Puddle Jumpers
Last inspected: Jan 14, 2026
25
Score
Inspectors have visited Puddle Jumpers 11 times, with records going back to 2022. The newest entry in the record is dated Jan 14, 2026. Diners may want to take note: high risk reflects issues that a health inspector considered important.
The picture has gotten worse over the last few visits, with the average climbing from around 12 violations to closer to 15 violations.
When inspectors have written things up, “food-contact surface soiled with food debris” has been the most frequent reason, cited eight times.
Puddle Jumpers' latest score of 25 falls below the Tavares average of 66. Diners may want to scan the inspection details before deciding to visit.
11
Inspections
1
Critical latest
4
Major latest
17
Minor latest
Inspection History
Jan 14, 2026
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 4 major violations. 17 minor violations.
View 22 violations
High Priority - Employee failed to wash hands before putting on gloves to initiate a task working with food. Server entered kitchen from unknown area put on gloves to make salad without washing hands hands, coached employee **Corrective Action Taken**
12A-07-5
Intermediate - Employee with artificial nails/nail polish working with exposed food without wearing intact gloves preparing sauce in server area
13-06-4
Intermediate - Food being cooled by nonapproved method as evidenced by inadequate rate of cooling during time of inspection. Steamed shrimp cooling bagged and sealed stacked in pan walk in cooler **Corrected On-Site**
03D-15-4
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Soda nozzle soiled upstairs bar Can opener upstairs kitchen
22-02-4
Intermediate - Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times in kitchen **Corrected On-Site**
31A-09-4
Basic - Accumulation of debris inside warewashing machine.
16-03-4
Basic - Accumulation of debris on exterior of warewashing machine.
16-21-4
Basic - Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Upstairs kitchen in flour
14-01-5
Basic - Carbon dioxide/helium tanks not adequately secured upstairs
51-11-4
Basic - Covered waste receptacle not provided in women's bathroom. In women's restroom down stairs.
32-12-6
Basic - Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable in kitchen
14-09-4
Basic - Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Cell phone on prep table **Corrected On-Site**
40-06-5
Basic - Employee wearing jewelry other than a plain ring on their hands/arms while preparing food watch
13-07-4
Basic - Employee with no beard guard/restraint while engaging in food preparation.
13-04-4
Basic - Floor soiled/has accumulation of debris. Floor walk in cooler soiled. Floor under fryer Floor under soda gun in down stairs bar
36-73-4
Basic - Ice buildup in walk-in freezer upstairs
14-69-4
Basic - No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees. In women's restroom down stairs.
31B-04-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Exterior glass racks heavy build up Fanmotor walk in cooler soiled
23-03-4
Basic - Sanitizer bucket stored with food, equipment, utensils, linens, single-service, or single-use articles. In kitchen next to potted of sauce under expo area
21-44-1
Basic - Standing water in bottom of reach-in-cooler.
29-49-6
Basic - Wall soiled with accumulated grease, food debris, and/or dust in kitchen
36-27-5
Basic - Wet mop not stored in a manner to allow the mop to dry.
42-01-4
25
Aug 6, 2025
Routine - Food
1 major violation. 13 minor violations.
View 14 violations
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Fryer baskets at cook line Dicer soiled Operator cleaned. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
22-02-4
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. Vents throughout soiled.
36-34-5
Basic - Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting. Pans on dish rack
24-08-4
Basic - Floor soiled/has accumulation of debris. Floor upstairs storage area under steam well and racks
36-73-4
Basic - Floors not constructed to be easily cleanable. **Repeat Violation**
36-12-4
Basic - Food stored on floor. Bucket of pickles on the floor **Repeat Violation**
08B-38-4
Basic - Hole in or other damage to wall. Holes in the wall at prep area.
36-24-5
Basic - Ice buildup in reach-in freezer and/or walk-in freezer. In walk in freezer **Repeat Violation**
14-69-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Reach in cooler gasket at prep area soiled. **Repeat Violation**
23-03-4
Basic - Reach-in cooler interior/shelves have accumulation of soil residues. Reach in at prep area soiled.
22-16-4
Basic - Sanitizer bucket stored with food, equipment, utensils, linens, single-service, or single-use articles. Sanitizer bucket stored over coconut crumbles at cook line. Operator removed. **Corrected On-Site**
21-44-1
Basic - Standing water in bottom of reach-in-cooler. Low boy at cook line
29-49-6
Basic - Wall soiled with accumulated grease, food debris, and/or dust. Walls in the kitchen souled
36-27-5
47
May 6, 2025
Routine - Food
1 major violation. 9 minor violations.
