Nicholas Family Restaurant
Last inspected: May 23, 2025
95
Score
Public records show seven inspections at Nicholas Family Restaurant stretching back to 2022. On May 23, 2025, the health department conducted the most recent visit. When a facility lands in the low risk tier, it usually means nothing alarming showed up at the most recent visit.
Things have been moving the wrong way, with the rolling count rising from around eight violations to closer to 12 violations per visit.
Looking across the full record, “time/temperature control for safety food cold held” is the recurring theme, flagged four times.
Restaurants in Wauchula average 70, so Nicholas Family Restaurant is doing better than most peers. The record is unremarkable in either direction.
7
Inspections
0
Critical latest
0
Major latest
1
Minor latest
Inspection History
May 23, 2025
Complaint Partial
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Basic - Building components, attachments or fixtures in poor repair. Observed two booths with torn cushion seats and one booth with a broken board below the seat cushion in the dining room.
36-51-4
95
Apr 8, 2025
Complaint Full
7 critical violations. 5 major violations. 14 minor violations.
View 26 violations
High Priority - Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. Observed bleach stored with food in the dry storage area. **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
41-10-4
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. The dessert cooler out in the dining area was at 67 degrees, operator stated desserts have been in the case for a while. Operator discarded desserts- 4 slices of strawberry cheesecake, 5 slices of coconut cake, 2 slices of key lime pie, and 1 slice of apple pie. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
03A-02-5
High Priority - Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. The dessert cooler out in the dining area was at 67 degrees, operator stated desserts have been in the case for a while. Operator discarded desserts- 4 slices of strawberry cheesecake, 5 slices of coconut cake, 2 slices of key lime pie, and 1 slice of apple pie. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
01B-02-5
High Priority - Single-use gloves not changed as needed after changing tasks or when damaged or soiled. Observed employee not change his gloves while prepping food then changing tasks to help in the dish area, explained the importance of hand washing and changing gloves, employee washed hands. **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning**
12A-09-4
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Observed flat of raw hard shell eggs over sliced American cheese in the reach in cooler, operator moved. Observed raw steak over a container of yellow rice, operator moved. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
08A-05-6
High Priority - Food contaminated by employees/consumers and operator continued to serve food. See stop sale. In the reach in freezer in the kitchen, there was 10 pounds of broccoli in a tub with an employees bag of m&m's in direct contact with it, operator discarded. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
01B-12-4
High Priority - Container of medicine improperly stored. Observed a bag of cough drops in the wait staff area beside kitchen, employee moved.**Repeat Violation** **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
41-07-4
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Observed slicer with food debris on it. **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
22-02-4
Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Observed hand washing sink next to the oven on the cook line with build up grease in it. **Warning**
31A-11-4
Intermediate - No probe thermometer provided to measure temperature of food products. **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
05-08-4
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. **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. Sent operator a copy by email. **Warning**
11-26-1
Basic - Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Observed a bowl in a container of bread crumbs under the oven in the dish area. Observed a bowl in a container of yellow rice in the reach in cooler in the kitchen. **Warning**
14-01-5
Basic - Carbon dioxide/helium tanks not adequately secured. Observed 3 tanks not secured in the kitchen by the back door. **Warning**
51-11-4
Basic - Ceiling/ceiling tile shows damage or is in disrepair. Observed there is a leak from the ceiling tile in the kitchen, operator stated he is going to submit a work order. **Warning**
36-32-5
Basic - Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable. Observed grooved cutting boards on the cook line. **Warning**
14-09-4
Basic - Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Observed a purse and jacket stored on a shelve above a case of potatoes, employee moved. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
40-06-5
Basic - Equipment in poor repair. Observed 2 reach in freezers in the kitchen with duck tape on the sliding door. Observed reach in cooler in kitchen the gasket is torn. Observed dessert cooler is not cooling properly out front. **Warning**
14-11-5
Basic - Food stored on floor. Observed container of bread crumbs on the floor in the dish room and observed 2 containers of oil and 2 bags of panko seasoning on the floor in the dry storage area, operator put on shelves. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
08B-38-4
Basic - In-use tongs stored on equipment door handle between uses. Observed tongs on the the handle of the oven on the cook line, operator moved. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
10-20-4
Basic - In-use utensil used with moist food stored in running water with insufficient velocity to flush food particles away. Observed dipper-well in the kitchen is not running sufficiently to clean the scoops. **Warning**
10-03-4
Basic - Missing drain plug at dumpster. **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
33-11-4
Basic - No conspicuously located ambient air temperature thermometer in holding unit. Observed no ambient thermometer in the dessert case located by the cash register. **Warning**
05-09-4
Basic - No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees. Observed no hand washing sign at the hand washing sink on the cook line next to the oven. **Warning**
31B-04-4
Basic - Screen in door torn/in poor repair. Observed screen door at the back door is torn. **Warning**
35B-09-4
Basic - Stored food not covered. Observed a container of ice not properly covered in the dining room near customer tables, employee covered. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
08B-12-5
11
Oct 24, 2024
Complaint Full
1 critical violation. 2 major violations. 7 minor violations.
