Josephine's Italian Rest

5751 N Federal Hwy, Boca Raton, FL 33487
Italian
Last inspected: Mar 23, 2026
52
Score
High Risk

The health department has logged nine inspections at Josephine's Italian Rest, the earliest from 2022. The most recent report on file is from Mar 23, 2026. Diners may want to take note: high risk reflects issues that a health inspector considered important.

Things are looking better lately, with recent visits averaging around five violations compared to roughly seven violations earlier on.

Looking across the full record, “time/temperature control for safety food cold held” is the recurring theme, flagged four times.

That's lower than the typical Boca Raton restaurant, which scores around 74. Taken together, the history suggests a facility that has struggled with consistency.

9
Inspections
3
Critical latest
2
Major latest
0
Minor latest
Inspection History
Mar 23, 2026
Routine - Food
3 critical violations. 2 major violations.
View 5 violations
High Priority - In-use utensil stored in unclean water at 132 degrees Fahrenheit....employee removed water . **Corrective Action Taken**
10-05-5
High Priority - Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse.... Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit......cheese 45F , cooked vegetables 44F in bottom shelf in tall reach in cooler . Food not prepped or portioned today , food being held more than 4 hours .
01B-02-5
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit......cheese 45F , cooked vegetables 44F in bottom shelf in tall reach in cooler . Food not prepped or portioned today , food being held more than 4 hours . Stop sale issue . Employee discarded food. **Corrective Action Taken** **Repeat Violation**
03A-02-5
Intermediate - Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times...blocked by coffee box, ice tea machine at server station. Manager removed those things. **Corrected On-Site**
31A-09-4
Intermediate - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked...marinara sauce was cooked 3 days ago in walk in cooler . Employee date marked . **Corrected On-Site**
02C-02-5
52
Nov 12, 2025
Routine - Food
2 major violations.
View 2 violations
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : 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. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2025-11-12: Per operator 1 employee provided food handler training out of 11 employees . Employee Name : Steffanei, Eloy, Alvaro , Jose, Ricardo , Joseph , Darren, Jesus , Lana, Rachel **Admin Complaint**
53B-13-5
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : Intermediate - Manager or person in charge lacking proof of food manager certification. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2025-11-12: Not provided **Admin Complaint**
53A-01-7
82
Sep 12, 2025
Routine - Food
5 critical violations. 3 major violations.
View 8 violations
High Priority - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food not consumed/sold within 7 days after opening/preparation. ...meat sauce was cooked 8/23/25 at walk in cooler . See stop sale issue . Employee discarded food. **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning**
01B-24-5
High Priority - Stop Sale issued due to food not being in a wholesome, sound condition.... Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food not consumed/sold within 7 days after opening/preparation. ...meat sauce was cooked 8/23/25 at walk in cooler . **Warning**
01B-13-4
High Priority - Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse.... Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit...cheese 46F, pasta 44F in tall reach in cooler at kitchen. Food not prepped or portion today , food being held more than 4 hours . **Warning**
01B-02-5
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit...cheese 46F, pasta 44F in tall reach in cooler at kitchen. Food not prepped or portion today , food being held more than 4 hours . Stop sale issue . Employee discarded food. **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning**
03A-02-5
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit....hot holding pomodoro sauce 118F, marinara. 123F in steam table at kitchen, after stirring food get 151F , food being held less than an hour . Chef covered food. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
03B-01-6
Intermediate - Manager or person in charge lacking proof of food manager certification. **Warning**
53A-01-7
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. **Warning**
53B-13-5
Intermediate - Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled....degreaser spray bottle . Employee labeled . **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
41-17-4
35
Apr 9, 2025
Routine - Food
4 critical violations. 3 major violations. 1 minor violation.
View 8 violations
High Priority - Stop Sale issued due to food not being in a wholesome, sound condition.... Food stored in ice used for drinks. ....Coca-Cola bottles stored in drink ice at bar .
01B-13-4
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food...raw egg wash above cooked vegetables, cheese in reach in cooler . Employee properly stored. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
08A-05-6
High Priority - Food stored in ice used for drinks. ....Coca-Cola bottles stored in drink ice at bar . See stop sale. Employee discarded ice . **Corrected On-Site**
08B-56-4
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...dishwasher handle soiled dishes and then handed cleaned dishes for air dry .
12A-13-4
Intermediate - Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times...blocked by the shelf at server station. Operator slightly removed shelf . **Corrected On-Site**
31A-09-4
Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing...ice dumped in hand washing sink at server station.
31A-11-4
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/...Roberto Tribunella
