The Old Jail House

113 S Palmetto Ave, Sanford, FL 32771

American

Last inspected: Nov 18, 2025

Score

High Risk

The health department has logged seven inspections at The Old Jail House, the earliest from 2022. The Old Jail House was last inspected on Nov 18, 2025. A high risk rating points to multiple serious findings at the most recent inspection.

Violation counts have ticked up lately, averaging around 11 violations per visit versus roughly three violations earlier in the record.

“Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease” comes up most often, recorded three times in the inspection record.

The city-wide average sits at 77, which The Old Jail House's 45 doesn't quite reach. Diners may want to scan the inspection details before deciding to visit.

Inspections

Critical latest

Major latest

Minor latest

Inspection History

Nov 18, 2025

Routine - Food

2 critical violations. 2 major violations. 5 minor violations.

View 9 violations

Supervisor/Person in Charge Present

FL-01

Certified Food Manager Identification

FL-02

Food Received at Proper Temperature

FL-12

Employee Health Policies Present

FL-03

Required Records Available; Shellstock Tags/Labels

FL-14

Potentially Hazardous Food Held at Proper Temperature

FL-16

Non-Food Contact Surfaces Clean

FL-23

Approved Thawing Methods Used

FL-31

Equipment, Food and Non-Food Contact Surfaces Approved

FL-35

Jun 18, 2025

Routine - Food

4 critical violations. 9 minor violations.

View 13 violations

High Priority - Vacuum breaker missing at mop sink faucet or on fitting/splitter added to mop sink faucet. -operator removed splitter **Corrected On-Site**

29-42-4

High Priority - Raw animal foods not properly separated from each other in holding unit based upon minimum required cooking temperature. -raw chicken stored over raw beef stored over raw fish on rack in walk-in cooler, operator reorganized rack **Corrected On-Site**

08A-20-5

High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. -cooked pork belly 56F, stored in top of reach-in cooler, operator discarded **Corrected On-Site**

03A-02-5

High Priority - Pesticide-emitting strip present in food prep area. -next to coffee maker, operator discarded **Corrected On-Site**

41-24-4

Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. -sides of fryer has an accumulation of grease and food debris -prep table shelves have an accumulation of grease and food debris **Repeat Violation**

23-03-4

Basic - Reach-in cooler shelves with rust that has pitted the surface. -reach-in cooler at front line

14-33-4

Basic - Ripped/worn tin foil used as shelf cover.

14-20-4

Basic - Toilet/urinal not flushing/functioning properly. -toilet in women's bathroom

32-23-5

Basic - Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. -soufflé cup stored in blackening seasoning, operator removed **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**

14-01-5

Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. -employee styrofoam cup stored on top of reach-in cooler, operator removed **Corrected On-Site**

12B-07-4

Basic - Floor soiled/has accumulation of debris. -floor underneath and behind cooking equipment

36-73-4

Basic - Ice buildup in reach-in freezer and/or walk-in freezer. -outdoor reach-in freezers

14-69-4

Basic - In-use tongs stored on equipment door handle between uses. -multiple sets of tongs hanging off oven door handle, operator removed **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**

10-20-4

Nov 21, 2024

Routine - Food

2 critical violations. 1 major violation. 7 minor violations.

View 10 violations

Hands Clean and Properly Washed

FL-08

Adequate Handwashing Facilities Supplied and Accessible

FL-10

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

Toxic Substances Properly Identified, Stored, Used

FL-32

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

Mar 13, 2024

Routine - Food

2 major violations.

View 2 violations

Food Contact Surfaces Clean and Sanitized

FL-22

Approved Thawing Methods Used

FL-31

Nov 15, 2023

Routine - Food

4 minor violations.

View 4 violations

Basic - Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance. -in dishwashing area

36-34-5

Basic - Floor soiled/has accumulation of debris. -under shelving in bar area

36-73-4

Basic - In-use tongs stored on equipment door handle between uses. **Corrected On-Site**

10-20-4

Basic - Outer openings not protected with self-closing doors.

35B-03-4

May 2, 2023

Routine - Food

2 minor violations.

View 2 violations

Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Exterior door has a gap at the threshold that opens to the outside. Side door by restrooms, gap on side of door. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2023-05-02: **Time Extended**

35B-01-4

Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Dishwasher racks soiled. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2023-05-02: **Time Extended**

23-03-4

Oct 31, 2022

Food-Licensing Inspection

2 major violations. 4 minor violations.

View 6 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. Milk.

02C-03-5

Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Cutting boards stained. Make line.

22-02-4

Basic - Accumulation of black mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin.

22-20-5

Basic - Accumulation of debris on exterior of warewashing machine.

16-21-4

Basic - Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable. Make line unit.

14-09-4

Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Dishwasher racks soiled.

23-03-4

Show all 7 inspections Show less

Frequently Asked Questions

When was The Old Jail House last inspected?

The most recent health inspection at The Old Jail House on file is from Nov 18, 2025. The public record contains seven inspections in total.

What is the most common violation at The Old Jail House?

Across the inspection record, “nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease” has been cited three times, more than any other issue at The Old Jail House.

How does The Old Jail House compare to other restaurants in Sanford?

The Old Jail House most recently scored 45 out of 100, which is lower than the Sanford average of 77.

Has The Old Jail House's inspection record improved over time?

No. Recent inspections at The Old Jail House have averaged around 11 violations per visit, up from roughly three earlier in the record.

What does a high risk rating mean?

A high risk rating at The Old Jail House means the most recent inspection flagged either critical violations or a substantial number of smaller ones. Diners may want to read the violation details before deciding to visit.

How often is The Old Jail House inspected?

Based on the inspection history on file, The Old Jail House is inspected around two times per year on average.

Nearby Restaurants

Score: 64 — Medium Risk

The Manikin Lounge

407 Sanford Ave

Score: 90 — Low Risk

Explore More

→ All locations in Sanford → American restaurants in Florida → American restaurants in Sanford