The Tavern
Last inspected: Apr 14, 2026
61
Score
Across the available record, The Tavern has 10 inspections on file, the first dated 2022. On Apr 14, 2026, the health department conducted the most recent visit. The medium risk tier sits in the middle: not spotless, but not alarming either.
Violation counts have been trending down, averaging around three violations across recent inspections versus roughly 10 violations before.
Across the inspection history, “accumulation of black/green mold-like substance” is the issue that surfaces most often, recorded five times.
Compared to other Longboat Key restaurants (averaging 81), there's room to close the gap. Taken together, the history looks like that of a busy facility working through the usual inspection cycle.
10
Inspections
1
Critical latest
0
Major latest
7
Minor latest
Inspection History
Apr 14, 2026
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 7 minor violations.
View 8 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 dish machine at 0ppm. Operator set up 3 compartment sink to sanitize. **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
22-41-4
Basic - Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin. Observed ice machine in kitchen with black mold like substance. Observed ice chute in employees dining room with black mold like substance. Operator was in the process of cleaning ice machine. Observed**Corrective Action Taken** **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning**
22-20-5
Basic - In-use tongs stored on equipment door handle between uses. Observed tongs on oven door handle on cook line. Operator removed tongs. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
10-20-4
Basic - No conspicuously located ambient air temperature thermometer in holding unit. Observed no ambient thermometer in 3 door reach-in cooler on cook line. Operator replaced thermometer. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
05-09-4
Basic - No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees. Observed no hand wash sign at hand wash sink in bar area. **Warning**
31B-04-4
Basic - Reach-in cooler shelves with rust that has pitted the surface. Observed reach-in cooler racks on cook line with rust. **Warning**
14-33-4
Basic - Standing water in bottom of reach-in-cooler. Observed standing water in 3 door reach-in on the cook line. Operator was in the process of having water cleaned up? **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning**
29-49-6
Basic - Wiping cloth quaternary ammonium compound sanitizing solution not at proper minimum strength. Observed quaternary sanitizer bucket on cook line at 0ppm. Operator changed the quaternary sanitizer bucket. Quaternary sanitizer bucket now at 200ppm. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
21-08-4
61
Oct 23, 2025
Routine - Food
No violations found.
100
Sep 30, 2025
Routine - Food
1 major violation.
View 1 violation
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : Intermediate - Menu does not identify which items contain raw or undercooked animal foods covered by the consumer advisory. Observed smoked salmon and poached eggs on menu with without an identifier. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2025-09-30: Observed menu without identifiers for smoked salmon and poached eggs. **Time Extended**
02B-01-5
90
Sep 22, 2025
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 2 major violations. 6 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 chlorine dish machine at 0ppm. Operator discontinued use of dish machine for sanitizing and set up 3 compartment sink to sanitize. **Corrective Action Taken** **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
22-41-4
High Priority - Stop Sale issued due to adulteration of food product. Observed weevils in flour bin and in bread crumb bin in dry storage area. Operator voluntarily discarded products. Operator voluntarily discarded rice as a precaution. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
01B-03-5
Intermediate - Menu does not identify which items contain raw or undercooked animal foods covered by the consumer advisory. Observed smoked salmon and poached eggs on menu with without an identifier. **Warning**
02B-01-5
Intermediate - No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. Observed no paper towels at hand wash sink in dish area. Operator replaced paper towels. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
31B-02-4
Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Observed employee beverage on server line next to bus tub of food. Operator removed beverage. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
12B-07-4
Basic - Food stored on floor. Observed 2 cases of shrimp on floor in walk-in freezer. Operator moved shrimp to shelf. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
08B-38-4
Basic - In-use knife/knives stored in cracks between pieces of equipment. Observed knives between the dish table and wall in dish machine area. Operator removed knives for cleaning, sanitizing and to be stored properly. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
10-17-4
Basic - No conspicuously located ambient air temperature thermometer in holding unit. Observed no ambient thermometer in reach-in cooler across from flat top. Operator replaced thermometer. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
05-09-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed mixer head with dried food particles. Operator had employee clean mixer head. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
23-03-4
Basic - Dead roaches on premises. Observed 2 dead roaches in bar area under ice bin and next to glass washing machine. Operator removed roaches and cleaned area. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
35A-03-4
45
Apr 1, 2025
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 2 major violations. 5 minor violations.
View 9 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. Dish machine sanitizer reading 00ppm chlorine. Container of sanitizer was empty, employee replaced the sanitizer, new reading 100ppm chlorine. **Corrected On-Site**
22-41-4
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Raw cold smoked salmon stored over bread in the reach in cooler next to the cook line. Chef removed the salmon. **Corrected On-Site**
08A-05-6
Intermediate - Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Strainer stored in the hand washing sink in the bar area. Cher removed the strainer. **Corrected On-Site**
31A-09-4
Intermediate - No soap provided at handwash sink. Hand washing sink on the left side of the cook line. Chef placed soap at the hand washing sink. **Corrected On-Site**
31B-03-4
Basic - Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine.
22-20-5
Basic - Equipment in poor repair. Bottom shelves of preparation tables in the middle section of the kitchen rusted. **Repeat Violation**
14-11-5
Basic - Ice buildup in reach-in freezer and/or walk-in freezer. Ice buildup on the shelves and under the compressor in the walk in freezer.
