Sams Gyro & Seafood
Last inspected: Jan 15, 2026
55
Score
Inspectors have visited Sams Gyro & Seafood eight times, with records going back to 2022. The most recent report on file is from Jan 15, 2026. Diners should read medium risk as a signal that some issues exist but aren't extreme.
Recent visits have produced comparable findings, with counts hovering near 10 violations per visit.
Across the inspection history, “raw animal food stored over/not properly separated” is the issue that surfaces most often, recorded three times.
By comparison, the average St. Petersburg facility scores 77, putting Sams Gyro & Seafood on the weaker side. Nothing in the record is alarming, but there's room to improve.
8
Inspections
2
Critical latest
2
Major latest
2
Minor latest
Inspection History
Jan 15, 2026
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 2 major violations. 2 minor violations.
View 6 violations
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Container of raw chicken gizzards inside walk-in cooler stored above case of sour cream. Operator relocated chicken to a lower shelf and elevated sour cream above gizzards. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
08A-05-6
High Priority - Dented/rusted cans present. See stop sale. (1) dented can of cocktail sauce (1) dented can of dolmades **Repeat Violation**
01B-01-4
Intermediate - No written procedures available for use of time as a public health control to hold time/temperature control(TPHC) for safety food. Establishment is utilizing time to hold cooked chicken wings and thawed French fries on cook line. Operator advising he is using 4 hour periods however lacks a written plan. Inspector provided TPHC written application and guidelines. Additionally inspector walked operator through written plans for the items he uses on time. **Repeat Violation**
03F-10-5
Intermediate - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Hummus inside drink cooler in front of walk-in cooler not date marked. Discussed with operator to date mark items prepared on site. **Repeat Violation**
02C-02-5
Basic - Food stored on floor. Boxes of food stored on floor in walk-in freezer. Container of rice stored on floor in dry storage area. Manager relocated and elevated items during inspection. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
08B-38-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Soiled gasket with black mold-like substance along North wall of cook line.
23-03-4
55
Aug 13, 2025
Routine - Food
7 critical violations. 6 major violations. 6 minor violations.
View 19 violations
High Priority - Employee failed to wash hands before putting on gloves to initiate a task working with food. Observed employee moving between tasks in the kitchen remove her gloves and prepare to re gloves. Inspector stopped employee and discussed handwashing prior to re-gloving. **Corrective Action Taken**
12A-07-5
High Priority - Stop Sale issued due to food not being in a wholesome, sound condition. Broken 50lbs bag of rice spilling onto the floor.
01B-13-4
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Frozen raw unshelled oysters stored above ready to eat fried food in reach-in freezer at front counter.
08A-05-6
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Inside front reach-in cooler. 10lbs of raw fish - 56F 5lbs of raw chicken - 57F Employees advised items were placed in unit at 10:00AM. Temperature taken at 2:30 PM Container of house made buffalo sauce, where butter is an ingredient, stored in dry storage and displaying signs of spoilage. **Repeat Violation**
03A-02-5
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over or with unwashed produce. Raw chicken livers stored above unwashed produce in walk-in cooler. Employee corrected and relocated items. **Corrected On-Site**
08A-04-5
High Priority - Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. Inside front reach-in cooler. 10lbs of raw fish - 56F 5lbs of raw chicken - 57F Employees advised items were placed in unit at 10:00AM. Temperature taken at 2:30 PM
01B-02-5
High Priority - Dented/rusted cans present. See stop sale. (1) 10 can of cheese sauce (1) 10 can of garbanzo beans (1) 10 can of cherry filling **Repeat Violation**
01B-01-4
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Cutting boards soiled on front reach-in cooler.
22-02-4
Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Inspector observed employee attempt to fill squeeze bottle with water at front handwash sink. Inspector stopped employee and discussed only using sink to wash hands.
31A-11-4
Intermediate - No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. No paper towels at handwash sink located next to reach-in cooler adjacent to walk-in cooler. Employees provided during inspection. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
31B-02-4
Intermediate - No soap provided at handwash sink. No soap inside women's rest room. Employees provided during inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
31B-03-4
Intermediate - No written procedures available for use of time as a public health control to hold time/temperature control for safety food. Establishment cooks and hold chicken wings for three hour increments. Discussed with manager to complete time as a public health control application and guidelines. Inspector will provide form during inspection.
03F-10-5
Intermediate - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Hummus prepared on Monday not date marked in reach-in cooler across from the walk-in freezer. Cooked noodles prepared and held for over 24 hours not date marked in walk-in cooler.