View 10 violations
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. - tan cutting boards on cooks line and salad station. - interior of fryers. - can opener **Repeat Violation** - From follow-up inspection 2025-05-06: **Time Extended**
22-02-4
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Accumulation of debris inside warewashing machine. - From follow-up inspection 2025-05-06: **Time Extended**
16-03-4
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Accumulation of debris on exterior of warewashing machine. - From follow-up inspection 2025-05-06: **Time Extended**
16-21-4
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Accumulation of lime scale on the inside of the dishmachine. - From follow-up inspection 2025-05-06: **Time Extended**
16-23-4
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Covered waste receptacle not provided in women's bathroom. - upstairs woman's restroom - From follow-up inspection 2025-05-06: **Time Extended**
32-12-6
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Floor not cleaned when the least amount of food is exposed. - under cooks line - From follow-up inspection 2025-05-06: **Time Extended**
36-01-4
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Floors not constructed to be easily cleanable. - floor in kitchen area. **Repeat Violation** - From follow-up inspection 2025-05-06: **Time Extended**
36-12-4
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Food stored on floor. - can drinks in dry storage. - From follow-up inspection 2025-05-06: **Time Extended**
08B-38-4
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Ice buildup in walk-in freezer. **Repeat Violation** - From follow-up inspection 2025-05-06: **Time Extended**
14-69-4
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. - dishwasher trays - exterior of butter machine **Repeat Violation** - From follow-up inspection 2025-05-06: **Time Extended**
23-03-4
58
Apr 22, 2025
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 4 major violations. 11 minor violations.
View 16 violations
High Priority - Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. - sanitize bucket stored directly on floor. **Corrected On-Site**
41-10-4
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. - tan cutting boards on cooks line and salad station. - interior of fryers. - can opener **Repeat Violation**
22-02-4
Intermediate - Handwash sink removed from food preparation/dishwashing area. Must be reinstalled in the same location where removed. - hand sink in upstairs next to mop sink.
31A-04-4
Intermediate - No chemical test kit provided when using sanitizer at three-compartment sink/warewashing machine or wiping cloths. - chlorine or Quat test strips. **Corrected On-Site**
16-37-1
Intermediate - No plan review submitted and approved - renovations were made or are in progress. Must submit plans and plan review application to DBPR H and R Plan Review office located at 2601 Blair Stone Rd., Tallahassee, FL 32399-1011. Plans must be submitted AND approved within 60 days. The direct link to the Plan Review page is https://www2.myfloridalicense.com/hotels-restaurants/licensing/plan-review/. -Hand sink and sever station removed.
51-16-7
Basic - Accumulation of debris inside warewashing machine.
16-03-4
Basic - Accumulation of debris on exterior of warewashing machine.
16-21-4
Basic - Accumulation of lime scale on the inside of the dishmachine.
16-23-4
Basic - Clean equipment/utensils not stored at least 6 inches above the floor. - napkin in dry storage.
24-26-4
Basic - Covered waste receptacle not provided in women's bathroom. - upstairs woman's restroom
32-12-6
Basic - Floor not cleaned when the least amount of food is exposed. - under cooks line
36-01-4
Basic - Floors not constructed to be easily cleanable. - floor in kitchen area. **Repeat Violation**
36-12-4
Basic - Food stored on floor. - can drinks in dry storage.
08B-38-4
Basic - Ice buildup in walk-in freezer. **Repeat Violation**
14-69-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. - dishwasher trays - exterior of butter machine **Repeat Violation**
23-03-4
Basic - No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees. - hand sink on cooks line. **Corrected On-Site**
31B-04-4
33
Dec 10, 2024
Routine - Food
2 major violations. 9 minor violations.
View 11 violations
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. - sandwich presses - can opener - electric slicer **Repeat Violation**
22-02-4
Intermediate - Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. - drink stored in front bar hand sink. **Corrected On-Site**
31A-09-4
Basic - Old labels stuck to food containers after cleaning.
16-46-4
Basic - Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable. - red cutting board in upstairs prep area.
14-09-4
Basic - Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. - employee hoodie stored over make line **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
40-06-5
Basic - Floors not constructed to be easily cleanable. - kitchen area **Repeat Violation**
36-12-4
Basic - Floors not maintained smooth and durable. - floors throughout the entire kitchen and walk-in cooler. **Repeat Violation**
36-11-4
Basic - Ice buildup in walk-in freezer.
14-69-4
Basic - Interior of oven/microwave has accumulation of black substance/grease/food debris. - microwave on cooks line **Repeat Violation**
22-08-4
Basic - Light not functioning. - light in hoods
36-62-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Exterior of sandwich presses
23-03-4
52
Mar 25, 2024
Routine - Food
1 major violation. 7 minor violations.
View 8 violations
Adequate Handwashing Facilities Supplied and Accessible
FL-10
Food in Good Condition, Safe, and Unadulterated
FL-13
Potentially Hazardous Food Held at Proper Temperature
FL-16
Food Contact Surfaces Clean and Sanitized
FL-22
Non-Food Contact Surfaces Clean
FL-23
Equipment, Food and Non-Food Contact Surfaces Approved
FL-35
Lighting Adequate; Required Shields in Place
FL-36
Personal Cleanliness
FL-40
50
Nov 20, 2023
Complaint Partial
No violations found.
100
Oct 25, 2023
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 1 major violation. 15 minor violations.
View 18 violations
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. - raw chicken 54°. Per operator chicken was pulled 1 hour prior. Operator placed ice bag on raw chicken for quick cool. **Corrective Action Taken**
03A-02-5
High Priority - Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. - spray bottles of cleaner hanging on back of bar 3 compartment sink. - spray bottle of cleaner hanging on splash guard.