53A-05-6
Basic - Cleaned and sanitized equipment or utensils not properly stored...ice scoop stored directly on the counter. Employee removed. **Corrected On-Site**
24-07-4
39
Oct 11, 2024
Routine - Food
5 critical violations. 5 major violations.
View 10 violations
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food...raw sea food , raw chicken above dressing, pasta at reach in cooler .employee properly stored. **Corrected On-Site**
08A-05-6
High Priority - Raw animal foods not properly separated from each other in holding unit based upon minimum required cooking temperature....raw chicken above raw fish in reach in cooler . Employee removed food . **Corrected On-Site**
08A-20-5
High Priority - Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse.... Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit...butter 47F, sausages 56F, raw fish 47F, cooked chicken 45F, rice 47F, sun dried tomatoes 44F, egg wash 45F in flip top reach in cooler by the handwashing sink . Food not prepped or portion today , food being held more than 4 hours .
01B-02-5
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit...butter 47F, sausages 56F, raw fish 47F, cooked chicken 45F, rice 47F, sun dried tomatoes 44F, egg wash 45F in flip top reach in cooler by the handwashing sink . Food not prepped or portion today , food being held more than 4 hours . Stop sale issue . Employee discarded food. **Corrective Action Taken** **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
03A-02-5
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit....hot holding meatballs 116-119F in steam table being held about 2 hours . Employee removed food to reheating . **Corrective Action Taken**
03B-01-6
Intermediate - No chemical test kit provided when using sanitizer at three-compartment sink/warewashing machine or wiping cloths...chlorine test kit . **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
16-37-1
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... beans , cheese opened 4/5 days ago at salad cooler . Cook voluntarily discarded . **Corrective Action Taken**
02C-03-5
Intermediate - Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times... blocked by reach in cooler and installed opposite side at dishwashing area.
31A-09-4
Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing...strainer stored in handwashing sink at kitchen by the dishwashing sink . Employee removed **Corrected On-Site**
31A-11-4
Intermediate - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked...tomato sauce, marinara sauce , house made dressing, cooked eggplant, egg rolls, cooked chicken at walk in and reach in cooler . Cooked stated food was cooked / prepped 2 days , 3 days ago. Employee date marked. **Corrected On-Site**
02C-02-5
29
Mar 28, 2024
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 2 major violations. 1 minor violation.
View 4 violations
Employee Health Policies Present
FL-03
Potentially Hazardous Food Held at Proper Temperature
FL-16
Equipment Adequate to Maintain Product Temperature
FL-29
Toilet Rooms Maintained
FL-53
67
Jan 3, 2024
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 3 major violations. 1 minor violation.
View 6 violations
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit....raw chicken 44°, raw shrimp 44° , raw veal 44° F in reach in cooler at kitchen. Employee covered food with ice. **Corrective Action Taken**
03A-02-5
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food.....raw sea food above cheese , eggplant at reach in cooler. Employee properly stored **Corrected On-Site**
08A-05-6
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime...can opener blade .employee cleaned **Corrected On-Site**
22-02-4
Intermediate - Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times at dishwashing area .
31A-09-4
Intermediate - No probe thermometer provided to measure temperature of food products.
05-08-4
Basic - Stored food not covered...soup at walk in cooler.
08B-12-5
52
Jun 22, 2023
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 2 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Hands Clean and Properly Washed
FL-08
Non-Food Contact Surfaces Clean
FL-23
Required Records Available; Shellstock Tags/Labels
FL-14
78
Dec 15, 2022
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 2 minor violations.
View 4 violations
High Priority - Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license.
50-17-2
Intermediate - Observe can opener soiled with food debris.
22-02-4
Basic - Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Observe in sugar container. Operator removed. **Corrected On-Site**
14-01-5
Basic - Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin.
22-20-5
70

Frequently Asked Questions

When was Josephine's Italian Rest last inspected?

The most recent health inspection at Josephine's Italian Rest on file is from Mar 23, 2026. The public record contains nine inspections in total.

What is the most common violation at Josephine's Italian Rest?

Across the inspection record, “time/temperature control for safety food cold held” has been cited four times, more than any other issue at Josephine's Italian Rest.

How does Josephine's Italian Rest compare to other restaurants in Boca Raton?

Josephine's Italian Rest most recently scored 52 out of 100, which is lower than the Boca Raton average of 74.

Has Josephine's Italian Rest's inspection record improved over time?

Yes. Recent inspections at Josephine's Italian Rest have averaged around five violations per visit, down from roughly seven earlier in the record.

What does a high risk rating mean?

A high risk rating at Josephine's Italian Rest 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 Josephine's Italian Rest inspected?

Based on the inspection history on file, Josephine's Italian Rest is inspected around three times per year on average.