02C-02-5
Basic - Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable on shelf above three compartment sink.
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 lighter observed on top of reach-in cooler at counter.
40-06-5
Basic - Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting. Wet nesting observed on metal pans above three compartment sink.
24-08-4
Basic - Food stored on floor. 50lb bag of white rice at dry storage area across from walk-in cooler. Manager discarded due to bag torn and spilling onto the floor. Bucket of pickles on floor in walk-in cooler. Employee relocated items.
08B-38-4
Basic - In-use utensil not stored with handle above the top of time/temperature control for safety food and rim of the container. Spoon observed with handle sitting in cheese sauce located inside reach-in cooler adjacent to walk-in cooler.
10-06-5
Basic - Old labels stuck to food containers after cleaning on shelf above three compartment sink.
16-46-4
14
Mar 14, 2025
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 1 major violation. 1 minor violation.
View 4 violations
High Priority - Dented/rusted cans present. 7lb can of strawberry pie filing is dented at seam. Observed operator discard can. Stop sale not warranted. **Corrected On-Site**
01B-01-4
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. From reach-in cooler at front counter at 12:50pm. Operator placed in ice bath. Rechecked at 1:15pm a. raw gizzards (46f - Cold Holding); 42f b. raw chicken (45f - Cold Holding); 40f c. tzatziki sauce (46f- Cold Holding) 41f **Corrected On-Site**
03A-02-5
Intermediate - No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink near three-compartment sink. Operator provided paper towels. **Corrected On-Site**
31B-02-4
Basic - Backflow device not located for convenient service or maintenance access.
29-38-4
64
Sep 10, 2024
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 8 minor violations.
View 10 violations
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over or with unwashed produce. Raw chicken over bag of onions in reach in cooler
08A-04-5
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. Tub of feta cheese opened previous day no date marking
02C-03-5
Basic - Cardboard used to line nonfood-contact shelves. Cooks line
14-45-4
Basic - Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Purse on bag in box soda boxes
40-06-5
Basic - Employee with no hair restraint while engaging in food preparation.
13-03-4
Basic - Floor soiled/has accumulation of debris. Under dryers on cooks line
36-73-4
Basic - Hole in or other damage to wall. Hole in wall in mop sink area
36-24-5
Basic - In-use knife/knives stored in cracks between pieces of equipment. **Corrected On-Site**
10-17-4
Basic - Interior of oven/microwave has accumulation of black substance/grease/food debris. Prep area
22-08-4
Basic - Light shield damaged/in disrepair. Above prep area in kitchen
38-01-4
52
Mar 6, 2024
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 3 major violations. 7 minor violations.
View 11 violations
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Rice cooker on front counter at 2:10pm. Operator placed rice on stove to reheat. Re temp at 2:35pm a. cooked rice (96F - Hot Holding) 183f **Corrected On-Site**
03B-01-6
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Cutting boards on reach-in cooler on cooks line.
22-02-4
Intermediate - No proof provided that recently hired food employee are informed of their responsibility to report to the person in charge information about their health and activities related to foodborne illnesses. 1. Ahmed M. Emailed DBPR Form 5030-103. Employee Health Food Reporting Agreement. Operator printed form and went over with employee. Employee printed, signed and dated form. **Corrected On-Site**
11-26-1
Intermediate - Water softener not maintained according to manufacturer's instructions. Date of last service is 10-26-2022.
29-31-4
Basic - Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin. Soda machine located in dining room ice chute soiled with brown substance
22-20-5
Basic - Unclean building components, attachments or fixtures. Ceiling in kitchen soiled with dust.
36-50-4
Basic - Stored food not covered. Walk-in cooler items uncovered. a.multiple containers of cut vegetables. Operator covered items. **Corrected On-Site**
08B-12-5
Basic - Reach-in cooler interior at front counter have accumulation of soil residues.
22-16-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Gaskets on reach-in cooler doors at front counter soiled.
23-03-4
Basic - Equipment in poor repair. Shelves next to mop sink are rusted.
14-11-5
Basic - Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Single-serve bowl without handle used as scoop in cheese.
14-01-5
45
Sep 18, 2023
Complaint Full
2 critical violations. 4 major violations. 1 minor violation.
