The Hidden Crab
Last inspected: Jan 7, 2026
100
Score
Public records show 10 inspections at The Hidden Crab stretching back to 2022. The latest inspection on file is from Jan 7, 2026. Diners can read the low risk label as a sign that recent inspections have gone well.
Recent inspections have found fewer violations than earlier ones, averaging around three violations lately and about six violations before that.
The most common issue across all inspections has been “lights in food preparation”, showing up three times.
Restaurants in Fernandina Beach average 68, so The Hidden Crab is doing better than most peers. The record reflects steady performance over time.
10
Inspections
0
Critical latest
0
Major latest
0
Minor latest
Inspection History
Jan 7, 2026
Routine - Food
No violations found.
100
Dec 30, 2025
Routine - Food
1 critical violation.
View 1 violation
High Priority - - From initial inspection : High Priority - Dishmachine chlorine sanitizer not at proper minimum strength. Discontinue use of dishmachine for sanitizing and set up manual sanitization until dishmachine is repaired and sanitizing properly. Observed dishwasher machine at 0ppm chlorine. Person in charge primed and retested at 0ppm chlorine. Person in charge set up triple sink and called service for machine. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2025-12-30: Dish machine sanitizer 0ppm, in use during inspection, will utilize triple sink to sanitize **Admin Complaint** **Admin Complaint**
22-41-4
86
Dec 17, 2025
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 1 major violation. 6 minor violations.
View 9 violations
High Priority - Dishmachine chlorine sanitizer not at proper minimum strength. Discontinue use of dishmachine for sanitizing and set up manual sanitization until dishmachine is repaired and sanitizing properly. Observed dishwasher machine at 0ppm chlorine. Person in charge primed and retested at 0ppm chlorine. Person in charge set up triple sink and called service for machine. **Warning**
22-41-4
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed in hot box mashed potatoes (124F - Hot Holding); green beans (117F - Hot Holding); Mac n cheese (120F - Hot Holding); baked beans (119F - Hot Holding) for less than 1 hour per person in charge. Person in charge had employee reheat on stove during inspection. All products temped 165+F by end of inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
03B-01-6
Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Observed hand washing station near hotbox used to fill water bucket.
31A-11-4
Basic - Equipment in poor repair. Observed hot box warmer door not staying closed without the aid of a bungee cord. **Repeat Violation**
14-11-5
Basic - Exterior door has a gap at the threshold that opens to the outside. Observed exterior back door with gap showing visible light. **Repeat Violation**
35B-01-4
Basic - Floor area(s) covered with standing water. Observed standing water on floor near fountain drink machine at bar.
36-22-4
Basic - Lights in food preparation, food storage or warewashing area missing the proper shield, sleeve coatings or covers. Observed no light shields on lights a In ware washing area.
38-07-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed gaskets on flip-top coolers soiled with food debris.
23-03-4
Basic - Dead roaches on premises. Observed one(1) dead roach on floor in employee restroom. Person in charge cleaned up and removed dead roach. **Corrected On-Site**
35A-03-4
50
Feb 18, 2025
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 1 major violation. 6 minor violations.
View 9 violations
Adequate Handwashing Facilities Supplied and Accessible
FL-10
Hands Clean and Properly Washed
FL-08
Food Received at Proper Temperature
FL-12
Food Contact Surfaces Clean and Sanitized
FL-22
Equipment Adequate to Maintain Product Temperature
FL-29
Proper Sanitizer Contact Time and Concentration
FL-33
Equipment, Food and Non-Food Contact Surfaces Approved
FL-35
Lighting Adequate; Required Shields in Place
FL-36
Required Records Available; Shellstock Tags/Labels
FL-14
37
Dec 7, 2024
Routine - Food
No violations found.
100
Dec 6, 2024
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 9 minor violations.
View 10 violations
High Priority - Rodent activity present as evidenced by rodent droppings found. Observed approximately fifty (50) rodent droppings behind stand up white reach in freezer in back food storage/ice machine area adjacent to kitchen. **Warning**
35A-04-4
Basic - Ceiling/ceiling tile shows damage or is in disrepair. Ceiling in kitchen is peeling paint.
36-32-5
Basic - Dead roaches on premises. Two (2) dead roaches in cabinet below sink in unisex restroom in kitchen. Dead roaches discarded. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
35A-03-4
Basic - Equipment/utensils in poor repair. Door for warming unit by pass through window does not close correctly (bungee cord to hold closed). White handled spatula near grill is melted. Gaskets for two door reach in cooler in prep area of kitchen. Gaskets ordered. **Corrective Action Taken**
14-11-5
Basic - Exterior door has a gap at the threshold that opens to the outside. Rear exit door in food storage/ice machine area.
