Sahara Cafe
Last inspected: Apr 22, 2026
41
Score
Public records show 11 inspections at Sahara Cafe stretching back to 2022. Sahara Cafe was last inspected on Apr 22, 2026. Diners may want to take note: high risk reflects issues that a health inspector considered important.
Recent inspections have turned up more issues than earlier ones, averaging around eight violations lately compared to roughly five violations before.
The most common issue across all inspections has been “nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease”, showing up six times.
That's lower than the typical Jacksonville restaurant, which scores around 74. Diners may want to scan the inspection details before deciding to visit.
11
Inspections
2
Critical latest
2
Major latest
8
Minor latest
Inspection History
Apr 22, 2026
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 2 major violations. 8 minor violations.
View 12 violations
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed yogurt, sour cream (45F-46F - Cold Holding) in reach-in cooler across from stove. Operator stated both foods stored in cooler overnight. See stop sale
03A-02-5
High Priority - Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. Observed yogurt, sour cream (45F-46F - Cold Holding) in reach-in cooler across from stove. Operator stated both foods stored in cooler overnight. Stop sale
01B-02-5
Intermediate - Required employee training expired for some employees. To order approved program food safety material, call DBPR contracted provider: Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (SafeStaff) 866-372-7233. Observed three employees food safety training certificates expired in Jan and Feb. (Yesenia, Angela and John)
53B-14-5
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Observed cutting boards at triple sink soiled/ stained. Also, fryer baskets have accumulation of debris. Also, vegetable/ lemon wedger in dry food storage area soiled. Also, deflector plate in large ice machine soiled. **Repeat Violation**
22-02-4
Basic - Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting. Observed clean stacked cups on counter next t to soda machine unable to properly air dry
24-08-4
Basic - Equipment in poor repair. Observed torn gasket on walk in freezer torn. Also, ceramic plate in oven cracked/ in disrepair. Also, handle missing from white freezer on cook line. **Repeat Violation**
14-11-5
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed multiple filters in hood area above grill and stove soiled. Also, exterior of fryer and stove soiled. Also, gasket on walk-in-cooler soiled. **Repeat Violation**
23-03-4
Basic - Reach-in cooler interior/shelves have accumulation of soil residues. Observed interior of white reach in freezer on cook line soiled. **Repeat Violation**
22-16-4
Basic - Smoking or vaping in an enclosed indoor workplace. Observed guest smoking hookah in dining area.
54-01-5
Basic - Wall soiled with accumulated grease, food debris, and/or dust. Observed walls in ware washing area soiled.
36-27-5
Basic - Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Observed two containers containing white substance removed from original container unlabeled. Operator labeled both containers of salt. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
02D-01-5
Basic - Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Observed cup without handle used to dispense salt in dry food storage area and cup without handle used to dispense flour in prep area. Operator removed cup/souffle cup. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
14-01-5
41
Dec 1, 2025
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 2 major violations. 8 minor violations.
View 11 violations
High Priority - Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. Observed two spray cans of cleaners stored next to container of sprinkles on shelf in bar area. Operator removed spray cans of cleaner to properly store. **Corrected On-Site**
41-10-4
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Observed interior of sandwich press and soda gun in bar area soiled. Also, cutting board at reach-in cooler across from fryers soiled/ stained.
22-02-4
Intermediate - Water with a temperature of least 85 degrees Fahrenheit not provided/shut off at employee handwash sink. Observed no hot water at hand wash sink next to triple sink. Operator turned nozzle below hand wash sink to turn hot water on. **Corrected On-Site**
27-16-4
Basic - Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Observed cup without handle used to dispense salt and chicken seasoning on dry food storage shelf. Also, observed cup without handle used to dispense lentils in container in prep area. Operator removed soufflé cups and large cup from all seasonings and lentils. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
14-01-5
Basic - Clean glasses, cups, bowls, plates, pots and pans not stored inverted or in a protected manner. Observed multiple plates and bowls in prep area not inverted/ protected.
24-05-4
Basic - Equipment in poor repair. Observed gasket torn and handle missing on white reach in freezer at end of cook line. Also, observed torn gasket on ice machine door. Also, ceramic plate in oven cracked and front plate covering wires on oven missing. Also, threshold below walk in freezer door in disrepair.**Repeat Violation** **Repeat Violation**
14-11-5
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed gaskets on reach-in cooler on cook line and gasket on walk-in-cooler soiled. **Repeat Violation**
23-03-4
Basic - Reach-in cooler interior/shelves have accumulation of soil residues. Observed shelving inside reach-in cooler across from grill soiled with accumulation of debris. **Repeat Violation**
22-16-4
Basic - Smoking or vaping in an enclosed indoor workplace. Observed multiple guests using hookah equipment at bar and in dining area of establishment.
