The Drunken Horse
Last inspected: Dec 19, 2025
52
Score
The Drunken Horse appears in inspection records 10 times, starting in 2022. The most recent report on file is from Dec 19, 2025. Diners may want to take note: high risk reflects issues that a health inspector considered important.
Recent inspections have turned up roughly the same number of issues each time, hovering near four violations per visit.
Looking across the full record, “nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease” is the recurring theme, flagged three times.
Compared to other St. Augustine restaurants (averaging 81), there's room to close the gap. There are enough flags in the record to merit a second thought.
10
Inspections
1
Critical latest
3
Major latest
4
Minor latest
Inspection History
Dec 19, 2025
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 3 major violations. 4 minor violations.
View 8 violations
High Priority - Live, small flying insects found Observed one(1) I've flying insect in kitchen
35A-02-7
Intermediate - Food being cooled by nonapproved method as evidenced by inadequate rate of cooling during time of inspection. Observed beef stew being covered and tightly packed in reach in cooler. Discussed with person in charge.
03D-15-4
Intermediate - Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Observed hand washing station blocked by prep table and dirty pans. Person in charge unblocked hand washing station. **Corrected On-Site**
31A-09-4
Intermediate - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Observed cooked shrimp and vegetables soup prepared previous day prep time missing date marks. Person in charge added date marks. **Corrected On-Site**
02C-02-5
Basic - Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable. Observed flip-top cooler cutting board has a melted spot from a pot.
14-09-4
Basic - Faucet/handle missing at plumbing fixture. Observed hot water handler on hand washing station leaking when on.
29-09-4
Basic - Food storage container/container lid cracked or broken. Observed 3 plastic take out containers used to portion hot beef stew had melted lids. Discussed cooking stew prior to portioning in plastic containers. Person in charge disposed of lids. **Corrected On-Site**
14-38-4
Basic - Outer openings not protected during operation and vermin and/or environmental cross contamination present. Observed side entrance, front entrance and rear entrance open without air curtains or screens and live flying insect present in kitchen. Discussed with person in charge. Person in charge closed all doors. **Corrective Action Taken**
35B-05-4
52
Oct 21, 2025
Routine - Food
No violations found.
100
Aug 25, 2025
Routine - Food
1 major violation.
View 1 violation
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : Intermediate - No proof of required state approved employee training provided for any employees. To order approved program food safety material, call DBPR contracted provider: Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (SafeStaff) 866-372-7233. Observed no proof of food handler training onsite. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2025-08-25: Manager needs more time to train employees. **Time Extended**
53B-01-5
90
Jun 25, 2025
Routine - Food
2 major violations. 1 minor violation.
View 3 violations
Intermediate - No currently certified food service manager on duty with four or more employees engaged in food preparation/handling. A list of accredited food manager certification examination providers can be found at http://www.myfloridalicense.com/DBPR/hotels-restaurants/food-lodging/food-manager/ Observed manager offsite while there are four food employees. Discussed with person in charge.
53A-05-6
Intermediate - No proof of required state approved employee training provided for any employees. To order approved program food safety material, call DBPR contracted provider: Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (SafeStaff) 866-372-7233. Observed no proof of food handler training onsite. **Warning**
53B-01-5
Basic - In-use utensil stored in standing water less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed utensils in 70F water. Person in charge placed on stove to heat water. **Corrective Action Taken**
10-07-4
78
Jan 23, 2025
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 3 minor violations.
View 5 violations
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed truffle butter (48F - Cold Holding) above chill line on flip-top cooler for less than one hour per person in charge. Person in charge placed in bottoms of reach in cooler to cool. **Corrective Action Taken**
03A-02-5
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. Observed opened gallon of milk missing date mark. Opened prior days early afternoon per person in charge. Person in charge added date mark. **Corrected On-Site**
02C-03-5
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed reach in cooler gaskets soiled with food debris. **Repeat Violation**
23-03-4
Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Observed employee coffee in food prep area. Person in charge removed employee drink. **Corrected On-Site**
12B-07-4
Basic - Interior of oven/microwave has accumulation of black substance/grease/food debris. Observed table top oven interior soiled with food debris.
22-08-4
67
Apr 25, 2024
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 2 minor violations.
View 4 violations
High Priority - Live, small flying insects in kitchen, food preparation area, food storage area and/or bar area. Observed two small live flying insects in kitchen.
35A-02-6
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. Provided written procedures and discussed with person in charge. **Corrective Action Taken** **Repeat Violation**
11-27-4
Basic - Equipment in poor repair. Observed gaskets on small reach in cooler and small reach in freezer torn. Observed gaskets on large door reach in cooler torn.
14-11-5
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed gasket on small reach in freezer soiled with food debris.
23-03-4
70
Nov 20, 2023
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 2 major violations. 2 minor violations.
View 5 violations
High Priority - Stop Sale issued due to food not being in a wholesome, sound condition. Observed 84 reused snail shells stuffed with food. Shells purchased from supplier to be reused.
01B-13-4
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. Provided written procedures and discussed with person in charge. **Corrective Action Taken**
11-27-4
Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Observed hand washing station used to wash knife and harmonica. Discussed with employee and they removed utensil and musical instrument from hand washing station. **Corrected On-Site**
31A-11-4
Basic - Equipment in poor repair. Observed multiple reach in cooler gaskets torn. **Repeat Violation**
14-11-5
Basic - Establishment increased seating without providing written approval from the local fire authority and wastewater provider. Observed establishment licensed for 22 seats while having 63 physical seats. Person in charge has seating change evaluation form with local city authority. Establishment just completed a required upgrade on grease trap and is waiting on city to sign off. **Corrective Action Taken**
51-15-4
64
May 3, 2023
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 2 major violations. 3 minor violations.
View 6 violations
Hands Clean and Properly Washed
FL-08
Food Received at Proper Temperature
FL-12
Required Records Available; Shellstock Tags/Labels
FL-14
Proper Hot and Cold Holding Temperatures
FL-21
Approved Thawing Methods Used
FL-31
Toilet Rooms Maintained
FL-53
61
Dec 12, 2022
Routine - Food
2 major violations. 1 minor violation.
View 3 violations
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. 1) cutting board on main cook line stained with food debris.
22-02-4
Intermediate - Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled. 1) unlabeled spray bottle with chemical at bar. Person in charge added label. **Corrected On-Site**
41-17-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. 1) flip-top cooler top and single door cooler gaskets soiled with food debris.
23-03-4
78
Jul 20, 2022
Routine - Food
No violations found.
100
Frequently Asked Questions
When was The Drunken Horse last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at The Drunken Horse on file is from Dec 19, 2025. The public record contains 10 inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at The Drunken Horse?
Across the inspection record, “nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease” has been cited three times, more than any other issue at The Drunken Horse.
How does The Drunken Horse compare to other restaurants in St. Augustine?
The Drunken Horse most recently scored 52 out of 100, which is lower than the St. Augustine average of 81.
Has The Drunken Horse's inspection record improved over time?
Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at The Drunken Horse have averaged around four violations per visit across the recent record.
What does a high risk rating mean?
A high risk rating at The Drunken Horse 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 The Drunken Horse inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, The Drunken Horse is inspected around three times per year on average.
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