Kiku Japanese Restaurant
Last inspected: Feb 26, 2026
43
Score
Inspectors have visited Kiku Japanese Restaurant 12 times, with records going back to 2022. The most recent report on file is from Feb 26, 2026. The high risk label is a heads-up that the most recent visit didn't go well.
Things have been moving the wrong way, with the rolling count rising from around seven violations to closer to 12 violations per visit.
Looking across the full record, “food-contact surface soiled with food debris” is the recurring theme, flagged eight times.
Restaurants in Eustis average 82, so Kiku Japanese Restaurant trails the local norm. Diners may want to weigh the inspection history when deciding to visit.
12
Inspections
2
Critical latest
1
Major latest
9
Minor latest
Inspection History
Feb 26, 2026
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 1 major violation. 9 minor violations.
View 12 violations
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Per operator less than 4 hours. Moved to freezer for quick cooling. Scallops (48F - Cold Holding) **Corrective Action Taken**
03A-02-5
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food identified in the written procedure as a food held using time as a public health control has no time marking and the time removed from temperature control cannot be determined. Operator added time marking. See stop sale. **Corrected On-Site**
03F-02-5
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Soda nozzles at the bar. **Repeat Violation**
22-02-4
Basic - Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance. Ceiling tiles in dish area.
36-34-5
Basic - Dead roaches on premises. Two dead roaches at cook line.
35A-03-4
Basic - Exterior door has a gap at the threshold that opens to the outside. **Repeat Violation**
35B-01-4
Basic - Food stored on floor. Several buckets and boxes of beef in walk in freezer. Operator removed. **Corrected On-Site**
08B-38-4
Basic - Reach-in cooler interior/shelves have accumulation of soil residues. Reach in cooler interior across from cook line. Reach in cooler at the end of cook line. **Repeat Violation**
22-16-4
Basic - Walk-in cooler/freezer shelves with rust that has pitted the surface. In walk in cooler **Repeat Violation**
14-17-4
Basic - Wall soiled with accumulated grease, food debris, and/or dust. Wall at cook line. **Repeat Violation**
36-27-5
Basic - Water leaking from pipe and/or faucet/handle. Faucet at three compartment sink. **Repeat Violation**
29-11-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Reach in cooler gaskets across from cook line. Reach in cooler at the end of cook line. **Repeat Violation**
23-03-4
43
Jul 24, 2025
Complaint Full
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 11 minor violations.
View 13 violations
High Priority - Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. Rubbing alcohol stored over prep table. Operator removed. **Corrected On-Site**
41-10-4
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. 3 white cutting boards in the kitchen.
22-02-4
Basic - Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin. Ice bin at sushi bar
22-20-5
Basic - Clean wiping cloth supply not properly stored. Stored on floor. Operator removed. **Corrected On-Site**
21-19-4
Basic - Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting. Plastic containers on dish drying shelf . Operator separated **Corrective Action Taken**
24-08-4
Basic - Exterior door has a gap at the threshold that opens to the outside.
35B-01-4
Basic - Interior of oven/microwave has accumulation of black substance/grease/food debris. Red microwave on counter
22-08-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Reach in cooler gaskets in kitchen area soiled. Reach in cooler gaskets in back kitchen area
23-03-4
Basic - Reach-in cooler interior/shelves have accumulation of soil residues. Reach in cooler interior and shelves next to water heater in back kitchen area soiled
22-16-4
Basic - Unwashed fruits/vegetables stored with ready-to-eat food. Cucumbers on top of margarine in walk in cooler.
08B-17-4
Basic - Walk-in cooler/freezer shelves with rust that has pitted the surface. In walk in cooler
14-17-4
Basic - Wall soiled with accumulated grease, food debris, and/or dust. Wall at three comp sink
36-27-5
Basic - Water leaking from pipe and/or faucet/handle. Three compartment sink.
29-11-4
45
Apr 15, 2025
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 1 major violation. 9 minor violations.
View 12 violations
High Priority - Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse.
01B-02-5
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food identified in the written procedure as a food held using time as a public health control has no time marking and the time removed from temperature control cannot be determined. See stop sale.
03F-02-5
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. - soda gun at sushi bar **Corrected On-Site**
22-02-4
Basic - Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin.
22-20-5
Basic - Accumulation of debris inside warewashing machine.
16-03-4
Basic - Buildup of food debris/soil residue on equipment door handles. - red microwave
23-24-4
Basic - Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable. - white cutting boards stored under prep table.
