Thirsty Marlin Grill & Bar
Last inspected: Apr 14, 2026
64
Score
Thirsty Marlin Grill & Bar appears in inspection records 10 times, starting in 2022. The newest entry in the record is dated Apr 14, 2026. A medium risk rating points to a few notable findings at the last inspection, though nothing severe.
Things have been moving the wrong way, with the rolling count rising from around seven violations to closer to nine violations per visit.
The pattern that stands out is “time/temperature control for safety food cold held”, which has been cited three times.
Thirsty Marlin Grill & Bar's latest score of 64 falls below the Palm Harbor average of 74. Nothing in the record is alarming, but there's room to improve.
10
Inspections
1
Critical latest
0
Major latest
6
Minor latest
Inspection History
Apr 14, 2026
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 6 minor violations.
View 7 violations
High Priority - Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license. License expired on 02/01/26. Observed establishment open to the public and operating selling food with expired license. Operator was able to go in and update license. **Corrected On-Site**
50-17-3
Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Observed an employee beverage on the prep table in the kitchen. Manager corrected storage. **Corrected On-Site**
12B-07-4
Basic - Floor area(s) covered with standing water in the walk in cooler..
36-22-4
Basic - Floor tiles missing and/or in disrepair. Observed missing floor tiles in the walk in cooler.
36-17-5
Basic - Food stored on floor in the walk in freezer. Manager corrected storage. **Corrected On-Site**
08B-38-4
Basic - Standing water in bottom of reach-in-cooler on cook line.
29-49-6
Basic - Walk-in cooler shelves with rust that has pitted the surface.
14-17-4
64
Jul 15, 2025
Complaint Full
1 critical violation. 2 major violations. 3 minor violations.
View 6 violations
High Priority - - From initial inspection : High Priority - Live, small flying insects found 3 flies underneath counter where soda station is located. 1 fly near the back door where soda boxes are located. 2 flies in dry storage area. 8 flies where boxes of ketchup and canned pineapple juice located in dry storage. **Admin Complaint** - From follow-up inspection 2025-07-15: 5 live flies under prep table next to soda/tea station. Operator killed 3 flies. Area sanitized. 2 live flies on containers of sauce in prep area. 1 live fly on plumbing line under handwashing sink. 3 live flies on boxes stored on rack. Operator was able to kill flies. Sanitized area. 1 live fly next to freezer chest. **Admin Complaint**
35A-02-7
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : Intermediate - Food manager certification expired. A list of accredited food manager certification examination providers can be found at https://www2.myfloridalicense.com/hotels-restaurants/food-lodging/food-manager/ Kevin expired. Kevin is in the process of getting recertified. **Repeat Violation** - From follow-up inspection 2025-07-15: **Time Extended**
53A-03-7
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : 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. Tom, Ed, Mary Ellen. **Repeat Violation** - From follow-up inspection 2025-07-15: **Time Extended**
53B-14-5
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Ceiling/ceiling tile shows damage or is in disrepair. Tiles in kitchen damaged new the office. - From follow-up inspection 2025-07-15: **Time Extended**
36-32-5
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Floor soiled/has accumulation of debris. Floors throughout kitchen and bar soiled. Air Vents in kitchen soiled. Ceiling soiled with black substance where damage has occurred near the office. Walk in cooler floor soiled with food debris. - From follow-up inspection 2025-07-15: **Time Extended**
36-73-4
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Soiled fan walk in cooler. Racks in walk in cooler soiled with rust and mold like substance. - From follow-up inspection 2025-07-15: **Time Extended**
23-03-4
61
Jul 14, 2025
Complaint Full
4 critical violations. 2 major violations. 9 minor violations.
View 15 violations
High Priority - Live, small flying insects found 3 flies underneath counter where soda station is located. 1 fly near the back door where soda boxes are located. 2 flies in dry storage area. 8 flies where boxes of ketchup and canned pineapple juice located in dry storage. **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. Operator ran dish machine 2 cycles, 0ppm. Operator attempted to prime the machine and no sanitizer was dispensing. Discontinue use of dishmachine for sanitizing and set up manual sanitization (3-compartment sink) until dishmachine is repaired and sanitizing properly. 3 compartment sink set up and at 50ppm chlorine.
22-41-4
High Priority - Stop Sale issued due to food not being in a wholesome, sound condition. Grouper fully thawed in package that states to be removed from package prior to thawing.