View 10 violations
High Priority - - From initial inspection : High Priority - Vacuum breaker missing at hose bibb or on fitting/splitter added to hose bibb. Observed the hose outside needs one, hose located by mop sink. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2024-10-24: **Time Extended**
29-34-4
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : Intermediate - No probe thermometer provided to measure temperature of food products. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2024-10-24: **Time Extended**
05-08-4
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : Intermediate - Identity of food or food product misrepresented. Establishment offers Broiled, Fried, and Stuffed Grouper with homemade crabmeat on their menu. Establishment has no Grouper on site and cannot provide a recent invoice, Swai is utilized. Also, they are utilizing Surimi Flakes as their crabmeat. **Admin Complaint** - From follow-up inspection 2024-10-24: Observed written tickets for grouper, cooked acknowledged and is going to serve. There is no grouper on site, and no crabmeat on site. Operator states they are using swai. **Admin Complaint**
52-01-4
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Wall soiled with accumulated grease, food debris, and/or dust. Observed walls in the kitchen area are soiled. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2024-10-24: **Time Extended**
36-27-5
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Ceiling/ceiling tile shows damage or is in disrepair. Water damaged tiles in dining and kitchen areas. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2024-10-24: **Time Extended**
36-32-5
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Unnecessary items/unused equipment on the premises. Observed old rusted meat saw stored in food/dish area. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2024-10-24: **Time Extended**
33-31-5
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Screen in door torn/in poor repair. Observed back screen door, screen was torn in a couple of places and exposed. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2024-10-24: **Time Extended**
36-60-5
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Missing drain plug at dumpster. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2024-10-24: **Time Extended**
33-11-4
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Lights in food preparation, food storage or warewashing area missing the proper shield, sleeve coatings or covers. Observed in walk in cooler, storage and hallway no covers on the lights. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2024-10-24: **Time Extended**
38-07-4
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Floor soiled/has accumulation of debris. Observed in kitchen and cook line there is a lot of food debris under the equipment. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2024-10-24: **Time Extended**
36-73-4
50
Feb 1, 2024
Routine - Food
4 critical violations. 2 major violations.
View 6 violations
High Priority - In-use utensil stored in unclean water at or above 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed ice cream scoops in dipperwell that was not running and water was slimy, when drained black sludge was on interior of well . Operator drained and cleaned and sanitized. Scoops were sent through dishwash. **Corrected On-Site**
10-05-5
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed egg wash (54F - Cold Holding) at cookline. In ice bath. Ice not to height of food. Operator added more ice. Observed cut lettuce (45F - Cold in cooler for two hours placed in walk-in to quickly cool to 41F within 2 hours. **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. Observed mashed potatoes (119F - Hot Holding)on steam table not stirred with frequency to promoate even heating throughout product. Operator stirred and covered product. **Corrective Action Taken**
03B-01-6
High Priority - Cooked/heated time/temperature control for safety food not cooled from 135 degrees Fahrenheit to 70 degrees Fahrenheit within 2 hours. Soup found at 120F after 2 hours cooling. Operator reheated to 165F within 2 hours and will start cooling process again making sure that the food is cooled from 135F to 70F within 2 hours and from 70 F to 41F within 4 more hours for a total of cooling from 135F to 41F within total of 6 hours.
03D-01-5
Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Handsink at waitstaff area Used as dumpsink as evidenced by ice cubes n basin.
