact surface soiled with food debris” is the recurring theme, flagged five times.
Restaurants in Ocala average 78, so Hooters of Ocala trails the local norm. There are enough flags in the record to merit a second thought.
9
Inspections
2
Critical latest
1
Major latest
5
Minor latest
Inspection History
Nov 12, 2025
Food-Licensing Inspection
2 critical violations. 1 major violation. 5 minor violations.
View 8 violations
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Raw shrimp stored over bacon bits in walk-in cooler. Manager moved shrimp to shelf beneath bacon bits. **Corrected On-Site**
08A-05-6
High Priority - Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. Spray bottle of degreaser stored next to cans of cheese sauce in dry storage area. Manager placed degreaser on shelf with other chemicals. **Corrected On-Site**
41-10-4
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Cutting board on reach-in cooler in salad prep area stained.
22-02-4
Basic - Old food stuck to clean dishware/utensils. Containers stored on shelf in front of walk-in cooler.
16-48-4
Basic - Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting. Containers stored on shelf in front of walk-in cooler.
24-08-4
Basic - Floor area(s) covered with standing water. Standing water on floor where tiles are missing in front of dish machine across from walk-in cooler.
36-22-4
Basic - Floor tiles missing and/or in disrepair. Floor tiles missing in front of dish machine across from walk-in cooler.
36-17-5
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Dusty vents above cook line.
23-03-4
52
Aug 25, 2025
Routine - Food
4 critical violations. 2 major violations. 6 minor violations.
View 12 violations
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Items in reach-in cooler across from cook line fryers: chicken (44F,44F - Cold Holding). Manager stated chicken placed in cooler 30 minutes prior to temperature being taken. **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
03A-02-5
High Priority - Vacuum breaker missing at mop sink faucet or on fitting/splitter added to mop sink faucet. Faucet behind cook line. Manager placed vacuum breaker on faucet. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
29-42-4
High Priority - Employee handled soiled equipment or utensils and then engaged in food preparation, handled clean equipment or utensils, or touched unwrapped single-service items without washing hands. Employee handled dirty dishes and proceeded to handle clean dishes without washing hands. Manager had employee wash hands. **Corrective Action Taken** **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
12A-13-4
High Priority - Employee touched soiled apron/clothes and then engaged in food preparation, handled clean equipment or utensils, or touched unwrapped single-service items without washing hands. Employee touched hat and proceeded to handle cooked chicken on cook line. Manager had employee wash hands and change gloves. **Corrective Action Taken** **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
12A-28-4
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Cutting boards on cook line reach-in coolers.
22-02-4
Intermediate - No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. No paper towels at hand washing sink at end of cook line.
31B-02-4
Basic - Open dumpster lid. Side door to dumpster behind building. Manager closed door during inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
33-16-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Hood vents above cook line. **Repeat Violation**
23-03-4
Basic - Food storage container/container lid cracked or broken. Container stored on shelf in walk-in cooler.
14-38-4
Basic - Floor tiles missing and/or in disrepair. Floor in dish area. **Repeat Violation**
36-17-5
Basic - Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting. Containers stored on shelf in dish area. Cups stored in wait station.
24-08-4
Basic - Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Employee phone on prep table across from cook line. Employee removed phone during inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
40-06-5
33
Jan 29, 2025
Routine - Food
4 critical violations. 9 minor violations.
View 13 violations
High Priority - Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. Chemical applicator container stored next to soft drink syrup boxes and single service lids boxes.
