Thirsty First
Last inspected: Mar 17, 2026
47
Score
Public records show five inspections at Thirsty First stretching back to 2025. On Mar 17, 2026, the health department conducted the most recent visit. A high risk tier suggests the facility had a rough recent inspection, with multiple violations on record.
Violation counts have held steady across recent visits, averaging around 12 violations each.
The pattern that stands out is “time/temperature control for safety food cold held”, which has been cited two times.
Thirsty First's latest score of 47 falls below the St. Petersburg average of 77. This restaurant has more on its record than most do.
5
Inspections
0
Critical latest
3
Major latest
9
Minor latest
Inspection History
Mar 17, 2026
Routine - Food
3 major violations. 9 minor violations.
View 12 violations
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : Intermediate - Non-pitting surface rust on food-contact equipment. Observed rust on white plastic inside interior of ice machine in back kitchen. - From follow-up inspection 2026-03-17: **Time Extended**
22-31-4
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Waffle burners heavily soiled with dried burnt waffle batter. Can opener blade and food slicer soiled with dried food debris. White stained cutting boards on reach in deli cooler. Fryer baskets heavily soiled with food debris and grease. **Repeat Violation** - From follow-up inspection 2026-03-17: All food contacts surfaces cite at initial inspection still soiled with dried food debris. **Time Extended**
22-02-4
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Observed portion cup and salt inside handsink in bar area. Discussed with employee in bar. **Corrective Action Taken** **Repeat Violation** - From follow-up inspection 2026-03-17: Observed cast iron skillet and cut celery dumped inside of handsink across from turbo chef oven during callback inspection. Discussed with employee on duty. **Time Extended** **Corrective Action Taken**
31A-11-4
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Ice buildup in reach-in freezer and/or walk-in freezer. Ice buildup up at bottom of reach in cooler across from 2 compartment utility sink. - From follow-up inspection 2026-03-17: Observed ice build up at bottom of double door reach in freezer across from 2 compartment utility sink in back prep area. **Time Extended**
14-69-4
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Interior of oven/microwave has accumulation of black substance/grease/food debris. Convection oven interior soiled with burnt food debris. - From follow-up inspection 2026-03-17: Turbo chef oven and convectional oven heavily soiled with burnt food debris. **Time Extended**
22-08-4
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - No container installed for catching grease from hood drip tray. Overflowing and dripping grease onto the floor behind cooking equipment on cook line. - From follow-up inspection 2026-03-17: Drip pan soiled in grease during callback inspection. **Time Extended**
14-73-4
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Gaskets heavily soiled with food debris. Hood filters heavily soiled with grease build up. - From follow-up inspection 2026-03-17: **Time Extended**
23-03-4
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Standing water in bottom of reach-in-cooler. At bottom of reach in deli cooler across from fryers. **Repeat Violation** - From follow-up inspection 2026-03-17: **Time Extended**
29-49-6
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin. Ice machine in server wait station interior soiled with black and white substance. - From follow-up inspection 2026-03-17: **Time Extended**
22-20-5
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Accumulation of debris on exterior of warewashing machine. **Repeat Violation** - From follow-up inspection 2026-03-17: **Time Extended**
16-21-4
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable. Heavily grooved cutting board on reach in deli cooler and small white cutting board stored on prep table across from flat top grill stained. - From follow-up inspection 2026-03-17: **Time Extended**
14-09-4
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Floor soiled/has accumulation of debris. Floor heavily soiled with grease and food debris underneath equipment on cook line. - From follow-up inspection 2026-03-17: **Time Extended**
36-73-4
47
Mar 2, 2026
Routine - Food
4 critical violations. 4 major violations. 13 minor violations.
View 21 violations
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Food items stored inside reach in cooler across from Turbo Chef oven: black beans (69F - Cold Holding); diced tomatoes (70F - Cold Holding); diced hard boiled eggs (70F - Cold Holding) The employee stated the cooler was unplugged but could not determine how long the cooler and food items have been out of temperatures. Items voluntarily discarded. Discussed not storing and time temperature controlled food items in the cooler until it has been serviced or it can maintain cold holding temperature of 41 degrees or below. **Corrective Action Taken** **Admin Complaint**
03A-02-5
High Priority - Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license. License expired on 2/1/2026. Discussed with person in charge.
