Southern Grounds
Last inspected: Nov 20, 2025
25
Score
Public records show seven inspections at Southern Grounds stretching back to 2022. The most recent report on file is from Nov 20, 2025. Diners may want to take note: high risk reflects issues that a health inspector considered important.
Performance has remained roughly level over recent inspections, averaging near 14 violations each time.
“Food-contact surface soiled with food debris” comes up most often, recorded three times in the inspection record.
Compared to other Jacksonville restaurants (averaging 74), there's room to close the gap. Diners may want to weigh the inspection history when deciding to visit.
7
Inspections
2
Critical latest
4
Major latest
9
Minor latest
Inspection History
Nov 20, 2025
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 4 major violations. 9 minor violations.
View 15 violations
Hands Clean and Properly Washed
FL-08
Employee Health Policies Present
FL-03
Food in Good Condition, Safe, and Unadulterated
FL-13
Required Records Available; Shellstock Tags/Labels
FL-14
Potentially Hazardous Food Held at Proper Temperature
FL-16
Proper Hot and Cold Holding Temperatures
FL-21
Non-Food Contact Surfaces Clean
FL-23
Sewage and Wastewater Properly Disposed
FL-27
Equipment Adequate to Maintain Product Temperature
FL-29
Approved Thawing Methods Used
FL-31
Equipment, Food and Non-Food Contact Surfaces Approved
FL-35
Lighting Adequate; Required Shields in Place
FL-36
Wiping Cloths Properly Used and Stored
FL-41
Plumbing Maintained; Sewage Disposal
FL-51
Toilet Rooms Maintained
FL-53
25
May 6, 2025
Routine - Food
4 critical violations. 3 major violations. 6 minor violations.
View 13 violations
High Priority - Employee rubbed hands together for less than 10-15 seconds while washing hands. Cracked egg then washed hands for 8 seconds, put on gloves and grabbed avocado, explained to her and she washed hands **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
12A-17-4
High Priority - Food-contact surfaces not sanitized after cleaning, before use. Do not use equipment/utensils not properly sanitized. Employee washed and rinsed dishes only in triple sink at front counter coffee area, explained to her and she filled sanitizer and placed them in it **Corrected On-Site**
22-45-4
High Priority - Live, small flying insects found. One by front counter
35A-02-7
High Priority - Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. Degreaser sprayer by clean containers, manager moved chemical **Corrected On-Site**
41-10-4
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Slicer used yesterday, employee cleaned it **Corrected On-Site**
22-02-4
Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Knife in hand sink, manager removed it **Corrected On-Site**
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. One expired in January 2025
53B-14-5
Basic - Clean glasses, cups, bowls, plates, pots and pans not stored inverted or in a protected manner. Frypans and big bowls on storage shelf, manager inverted them **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
24-05-4
Basic - Wall soiled with accumulated grease, food debris, and/or dust. By prep cooler
36-27-5
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Shelf in walk in cooler **Repeat Violation**
23-03-4
Basic - Interior of oven/microwave has accumulation of black substance/grease/food debris. Microwave, manager cleaned it **Corrected On-Site**
22-08-4
Basic - In-use utensil stored in standing water less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. 125-131f water for utensils on stove, burner off, employee turned burner on **Corrective Action Taken** **Repeat Violation**
10-07-4
Basic - Food stored on floor. Bucket with food on floor in walk in cooler, employee placed it on shelf **Corrected On-Site**
08B-38-4
30
Nov 18, 2024
Routine - Food
4 critical violations. 3 major violations. 8 minor violations.
View 15 violations
Adequate Handwashing Facilities Supplied and Accessible
FL-10
Hands Clean and Properly Washed
FL-08
Employee Health Policies Present
FL-03
Food Obtained from Approved Sources
FL-11
Food Contact Surfaces Clean and Sanitized
FL-22
Food Received at Proper Temperature
FL-12
Potentially Hazardous Food Held at Proper Temperature
FL-16
Non-Food Contact Surfaces Clean
FL-23
Warewashing Facilities Maintained and Used
FL-24
Hot and Cold Water Available; Adequate Pressure
FL-25
Equipment Adequate to Maintain Product Temperature
FL-29
Approved Thawing Methods Used
FL-31
Equipment, Food and Non-Food Contact Surfaces Approved
FL-35
Wiping Cloths Properly Used and Stored
FL-41
Plumbing Maintained; Sewage Disposal
FL-51
20
Feb 21, 2024
Complaint Full
4 critical violations. 5 major violations. 9 minor violations.