41-10-4
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. - Panini press - interior of fryers and fry baskets - can opener
22-02-4
Basic - Accumulation of debris inside warewashing machine. **Repeat Violation**
16-03-4
Basic - Accumulation of debris on exterior of warewashing machine.
16-21-4
Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. - bottle drink on bar counter next to clean plates **Repeat Violation**
12B-07-4
Basic - Employee with no beard guard/restraint while engaging in food preparation. -cook preparing food in kitchen area.
13-04-4
Basic - Exterior door has a gap at the threshold that opens to the outside. -Back door in kitchen area.
35B-01-4
Basic - Floor area(s) covered with standing water. - cooks line
36-22-4
Basic - Floor soiled/has accumulation of debris. - under all cooking equipment on Cooks line - walk in cooler
36-73-4
Basic - Floors not constructed to be easily cleanable. Kitchen area. **Repeat Violation**
36-12-4
Basic - Floors not maintained smooth and durable. -entire kitchen floor
36-11-4
Basic - Hood filter missing from automatic fire suppression/exhaust system.
14-42-4
Basic - In-use ice scoop stored on soiled surface between uses. - ice scoop stored directly on ice machine up stairs. **Repeat Violation**
10-12-5
Basic - Interior of oven/microwave has accumulation of black substance/grease/food debris. - microwave on cooks line **Repeat Violation**
22-08-4
Basic - No copy of latest inspection report available. **Corrected On-Site**
51-18-6
Basic - Old labels stuck to food containers after cleaning.
16-46-4
Basic - Standing water in bottom of reach-in-cooler. - on cooks line across flat top grill.
29-49-6
32
Sep 22, 2023
Complaint Partial
No violations found.
100
Feb 21, 2023
Complaint Full
2 critical violations. 2 major violations. 11 minor violations.
View 15 violations
High Priority - Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. Spray bottle of cleaner hanging on drink horse at upstairs bar. **Corrected On-Site**
41-10-4
High Priority - Employee began working with food, handling clean equipment or utensils, or touching unwrapped single-service items without first washing hands. Dishwasher **Corrected On-Site**
12A-16-4
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Can opener
22-02-4
Intermediate - Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Hand sink on cooks line blocked with trash cans. **Corrected On-Site**
31A-09-4
Basic - Accumulation of debris inside warewashing machine. **Repeat Violation**
16-03-4
Basic - Accumulation of debris on exterior of warewashing machine.
16-21-4
Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Prep table next to sandwich station. **Corrected On-Site**
12B-07-4
Basic - Floors not constructed to be easily cleanable. Throughout the entire kitchen area
36-12-4
Basic - Food stored on floor. Case of chicken in upstairs walk-in cooler. **Corrected On-Site**
08B-38-4
Basic - Ice bucket/shovel stored on floor between uses. **Corrected On-Site**
10-14-5
Basic - In-use ice scoop stored on soiled surface between uses. Ice scoop stored directly on top of ice machine. **Corrected On-Site**
10-12-5
Basic - In-use tongs stored on equipment door handle between uses. Kitchen area **Corrected On-Site**
10-20-4
Basic - No conspicuously located ambient air temperature thermometer in holding unit. Salad station
05-09-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Hood and filters
23-03-4
Basic - Standing water in bottom of reach-in-cooler. Salad station.
29-49-6
35
Nov 30, 2022
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 6 minor violations.
View 8 violations
High Priority - Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. Cleaner stored with condiments at upstairs bar. **Corrected On-Site**
41-10-4
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. -Slicer blade upstairs. **Repeat Violation**
22-02-4
Basic - Accumulation of debris on exterior of warewashing machine. **Repeat Violation**
16-21-4
Basic - Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance. -Over warewash. **Repeat Violation**
36-34-5
Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. -On cutting board in kitchen. **Corrected On-Site**
12B-07-4
Basic - Food stored on floor. -Bucket of pickles in walk in cooler.
08B-38-4
Basic - Reach-in cooler interior/shelves have accumulation of soil residues. -Standing water in prep cooler in side kitchen.
22-16-4
Basic - Sanitizer bucket stored with food, equipment, utensils, linens, single-service, or single-use articles. -Stored on prep table by cooked bacon.
21-44-1
58
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Puddle Jumpers last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Puddle Jumpers on file is from Jan 14, 2026. The public record contains 11 inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Puddle Jumpers?
Across the inspection record, “food-contact surface soiled with food debris” has been cited eight times, more than any other issue at Puddle Jumpers.
How does Puddle Jumpers compare to other restaurants in Tavares?
Puddle Jumpers most recently scored 25 out of 100, which is lower than the Tavares average of 66.
Has Puddle Jumpers' inspection record improved over time?
No. Recent inspections at Puddle Jumpers have averaged around 15 violations per visit, up from roughly 12 earlier in the record.
What does a high risk rating mean?
A high risk rating at Puddle Jumpers 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 Puddle Jumpers inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Puddle Jumpers is inspected around four times per year on average.
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