New Palatka Buffet
Last inspected: Feb 4, 2026
100
Score
Going back to 2022, New Palatka Buffet has 14 inspections in the public record. The most recent report on file is from Feb 4, 2026. Low risk means the most recent visit produced few or no significant findings.
Things have been moving in the right direction, with the rolling count dropping from around 10 violations to closer to one violation per visit.
The most common issue across all inspections has been “nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease”, showing up six times.
Restaurants in Palatka average 75, so New Palatka Buffet is doing better than most peers. The full picture is one of consistent compliance.
14
Inspections
0
Critical latest
0
Major latest
0
Minor latest
Inspection History
Feb 4, 2026
Routine - Food
No violations found.
100
Dec 31, 2025
Routine - Food
1 major violation.
View 1 violation
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : Intermediate - No plan review submitted and approved - bar area added. 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/. Establishment updated and expanded bar area with additional hand wash sink and reach in cooler no plan review. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2025-10-17: At time of follow up inspection no updated plans, operator has email that plans have been received and sent to plan reviewer. **Time Extended** - From follow-up inspection 2025-11-19: At time of follow up inspection Plan Review has received application per OnBase but no updated plans have been approved in the system. 11/05 deficiencies letter sent to operator. Per operator responded directly to reviewer with missing items. **Time Extended** - From follow-up inspection 2025-12-31: Operator has submitted plans and is in communication with plan review via email. Operator emailed plan review response during callback. **Time Extended** **Corrective Action Taken**
51-14-7
90
Nov 19, 2025
Routine - Food
1 major violation.
View 1 violation
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : Intermediate - No plan review submitted and approved - bar area added. 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/. Establishment updated and expanded bar area with additional hand wash sink and reach in cooler no plan review. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2025-10-17: At time of follow up inspection no updated plans, operator has email that plans have been received and sent to plan reviewer. **Time Extended** - From follow-up inspection 2025-11-19: At time of follow up inspection Plan Review has received application per OnBase but no updated plans have been approved in the system. 11/05 deficiencies letter sent to operator. Per operator responded directly to reviewer with missing items. **Time Extended**
51-14-7
90
Oct 31, 2025
Complaint Full
2 critical violations. 2 major violations. 8 minor violations.
View 12 violations
High Priority - Nonfood-grade bags used in direct contact with food. In standup reach in freezer, dumpling stored in direct contact with plastic grocery bag. Operator removed to correct storage bags. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
14-31-5
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over or with ready-to-eat food in a freezer - not all products commercially packaged. In the standup reach in freezer, raw roe packaged and raw squid in plastic wrap over containers of ready to eat ice cream, one opened. In walk in cooler raw gator over unwashed tomatoes amid raw chicken over raw beef. Operator rearranged all storage levels. **Corrected On-Site**
08A-02-6
Intermediate - No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. No paper towels at sushi bar counter, operator provided. **Corrected On-Site**
31B-02-4
Intermediate - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. In the walk in cooler, chicken and pork prepared Wednesday missing product date marking. **Repeat Violation**
02C-02-5
Basic - Employee personal food not properly identified and segregated from food to be served to the public. In two door standup reach in cooler, employee personal food over food for customers. Operator relocated the personal food. **Corrected On-Site**
08B-49-4
Basic - Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Employees jacket stored on box of gloves on dry storage shelf behind cook line.
40-06-5
Basic - Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting. On shelf over prep area, clean metal containers and bowls stacked while wet.
24-08-4
Basic - Interior of oven/microwave has accumulation of black substance/grease/food debris. Food debris on top plate of microwave on backside of cook line.
22-08-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Reach in chestfreezer on back side of cook line with mold like substance on the door gasket. Nozzle connection at soda fountain soiled, operator cleaned. **Corrective Action Taken** **Repeat Violation**
23-03-4
Basic - Unwashed fruits/vegetables stored with ready-to-eat food. Unwashed mushrooms over ready to eat noodles. Operator switched storage levels. **Corrected On-Site**
08B-17-4
Basic - Wet wiping cloths stored in detergent and sanitizer mixed together. Waitstation sanitizer at 0ppm solution mixed with soap. Operator replaced with correct sanitizer. **Corrected On-Site**
21-03-4
Basic - Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Bulk containers of salt and cornstarch missing product labeling. Operator labeled both. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
02D-01-5
41
Oct 17, 2025
Routine - Food
1 major violation.
