Ocean Buffet
Last inspected: Dec 10, 2025
95
Score
Going back to 2022, Ocean Buffet has 10 inspections in the public record. Inspectors last stopped by on Dec 10, 2025. A low risk tier reflects an inspection that turned up minimal issues.
Performance has remained roughly level over recent inspections, averaging near two violations each time.
“Food stored on floor” comes up most often, recorded five times in the inspection record.
Ocean Buffet scores about where you'd expect for a Fort Walton Beach restaurant. The file should reassure diners considering a visit.
10
Inspections
0
Critical latest
0
Major latest
1
Minor latest
Inspection History
Dec 10, 2025
Complaint Full
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Basic - Food stored on floor. Honey Garlic sauce stored in large buckets under cook line. Operator elevated buckets off of floor during inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
08B-38-4
95
Aug 13, 2025
Complaint Full
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 1 minor violation.
View 3 violations
High Priority - Raw animal foods not properly separated from each other in holding unit based upon minimum required cooking temperature: observed raw chicken in a pan sitting inside a bun of raw octopus in the make-line reach-in cooler on the cook line. Owner/Operator swapped them. **Corrected On-Site**
08A-20-5
Intermediate - Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times: hand-wash sink on the cook line was covered with a plastic bag around it to prevent its use. Owner/Operator removed the bag. **Corrected On-Site**
31A-09-4
Basic - Food stored on floor: observed the following violations: 1. Bin of raw chicken on floor in walk-in cooler: 2. Buckets of sauces on the floor of the cook line and prep area. Owner/Operator removed the buckets from the floor. **Corrected On-Site**
08B-38-4
74
Jun 2, 2025
Routine - Food
No violations found.
100
May 19, 2025
Routine - Food
1 major violation. 3 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Intermediate - Required employee training expired for all employees. To order approved program food safety material, call DBPR contracted provider: Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (SafeStaff) 866-372-7233. Upon inspection employee training noted to be expired 11/2024. **Warning**
53B-05-5
Basic - Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance on lid and shield in ice machine noted upon inspection. Owner had employees clean during inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
22-20-5
Basic - Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Upon inspection, container located inside rice used as scoop. Owner removed during inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
14-01-5
Basic - In-use utensil in non-time/temperature control for safety food not stored with handle above top of food within a closed container. Upon inspection, handle of scoop noted to be touching cornstarch in container. Owner removed during inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
10-01-5
78
Jul 17, 2024
Complaint Full
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 1 minor violation.
View 3 violations
Adequate Handwashing Facilities Supplied and Accessible
FL-10
Approved Thawing Methods Used
FL-31
Food and Non-Food Contact Surfaces Designed and Constructed
FL-50
74
Mar 18, 2024
Complaint Full
No violations found.
100
Mar 11, 2024
Complaint Full
5 critical violations. 1 major violation. 6 minor violations.
View 12 violations
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. 0 ppm chlorine x5 attempts **Warning**
22-41-4
High Priority - Dishwasher handled soiled dishes and then handled clean dishes without washing hands.
12A-13-4
High Priority - Employee began working with food, handling clean equipment or utensils, or touching unwrapped single-service items without first washing hands. Prep staff observed leaving kitchen area and returning to food preparation without washing hands. Discussion conducted with operator reference hand washing requirements for food handlers.
12A-16-4
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Raw frog legs stored over cooked pork and dumplings in walk in cooler . Raw frog legs moved during the inspection below ready to eat food. **Corrected On-Site**
08A-05-6
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Cooked fish located on hot buffet line 111F less than 1 hr.
03B-01-6
Intermediate - No hand wash sign and paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at ware-wash area handwash sink.
31B-02-4
Basic - Ice buildup in walk-in freezer.
14-69-4
Basic - In-use utensil not stored with handle above the top of time/temperature control for safety food and rim of the container. Kitchen hot hold rice Single service plastic container used as rice scoop . No handle and container in direct contact with rice.
10-06-5
Basic - In-use utensil stored in standing water less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Rice scoop on buffet line held in standing water 123F Removed during the inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
10-07-4
Basic - Open condiments provided for self-service not properly protected. Sushi bar - ginger , soy sauce and wasabi presented open and uncovered for customer self service.
08B-04-4
Basic - Open dumpster lid. Dumpster located directly behind kitchen
33-16-4
Basic - Walk-in cooler shelves with rust that has pitted the surface.
14-17-4
32
Dec 12, 2023
Routine - Food
3 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Basic - Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Employee jackets stored on can storage rack. Operator removed during inspection.
40-06-5
Basic - Exterior door has a gap at the threshold that opens to the outside. Gap at base of door near dish machine.
