Little Joeys Pizza Restaurant
Last inspected: Jan 28, 2026
16
Score
Across the available record, Little Joeys Pizza Restaurant has nine inspections on file, the first dated 2022. Inspectors last stopped by on Jan 28, 2026. The high risk label is a heads-up that the most recent visit didn't go well.
Recent inspections have turned up more issues than earlier ones, averaging around 14 violations lately compared to roughly nine violations before.
Across the inspection history, “food-contact surface soiled with food debris” is the issue that surfaces most often, recorded three times.
By comparison, the average Ocala facility scores 78, putting Little Joeys Pizza Restaurant on the weaker side. Diners may want to weigh the inspection history when deciding to visit.
9
Inspections
5
Critical latest
4
Major latest
14
Minor latest
Inspection History
Jan 28, 2026
Routine - Food
5 critical violations. 4 major violations. 14 minor violations.
View 23 violations
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. Pizza stored in front counter display case. Employee stated pizza placed in case one hour prior to temperature being taken. Employee placed proper time marking on pizza. **Corrected On-Site**
03F-02-5
High Priority - Employee touched face/hair and then engaged in food preparation, handled clean equipment or utensils, or touched unwrapped single-service items without washing hands. Employee touched hair and proceeded to handle clean dishes without washing hands.
12A-25-4
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Shell eggs stored over marinara sauce in reach-in cooler next to three compartment sink. Employee placed eggs on bottom shelf. **Corrected On-Site**
08A-05-6
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Items stored in reach-in cooler across from pizza oven: mozzarella cheese (46F - Cold Holding); sausage (45F - Cold Holding); ricotta cheese (70F - Cold Holding). Employee stated items placed in cooler two hours prior to temperature being taken. Employee moved items to reach-in freezer to reduce temperature to 41F, mozzarella cheese (41F - Cold Holding); sausage (40F - Cold Holding); ricotta cheese (40F - Cold Holding)**Corrected On-Site** **Corrected On-Site**
03A-02-5
High Priority - Employee began working with food, handling clean equipment or utensils, or touching unwrapped single-service items without first washing hands. Employee entered kitchen put on gloves and handled food on the cook line. Employee washed hands and changed gloves. **Corrective Action Taken**
12A-16-4
Intermediate - Clams/mussels/oysters tag removed from original container prior to container being emptied. Clams stored in reach-in cooler next to three compartment sink. Employee placed proper tag in container of clams. **Corrected On-Site**
01C-10-4
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Cutting board on cook line reach-in cooler stained. Deflector plate inside of ice machine in back dry storage area stained. Blade of can opener on kitchen prep table soiled with old food debris. **Repeat Violation**
22-02-4
Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Container stored in kitchen hand washing sink. Employee removed container during inspection. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
31A-11-4
Intermediate - Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled. Spray bottle of degreaser stored next to back door. **Repeat Violation**
41-17-4
Basic - Cardboard used to line food-contact shelves. Cardboard used to stack salads in wait station reach-in cooler. Employee removed cardboard during inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
14-05-4
Basic - Ceiling not smooth, nonabsorbent and easily cleanable in food preparation, food storage, or warewashing areas. Acoustic ceiling tiles used throughout the kitchen. **Repeat Violation**
36-37-5
Basic - Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance. Vents throughout the kitchen and wait station. **Repeat Violation**
36-34-5
Basic - Clean glasses, cups, bowls, plates, pots and pans not stored inverted or in a protected manner. Pots stored in dish area.
24-05-4
Basic - Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Employee phone stored on kitchen prep table. Employee removed phone during inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
40-06-5
Basic - Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting. Cups stored in wait station.
24-08-4
Basic - Equipment in poor repair. Handle for kitchen reach-in freezer.
14-11-5
Basic - Food stored on floor. Cases of cooking oil and soda stored on floor in back storage area.
08B-38-4
Basic - In-use tongs stored on equipment door handle between uses. Tongs hanging on cook line oven. Employee placed tongs on top of oven. **Corrected On-Site**
10-20-4
Basic - Lights in food preparation, food storage or warewashing area missing the proper shield, sleeve coatings or covers. Light fixture in dish area. Light fixtures in back storage area. **Repeat Violation**
38-07-4
Basic - Standing water or very slow draining water in handwash sink, three-compartment sink, or mop sink. Hand washing sink in men's restroom slow draining.
