Lj's Cafe
Last inspected: Feb 2, 2026
70
Score
Public records show nine inspections at Lj's Cafe stretching back to 2022. Inspectors last stopped by on Feb 2, 2026. Diners should read medium risk as a signal that some issues exist but aren't extreme.
Violation counts have been trending down, averaging around three violations across recent inspections versus roughly seven violations before.
Across the inspection history, “time/temperature control for safety food cold held” is the issue that surfaces most often, recorded three times.
Compared to the broader Marathon restaurant scene, where the average is 67, this is a stronger showing. The record is unremarkable in either direction.
9
Inspections
1
Critical latest
1
Major latest
2
Minor latest
Inspection History
Feb 2, 2026
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 2 minor violations.
View 4 violations
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Walking cooler Pork (49*F - Cold Holding); (49*F - Cold Holding); Poultry (50*F - Cold Holding) Low boy cut tomatoes (58*F - Cold Holding); cut lettuce (58*F - Cold Holding) The TCS foods from the walk-in cooler are being relocated to freezers and reach in cooler units. **Warning**
03A-02-5
Intermediate - Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
41-17-4
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. Low boy next to grills @58F. Walk-in cooler at 49-50F **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
14-74-7
Basic - No conspicuously located ambient air temperature thermometer in holding unit. **Warning**
05-09-4
70
Sep 9, 2025
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 1 minor violation.
View 3 violations
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. ham (50*F - Cold Holding); cheese (50*F - Cold Holding); capicola (50*F - Cold Holding) all items relocated to walk-in cooler to rapid cool **Corrective Action Taken**
03A-02-5
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Croquet 121 F
03B-01-6
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. Prep table is not cold holding @41F
14-74-7
70
Feb 21, 2025
Routine - Food
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Non-Food Contact Surfaces Clean
FL-23
Toxic Substances Properly Identified, Stored, Used
FL-32
86
Sep 19, 2024
Routine - Food
4 critical violations. 1 minor violation.
View 5 violations
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over canned/bottled drinks in walk-in cooler
08A-11-5
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food cooked pork in walk-in cooler
08A-05-6
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Beef (55*F - Cold Holding); sliced tomatoes (50*F - Cold Holding); ham (53*F - Cold Holding) in cold holding unit next to flat top thermostat was adjusted
03A-02-5
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. croquettes (117*F - Hot Holding); cheese pastries (109*F - Hot Holding)the warmer was turned up **Corrective Action Taken**
03B-01-6
Basic - Cold holding equipment unit next to flat top ,not maintained in good repair. Do not store time/temperature control for safety food in this unit until the unit is repaired. Thermostat was set to max cold **Corrective Action Taken**
14-74-7
52
Apr 2, 2024
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 2 major violations.
View 4 violations
Certified Food Manager Identification
FL-02
Employee Health Policies Present
FL-03
Hands Clean and Properly Washed
FL-08
Approved Thawing Methods Used
FL-31
58
Nov 17, 2023
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 5 major violations. 4 minor violations.
View 11 violations
High Priority - Employee cracked raw shell eggs and then handled ready-to-eat food and/or clean equipment or utensils without washing hands. **Corrected On-Site**
12A-27-4
High Priority - Employee touching ready-to-eat food with their bare hands - food was not being heated as a sole ingredient to 145 degrees F or immediately added to other ingredients to be cooked/heated to the minimum required temperature to allow bare hand contact. Establishment has no approved Alternative Operating Procedure. Cook is touching and cutting bread for sandwiches without wearing gloves . I discussed the BHC with the owner. **Corrected On-Site**
09-01-4
Intermediate - Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled.
41-17-4
Intermediate - No proof provided that food employees are informed of their responsibility to report to the person in charge information about their health and activities related to foodborne illnesses.
11-26-1
Intermediate - Establishment has no written procedures for employees to follow in response to a vomiting or diarrheal event where the vomit or diarrhea is discharged onto surfaces in the establishment.
