Ricks Cafe
Last inspected: Mar 3, 2026
64
Score
Public records show nine inspections at Ricks Cafe stretching back to 2022. Ricks Cafe was last inspected on Mar 3, 2026. Diners should read medium risk as a signal that some issues exist but aren't extreme.
Recent inspections have turned up roughly the same number of issues each time, hovering near six violations per visit.
“Food-contact surface soiled with food debris” accounts for the largest share of issues, appearing three times across the record.
Compared to other Zephyrhills restaurants (averaging 83), there's room to close the gap. The inspection history reads as standard for a restaurant of this size.
9
Inspections
1
Critical latest
2
Major latest
2
Minor latest
Inspection History
Mar 3, 2026
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 2 major violations. 2 minor violations.
View 5 violations
High Priority - Employee cracked raw shell eggs and then handled ready-to-eat food and/or clean equipment or utensils without washing hands. Observed cook crack raw shell eggs then wipe hands on a towel, place cooked food on plate. Manager discussed hand washing with cook. **Corrective Action Taken**
12A-27-4
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Slicer soiled with food debris.
22-02-4
Intermediate - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Meatloaf in reach in cooler not date marked.
02C-02-5
Basic - Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin. Operator cleaned. **Corrected On-Site**
22-20-5
Basic - Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting. Drink glasses at soda fountain.
24-08-4
64
Sep 8, 2025
Routine - Food
2 major violations. 1 minor violation.
View 3 violations
Intermediate - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Employee marked meatloaf in reach in cooler. **Corrected On-Site**
02C-02-5
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Employee washed can opener. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
22-02-4
Basic - Food stored on floor. Employee removed oil from the floor in dry storage. **Corrected On-Site**
08B-38-4
78
Jan 27, 2025
Routine - Food
3 critical violations. 1 major violation. 2 minor violations.
View 6 violations
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Reach in cooler on cooks line Cold holding: cheese 44 f cut ham 44 f cut sausage 44 f employee moved to freezer 2nd temps all to 43 f Cook sausage 53 f thawing on counter employee moved to refrigerator 2nd temp Butter package 56 f in container sitting on ice . Manager moved to freezer 2nd temp 43 f **Corrective Action Taken**
03A-02-5
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food held using time as a public health control marked with a time that exceeds the 4-hour limit. Raw shelled eggs shows on white board at 6:00 am chef stated they never changed the time and eggs were placed on counter 1 hour pior
03F-01-5
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Raw beef over cheese in white reach in cooler by can goods employee removed to proper storage **Corrected On-Site**
08A-05-6
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Can opener blade
22-02-4
Basic - Reach-in cooler interior/shelves have accumulation of soil residues.
22-16-4
Basic - Time/temperature control for safety food thawed in an improper manner. Frozen food sitting on the counter in prep area by office.
06-01-5
52
Aug 27, 2024
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 2 minor violations.
View 3 violations
High Priority - - From initial inspection : 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. Dishwasher emptied dump bucket, wiped hands on dry towel, then removed clean dishes from dishwasher. Discussed with manager on duty and he discussed with staff. **Corrective Action Taken** - From follow-up inspection 2024-08-27: Not observed **Time Extended**
12A-13-4
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Multiple gaskets of reach in coolers Exterior of white refrigerators in kitchen - From follow-up inspection 2024-08-27: Gaskets of 3 door reach in cooler on cook line still need cleaning **Time Extended**
23-03-4
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Reach-in cooler interior/shelves have accumulation of soil residues. 3 door cooler on cook line White refrigerator in Kitchen White Cutting board stained Can opener blade soiled - From follow-up inspection 2024-08-27: 3 door reach in cooler on cook line still needs cleaning **Time Extended**
22-16-4
78
Aug 21, 2024
Routine - Food
4 critical violations. 8 minor violations.
