The Garden Mediterranean Grill
Last inspected: Apr 27, 2026
37
Score
Inspectors have visited The Garden Mediterranean Grill 13 times, with records going back to 2022. The most recent visit was on Apr 27, 2026. High risk indicates the latest inspection turned up problems worth knowing about.
Things have been moving in the right direction, with the rolling count dropping from around 10 violations to closer to seven violations per visit.
Looking across the full record, “cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable” is the recurring theme, flagged five times.
Restaurants in Lutz average 79, so The Garden Mediterranean Grill trails the local norm. Taken together, the history suggests a facility that has struggled with consistency.
13
Inspections
2
Critical latest
4
Major latest
6
Minor latest
Inspection History
Apr 27, 2026
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 4 major violations. 6 minor violations.
View 12 violations
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Raw beef above cut onions and green peppers in walk in cooler, operator removed vegetables to top **Warning**
08A-05-6
High Priority - Employee failed to wash hands before putting on gloves to initiate a task working with food. Employee touched raw chicken no hand wash before new gloves on, discussed with operator and she washed hand then put new gloves on **Warning**
12A-07-5
Intermediate - Required employee training expired for all employees. To order approved program food safety material, call DBPR contracted provider: Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (SafeStaff) 866-372-7233. Maria is working **Warning**
53B-05-5
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Cutting boards stained in kitchen **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
22-02-4
Intermediate - No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. No paper towels at hand sink by soda machine in kitchen, operator refilled it. **Warning**
31B-02-4
Intermediate - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Opened bag feta cheese no date mark over 24 hours in walk in cooler. **Warning**
02C-02-5
Basic - Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance. Ceiling tiles and vents soiled and grease buildup heavily in kitchen **Warning**
36-34-5
Basic - Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable. Cutting boards groomed and have deep cut marks, no longer cleanable **Warning**
14-09-4
Basic - Employee eating in a food preparation or other restricted area. Employee food with bottled drinks together not separate from store food in reach in cooler in bar. Operator removed employee food. **Warning**
12B-02-4
Basic - Equipment in poor repair. Reach in cooler top lids handles missing. **Warning**
14-11-5
Basic - Floor area(s) covered with standing water. Standing water on floor in kitchen by back door, operator cleaned **Warning**
36-22-4
Basic - Food stored on floor. Flour on floor in storage room, operator removed it to on shelf **Warning**
08B-38-4
37
Dec 23, 2025
Routine - Food
1 major violation. 1 minor violation.
View 2 violations
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : 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/ four employees food manager left before arrival of inspection - From follow-up inspection 2025-12-23: **Time Extended**
53A-05-6
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable. **Repeat Violation** - From follow-up inspection 2025-12-23: **Time Extended**
14-09-4
86
Dec 18, 2025
Routine - Food
3 critical violations. 1 major violation. 2 minor violations.
View 6 violations
High Priority - Establishment using a sanitizer solution that does not meet the requirements specified in 40 CFR 180. Only use single-service items to serve food to customers until approved sanitizer is available for warewashing. Restaurant has a chlorine sanitizer called wave that doesn't say on label to sanitize food contact surfaces. Employee went to store to buy correct sanitizer observed correct sanitizer **Corrected On-Site** **Admin Complaint**
22-48-5
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Raw lamb over lentil soup walk in cooler.
08A-05-6
High Priority - Single-use gloves not changed as needed after changing tasks or when damaged or soiled. Cook washed gloves. Discussed with employees to change gloves than wash hands
12A-09-4
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/ four employees food manager left before arrival of inspection
53A-05-6
Basic - Floor area(s) covered with standing water. Kitchen by three compartment sink employee was drying floor at time of inspection **Corrective Action Taken**
36-22-4
Basic - Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable. **Repeat Violation**
14-09-4
52
Jun 20, 2025
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 4 major violations. 10 minor violations.
View 15 violations
High Priority - Live, small flying insects found Observed 3 at the mop sink. Operator eradicated, cleaned and sanitized the area.
35A-02-7
Intermediate - Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Hand sink in wait station blocked by bus tub. Tongs in hand sink at cookline. Towels stored in hand sink at dish area. Operator removed items. **Corrected On-Site**
31A-09-4
Intermediate - No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. At dish area hand sink.
31B-02-4
Intermediate - No soap provided at handwash sink. At dish area hand sink
31B-03-4
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.
53B-14-5
Basic - Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Portion cup used as scoop in bulk sugar. Operator removed. **Corrected On-Site**
14-01-5
Basic - Carbon dioxide/helium tanks not adequately secured. 3 tanks in storage area not secured.
51-11-4
Basic - Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable.
14-09-4
Basic - Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting. Drinking glasses at server station
24-08-4
Basic - Equipment in poor repair. Gaskets torn on glass door coolers at front counter
14-11-5
Basic - Food stored on floor. Fryer oil on the floor in wait station. Operator placed on shelf **Corrected On-Site**
08B-38-4
Basic - In-use tongs stored on equipment door handle between uses. Observed on oven door handles. Operator removed. **Corrected On-Site**
10-20-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Spray nozzle at 3 compartment sink has buildup of soil residue. Hood filters have grease buildup. Food debris buildup on stove grates. Reach in cooler door gaskets soiled at cookline.
