The Mermaid Cafe at the Riverview
Last inspected: Apr 22, 2026
55
Score
The health department has logged 10 inspections at The Mermaid Cafe at the Riverview, the earliest from 2022. Inspectors last stopped by on Apr 22, 2026. Diners should read medium risk as a signal that some issues exist but aren't extreme.
Violation counts have held steady across recent visits, averaging around five violations each.
Looking across the full record, “no proof provided that food employees are informed” is the recurring theme, flagged three times.
The Mermaid Cafe at the Riverview's latest score of 55 falls below the New Smyrna Beach average of 72. Nothing in the record is alarming, but there's room to improve.
10
Inspections
2
Critical latest
1
Major latest
4
Minor latest
Inspection History
Apr 22, 2026
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 1 major violation. 4 minor violations.
View 7 violations
High Priority - Pesticide/insecticide labeled for household use only present in establishment. -multiple "Raid Ant and Roach" cans in shed next to stand-up white reach-in cooler
41-05-4
High Priority - Wiping cloth solution exceeding the maximum concentration allowed stored in a location that could result in the cross contamination of food, equipment, utensils, linens, single-service, or single-use articles. -chlorine exceeding 200ppm, operator diluted with water, retested 25ppm **Corrected On-Site**
41-15-5
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. -milk in lower reach-in cooler, operator dated **Corrected On-Site**
02C-03-5
Basic - Silverware/utensils dried with a towel/cloth.
24-17-4
Basic - Bathroom located inside establishment not completely enclosed with tight-fitting, self-closing doors.
32-04-4
Basic - Equipment and utensils not washed, rinsed and sanitized in the correct order in three-compartment sink. Do not use dishes/equipment not properly sanitized.
16-13-5
Basic - Single-service articles improperly stored. -open case of plastic portion cups stored on the floor in the shed **Corrected On-Site**
25-05-4
55
Oct 2, 2025
Routine - Food
4 critical violations. 3 major violations.
View 7 violations
Supervisor/Person in Charge Present
FL-01
Employee Health Policies Present
FL-03
Hands Clean and Properly Washed
FL-08
Food Obtained from Approved Sources
FL-11
Potentially Hazardous Food Held at Proper Temperature
FL-16
Food Contact Surfaces Clean and Sanitized
FL-22
Toilet Rooms Maintained
FL-53
39
May 13, 2025
Routine - Food
No violations found.
100
May 12, 2025
Routine - Food
1 critical violation.
View 1 violation
High Priority - - From initial inspection : High Priority - Roach activity present as evidenced by live roaches found. 2 on the wall, cookline hand sink **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2025-05-12: 1 on the freezer **Time Extended** **Corrected On-Site**
35A-05-4
86
May 9, 2025
Routine - Food
6 critical violations. 4 major violations. 2 minor violations.
View 12 violations
High Priority - Employee cracked raw shell eggs and then handled ready-to-eat food and/or clean equipment or utensils without washing hands. **Warning**
12A-27-4
High Priority - Food received in a private home. Soft serve mix. Operator stated delivered at home by the case and then moved to a shelf. **Warning**
01A-03-4
High Priority - Live, small flying insects found. 2 flying around topping containers at front counter **Warning**
35A-02-7
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Raw shell eggs over cooked bacon, Dukers cooler **Warning**
08A-05-6
High Priority - Roach activity present as evidenced by live roaches found. 2 on the wall, cookline hand sink **Warning**
35A-05-4
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food identified in the written procedure as a food held using time as a public health control has no time marking as required. Hash browns, waffle mix **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
03F-02-5
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. New employees on duty with no food handler training **Warning**
11-26-1
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Front counter reach in freezer gaskets Dukers cooler gaskets **Warning**
22-02-4
Intermediate - No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
31B-02-4
Intermediate - No proof of required state approved employee training provided for employee hired more than 60 days ago. To order approved program food safety material, call DBPR contracted provider: Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (SafeStaff) 866-372-7233. Luis, Zoe **Warning**
53B-02-5
Basic - Dead roaches on premises. 1 on the floor under hand sink **Warning**
35A-03-4
Basic - Ice scoop handle in contact with ice. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
10-08-5
25
Nov 19, 2024
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 2 major violations. 1 minor violation.
View 5 violations
Supervisor/Person in Charge Present
FL-01
Certified Food Manager Identification
FL-02
Employee Health Policies Present
FL-03
Potentially Hazardous Food Held at Proper Temperature
FL-16
Non-Food Contact Surfaces Clean
FL-23
58
Jan 29, 2024
Routine - Food
3 critical violations. 3 minor violations.
View 6 violations
High Priority - Grease on the ground outside back door in the sand- below hood system. No leaks or dripping grease observed.