31A-11-4
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. Operator had employees sign and date form during inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
11-26-1
45
Oct 25, 2023
Routine - Food
3 critical violations. 2 major violations. 4 minor violations.
View 9 violations
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed individual butter held at room temperature on counter butter (78F - Cold Holding) 50ea Operator states butter has been on table for 3 hours. Must discard at 3pm. Observed salad prep cooler (); cut lettuce in water 3lbs (51F - Cold Holding); cut tomatoes 10lbs (51F - Cold Holding) see stop sale. Operator found cooler was against wall and could not circulate air properly moved cooler away from wall and unit began to cool. **Corrective Action Taken**
03A-02-5
High Priority - Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. salad prep cooler (); cut lettuce in water 3lbs (51F - Cold Holding); cut tomatoes 10lbs (51F - Cold Holding)
01B-02-5
High Priority - Raw animal foods not properly separated from each other Observed raw chicken and raw fish dipped on same batter ingredient's. Cross contamination of raw chicken and fish. Cook dumped batter ingredients before continuing to fish. **Corrective Action Taken**
08A-20-5
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. Inspector provided handout. **Corrected On-Site**
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. Inspector provided handout. Operator had employees sign. **Corrected On-Site**
11-26-1
Basic - Unsealed concrete floor in food preparation, food storage, warewashing area or bathroom. Observed new concrete floor in walk-in cooler unsealed concrete.
36-02-5
Basic - Employee with no beard guard/restraint while engaging in food preparation. Cook no beard guard.
13-04-4
Basic - Employee with no hair restraint while engaging in food preparation. Cook no hair cover.
13-03-4
Basic - No Heimlich maneuver/choking sign posted. Inspector provided handout. **Corrected On-Site**
51-13-4
43
Jan 10, 2023
Routine - Food
3 critical violations. 2 major violations. 3 minor violations.
View 8 violations
Employee Health Policies Present
FL-03
Hands Clean and Properly Washed
FL-08
Food Obtained from Approved Sources
FL-11
Food Received at Proper Temperature
FL-12
Potentially Hazardous Food Held at Proper Temperature
FL-16
Food Contact Surfaces Clean and Sanitized
FL-22
Lighting Adequate; Required Shields in Place
FL-36
Toilet Rooms Maintained
FL-53
32
Sep 14, 2022
Routine - Food
3 critical violations. 1 major violation. 3 minor violations.
View 7 violations
High Priority - Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse.
01B-02-5
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed 3door prep top cooler at back prep across from dishwash area cut tomatoes (63F - Cold Holding); macaroni salad (61F - Cold Holding); cut lettuce (63F - Cold Holding); 3 bean salad (62F - Cold Holding); feta cheese (59F - Cold Holding); cole slaw (63F - Cold Holding) Some foods on cooler less than 1 hour. Put back into walk-in cooler to recook to 41F within 4 hours. See stop sale for 3 bean salad and cole slaw.
03A-02-5
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. Found at 0ppm
22-41-4
Intermediate - No currently certified food service manager on duty with four or more employees engaged in food preparation/handling. A list of accredited food manager certification examination providers can be found at http://www.myfloridalicense.com/DBPR/hotels-restaurants/food-lodging/food-manager/ manager arrived during inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
53A-05-6
Basic - Covered waste receptacle not provided in women's bathroom.
32-12-5
Basic - Accumulation of scale inside warewashing machine.
16-03-4
Basic - Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable.
14-09-4
50
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Nicholas Family Restaurant last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Nicholas Family Restaurant on file is from May 23, 2025. The public record contains seven inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Nicholas Family Restaurant?
Across the inspection record, “time/temperature control for safety food cold held” has been cited four times, more than any other issue at Nicholas Family Restaurant.
How does Nicholas Family Restaurant compare to other restaurants in Wauchula?
Nicholas Family Restaurant most recently scored 95 out of 100, which is higher than the Wauchula average of 70.
Has Nicholas Family Restaurant's inspection record improved over time?
No. Recent inspections at Nicholas Family Restaurant have averaged around 12 violations per visit, up from roughly eight earlier in the record.
What does a low risk rating mean?
A low risk rating at Nicholas Family Restaurant 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 Nicholas Family Restaurant inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Nicholas Family Restaurant is inspected around three times per year on average.
Nearby Restaurants