35B-01-4
Basic - Food stored on floor. Container of whole onions stored on floor in walk in cooler. Operator stored on storage rack. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
08B-38-4
86
May 11, 2023
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 3 major violations. 12 minor violations.
View 16 violations
High Priority - Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. Hand soap stored on floor near hand wash sink. Owner picked soap up off floor and placed on shelf. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
41-10-4
Intermediate - Certified Food Manager or person in charge lacks knowledge of employee health policy and health requirements. Provided establishment with Health reporting requirements and form.
11-03-5
Intermediate - Food being cooled by nonapproved method. Cooling- breaded fried chicken 90F (1:45-2:45) at room temperature. Owner placed chicken in walk in cooler. **Corrected On-Site**
03D-15-4
Intermediate - No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. Owner placed paper towels at the sink. **Corrected On-Site**
31B-02-4
Basic - Food stored on floor. Onions stored in a bin in walk in cooler on floor under shelf. Owner removed onions from floor and placed on shelf. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
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. Scoop handle stored in side corn starch and flour. Owner removed scoops and sent to ware washing area. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
10-01-5
Basic - No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees at 2 sinks. Owner printed and hung signs at sinks. **Corrected On-Site**
31B-04-4
Basic - Stored food not covered. Breaded shrimp stored in reach in deep freezer un covered. Owner covered shrimp with a lid. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
08B-12-5
Basic - Time/temperature control for safety food thawed in an improper manner. Thawing- fish eggs 27F, salmon 31F (2:30-3:00) at room temperature. Owner placed items in reach in cooler. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
06-01-5
Basic - Unsealed concrete floor in food preparation, food storage, warewashing area or bathroom.
36-02-5
Basic - Walk-in cooler/freezer shelves with rust that has pitted the surface. **Repeat Violation**
14-17-4
Basic - Cardboard used on floor as anti-slip measure not replaced every day or when heavily soiled, whichever comes first. **Repeat Violation**
36-06-4
Basic - Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance. **Repeat Violation**
36-34-5
Basic - Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable.
14-09-4
Basic - Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Back pack stored on top of drinks in bar area. **Repeat Violation**
40-06-5
Basic - Exterior door has a gap at the threshold that opens to the outside. **Repeat Violation**
35B-01-4
35
Dec 14, 2022
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 7 minor violations.
View 9 violations
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Upon inspection, observed raw fish on top of cooked chicken wings. Also, shell eggs over onions in walk in cooler. Operator corrected storage during inspection. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
08A-05-6
High Priority - In-use utensil stored in unclean water at or above 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Upon inspection, observed utensil stored in water at 108F. Operator changed water; new temperature at 166F. **Corrected On-Site**
10-05-5
Basic - Ceiling/ceiling tile shows damage or is in disrepair. Upon inspection, observed multiple ceiling tiles in kitchen in disrepair. Also, ceiling vent dish area in disrepair. **Repeat Violation**
36-32-5
Basic - Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting. Upon inspection, observed clean, stacked pans with water/condensation in between pans in kitchen under prep table. **Repeat Violation**
24-08-4
Basic - Food being prepared in a room that has screening in place of all or part of a wall. Upon inspection, observed employee prepping food in dining room. Operator instructed employee to stop prepping cheese wantons. **Corrective Action Taken**
08B-40-4
Basic - Food stored on floor. Upon inspection, observed beef stored on floor in walk in freezer. Also, raw chicken, soy sauce, and onions stored on floor in walk in cooler. Operator corrected store during inspection. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
08B-38-4
Basic - Light shield damaged/in disrepair. Upon inspection, observed 2 glass light shields filled with water in walk in cooler.
38-01-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, or dust. Upon inspection, observed dust build up on fan cover in walk-in cooler. **Repeat Violation**
23-03-4
Basic - Stored food not covered. Upon inspection, observed raw fish, crawfish, and onions uncovered in walk in cooler. Also, crabs uncovered in walk in freezer. **Repeat Violation**
08B-12-5
52
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Ocean Buffet last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Ocean Buffet on file is from Dec 10, 2025. The public record contains 10 inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Ocean Buffet?
Across the inspection record, “food stored on floor” has been cited five times, more than any other issue at Ocean Buffet.
How does Ocean Buffet compare to other restaurants in Fort Walton Beach?
Ocean Buffet most recently scored 95 out of 100, which is about the same as the Fort Walton Beach average of 96.
Has Ocean Buffet's inspection record improved over time?
Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at Ocean Buffet have averaged around two violations per visit across the recent record.
What does a low risk rating mean?
A low risk rating at Ocean 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 Ocean Buffet inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Ocean Buffet is inspected around three times per year on average.
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