The Metro Diner
Last inspected: Nov 17, 2025
100
Score
The Metro Diner appears in inspection records 15 times, starting in 2022. The latest inspection on file is from Nov 17, 2025. Diners can read the low risk label as a sign that recent inspections have gone well.
Things have been moving in the right direction, with the rolling count dropping from around seven violations to closer to four violations per visit.
“Time/temperature control for safety food identified” comes up most often, recorded three times in the inspection record.
The Metro Diner's latest score of 100 sits above the St. Augustine average of 81. Overall, the inspection record reads well.
15
Inspections
0
Critical latest
0
Major latest
0
Minor latest
Inspection History
Nov 17, 2025
Complaint Partial
No violations found.
100
Nov 14, 2025
Complaint Partial
2 critical violations.
View 2 violations
High Priority - Pesticide-emitting strip present in food prep area. Observed multiple pesticide emitting strips through out kitchen.
41-24-4
High Priority - Roach activity present as evidenced by live roaches found. Observed one(1) live roach crawling on side of foam take out trays on shelf under expo window. Roach crawled away before corrective action could be taken. Person in charge disposed of trays. **Warning**
35A-05-4
74
Oct 30, 2025
Routine - Food
3 critical violations. 1 major violation. 7 minor violations.
View 11 violations
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 and the time removed from temperature control cannot be determined. No time mark on frontline butters. Placed 1 hr before. Marked by manger. **Corrected On-Site**
03F-02-5
High Priority - Vacuum breaker missing at mop sink faucet or on fitting/splitter added to mop sink faucet. Vaccum breaker at mop sink missing from split at non-chemical side.
29-42-4
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. Dish machine chlorine 0 ppm. Empty supply bucket. Three compartment sink Quaternary ammonium 300 ppm set up. . **Corrective Action Taken**
22-41-4
Intermediate - No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. Missing paper towels at Hand Wash Sink end prep line.
31B-02-4
Basic - Old labels stuck to food containers after cleaning. Old labels on exterior of cleaned containers.
16-46-4
Basic - Wet wiping cloth not stored in sanitizing solution between uses. 1 wet wipes on counter in : kitchen.
21-12-4
Basic - Buildup of food debris/soil residue on equipment door handles. Soiled exterior of equipment including handles to coolers.
23-24-4
Basic - Carbon dioxide/helium tanks not adequately secured. Unsecured CO2 tank/s at hallway.
51-11-4
Basic - Ceiling tile missing. Missing ceiling tiles in front of walk in cooler.
36-36-4
Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Employee drink on prep table. Moved by manager. **Corrected On-Site**
12B-07-4
Basic - Employee wearing jewelry other than a plain ring on their hands/arms while preparing food. Food prep/service employee wearing bracelets and hand jewelry while engaged in food preparation and service. Multiple.
13-07-4
41
Aug 4, 2025
Routine - Food
No violations found.
100
Jun 5, 2025
Routine - Food
1 major violation.
View 1 violation
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : 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. Establishment can not provide any training. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2025-06-05: Extension given. **Time Extended**
53B-01-5
90
Jun 4, 2025
Routine - Food
4 critical violations. 4 major violations. 11 minor violations.
View 19 violations
High Priority - Live, small flying insects found. Observed several flys in back hallway to kitchen. **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
35A-02-7
High Priority - Stop Sale issued due to food not being in a wholesome, sound condition. Salmon thawed in sealed bag.
01B-13-4
High Priority - Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. In cooler overnight; Salad; turkey, ham 45F; ( - Cold Holding) Fry; chicken 47F; ( - Cold Holding) Front inside; tomatoes, sliced cheeses, shredded cheese, lettuce, chicken salad 45-52F; ( - Cold Holding) Omelette; sausage, egg wash, meatloaf 45-48F; ( - Cold Holding). Person in charge placed omelette station on time control. Meatloaf in cooler over night 47F. **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
01B-02-5
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. In cooler overnight; Salad; turkey, ham 45F; ( - Cold Holding) Fry; chicken 47F; ( - Cold Holding) Front inside; tomatoes, sliced cheeses, shredded cheese, lettuce, chicken salad 45-52F; ( - Cold Holding) Omelette; sausage, egg wash, meatloaf 45-48F; ( - Cold Holding). Person in charge placed omelette station on time control. Meatloaf in cooler over night 47F. **Admin Complaint**
03A-02-5
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 not dated. Person in charge dated. **Corrected On-Site**
02C-03-5
Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. At end of line; hand washing sink has tongs in it. Person in charge removed. **Corrected On-Site**
31A-11-4
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. Establishment can not provide any training. **Warning**
53B-01-5
Intermediate - Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled. In dish area. Person in charge labeled. **Corrected On-Site**
41-17-4
Basic - Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Soufflé cups used to scoop Cole slaw and tarter sauce. Person in charge removed. **Corrected On-Site**
14-01-5
Basic - Buildup of food debris/soil residue on equipment door handles/bottom shelf. Reach in freezer on cookline has crumbs on bottom shelf.