41-10-4
High Priority - Vacuum breaker missing at hose bibb or on fitting/splitter added to hose bibb. Missing vac break at hose Bibb under flat top grill
29-34-4
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Wing in breading cooler at 46F for 45 minutes. Employee moved wings to walk-in-cooler **Corrective Action Taken**
03A-02-5
High Priority - Employee dried hands on clothes/apron/soiled towel after washing. Cook wearing gloves wiped hands on pants then handled serving plates, without removing gloves, washing hands and putting on clean gloves. Discussed with Manager. **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
12A-18-4
Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils/food. Employee drink stored above soft drink Ready-To-Eat sauces
12B-07-4
Basic - Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting. Equipment ( bins and dink cups )not properly air-dried, and stored wet on clean ware rack resulting in wet nesting. **Repeat Violation**
24-08-4
Basic - Floor and wall junctures not coved in food preparation/storage/warewashing areas or bathroom. Broken and missing cove molding by ice machine
36-08-4
Basic - Floor tiles missing and/or in disrepair. Cracked tiles on floor by ice machine. **Repeat Violation**
36-17-5
Basic - Hood filter missing from automatic fire suppression/exhaust system. Hood filters missing on cookline above grill
14-42-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Mold-like substance on wall of walk-in-cooler
23-03-4
Basic - Open dumpster lid. Dumpster side door open.
33-16-4
Basic - Unwashed fruits/vegetables stored with ready-to-eat food. Unwashed produce (oranges) stored over ready-to-eat food (cheese cake and bread) in walk in cooler.
08B-17-4
Basic - Wet wiping cloth not stored in sanitizing solution between uses. Wet wiping cloth on shelf above prep area.
21-12-4
35
Oct 21, 2024
Complaint Partial
No violations found.
100
Aug 20, 2024
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 5 minor violations.
View 7 violations
High Priority - Employee failed to wash hands before putting on gloves to initiate a task working with food. Employee handed raw beef and placed on grill, then removed gloves and put on new gloves without washing her hands then handed cooking equipment. Employee handled raw Chicken, removed gloves , pulled up pants then put on new gloves and did not wash hands. Discussed with Manager. **Corrective Action Taken** **Admin Complaint**
12A-07-5
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Cutting board on flip-top make table with mold like substance in the grooves in kitchen.
22-02-4
Basic - Floor tiles missing and/or in disrepair. Floor tile cracked and missing in front of dishmachine
36-17-5
Basic - Water draining onto floor surface. Water draining on floor under dishmachine
29-03-4
Basic - Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable. Cutting board on flip-top make table with mold like substance in the grooves in kitchen.
14-09-4
Basic - Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Soiled apron stored on clean dish rack. Manager removed. **Corrected On-Site**
40-06-5
Basic - Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting. Equipment not properly air-dried, and stored wet on clean ware rack resulting in wet nesting.
24-08-4
61
Jun 11, 2024
Routine - Food
No violations found.
100
Nov 29, 2023
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 2 minor violations.
View 4 violations
High Priority - Vacuum breaker missing at mop sink faucet or on fitting/splitter added to mop sink faucet. Observed "Y" connector at mop sink with missing vacuum breaker on the non-chemical side of the "Y" connector.
29-42-4
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Observed cutting board on flip-top make table cooler stained with mold like substance.
22-02-4
Basic - No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees. Observed no hand wash sign in men's room. Manager placed new sign in men's rest room. **Corrected On-Site**
31B-04-4
Basic - Silverware/utensils stored upright with the food-contact surface up. Observed clean silverware (forks) stored with food contact surface facing up. Manager removed all the silverware and placed in dishwash area to be rewashed **Corrective Action Taken**
24-18-4
70
Apr 7, 2023
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 2 major violations. 9 minor violations.
View 13 violations
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. In reach in cooler near food pass thru: cheesecake 59F. Manager stated cheesecake was placed in cooler one hour prior, ambient temperature of unit is 59F. Moved to walk in freezer. **Corrective Action Taken**
03A-02-5
High Priority - Employee touched soiled apron/clothes and then engaged in food preparation, handled clean equipment or utensils, or touched unwrapped single-service items without washing hands. Male employee touched apron and wiping cloth with gloved hands then continued preparing food without washing hands. Male employee touched apron with gloved hands then continued to placed paper on plate without washing hands and changing gloves.
12A-28-4
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Soda gun at bar has slimy substance. Interior of ice bin in server station has black substance near lid of bin. Interior top wall near chute of ice machine has slimy black substance. Interior of reach in drawer cooler under cooking equipment soiled with slimy substance and food debris. Interior of steamer soiled with accumulation of grease.
