Po Folks Restaurant
Last inspected: Oct 29, 2025
47
Score
Going back to 2022, Po Folks Restaurant has eight inspections in the public record. On Oct 29, 2025, the health department conducted the most recent visit. Diners may want to take note: high risk reflects issues that a health inspector considered important.
Recent visits have produced comparable findings, with counts hovering near 12 violations per visit.
“Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease” comes up most often, recorded four times in the inspection record.
That's lower than the typical St. Petersburg restaurant, which scores around 77. This restaurant has more on its record than most do.
8
Inspections
1
Critical latest
4
Major latest
4
Minor latest
Inspection History
Oct 29, 2025
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 4 major violations. 4 minor violations.
View 9 violations
High Priority - Wiping cloth sanitizer solution exceeds the maximum concentration allowed. Wiping cloth solution at cook line tested at 200ppm chlorine. Manager had employee remake solution to correct 50ppm **Corrected On-Site**
41-27-4
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. Container of milk opened two days prior not date marked. Manager wrote date on container. **Corrected On-Site**
02C-03-5
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Cutting board along South wall of the cook line soiled/stained.
22-02-4
Intermediate - No chemical test kit provided when using sanitizer at three-compartment sink/warewashing machine or wiping cloths. Establishment utilizes QAC sanitizer at server station however lacks proper test strips. Inspector provided a few test strips and color chart to manager. **Corrected On-Site**
16-37-1
Intermediate - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Green beans prepared inside walk-in cooler the previous day not date marked. Manager date marked item during inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
02C-02-5
Basic - Buildup of food debris/soil residue on equipment door handles. Door handle to reach-in cooler along south wall soiled.
23-24-4
Basic - Equipment in poor repair. Gaskets torn on walk-in cooler, walk-in freezer, and reach-in coolers located on the cook line
14-11-5
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Gaskets soiled on cold holding units in kitchen.
23-03-4
Basic - Reach-in cooler interior/shelves have accumulation of soil residues. Reach-in cooler next to cook line soiled.
22-16-4
47
May 21, 2025
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 6 major violations. 15 minor violations.
View 23 violations
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Cut tomatoes at 52F. Manager moved to walk in cooler. **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. Hush puppies hot holding at 118F. Items were refried to heat back up to 165F. **Corrected On-Site**
03B-01-6
Intermediate - No written procedures available for use of time as a public health control to hold time/temperature control for safety food. Wet dredge for frying raw proteins held at room temperature with no written procedures, procedures provided to manager
03F-10-5
Intermediate - Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled. Sanitizer bottle at wait station, labeled **Corrected On-Site**
41-17-4
Intermediate - Food manager certification expired. A list of accredited food manager certification examination providers can be found at https://www2.myfloridalicense.com/hotels-restaurants/food-lodging/food-manager/ Three of four manager CFM expired: Katherine R. expired 10-24-24 Keith F. expired 5/24/23 Donald H. expired 10/24/24
53A-03-7
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Can opener soiled, manager had item cleaned. **Corrected On-Site**
22-02-4
Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Ice dumped in both the wait station handwashing sink and kitchen handwashing sink.
31A-11-4
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 on duty has expired CFM, another manager with valid CFM arrived during inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
53A-05-6
Basic - Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin.
22-20-5
Basic - Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Portioning cups in seasoned bins in dry storage room
14-01-5
Basic - Buildup of food debris/soil residue on equipment door handles. Reach in coolers in front kitchen sticky to touch.
23-24-4
Basic - Current Hotel and Restaurant license not displayed.
50-09-4
Basic - Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable.
14-09-4
Basic - Employee with no hair restraint while engaging in food preparation.employee in kitchen with no hair restraint.
13-03-4
Basic - Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting. Blue cups at wait station stored stacked prior to completely drying. **Repeat Violation**
24-08-4
Basic - Floor soiled/has accumulation of debris. Underneath and behind fryers there is a heavy accumulation of grease. Walls by three compartment sink soiled with food debris.
36-73-4
Basic - Food stored on floor. Boxes in walk in freezer fallen on the floor. Manager picked the items off the ground. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
08B-38-4
Basic - Interior of oven/microwave has accumulation of black substance/grease/food debris. Broiler oven interior accumulation of food debris.
22-08-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Bottom of cooking equipment soiled with grease. Cooler gaskets soiled Hood filters soiled
23-03-4
Basic - Reach-in cooler interior/shelves have accumulation of soil residues. Shelves in reach in coolers with located at front prep area soiled.