29-20-5
Basic - Single-service articles improperly stored. To go containers on kitchen shelf not inverted. Employee turned containers over. To go cups stored on floor in storage shed behind restaurant. Employee placed cups on shelf. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
25-05-4
Basic - Accumulation of debris inside warewashing machine. Dish machine next to three compartment sink. **Repeat Violation**
16-03-4
Basic - Carbon dioxide/helium tanks not adequately secured. CO2 tank in wait station. **Repeat Violation**
51-11-4
16
Sep 17, 2025
Routine - Food
No violations found.
100
Sep 9, 2025
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 3 major violations. 14 minor violations.
View 19 violations
High Priority - Stop Sale issued due to food not being in a wholesome, sound condition. 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 thawing in reach-in cooler next to cook line.
01B-13-4
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. Dish machine next to three compartment sink, 0 ppm. **Warning**
22-41-4
Intermediate - Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled. Spray bottle of degreaser stored at end of cook line. Employee placed label on bottle. **Corrected On-Site**
41-17-4
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Cutting board on reach-in cooler across from steam table. Interior of microwave on shelf above reach-in cooler across from steam table. **Repeat Violation**
22-02-4
Intermediate - Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Container of water stored in kitchen hand washing sink. Employee removed container during inspection. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
31A-09-4
Basic - Accumulation of debris inside warewashing machine. Dish machine next to three compartment sink.
16-03-4
Basic - Carbon dioxide/helium tanks not adequately secured. CO2 tank in wait station. **Repeat Violation**
51-11-4
Basic - Ceiling not smooth, nonabsorbent and easily cleanable in food preparation, food storage, or warewashing areas. Acoustic tiles used throughout the kitchen. **Repeat Violation**
36-37-5
Basic - Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance. Ceiling vents throughout the kitchen.
36-34-5
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 thawing in reach-in cooler next to cook line.
06-09-1
Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Employee drink on prep table across from salad reach-in coolers. Employee removed drink during inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
12B-07-4
Basic - In-use knife/knives stored in cracks between pieces of equipment. Knives stored between end of table and bracket on prep table across from dish machine.
10-17-4
Basic - In-use utensil stored in standing water less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Utensils stored in standing water, 98F. Employee turned burner on to heat water. **Corrective Action Taken**
10-07-4
Basic - Lights in food preparation, food storage or warewashing area missing the proper shield, sleeve coatings or covers. Light fixture in dish area.
38-07-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Hood vents greasy. Area behind soda nozzles in wait station.
23-03-4
Basic - Single-service articles improperly stored. Case of straws stored on floor in shed behind building.
25-05-4
Basic - Stored food not covered. Stuffed clams stored in reach-in freezer across from kitchen ice machine.
08B-12-5
Basic - Wiping cloth chlorine sanitizing solution not at proper minimum strength. Sanitizer bucket in wait station, 200 ppm. Manager added water bucket, 50 ppm.
21-07-4
Basic - Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Containers of food stored on cook line. Employee placed labels on containers. **Corrected On-Site**
02D-01-5
27
Feb 12, 2025
Routine - Food
2 major violations. 7 minor violations.
View 9 violations
Required Records Available; Shellstock Tags/Labels
FL-14
Potentially Hazardous Food Held at Proper Temperature
FL-16
Equipment, Food and Non-Food Contact Surfaces Approved
FL-35
Lighting Adequate; Required Shields in Place
FL-36
Personal Cleanliness
FL-40
Plumbing Maintained; Sewage Disposal
FL-51
Food Contact Surfaces Clean and Sanitized
FL-22
Hot and Cold Water Available; Adequate Pressure
FL-25
Approved Thawing Methods Used
FL-31
50
Aug 12, 2024
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 6 minor violations.