14-69-4
Basic - In-use wet wiping cloth/towel used under cutting board. Chef removed the towels. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
21-04-4
Basic - Opened employee beverage container in a cold holding unit with food to be served to customers. Employee drinks stored in the reach in coolers on the cook line and wait station area. Chef removed the drinks. **Corrected On-Site**
12B-13-4
47
Nov 20, 2024
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 1 major violation. 8 minor violations.
View 11 violations
Employee Health Policies Present
FL-03
Adequate Handwashing Facilities Supplied and Accessible
FL-10
Food Received at Proper Temperature
FL-12
Required Records Available; Shellstock Tags/Labels
FL-14
Proper Hot and Cold Holding Temperatures
FL-21
Non-Food Contact Surfaces Clean
FL-23
Equipment Adequate to Maintain Product Temperature
FL-29
Approved Thawing Methods Used
FL-31
Proper Sanitizer Contact Time and Concentration
FL-33
Personal Cleanliness
FL-40
Wiping Cloths Properly Used and Stored
FL-41
43
Mar 20, 2024
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 2 major violations. 3 minor violations.
View 7 violations
Hands Clean and Properly Washed
FL-08
Employee Health Policies Present
FL-03
Required Records Available; Shellstock Tags/Labels
FL-14
Proper Hot and Cold Holding Temperatures
FL-21
Non-Food Contact Surfaces Clean
FL-23
Approved Thawing Methods Used
FL-31
Lighting Adequate; Required Shields in Place
FL-36
43
Nov 3, 2023
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 2 major violations. 2 minor violations.
View 6 violations
High Priority - Employee touched face/hair and then engaged in food preparation, handled clean equipment or utensils, or touched unwrapped single-service items without washing hands. Employee rubbed their face around the mouth area then handled clean equipment without washing their hands . Employee washed their hands. **Corrective Action Taken**
12A-25-4
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 in walk-in cooler #2. Chef placed the chicken below the beef. **Corrected On-Site**
08A-20-5
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Mixer head soiled. **Repeat Violation**
22-02-4
Intermediate - Required employee training provided by a third-party employee training program and operator unable to provide original certificate for employees trained. Establishment has 30 employees 7 have copies of food handlers training certificates. **Repeat Violation**
53B-09-4
Basic - Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine. **Repeat Violation**
22-20-5
Basic - Reach-in cooler shelves with rust that has pitted the surface. Shelves in the middle reach in cooler on the cook line rusted.
14-33-4
55
Mar 9, 2023
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 2 major violations. 3 minor violations.
View 7 violations
High Priority - Dented/rusted cans present. See stop sale. 2 cans of mushrooms 1 can of oranges and 1 can of beets stored in the dry storage area dented at the seems. Manager placed the cans aside for a refund.
01B-01-4
High Priority - Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. Oven cleaner stored next to clean utensils under a preparation table in the kitchen. Manager removed the oven cleaner . **Corrected On-Site**
41-10-4
Intermediate - Required employee training provided by a third-party employee training program and operator unable to provide original certificate for employees trained. As a repeat violation the importance of following proper protocol with this violation was reinforced with the employee. **Repeat Violation**
53B-09-4
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Mixer head soiled.
22-02-4
Basic - Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine. As a repeat violation the importance of following proper protocol with this violation was reinforced with the employee.
22-20-5
Basic - Raw fruits/vegetables not washed prior to preparation. Employee cutting apples before cutting. Employee washed the cut and uncut apples. **Corrected On-Site**
08B-39-4
Basic - Time/temperature control for safety food thawed in an improper manner. Lamb thawing at room temperature. Employee placed the land in the reach in cooler. **Corrected On-Site**
06-01-5
52
Sep 13, 2022
Routine - Food
1 major violation. 4 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : Intermediate - Required employee training provided by a third-party employee training program and operator unable to provide original certificate for employees trained. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2022-09-13: **Time Extended**
53B-09-4
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable. Observed on the cook line. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2022-09-13: **Time Extended**
14-09-4
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Floor area(s) covered with standing water. Observed standing water on the floor in the corner of the beer cooler in storage area outside of the kitchen. Operator vacuum the water, and cleaned the area. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2022-09-13: **Time Extended**
36-22-4
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed area around the the nozzles in soda machine in cafeteria. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2022-09-13: **Time Extended**
23-03-4
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin. Observed ice machine in kitchen area by the three compartment sink. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2022-09-13: **Time Extended**
22-20-5
74
Frequently Asked Questions
When was The Tavern last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at The Tavern on file is from Apr 14, 2026. The public record contains 10 inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at The Tavern?
Across the inspection record, “accumulation of black/green mold-like substance” has been cited five times, more than any other issue at The Tavern.
How does The Tavern compare to other restaurants in Longboat Key?
The Tavern most recently scored 61 out of 100, which is lower than the Longboat Key average of 81.
Has The Tavern's inspection record improved over time?
Yes. Recent inspections at The Tavern have averaged around three violations per visit, down from roughly 10 earlier in the record.
What does a medium risk rating mean?
A medium risk rating at The Tavern 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 Tavern inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, The Tavern is inspected around three times per year on average.
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