22-16-4
Basic - Utensils in poor condition. Knife on wall magnetic rack with melted plastic handle
14-12-4
Basic - Walk-in cooler/freezer shelves with rust that has pitted the surface.
14-17-4
Basic - Wet mop not stored in a manner to allow the mop to dry.
42-01-4
19
Oct 23, 2024
Complaint Full
2 critical violations. 2 minor violations.
View 4 violations
High Priority - Raw animal foods not properly separated from each other in holding unit based upon minimum required cooking temperature. Sheet trays of raw chicken over raw pork chops on speed rack in walk in cooler. Employee lowered chicken **Corrected On-Site**
08A-20-5
High Priority - Vacuum breaker missing at mop sink faucet or on fitting/splitter added to mop sink faucet.
29-42-4
Basic - Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting.
24-08-4
Basic - Food stored on floor. Lexan of rice on floor in dry storage. Employee placed on shelf **Corrected On-Site**
08B-38-4
67
Aug 30, 2024
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 9 minor violations.
View 11 violations
High Priority - Dented/rusted cans present. See stop sale. From shelf next to ice machine. a. 6lb can of turnip greens is dent at seam.
01B-01-4
High Priority - Vacuum breaker missing at mop sink faucet or on fitting/splitter added to mop sink faucet. Water hose connected to y-splitter at mop sink without vacuum breaker.
29-42-4
Basic - Walk-in cooler shelves with rust that has pitted the surface. **Repeat Violation**
14-17-4
Basic - Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin.
22-20-5
Basic - Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance in kitchen area.
36-34-5
Basic - Cutting board on reach-in cooler on cooks line has cut marks and is no longer cleanable.
14-09-4
Basic - Floor tiles cracked on cooks line. **Repeat Violation**
36-17-5
Basic - In-use utensil not stored with handle above the top of time/temperature control for safety food and rim of the container. Scoop handle touching coleslaw in pan located in expo area. Operator removed scoop. **Corrected On-Site**
10-06-5
Basic - Reach-in cooler next to chicken batter interior have accumulation of soil residues.
22-16-4
Basic - Refrigerator next to fish batter station shelves with rust that has pitted the surface.
14-33-4
Basic - Wet wiping cloths stored in detergent and sanitizer mixed together. Employee discarded sanitizer solution and refilled. **Corrected On-Site**
21-03-4
47
Feb 21, 2024
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 2 major violations. 11 minor violations.
View 15 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 employee handle soiled dishes, then retrieve and touch clean dishes. Discussed with operator proper hand-hygiene techniques. **Corrective Action Taken**
12A-13-4
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over or with unwashed produce. Raw shell eggs stored over unwashed carrots in walk-in cooler. Operator removed raw shell eggs from above carrots. **Corrected On-Site**
08A-04-5
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Cutting boards in kitchen. Can opener used more than 4 hours ago.
22-02-4
Intermediate - Records/documents for required employee training do not contain all of the required information.
53B-10-4
Basic - Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin.
22-20-5
Basic - Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance.
36-34-5
Basic - Covered waste receptacle not provided in women's bathroom.
32-12-5
Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Employee drink on prep table in prep area. Operator discarded drink. Cleaned and sanitized area. **Corrected On-Site**
12B-07-4
Basic - Floor tiles missing and/or in disrepair. Cracked floor tiles in kitchen area.
36-17-5
Basic - Ice buildup on walk-in freezer door.
14-69-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Grease buildup on fat-fryers.
23-03-4
Basic - Reach-in cooler near chicken prep station interior have accumulation of soil residues.
22-16-4
Basic - Single-service articles stored next to handwash/food preparation sink exposed to splash. Single-serve containers, bags, and cups are not protected from splash at hand wash sink near chicken prep station.
25-22-4
Basic - Stored food not covered. Two containers of cut lemons not covered in walk-in cooler.
08B-12-5
Basic - Walk-in cooler shelves with rust that has pitted the surface.
14-17-4
35
Jul 25, 2023
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 3 major violations. 5 minor violations.