01B-13-4
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Raw fish above ready to eat vegetables in walk in. Manager relocated. **Corrected On-Site**
08A-05-6
Intermediate - Food manager certification expired. A list of accredited food manager certification examination providers can be found at https://www2.myfloridalicense.com/hotels-restaurants/food-lodging/food-manager/ Kevin expired. Kevin is in the process of getting recertified. **Repeat Violation**
53A-03-7
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. Tom, Ed, Mary Ellen. **Repeat Violation**
53B-14-5
Basic - Accumulation of debris on exterior of warewashing machine. Top of dish machine.
16-21-4
Basic - Ceiling/ceiling tile shows damage or is in disrepair. Tiles in kitchen damaged new the office.
36-32-5
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. Grouper fully thawed in package that states to be removed from package prior to thawing. One package of grouper was frozen, chef removed from package. See stop sale.
06-09-1
Basic - Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting. Aluminum pans in the ware washing area stacked wet. Operator unstacked. **Corrected On-Site**
24-08-4
Basic - Floor soiled/has accumulation of debris. Floors throughout kitchen and bar soiled. Air Vents in kitchen soiled. Ceiling soiled with black substance where damage has occurred near the office. Walk in cooler floor soiled with food debris.
36-73-4
Basic - Interior of oven/microwave has accumulation of black substance/grease/food debris. Soiled microwave plate. Employees state it has not been used today.
22-08-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Soiled fan walk in cooler. Racks in walk in cooler soiled with rust and mold like substance.
23-03-4
Basic - Standing water in bottom of reach-in-cooler. Prep cooler on cookline.
29-49-6
Basic - Water draining onto floor surface. Standing water on the floor under near the soda station and the dry storage racks.
29-03-4
29
Jul 2, 2025
Routine - Food
3 major violations.
View 3 violations
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : Intermediate - Clam/mussel/oyster tags not marked with last date served. Oyster tag on 3/27/25 with no date if last oyster served. Operator was able to determine at time of inspection. - From follow-up inspection 2025-07-02: Oyster tags observed with no date of when the last oyster was served. Discussed with manager. **Time Extended**
01C-03-4
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : Intermediate - Food manager certification expired. A list of accredited food manager certification examination providers can be found at https://www2.myfloridalicense.com/hotels-restaurants/food-lodging/food-manager/ Kevin expired 9/24/2018 - From follow-up inspection 2025-07-02: Operator unable to locate at time of inspection. **Time Extended**
53A-03-7
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : 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. Expired trainings for Ed, Tom and Mary Ellen. - From follow-up inspection 2025-07-02: Operator unable to locate at time of inspection. **Time Extended**
53B-14-5
74
Apr 28, 2025
Routine - Food
6 critical violations. 5 major violations. 1 minor violation.
View 12 violations
High Priority - Nonexempt fish offered raw or undercooked has not undergone proper parasite destruction. Fish must be fully cooked or discarded. No parasite destruction letter for salmon that is served raw. Operator had the distributor email parasite destruction letter at time of inspection. Parasite destruction conducted through Devi Fisheries Incorporated. **Corrected On-Site**
01D-01-5
High Priority - Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license. License expired 02/01/2025. Operator renewed at time of inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
50-17-3
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Raw chicken above ready to eat food in reach in cooler. Operator relocated. **Corrected On-Site**
08A-05-6
High Priority - Stop Sale issued due to food not being in a wholesome, sound condition. Tuna not removed from reduced oxygen packaging before thawed.
01B-13-4
High Priority - Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. Rice 71F left in rice cooker overnight. Rice cooker was turned off overnight.
01B-02-5
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. rice (71F - Cold Holding) rice left in cooker overnight in the sushi area. Cooker was turned off. Operator states that it was accidentally left in there overnight. Sushi is not served until 5pm.
03A-02-5
Intermediate - Clam/mussel/oyster tags not marked with last date served. Oyster tag on 3/27/25 with no date if last oyster served. Operator was able to determine at time of inspection.
01C-03-4
Intermediate - Food manager certification expired. A list of accredited food manager certification examination providers can be found at https://www2.myfloridalicense.com/hotels-restaurants/food-lodging/food-manager/ Kevin expired 9/24/2018
53A-03-7
Intermediate - Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Blocked handwash sink at outside bar. Operator relocated glasses that were blocking. **Corrected On-Site**
31A-09-4
Intermediate - Menu does not identify which items contain raw or undercooked animal foods covered by the consumer advisory. Sushi menu and regular menu does not identify which food items are raw. There is to be an asterisk next to the raw food item and the consumer advisory.
