Nelson's Restaurant
Last inspected: Jul 9, 2025
64
Score
The health department has logged nine inspections at Nelson's Restaurant, the earliest from 2022. The most recent visit was on Jul 9, 2025. When a facility lands in medium risk territory, it usually means a mixed inspection result.
Things have been moving in the right direction, with the rolling count dropping from around five violations to closer to two violations per visit.
When inspectors have written things up, “no proof provided that food employees are informed” has been the most frequent reason, cited three times.
The city-wide average sits at 83, which Nelson's Restaurant's 64 doesn't quite reach. The record is unremarkable in either direction.
9
Inspections
0
Critical latest
1
Major latest
5
Minor latest
Inspection History
Jul 9, 2025
Complaint Full
1 major violation. 5 minor violations.
View 6 violations
Food Contact Surfaces Clean and Sanitized
FL-22
Plumbing Maintained; Sewage Disposal
FL-51
Warewashing Facilities Maintained and Used
FL-24
Approved Thawing Methods Used
FL-31
Lighting Adequate; Required Shields in Place
FL-36
Washing Fruits and Vegetables
FL-42
64
May 7, 2025
Complaint Full
No violations found.
100
Mar 17, 2025
Complaint Full
1 major violation.
View 1 violation
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : Intermediate - No plan review submitted and approved - renovations were made or are in progress. Must submit plans and plan review application to DBPR H and R Plan Review office located at 2601 Blair Stone Rd., Tallahassee, FL 32399-1011. Plans must be submitted AND approved within 60 days. The direct link to the Plan Review page is https://www2.myfloridalicense.com/hotels-restaurants/licensing/plan-review/. Self serve salad buffet added to front counter area. Smoker placed behind restaurant. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2025-03-17: Operator working to get plan review completed. **Time Extended**
51-16-7
90
Mar 6, 2025
Complaint Full
3 critical violations. 1 major violation. 1 minor violation.
View 5 violations
High Priority - Raw animal foods not properly separated from each other in holding unit based upon minimum required cooking temperature. Raw ground beef above raw shrimp in walk-in cooler. Operator moved ground beef below shrimp during inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
08A-20-5
High Priority - Displayed food not properly protected from contamination. Croutons and almonds on salad bar not protected operator placed lids on items at time of inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
08B-02-4
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. Tested at 0ppm chlorine. **Warning**
22-41-4
Intermediate - No plan review submitted and approved - renovations were made or are in progress. Must submit plans and plan review application to DBPR H and R Plan Review office located at 2601 Blair Stone Rd., Tallahassee, FL 32399-1011. Plans must be submitted AND approved within 60 days. The direct link to the Plan Review page is https://www2.myfloridalicense.com/hotels-restaurants/licensing/plan-review/. Self serve salad buffet added to front counter area. Smoker placed behind restaurant. **Warning**
51-16-7
Basic - Floor soiled/has accumulation of debris on walk-in freezer floor. Build up on gasket area of walk-in cooler door.
36-73-4
55
Oct 4, 2024
Food-Licensing Inspection
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Basic - No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees in kitchen.
31B-04-4
Basic - No Heimlich maneuver/choking sign posted. Emailed poster to operator.
51-13-4
90
Feb 15, 2024
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 4 major violations. 3 minor violations.
View 9 violations
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Raw pork ribs and raw chicken stored over bbq sauce and butter. Operator moved raw items to bottom shelf. **Corrected On-Site**
08A-05-6
High Priority - Vacuum breaker missing at mop sink faucet or on fitting/splitter added to mop sink faucet. Back flow prevention needed between splitter and green water hose.
29-42-4
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. Diced ham from 2/12 not date marked by 2/15. Employee marked item at time of inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
02C-03-5
Intermediate - Manager or person in charge lacking proof of food manager certification and no other certified food service manager employed at this location. No certification for operator Greg Cash. **Warning**
53A-02-7
Intermediate - No proof of required state approved employee training provided for any employees. To order approved program food safety material, call DBPR contracted provider: Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (SafeStaff) 866-372-7233. Observed 1 server hired over 60 days with no proof of food handler training. **Warning**
53B-01-5
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. Provided form to operator. **Warning**
11-26-1
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Out side of walk-in cooler door around handle.
23-03-4
Basic - No waste receptacle installed at handwash sink provided with disposable towels. By front counter hand wash sink. Operator put trash can by sink. **Corrected On-Site**
33-38-4
Basic - Exterior door has a gap at the threshold that opens to the outside. Back door to kitchen.
35B-01-4
43
Jul 20, 2023
Routine - Food
4 critical violations. 2 major violations.
View 6 violations
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. Observed dishwasher handle dirty dishes then begin putting away clean dishes, without washing hands. Discussed with employee, employee washed hands and rewashed dishes. **Corrected On-Site**
12A-13-4
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. Observed employee place cooked bacon in togo box with bare hand. Discussed with employee, employee obtained tongs to handle bacon. **Corrected On-Site**
09-01-4
High Priority - Hot time/temperature control for safety food received at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Upright hot hold sham: green beans 92F, less than 1 hour per employee. Employee began reheating beans on stove at time of inspection. **Corrective Action Taken**
03B-15-5
High Priority - Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license. Expired 6-1-23.
50-17-3
Intermediate - No proof of required state approved employee training provided for any employees. To order approved program food safety material, call DBPR contracted provider: Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (SafeStaff) 866-372-7233. 1 cook hired over 60 days at time of inspection. **Warning**
53B-01-5
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. 1 employee working with no proof of reporting agreement. Employee signed agreement at time of inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
11-26-1
45
Feb 16, 2023
Routine - Food
3 critical violations. 3 major violations.
View 6 violations
High Priority - Vacuum breaker missing at mop sink faucet or on fitting/splitter added to mop sink faucet. Vacuum breaker required on attachments to splitter.
29-42-4
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Raw shell eggs over mustard and ranch dressing in walk-in cooler. Manager moved all items at time of inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
08A-05-6
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. Tested at 0ppm. Chlorine sanitizer replaced and primed at time of inspection. Retested at 50ppm
22-41-4
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. Provided flyer to operator.
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. Provided employee reporting agreement form to operator.
11-26-1
Intermediate - No soap provided at handwash sink. At dish pit hand wash sink. Manager restocked at time of inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
31B-03-4
47
Nov 7, 2022
Food-Licensing Inspection
1 major violation. 2 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Intermediate - No chemical test kit provided when using sanitizer at three-compartment sink/warewashing machine or wiping cloths.
16-37-1
Basic - Sanitizing solution not maintained clean. Observed carrot shavings sanitizer solution. Employee made new solution. **Corrected On-Site**
16-05-4
Basic - No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees. Posted at time of inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
31B-04-4
82
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Nelson's Restaurant last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Nelson's Restaurant on file is from Jul 9, 2025. The public record contains nine inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Nelson's Restaurant?
Across the inspection record, “no proof provided that food employees are informed” has been cited three times, more than any other issue at Nelson's Restaurant.
How does Nelson's Restaurant compare to other restaurants in Panama City?
Nelson's Restaurant most recently scored 64 out of 100, which is lower than the Panama City average of 83.
Has Nelson's Restaurant's inspection record improved over time?
Yes. Recent inspections at Nelson's Restaurant have averaged around two violations per visit, down from roughly five earlier in the record.
What does a medium risk rating mean?
A medium risk rating at Nelson's Restaurant 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 Nelson's Restaurant inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Nelson's Restaurant is inspected around three times per year on average.
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