14-09-4
Basic - Food stored on floor. - walk in freezer
08B-38-4
Basic - Garbage on the ground and/or pad around dumpster. **Repeat Violation**
33-19-4
Basic - Interior of oven/microwave has accumulation of black substance/grease/food debris. - red microwave
22-08-4
Basic - Open dumpster lid.
33-16-4
Basic - Time/temperature control for safety food thawed in an improper manner. - 2 buckets of beef soups thaw outside walk-in cooler. **Corrected On-Site**
06-01-5
43
Oct 22, 2024
Routine - Food
1 major violation. 9 minor violations.
View 10 violations
Intermediate - Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. - hand sink at sushi bar blocked with sushi rice. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
31A-09-4
Basic - Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin. **Repeat Violation**
22-20-5
Basic - Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. - bowl stored in cooked rice **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
14-01-5
Basic - Covered waste receptacle not provided in women's bathroom.
32-12-5
Basic - Fly sticky tape hanging over food/food preparation area/food-contact equipment. - prep area, Operator removed **Corrected On-Site**
35B-08-4
Basic - Garbage on the ground and/or pad around dumpster.
33-19-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. - exterior of soup machine.
23-03-4
Basic - Open dumpster lid.
33-16-4
Basic - Unwashed fruits/vegetables stored with ready-to-eat food. - lettuce stored over cooked noodles. **Corrected On-Site**
08B-17-4
Basic - Water leaking from pipe and/or faucet/handle. - woman's restroom
29-11-4
58
Apr 23, 2024
Routine - Food
No violations found.
100
Mar 19, 2024
Routine - Food
3 major violations. 7 minor violations.
View 10 violations
Certified Food Manager Identification
FL-02
Hands Clean and Properly Washed
FL-08
Adequate Handwashing Facilities Supplied and Accessible
FL-10
Food Obtained from Approved Sources
FL-11
Required Records Available; Shellstock Tags/Labels
FL-14
Potentially Hazardous Food Held at Proper Temperature
FL-16
Food Contact Surfaces Clean and Sanitized
FL-22
Non-Food Contact Surfaces Clean
FL-23
Approved Thawing Methods Used
FL-31
Plumbing Maintained; Sewage Disposal
FL-51
41
Nov 20, 2023
Complaint Partial
No violations found.
100
Oct 11, 2023
Routine - Food
3 critical violations. 4 major violations. 8 minor violations.
View 15 violations
High Priority - Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. Spray bottle of cleaner stored on counter at service area. **Corrected On-Site**
41-10-4
High Priority - Employee cracked raw shell eggs and then handled ready-to-eat food and/or clean equipment or utensils without washing hands. -Chef at hibachi station
12A-27-4
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. -raw salmon ( ambient cooling less than 90 minutes) (46F); raw tuna(ambient cooling less than 90 minutes) (46F - Cooling); escolar ( ambient cooling less than 90 minutes) (47F - Cooling). Operator placed all items in ice bath for quick cooling. New temperature :43° for all items. **Corrective Action Taken**
03A-02-5
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. - interior of Fryers and baskets
22-02-4
Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. - hand sink in kitchen area used for utensils washing. **Corrected On-Site**
31A-11-4
Intermediate - No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. - Hand sink at sushi bar **Corrected On-Site**
31B-02-4
Intermediate - Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled. - spray bottle of yellow liquid on counter at service area.
41-17-4
Basic - Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin.
22-20-5
Basic - Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. -Bulk rice, salt, sugar, Tempra
14-01-5
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. -Raw tuna - raw escolar **Corrected On-Site**
06-09-1
Basic - Exterior door has a gap at the threshold that opens to the outside. -Back door
35B-01-4
Basic - Ice scoop handle in contact with ice. **Corrected On-Site**
10-08-5
Basic - No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees. - Hand sink at sushi bar **Corrected On-Site**
31B-04-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. -Exterior of fryers
23-03-4
Basic - Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. -Bulk rice, salt, sugar, Tempra **Corrected On-Site**
02D-01-5
29
Dec 29, 2022
Complaint Full
2 major violations. 4 minor violations.