View 7 violations
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. sliced cheese (48F - Cold Holding) operator moved to walk in cooler **Corrective Action Taken**
03A-02-5
High Priority - Wiping cloth sanitizer solution exceeds the maximum concentration allowed. 200+ ppm chlorine wiping cloth solution
41-27-4
Intermediate - Certified food manager unable to answer basic Food Code questions pertaining to safe operation of establishment. Asked operator/ Certified food manager cooked Temperature of a child's burger. We discussed the correct temp of 155f **Corrective Action Taken**
53A-10-4
Intermediate - Employee has not received adequate training related to their assigned duties as evidenced by the inability to answer basic food safety questions. Most employees could not give the proper cooking temperature for chicken
53B-16-4
Intermediate - Establishment conducts non-continuous cooking of raw animal foods without written procedures approved by the division. Inspector explained and emailed paperwork **Corrective Action Taken**
03C-89-4
Intermediate - No chemical test kit provided when using sanitizer at three-compartment sink/warewashing machine or wiping cloths. Employee purchased chlorine test strips during inspection **Corrected On-Site**
16-37-1
Basic - Single-service items for customer self-service not properly protected to prevent contamination. **Corrected On-Site**
25-09-4
47
Jun 29, 2023
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 2 major violations.
View 3 violations
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Raw chicken over mayo on make table. Employee moved **Corrected On-Site**
08A-05-6
Intermediate - No proof provided that food employees are informed of their responsibility to report to the person in charge information about their health and activities related to foodborne illnesses. Emailed agreement to manager
11-26-1
Intermediate - Proof of required state approved employee training not available for some employees. To order approved program food safety material, call DBPR contracted provider: Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (SafeStaff) 866-372-7233.
53B-13-5
70
Nov 15, 2022
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 2 major violations. 11 minor violations.
View 15 violations
High Priority - Wiping cloth sanitizer solution exceeds the maximum concentration allowed. Registered above 200 ppm chlorine. Educated manager and sani bucket was remade. 2nd registered at 100 ppm chlorine **Corrected On-Site**
41-27-4
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over or with unwashed produce. Unwashed produce in walk in cooler stored over raw chicken. Employee moved unwashed produce to different shelf. **Corrected On-Site**
08A-04-5
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. Multiple containers of cooked foods and opened foods in walk in cooler and reach in coolers not properly date marked. Discussed with manager about importance of date marking
02C-03-5
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Panini Press in front area heavily soiled with food debris. Cutting boards soiled with food debris. Vegetable slicer soiled with food debris. Soda nozzle soiled with mold-like substance.
22-02-4
Basic - Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin. Ice chute in soda machine soiled with mold-like substance
22-20-5
Basic - Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Personal mat stored above food items in dry storage prep area. Inspector informed manager and items was removed **Corrected On-Site**
40-06-5
Basic - Employee with no hair restraint while engaging in food preparation. **Corrected On-Site**
13-03-4
Basic - Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting. Some wet nesting observed on clean dish rack
24-08-4
Basic - Equipment in poor repair. Reach in cooler in front counter area does not close properly
14-11-5
Basic - Lights in food preparation, food storage or warewashing area missing the proper shield, sleeve coatings or covers. Lights not shielded in dry storage/dish area
38-07-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Supports of reach in Deli cooler soiled with heavy build up of food debris. Exterior of crock pot holdings beans heavily soiled with food debris. Exterior of fryers heavy build up of food debris **Repeat Violation**
23-03-4
Basic - Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Working containers holding different white powders. Discussed labeling with manager. Employee labeled containers **Corrected On-Site**
02D-01-5
Basic - Worn, torn and/or soiled floors/carpeting. Floors under three compartment sink and next to shelves with mop sink Soiled with grease and food debris
36-10-4
Basic - Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance. Vent across from three compartment sink and walk-in coolers soiled with dust and mold like substance
36-34-5
Basic - Buildup of food debris/soil residue on equipment door handles. Handles of all front reach in coolers built up with food debris
23-24-4
35
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Sams Gyro & Seafood last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Sams Gyro & Seafood on file is from Jan 15, 2026. The public record contains eight inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Sams Gyro & Seafood?
Across the inspection record, “raw animal food stored over/not properly separated” has been cited three times, more than any other issue at Sams Gyro & Seafood.
How does Sams Gyro & Seafood compare to other restaurants in St. Petersburg?
Sams Gyro & Seafood most recently scored 55 out of 100, which is lower than the St. Petersburg average of 77.
Has Sams Gyro & Seafood's inspection record improved over time?
Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at Sams Gyro & Seafood have averaged around 10 violations per visit across the recent record.
What does a medium risk rating mean?
A medium risk rating at Sams Gyro & Seafood 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 Sams Gyro & Seafood inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Sams Gyro & Seafood is inspected around three times per year on average.
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