50-17-3
High Priority - Live, small flying insects found 3 live flies flying above drain underneath three compartment sink. Not landing on food or food contact surfaces. Discussed the with the person in charge and reviewed the importance of eliminating them. **Admin Complaint**
35A-02-7
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. Chlorine sanitizer testing at 0 PPM. The machine was primed and ran multiple times. **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
22-41-4
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Waffle burners heavily soiled with dried burnt waffle batter. Can opener blade and food slicer soiled with dried food debris. White stained cutting boards on reach in deli cooler. Fryer baskets heavily soiled with food debris and grease. **Repeat Violation**
22-02-4
Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Observed portion cup and salt inside handsink in bar area. Discussed with employee in bar. **Corrective Action Taken** **Repeat Violation**
31A-11-4
Intermediate - No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. Missing at hand handsink across from turbo chef oven and across from the three compartment sink. Employee stocked dispensers. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
31B-02-4
Intermediate - Non-pitting surface rust on food-contact equipment. Observed rust on white plastic inside interior of ice machine in back kitchen.
22-31-4
Basic - Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable. Heavily grooved cutting board on reach in deli cooler and small white cutting board stored on prep table across from flat top grill stained.
14-09-4
Basic - Equipment in poor repair. Chemical dispenser above three compartment sink not dispenser quaternary sanitizer. Chemical not running through the line. Employees will manually set up quaternary sanitizer and test the chemical while they are waiting for it to be serviced.
14-11-5
Basic - Floor soiled/has accumulation of debris. Floor heavily soiled with grease and food debris underneath equipment on cook line.
36-73-4
Basic - Food stored on floor. Bag of Sugar on ground across from turbo chef. Item moved. **Corrected On-Site**
08B-38-4
Basic - Hood filter missing from automatic fire suppression/exhaust system. Single filter missing.
14-42-4
Basic - Ice buildup in reach-in freezer and/or walk-in freezer. Ice buildup up at bottom of reach in cooler across from 2 compartment utility sink.
14-69-4
Basic - Interior of oven/microwave has accumulation of black substance/grease/food debris. Convection oven interior soiled with burnt food debris.
22-08-4
Basic - No container installed for catching grease from hood drip tray. Overflowing and dripping grease onto the floor behind cooking equipment on cook line.
14-73-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Gaskets heavily soiled with food debris. Hood filters heavily soiled with grease build up.
23-03-4
Basic - Standing water in bottom of reach-in-cooler. At bottom of reach in deli cooler across from fryers. **Repeat Violation**
29-49-6
Basic - Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin. Ice machine in server wait station interior soiled with black and white substance.
22-20-5
Basic - Accumulation of debris on exterior of warewashing machine. **Repeat Violation**
16-21-4
Basic - Cold holding equipment not maintained in good repair. Do not store time/temperature control for safety food in this unit until the unit is repaired Reach in deli cooler next to counter top turbo chef oven.
14-74-7
19
Oct 29, 2025
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 2 major violations. 2 minor violations.
View 5 violations
High Priority - - From initial inspection : High Priority - Dishmachine not sanitizing properly. Discontinue use of dishmachine for sanitizing and set up manual sanitization until dishmachine is repaired and sanitizing properly. Three compartment sink was set up in kitchen and quaternary sanitizer is testing at 200 PPM. Discussed bar glassware should either be sent back to be manually warewashed or the three compartment sink in bar area can be set up with quaternary sanitizer as well. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2025-10-29: Bar chlorine dish machine testing at 0 PPM. The establishment will send glass cocktail cups to back kitchen to be sanitized. Quaternary sanitizer testing at 200 PPM if three compartment sink is need for sanitization. **Time Extended**
22-49-4
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Can opener blade and meat slicer heavily soiled with dried food debris. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2025-10-29: **Time Extended**
22-02-4
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : Intermediate - No chemical test kit provided when using sanitizer at three-compartment sink/warewashing machine or wiping cloths. No chlorine test kit. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2025-10-29: **Time Extended**
16-37-1
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Accumulation of debris on exterior of warewashing machine. In kitchen. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2025-10-29: **Time Extended**
16-21-4
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Standing water in bottom of reach-in-cooler. Reach in deli cooler next to Turbo Chef. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2025-10-29: **Time Extended**
29-49-6
64
Oct 23, 2025
Routine - Food
5 critical violations. 8 major violations. 4 minor violations.
