Poke Express
Last inspected: Mar 23, 2026
100
Score
Poke Express has been inspected 13 times since 2022. The most recent report on file is from Mar 23, 2026. A low risk tier reflects an inspection that turned up minimal issues.
Recent visits have produced comparable findings, with counts hovering near three violations per visit.
When inspectors have written things up, “time/temperature control for safety food cold held” has been the most frequent reason, cited three times.
The city-wide average for Ocala sits at 78, putting Poke Express on the better side of that line. The full picture is one of consistent compliance.
13
Inspections
0
Critical latest
0
Major latest
0
Minor latest
Inspection History
Mar 23, 2026
Routine - Food
No violations found.
100
Mar 10, 2026
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 3 major violations. 2 minor violations.
View 7 violations
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Reach-in cooler at the prep room, raw chicken 44F-45F, Manager moved to freezer, other foods at 42F. **Corrective Action Taken** **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
03A-02-5
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. At the front counter grilled chicken 130F, per manager chicken was cooked at 10:00am, manager reheated to 165F. **Corrected On-Site**
03B-01-6
Intermediate - Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Handwash sink at the prep room no water, Manager turned on water, very low pressure. Manager request plumbing services. **Warning**
31A-09-4
Intermediate - Menu does not identify which items contain raw or undercooked animal foods covered by the consumer advisory. For tuna and salmon, manager posted consumer advisory with an asterisk next to both items. **Corrected On-Site**
02B-01-5
Intermediate - Raw/undercooked animal food offered and establishment has no written consumer advisory. Raw animal foods must be fully cooked prior to service. Manager posted during inspection **Corrected On-Site**
02B-02-5
Basic - Carbon dioxide/helium tanks not adequately secured. Three tanks in front of ice machine not secured, manager secured during inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
51-11-4
Basic - Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin. Ice machine with mold like substance, employee cleaned during inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
22-20-5
50
Oct 13, 2025
Routine - Food
3 critical violations. 1 minor violation.
View 4 violations
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. At the front cooler, raw salmon and tuna stored above sauce, Manager moved. **Corrected On-Site**
08A-05-6
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Cold holding at the prep area, raw chicken 45F, raw beef 46F, manger moved to freezer. **Corrective Action Taken**
03A-02-5
High Priority - Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. Gallons of bleach next to paper towel, manager moved. **Corrected On-Site**
41-10-4
Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Employee drink holder above syrups, manager moved **Corrected On-Site**
12B-07-4
61
Jul 25, 2025
Routine - Food
1 major violation.
View 1 violation
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : 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/ No current manager certification for the establishment. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2025-04-24: Manager is still working in taking the test with ServSafe. Time extended 30 days. **Time Extended** - From follow-up inspection 2025-07-25: **Time Extended**
53A-05-6
90
Apr 24, 2025
Routine - Food
1 major violation.
View 1 violation
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : 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/ No current manager certification for the establishment. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2025-04-24: Manager is still working in taking the test with ServSafe. Time extended 30 days. **Time Extended**
53A-05-6
90
Feb 21, 2025
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 5 major violations.
View 7 violations
High Priority - Raw animal food stored in top portion of make table over ready-to-eat food in bottom portion of make table - no complete physical barrier between top and bottom. At the front counter area, raw salmon above krab and lettuce, manager moved. **Corrected On-Site**
08A-13-5
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Reach-in cooler at the prep area, raw beef 47F and 48F, aManager moved beef to freezer. **Corrective Action Taken**
03A-02-5
Intermediate - No soap provided at handwash sink. Handwash sinks no soap, manager provided. **Corrected On-Site**
31B-03-4
Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Handwash sink at the back area, measuring cup inside sink, manager removed.
31A-11-4
Intermediate - Employee washed hands in a sink other than an approved handwash sink. Female employee rinsed hands in triple sink after handling raw chicken, Manager instructed to use handwashing sink. **Corrective Action Taken**
12A-03-4
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/ No current manager certification for the establishment. **Warning**
53A-05-6
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. For one male employee.
11-26-1
45
Aug 20, 2024
Routine - Food
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Basic - Carbon dioxide/helium tanks not adequately secured. Two co2 tanks not secured by desk in back of kitchen. Manager chained both co2 tanks during this inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
51-11-4
Basic - Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting. Wet nested clear plastic pans on shelf above three-compartment sink.
24-08-4
90
Jan 17, 2024
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 2 minor violations.
View 3 violations
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. In reach in cooler: pans of raw shrimp and tuna on shelf over packages of prewashed spring mix. Moved during this inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
08A-05-6
Basic - Reuse of single-service or single-use articles. Cardboard box that previously contained Tortilla packs holding fried tortilla strips. Employee removed strips from box. **Corrected On-Site**
25-32-4
Basic - Employee personal food not properly identified and segregated from food to be served to the public. Bowl with employee meal on shelf over vegetables. Employee removed. **Corrected On-Site**
08B-49-4
78
Aug 28, 2023
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 1 minor violation.
View 3 violations
Proper Hot and Cold Holding Temperatures
FL-21
Food Contact Surfaces Clean and Sanitized
FL-22
Equipment Adequate to Maintain Product Temperature
FL-29
70
Jun 23, 2023
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 1 minor violation.
View 3 violations
Employee Health Policies Present
FL-03
Food Obtained from Approved Sources
FL-11
Food and Non-Food Contact Surfaces Designed and Constructed
FL-50
74
Mar 2, 2023
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 1 major violation.
View 2 violations
High Priority - Nonfood-grade bags used in direct contact with food. At the prep area, cactus in direct contact with thank you bag, Manager removed and wrapped. **Corrected On-Site**
14-31-5
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 a digital copy, manager printed and posted. **Corrected On-Site**
11-27-4
78
Aug 22, 2022
Routine - Food
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Basic - Current Hotel and Restaurant license not displayed. June 1, 2022
50-09-4
Basic - Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. At the prep area, container not labeled, Manager labeled "powder milk". **Corrected On-Site**
02D-01-5
90
Jul 7, 2022
Routine - Food
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Basic - Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Observed clean covered bin in back kitchen with white substance no label. Manager labeled "sugar" during inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
02D-01-5
95
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Poke Express last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Poke Express on file is from Mar 23, 2026. The public record contains 13 inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Poke Express?
Across the inspection record, “time/temperature control for safety food cold held” has been cited three times, more than any other issue at Poke Express.
How does Poke Express compare to other restaurants in Ocala?
Poke Express most recently scored 100 out of 100, which is higher than the Ocala average of 78.
Has Poke Express' inspection record improved over time?
Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at Poke Express have averaged around three violations per visit across the recent record.
What does a low risk rating mean?
A low risk rating at Poke Express 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 Poke Express inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Poke Express is inspected around four times per year on average.
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