22-02-4
Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Sink near walk in cooler has scrub pads and dirty towel. Manager removed during this inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
31A-11-4
Basic - Cold holding equipment not maintained in good repair. Do not store time/temperature control for safety food in this unit until the unit is repaired. Reach in cooler near food pass thru has an ambient temperature of 50F. Cheesecake was moved from unit during this inspection, no other Time/Tempurature Control for Safety food in cooler.
14-74-7
Basic - Dumpster overflowing garbage and/or in disrepair. Trash hanging from dumpster lid and out of side door and trash on ground around dumpster. Also, dumpster enclosure door broken. Also, dumpster side door open.
33-14-4
Basic - Employee eating in a food preparation or other restricted area and/or drink on prep area. Male employee eating on cookline. Also, employee drink on grill at cookline. **Repeat Violation**
12B-02-4
Basic - Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Soiled apron on top of bag in a box soda. Moved during this inspection. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
40-06-5
Basic - Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting. Plastic pans on clean dish shelf.
24-08-4
Basic - Floor tiles missing and/or in disrepair. Several broken floor tiles in kitchen area with standing water.
36-17-5
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Around doors and gaskets of reach in drawer units soiled with black, slimy substance on cookline. **Repeat Violation**
23-03-4
Basic - Old labels stuck to food containers after cleaning. Several pans on clean dish shelf.
16-46-4
Basic - Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Bin of breading at end of cookline has no label.
02D-01-5
39
Dec 15, 2022
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 2 major violations. 4 minor violations.
View 7 violations
High Priority - Vacuum breaker missing at mop sink faucet or on fitting/splitter added to mop sink faucet. Observed "Y" connector at mop sink with missing vacuum breaker on the non chemical side of the "Y" connector. Manager placed vacuum breaker on non-chemical side of the "Y". **Corrected On-Site**
29-42-4
Intermediate - Manager or person in charge lacking proof of food manager certification. Observed Records/documents for required Manager training appear to be falsified. Date of examination for food manager on duty states 8/25/2017 and Date o expiration 8/25/2023. Font on Year on expiration is different than the rest of the document and it is not aligned with the rest of the date. Additionally Manager training is valid for five years and this document has it for six years
53A-01-7
Intermediate - No currently certified food service manager on duty with four or more employees engaged in food preparation/handling. A list of accredited food manager certification examination providers can be found at http://www.myfloridalicense.com/DBPR/hotels-restaurants/food-lodging/food-manager/ Observed No currently certified food service manager on duty with four or more employees engaged in food preparation/handling. Five employees working at time of inspection.
53A-05-6
Basic - Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Observed employee jacket hanging on dry goods storage area rack. Manager removed jacket. **Corrected On-Site**
40-06-5
Basic - Employee eating in a food preparation or other restricted area. Observed employee drink on prep table. Manager discarded the drink. **Corrected On-Site**
12B-02-4
Basic - Wet mop not stored in a manner to allow the mop to dry. Observed mop stored in mop bucket in a manner not able to dry. Manager placed mop to air dry. **Corrected On-Site**
42-01-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed mold like substance on the underside of the non food contact surface of the nozzles on the soda dispensing machine at server station.
23-03-4
58
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Hooters of Ocala last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Hooters of Ocala on file is from Nov 12, 2025. The public record contains nine inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Hooters of Ocala?
Across the inspection record, “food-contact surface soiled with food debris” has been cited five times, more than any other issue at Hooters of Ocala.
How does Hooters of Ocala compare to other restaurants in Ocala?
Hooters of Ocala most recently scored 52 out of 100, which is lower than the Ocala average of 78.
Has Hooters of Ocala's inspection record improved over time?
No. Recent inspections at Hooters of Ocala have averaged around 11 violations per visit, up from roughly two earlier in the record.
What does a high risk rating mean?
A high risk rating at Hooters of 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 Hooters of Ocala inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Hooters of Ocala is inspected around three times per year on average.
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