23-24-4
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. Salmon thawed in sealed vacuum sealed bag.
06-09-1
Basic - Current Hotel and Restaurant license not displayed. Establishment has old license displayed.
50-09-4
Basic - Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable. Salad board is deeply grooved.
14-09-4
Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. At front cooler; dry packs of tea, and various other drinks in top of prep table. Drink on top of dish machine. Person in charge removed. **Corrected On-Site**
12B-07-4
Basic - Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Phone on top of dish machine. Person in charge removed. **Corrected On-Site**
40-06-5
Basic - Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting. Clean dishes on rack are wet nesting.
24-08-4
Basic - No copy of latest inspection report available. Establishment does not have a copy of last inspection report.
51-18-6
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Lids on flour/sugar soiled. **Repeat Violation**
23-03-4
Basic - Wet wiping cloths used for occasional spills on equipment food- and nonfood-contact surfaces not clean. On salad board. Person in charge removed. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
21-09-4
21
Oct 28, 2024
Routine - Food
No violations found.
100
Oct 23, 2024
Routine - Food
6 critical violations. 4 minor violations.
View 10 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 washer at 0ppm chlorine. Person in charge primed machine to 100ppm chlorine. **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning**
22-41-4
High Priority - Food-contact surfaces not sanitized after cleaning, before use. Do not use equipment/utensils not properly sanitized. Observed dishes ran through dishwasher not sanitized due to chlorine at 0ppm. After priming machine person in charge sanitized dishes at 100ppm. **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning**
22-45-4
High Priority - Live, small flying insects in kitchen, food preparation area, food storage area and/or bar area. Observed approximately two live flying insects by wait station. Observed one live flying insect in kitchen. **Warning**
35A-02-6
High Priority - Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. Observed drawers: ham (55F - Cold Holding); salmon (56F - Cold Holding); ground beef (50F - Cold Holding) person in charge unable to determine how long product has been out of temperature. See stop sale.
01B-02-5
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed drawers: ham (55F - Cold Holding); salmon (56F - Cold Holding); ground beef (50F - Cold Holding) person in charge unable to determine how long product has been out of temperature. See stop sale. **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
03A-02-5
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. Observed product on line missing labels of time stamps. Person in charge added labels **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning**
03F-02-5
Basic - Dead roaches on premises. Observed two dead roaches on floor by front counter right side of reach in cooler. **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
35A-03-4
Basic - Old labels stuck to food containers after cleaning. Observed old labels stuck to clean stacked food containers. **Repeat Violation**
16-46-4
Basic - Wiping cloth quaternary ammonium compound sanitizing solution not at proper minimum strength. Observed sanitizer bucket at 0ppm. Pump machine at 0ppm. Person in charge made sanit water sink by manually adding sanitizer at 400ppm. **Corrected On-Site**
21-08-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed gaskets on cook line soiled with food debris. **Repeat Violation**
23-03-4
33
May 31, 2024
Complaint Partial
No violations found.
100
Mar 27, 2024
Complaint Partial
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Lighting Adequate; Required Shields in Place
FL-36
95
Mar 26, 2024
Complaint Partial
1 critical violation. 2 minor violations.
View 3 violations
High Priority - Roach activity present as evidenced by live roaches found. Observed three live roaches crawling under service bar where counter meets wall. Person in charge killed one. **Corrective Action Taken** **Admin Complaint**
35A-05-4
Basic - Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance. Observed ceiling vents in dining area soiled with black/green mold like substance. **Warning**
36-34-5
Basic - Dead roaches on premises. Observed approximately three dead roaches on single service storage shelves near expo area. **Warning**
35A-03-4
78
Mar 18, 2024
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 3 major violations. 8 minor violations.
View 12 violations
Employee Health Policies Present
FL-03
Required Records Available; Shellstock Tags/Labels
FL-14
Food Received at Proper Temperature
FL-12
Food Obtained from Approved Sources
FL-11
Potentially Hazardous Food Held at Proper Temperature
FL-16
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
Equipment, Food and Non-Food Contact Surfaces Approved
FL-35
Lighting Adequate; Required Shields in Place
FL-36
Personal Cleanliness
FL-40
39
Oct 30, 2023
Routine - Food
4 critical violations. 3 major violations. 11 minor violations.
View 18 violations
High Priority - Pesticide-emitting strip present in food prep area. Observed pesticide emitting fly strip hanging on hand washing station in food prep area. Person in charge removed strip from food area. **Corrected On-Site**
41-24-4
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. Front reach in cooler missing time stamp. Person in charge added time stamp. **Corrected On-Site**
03F-02-5
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed Tex Mex (132F - Hot Holding) on steam table. Person in charge added more water to well and started a reheat. Observed Mac n cheese (118F - Hot Holding); chicken pot pie (117F - Hot Holding); corn chowder (124F - Hot Holding) in hot holding cabinet. Person in charge placed items on stove to reheat. All items tested 165+F by end of inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
03B-01-6
High Priority - Employee cracked raw shell eggs and then handled ready-to-eat food and/or clean equipment or utensils without washing hands. Observed two cooks crack raw shell eggs and proceeded to touch clean utensils without hand wash. Discussed with person in charge.
