Reggae Shack Cafe
Last inspected: Jan 29, 2026
50
Score
Going back to 2022, Reggae Shack Cafe has 11 inspections in the public record. Reggae Shack Cafe was last inspected on Jan 29, 2026. Diners may want to take note: high risk reflects issues that a health inspector considered important.
Things have been moving in the right direction, with the rolling count dropping from around nine violations to closer to five violations per visit.
“No paper towels” comes up most often, recorded two times in the inspection record.
The city-wide average sits at 75, which Reggae Shack Cafe's 50 doesn't quite reach. Diners may want to scan the inspection details before deciding to visit.
11
Inspections
2
Critical latest
2
Major latest
3
Minor latest
Inspection History
Jan 29, 2026
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 2 major violations. 3 minor violations.
View 7 violations
Certified Food Manager Identification
FL-02
Required Records Available; Shellstock Tags/Labels
FL-14
Food Contact Surfaces Clean and Sanitized
FL-22
Approved Thawing Methods Used
FL-31
Lighting Adequate; Required Shields in Place
FL-36
Wiping Cloths Properly Used and Stored
FL-41
Food and Non-Food Contact Surfaces Designed and Constructed
FL-50
50
Sep 2, 2025
Routine - Food
No violations found.
100
Aug 26, 2025
Routine - Food
3 critical violations. 1 major violation. 4 minor violations.
View 8 violations
Employee Health Policies Present
FL-03
Food Received at Proper Temperature
FL-12
Approved Thawing Methods Used
FL-31
Toxic Substances Properly Identified, Stored, Used
FL-32
Food and Non-Food Contact Surfaces Designed and Constructed
FL-50
Lighting Adequate; Required Shields in Place
FL-36
Equipment, Food and Non-Food Contact Surfaces Approved
FL-35
Proper Sanitizer Contact Time and Concentration
FL-33
35
Mar 18, 2025
Routine - Food
4 critical violations. 4 major violations. 11 minor violations.
View 19 violations
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Item stored in glass reach-in cooler across from cook line grill: cheese (47F,51F). Manager stated cheese stored in cooler overnight.
03A-02-5
High Priority - Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. Item stored in glass reach-in cooler across from cook line grill: cheese (47F,51F). Manager stated cheese stored in cooler overnight.
01B-02-5
High Priority - Single-use gloves not changed as needed after changing tasks or when damaged or soiled. Employee placed raw hamburger on grill and proceeded to handle to go containers without changing gloves and washing hands. Manager had employee wash hands and change gloves. **Corrective Action Taken**
12A-09-4
High Priority - Employee began working with food, handling clean equipment or utensils, or touching unwrapped single-service items without first washing hands. Employee entered kitchen from outside and began handling food in prep area without washing hands. Manager had employee wash hands. **Corrective Action Taken**
12A-16-4
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Blade of band saw in prep area.
22-02-4
Intermediate - No chemical test kit provided when using sanitizer at three-compartment sink/warewashing machine or wiping cloths. No quaternary test kit available.
16-37-1
Intermediate - No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. No hand towels or hand washing sign at prep area. **Repeat Violation**
31B-02-4
Intermediate - Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled. Spray bottle of degreaser next to three compartment sink.
41-17-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Hood vents above cook line. Fan covers in walk-in cooler.
23-03-4
Basic - Single-service articles not stored inverted or protected from contamination. To go containers stored in dry storage room in back of dining room.
25-06-4
Basic - Time/temperature control for safety food thawed in an improper manner. Ox tails thawing at room temp in prep sink located in prep room. Manager placed ox tails in walk-in cooler to continue thawing. **Corrected On-Site**
06-01-5
Basic - Uncovered food stored near sink exposed to splash. Cook line grill located next to hand washing sink.
08B-54-4
Basic - Wiping cloth sanitizing solution stored on the floor. Sanitizer bucket stored on floor across from cook line grill. Manager placed bucket on shelf beneath prep table. **Corrected On-Site**
21-38-4
Basic - Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Container of food on shelf in prep area.
02D-01-5
Basic - Covered waste receptacle not provided in women's bathroom. Both unisex bathrooms in dining room.
32-12-6
Basic - Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Employee phone and keys on prep table across from cook line grill.
40-06-5
Basic - Equipment in poor repair. Gasket for walk-in freezer torn.
14-11-5
Basic - Food stored on floor. Cooking oil stored on floor next to cook line grill. Manager placed cooking oil on shelf. **Corrected On-Site**
08B-38-4
Basic - Lights in food preparation, food storage or warewashing area missing the proper shield, sleeve coatings or covers. Light fixture in prep room next to back door.
38-07-4
21
Nov 12, 2024
Routine - Food
1 major violation.
View 1 violation
Toilet Rooms Maintained
FL-53
90
Sep 11, 2024
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 2 major violations. 2 minor violations.
View 6 violations
High Priority - Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. Sanitizer bucket on table above bag of uncooked rice, operator moved item below. **Corrected On-Site**
41-10-4
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. oxtails (122F - Hot Holding); curry chicken (128F - Hot Holding); jerk chicken (118F - Hot Holding) items on cook line on the stove and in oven, the heat source had been turned off, operator turned on heat sources and retemped oxtail 164, jerk chicken 125, curry chicken 201. **Corrective Action Taken**
03B-01-6
Intermediate - No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. Handwash sink in back prep room. Operator placed paper towels by sink. Handwash sign at front counter sink and prep room Handwash sink. **Corrective Action Taken**
31B-02-4
Intermediate - No proof of required state approved employee training provided for employee hired more than 60 days ago. To order approved program food safety material, call DBPR contracted provider: Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (SafeStaff) 866-372-7233. One employee working no certificates available. **Warning**
53B-02-5
Basic - In-use utensil not stored with handle above the top of time/temperature control for safety food and rim of the container. Scoops handle directly in rice, operator removed scoop. **Corrected On-Site**
10-06-5
Basic - Lights in food preparation, food storage or warewashing area missing the proper shield, sleeve coatings or covers. Lights in prep room regular lightbulbs no covering.