54-01-5
Basic - Water leaking from pipe and/or faucet/handle. Observed pipe leaking at triple sink. Operator stated he has already placed a call to have it serviced. **Corrective Action Taken**
29-11-4
Basic - Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Observed plastic sour cream container on dry food storage shelf used to store salt that has been removed from original container and unlabeled. Operator labeled container of salt. **Corrected On-Site**
02D-01-5
47
Jun 3, 2025
Complaint Partial
1 critical violation.
View 1 violation
High Priority - Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license. Observed business license expired 6-1-2025.
50-17-3
86
May 21, 2025
Routine - Food
1 major violation. 5 minor violations.
View 6 violations
Intermediate - No soap provided at handwash sink. No soap at hand wash sink in bar area. Operator replenished soap. **Corrected On-Site**
31B-03-4
Basic - Reach-in cooler interior/shelves have accumulation of soil residues. Interior and shelving of reach-in cooler across from grill soiled. Also, interior of reach in freezer outside of cook line soiled.
22-16-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Multiple Filters in hood above grill soiled. Also, gasket on reach-in cooler across from grill soiled. **Repeat Violation**
23-03-4
Basic - Equipment in poor repair. Gasket on reach in freezer outside of cook line torn. Also, ceramic like plate in oven cracked.
14-11-5
Basic - Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting. Clean stacked pans on storage shelf above triple sink unable to properly air dry
24-08-4
Basic - Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Cup without handle used to dispense lentils at prep area and bacon bits in reach in freezer. **Repeat Violation**
14-01-5
70
Apr 7, 2025
Routine - Food
No violations found.
100
Jan 8, 2025
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 2 major violations. 6 minor violations.
View 9 violations
High Priority - Vacuum breaker missing at hose bibb or on fitting/splitter added to hose bibb. Missing back flow preventers on 2 water spigot located on wall outside back door with attached water hose
29-34-4
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/. Operator plans not matching. Operator removed restroom and relocation of mop sink and added dish machine in kitchen. Provided operator with plan review application. **Warning**
51-16-7
Intermediate - Required employee training expired for some employees. To order approved program food safety material, call DBPR contracted provider: Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (SafeStaff) 866-372-7233. Three employees certificates are expired. Rob L, Alfred O and Mayor G **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
53B-14-5
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Hood filters with grease build up **Repeat Violation**
23-03-4
Basic - Employee with no beard guard/restraint while engaging in food preparation. Employee with facial beard preparing food with no beard guard
13-04-4
Basic - Employee wearing jewelry other than a plain ring on their hands/arms while preparing food. Employee preparing food with bracelet
13-07-4
Basic - Carbon dioxide/helium tanks not adequately secured. CO2 tank at bar not secured
51-11-4
Basic - Buildup of food debris/soil residue on equipment door handles. Under handle of microwave soiled
23-24-4
Basic - Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Bowl stored in rice
14-01-5
52
Apr 22, 2024
Routine - Food
4 critical violations. 2 major violations. 3 minor violations.
View 9 violations
High Priority - Raw animal foods not properly separated from each other in holding unit based upon minimum required cooking temperature. Raw chicken over raw shrimp in reach in cooler on cooks line, operator moved chicken to the bottom. **Corrected On-Site**
08A-20-5
High Priority - Non-food grade paper/paper towel used as liner for food container. Cloth wiping towel lining the bottom and top of containers in walk in cooler with fresh herbs. Operator removed cloth towels. **Corrected On-Site**
14-86-1
High Priority - Live, small flying insects in kitchen, food preparation area, food storage area and/or bar area. Observed 3 flies behind bar area. **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
35A-02-6
High Priority - Container of medicine improperly stored. Bottle of tums on shelf above pizza prep table, operator moved tums to office. **Corrected On-Site**
41-07-4
Intermediate - No chemical test kit provided when using sanitizer at three-compartment sink/warewashing machine or wiping cloths. Chlorine dish machine and quaternary ammonia.
16-37-1
Intermediate - Required employee training expired for some employees. To order approved program food safety material, call DBPR contracted provider: Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (SafeStaff) 866-372-7233. 3 employees expired January. **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
53B-14-5
Basic - In-use utensil in non-time/temperature control for safety food not stored with handle above top of food within a closed container. Scoop handle in flour and orange pea/bean container. Operator propped handle up out of food. **Corrected On-Site**
10-01-5
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Hood filters on cooks line. Bottom shelf on prep table.
23-03-4
Basic - Standing water in bottom of reach-in-cooler. Black reach in cooler near hallway to bathrooms.
29-49-6
39
Feb 6, 2024
Routine - Food
No violations found.