View 1 violation
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : Intermediate - No plan review submitted and approved - bar area added. 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/. Establishment updated and expanded bar area with additional hand wash sink and reach in cooler no plan review. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2025-10-17: At time of follow up inspection no updated plans, operator has email that plans have been received and sent to plan reviewer. **Time Extended**
51-14-7
90
Aug 13, 2025
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 5 major violations. 9 minor violations.
View 16 violations
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. In standup reach in cooler, Cooked chicken (48/47F - Cold Holding) per operator was left on counter during lunch prep.
03A-02-5
High Priority - Nonfood-grade bags used in direct contact with food. Plastic carry out bags used in direct contact to store cooked dumplings.
14-31-5
Intermediate - Establishment not maintaining clam/mussel/oyster tags for 90 days. Operator not keeping tags for oysters for 90 days.
01C-02-4
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Build up of debris on can opener. **Repeat Violation**
22-02-4
Intermediate - No plan review submitted and approved - bar area added. 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/. Establishment updated and expanded bar area with additional hand wash sink and reach in cooler no plan review. **Warning**
51-14-7
Intermediate - No soap provided at handwash sink. No soap at hand wash sink at bar counter, operator provided. **Corrected On-Site**
31B-03-4
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 cooler, prepared pork from Friday missing product date marking. Operated placed day dot on container. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
02C-02-5
Basic - Time/temperature control for safety food thawed in an improper manner. Shrimp thawing in standing water in prep area. Operator relocated to three compartment. **Corrected On-Site**
06-01-5
Basic - Wiping cloth chlorine sanitizing solution not at proper minimum strength. Sanitizer solution at 0ppm chlorine operator adjusted to 100ppm. **Corrected On-Site**
21-07-4
Basic - Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Bulk container of flour not labeled. Operator labeled. **Corrected On-Site**
02D-01-5
Basic - Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance. Multiple kitchen acoustic tiles and mold like substance from water damage on multiple tiles. **Repeat Violation**
36-34-5
Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Employee drink on shelf over prep table, employee relocated. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
12B-07-4
Basic - Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting. Clean metal containers stacked while wet on drain boards of prep table. **Repeat Violation**
24-08-4
Basic - Food stored on floor. Fryer oil and soy sauce container on floor of storage room. **Repeat Violation**
08B-38-4
Basic - In-use utensil not stored on a clean portion of food preparation or cooking equipment. Tongs stored on cookline gas line tubing. Multiple bulk container of non time/temperature control food for safety with scoop handles in contact with product. **Repeat Violation**
10-02-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Heavy accumulation of grease on cook line hood filters. Mold like substance on reach in freezer door gasket. **Repeat Violation**
23-03-4
29
Jan 31, 2025
Complaint Full
3 critical violations. 3 major violations. 9 minor violations.
View 15 violations
High Priority - Chlorine sanitizer not at proper minimum strength for manual warewashing. Do not use equipment/utensils not properly sanitized. At time of inspection three compartment sink at 0ppm chlorine. Employee added bleach to three compartment sink. **Corrected On-Site**
22-42-4
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 on prep line utilizing bare hand contact to scoop cut mushrooms into container.
09-01-4
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. In the walk in cooler, raw beef over washed and cut cabbage. In the reach in freezer raw tuna removed from package over box of ready to eat plantains. In the walk in freezer, salmon commercially packaged over plastic wrapped Krab Rangoon's. Operator rearranged all storage levels. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
08A-05-6
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Portable cutting board in use at prep station has mold like substance staining on the sides. Bulk tall ice bin has mold like substance on the deflector plate.
22-02-4
Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Hand wash sink on cook line with rice lid stored in sink. Hand wash sink in prep area with green beans in sink.
31A-11-4
Intermediate - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Multiple items in walk in cooler prepared on site missing date marking, per operator go through product usually within 24 hours. Some cooked previous morning, with no date marking.
02C-02-5
Basic - Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance. Multiple ceiling vents with visible water damage and mold like substance. Acoustic tiles through kitchen. **Repeat Violation**
36-34-5
Basic - Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Employees jacket stored on container of single service food trays.
