Papa Joe's Italian Restaurant

6244 Spring Lake Hwy, Brooksville, FL 346017907

Italian

Last inspected: Dec 19, 2025

Score

Medium Risk

Public records show seven inspections at Papa Joe's Italian Restaurant stretching back to 2022. Papa Joe's Italian Restaurant was last inspected on Dec 19, 2025. The medium risk tier sits in the middle: not spotless, but not alarming either.

Things are looking better lately, with recent visits averaging around four violations compared to roughly six violations earlier on.

The pattern that stands out is “accumulation of mold-like substance in the interior”, which has been cited three times.

By comparison, the average Brooksville facility scores 90, putting Papa Joe's Italian Restaurant on the weaker side. The record is unremarkable in either direction.

Inspections

Critical latest

Major latest

Minor latest

Inspection History

Dec 19, 2025

Routine - Food

1 critical violation. 4 minor violations.

View 5 violations

High Priority - Raw animal foods not properly separated from each other in holding unit based upon minimum required cooking temperature. Employee removed chicken on sheet pan from over shrimp on sheet pans on a speed rack in the walk in cooler. **Corrected On-Site**

08A-20-5

Basic - Wet wiping cloth not stored in sanitizing solution between uses. Employee put towel from walk in cooler and kitchen in sanitizer bucket. **Corrected On-Site**

21-12-4

Basic - Employee with no hair restraint while engaging in food preparation. Employees put on hairnets during inspection. **Corrected On-Site**

13-03-4

Basic - In-use tongs stored on equipment door handle between uses. Employee removed tongs on oven door on cook line. **Corrected On-Site**

10-20-4

Basic - In-use wet wiping cloth/towel used under cutting board. Operator removed towel underneath cutting board on prep table on cooked line. **Corrected On-Site**

21-04-4

May 8, 2025

Routine - Food

1 critical violation. 2 minor violations.

View 3 violations

High Priority - Employee touched soiled surface and then engaged in food preparation, handled clean equipment or utensils, or touched unwrapped single-service items without washing hands. -Cooks line employee picked up butter from the floor with ungloved hands and continued to prepare a customers order for service. Reviewed hand washing with employee. Employee washed hands and continued food preparation. **Corrected On-Site**

12A-29-4

Basic - Accumulation of mold-like substance in the interior of the ice bin. Operator cleaned during inspection **Corrected On-Site**

22-20-5

Basic - Wet wiping cloths used for occasional spills on equipment food- and nonfood-contact surfaces not clean. On prep table next to steam table, operator removed and placed a new cloth on line for service. **Corrected On-Site**

21-09-4

Jan 30, 2025

Routine - Food

1 major violation. 2 minor violations.

View 3 violations

Intermediate - Required employee training expired for some employees. To order approved program food safety material, call DBPR contracted provider: Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (SafeStaff) 866-372-7233. Janine Caleb Barbara Heather Lara Susan Gina Lori

53B-14-5

Basic - Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting. Plastic pans on dish rack

24-08-4

Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled. walk in cooler shelves

23-03-4

Apr 4, 2024

Routine - Food

1 major violation. 3 minor violations.

View 4 violations

Certified Food Manager Identification

FL-02

Hands Clean and Properly Washed

FL-08

Food Received at Proper Temperature

FL-12

Proper Sanitizer Contact Time and Concentration

FL-33

Dec 6, 2023

Routine - Food

1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 9 minor violations.

View 11 violations

High Priority - Vacuum breaker missing at mop sink faucet or on fitting/splitter added to mop sink faucet.

29-42-4

Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Strainer in hand wash sink in server station near soda fountain. Operator removed **Corrected On-Site**

31A-11-4

Basic - Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin. Plastic guard inside ice machine has mold like growth **Repeat Violation**

22-20-5

Basic - Broken/missing dumpster lid.

33-16-4

Basic - Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Employee cups on table above clean equipment/utensils. Operator removed **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**

40-06-5

Basic - Establishment increased seating without providing written approval from the local fire authority and wastewater provider. Establishment licensed for 150 seats, establishment currently has 175 seats.

51-15-4

Basic - Missing drain plug at dumpster.

33-11-4

Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. -walk in cooler fan guards soiled

23-03-4

Basic - Single-service articles on cooks line not stored inverted or protected from contamination. Operator moved **Corrected On-Site**

25-06-4

Basic - Wiping cloth sanitizing solution stored on the floor on cooks line. Operator removed **Corrected On-Site**

21-38-4

Basic - Worn floors in walk in cooler.

36-10-4

Apr 5, 2023

Routine - Food

4 minor violations.

View 4 violations

Basic - Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine.

22-20-5

Basic - Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food in several containers in dry storage like sugar and salt.

14-01-5

Basic - Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Observed employee phone stored on top of bag in the box in dry storage area.

40-06-5

Basic - In-use utensil stored in standing water less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed utensils in bar next to dessert case with the water at 71F.

10-07-4

Oct 25, 2022

Routine - Food

1 critical violation. 2 major violations. 2 minor violations.

View 5 violations

Adequate Handwashing Facilities Supplied and Accessible

FL-10

Food Received at Proper Temperature

FL-12

Food Contact Surfaces Clean and Sanitized

FL-22

Approved Thawing Methods Used

FL-31

Personal Cleanliness

FL-40

Show all 7 inspections Show less

Frequently Asked Questions

When was Papa Joe's Italian Restaurant last inspected?

The most recent health inspection at Papa Joe's Italian Restaurant on file is from Dec 19, 2025. The public record contains seven inspections in total.

What is the most common violation at Papa Joe's Italian Restaurant?

Across the inspection record, “accumulation of mold-like substance in the interior” has been cited three times, more than any other issue at Papa Joe's Italian Restaurant.

How does Papa Joe's Italian Restaurant compare to other restaurants in Brooksville?

Papa Joe's Italian Restaurant most recently scored 70 out of 100, which is lower than the Brooksville average of 90.

Has Papa Joe's Italian Restaurant's inspection record improved over time?

Yes. Recent inspections at Papa Joe's Italian Restaurant have averaged around four violations per visit, down from roughly six earlier in the record.

What does a medium risk rating mean?

A medium risk rating at Papa Joe's Italian 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 Papa Joe's Italian Restaurant inspected?

Based on the inspection history on file, Papa Joe's Italian Restaurant is inspected around two times per year on average.

Nearby Restaurants

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Score: 100 — Low Risk

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Majestic Oaks at Brooksville Country Club

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Score: 100 — Low Risk

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