The Kookaburra
Last inspected: Dec 19, 2025
70
Score
The health department has logged eight inspections at The Kookaburra, the earliest from 2022. The latest inspection on file is from Dec 19, 2025. Medium risk typically reflects a handful of issues that inspectors wrote up but didn't deem critical.
The picture has improved over the last few visits: recent inspections have averaged around seven violations, down from roughly 13 violations earlier in the record.
The most common issue across all inspections has been “no paper towels”, showing up two times.
Compared to other St. Augustine restaurants (averaging 81), there's room to close the gap. The record is unremarkable in either direction.
8
Inspections
0
Critical latest
1
Major latest
5
Minor latest
Inspection History
Dec 19, 2025
Routine - Food
1 major violation. 5 minor violations.
View 6 violations
Intermediate - No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. No paper towels at hand wash sink next to triple sink.
31B-02-4
Basic - Bathroom located inside establishment not completely enclosed with tight-fitting, self-closing doors. Shared bathroom door not self closing.
32-04-4
Basic - Ceiling tile missing. Ceiling tile missing in center of kitchen.
36-36-4
Basic - Equipment in poor repair. Reach in cooler gasket at front counter damage. **Repeat Violation**
14-11-5
Basic - Reach-in cooler interior/shelves have accumulation of soil residues. Reach in cooler shelves in kitchen have light build up. **Repeat Violation**
22-16-4
Basic - Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance. Ceiling vents in kitchen soiled with dust build up. **Repeat Violation**
36-34-5
70
Jul 1, 2025
Routine - Food
2 major violations. 5 minor violations.
View 7 violations
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. Open gallon of milk from yesterday per operator not dated. Operator dated 6/30/25. **Corrected On-Site**
02C-03-5
Intermediate - Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Hand wash sink with dirty dishes on top. Operator removed. **Corrected On-Site**
31A-09-4
Basic - Lights in food preparation, food storage or warewashing area missing the proper shield, sleeve coatings or covers. Light shields missing in kitchen. **Repeat Violation**
38-07-4
Basic - Reach-in cooler interior/shelves have accumulation of soil residues. Reach in cooler shelves in kitchen soiled.
22-16-4
Basic - Wood food-contact surface not properly sealed. Wood in liquor room storage not sealed. **Repeat Violation**
14-06-4
Basic - Ceiling/ceiling tile shows damage or is in disrepair. Ceiling tile in kitchen in disrepair and vents soiled. **Repeat Violation**
36-32-5
Basic - Equipment in poor repair. Reach in cooler gasket damage front counter area.
14-11-5
64
Jan 6, 2025
Routine - Food
7 minor violations.
View 7 violations
Basic - Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Observed in multiple containers of spices a round plastic container with no handle used for a scoop. Operator removed from spices. **Corrected On-Site**
14-01-5
Basic - Ceiling/ceiling tile shows damage or is in disrepair. Observed a tile missing in kitchen. Operator stated that they had a leak and had to take down tile. Operator stated that they will be replacing them soon. **Repeat Violation**
36-32-5
Basic - Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable. Observed 3 cutting boards in kitchen with groves and no longer cleanable.
14-09-4
Basic - Floor soiled/has accumulation of debris. Observed multiple tiles and vents in ceiling in kitchen with debris buildup. **Repeat Violation**
36-73-4
Basic - Light shield damaged/in disrepair. Observed 2 lights in kitchen with no shield. Operator stated that they broke and is waiting for new ones to be put in.
38-01-4
Basic - Outer openings not protected with self-closing doors. Observed back door to kitchen and back door to store room not self closing. **Repeat Violation**
35B-03-4
Basic - Wood food-contact surface not properly sealed. Observed wood not sealed on shelves in liquor room. **Repeat Violation**
14-06-4
70
Jul 17, 2024
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 4 major violations. 8 minor violations.
View 14 violations
Food in Good Condition, Safe, and Unadulterated
FL-13
Employee Health Policies Present
FL-03
Food Contact Surfaces Clean and Sanitized
FL-22
Non-Food Contact Surfaces Clean
FL-23
Required Records Available; Shellstock Tags/Labels
FL-14
Potentially Hazardous Food Held at Proper Temperature
FL-16
Hot and Cold Water Available; Adequate Pressure
FL-25
Approved Thawing Methods Used
FL-31
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
Wiping Cloths Properly Used and Stored
FL-41
Food and Non-Food Contact Surfaces Designed and Constructed
FL-50
Toilet Rooms Maintained
FL-53
32
Mar 27, 2024
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 3 major violations. 6 minor violations.