28-27-5
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over or with ready-to-eat food in a freezer - not all products commercially packaged. Open box of raw Philly meat over bread, front counter freezer **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
08A-02-6
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Butter packets, sour cream portions, pico portions 48F. Top right front counter cooler in shallow plastic containers. Operator moved to metal covered pans **Corrective Action Taken** **Repeat Violation**
03A-02-5
Basic - Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Cell phone on cutting board **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
40-06-5
Basic - Old labels stuck to food containers after cleaning. Multiple in use containers with old labels **Corrected On-Site**
16-46-4
Basic - Wiping cloth chlorine sanitizing solution not at proper minimum strength. Approximately 10 ppm cl. Corrected to 100 ppm cl **Corrected On-Site**
21-07-4
55
Aug 1, 2023
Routine - Food
8 critical violations. 5 major violations. 1 minor violation.
View 14 violations
High Priority - Employee cracked raw shell eggs and then handled ready-to-eat food and/or clean equipment or utensils without washing hands.
12A-27-4
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. Arranging fried dough on a plate. Discussed with operator
09-01-4
High Priority - Food-contact surfaces not sanitized after cleaning, before use. Do not use equipment/utensils not properly sanitized. Employee washing and rinsing without sanitizing. Manager discussed with employee
22-45-4
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over or with ready-to-eat food in a freezer - not all products commercially packaged. Open box of raw beef over fries, front counter freezer
08A-02-6
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. - Diced tomatoes and sliced tomatoes 47F. In 1/9 pans nesting in 1/3 pan, top of reach in cooler next to back door. Advised to remove 1/3 pan barrier - cookline at room temp: hash browns 51F and 115F. Sausage 61F. Raw shell eggs ambient 78F. Operator time marked. - double Cookline cooler: chicken salad 54F, out and returned to cooler per employee. - butter 64F on the counter, 63F in front counter cooler. Sour cream portions 52F. Operator time marked butted, and moved butter packets and sour cream over fill line to store underneath **Corrective Action Taken** **Repeat Violation**
03A-02-5
High Priority - Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. Scentiva spray bottle facing dry storage rack/jello **Corrected On-Site**
41-10-4
High Priority - Vacuum breaker missing at hose bibb or on fitting/splitter added to hose bibb. Out front
29-34-4
High Priority - Wiping cloth sanitizer solution exceeds the maximum concentration allowed. Greater than 200 ppm cl. Corrected to 100 ppm cl **Corrected On-Site**
41-27-4
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. Issued to operator **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
11-27-4
Intermediate - Food manager certification expired. A list of accredited food manager certification examination providers can be found at http://www.myfloridalicense.com/DBPR/hotels-restaurants/food-lodging/food-manager/ Patrick.
53A-03-7
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. New employees
11-26-1
Intermediate - No written procedures available for use of time as a public health control to hold time/temperature control for safety food. For time marked batter. Issued to operator and completed for batter and other items added to time control **Corrected On-Site**
03F-10-5
Intermediate - Probe thermometer not accurate within plus or minus 2 degrees Fahrenheit. 50F in ice water
05-06-4
Basic - Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Cell phone on cutting board **Corrected On-Site**
40-06-5
17
Apr 3, 2023
Routine - Food
4 critical violations. 3 major violations. 1 minor violation.
View 8 violations
High Priority - Chlorine sanitizer not at proper minimum strength for manual warewashing. Do not use equipment/utensils not properly sanitized. Less than 25 ppm cl. Corrected to 50 ppm cl. **Corrected On-Site**
22-42-4
High Priority - Per operator, mop water dumped outside. Mop sink covered with reach in cooler
28-14-5
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Front counter cooler: Butter packets 50F, just stocked per operator. Advised to use deep metal pans and keep under fill line Improperly iced egg wash 53F. Hash browns 43-56F. Advised to ice more fully or keep refrigerated. Butter backs sitting on counter 63F. Operator stated they are used up within an hour. Advised to use time as a public health control .
03A-02-5
High Priority - Vacuum breaker missing at hose bibb or on fitting/splitter added to hose bibb. Outside front area
29-34-4
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. Employees who do not have food handler/manager training.
11-26-1
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. Emailed to operator
11-27-4
Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Used to fill water pitcher
31A-11-4
Basic - Single-service articles not stored inverted or protected from contamination. Spoons in front of ice cream dispenser
25-06-4
39
Jul 19, 2022
Routine - Food
No violations found.
100
Frequently Asked Questions
When was The Mermaid Cafe at the Riverview last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at The Mermaid Cafe at the Riverview on file is from Apr 22, 2026. The public record contains 10 inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at The Mermaid Cafe at the Riverview?
Across the inspection record, “no proof provided that food employees are informed” has been cited three times, more than any other issue at The Mermaid Cafe at the Riverview.
How does The Mermaid Cafe at the Riverview compare to other restaurants in New Smyrna Beach?
The Mermaid Cafe at the Riverview most recently scored 55 out of 100, which is lower than the New Smyrna Beach average of 72.
Has The Mermaid Cafe at the Riverview's inspection record improved over time?
Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at The Mermaid Cafe at the Riverview have averaged around five violations per visit across the recent record.
What does a medium risk rating mean?
A medium risk rating at The Mermaid Cafe at the Riverview 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 Mermaid Cafe at the Riverview inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, The Mermaid Cafe at the Riverview is inspected around three times per year on average.
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