Sam's Country Buffet
Last inspected: Feb 18, 2026
100
Score
Across the available record, Sam's Country Buffet has 14 inspections on file, the first dated 2022. The newest entry in the record is dated Feb 18, 2026. When a facility lands in the low risk tier, it usually means nothing alarming showed up at the most recent visit.
The picture has gotten worse over the last few visits, with the average climbing from around one violation to closer to four violations.
Looking across the full record, “carbon dioxide/helium tanks not adequately secured” is the recurring theme, flagged four times.
Compared to the broader Tallahassee restaurant scene, where the average is 87, this is a stronger showing. Taken together, the history looks like that of a busy facility working through the usual inspection cycle.
14
Inspections
0
Critical latest
0
Major latest
0
Minor latest
Inspection History
Feb 18, 2026
Routine - Food
No violations found.
100
Feb 17, 2026
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 3 major violations. 3 minor violations.
View 7 violations
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed following food items cold holding for less than 4 hours inside reach in cooler behind buffet line: Egg salad 51F Pasta salad 50F Coleslaw 49F. Operator placed food items inside walk in cooler during time of inspection. **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning**
03A-02-5
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Observed can opener bladed soiled with food debris. **Repeat Violation**
22-02-4
Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Observed dish rag stored inside hand sink near buffet line.
31A-11-4
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.
53B-14-5
Basic - Carbon dioxide/helium tanks not adequately secured. **Repeat Violation**
51-11-4
Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Observed employee drinks stored on prep table inside kitchen.
12B-07-4
Basic - Floor tiles missing and/or in disrepair in kitchen next to prep table.
36-17-5
55
Sep 23, 2025
Complaint Full
1 major violation. 3 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Observed can opener blade soiled with food.
22-02-4
Basic - Carbon dioxide/helium tanks not adequately secured next to ice machine.
51-11-4
Basic - Observed Ice scoop handle in contact with ice near buffet line. Operator removed ice scoop during time of inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
10-08-5
Basic - Time/temperature control for safety food thawed in an improper manner. Observed neck bones sitting in water to thaw. Operator ran water over neck bones during time of inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
06-01-5
78
Jun 4, 2025
Complaint Partial
1 critical violation. 1 minor violation.
View 2 violations
High Priority - - From initial inspection : High Priority - Live, small flying insects found. Observed two small flying insects on buffet line. Observed one live small flying insect land on ham on buffet line. **Admin Complaint** - From follow-up inspection 2025-06-04: Did not observe any small flying insects during time of call back. **Admin Complaint**
35A-02-7
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Dead roaches on premises. Observed 5 dead roaches underneath hand sink next to seasoning rack. Observed 2 dead roaches underneath ice machine near kitchen entrance. Observed 5 dead roaches on cook line. Observed 1 dead roach inside green beans on buffet line. **Admin Complaint** - From follow-up inspection 2025-06-04: Did not observe any dead roaches during time of call back. **Admin Complaint**
35A-03-4
82
Jun 3, 2025
Complaint Partial
1 critical violation. 1 minor violation.
View 2 violations
High Priority - Live, small flying insects found. Observed two small flying insects on buffet line. Observed one live small flying insect land on ham on buffet line. **Admin Complaint**
35A-02-7
Basic - Dead roaches on premises. Observed 5 dead roaches underneath hand sink next to seasoning rack. Observed 2 dead roaches underneath ice machine near kitchen entrance. Observed 5 dead roaches on cook line. Observed 1 dead roach inside green beans on buffet line. **Admin Complaint**
35A-03-4
82
Jan 29, 2025
Complaint Full
No violations found.
100
Jan 16, 2025
Complaint Full
2 critical violations. 2 major violations. 7 minor violations.
View 11 violations
High Priority - Container of medicine improperly stored. Observed bottle of DayQuil stored on prep table next to seasonings.
41-07-4
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed collard greens got holding less than 4 hours at 133F. Operator reheated collards to 188F during time of inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
03B-01-6
Intermediate - Incorrect chemical test kit provided for measuring the concentration of the sanitizer solution used in the three-compartment sink and/or dishmachine. Operator has quaternary ammonium test strips but is using chlorine for sanitizer. **Repeat Violation**
16-32-5
Intermediate - No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. No paper towels at hand sink next to prep sink.
31B-02-4
Basic - No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees. No handwashing sign at hand sink next to prep sink.