View 6 violations
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : Intermediate - No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. -Left side of dining area hibachi station. - From follow-up inspection 2022-12-29: **Time Extended**
31B-02-4
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. -White cutting board in side kitchen. **Repeat Violation** - From follow-up inspection 2022-12-29: **Time Extended**
22-02-4
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Rice scoop. - From follow-up inspection 2022-12-29: **Time Extended**
14-01-5
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Over prep cooler in side kitchen. - From follow-up inspection 2022-12-29: **Time Extended**
12B-07-4
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Floor area(s) covered with standing water. Under rice cooker in side kitchen. - From follow-up inspection 2022-12-29: **Time Extended**
36-22-4
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Water leaking from pipe and/or faucet/handle. Handsink in side kitchen. - From follow-up inspection 2022-12-29: **Time Extended**
29-11-4
67
Jul 27, 2022
Complaint Full
4 critical violations. 2 major violations. 6 minor violations.
View 12 violations
High Priority - Roach activity present as evidenced by live roaches found. -1 live under dish machine. Operator killed immediately. Checked surrounding areas. No other activity observed. **Corrected On-Site**
35A-05-4
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Salmon 45f, Crab 49f. Less than 4 hours. Operator placed on ice. **Corrective Action Taken**
03A-02-5
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over or with unwashed produce. Raw beef over onions. **Corrected On-Site**
08A-04-5
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Raw beef over butter. **Corrected On-Site**
08A-05-6
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. -Small white cutting board in warewash. **Repeat Violation**
22-02-4
Intermediate - Water with a temperature of at least 100 degrees Fahrenheit not provided/shut off at employee handwash sink. 82f at bar. **Repeat Violation**
27-16-4
Basic - Food stored on floor. -Bag of rice. **Repeat Violation**
08B-38-4
Basic - Ice scoop handle in contact with ice. -At soda station. **Corrected On-Site**
10-08-5
Basic - Reuse of single-service or single-use articles. -Cut zucchini stored in cardboard box that it was received in. **Corrected On-Site**
25-32-4
Basic - Wall soiled with accumulated grease, food debris, and/or dust. To right of flat grill in side prep area.
36-27-5
Basic - Exterior door has a gap at the threshold that opens to the outside. Rear exit door. **Repeat Violation**
35B-01-4
Basic - Floor area(s) covered with standing water. Walk in cooler.
36-22-4
33
Jul 15, 2022
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 2 major violations. 8 minor violations.
View 12 violations
High Priority - - From initial inspection : High Priority - In-use utensil stored in unclean water at or above 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Rice spoons at 57. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2022-07-13: **Time Extended** - From follow-up inspection 2022-07-15: **Admin Complaint** **Corrective Action Taken**
10-05-5
High Priority - - From initial inspection : High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. In the walk in cooler p, chopped lettuce (53F - Cold Holding); noodle (77F - Cold Holding); beef (52F - Cold Holding); steak (52F - Cold Holding). Reach in cooler on the cook line shrimp was 53 and chicken was 57. Corrective action: all TCS food in the walk in cooler was was moved into the walk in freezer and the shrimp and chicken in the reach in cooler on the cook line was place into an ice water bath to reach 41 or lower for temperature recovery **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2022-07-13: Walk in cooler per operator all ambient cooling since 11 am could not check cold holding at this time items cooling below. Raw chicken 50 cooling Beef steak 44 cooling Cut lettuce 44 cooling Cooked pasta 51 cooling Walk in cooler Shrimp 43 cold holding **Time Extended** - From follow-up inspection 2022-07-15: In walk-in cooler, noodle48° (. Cold holding)lettuce 44°,(cold holding)rice 44° (cold holding) Per operator more than 4 hours , See stop sale.rice, lettuce, noodles** **Admin Complaint** **Corrective Action Taken**
03A-02-5
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. All cutting boards, **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2022-07-13: **Time Extended** - From follow-up inspection 2022-07-15: **Admin Complaint**
22-02-4
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : Intermediate - Water with a temperature of at least 100 degrees Fahrenheit not provided/shut off at employee handwash sink. Hot water complete turned off at hand sink in the hibachi area **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2022-07-13: **Time Extended** - From follow-up inspection 2022-07-15: **Admin Complaint**
27-16-4
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2022-07-13: **Time Extended** - From follow-up inspection 2022-07-15: **Admin Complaint**
22-20-5
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Accumulation of lime scale/ food debris on the inside of the dishmachine. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2022-07-13: **Time Extended** - From follow-up inspection 2022-07-15: **Admin Complaint**
16-23-4
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2022-07-13: **Time Extended** - From follow-up inspection 2022-07-15: **Admin Complaint**
36-34-5
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Drink bottles and cup on prep table across from stove. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2022-07-13: **Time Extended** - From follow-up inspection 2022-07-15: **Admin Complaint** **Corrective Action Taken**
12B-07-4
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Floor soiled/has accumulation of debris. Floor under stove and flat top soiled. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2022-07-13: **Time Extended** - From follow-up inspection 2022-07-15: **Admin Complaint**
36-73-4
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Outer openings of establishment cannot be properly sealed when not in operation. Double door back exit in kitchen. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2022-07-13: **Time Extended** - From follow-up inspection 2022-07-15: **Admin Complaint**
35B-04-4
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Walk-in cooler/freezer shelves with rust that has pitted the surface. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2022-07-13: **Time Extended** - From follow-up inspection 2022-07-15: **Admin Complaint**
14-17-4
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Wall soiled with accumulated grease, food debris, and/or dust. Wall behind stove. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2022-07-13: **Time Extended** - From follow-up inspection 2022-07-15: **Admin Complaint**
36-27-5
41
Jul 13, 2022
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 5 major violations. 8 minor violations.
