The Driftwood Family Restaurant
Last inspected: Dec 3, 2025
70
Score
The health department has logged 11 inspections at The Driftwood Family Restaurant, the earliest from 2022. The latest inspection on file is from Dec 3, 2025. The medium risk tier sits in the middle: not spotless, but not alarming either.
Things are looking better lately, with recent visits averaging around two violations compared to roughly nine violations earlier on.
“Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease” accounts for the largest share of issues, appearing two times across the record.
Restaurants in Tallahassee average 87, so The Driftwood Family Restaurant trails the local norm. Taken together, the history looks like that of a busy facility working through the usual inspection cycle.
11
Inspections
1
Critical latest
0
Major latest
4
Minor latest
Inspection History
Dec 3, 2025
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 4 minor violations.
View 5 violations
High Priority - Dishmachine not sanitizing properly. Discontinue use of dishmachine for sanitizing and set up manual sanitization until dishmachine is repaired and sanitizing properly. Chorine sanitizer tester at 0ppm. Operator troubleshot dishmachine, retested sanitizer at 50ppm. **Corrected On-Site**
22-49-4
Basic - Dishware not properly cleaned, debris present on clean dishes and utensils. Operator started rewashing dishes. **Corrected On-Site**
16-48-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Build up seen on exterior of cooking equipment, dust/debris build up on wire shelves above food prep area, debris on floor of walk-in cooler. **Repeat Violation**
23-03-4
Basic - Commercially processed reduced oxygen packaged fish bearing a label indicating that it is to remain frozen until time of use no longer frozen and not removed from reduced oxygen package. Provided operator with pdf handout for ROP fish and educated on changes in severity of violation for the coming year. **Corrective Action Taken**
06-09-1
Basic - Build up observed on vents in dishwashing area and kitchen, build up on floors behind cooking equipment in kitchen, standing water in back corner of kitchen. **Repeat Violation**
36-22-4
70
Oct 8, 2025
Complaint Full
No violations found.
100
Oct 1, 2025
Complaint Full
2 major violations.
View 2 violations
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : Intermediate - Water with a temperature of least 85 degrees Fahrenheit not provided/shut off at employee handwash sink. No hot water for establishment. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2025-10-01: No hot water for entire establishment. Water temped 71f. **Time Extended**
27-16-4
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : Intermediate - No hot running water at three-compartment sink. No hot water for establishment. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2025-10-01: No hot water for entire establishment. Water temped 71f. **Time Extended**
27-06-4
82
Sep 30, 2025
Complaint Full
4 critical violations. 3 major violations. 9 minor violations.
View 16 violations
High Priority - Observed rodent droppings found in box of uncooked pasta in dry storage. **Warning**
08B-02-4
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Shell eggs stored over open condiments in walk in cooler. Raw bacon stored over cut vegetables in reach in cooler.
08A-05-6
High Priority - Rodent activity present as evidenced by rodent droppings found in the following locations: approximately 100 rodent droppings found in dry storage area, 3 rodent droppings found on shelves in hallway, and approximately 10 rodent droppings found in box of pasta in dry storage. See stop sale **Warning**
35A-04-4
High Priority - Stop Sale issued due to food not being in a wholesome, sound condition. Observed approximately 10 rodent droppings in open box of pasta. **Warning**
01B-13-4
Intermediate - Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Hand wash sink in kitchen block by unused equipment.
31A-09-4
Intermediate - Water with a temperature of least 85 degrees Fahrenheit not provided/shut off at employee handwash sink. No hot water for establishment. **Warning**
27-16-4
Intermediate - No hot running water at three-compartment sink. No hot water for establishment. **Warning**
27-06-4
Basic - Single-service articles improperly stored. Single service items stored on floor in storage area and prep area.
25-05-4
Basic - Ripped/worn tin foil used as shelf cover in kitchen.
14-20-4
Basic - Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin.
22-20-5
Basic - Reach-in cooler interior/shelves have accumulation of soil residues. Build up observed in reach in cooler under prep table.
22-16-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Excessive build up observed on stoves and shelves in kitchen area.
23-03-4
Basic - No conspicuously located ambient air temperature thermometer in holding unit. Broken glass stem thermometer in walk in cooler.
05-09-4
Basic - Floor soiled/has accumulation of debris. Garbage/build up accumulated in corner of storage room.
36-73-4
Basic - Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Raw fish stored in walk in cooler with no label.
02D-01-5
Basic - Stored food not covered. Uncovered shrimp and scallops in reach in freezer near kitchen. Uncovered frozen fritters and chicken fried steak in reach in freezer.
08B-12-5
26
Mar 18, 2025
Complaint Full
1 critical violation. 5 minor violations.
View 6 violations
High Priority - Raw animal foods not properly separated from each other in holding unit based upon minimum required cooking temperature. She'll eggs stored over Raw bacon in walk in cooler.
08A-20-5
Basic - Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin.