12A-27-4
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Observed cutting boards on cook line stained with food Debris.
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 employee reporting agreement and discussed with person in charge **Corrective Action Taken**
11-26-1
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 some food employees hired over 60 days missing proof of training.
53B-14-5
Basic - Buildup of food debris/soil residue on equipment door handles. Observed multiple cooler door handlers and reach in cooler drawer handles soiled with food debris.
23-24-4
Basic - Ceiling tile missing. Observed ceiling tile missing above walk-in freezer. **Repeat Violation**
36-36-4
Basic - Dead roaches on premises. Observed three dead roaches inside glue trap above triple sink. Person in charge disposed of glue trap and roaches. **Corrected On-Site**
35A-03-4
Basic - Employee experiencing persistent sneezing, coughing, runny nose, or discharge from eyes working with food, clean equipment or utensils, and/or unwrapped single-service items. Observed dishwasher experiencing sneezing and runny nose handling clean utensils and dishes. Discussed with person in charge. Employee was sent home. **Corrected On-Site**
11-12-4
Basic - Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting. Observed clear plastic food containers stacked with visible moisture on green rack in dish area. **Repeat Violation**
24-08-4
Basic - Floor area(s) covered with standing water. Observed standing water on floor behind ice machine near triple sink
36-22-4
Basic - Floor soiled/has accumulation of debris. Observed floors soiled behind equipment in kitchen and front line with food debris.
36-73-4
Basic - Ice buildup in reach-in freezer and/or walk-in freezer. Observed ice build up on walk-in freezer door and shelves. **Repeat Violation**
14-69-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed multiple gaskets on multiple cook line and front counter coolers soiled with food debris. **Repeat Violation**
23-03-4
Basic - Old labels stuck to food containers after cleaning. Observed old labels on clean food pans stacked on green rack in dish area.
16-46-4
Basic - Wiping cloth quaternary ammonium compound sanitizing solution not at proper minimum strength. Observed wiping cloth by hand washing station at wait station 0 ppm quat person in charge refilled with fresh solution. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
21-08-4
23
May 5, 2023
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 10 minor violations.
View 12 violations
Hands Clean and Properly Washed
FL-08
Food in Good Condition, Safe, and Unadulterated
FL-13
Required Records Available; Shellstock Tags/Labels
FL-14
Potentially Hazardous Food Held at Proper Temperature
FL-16
Proper Hot and Cold Holding Temperatures
FL-21
Non-Food Contact Surfaces Clean
FL-23
Warewashing Facilities Maintained and Used
FL-24
Equipment Adequate to Maintain Product Temperature
FL-29
Lighting Adequate; Required Shields in Place
FL-36
Personal Cleanliness
FL-40
Wiping Cloths Properly Used and Stored
FL-41
Plumbing Maintained; Sewage Disposal
FL-51
47
Dec 9, 2022
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 2 major violations. 3 minor violations.
View 6 violations
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. 1) mashed potatoes (119F - Hot Holding), mixed cooked vegetables (97F - Hot Holding) manager had employee start reheating on stove. **Corrective Action Taken**
03B-01-6
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. 1) cutting boards on main line soiled with foo debris.
22-02-4
Intermediate - No written procedures available for use of time as a public health control to hold time/temperature control for safety food. 1) person in charge could not find written plan. Manager showed up and found written procedures and time labels that indicate all cold held main flip-top cooler is kept on time. **Corrected On-Site**
03F-10-5
Basic - Ceiling tile missing. 1) 2 ceiling tiles missing near walk-in cooler and 1 in dry good storage area.
36-36-4
Basic - Floor soiled/has accumulation of debris. 1) floor on main cook line soiled with food debris. Under equipment soiled with grease. Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance. 1) ceiling tiles and vents through out kitchen soiled with black/green mold like substance. Wall soiled with accumulated grease, food debris, and/or dust. 1) wall near raw chicken coolers soiled with grease and food debris.
36-73-4
Basic - Trash receptacle overflowing garbage. 1) trash receptacle near handicap ramp to establishment overflowing. Trash on ground.
33-14-4
61
Frequently Asked Questions
When was The Metro Diner last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at The Metro Diner on file is from Nov 17, 2025. The public record contains 15 inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at The Metro Diner?
Across the inspection record, “time/temperature control for safety food identified” has been cited three times, more than any other issue at The Metro Diner.
How does The Metro Diner compare to other restaurants in St. Augustine?
The Metro Diner most recently scored 100 out of 100, which is higher than the St. Augustine average of 81.
Has The Metro Diner's inspection record improved over time?
Yes. Recent inspections at The Metro Diner have averaged around four violations per visit, down from roughly seven earlier in the record.
What does a low risk rating mean?
A low risk rating at The Metro Diner 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 Metro Diner inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, The Metro Diner is inspected around five times per year on average.
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