31B-04-4
Basic - Insect control device installed over food preparation area. Observed bug zapper device installed over crock pots in food preparation area.
35B-02-4
Basic - Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Observed employee hat and jacket stored on food condiments on prep table.
40-06-5
Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Observed opened employee drink on prep table in kitchen.
12B-07-4
Basic - Dishmachine not washing/rinsing properly. Must wash, rinse and sanitize all dishware, equipment and utensils in three-compartment sink until dishmachine is functioning properly. Observed dish machine not sanitizing dishes properly. PPM: 0. Instructed operator to set up three compartment until dish machine is fixed. **Warning**
16-55-4
Basic - Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance. Observed ceiling vents accumulated with dust behind buffet line and throughout kitchen.
36-34-5
Basic - Carbon dioxide/helium tanks not adequately secured. Carbon dioxide tanks not secure with chain.
51-11-4
43
Sep 12, 2024
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 3 major violations. 6 minor violations.
View 10 violations
High Priority - Raw animal foods not properly separated from each other in holding unit based upon minimum required cooking temperature. Observed raw chicken stored over fish in walk in cooler. Owner stored properly. **Corrected On-Site**
08A-20-5
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Observed can opener blade dirty. Owner cleaned during inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
22-02-4
Intermediate - Incorrect chemical test kit provided for measuring the concentration of the sanitizer solution used in the three-compartment sink and/or dishmachine. Observed quaternary test strips for chlorine dish machine.
16-32-5
Intermediate - Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled. Observed spray bottle with degreaser, no label near ice machine. Owner labeled spray bottle during inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
41-17-4
Basic - Wiping cloth sanitizing solution stored on the floor, near fryer. Owner stored properly. **Corrected On-Site**
21-38-4
Basic - Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Observed flour, cornmeal near fryers and sugar on front line, no label. Owner labeled during inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
02D-01-5
Basic - Carbon dioxide/helium tanks not adequately secured. Observed co2 tanks near ice machine not secured. **Repeat Violation**
51-11-4
Basic - Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting. Observed clean pans wet nesting in ware wash area.
24-08-4
Basic - Ice buildup in reach-in freezer and/or walk-in freezer. Observed ice buildup up in 3 reach in freezers near restrooms.
14-69-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed mold like substance on housing of soda dispenser, front line. Owner cleaned during inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
23-03-4
47
May 21, 2024
Complaint Partial
No violations found.
100
Feb 6, 2024
Routine - Food
3 critical violations. 4 major violations. 5 minor violations.
View 12 violations
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. On counter: egg wash 68F, per operator, egg wash is discarded every 30 minutes. Provided Time as a Public Health Control form. Diced ham on buffet 49F, less than 30 minutes per operator. Operator pushed ham deeper into ice for better cooling. Diced ham new temp 44F, eggs marked for time. **Corrective Action Taken** **Repeat Violation**
03A-02-5
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over or with unwashed produce. Raw shell eggs stored over carrots and potatoes in walk-in. Raw pork stored over cooked sausage in walk-in. All items moved at time of inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
08A-04-5
High Priority - Dishmachine chlorine sanitizer not at proper minimum strength. Discontinue use of dishmachine for sanitizing and set up manual sanitization until dishmachine is repaired and sanitizing properly. Tested at 0ppm. Operator primed machine. Tested at 100 ppm. **Corrected On-Site**
22-41-4
Intermediate - Employee washed hands in a sink other than an approved handwash sink. Observed employee wash hands in three compartment sink.
12A-03-4
Intermediate - No chemical test kit provided when using sanitizer at three-compartment sink/warewashing machine or wiping cloths. Establishment requires chlorine test strips for dish machine.
16-37-1
Intermediate - No soap provided at handwash sink in kitchen. Operator provided at time of inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
31B-03-4
Intermediate - Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled. Bottle of degreaser not labeled.
41-17-4
Basic - Knives stored on dirty knife rack. All items cleaned at time of inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
24-06-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Grease build up on back side of walk-in cooler door handle. Mold like substance on shelves in walk-in cooler. Grease and food debris on magnetic knife strip.
23-03-4
Basic - Food stored in undrained ice. Raw pork stored in untrained ice in chicken. Employee drained pork at time of inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
08B-31-4
Basic - Employee personal food not properly identified and segregated from food to be served to the public. Operators squid in chest freezer over pork to be served to the public.
