The Chowder House
Last inspected: Apr 7, 2026
82
Score
Inspectors have visited The Chowder House nine times, with records going back to 2023. The most recent visit was on Apr 7, 2026. Low risk means the most recent visit produced few or no significant findings.
Things are looking better lately, with recent visits averaging around five violations compared to roughly eight violations earlier on.
“Food-contact surface soiled with food debris” comes up most often, recorded four times in the inspection record.
Compared to the broader Zephyrhills restaurant scene, this is about average. The record reflects steady performance over time.
9
Inspections
0
Critical latest
0
Major latest
4
Minor latest
Inspection History
Apr 7, 2026
Routine - Food
4 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Basic - Buildup of food debris/soil residue on equipment door handles. Observed on cook line equipment.
23-24-4
Basic - Floor soiled/has accumulation of debris. Observed behind and under kitchen equipment.
36-73-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris. Observed on microwave counters.
23-03-4
Basic - Reach-in cooler interior/shelves have accumulation of soil residues. Observed in 3 glass door unit.
22-16-4
82
Sep 8, 2025
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 3 minor violations.
View 5 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. Employee removed Chicken covered in clear warp from over Open bag of shrimp in reach in freezer on cook line. **Corrected On-Site**
08A-17-6
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Cutting board on cook linereach in cooler stained with food debris.
22-02-4
Basic - Buildup of food debris/soil residue on equipment door handles. Throughout kitchen.
23-24-4
Basic - Employee with no hair restraint while engaging in food preparation. Cook put a hat on during inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
13-03-4
Basic - In-use tongs stored on equipment door handle between uses. Employee removed tongs off oven door on cook line. **Corrected On-Site**
10-20-4
67
Feb 26, 2025
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 4 minor violations.
View 6 violations
Adequate Handwashing Facilities Supplied and Accessible
FL-10
Required Records Available; Shellstock Tags/Labels
FL-14
Insects, Rodents, and Animals Not Present
FL-38
Food and Non-Food Contact Surfaces Designed and Constructed
FL-50
Food Contact Surfaces Clean and Sanitized
FL-22
Lighting Adequate; Required Shields in Place
FL-36
43
Dec 2, 2024
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 6 minor violations.
View 8 violations
Employee Health Policies Present
FL-03
Adequate Handwashing Facilities Supplied and Accessible
FL-10
Required Records Available; Shellstock Tags/Labels
FL-14
Food Contact Surfaces Clean and Sanitized
FL-22
Non-Food Contact Surfaces Clean
FL-23
Equipment Adequate to Maintain Product Temperature
FL-29
Lighting Adequate; Required Shields in Place
FL-36
Insects, Rodents, and Animals Not Present
FL-38
45
May 20, 2024
Complaint Partial
1 major violation. 7 minor violations.
View 8 violations
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Cutting boards on reach in cooler on cook line stained with food debris.
22-02-4
Basic - Buildup of food debris/soil residue on equipment door handles. Door handles throughout kitchen.
23-24-4
Basic - Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable. Reach in cooler cutting boards on cook line.
14-09-4
Basic - Employee with no hair restraint while engaging in food preparation. Cook with no hair restraint.
13-03-4
Basic - Floor tiles missing and/or in disrepair. In ware washing area and by back door. **Repeat Violation**
36-17-5
Basic - Grease on the ground and/or pad around grease receptacle. Next to building grease receptacle on ground.
33-20-4
Basic - In-use tongs stored on equipment door handle between uses. Tongs on oven door on cook line.
10-20-4
Basic - Outer openings not protected with self-closing doors. Self closing device is broken at back door of kitchen.
35B-03-4
64
Apr 23, 2024
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 2 major violations. 4 minor violations.