02B-01-5
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. Expired trainings for Ed, Tom and Mary Ellen.
53B-14-5
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. Tuna fully thawed in package that states to remove from package before thawing. See stop sale.
06-09-1
23
Sep 16, 2024
Complaint Full
2 critical violations. 2 major violations. 1 minor violation.
View 5 violations
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Tomatoes cut 46F cold hold, pasta 50F cold hold, tuna raw 46F cold hold. See Stop Sale.
03A-02-5
High Priority - Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. Tomatoes cut 46F cold hold, pasta 50FF cold hold, tuna raw 46F cold hold. See Stop Sale.
01B-02-5
Intermediate - Clam/mussel/oyster tags not maintained in chronological order according to the last date they were served in the establishment. **Corrected On-Site**
01C-05-4
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Cutting board green
22-02-4
Basic - Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Squeeze bottles on cooks line contain foods removed from its original container not labeled with common name. Discussed the need to label all food removed from its original container.
02D-01-5
58
Apr 24, 2024
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 3 minor violations.
View 5 violations
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Tuna 44F cold hold, second temperature 41F cold hold, pasta 45F cold hold, second temperature 40F cold hold, feta 45F cold hold, second temperatures 36F cold hold. Second temps taken at 4:56**Repeat Violation** **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
03A-02-5
Intermediate - Clam/mussel/oyster tags not marked with last date served. 2 tags missing date.
01C-03-4
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. Operator opened packages of fish. **Corrected On-Site**
06-09-1
Basic - Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable. **Repeat Violation**
14-09-4
Basic - Floor soiled/has accumulation of debris.
36-73-4
67
Sep 11, 2023
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 3 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Employee Health Policies Present
FL-03
Lighting Adequate; Required Shields in Place
FL-36
Required Records Available; Shellstock Tags/Labels
FL-14
Food Received at Proper Temperature
FL-12
74
Mar 27, 2023
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 2 major violations. 3 minor violations.
View 6 violations
High Priority - - From initial inspection : High Priority - Server handled soiled dishes or utensils and then picked up plated food, served food, or prepared a beverage without washing hands. Server brought in soiled dishes, picked up paper debris with gloved hands and touched the lip of a clean plate to serve food to customers. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2023-03-24: **Time Extended** - From follow-up inspection 2023-03-27: **Time Extended**
12A-02-4
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : 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. Discussed and provided the hand out regarding the clean up of vomit and diarrheal events. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2023-03-24: **Time Extended** - From follow-up inspection 2023-03-27: **Time Extended**
11-27-4
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : 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. Discussed and provided the employee agreement. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2023-03-24: **Time Extended** - From follow-up inspection 2023-03-27: **Time Extended**
11-26-1
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Floor soiled/has accumulation of debris. Cook line, prep areas, storage area and behind both bars. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2023-03-24: **Time Extended** - From follow-up inspection 2023-03-27: **Time Extended**
36-73-4
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Floor area(s) covered with standing water. Walk in cooler. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2023-03-24: **Time Extended** - From follow-up inspection 2023-03-27: **Time Extended**
36-22-4
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable. Green cutting board located at salad prep area. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2023-03-24: **Time Extended** - From follow-up inspection 2023-03-27: **Time Extended**
14-09-4
61
Oct 18, 2022
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 2 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Supervisor/Person in Charge Present
FL-01
Food Received at Proper Temperature
FL-12
Lighting Adequate; Required Shields in Place
FL-36
Proper Hot and Cold Holding Temperatures
FL-21
61
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Thirsty Marlin Grill & Bar last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Thirsty Marlin Grill & Bar on file is from Apr 14, 2026. The public record contains 10 inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Thirsty Marlin Grill & Bar?
Across the inspection record, “time/temperature control for safety food cold held” has been cited three times, more than any other issue at Thirsty Marlin Grill & Bar.
How does Thirsty Marlin Grill & Bar compare to other restaurants in Palm Harbor?
Thirsty Marlin Grill & Bar most recently scored 64 out of 100, which is lower than the Palm Harbor average of 74.
Has Thirsty Marlin Grill & Bar's inspection record improved over time?
No. Recent inspections at Thirsty Marlin Grill & Bar have averaged around nine violations per visit, up from roughly seven earlier in the record.
What does a medium risk rating mean?
A medium risk rating at Thirsty Marlin Grill & Bar 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 Thirsty Marlin Grill & Bar inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Thirsty Marlin Grill & Bar is inspected around three times per year on average.
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