The Lemon Tree
Last inspected: Dec 3, 2025
95
Score
The Lemon Tree appears in inspection records 10 times, starting in 2022. The newest entry in the record is dated Dec 3, 2025. Low risk means the most recent visit produced few or no significant findings.
Things are looking better lately, with recent visits averaging around four violations compared to roughly eight violations earlier on.
The most common issue across all inspections has been “wet wiping cloth not stored”, showing up three times.
Among Vero Beach restaurants, the typical score is 77; The Lemon Tree is comfortably above that bar. The file should reassure diners considering a visit.
10
Inspections
0
Critical latest
0
Major latest
1
Minor latest
Inspection History
Dec 3, 2025
Routine - Food
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Floor soiled/has accumulation of debris. Grease build up under fryers on cooks line **Repeat Violation** - From follow-up inspection 2025-12-03: **Time Extended**
36-73-4
95
Nov 19, 2025
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 1 major violation. 6 minor violations.
View 9 violations
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Raw shelled eggs over canned crabmeat in walk in **Corrected On-Site**
08A-05-6
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. Sanitizer line is cracked and leaking onto floor. Manager tried to tape line. Ran and primed. Reading 0 ppm **Warning**
22-41-4
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. 2 new servers. Manager had forms signed **Corrected On-Site**
11-26-1
Basic - Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. In sugar bin **Corrected On-Site**
14-01-5
Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Employee coffee. Manager moved **Corrected On-Site**
12B-07-4
Basic - Floor soiled/has accumulation of debris. Grease build up under fryers on cooks line **Repeat Violation**
36-73-4
Basic - Ice bucket not stored inverted or in a protected manner. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
24-05-4
Basic - Unwashed fruits/vegetables stored with ready-to-eat food. Box of mushrooms over sliced cheese in walk in **Corrected On-Site**
08B-17-4
Basic - Wet wiping cloth not stored in sanitizing solution between uses. **Corrected On-Site**
21-12-4
50
Jun 18, 2025
Routine - Food
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Hands Clean and Properly Washed
FL-08
95
Jun 17, 2025
Routine - Food
3 critical violations. 1 major violation. 5 minor violations.
View 9 violations
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Diced tomatoes for omelette in steam well being hot held at 117f. Advised to reheat **Corrective Action Taken**
03B-01-6
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Corned beef hash 49 Ham 51 Cheese 49 cold holding. In service for 2 hours. Advised to rapid chill **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning**
03A-02-5
High Priority - Stop Sale issued due to food not being in a wholesome, sound condition. Mahi in ROP
01B-13-4
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. Manager is unable to locate binder with certificates **Warning**
53B-01-5
Basic - Commercially processed reduced oxygen packaged fish bearing a label indicating that it is to remain frozen until time of use no longer frozen and not removed from reduced oxygen package. Mahi in walk in cooler thawed
06-09-1
Basic - Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting. Clean containers on drying rack
24-08-4
Basic - Floor soiled/has accumulation of debris. Build up of grease on floor under fryers
36-73-4
Basic - Food stored on floor. Ketchup and water bottles on floor in dry storage
08B-38-4
Basic - Ice bucket not stored inverted or in a protected manner.
24-05-4
45
Dec 9, 2024
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 2 major violations. 5 minor violations.
View 9 violations
Hands Clean and Properly Washed
FL-08
Food Received at Proper Temperature
FL-12
Food in Good Condition, Safe, and Unadulterated
FL-13
Required Records Available; Shellstock Tags/Labels
FL-14
Food Contact Surfaces Clean and Sanitized
FL-22
Non-Food Contact Surfaces Clean
FL-23
Warewashing Facilities Maintained and Used
FL-24
Approved Thawing Methods Used
FL-31
Personal Cleanliness
FL-40
43
Jul 2, 2024
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 2 major violations. 3 minor violations.
View 6 violations
Hands Clean and Properly Washed
FL-08
Food Obtained from Approved Sources
FL-11
Potentially Hazardous Food Held at Proper Temperature
FL-16
Non-Food Contact Surfaces Clean
FL-23
Approved Thawing Methods Used
FL-31
Personal Cleanliness
FL-40
61
Jan 23, 2024
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 3 major violations. 6 minor violations.
View 10 violations
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over or with unwashed produce. Shell eggs over unwashed cantaloupe
08A-04-5
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. Several milks. Creamer Walk in cooler and glass reach in cooler **Corrected On-Site**
02C-03-5
Intermediate - Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Dry storage mats in front of sink **Repeat Violation**
31A-09-4
Intermediate - Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled. In front dining area **Corrected On-Site**
41-17-4
Basic - Employee with no hair restraint while engaging in food preparation. Both cooks **Repeat Violation**
13-03-4
Basic - Hood filters/grease extractors not designed to be easily removable for cleaning. Gap in hood filters
14-49-4
Basic - Ice buildup in reach-in freezer and/or walk-in freezer. Walk in freezer
14-69-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Gaskets make table Gaskets chest freezer
23-03-4
Basic - Walk-in cooler/freezer shelves with rust that has pitted the surface. Walk in cooler
14-17-4
Basic - Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Sugar **Corrected On-Site**
02D-01-5
47
Jul 6, 2023
Complaint Full
2 critical violations. 3 major violations. 4 minor violations.
