Howard Johnson
Last inspected: Jan 20, 2026
39
Score
Public records show six inspections at Howard Johnson stretching back to 2022. On Jan 20, 2026, the health department conducted the most recent visit. High risk indicates the latest inspection turned up problems worth knowing about.
Recent visits have flagged more than earlier ones: around seven violations per visit lately, up from roughly two violations before.
“Food-contact surface soiled with food debris” comes up most often, recorded two times in the inspection record.
Compared to other Ocala restaurants (averaging 78), there's room to close the gap. Diners may want to weigh the inspection history when deciding to visit.
6
Inspections
1
Critical latest
6
Major latest
4
Minor latest
Inspection History
Jan 20, 2026
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 6 major violations. 4 minor violations.
View 11 violations
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Item stored on kitchen prep table: butter (65F - Cold Holding). Manager stated butter placed on counter one hour prior to temperature being taken. Manager had employee place butter in reach-in freezer to reduce temperature to 41F. **Corrective Action Taken**
03A-02-5
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Cutting board on kitchen prep table stained. **Repeat Violation**
22-02-4
Intermediate - No chemical test kit provided when using sanitizer at three-compartment sink/warewashing machine or wiping cloths. No chlorine or quaternary test kit available. **Repeat Violation**
16-37-1
Intermediate - No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. No hand towels at kitchen hand washing sink next to entrance.
31B-02-4
Intermediate - No probe thermometer provided to measure temperature of food products. No probe thermometer available. **Repeat Violation**
05-08-4
Intermediate - No soap provided at handwash sink. No soap at kitchen hand washing sink across from walk-in cooler.
31B-03-4
Intermediate - Proof of required state approved employee training not available for some employees. To order approved program food safety material, call DBPR contracted provider: Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (SafeStaff) 866-372-7233. One out of three employee certifications provided.
53B-13-5
Basic - Single-service articles not stored inverted or protected from contamination. Coffee filters stored next to kitchen coffee machine. **Repeat Violation**
25-06-4
Basic - Grease receptacle/dumpster not on proper pad/nonabsorbent surface. Cardboard dumpster behind restaurant.
33-23-4
Basic - Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Employee phone and glasses stored on shelf next to kitchen coffee machine.
40-06-5
Basic - Single-service articles improperly stored. To go cups stored on floor in dry storage area.
25-05-4
39
Oct 30, 2024
Routine - Food
No violations found.
100
Aug 29, 2024
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 5 major violations. 5 minor violations.
View 11 violations
High Priority - Container of medicine improperly stored. Aspirin and body creams stored above prep table area. Person in charge removed all the items **Corrected On-Site**
41-07-4
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Ice deflector in ice machine has mold like substance. Food-contact surface of commercial can opener soiled with food debris, mold-like substance. Cutting board on flip-top make table with mold like substance in the grooves in kitchen.
22-02-4
Intermediate - No chemical test kit provided when using sanitizer at three-compartment sink/warewashing machine or wiping cloths. No test strips available for three-compartment sink
16-37-1
Intermediate - No probe thermometer provided to measure temperature of food products. No probe thermometer available.
05-08-4
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. No proof **Warning**
53B-01-5
Intermediate - Probe thermometer not within the intended measuring range of use. No probe thermometers available.
05-03-4
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 food not properly identified and segregated from food to be served to the public. Employee food stored above food served to the public in the reach in cooler and walk-in-cooler
08B-49-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Mold like substance on the underside of the non food contact surface of the nozzles on the juice dispensing machine at server station.
23-03-4
Basic - Old labels stuck to food containers after cleaning. Old labels not removed from food containers before cleaning, stored on the clean ware rack.
16-46-4
Basic - Single-service articles not stored inverted or protected from contamination. Single service plates and forks and spoons not inverted or protected. Person in charge inverted all theitems **Corrected On-Site**
25-06-4
41
Dec 8, 2023
Routine - Food
No violations found.
100
Oct 2, 2023
Routine - Food
1 major violation. 1 minor violation.
View 2 violations
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. Person in charge had No proof of required state approved employee training provided for employee hired more than 60 days ago. **Warning**
53B-02-5
Basic - Establishment using sponges on cleaned and sanitized, or in-use food-contact surface. Observed establishment using sponge on in-use food-contact surface at three-compartment sink. employee discarded sponge **Corrected On-Site**
21-23-4
86
Jul 18, 2022
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 3 minor violations.
View 4 violations
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. In walk in cooler: raw bacon, shell eggs and sausage stored on shelf over ready to eat pizza toppings.
08A-05-6
Basic - Employee personal food not properly identified and segregated from food to be served to the public. Bin of personal food stored on shelf over ready to eat foods in walk in cooler. **Repeat Violation**
08B-49-4
Basic - Floor soiled/has accumulation of debris. Under equipment in kitchen area
36-73-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Around nozzles of coffee and juice machine soiled.
23-03-4
74
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Howard Johnson last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Howard Johnson on file is from Jan 20, 2026. The public record contains six inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Howard Johnson?
Across the inspection record, “food-contact surface soiled with food debris” has been cited two times, more than any other issue at Howard Johnson.
How does Howard Johnson compare to other restaurants in Ocala?
Howard Johnson most recently scored 39 out of 100, which is lower than the Ocala average of 78.
Has Howard Johnson's inspection record improved over time?
No. Recent inspections at Howard Johnson have averaged around seven violations per visit, up from roughly two earlier in the record.
What does a high risk rating mean?
A high risk rating at Howard Johnson 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 Howard Johnson inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Howard Johnson is inspected around two times per year on average.
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