38-07-4
55
Mar 1, 2024
Food-Licensing Inspection
1 major violation.
View 1 violation
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : 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/. The ice machine was moved to the back of cooks line and the dishwasher was removed. Handwash sink was also removed at the front of cooks line. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2024-03-01: **Time Extended**
51-16-7
90
Feb 29, 2024
Food-Licensing Inspection
2 major violations.
View 2 violations
Intermediate - Handwash sink removed from food preparation/dishwashing area. Must be reinstalled in the same location where removed. At the front of cooks line. **Warning**
31A-04-4
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/. The ice machine was moved to the back of cooks line and the dishwasher was removed. Handwash sink was also removed at the front of cooks line. **Warning**
51-16-7
82
Jul 25, 2023
Routine - Food
No violations found.
100
Jan 6, 2023
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 2 major violations. 1 minor violation.
View 4 violations
High Priority - - From initial inspection : High Priority - Roach excrement and/or droppings present. Behind pipes on wall in back prep room. **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint** - From follow-up inspection 2023-01-06: Behind pipes in same room pipes higher up on wall above doorway. **Admin Complaint**
35A-23-4
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : Intermediate - Manager or person in charge lacking proof of food manager certification. **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint** - From follow-up inspection 2023-01-06: **Time Extended**
53A-01-7
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : Intermediate - No proof of required state approved employee training provided for any employees. To order approved program food safety material, call DBPR contracted provider: Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (SafeStaff) 866-372-7233. 1 employee working longer than 60 days. **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint** - From follow-up inspection 2023-01-06: **Time Extended**
53B-01-5
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Dead roaches on premises. 8 dead bodies throughout restaurant ( under front counter, next to mop sink, and in back prep room.) **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint** - From follow-up inspection 2023-01-06: Observed 1 dead on floor in employee bathroom. **Admin Complaint**
35A-03-4
67
Nov 2, 2022
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 2 major violations. 1 minor violation.
View 5 violations
High Priority - - From initial inspection : High Priority - Roach excrement and/or droppings present. Observed roach droppings around electrical outlet at pass-through area, on floor below same, on wall around posters at rear of hallway next to kitchen, in cabinet under cash register, and under soda dispenser boxes. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2022-11-01: Observed roach excrement behind poster in front, along paneling on front counter wall, around pass-through window, and on upper legs of prep table. **Admin Complaint** - From follow-up inspection 2022-11-02: Observed roach droppings on shelf of paper towel dispenser next to ice machine. **Admin Complaint**
35A-23-4
High Priority - - From initial inspection : High Priority - Roach activity present as evidenced by live roaches found. Observed 27 live roaches on wall over back prep area in kitchen, on edge and reverse side of same wall, in pass-through area, on gaskets of reach-in cooler, and in office. Observed five egg sacks in kitchen area. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2022-11-01: Observed approximately 58 live roaches on the underside of the pass-through counter window. Observed eight egg sacks around front drink cooler, in wall opening in kitchen under pass-through window, and near the compressor of the reach-in cooler. **Admin Complaint** - From follow-up inspection 2022-11-02: Observed one live roach on wall near pass-through in kitchen. Also, observed one live roach under pass-through on hallway side. **Admin Complaint**
35A-05-4
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : Intermediate - No certified food manager for establishment. A list of accredited food manager certification examination providers can be found at http://www.myfloridalicense.com/DBPR/hotels-restaurants/food-lodging/food-manager/ **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint** - From follow-up inspection 2022-11-01: No change. **Time Extended** - From follow-up inspection 2022-11-02: No change. **Admin Complaint**
53A-07-6
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : Intermediate - No proof of required state approved employee training provided for any employees. To order approved program food safety material, call DBPR contracted provider: Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (SafeStaff) 866-372-7233. **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint** - From follow-up inspection 2022-11-01: Provided one photocopy of a New Habit training certificate. Certificates missing for eight other employees. **Time Extended** - From follow-up inspection 2022-11-02: No change. **Admin Complaint**
53B-01-5
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Dead roaches on premises. Observed 18 dead roaches on floor in kitchen, rear pass through area, and office. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2022-11-01: Observed 12 dead roaches on floor in kitchen. **Admin Complaint** - From follow-up inspection 2022-11-02: Observed no dead roaches this inspection. **Admin Complaint**
35A-03-4
58
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Reggae Shack Cafe last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Reggae Shack Cafe on file is from Jan 29, 2026. The public record contains 11 inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Reggae Shack Cafe?
Across the inspection record, “no paper towels” has been cited two times, more than any other issue at Reggae Shack Cafe.
How does Reggae Shack Cafe compare to other restaurants in Gainesville?
Reggae Shack Cafe most recently scored 50 out of 100, which is lower than the Gainesville average of 75.
Has Reggae Shack Cafe's inspection record improved over time?
Yes. Recent inspections at Reggae Shack Cafe have averaged around five violations per visit, down from roughly nine earlier in the record.
What does a high risk rating mean?
A high risk rating at Reggae Shack Cafe 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 Reggae Shack Cafe inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Reggae Shack Cafe is inspected around three times per year on average.
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