View 15 violations
High Priority - - From initial inspection : High Priority - In-use utensil stored in unclean water at or above 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Rice spoons at 57. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2022-07-13: **Time Extended**
10-05-5
High Priority - - From initial inspection : High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. In the walk in cooler p, chopped lettuce (53F - Cold Holding); noodle (77F - Cold Holding); beef (52F - Cold Holding); steak (52F - Cold Holding). Reach in cooler on the cook line shrimp was 53 and chicken was 57. Corrective action: all TCS food in the walk in cooler was was moved into the walk in freezer and the shrimp and chicken in the reach in cooler on the cook line was place into an ice water bath to reach 41 or lower for temperature recovery **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2022-07-13: Walk in cooler per operator all ambient cooling since 11 am could not check cold holding at this time items cooling below. Raw chicken 50° cooling Beef steak 44 ° cooling Cut lettuce 44° cooling Cooked pasta 51° cooling Walk in cooler Shrimp 43° cold holding **Time Extended**
03A-02-5
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. All cutting boards, **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2022-07-13: **Time Extended**
22-02-4
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : Intermediate - No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. In hibachi area. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2022-07-13: **Time Extended**
31B-02-4
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : Intermediate - No soap provided at handwash sink. In hibachi area **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2022-07-13: **Time Extended**
31B-03-4
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : Intermediate - Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled. Clear chemical liquid bottle not labeled. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2022-07-13: **Time Extended**
41-17-4
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : Intermediate - Water with a temperature of at least 100 degrees Fahrenheit not provided/shut off at employee handwash sink. Hot water complete turned off at hand sink in the hibachi area **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2022-07-13: **Time Extended**
27-16-4
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2022-07-13: **Time Extended**
22-20-5
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Accumulation of lime scale/ food debris on the inside of the dishmachine. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2022-07-13: **Time Extended**
16-23-4
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2022-07-13: **Time Extended**
36-34-5
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Drink bottles and cup on prep table across from stove. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2022-07-13: **Time Extended**
12B-07-4
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Floor soiled/has accumulation of debris. Floor under stove and flat top soiled. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2022-07-13: **Time Extended**
36-73-4
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Outer openings of establishment cannot be properly sealed when not in operation. Double door back exit in kitchen. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2022-07-13: **Time Extended**
35B-04-4
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Walk-in cooler/freezer shelves with rust that has pitted the surface. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2022-07-13: **Time Extended**
14-17-4
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Wall soiled with accumulated grease, food debris, and/or dust. Wall behind stove. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2022-07-13: **Time Extended**
36-27-5
30
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Kiku Japanese Restaurant last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Kiku Japanese Restaurant on file is from Feb 26, 2026. The public record contains 12 inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Kiku Japanese Restaurant?
Across the inspection record, “food-contact surface soiled with food debris” has been cited eight times, more than any other issue at Kiku Japanese Restaurant.
How does Kiku Japanese Restaurant compare to other restaurants in Eustis?
Kiku Japanese Restaurant most recently scored 43 out of 100, which is lower than the Eustis average of 82.
Has Kiku Japanese Restaurant's inspection record improved over time?
No. Recent inspections at Kiku Japanese Restaurant have averaged around 12 violations per visit, up from roughly seven earlier in the record.
What does a high risk rating mean?
A high risk rating at Kiku Japanese Restaurant 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 Kiku Japanese Restaurant inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Kiku Japanese Restaurant is inspected around three times per year on average.
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