23-03-4
Basic - Reach-in cooler shelves with rust that has pitted the surface.
14-33-4
Basic - Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Bulk sugar not labeled. **Corrected On-Site**
02D-01-5
35
Jan 9, 2025
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 4 major violations. 9 minor violations.
View 14 violations
High Priority - Pesticide/insecticide labeled for household use only present in establishment. Can of raid spray next to coffee machine at entrance to kitchen and hand sink next to soda machine
41-05-4
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Stained cutting boards in prep area. Accumulation of grease on grill and stove surface
22-02-4
Intermediate - Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Cooking utensil in hand sink on cook line
31A-09-4
Intermediate - No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. Across from triple sink
31B-02-4
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 employee certificate expired (Raja Saad 5/5/24)
53B-14-5
Basic - Floor soiled/has accumulation of debris. Accumulation of grease under cook line
36-73-4
Basic - Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable.
14-09-4
Basic - Cleaned and sanitized equipment or utensils not properly stored. Clean spoons behind bar stored in ceramic cup with lighter
24-07-4
Basic - Carbon dioxide tanks not adequately secured. Next to soda machine
51-11-4
Basic - Buildup of food debris/soil residue on equipment door handles. Cooler handles soiled
23-24-4
Basic - Reach-in cooler shelves with rust that has pitted the surface. Cook line coolers
14-33-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Cooler gaskets soiled
23-03-4
Basic - In-use wet wiping cloth/towel used under cutting board.
21-04-4
Basic - In-use tongs stored on equipment door handle between uses. Oven door handle
10-20-4
37
Jun 21, 2024
Routine - Food
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Floor area(s) covered with standing water. Production area **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2024-06-21: Still observed by mop sink **Time Extended**
36-22-4
95
Jun 17, 2024
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 1 major violation. 5 minor violations.
View 8 violations
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Raw shelled eggs over sauces reach in cooler cooks line. Employee removed to proper storage. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
08A-05-6
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Walk in cooler: ambient air temperature 50 f operator states a truck delivery came in one person putting truck away door opened Cold holding: cheese 47 f raw lamb 45 f cook egg plant 45 operator placed ice on some products. **Warning**
03A-02-5
Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Stored picture on cooks line employee removed **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
31A-11-4
Basic - floor drain draining very slowly. Floor drain under three compartment sink filled to the top not leaking out. Mop sink is filled to the top but not draining onto the floor. 2 floor drains in front of kitchen door way entrance brown water is half way filled. During inspection the two drains in kitchen door way began to go down the drain. **Warning**
29-19-4
Basic - Objectionable odors in bathroom or other areas of the establishment. Under three compartment sink. **Warning**
36-64-5
Basic - Food stored under dripping water line. In walk in cooler ac vent raw meats in containers with lid over food **Warning**
08B-52-4
Basic - Floor soiled/has accumulation of debris. Under three compartment sink and soda dispenser machine by hand washing sinks at kitchen entrance. **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
36-73-4
Basic - Floor area(s) covered with standing water. Production area **Warning**
36-22-4
52
Jan 30, 2024
Routine - Food
No violations found.
100
Jan 26, 2024
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 3 minor violations.
View 5 violations
High Priority - - From initial inspection : High Priority - Roach activity present as evidenced by live roaches found. 1 live roach in gasket of walk in cooler. Employee killed and removed and sanitized area. **Admin Complaint** - From follow-up inspection 2024-01-26: 1 live roach on wall by hand washing sink employee killed and removed at time of callback **Time Extended**
35A-05-4
High Priority - - From initial inspection : High Priority - Live, small flying insects in kitchen, food preparation area, food storage area and/or bar area. 2 live flies in kitchen not landing on food. **Admin Complaint** - From follow-up inspection 2024-01-26: 1 fly under three compartment sink. **Time Extended**
35A-02-6
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Dead roaches on premises.1 dead roach on wall behind ice machine 13 dead roaches under hand washing sink by three compartment sink. 2 dead roaches under three compartment sink in bar area in the crack of the bottom piece counter top. **Admin Complaint** - From follow-up inspection 2024-01-26: 1 dead roach on prep table. 1 dead roach on wall by back kitchen. 1 dead roach under reach in cooler. 2 dead in bar area in the crack of the bottom piece counter top. **Time Extended**
35A-03-4
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Floor soiled/has accumulation of debris. With grease throughout the kitchen under equipment. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2024-01-26: **Time Extended**
36-73-4
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Food stored on floor. Lentil bags and tahini buckets stored on floor by dry storage area. Walk in freezer frozen sausage and raw beef in buckets on floor. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2024-01-26: **Time Extended**
08B-38-4
64
Jan 24, 2024
Routine - Food
5 critical violations. 4 major violations. 5 minor violations.