View 10 violations
High Priority - Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license. **Corrected On-Site**
50-17-3
High Priority - Dented/rusted cans present. See stop sale. Two #10 cans sliced apples dented on rack with un damaged cans
01B-01-4
Intermediate - Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled. Yellow cleaning liquid in bottle needs identification. Manager labeled **Corrected On-Site**
41-17-4
Intermediate - Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Manager uncovered salad area hand wash sink **Corrected On-Site**
31A-09-4
Intermediate - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Manager date marked all previously prepared items in walk in cooler that required date marking **Corrected On-Site**
02C-02-5
Basic - Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Styrofoam cup used as a scoop in flour near mop sink. Manager removed **Corrected On-Site**
14-01-5
Basic - Damaged/spoiled/recalled food not properly segregated. Two #10 cans sliced apples dented on rack with un damaged cans
08B-20-4
Basic - Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Employee cell phone on dish machine
40-06-5
Basic - Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting. Dishes stacked wet on shelf over three compartment sink
24-08-4
Basic - Objectionable odors in bathroom or other areas of the establishment. Near ice machine in kitchen
36-64-5
43
Jan 18, 2023
Routine - Food
1 major violation. 4 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Required Records Available; Shellstock Tags/Labels
FL-14
Potentially Hazardous Food Held at Proper Temperature
FL-16
Food Contact Surfaces Clean and Sanitized
FL-22
Non-Food Contact Surfaces Clean
FL-23
Approved Thawing Methods Used
FL-31
74
Nov 11, 2022
Complaint Full
1 major violation. 10 minor violations.
View 11 violations
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : Intermediate - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Multiple time/temperature controlled for safety food items prepared on site did not have date marks after being held for more than 24 hrs **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2022-11-11: **Time Extended** - From follow-up inspection 2022-11-11: **Time Extended**
02C-02-5
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Equipment in poor repair. Multiple reach in coolers with torn gaskets. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2022-11-11: **Time Extended** - From follow-up inspection 2022-11-11: **Time Extended**
14-11-5
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Exhaust/ventilation hood system not designed to prevent grease or condensation from dripping onto food, clean equipment and utensils, and single-service items. Hood heavily soiled with dripping grease. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2022-11-11: **Time Extended** - From follow-up inspection 2022-11-11: **Time Extended**
36-63-4
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Floor soiled/has accumulation of debris. Under all equipment. Wall soiled behind hood and under dish machine. Ceiling soiled above prep area. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2022-11-11: **Time Extended** - From follow-up inspection 2022-11-11: **Time Extended**
36-73-4
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Interior of oven/microwave has accumulation of black substance/grease/food debris. Microwave interior heavily soiled. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2022-11-11: **Time Extended** - From follow-up inspection 2022-11-11: **Time Extended**
22-08-4
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Multiple reach in coolers and walk in cooler gaskets heavily soiled with mold like substance and food debris. Fryer stacks soiled. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2022-11-11: **Time Extended** - From follow-up inspection 2022-11-11: **Time Extended**
23-03-4
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Objectionable odors. Kitchen, walk in cooler, dish area. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2022-11-11: **Time Extended** - From follow-up inspection 2022-11-11: **Time Extended**
36-64-5
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Walls and cove molding in disrepair in various areas on kitchen. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2022-11-11: **Time Extended** - From follow-up inspection 2022-11-11: **Time Extended**
36-24-5
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Large bin of sugar unlabeled **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2022-11-11: **Time Extended** - From follow-up inspection 2022-11-11: **Time Extended**
02D-01-5
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Buildup of food debris/soil residue on equipment door handles. All reach in coolers and walk in cooler and freezer handles soiled with food debris **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2022-11-11: **Time Extended** - From follow-up inspection 2022-11-11: **Time Extended**
23-24-4
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable. Prep cutting boards heavily grooved. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2022-11-11: **Time Extended** - From follow-up inspection 2022-11-11: **Time Extended**
14-09-4
55
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Po Folks Restaurant last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Po Folks Restaurant on file is from Oct 29, 2025. The public record contains eight inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Po Folks Restaurant?
Across the inspection record, “nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease” has been cited four times, more than any other issue at Po Folks Restaurant.
How does Po Folks Restaurant compare to other restaurants in St. Petersburg?
Po Folks Restaurant most recently scored 47 out of 100, which is lower than the St. Petersburg average of 77.
Has Po Folks Restaurant's inspection record improved over time?
Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at Po Folks Restaurant have averaged around 12 violations per visit across the recent record.
What does a high risk rating mean?
A high risk rating at Po Folks Restaurant means the most recent inspection flagged either critical violations or a substantial number of smaller ones. Diners may want to read the violation details before deciding to visit.
How often is Po Folks Restaurant inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Po Folks Restaurant is inspected around three times per year on average.
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