100
Jan 29, 2024
Routine - Food
3 critical violations. 5 major violations. 3 minor violations.
View 11 violations
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. yogurt (50F - Cold Holding); cooked rice (46F - Cold Holding) in reach-in cooler across from fryer. Operator stated he was in and out of cooler today. Operator placed both items in walk in freezer to chill **Corrective Action Taken**
03A-02-5
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Raw shelled eggs in walk-in-cooler stored over ready to eat sour cream. Operator removed shelled eggs to properly store. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
08A-05-6
High Priority - Live, small flying insects in kitchen, food preparation area, food storage area and/or bar area. Observed 5 flying insects in bar area across from glass door cooler. Also, observed 5 flying insects under counter near stacked cups in bar area, and also observed 3 flying insects near dishwashing machine in bar area. Operator tried killing some flying insects during this inspection **Corrective Action Taken** **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
35A-02-6
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Underside of mixer in prep area soiled.
22-02-4
Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Hand wash sink in hookah area used to store misc pans and utensils. Operator removed items from hand wash sink. Also, hose from AC draining into hand wash sink in hookah area. Operator removed hose and redirected it to nearby service sink. **Corrected On-Site**
31A-11-4
Intermediate - No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. No paper towels at hand wash sink in hookah area, in bar area and at hand wash sink near kitchen entry door. Operator replenished paper towels at all hand wash sinks. **Corrected On-Site**
31B-02-4
Intermediate - Required employee training expired for some employees. To order approved program food safety material, call DBPR contracted provider: Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (SafeStaff) 866-372-7233. Multiple employees food safety training certificates expired in early January 2024 (Tyler, Mayar)
53B-14-5
Intermediate - Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled. Two Unlabeled Spray bottle containing toxic substance stored in chemical storage shelf and on shelf in bar area. Operator labeled both spray bottles of sanitizer. **Corrected On-Site**
41-17-4
Basic - Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting. Clean stacked cups on counter across from bar area unable to properly air dry
24-08-4
Basic - Equipment in poor repair. Handle on reach in freezer next to grill area missing. Also, gasket on same reach in freezer torn. Also, ceramic plate in oven next to fryer cracked.
14-11-5
Basic - Ice buildup in reach-in freezer and/or walk-in freezer. Heavy ice build up on shelving, on floor and around interior and exterior of walk in freezer door. Operator stated someone was out recently and is coming back out tomorrow to finish repair. **Corrective Action Taken**
14-69-4
33
May 22, 2023
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 2 major violations. 4 minor violations.
View 8 violations
Certified Food Manager Identification
FL-02
Hands Clean and Properly Washed
FL-08
Food Obtained from Approved Sources
FL-11
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
Toilet Rooms Maintained
FL-53
47
Dec 27, 2022
Routine - Food
4 major violations. 4 minor violations.
View 8 violations
Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Observed lids stored in hand sink near flip cooler in middle of kitchen. Employee removed and stored properly. **Corrected On-Site**
31A-11-4
Intermediate - Manager or person in charge lacking proof of food manager certification. Observed no Certified food manager certificate available at time of inspection. **Warning**
53A-01-7
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. Observed no employee training available at time of inspection. Employee stated manager has it with him. **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
53B-01-5
Intermediate - Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled. Observed bottle of oil stored in chemical bottle without label.
41-17-4
Basic - Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Observed employee personal phone stored on prep table located in middle of kitchen. Employee removed and stored properly. **Corrected On-Site**
40-06-5
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed door gaskets on flip top cooler in kitchen to be soiled.
23-03-4
Basic - Time/temperature control for safety food thawed in an improper manner. Observed case of frozen chicken stored on prep table. Employee stated she was waiting for it to thaw a little more before cutting. I reviewed with employee proper thawing procedures. Employee placed under running cold water. **Corrective Action Taken**
06-01-5
Basic - Employee with no hair restraint while engaging in food preparation. Observed employee in kitchen preparing foods with out hair restraint.
13-03-4
55
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Sahara Cafe last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Sahara Cafe on file is from Apr 22, 2026. The public record contains 11 inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Sahara Cafe?
Across the inspection record, “nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease” has been cited six times, more than any other issue at Sahara Cafe.
How does Sahara Cafe compare to other restaurants in Jacksonville?
Sahara Cafe most recently scored 41 out of 100, which is lower than the Jacksonville average of 74.
Has Sahara Cafe's inspection record improved over time?
No. Recent inspections at Sahara Cafe have averaged around eight violations per visit, up from roughly five earlier in the record.
What does a high risk rating mean?
A high risk rating at Sahara 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 Sahara Cafe inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Sahara Cafe is inspected around three times per year on average.
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