The Jerk Center
Last inspected: Jan 8, 2026
58
Score
The health department has logged 11 inspections at The Jerk Center, the earliest from 2022. Inspectors last stopped by on Jan 8, 2026. When a facility lands in medium risk territory, it usually means a mixed inspection result.
Violation counts have held steady across recent visits, averaging around three violations each.
“Food-contact surface soiled with food debris” accounts for the largest share of issues, appearing three times across the record.
The city-wide average sits at 77, which The Jerk Center's 58 doesn't quite reach. On the whole, the file is mixed but not concerning.
11
Inspections
1
Critical latest
3
Major latest
2
Minor latest
Inspection History
Jan 8, 2026
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 3 major violations. 2 minor violations.
View 6 violations
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. In glass door cooler eggs over cut cabbage and milk, operator moved eggs to bottom shelf **Corrected On-Site**
08A-05-6
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Stained cutting board at steam table, operator has new board, needs to drill holes . **Repeat Violation**
22-02-4
Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Silverware in hand wash sink at front counter, operat removed **Corrected On-Site**
31A-11-4
Intermediate - No chemical test kit provided when using sanitizer at three-compartment sink/warewashing machine or wiping cloths. For chlorine or quaternary ammonia sanitizer
16-37-1
Basic - Reach-in cooler interior/shelves have accumulation of soil residues. Vertical cooler in back room
22-16-4
Basic - No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees. At front counter, provided hand wash sign for operator.
31B-04-4
58
Apr 15, 2025
Routine - Food
1 major violation.
View 1 violation
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris. Stained white cutting board on steam table. - From follow-up inspection 2025-04-15: Operator has ordered new cutting boards. **Time Extended**
22-02-4
90
Apr 14, 2025
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 1 minor violation.
View 3 violations
High Priority - Rodent activity present as evidenced by rodent droppings found. 4 rodent droppings underneath metal rack in storage room. 1 rodent droppings next to rack in storage room. 1 rodent dropping on floor in carpeted storage room. Operator cleaned and sanitized areas. **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
35A-04-4
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris. Stained white cutting board on steam table.
22-02-4
Basic - Dead roaches on premises. 2 dead roaches in carpeted storage room. Operator discarded. **Corrected On-Site**
35A-03-4
74
Feb 10, 2025
Routine - Food
1 major violation.
View 1 violation
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : Intermediate - Food manager certification expired. A list of accredited food manager certification examination providers can be found at https://www2.myfloridalicense.com/hotels-restaurants/food-lodging/food-manager/ Clifford Mcleod manager certification expired 06/04/2024 - From follow-up inspection 2025-02-10: **Time Extended**
53A-03-7
90
Dec 6, 2024
Routine - Food
1 critical violation.
View 1 violation
Food Received at Proper Temperature
FL-12
86
Dec 5, 2024
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 2 minor violations.
View 4 violations
High Priority - Rodent activity present as evidenced by rodent droppings found. -46 rodent droppings under 3 compartment sink -63 rodent droppings under hand sink next to 3 compartment sink -12 rodent droppings on grease trap next to hand sink in dish area -18 rodent droppings on floor behind shelf with clean dishes stored on it -9 rodent droppings on floor by water heater
35A-04-4
High Priority - Employee handled soiled equipment or utensils and then engaged in food preparation, handled clean equipment or utensils, or touched unwrapped single-service items without washing hands. Employee handling cell phone then clean dishes and preparing food without washing hands, discussed with manager proper hand washing procedure
12A-13-4
Basic - Floor soiled/has accumulation of debris. Floors soiled under and behind equipment
36-73-4
Basic - Reach-in cooler interior/shelves have accumulation of soil residues. All Reach in coolers **Repeat Violation**
22-16-4
67
Apr 29, 2024
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 1 major violation. 5 minor violations.
View 8 violations
High Priority - Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license. Expired 02/01/2024 **Admin Complaint**
50-17-3
High Priority - Employee failed to wash hands before putting on gloves to initiate a task working with food. Employee put gloves on and touched Togo box and preparing food without washing hands
12A-07-5
Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Employee rinsed bowl out in hand sink
31A-11-4
Basic - Interior of refrigerator or freezer in disrepair/has exposed insulation. Chest freezer in back prep room
14-36-5
Basic - Reach-in cooler interior/shelves have accumulation of soil residues.
22-16-4
Basic - Reuse of single-service or single-use articles. Countrycrock containers reused for food
25-32-4
Basic - In-use knife/knives stored in cracks between pieces of equipment. Knives in between wall and prep table
10-17-4
Basic - Ice buildup in reach-in freezer and/or walk-in freezer. Ice buildup in chest freezer in prep area
14-69-4
52
Dec 5, 2023
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 1 minor violation.
View 3 violations
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over or with unwashed produce. Raw chicken wings above unwashed onions in reach in cooler, wings removed from cooler **Corrected On-Site**
08A-04-5
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 operator with printed copy of DBPR HR 5030-104 **Corrected On-Site**
11-27-4
Basic - No Heimlich maneuver/choking sign posted. Provided operator with printed copy of DBPR HR 5030-105 **Corrected On-Site**
51-13-4
74
Aug 28, 2023
Routine - Food
1 major violation.
View 1 violation
Food Obtained from Approved Sources
FL-11
82
Jun 29, 2023
Routine - Food
4 major violations. 1 minor violation.
View 5 violations
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 operator with DBPR HR 5030-104 **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning**
11-27-4
Intermediate - No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. At hand sink in dish area, operator refilled paper towels **Corrected On-Site** **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. Provided operator with DBPR HR 5030-103 **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning**
11-26-1
Basic - Employee with no hair restraint while engaging in food preparation. Employee put a hat on **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
13-03-4
64
Dec 5, 2022
Routine - Food
2 major violations. 6 minor violations.
View 8 violations
Intermediate - Food being cooled by nonapproved method as evidenced by inadequate rate of cooling during time of inspection. Cooked chicken cooling 124f, moved to reach in cooler.
03D-15-4
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 - Equipment in poor repair. Torn gaskets.
14-11-5
Basic - In-use knife/knives stored in cracks between pieces of equipment.
10-17-4
Basic - Lights in food preparation, food storage or warewashing area missing the proper shield, sleeve coatings or covers. Server area where two stand up coolers located.
38-07-4
Basic - No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees. Next to dish washer. Ladies room.
31B-04-4
Basic - Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Bowl in flour used for portioning.
14-01-5
Basic - Covered waste receptacle not provided in women's bathroom.
32-12-5
61
Frequently Asked Questions
When was The Jerk Center last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at The Jerk Center on file is from Jan 8, 2026. The public record contains 11 inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at The Jerk Center?
Across the inspection record, “food-contact surface soiled with food debris” has been cited three times, more than any other issue at The Jerk Center.
How does The Jerk Center compare to other restaurants in Tarpon Springs?
The Jerk Center most recently scored 58 out of 100, which is lower than the Tarpon Springs average of 77.
Has The Jerk Center's inspection record improved over time?
Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at The Jerk Center have averaged around three violations per visit across the recent record.
What does a medium risk rating mean?
A medium risk rating at The Jerk Center 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 Jerk Center inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, The Jerk Center is inspected around four times per year on average.
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