35B-01-4
Basic - Grease receptacle/dumpster not on proper pad/nonabsorbent surface. Dumpster and grease receptacle are on oyster shells and dirt.
33-23-4
Basic - Missing drain plug at dumpster. Dumpster outside of establishment.
33-11-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Hood filters above fryers on cook line. Sides of fryers on cook line.
23-03-4
Basic - Unsealed concrete floor in food preparation, food storage, warewashing area or bathroom. Floor throughout kitchen.
36-02-5
Basic - Lights in food preparation, food storage or warewashing area missing the proper shield, sleeve coatings or covers. Lights in small dry storage area.
38-07-4
55
Dec 12, 2023
Routine - Food
2 major violations. 6 minor violations.
View 8 violations
Intermediate - Paper towel dispenser at handwash sink not working/unable to dispense paper towels. Unable to dispense paper towels from dispensers , employee provided some paper towels, looking for key **Corrective Action Taken**
31B-05-4
Intermediate - Required employee training provided by a third-party employee training program and operator unable to provide original certificate for employees trained.
53B-09-4
Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Personal drink on top of microwave next to warmer
12B-07-4
Basic - Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Keys and cellphone stored over cooler, employee with ponytail placed in pocket
40-06-5
Basic - Employee with no hair restraint while engaging in food preparation. Cook in kitchen no hair restraint
13-03-4
Basic - Fly sticky tape hanging over food/food preparation area/food-contact equipment. Fly trap stored in kitchen middle area of kitchen
35B-08-4
Basic - Lights in food preparation, food storage or warewashing area missing the proper shield, sleeve coatings or covers. Cover missing in
38-07-4
Basic - Time/temperature control for safety food thawed in an improper manner. Bag of shrimp thawing in back prep area on prep table
06-01-5
61
Jul 14, 2023
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 2 major violations.
View 3 violations
High Priority - Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license. 6-1-23
50-17-3
Intermediate - Required employee training provided by a third-party employee training program and operator unable to provide original certificate for employees trained.
53B-09-4
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Dm 0 ppms primed retested **Corrective Action Taken**
22-02-4
70
Oct 17, 2022
Routine - Food
3 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Equipment Adequate to Maintain Product Temperature
FL-29
Toxic Substances Properly Identified, Stored, Used
FL-32
Lighting Adequate; Required Shields in Place
FL-36
86
Aug 18, 2022
Routine - Food
3 critical violations. 1 major violation.
View 4 violations
High Priority - - From initial inspection : High Priority - Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license. Expired 6-1-22 **Admin Complaint** - From follow-up inspection 2022-08-18: **Admin Complaint**
50-17-2
High Priority - - From initial inspection : High Priority - Dishmachine chlorine sanitizer not at proper minimum strength. Discontinue use of dishmachine for sanitizing and set up manual sanitization until dishmachine is repaired and sanitizing properly. Dishwasher 0 ppms chlorine **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2022-08-18: **Time Extended**
22-41-4
High Priority - - From initial inspection : High Priority - Vacuum breaker missing at hose bibb or on fitting/splitter added to hose bibb. 1)Hose bib near side door where red hose is hooked up to 2) hose bib near back door(right hand side of back door) **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2022-08-18: **Time Extended**
29-34-4
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : Intermediate - Chemical test kit not used to ensure proper sanitization of equipment and utensils when using a chemical sanitizer. Not used to check dishwasher **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2022-08-18: **Time Extended**
16-33-4
58
Frequently Asked Questions
When was The Hidden Crab last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at The Hidden Crab on file is from Jan 7, 2026. The public record contains 10 inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at The Hidden Crab?
Across the inspection record, “lights in food preparation” has been cited three times, more than any other issue at The Hidden Crab.
How does The Hidden Crab compare to other restaurants in Fernandina Beach?
The Hidden Crab most recently scored 100 out of 100, which is higher than the Fernandina Beach average of 68.
Has The Hidden Crab's inspection record improved over time?
Yes. Recent inspections at The Hidden Crab have averaged around three violations per visit, down from roughly six earlier in the record.
What does a low risk rating mean?
A low risk rating at The Hidden Crab 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 Hidden Crab inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, The Hidden Crab is inspected around three times per year on average.
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