View 7 violations
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Observed raw shrimp over cooked turkey and raw beef over sauces in reach-in cooler across from handwash sink on cook line. Operator moved. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
08A-05-6
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Can opener blade soiled with accumulation of food debris. Cutting boards stained on cook line. Ice machine guard soiled with slime. **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
22-02-4
Intermediate - Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Observed pitcher stored in handwash sink on cook line. Employee removed. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
31A-09-4
Basic - Ceiling not smooth, nonabsorbent and easily cleanable in food preparation, food storage, or warewashing areas. Observed acoustic style ceiling tiles in the entire kitchen and no covers on the lights. **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
36-37-5
Basic - Floor tiles missing and/or in disrepair. Observed multiple ceilings tiles damaged in front of warewashing area, by rear kitchen door, and wait station area off of kitchen cook line. **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
36-17-5
Basic - No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees to the right of the three compartment sink. **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
31B-04-4
Basic - No mop sink or curbed cleaning facility provided at establishment. Observed mop sink outside disconnected and base of mop sink broken. Discussed with owner requirement for mop sink. **Warning**
29-27-4
58
Dec 14, 2023
Routine - Food
3 major violations. 5 minor violations.
View 8 violations
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Cutting boards stained on cook line Soiled ice machine guard
22-02-4
Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Observed employee filling pitcher of water at hand sink. Educated and he went to three compartment sink to fill **Corrective Action Taken**
31A-11-4
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 to operator
11-27-4
Basic - Ceiling not smooth, nonabsorbent and easily cleanable in food preparation, food storage, or warewashing areas. Observed acoustic tiles in kitchen and dish area
36-37-5
Basic - Floor tiles missing and/or in disrepair. In dish area
36-17-5
Basic - No Heimlich maneuver/choking sign posted. Emailed to operator
51-13-4
Basic - No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees. In dish area. Emailed to operator **Corrective Action Taken**
31B-04-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed soiled reach in cooler doors and handles. Soiled exterior of microwave doors soiled
23-03-4
58
Mar 29, 2023
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 1 major violation. 5 minor violations.
View 8 violations
High Priority - Employee failed to wash hands before putting on gloves to initiate a task working with food. Observed the cook changed gloves without changing gloves 𿧤
12A-07-5
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Observed raw steaks stored above packages of New England clam chowder.
08A-05-6
Intermediate - Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Observed plastic pitchers stored in the sink.
31A-09-4
Basic - Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin. Observed the ice machine with black mold like debris inside the machine r
22-20-5
Basic - Ceiling/ceiling tile shows damage or is in disrepair. Observed ceiling tiles with chips and water spots on the tiles. **Repeat Violation**
36-32-5
Basic - Floor not cleaned when the least amount of food is exposed. Observed the floor with dirt and debris on the floor by the coolers. **Repeat Violation**
36-01-4
Basic - Floor tiles missing and/or in disrepair.Observed the floor with missed tilles.
36-17-5
Basic - Food stored on floor. Observed cans of applesauce stored on the floor.
08B-38-4
52
Jan 19, 2023
Complaint Full
1 critical violation. 4 major violations. 3 minor violations.
View 8 violations
Certified Food Manager Identification
FL-02
Food Contact Surfaces Clean and Sanitized
FL-22
Hands Clean and Properly Washed
FL-08
Adequate Handwashing Facilities Supplied and Accessible
FL-10
Potentially Hazardous Food Held at Proper Temperature
FL-16
Hot and Cold Water Available; Adequate Pressure
FL-25
Approved Thawing Methods Used
FL-31
Lighting Adequate; Required Shields in Place
FL-36
47
Frequently Asked Questions
When was The Chowder House last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at The Chowder House on file is from Apr 7, 2026. The public record contains nine inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at The Chowder House?
Across the inspection record, “food-contact surface soiled with food debris” has been cited four times, more than any other issue at The Chowder House.
How does The Chowder House compare to other restaurants in Zephyrhills?
The Chowder House most recently scored 82 out of 100, which is about the same as the Zephyrhills average of 83.
Has The Chowder House's inspection record improved over time?
Yes. Recent inspections at The Chowder House have averaged around five violations per visit, down from roughly eight earlier in the record.
What does a low risk rating mean?
A low risk rating at The Chowder House 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 The Chowder House inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, The Chowder House is inspected around three times per year on average.
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