08B-49-4
Basic - Covered waste receptacle not provided in women's bathroom. In handicap stall. **Repeat Violation**
32-12-5
33
Aug 9, 2023
Routine - Food
No violations found.
100
Aug 8, 2023
Routine - Food
7 critical violations. 3 major violations. 10 minor violations.
View 20 violations
High Priority - Raw animal foods not properly separated from one another based upon minimum required cooking temperature when stored in a freezer - not all products commercially packaged. Observed raw chicken stored over raw eggs. Raw chicken over a covered pan of cooked potatoes in walki in cooler.
08A-17-6
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over or with ready-to-eat food in a freezer - not all products commercially packaged. Observed raw eggs with produce in walk in cooler.
08A-02-6
High Priority - Nonfood-grade bags used in direct contact with food. Observed cut lettuce stored in t shirt bags in reach in cooler
14-31-5
High Priority - Employee touched soiled apron/clothes and then engaged in food preparation, handled clean equipment or utensils, or touched unwrapped single-service items without washing hands. Observed multiple staff not washing hands after touching soiled aprons.
12A-28-4
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed mashed potatoes 130F, chicken gizzards 125F disposed of by manager, okra and tomatoes stew 109F per manager items cooked 2 hours ago, manager reheated to 165F and held at 135F or above.
03B-01-6
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed at 12:30pm in expo cooler, Pasta salad 50°, shredded cheese 51F, ham 53°, carrot slaw 49F per manager was prepped an hour ago before putting on line. Re temp at 1:56 pm, ham 44F, pasta salad 44F, carrot slaw 42F shredded cheese 44F
03A-02-5
High Priority - Displayed food not properly protected from contamination. Observed raw chicken stored next to debris filled wiping cloths.
08B-02-4
Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Observed green beans cans in hand washing sink near ice machine.
31A-11-4
Intermediate - Commercially processed ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food opened and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked after opening. Observed milk in walk in cooler opened more than 24 hours ago.
02C-03-5
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.
11-27-4
Basic - Clean wiping cloth supply not properly stored. Observed wet wiping cloths stored on prep tables throughout the establishment.
21-19-4
Basic - Covered waste receptacle not provided in women's bathroom.
32-12-5
Basic - Food stored on floor. Observed raw chicken in container on floor in walk in cooler.
08B-38-4
Basic - In-use knife/knives stored in cracks between pieces of equipment. Observed knife stored between hand was sink and wall.
10-17-4
Basic - Interior of oven/microwave has accumulation of black substance/grease/food debris. Observed equipment throughout kitchen grease and debris filled
22-08-4
Basic - No Heimlich maneuver/choking sign posted.
51-13-4
Basic - No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees. Observed no hand wash signs at any of the hand wash sinks. **Repeat Violation**
31B-04-4
Basic - Opened employee beverage container in a cold holding unit with food to be served to customers. Observed monster energy drinks in reach in cooler.
12B-13-4
Basic - Time/temperature control for safety food thawed in an improper manner. Observed raw chicken breasts thawing in a bucket with water.
06-01-5
Basic - Wet mop not stored in a manner to allow the mop to dry.
42-01-4
16
Mar 30, 2023
Routine - Food
3 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Basic - Stored food not covered. Observed chicken and ribs in walk in cooler not covered for protection.
08B-12-5
Basic - No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees. Observed no sign at hand wash sink by buffet.
31B-04-4
Basic - Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting. Observed dishes stacked without properly drying wet nesting.
24-08-4
86
Nov 7, 2022
Routine - Food
No violations found.
100
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Sam's Country Buffet last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Sam's Country Buffet on file is from Feb 18, 2026. The public record contains 14 inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Sam's Country Buffet?
Across the inspection record, “carbon dioxide/helium tanks not adequately secured” has been cited four times, more than any other issue at Sam's Country Buffet.
How does Sam's Country Buffet compare to other restaurants in Tallahassee?
Sam's Country Buffet most recently scored 100 out of 100, which is higher than the Tallahassee average of 87.
Has Sam's Country Buffet's inspection record improved over time?
No. Recent inspections at Sam's Country Buffet have averaged around four violations per visit, up from roughly one earlier in the record.
What does a low risk rating mean?
A low risk rating at Sam's Country Buffet 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 Sam's Country Buffet inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Sam's Country Buffet is inspected around four times per year on average.
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