View 14 violations
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Fresh garlic sauce 56 f sitting on counter. Employee placed in freezer. 2nd temp 43 f **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
03A-02-5
High Priority - Single-use gloves not changed as needed after changing tasks or when damaged or soiled. Employee on cell phone while preparing food. Discussed with employee the importance of food safety **Warning**
12A-09-4
High Priority - Roach activity present as evidenced by live roaches found. 1 live roach in gasket of walk in cooler. Employee killed and removed and sanitized area. **Admin Complaint**
35A-05-4
High Priority - Live, small flying insects in kitchen, food preparation area, food storage area and/or bar area. 2 live flies in kitchen not landing on food. **Admin Complaint**
35A-02-6
High Priority - 1 egg sac on wall by hand washing sink by three compartment sink present. **Warning**
35A-23-4
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.shredded cheese reach in cooler cooks line. **Warning**
02C-03-5
Intermediate - No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. Bar area. And prep area by three compartment sink **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
31B-02-4
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. **Warning**
53B-01-5
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. **Warning**
11-26-1
Basic - Dead roaches on premises.1 dead roach on wall behind ice machine 13 dead roaches under hand washing sink by three compartment sink. 2 dead roaches under three compartment sink in bar area in the crack of the bottom piece counter top. **Admin Complaint**
35A-03-4
Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Cup on cutting board employee removed **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
12B-07-4
Basic - Floor soiled/has accumulation of debris. With grease throughout the kitchen under equipment. **Warning**
36-73-4
Basic - Food stored on floor. Lentil bags and tahini buckets stored on floor by dry storage area. Walk in freezer frozen sausage and raw beef in buckets on floor. **Warning**
08B-38-4
Basic - Water leaking from pipe and/or faucet/handle. **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
29-11-4
25
Oct 5, 2023
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 1 major violation. 3 minor violations.
View 6 violations
High Priority - - From initial inspection : High Priority - Single-use gloves not changed as needed after changing tasks or when damaged or soiled. Cook handled raw food then washed hands with gloves on. Discussed with employee. Employee removed gloves and washed hands. **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2023-10-05: No food processes at this time **Time Extended**
12A-09-4
High Priority - - From initial inspection : High Priority - Employee washed hands with no soap. Discussed with employee. Employee washed hands with soap. **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2023-10-05: No hand washing observed at this time, no food preparation during this inspection **Time Extended**
12A-20-4
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Employee using hand sink to fill pot with water. Utensils in hand sink at bar. Manager removed. **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2023-10-05: Hand sinks not being used at this time, no food processes **Time Extended**
31A-11-4
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Ceiling not smooth, nonabsorbent and easily cleanable in food preparation, food storage, or warewashing areas. Acoustic tiles in wait station and storage area. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2023-10-05: **Time Extended**
36-37-5
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Floor soiled/has accumulation of debris throughout kitchen. Floor drains soiled. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2023-10-05: **Time Extended**
36-73-4
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Floors not maintained smooth and durable. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2023-10-05: **Time Extended**
36-11-4
58
Jun 2, 2023
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 6 major violations. 5 minor violations.
View 12 violations
Procedures for Responding to Vomiting/Diarrheal Events
FL-05
Food Obtained from Approved Sources
FL-11
Food Received at Proper Temperature
FL-12
Food in Good Condition, Safe, and Unadulterated
FL-13
Food Contact Surfaces Clean and Sanitized
FL-22
Non-Food Contact Surfaces Clean
FL-23
Hot and Cold Water Available; Adequate Pressure
FL-25
Equipment Adequate to Maintain Product Temperature
FL-29
Approved Thawing Methods Used
FL-31
Lighting Adequate; Required Shields in Place
FL-36
Plumbing Maintained; Sewage Disposal
FL-51
Toilet Rooms Maintained
FL-53
19
Nov 29, 2022
Routine - Food
4 major violations. 1 minor violation.
View 5 violations
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Cutting board at reach in cooler soiled.
22-02-4
Intermediate - Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Bucket in hand sink at front counter. Manager removed. Dishes in front of hand sink by triple sink. Manager removed. **Corrected On-Site**
31A-09-4
Intermediate - No soap provided at handwash sink at bar. Manager placed soap at sink. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
31B-03-4
Intermediate - Water with a temperature of at least 100 degrees Fahrenheit not provided/shut off at employee handwash sink. 83F at hand sink at bar. **Repeat Violation**
27-16-4
Basic - Floor tiles missing and/or in disrepair by kitchen exit door.
36-17-5
64
Frequently Asked Questions
When was The Garden Mediterranean Grill last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at The Garden Mediterranean Grill on file is from Apr 27, 2026. The public record contains 13 inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at The Garden Mediterranean Grill?
Across the inspection record, “cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable” has been cited five times, more than any other issue at The Garden Mediterranean Grill.
How does The Garden Mediterranean Grill compare to other restaurants in Lutz?
The Garden Mediterranean Grill most recently scored 37 out of 100, which is lower than the Lutz average of 79.
Has The Garden Mediterranean Grill's inspection record improved over time?
Yes. Recent inspections at The Garden Mediterranean Grill have averaged around seven violations per visit, down from roughly 10 earlier in the record.
What does a high risk rating mean?
A high risk rating at The Garden Mediterranean Grill 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 Garden Mediterranean Grill inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, The Garden Mediterranean Grill is inspected around four times per year on average.
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