Lucky Garden
Last inspected: Apr 22, 2026
52
Score
Public records show nine inspections at Lucky Garden stretching back to 2022. The most recent visit was on Apr 22, 2026. A high risk rating points to multiple serious findings at the most recent inspection.
There hasn't been much movement either way: counts have stayed near nine violations per visit across recent inspections.
Looking across the full record, “nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease” is the recurring theme, flagged six times.
The city-wide average sits at 81, which Lucky Garden's 52 doesn't quite reach. This restaurant has more on its record than most do.
9
Inspections
0
Critical latest
1
Major latest
11
Minor latest
Inspection History
Apr 22, 2026
Routine - Food
1 major violation. 11 minor violations.
View 12 violations
Intermediate - No soap provided at handwash sink. No soap at back side hand wash sink. Operator refilled. **Corrected On-Site**
31B-03-4
Basic - Cardboard used to line food-contact shelves. Operator using what looks like floor tile to line up walk in cooler shelves.
14-05-4
Basic - Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Employee phone on prep table. Employee removed. **Corrected On-Site**
40-06-5
Basic - Exterior door has a gap at the threshold that opens to the outside. Gap beneath back exterior door. **Repeat Violation**
35B-01-4
Basic - Floor not cleaned when the least amount of food is exposed. Behind and underneath equipment soiled with old food debris. **Repeat Violation**
36-01-4
Basic - Food stored on floor. Bulk bag of onions stored on floor. Operator removed. **Corrected On-Site**
08B-38-4
Basic - In-use knife/knives stored in cracks between pieces of equipment. Knife stored between prep table. Operator removed. **Corrected On-Site**
10-17-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Reach in cooler gaskets has dark mold like build up.
23-03-4
Basic - Reach-in cooler interior/shelves have accumulation of soil residues. Reach in cooler shelves has build up. **Repeat Violation**
22-16-4
Basic - Reach-in cooler shelves with rust that has pitted the surface. Reach in cooler shelves rust pitted. **Repeat Violation**
14-33-4
Basic - Walk-in cooler/freezer shelves with rust that has pitted the surface. Walk in cooler shelves rusted. **Repeat Violation**
14-17-4
Basic - Wet wiping cloth not stored in sanitizing solution between uses. Wet wiping cloth not stored in bucket between uses. Operator stored in bucket. **Corrected On-Site**
21-12-4
52
Oct 15, 2025
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 9 minor violations.
View 11 violations
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Raw shelled eggs stored over celery in walk in cooler. Operator reorganized. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
08A-05-6
High Priority - Dented/rusted cans present. See stop sale. Two dented cans of ketchup on dry storage shelve.
01B-01-4
Basic - Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable. Cutting board on flip top reach in cooler has cut marks that are no longer cleanable. **Repeat Violation**
14-09-4
Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Employee open can energy drink stored over reach in cooler prep station.
12B-07-4
Basic - Exterior door has a gap at the threshold that opens to the outside. Gap beneath back door of kitchen.
35B-01-4
Basic - Floor not cleaned when the least amount of food is exposed. Behind and underneath equipment soiled with old food debris. **Repeat Violation**
36-01-4
Basic - Ice buildup in reach-in freezer and/or walk-in freezer. Ice buildup up at front counters deep freezer and kitchen. **Repeat Violation**
14-69-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Both reach in coolers gaskets has black like mold substance. **Repeat Violation**
23-03-4
Basic - Reach-in cooler interior/shelves have accumulation of soil residues. Reach in cooler flip top shelves soiled with food debris. **Repeat Violation**
22-16-4
Basic - Reach-in cooler shelves with rust that has pitted the surface. Reach in cooler to right entrance of kitchen shelves rust pitted. **Repeat Violation**
14-33-4
Basic - Walk-in cooler/freezer shelves with rust that has pitted the surface. Walk in cooler shelves rusted. **Repeat Violation**
14-17-4
47
Jun 18, 2025
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 5 minor violations.
View 6 violations
Hands Clean and Properly Washed
FL-08
Proper Hot and Cold Holding Temperatures
FL-21
Food Contact Surfaces Clean and Sanitized
FL-22
Non-Food Contact Surfaces Clean
FL-23
Lighting Adequate; Required Shields in Place
FL-36
Required Records Available; Shellstock Tags/Labels
FL-14
55
Feb 19, 2025
Complaint Full
2 critical violations. 2 major violations. 2 minor violations.
View 6 violations
Certified Food Manager Identification
FL-02
Employee Health Policies Present
FL-03
Hands Clean and Properly Washed
FL-08
Required Records Available; Shellstock Tags/Labels
FL-14
Non-Food Contact Surfaces Clean
FL-23
Approved Thawing Methods Used
FL-31
50
Jan 6, 2025
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 6 minor violations.