View 18 violations
High Priority - Vacuum breaker missing at mop sink faucet or on fitting/splitter added to mop sink faucet. On wrong side of splitter **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
29-42-4
High Priority - Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. Degreaser on shelf above cup cake wrappers, storage area, mgr moved it **Corrected On-Site**
41-10-4
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food identified in the written procedure as a food held using time as a public health control has no time marking. New eggs taken out a few minutes ago, she wrote time **Corrective Action Taken**
03F-02-5
High Priority - Employee switched from working with raw food to ready-to-eat food without washing hands. Cracked egg then grabbed bread with same gloves, explained to her, she washed hands and discarded bread **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
12A-12-4
Intermediate - Chemical test kit not used to ensure proper sanitization of equipment and utensils when using a chemical sanitizer. For bucket, quat
16-33-4
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. Emailed one **Corrected On-Site**
11-27-4
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Sandwich press **Repeat Violation**
22-02-4
Intermediate - No chemical test kit provided when using sanitizer at three-compartment sink/warewashing machine or wiping cloths. Chlorine **Repeat Violation**
16-37-1
Intermediate - No written procedures available for use of time as a public health control to hold time/temperature control for safety food. For French toast mix, time on but not in procedure, mgr write it in procedure **Corrective Action Taken**
03F-10-5
Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Above can goods, employee moved it **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
12B-07-4
Basic - Ceiling tile missing. Panels leaned by dish washing area
36-36-4
Basic - Wiping cloth quaternary ammonium compound sanitizing solution not at proper minimum strength. 0 ppm in bucket, kitchen, mgr made new solution manually, dispenser not dispensing, 300 ppm quat **Corrected On-Site**
21-08-4
Basic - Water leaking from pipe and/or faucet/handle. Faucet in prep sink, cook line area
29-11-4
Basic - Single-service articles not stored inverted or protected from contamination. Cup cake wrappers in storage area, mgr inverted them **Corrected On-Site**
25-06-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. A couple of hood filters, shelf in storage area
23-03-4
Basic - No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees. Hand sink by prep sink, cook line area, **Repeat Violation**
31B-04-4
Basic - No copy of latest inspection report available. Mgr here called someone to get it, emailed to him **Corrected On-Site**
51-18-6
Basic - Equipment in poor repair. Gasket in drawer unit **Repeat Violation**
14-11-5
21
Dec 14, 2023
Routine - Food
3 critical violations. 5 major violations. 7 minor violations.
View 15 violations
High Priority - Vacuum breaker missing at mop sink faucet or on fitting/splitter added to mop sink faucet. Not on hanging hose side
29-42-4
High Priority - Employee rubbed hands together for less than 10-15 seconds while washing hands. Employee picked something from floor then washed hands for 7 seconds, put on gloves and grabbed bread, explained to her and she washed hands **Corrected On-Site**
12A-17-4
High Priority - Employee cracked raw shell eggs and then handled ready-to-eat food and/or clean equipment or utensils without washing hands. Employee cracked egg then scooped rice, explained to her and she washed hands **Corrected On-Site**
12A-27-4
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Slicer
22-02-4
Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Scrubby in it, hand sink by oven, cook line, mgr moved it employee dumping liquid in hand sink at beverage front counter area **Corrected On-Site**
31A-11-4
Intermediate - No chemical test kit provided when using sanitizer at three-compartment sink/warewashing machine or wiping cloths. Chlorine and quat
16-37-1
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. For a couple of employees that don't have training **Repeat Violation**
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. A couple of employees here more than 2 months
53B-13-5
Basic - Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance. Kitchen area
36-34-5
Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. On prep table, employee discarded it **Corrected On-Site**
12B-07-4
Basic - Equipment in poor repair. Gasket torn in drawer unit by cook line
14-11-5
Basic - No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees. Hand sink by oven at cook line
31B-04-4
Basic - Outer openings not protected during operation and vermin and/or environmental cross contamination present. They have a couple of garage windows opened and they don't have air curtain like plans stated if they want to open them, mgr closed them **Corrected On-Site**
35B-05-4
Basic - Wet wiping cloth not stored in sanitizing solution between uses. Placed in sanitizer, cook line **Corrected On-Site**
21-12-4
Basic - Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. White powder on shelf, salt written by employee **Corrected On-Site**
02D-01-5
27
Jun 2, 2023
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 2 major violations. 6 minor violations.
View 9 violations
Supervisor/Person in Charge Present
FL-01
Employee Health Policies Present
FL-03
Food Obtained from Approved Sources
FL-11
Required Records Available; Shellstock Tags/Labels
FL-14
Food Contact Surfaces Clean and Sanitized
FL-22
Non-Food Contact Surfaces Clean
FL-23
Warewashing Facilities Maintained and Used
FL-24
Lighting Adequate; Required Shields in Place
FL-36
Washing Fruits and Vegetables
FL-42
37
Oct 20, 2022
Routine - Food
1 major violation. 4 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Hands Clean and Properly Washed
FL-08
Food Contact Surfaces Clean and Sanitized
FL-22
Non-Food Contact Surfaces Clean
FL-23
Personal Cleanliness
FL-40
Food Received at Proper Temperature
FL-12
74
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Southern Grounds last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Southern Grounds on file is from Nov 20, 2025. The public record contains seven inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Southern Grounds?
Across the inspection record, “food-contact surface soiled with food debris” has been cited three times, more than any other issue at Southern Grounds.
How does Southern Grounds compare to other restaurants in Jacksonville?
Southern Grounds most recently scored 25 out of 100, which is lower than the Jacksonville average of 74.
Has Southern Grounds' inspection record improved over time?
Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at Southern Grounds have averaged around 14 violations per visit across the recent record.
What does a high risk rating mean?
A high risk rating at Southern Grounds 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 Southern Grounds inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Southern Grounds is inspected around two times per year on average.
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