40-06-5
Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Employee drink on cook line prep table. Operator relocated the drink. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
12B-07-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Grease dripping from cook line hood filters. Walk in cooler door gasket with mold like substance. Underside of soda dispenser in dining room has residue build up. **Repeat Violation**
23-03-4
Basic - In-use wet wiping cloth/towel used under cutting board. Wet wiping cloth under in use cutting board on prep table.
21-04-4
Basic - In-use utensil not stored on a clean portion of food preparation or cooking equipment. Rice scoop in standing water on cook line. Waitstation ice scoop handle in drink ice.
10-02-4
Basic - Food stored on floor. Jugs of soy sauce on the floor of the dry storage area.
08B-38-4
Basic - Equipment in poor repair. Walk in cooler door gasket torn.
14-11-5
Basic - Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting. Clean containers stacked when wet on storage shelves.
24-08-4
30
Aug 1, 2024
Complaint Full
No violations found.
100
Jul 31, 2024
Complaint Full
2 critical violations. 6 minor violations.
View 8 violations
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Standup reach in cooler on the main cook line at ambient air temperature of 55F. Per operator in and out of reach in cooler, cooler stocked around 11am. chicken (44/45F - Cold Holding); chicken wings (46F - Cold Holding); egg roll (45F - Cold Holding); beef (45F - Cold Holding); fish (46F - Cold Holding); Rangoon (47F - Cold Holding); shrimp (46F - Cold Holding). Operator relocated the items to the walk in freezer and walk in cooler to bring back to correct temperature range. At conclusion of inspection all time/temperature control food for safety back in temperature cold holding range. Ambient air of reach in cooler remains at 49F. **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
03A-02-5
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. In the walk in cooler, raw beef in container of container of krab mix. Operator corrected the storage levels. In the standup reach in freezer on the back side of the cook line, raw tuna and salmon wrapped in plastic wrap over box of edamame.
08A-05-6
Basic - Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Bulk sugar container missing product labeling.
02D-01-5
Basic - Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin. Interior of bigger bulk ice bin has mold like substance build up on the deflector plate. **Repeat Violation**
22-20-5
Basic - Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance. Multiple ceiling tiles with mold like substance and water damage. Acoustic ceiling tiles through kitchen.
36-34-5
Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Employee drink stored on dry storage shelf over clean utensils.
12B-07-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Cook line hood filters with grease build up. Dining room soda dispenser has build up of mold like substance on the underside of the dispenser behind the nozzles. Walk in cooler door gasket and curtain with mold like substance build up. **Repeat Violation**
23-03-4
Basic - Wet wiping cloth not stored in sanitizing solution between uses. Wet wiping cloth stored on clean prep table on the cook line. **Repeat Violation**
21-12-4
55
Apr 16, 2024
Routine - Food
No violations found.
100
Apr 11, 2024
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 9 minor violations.
View 11 violations
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. In the standup reach in cooler on the main cook line, cooked chicken (48/51F - Cold Holding); rangoon (47F - Cold Holding); fish (45F - Cold Holding); sushi roll (48F - Cold Holding); egg roll (49F - Cold Holding). At time of first temperature reach in cooler display in defrost mode and displaying 49F, operator states all food placed in reach in cooler before opening at 11am. Operator adjusted cooler settings on the standup reach in cooler and removed all time/temperature control food for safety to walk in freezer and walk in cooler. **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning**
03A-02-5
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over or with ready-to-eat food in a freezer - not all products commercially packaged. In the standup reach in freezer, container of raw fish eggs over open jug of ice cream. In the walk in freezer, opened box of raw fish stored over sheet tray of cooked meatballs and a covered sheet tray of raw beef over sheet tray of cooked ready to eat meatballs. Operator rearranged all freezer storage levels. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
08A-02-6
Basic - Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin. Smaller of the two bulk ice bins has mold like substance on the deflector plate.
22-20-5
Basic - Ceiling/ceiling tile shows damage or is in disrepair. Multiple acoustic ceiling tiles through kitchen area with visible water damage.
36-32-5
Basic - Current Hotel and Restaurant license not displayed. License displayed at front counter expired 2021.
50-09-4
Basic - Employee personal food not properly identified and segregated from food to be served to the public. In the reach in freezer, employee personal food stored over bagged vegetable to be served to customers. Operator relocated the personal food. **Corrected On-Site**
08B-49-4
Basic - Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting. On the storage shelf of the prep area, clean metal containers stacked while wet.