View 8 violations
High Priority - Raw animal foods not properly separated from each other in holding unit based upon minimum required cooking temperature. Observed raw chicken over shelled eggs on shelf in walk in cooler. Observed marinated raw shrimp on bottom shelf with shelled eggs.
08A-20-5
Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Observed hand washing sink on wall by bathroom, near front counter, bowls stored inside of sink. **Repeat Violation**
31A-11-4
Basic - Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable. Observed cutting boards on cook line with grooves and is no longer cleanable.
14-09-4
Basic - Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting. Observed clean dishes on shelf over 3 compartment sink in kitchen stacked and wet.
24-08-4
Basic - Interior of oven/microwave has accumulation of black substance/grease/food debris. Observed the interior of both microwaves on food line with debris buildup. **Repeat Violation**
22-08-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed hood system over fryers with grease buildup. Observed floors under and around fryers with debris buildup. **Repeat Violation**
23-03-4
Basic - Outer openings not protected with self-closing doors. Observed back door to kitchen not self closing.
35B-03-4
Basic - Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Observed multiple containers with food removed from original packaging in walk in cooler not identified.
02D-01-5
58
Jun 7, 2024
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 4 major violations. 6 minor violations.
View 11 violations
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed: shell eggs on the prep table, Ambient air temperature 47F. These were put in the walk-in cooler. **Corrective Action Taken** **Admin Complaint**
03A-02-5
Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Observed: a glass bowl in the front line hand wash sink, across from the fryers. This was removed. **Corrected On-Site**
31A-11-4
Intermediate - Employee using bare hand contact with nonready-to-eat food (such as raw animal food or flour) unnecessarily without the use of gloves, deli paper, scoops, tongs or other utensils. Observed: ribs being cut, no gloves. Hands washed and gloves added. **Corrected On-Site**
09-17-4
Intermediate - Employee washed hands in a sink other than an approved handwash sink. Observed: cook line staff washed hands in the three compartment sink. He was then directed to the hand wash sink and washed his hands. **Corrected On-Site**
12A-03-4
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Observed: the long white cutting boards have cuts and stains. Observed: the interior ceiling of the front microwave had an accumulation of moist debris. An attempt was made to wipe it. **Corrective Action Taken**
22-02-4
Basic - Employee personal food not properly identified and segregated from food to be served to the public. Observed: a canned drink in the chest freezer on top of customer food. This was moved to a lower shelf out side of the reach-in freezer. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
08B-49-4
Basic - Equipment in poor repair. Observed the front line reach-in cooler with a torn gasket. **Repeat Violation**
14-11-5
Basic - Exterior door has a gap at the threshold that opens to the outside. Observed: the back screen door, when closed, has a gap at the bottom.
35B-01-4
Basic - In-use knife/knives stored in cracks between pieces of equipment. Observed: cleavers stored between equipment on the cook line. These were removed. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
10-17-4
Basic - No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees. Observed: the back hand wash sink lacks a sign. **Repeat Violation**
31B-04-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed: the front line gasket has mold like substance. **Repeat Violation* ALSO, the bulk food storage drums are soiled at the top edge. ALSO, multiple light switches throughout have and accumulation of grease.
23-03-4
43
Nov 6, 2023
Routine - Food
3 critical violations. 1 major violation. 15 minor violations.
View 19 violations
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over or with ready-to-eat food in a freezer - not all products commercially packaged. In white chest freezer in back of kitchen, repackaged raw pork and Krab stored over repackaged wontons. In white chest freezer in dining area, repackaged pork stored over repackaged cabbage. Operator rearranged both freezers. **Corrected On-Site**
08A-02-6
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. On steam table next to soups in Togo containers, pork and vegetable soup (125F - Hot Holding) Operator stated soup had been portioned 30 minutes prior and placed soup in cooler. **Corrective Action Taken**
03B-01-6
High Priority - Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. Behind front counter on bottom shelf, multiple bottles of cleaner stored with bottles of soda. Operator moved sodas. **Corrected On-Site**
41-10-4
Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. At hand washing sink behind front counter, bowl stored in sink. Operator removed bowl. **Corrected On-Site**
31A-11-4
Basic - Duct tape used to repair nonfood-contact surface. Lid of white chest freezer in back of kitchen repaired with duct tape. **Repeat Violation**
14-71-4
Basic - Employee eating in a food preparation or other restricted area. Employee drink next to steam table. Employee removed drink. **Corrected On-Site**
12B-02-4
Basic - Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Employee headphones on shelf above prep table next to microwave and single service items. Employee removed headphones. **Corrected On-Site**
40-06-5
Basic - Equipment in poor repair. Reach-in cooler gaskets across from fryer station are torn. **Repeat Violation**
14-11-5
Basic - Food stored on floor. In walk-in cooler, two buckets of soy sauce on the floor. **Repeat Violation**
08B-38-4
Basic - No copy of latest inspection report available. Operator unable to find copy of last inspection.
51-18-6
Basic - No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees. Sink at end of cook line missing hand washing sign.