View 17 violations
High Priority - Dishmachine not sanitizing properly. Discontinue use of dishmachine for sanitizing and set up manual sanitization until dishmachine is repaired and sanitizing properly. Three compartment sink was set up in kitchen and quaternary sanitizer is testing at 200 PPM. Discussed bar glassware should either be sent back to be manually warewashed or the three compartment sink in bar area can be set up with quaternary sanitizer as well. **Warning**
22-49-4
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. The dishwasher machine in kitchen and bar was ran a few times and chlorine tested at 0 PPM. **Warning**
22-41-4
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Food items in pull out drawers above flattop: raw beef patty (54F - Cold Holding); raw chicken breast (58F - Cold Holding); cooked sliced pork ribeye (64F - Cold Holding); raw beef patty sliders (54F - Cold Holding) Temperatures were not taken and there isn't any way to determine how long the product has been out of temperature. Food items inside reach in deli cooler: roasted corn (50F - Cold Holding); black beans (50F - Cold Holding); sliced ham (50F - Cold Holding); sliced tomatoes (50F - Cold Holding) items were put on ice and taken into the reach in freezers to bring down the temperature. **Warning**
03A-02-5
High Priority - Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. Food items in pull out drawers above flattop: raw beef patty (54F - Cold Holding); raw chicken breast (58F - Cold Holding); cooked sliced steak (64F - Cold Holding) can not determine how long the food items have been out of temperature. **Warning**
01B-02-5
High Priority - Live, small flying insects found Approximately: 10 flies flying underneath dish machine near floor drain. 4 flies flying above soda machine in server wait station. Not landing on food or food contact surfaces. **Warning**
35A-02-7
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 operator DBPR Clean-Up of Vomiting and Diarrheal Events form. **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning**
11-27-4
Intermediate - Food being cooled by nonapproved method as evidenced by inadequate rate of cooling during time of inspection. Container of cooked noodles covered with plastic wrap cooling on prep table next to turbo chef. Food item was uncovered and taken to walk in cooler to bring the temperature down. **Warning**
03D-15-4
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Can opener blade and meat slicer heavily soiled with dried food debris. **Warning**
22-02-4
Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Wet sipping towel inside hand sink in server area. Item was moved. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
31A-11-4
Intermediate - Manager or person in charge lacking proof of food manager certification. CFM certificate can't be accessed at the time of the inspection. **Warning**
53A-01-7
Intermediate - No chemical test kit provided when using sanitizer at three-compartment sink/warewashing machine or wiping cloths. No chlorine test kit. **Warning**
16-37-1
Intermediate - No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. Missing at each hand sink in downstairs and upstairs at. **Warning**
31B-02-4
Intermediate - No soap provided at handwash sink. Missing at hand sink in server station. Missing at each hand sink in downstairs and upstairs at. **Warning**
31B-03-4
Basic - Standing water in bottom of reach-in-cooler. Reach in deli cooler next to Turbo Chef. **Warning**
29-49-6
Basic - Insect control device installed over food preparation area. Plugged in outlet above prep table with turbo chef oven and covered container of cooked noodles cooking. Operator removed item. **Warning**
35B-02-4
Basic - Employee drinking from an unenclosed beverage container in a food preparation/clean dishware area and the container does not have a dispensing mechanism to prevent hand contact with lip contact area of drink container. Stored on reach in cooler on cook line. Stored on reach in cooler next to clean glasses in bar area. Drinks were moved. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
12B-12-5
Basic - Accumulation of debris on exterior of warewashing machine. In kitchen. **Warning**
16-21-4
17
May 2, 2025
Food-Licensing Inspection
1 major violation. 7 minor violations.
View 8 violations
Intermediate - Soap dispenser at handwash sink not working/unable to dispense soap. Automatic paper towel dispensers not yet installed at all hand sinks.
31B-06-4
Basic - Floor tiles missing and/or in disrepair. Kitchen and behind bar
36-17-5
Basic - Floor soiled/has accumulation of debris. Dining room and kitchen floors soiled with construction debris
36-73-4
Basic - Equipment in poor repair. Broken handle on walk in cooler Damaged metal on walk in cooler door
14-11-5
Basic - Cove molding at floor/wall juncture broken/missing. Rear of kitchen near mop sink
36-03-4
Basic - No conspicuously located ambient air temperature thermometer in holding unit. Ambient thermometers still on order
05-09-4
Basic - Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance. Vents over kitchen
36-34-5
Basic - Bathroom facility not clean. Bathrooms soiled with construction debris
32-07-5
64
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Thirsty First last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Thirsty First on file is from Mar 17, 2026. The public record contains five inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Thirsty First?
Across the inspection record, “time/temperature control for safety food cold held” has been cited two times, more than any other issue at Thirsty First.
How does Thirsty First compare to other restaurants in St. Petersburg?
Thirsty First most recently scored 47 out of 100, which is lower than the St. Petersburg average of 77.
Has Thirsty First's inspection record improved over time?
Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at Thirsty First have averaged around 12 violations per visit across the recent record.
What does a high risk rating mean?
A high risk rating at Thirsty First 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.
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