11-27-4
Intermediate - No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink.
31B-02-4
Intermediate - Raw/undercooked animal food offered and establishment has no written consumer advisory. Raw animal foods must be fully cooked prior to service. **Corrected On-Site**
02B-02-5
Basic - Food stored under dripping water in walk-in cooler Observed condensation dripping from blower inside the walk-in cooler . Food is stored on shelf under condensation drip. The owner relocated the food to the end of shelf and emptied the water from container that is catching most of the water
08B-52-4
Basic - In the walk-in cooler Uncovered cheese and poultry are exposed to splash from condensation dripping
08B-54-4
Basic - No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees. Handwash Sign is over mop sink
31B-04-4
Basic - Food stored on floor , bread stored in container on the floor of walk-in cooler
08B-38-4
37
Sep 19, 2023
Routine - Food
3 major violations. 2 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Intermediate - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. In walk-in cooking, Cooked meat, pasta, cooked pork not date marked.
02C-02-5
Intermediate - Establishment has no written procedures for employees to follow in response to a vomiting or diarrheal event where the vomit or diarrhea is discharged onto surfaces in the establishment. **Corrective Action Taken**
11-27-4
Intermediate - No proof provided that food employees are informed of their responsibility to report to the person in charge information about their health and activities related to foodborne illnesses. **Corrected On-Site**
11-26-1
Basic - Potatoes, onion Food stored on floor. **Corrected On-Site**
08B-38-4
Basic - Wet wiping cloth not stored in sanitizing solution between uses.
21-12-4
67
Feb 23, 2023
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 4 major violations. 2 minor violations.
View 8 violations
High Priority - Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license.
50-17-3
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Beans 122 F, rice 98F stove was turned up by Tito. **Corrective Action Taken**
03B-01-6
Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Clean pot on handwash sink
31A-11-4
Intermediate - No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. **Corrected On-Site**
31B-02-4
Intermediate - No quaternary chemical test kit provided when using sanitizer at three-compartment sink/warewashing machine or wiping cloths.
16-37-1
Intermediate - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Pasta and cooked beef in walk in cooler not dated marked
02C-02-5
Basic - Ice buildup in walk-in freezer.
14-69-4
Basic - No conspicuously located ambient air temperature thermometer in pizza cold holding unit.
05-09-4
45
Sep 23, 2022
Routine - Food
3 major violations. 4 minor violations.
View 7 violations
Intermediate - No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink.
31B-02-4
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. Sliced ham
02C-03-5
Intermediate - No chemical quaternary test kit provided when using sanitizer at three-compartment sink/warewashing machine or wiping cloths.
16-37-1
Basic - Ice buildup in reach-in freezer and/or walk-in freezer.
14-69-4
Basic - In-use utensil stored in standing water less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Pizza cutter in standing water **Corrected On-Site**
10-07-4
Basic - Self-closing device on bathroom door disconnected/broken.
32-17-4
Basic - Time/temperature control for safety food thawed in an improper manner. Pork thawing in standing water
06-01-5
61
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Lj's Cafe last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Lj's Cafe on file is from Feb 2, 2026. The public record contains nine inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Lj's Cafe?
Across the inspection record, “time/temperature control for safety food cold held” has been cited three times, more than any other issue at Lj's Cafe.
How does Lj's Cafe compare to other restaurants in Marathon?
Lj's Cafe most recently scored 70 out of 100, which is higher than the Marathon average of 67.
Has Lj's Cafe's inspection record improved over time?
Yes. Recent inspections at Lj's Cafe have averaged around three violations per visit, down from roughly seven earlier in the record.
What does a medium risk rating mean?
A medium risk rating at Lj's Cafe means the most recent inspection turned up a handful of issues that the health department wrote up but did not classify as critical.
How often is Lj's Cafe inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Lj's Cafe is inspected around three times per year on average.
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