Southern Palate

12009 S Williams Street, Dunnellon, FL 34431

American

Last inspected: Feb 6, 2026

Score

Medium Risk

The health department has logged eight inspections at Southern Palate, the earliest from 2022. Southern Palate was last inspected on Feb 6, 2026. A medium risk score generally means inspectors found things to fix, though most weren't urgent.

Recent visits have produced comparable findings, with counts hovering near four violations per visit.

Across the inspection history, “raw animal food stored over/not properly separated” is the issue that surfaces most often, recorded two times.

Compared to the broader Dunnellon restaurant scene, this is about average. The full record sits in fairly typical territory for a working restaurant.

Inspections

Critical latest

Major latest

Minor latest

Inspection History

Feb 6, 2026

Routine - Food

1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 2 minor violations.

View 4 violations

High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Flat of raw shell eggs stored on shelf directly above pan containing cooked turkey wings inside reach-in cooler at cookline. Manager moved the raw eggs to the bottom shelf during this inspection. **Corrected On-Site**

08A-05-6

Intermediate - Employee with artificial nails/nail polish working with exposed food without wearing intact gloves. Employee with painted and/or artificial nails scooped ice at front counter without wearing gloves.

13-06-4

Basic - In-use utensil in non-time/temperature control for safety food not stored with handle above top of food within a closed container. Handles of scoops inside bin of breading and bin of sugar stored down inside food. Manager removed the deodorant from scoops during this inspection. **Corrected On-Site**

10-01-5

Basic - Silverware/utensils stored upright with the food-contact surface up. Utensils at front counter not presented to customers with handles facing upward.

24-18-4

Oct 23, 2025

Routine - Food

2 minor violations.

View 2 violations

Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Several employee drinks stored on top of shelf above containers of beans near back door. Manager removed all drinks from the shelf during this inspection. **Corrected On-Site**

12B-07-4

Basic - Wet wiping cloth not stored in sanitizing solution between uses. Wet wiping cloth on prep table at cookline. Manager placed cloth back i to sanitizer during this inspection. **Corrected On-Site**

21-12-4

Feb 20, 2025

Routine - Food

1 critical violation. 2 major violations. 2 minor violations.

View 5 violations

Employee Health Policies Present

FL-03

Food in Good Condition, Safe, and Unadulterated

FL-13

Equipment Adequate to Maintain Product Temperature

FL-29

Approved Thawing Methods Used

FL-31

Proper Sanitizer Contact Time and Concentration

FL-33

Sep 13, 2024

Routine - Food

2 critical violations. 2 minor violations.

View 4 violations

High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Under warmer at front counter: fried chicken (130F - Hot Holding). Manager stated the fried chicken has been stored on the line for less than one hour and would be gone soon. Inspector instructed manager to reheat the chicken to 165F.

03B-01-6

High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Plastic container of raw shell eggs stored on shelf directly above pan of cooked beef inside reach-in cooler at cookline. Manager moved the eggs to shelf below the cooked beef during this inspection. **Corrected On-Site**

08A-05-6

Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Employee drink cup on clean dish rack above clean dishes in back of kitchen. Manager removed drink from shelf during this inspection. **Corrected On-Site**

12B-07-4

Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Hood filter above fryers soiled with food debris.

23-03-4

Mar 29, 2024

Routine - Food

1 major violation. 1 minor violation.

View 2 violations

Required Records Available; Shellstock Tags/Labels

FL-14

Approved Thawing Methods Used

FL-31

Sep 7, 2023

Routine - Food

2 critical violations. 3 minor violations.

View 5 violations

Non-Food Contact Surfaces Clean

FL-23

Warewashing Facilities Maintained and Used

FL-24

Equipment Adequate to Maintain Product Temperature

FL-29

Proper Sanitizer Contact Time and Concentration

FL-33

Wiping Cloths Properly Used and Stored

FL-41

Feb 3, 2023

Routine - Food

1 major violation. 4 minor violations.

View 5 violations

Intermediate - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Inside reach-in cooler at cookline: container of beans missing date mark. Manager stated the beans were cooked the previous morning and added proper date mark. **Corrected On-Site**

02C-02-5

Basic - Ice buildup in reach-in freezer and/or walk-in freezer. Ice buildup inside both reach-in freezers in kitchen.

14-69-4

Basic - Clean glasses, cups, bowls, plates, pots and pans not stored inverted or in a protected manner. Metal pans on storage rack near back door not inverted. Employee turned over during this inspection. **Corrected On-Site**

24-05-4

Basic - Current Hotel and Restaurant license not displayed. License not displayed in establishment.

50-09-4

Basic - Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Employee purse stored on top of bin containing sugar. Employee moved purse during this inspection. **Corrected On-Site**

40-06-5

Sep 1, 2022

Routine - Food

1 critical violation.

View 1 violation

High Priority - Container of medicine improperly stored. Medicine above prep table, manager moved. **Corrected On-Site**

41-07-4

Show all 8 inspections Show less

Frequently Asked Questions

When was Southern Palate last inspected?

The most recent health inspection at Southern Palate on file is from Feb 6, 2026. The public record contains eight inspections in total.

What is the most common violation at Southern Palate?

Across the inspection record, “raw animal food stored over/not properly separated” has been cited two times, more than any other issue at Southern Palate.

How does Southern Palate compare to other restaurants in Dunnellon?

Southern Palate most recently scored 70 out of 100, which is about the same as the Dunnellon average of 72.

Has Southern Palate's inspection record improved over time?

Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at Southern Palate have averaged around four violations per visit across the recent record.

What does a medium risk rating mean?

A medium risk rating at Southern Palate 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 Southern Palate inspected?

Based on the inspection history on file, Southern Palate is inspected around two times per year on average.

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