22-20-5
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. Do not use until repaired and use 3 compartment sink.
16-55-4
Basic - Floor area(s) covered with standing water in walk in cooler.
36-22-4
Basic - Unsealed concrete floor in food preparation, food storage, warewashing area or bathroom.
36-02-5
Basic - Walk-in cooler interior door with rust that has pitted the surface.
14-17-4
67
Jul 25, 2024
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 2 major violations. 2 minor violations.
View 6 violations
Employee Health Policies Present
FL-03
Supervisor/Person in Charge Present
FL-01
Adequate Handwashing Facilities Supplied and Accessible
FL-10
Food Contact Surfaces Clean and Sanitized
FL-22
Non-Food Contact Surfaces Clean
FL-23
Toilet Rooms Maintained
FL-53
45
Mar 27, 2024
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 3 major violations. 2 minor violations.
View 7 violations
Hands Clean and Properly Washed
FL-08
Proper Eating, Tasting, Drinking, or Tobacco Use
FL-06
Required Records Available; Shellstock Tags/Labels
FL-14
Food Contact Surfaces Clean and Sanitized
FL-22
Non-Food Contact Surfaces Clean
FL-23
Approved Thawing Methods Used
FL-31
Toilet Rooms Maintained
FL-53
47
Nov 21, 2023
Food-Licensing Inspection
5 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Basic - Accumulation of dead or trapped birds, insects, rodents, or other pests, in control devices. Observed fly trap stored above reach in cooler with approximately 50 flies. Operator cleaned and moved fly trap to appropriate location during inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
35A-06-4
Basic - Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Observed container with no handle used for scooping inside bucket of milk powder.
14-01-5
Basic - Clean utensils or equipment stored in dirty drawer or rack. Observed clean utensils stored in two soiled bins at dish area. Operator stored clean utensils in clean bins during inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
24-06-4
Basic - Commercially processed reduced oxygen packaged fish bearing a label indicating that it is to remain frozen until time of use no longer frozen and not removed from reduced oxygen package. Observed three packages of thawed grouper in sealed ROP packages. Operator opened packages during inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
06-09-1
Basic - Covered waste receptacle not provided in women's bathroom. Observed all waste receptacles in women's bathroom uncovered.
32-12-5
78
Jun 16, 2023
Complaint Full
No violations found.
100
Jan 19, 2023
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 4 major violations. 4 minor violations.
View 10 violations
Hands Clean and Properly Washed
FL-08
Employee Health Policies Present
FL-03
Food Obtained from Approved Sources
FL-11
Required Records Available; Shellstock Tags/Labels
FL-14
Non-Food Contact Surfaces Clean
FL-23
Sewage and Wastewater Properly Disposed
FL-27
Approved Thawing Methods Used
FL-31
Equipment, Food and Non-Food Contact Surfaces Approved
FL-35
Lighting Adequate; Required Shields in Place
FL-36
Toilet Rooms Maintained
FL-53
35
Sep 9, 2022
Routine - Food
3 critical violations. 1 major violation.
View 4 violations
High Priority - Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license. More than 60 days. **Admin Complaint**
50-17-2
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed fries on top of ice cooler for undetermined amount of time at 61F. See stop sale. Observed shrimp in triple compartment sink in kitchen for undetermined amount of time at 61F. See stop sale. Observed chicken and fish in make table since 11am cold above 41F at 2:45pm: fish 62F, chicken 62F. Observed manager place food in reach in freezer. **Warning**
03A-02-5
High Priority - Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. Observed fries on top of ice cooler for undetermined amount of time at 61F. See stop sale. Observed shrimp in triple compartment sink in kitchen for undetermined amount of time at 61F. See stop sale. **Warning**
01B-02-5
Intermediate - Handwash sink removed from food preparation/dishwashing area. Must be reinstalled in the same location where removed. Observed handwash sink across from fry vats removed and hand wash in front corner of kitchen not accessible due drain pipes underneath uninstalled. **Warning**
31A-04-4
58
Frequently Asked Questions
When was The Driftwood Family Restaurant last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at The Driftwood Family Restaurant on file is from Dec 3, 2025. The public record contains 11 inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at The Driftwood Family Restaurant?
Across the inspection record, “nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease” has been cited two times, more than any other issue at The Driftwood Family Restaurant.
How does The Driftwood Family Restaurant compare to other restaurants in Tallahassee?
The Driftwood Family Restaurant most recently scored 70 out of 100, which is lower than the Tallahassee average of 87.
Has The Driftwood Family Restaurant's inspection record improved over time?
Yes. Recent inspections at The Driftwood Family Restaurant have averaged around two violations per visit, down from roughly nine earlier in the record.
What does a medium risk rating mean?
A medium risk rating at The Driftwood Family Restaurant 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 The Driftwood Family Restaurant inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, The Driftwood Family Restaurant is inspected around three times per year on average.
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