31B-04-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Both reach-in cooler gaskets across from cook line have mold-like substance buildup. **Repeat Violation**
23-03-4
Basic - Storage of maintenance equipment/tools in areas that may result in cross contamination of food, equipment, utensils, linens and/or single-service and single-use articles. Drill stored on dry storage shelf next to cooking vinegar. Operator moved drill. **Corrected On-Site**
42-03-5
Basic - Stored food not covered. In walk-in cooler, fried shrimp not in container stored on top of plastic wrap covered container of fried shrimp. Operator wrapped fried shrimp. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
08B-12-5
Basic - Wet mop not stored in a manner to allow the mop to dry. Wet mop stored in bucket. Operator moved mop to dry. **Corrected On-Site**
42-01-4
Basic - Wet wiping cloth not stored in sanitizing solution between uses. Wet cloth on counter across from fryer station. Operator removed cloth. **Corrected On-Site**
21-12-4
Basic - Wiping cloth chlorine sanitizing solution not at proper minimum strength. On floor next to cook line, Sanitizer Bucket (Chlorine 0ppm) Operator remade and retested sanitizer at 100ppm. **Corrected On-Site**
21-07-4
Basic - Wiping cloth sanitizing solution stored on the floor. Next to fry station, sanitizer bucket stored on floor.
21-38-4
Basic - Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Next to triple sink, bulk container of flour not properly labeled. At end of cook line on bottom shelf, container of salt not properly labeled. In dry storage under bottom shelf, bulk containers of sugar and flour not properly labeled.
02D-01-5
27
Feb 27, 2023
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 2 major violations. 10 minor violations.
View 13 violations
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. On cook line observed, garlic oil mix (75F - Cold Holding). Operator stated mix had been out of cooler for one hour and voluntarily discarded during inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
03A-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. Observed no written cleanup procedures. Provided operator with handout during inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
11-27-4
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Observed cutting board attached to reach-in cooler on cook line with food debris buildup.
22-02-4
Basic - Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. In multiple bulk containers observed scoops without handles stored in containers. Operator began removing bowls during inspection. **Repeat Violation**
14-01-5
Basic - Cardboard used to line nonfood-contact shelves. On bottom shelf of prep table next to fryers observed lined with soiled cardboard.
14-45-4
Basic - Clean utensils stored between equipment. On cook line observed two knives stored in between prep table and reach-in cooler. Operator moved knives during inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
24-14-4
Basic - Duct tape used to repair nonfood-contact surface. Observed duct tape used to repair gasket on walk-in cooler door. **Repeat Violation**
14-71-4
Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Observed two employee drinks stored next to to hold holding soups and rice. Operator discarded drinks during inspection. **Corrective Action Taken**
12B-07-4
Basic - Equipment in poor repair. Observed gaskets on reach-in cooler on cook line torn. Observed gasket on walk-in cooler torn.
14-11-5
Basic - Food stored on floor. In walk-in cooler observed multiple buckets of sauce stored on floor. Operator began moving buckets during inspection. **Corrective Action Taken**
08B-38-4
Basic - In-use utensil in non-time/temperature control for safety food not stored with handle above top of food within a closed container. In bulk containers of flour observed handle of scoop touching food.
10-01-5
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed gaskets on reach-in coolers and walk-in cooler with food debris buildup.
23-03-4
Basic - Stored food not covered. In walk-in cooler observed multiple containers of food stored uncovered. **Repeat Violation**
08B-12-5
43
Nov 7, 2022
Routine - Food
6 minor violations.
View 6 violations
Basic - Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Bowl as scoop in flour.
14-01-5
Basic - Buildup of food debris/soil residue on equipment door handles. Soiled exterior of equipment including handles to coolers. Prep cooler. **Repeat Violation**
23-24-4
Basic - Duct tape used to repair nonfood-contact surface. Duct tape on chest freezer lids.
14-71-4
Basic - Equipment or utensils not designed or constructed in a durable manner. Cut plastic jug as scoop.
14-10-4
Basic - Stored food not covered. Uncovered frozen foods. Reach in freezer.
08B-12-5
Basic - Wet wiping cloth not stored in sanitizing solution between uses. Multiple wet wipes on counter in : kitchen.
21-12-4
74
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Lucky Garden last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Lucky Garden on file is from Apr 22, 2026. The public record contains nine inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Lucky Garden?
Across the inspection record, “nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease” has been cited six times, more than any other issue at Lucky Garden.
How does Lucky Garden compare to other restaurants in St. Augustine?
Lucky Garden most recently scored 52 out of 100, which is lower than the St. Augustine average of 81.
Has Lucky Garden's inspection record improved over time?
Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at Lucky Garden have averaged around nine violations per visit across the recent record.
What does a high risk rating mean?
A high risk rating at Lucky Garden 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 Lucky Garden inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Lucky Garden is inspected around three times per year on average.
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