View 9 violations
High Priority - Vacuum breaker missing at hose bibb or on fitting/splitter added to hose bibb. Red hose in prep area
29-34-4
High Priority - Employee touching ready-to-eat food with their bare hands - food was not being heated as a sole ingredient to 145 degrees F or immediately added to other ingredients to be cooked/heated to the minimum required temperature to allow bare hand contact. Establishment has no approved Alternative Operating Procedure. Cook cracked eggs and then place raw tomatoes on plate. Tomatoes replaced by a different cook
09-01-4
Intermediate - Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Storage room sink had multiple items in it. **Corrected On-Site**
31A-09-4
Intermediate - No color/concentration comparison chart available for chemical test kit used to check sanitizer.
16-36-4
Intermediate - Toxic substance/chemical on premise that is not required for the operation of establishment. Sanitizer **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
41-04-4
Basic - Floor tiles missing and/or in disrepair. Prep area **Repeat Violation**
36-17-5
Basic - Employee with no hair restraint while engaging in food preparation. 2 cooks on line
13-03-4
Basic - Wet wiping cloth not stored in sanitizing solution between uses. **Corrected On-Site**
21-12-4
Basic - Opened employee beverage container in a cold holding unit with food to be served to customers.
12B-13-4
45
Apr 27, 2023
Routine - Food
3 major violations. 8 minor violations.
View 11 violations
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Can opener blade.
22-02-4
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 for new employees.
11-26-1
Intermediate - Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled. Sanitizer/bleach. Labeled. **Corrected On-Site**
41-17-4
Basic - Buildup of food debris/soil residue on equipment door handles. Equipment at cook line soiled. Range, grill, fryer, toaster and steam table soiled.
23-24-4
Basic - Floor in disrepair. At drain with standing water.
36-17-5
Basic - Floor soiled/has accumulation of debris. Storeroom and kitchen.
36-73-4
Basic - Hood filter,shrouds and Ansel pipes soiled.
36-50-4
Basic - No copy of latest inspection report available.
51-18-6
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Walk in cooler shelves.
23-03-4
Basic - Wall soiled with accumulated grease, food debris, and/or dust. At back prep area.
36-27-5
Basic - Wiping cloth quaternary ammonium compound sanitizing solution not at proper minimum strength.0 ppm. Retest at 200ppm. **Corrected On-Site**
21-08-4
50
Nov 1, 2022
Routine - Food
3 critical violations. 5 major violations. 7 minor violations.
View 15 violations
High Priority - Employee touching ready-to-eat food with their bare hands - food was not being heated as a sole ingredient to 145 degrees F or immediately added to other ingredients to be cooked/heated to the minimum required temperature to allow bare hand contact. Establishment has no approved Alternative Operating Procedure. Employee touching toast with bare hand. Employee put on gloves. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
09-01-4
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. House mixed egg whites at 49f cold holding in double stacked pan above cold zone. Moved to cold section of cooler. **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning**
03A-02-5
High Priority - Vacuum breaker missing at hose bibb or on fitting/splitter added to hose bibb. At prep area hose Bibb. **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
29-34-4
Intermediate - Handwash sink removed from food preparation/dishwashing area. Must be reinstalled in the same location where removed. Hand wash sink at back prep/ice machine area has been removed. Handwash sink reinstalled during inspection with running water. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
31A-04-4
Intermediate - Manager or person in charge lacking proof of food manager certification. **Warning**
53A-01-7
Intermediate - Menu does not identify which items contain raw or undercooked animal foods covered by the consumer advisory. Smoked salmon/lox and multiple eggs Benedict with poached eggs. **Warning**
02B-01-5
Intermediate - No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. Mens restroom. Provided. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
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. **Warning**
53B-14-5
Basic - Bathroom located inside establishment not completely enclosed with tight-fitting, self-closing doors. **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
32-04-4
Basic - Wet wiping cloth not stored in sanitizing solution between uses. **Warning**
21-12-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled . Fan cover at walk-in soiled. **Warning**
23-03-4
Basic - Garbage on the ground and/or pad around dumpster. **Warning**
33-19-4
Basic - Interior of oven has accumulation of black substance/grease/food debris. **Warning**
22-08-4
Basic - Garbage can located outside has no lid or lid open/broken. Broken lid and sides missing. **Warning**
33-15-4
Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Removed. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
12B-07-4
27
Frequently Asked Questions
When was The Lemon Tree last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at The Lemon Tree on file is from Dec 3, 2025. The public record contains 10 inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at The Lemon Tree?
Across the inspection record, “wet wiping cloth not stored” has been cited three times, more than any other issue at The Lemon Tree.
How does The Lemon Tree compare to other restaurants in Vero Beach?
The Lemon Tree most recently scored 95 out of 100, which is higher than the Vero Beach average of 77.
Has The Lemon Tree's inspection record improved over time?
Yes. Recent inspections at The Lemon Tree have averaged around four violations per visit, down from roughly eight earlier in the record.
What does a low risk rating mean?
A low risk rating at The Lemon Tree 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 Lemon Tree inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, The Lemon Tree is inspected around three times per year on average.
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