View 8 violations
High Priority - Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. Spray bottle with disinfectant stored above meat slicer. Person in charge moved bottle
41-10-4
Intermediate - Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled. Observed spray bottle not properly labeled with identifying contents ( disinfectant ). **Corrected On-Site**
41-17-4
Basic - Employee with no beard guard/restraint while engaging in food preparation. Male employee on pizza cook line with beard and no beard guard. **Repeat Violation**
13-04-4
Basic - No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees. No hand wash sign in women's room. Inspector provided sign,
31B-04-4
Basic - Single-service articles not stored inverted or protected from contamination. Single service tray not inverted or protected. Person in charge inverted trays **Corrected On-Site**
25-06-4
Basic - Stored food not covered. Cheese sticks not covered in reach in freezer. Person in charge instructed employee to cover food. **Corrective Action Taken**
08B-12-5
Basic - Unwashed fruits/vegetables stored with ready-to-eat food. Unwashed produce (lemons ) stored over ready-to-eat food ( cheese ) in walk in cooler
08B-17-4
Basic - Wet mop not stored in a manner to allow the mop to dry. Wet mop not in use stored in mop bucket water.
42-01-4
58
Dec 15, 2023
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 8 minor violations.
View 10 violations
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Observed shrimp stored over fries in reach in freezer.
08A-05-6
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Observed cutting board on flip-top make table with mold like stains in grooves in kitchen.
22-02-4
Basic - Employee with no beard guard/restraint while engaging in food preparation. Observed male employee on cook line with beard and no beard guard.
13-04-4
Basic - Hole in or other damage to wall. Observed hole in wall around electric socket above grill on cook line.
36-24-5
Basic - Ice bucket not stored inverted or in a protected manner between uses. Observed ice bucket used to transport ice not stored inverted or in a protected manner by ice machine. Manager inverted bucket. **Corrected On-Site**
10-14-5
Basic - In-use tongs stored on equipment door handle between uses. Observed tongs stored on oven handle in kitchen. Cook removed tongs from handle **Corrected On-Site**
10-20-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed air conditioning vents in kitchen soiled with accumulation of dust. Observed handle of microwave and hood filters on cook line soiled with grease.
23-03-4
Basic - Unwashed fruits/vegetables stored with ready-to-eat food. Observed unwashed produce (bellpeppers ) stored over ready-to-eat food ( cheese) in walk in cooler **Repeat Violation**
08B-17-4
Basic - Wet mop not stored in a manner to allow the mop to dry. Observed wet mop not in use stored in mop bucket.
42-01-4
Basic - Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Observed container of food removed ( sugar ) from original container not labelled with name of contents.
02D-01-5
52
Jul 17, 2023
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 5 minor violations.
View 6 violations
High Priority - Employee used tobacco, ate, or drank then engaged in food preparation, handled clean equipment or utensils, or touched unwrapped single-service items without washing hands. Observed employee drink out of screw top water bottle, recap it and not wash his hands prior to returning to work.
12A-05-4
Basic - Covered waste receptacle not provided in women's bathroom. Observed no covered waste receptacle provided in unisex bathroom.
32-12-5
Basic - Employee eating in a food preparation or other restricted area. Observed employee at pizza prep area drinking from a water bottle
12B-02-4
Basic - Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting. Observed equipment not properly air-dried, and stored wet on clean ware rack resulting in wet nesting.
24-08-4
Basic - Raw fruits/vegetables not washed prior to preparation. Observed unwashed produce ( carrots ) stored over ready-to-eat food ( cheese ) in walk in cooler
08B-39-4
Basic - Wet mop not stored in a manner to allow the mop to dry. Observed wet mop stored in a manner not allowed to dry.
42-01-4
67
May 12, 2023
Routine - Food
No violations found.
100
Oct 3, 2022
Routine - Food
No violations found.
100
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Little Joeys Pizza Restaurant last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Little Joeys Pizza Restaurant on file is from Jan 28, 2026. The public record contains nine inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Little Joeys Pizza Restaurant?
Across the inspection record, “food-contact surface soiled with food debris” has been cited three times, more than any other issue at Little Joeys Pizza Restaurant.
How does Little Joeys Pizza Restaurant compare to other restaurants in Ocala?
Little Joeys Pizza Restaurant most recently scored 16 out of 100, which is lower than the Ocala average of 78.
Has Little Joeys Pizza Restaurant's inspection record improved over time?
No. Recent inspections at Little Joeys Pizza Restaurant have averaged around 14 violations per visit, up from roughly nine earlier in the record.
What does a high risk rating mean?
A high risk rating at Little Joeys Pizza 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 Little Joeys Pizza Restaurant inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Little Joeys Pizza Restaurant is inspected around three times per year on average.
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