24-08-4
Basic - Food stored on floor. Jug of soy sauce stored on the floor of the dry storage room. **Repeat Violation**
08B-38-4
Basic - In-use utensil not stored on a clean portion of food preparation or cooking equipment. Tongs stored on gas line leading to the cook line.
10-02-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Cook line hood filters have grease build up. Walk in cooler and sushi bar reach in cooler door gaskets have mold like substance build up.
23-03-4
Basic - Wet wiping cloth not stored in sanitizing solution between uses. Wet wiping cloths stored on table in front of the wok station.
21-12-4
47
Aug 17, 2023
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 1 major violation. 2 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Supervisor/Person in Charge Present
FL-01
Hands Clean and Properly Washed
FL-08
Approved Thawing Methods Used
FL-31
Wiping Cloths Properly Used and Stored
FL-41
Lighting Adequate; Required Shields in Place
FL-36
35
Feb 16, 2023
Routine - Food
3 critical violations. 1 major violation. 7 minor violations.
View 11 violations
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. In glass door reach in cooler in kitchen chicken 45F, fish 46F. Person in charge states has been out of temp for less than 4hours, moved items to unit holding temperature. **Corrective Action Taken**
03A-02-5
High Priority - Rodent gnaw marks present. Observed gnaw marks from rodents on lid of bulk food. Person in charge discarded during inspection. No other activity observed. **Corrected On-Site**
35A-21-4
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. In reach in cooler raw fish over ready to eat seafood salad. Also in walk in cooler raw chicken stored over raw shrimp. Person in charge moved to appropriate location. **Corrected On-Site**
08A-05-6
Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Items in hand wash sink in kitchen, were removed. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
31A-11-4
Basic - Ceiling tile missing. Missing ceiling tiles to the left of the cookline, hole in ceiling in hallway. Observed water damage on multiple tiles throughout kitchen as tiles are porous. Floors under dishmachine with debris buildup. Wall by ice machine in server area with damage, holes visible. Floor tiles in walk in freezer damaged.
36-36-4
Basic - No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees. Missing from hand wash sink in back kitchen by triple sink.
31B-04-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Soda plates in dining room with debris buildup. **Repeat Violation**
23-03-4
Basic - Open condiments provided for self-service not properly protected. Dipping sauce not under protection of sneeze guard in salad bar, person in charge moved to be protected. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
08B-04-4
Basic - Single-service articles improperly stored. Cases of single service items on floor in storage trailer.
25-05-4
Basic - Water leaking from pipe and/or faucet/handle. Water leaking under triple sink in kitchen right side.
29-11-4
Basic - Wiping cloth chlorine sanitizing solution not at proper minimum strength. Sanitizer bucket at 0ppm in kitchen. Person in charge discarded. **Corrective Action Taken**
21-07-4
41
Oct 18, 2022
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 1 major violation. 5 minor violations.
View 8 violations
Supervisor/Person in Charge Present
FL-01
Certified Food Manager Identification
FL-02
Hands Clean and Properly Washed
FL-08
Non-Food Contact Surfaces Clean
FL-23
Hot and Cold Water Available; Adequate Pressure
FL-25
Approved Thawing Methods Used
FL-31
Equipment, Food and Non-Food Contact Surfaces Approved
FL-35
Lighting Adequate; Required Shields in Place
FL-36
39
Frequently Asked Questions
When was New Palatka Buffet last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at New Palatka Buffet on file is from Feb 4, 2026. The public record contains 14 inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at New Palatka Buffet?
Across the inspection record, “nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease” has been cited six times, more than any other issue at New Palatka Buffet.
How does New Palatka Buffet compare to other restaurants in Palatka?
New Palatka Buffet most recently scored 100 out of 100, which is higher than the Palatka average of 75.
Has New Palatka Buffet's inspection record improved over time?
Yes. Recent inspections at New Palatka Buffet have averaged around one violation per visit, down from roughly 10 earlier in the record.
What does a low risk rating mean?
A low risk rating at New Palatka Buffet means inspectors found minimal or no significant issues at the most recent visit. Most facilities at this tier have a clean recent inspection report.
How often is New Palatka Buffet inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, New Palatka Buffet is inspected around four times per year on average.
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