View 11 violations
Supervisor/Person in Charge Present
FL-01
Employee Health Policies Present
FL-03
Required Records Available; Shellstock Tags/Labels
FL-14
Warewashing Facilities Maintained and Used
FL-24
Hands Clean and Properly Washed
FL-08
Hot and Cold Water Available; Adequate Pressure
FL-25
Approved Thawing Methods Used
FL-31
Proper Sanitizer Contact Time and Concentration
FL-33
Lighting Adequate; Required Shields in Place
FL-36
Wiping Cloths Properly Used and Stored
FL-41
Toilet Rooms Maintained
FL-53
39
Sep 11, 2023
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 2 major violations. 9 minor violations.
View 13 violations
Employee Health Policies Present
FL-03
Certified Food Manager Identification
FL-02
Hands Clean and Properly Washed
FL-08
Adequate Handwashing Facilities Supplied and Accessible
FL-10
Food Obtained from Approved Sources
FL-11
Required Records Available; Shellstock Tags/Labels
FL-14
Proper Hot and Cold Holding Temperatures
FL-21
Hot and Cold Water Available; Adequate Pressure
FL-25
Approved Thawing Methods Used
FL-31
Toxic Substances Properly Identified, Stored, Used
FL-32
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
30
Mar 8, 2023
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 4 major violations. 5 minor violations.
View 10 violations
High Priority - Dented/rusted cans present. See stop sale. On can storage rack observed one can of apple sauce and one can of coconut milk with creased dents along rim. Operator segregated cans during inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
01B-01-4
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. Observed no written clean up procedures. Provided operator with handout during inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
11-27-4
Intermediate - No chemical test kit provided when using sanitizer at three-compartment sink/warewashing machine or wiping cloths. Observed no quaternary test strips available.
16-37-1
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. Observed one food handlers expired in 2021 with unapproved company R Serving.
53B-14-5
Intermediate - Required employee training provided by a third-party employee training program and operator unable to provide original certificate for employees trained. Observed photo copies of two food handlers certificates.
53B-09-4
Basic - Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin. Observed slight mold-like substance buildup around top interior of ice bin at front counter.
22-20-5
Basic - Carbon dioxide/helium tanks not adequately secured. At front counter entrance observed co2 tank unsecured. Operator secured tank during inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
51-11-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed area around ice bin at front counter with mold-like substance buildup.
23-03-4
Basic - Outer openings not protected with self-closing doors. Observed back door to kitchen not self closing.
35B-03-4
Basic - Single-service articles improperly stored. In wine storage room observed togo lids stored on floor. Operator moved lids to shelves during inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
25-05-4
45
Nov 17, 2022
Routine - Food
3 major violations. 6 minor violations.
View 9 violations
Intermediate - Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Mop bucket in front of back hand washing sink. Person in charge moved mop bucket.
31A-09-4
Intermediate - No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. Missing paper towels at hand washing sink. Person in charge replaced. **Corrected On-Site**
31B-02-4
Intermediate - Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled. One spray bottle in front and 1 in back. Person in charge labeled. **Corrected On-Site**
41-17-4
Basic - Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance. Ceiling tiles are soiled. **Repeat Violation**
36-34-5
Basic - Food stored on floor. Sugar on floor in dry storage. Person in charge moved to store properly. **Corrected On-Site**
08B-38-4
Basic - Ice bucket/shovel stored on floor between uses. Ice bucket on floor in dry storage. Person in charge moved to store properly. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
10-14-5
Basic - Interior of oven/microwave has accumulation of black substance/grease/food debris. Top oven is soiled and microwave is soiled.
22-08-4
Basic - Open dumpster lid. Person in charge closed dumpster. **Corrected On-Site**
33-16-4
Basic - Wet mop not stored in a manner to allow the mop to dry. 2 mops face down. Person in charge hung to dry. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
42-01-4
55
Frequently Asked Questions
When was The Kookaburra last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at The Kookaburra on file is from Dec 19, 2025. The public record contains eight inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at The Kookaburra?
Across the inspection record, “no paper towels” has been cited two times, more than any other issue at The Kookaburra.
How does The Kookaburra compare to other restaurants in St. Augustine?
The Kookaburra most recently scored 70 out of 100, which is lower than the St. Augustine average of 81.
Has The Kookaburra's inspection record improved over time?
Yes. Recent inspections at The Kookaburra have averaged around seven violations per visit, down from roughly 13 earlier in the record.
What does a medium risk rating mean?
A medium risk rating at The Kookaburra 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 Kookaburra inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, The Kookaburra is inspected around three times per year on average.
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