View 12 violations
High Priority - Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. butter pats (73F - Cold Holding) diced ham (47F - Cold Holding); sliced tomatoes (53F - Cold Holding); diced tomatoes (49F - Cold Holding); shredded cheese (49F - Cold Holding)
01B-02-5
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. In Reach in cooler cook line - diced ham (47F - Cold Holding); sliced tomatoes (53F - Cold Holding); diced tomatoes (49F - Cold Holding); canned mushrooms (46F - Cold Holding); shredded cheese (49F - Cold Holding) temperatures taken at 5:45 am were 41F or below. butter pats (73F - Cold Holding)removed from refrigerator 2 hours ago, see stop sale
03A-02-5
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. Dishwasher emptied dump bucket, wiped hands on dry towel, then removed clean dishes from dishwasher. Discussed with manager on duty and he discussed with staff. **Corrective Action Taken**
12A-13-4
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over or with ready-to-eat food in a freezer - not all products commercially packaged. Opened bag of raw chicken nuggets over French fries in single door vertical freezer in back room, moved to bottom **Corrected On-Site**
08A-02-6
Basic - Clean utensils or equipment stored in dirty drawer or rack. Utensils in soiled drawer under prep table with toaster
24-06-4
Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Personal beverage on front counter over to go boxes, operator moved to bottom **Corrected On-Site**
12B-07-4
Basic - Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Speaker on lift top cooler by 3 compartment sink
40-06-5
Basic - Employee wearing jewelry other than a plain ring on their hands/arms while preparing food. Watch on cook **Corrected On-Site**
13-07-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Multiple gaskets of reach in coolers Exterior of white refrigerators in kitchen
23-03-4
Basic - Reach-in cooler interior/shelves have accumulation of soil residues. 3 door cooler on cook line White refrigerator in Kitchen White Cutting board stained Can opener blade soiled
22-16-4
Basic - Sanitizer bucket stored with food, equipment, utensils, linens, single-service, or single-use articles. On front counter next to to go cups, lids, moved to bottom shelf **Corrected On-Site**
21-44-1
Basic - Wiping cloth quaternary ammonium compound sanitizing solution not at proper minimum strength. At front counter 0 ppm, corrected to 200 ppm **Corrected On-Site**
21-08-4
37
Apr 25, 2024
Routine - Food
1 major violation. 3 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Intermediate - Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled. Bottle of Surface cleaner not labeled. Operator label during inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
41-17-4
Basic - Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin. Inside ice tray corners soiled with black mold like substance. Operator cleaned tray during inspection. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
22-20-5
Basic - Food storage container/container lid cracked or broken. Cracked 6 pan In ware washing area.
14-38-4
Basic - Single-service articles not stored inverted or protected from contamination. Single service containers on cook line. Operator turned all containers face down. **Corrected On-Site**
25-06-4
78
Nov 2, 2023
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 3 minor violations.
View 5 violations
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Reach in cooler top make table by dish machine Cold holding Milk 47 f operator placed in freezer 2nd temp
03A-02-5
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Steam table Hot holding: cook sausage 120 f 2nd temp 165 f **Corrected On-Site**
03B-01-6
Basic - Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin.
22-20-5
Basic - Unwashed fruits/vegetables stored with ready-to-eat food. Tomato's over hot dogs reach in cooler by raw shelled eggs cooler. Employee removed to proper storage
08B-17-4
Basic - Wiping cloth quaternary ammonium compound sanitizing solution not at proper minimum strength. Tested at 100 ppm remade to 200 ppm **Corrected On-Site**
21-08-4
64
Apr 3, 2023
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 4 minor violations.
View 6 violations
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Observed raw steak stored above sauerkraut. Manager moved the steak to the bottom shelf. **Corrected On-Site**
08A-05-6
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.
11-27-4
Basic - Dead roaches on premises. Observed a dead roach by the cook's line. Manager cleaned and sanitized the area. **Corrected On-Site**
35A-03-4
Basic - Employee eating in a food preparation or other restricted area. Observed employee drinks stored on active prep tables. Manager removed the drinks. **Corrected On-Site**
12B-02-4
Basic - Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting. Observed wet dishes stacked together
24-08-4
Basic - Open dumpster lid. Observed the dumpster lid open. Manager closed the lid. **Corrected On-Site**
33-16-4
64
Jul 28, 2022
Complaint Full
2 critical violations. 1 minor violation.
View 3 violations
High Priority - Establishment operating without a license from the Division of Hotels and Restaurants. Operator must obtain a public food service license from the Division of Hotels and Restaurants within 60 days. Submit a license application and payment to DBPR/Bureau of Central Intake Unit, 2601 Blair Stone Rd., Tallahassee, FL 32399-0783. To apply online or obtain an application for license visit http://www.myfloridalicense.com/DBPR/hotels-restaurants/. Currently doing licensing inspection during complaint inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
50-08-7
High Priority - Roach egg sack present on outlet next to dish machine. Manager removed and cleaned and sanitized area **Corrected On-Site**
35A-23-4
Basic - Dead roaches on premises. Observed 4 dead roaches by outlet next to dish machine Observed 3 dead roaches on ground next to fryer Observed 1 dead roach in broom closet. Observed 1 dead roach on ground next to reach in cooler. Manager removed all and washed rinsed and sanitized areas **Corrected On-Site**
35A-03-4
70
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Ricks Cafe last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Ricks Cafe on file is from Mar 3, 2026. The public record contains nine inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Ricks Cafe?
Across the inspection record, “food-contact surface soiled with food debris” has been cited three times, more than any other issue at Ricks Cafe.
How does Ricks Cafe compare to other restaurants in Zephyrhills?
Ricks Cafe most recently scored 64 out of 100, which is lower than the Zephyrhills average of 83.
Has Ricks Cafe's inspection record improved over time?
Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at Ricks Cafe have averaged around six violations per visit across the recent record.
What does a medium risk rating mean?
A medium risk rating at Ricks Cafe 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 Ricks Cafe inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Ricks Cafe is inspected around three times per year on average.
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