Tortuga Jacks
Last inspected: Mar 10, 2026
67
Score
Public records show eight inspections at Tortuga Jacks stretching back to 2022. Inspectors last stopped by on Mar 10, 2026. When a facility lands in medium risk territory, it usually means a mixed inspection result.
Things have been moving in the right direction, with the rolling count dropping from around five violations to closer to three violations per visit.
Across the inspection history, “food-contact surface soiled with food debris” is the issue that surfaces most often, recorded three times.
Tortuga Jacks scores about where you'd expect for a Fernandina Beach restaurant. On the whole, the file is mixed but not concerning.
8
Inspections
1
Critical latest
0
Major latest
5
Minor latest
Inspection History
Mar 10, 2026
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 5 minor violations.
View 6 violations
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. In flip top reach in cooler on cook line, pan of raw sausage patties stored on shelf above cooked potatoes. Operator switched items. **Corrected On-Site**
08A-05-6
Basic - Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin. Interior of ice machine on deflector plate soiled with debris.
22-20-5
Basic - Floor soiled/has accumulation of debris. Floor under small table/clean dish rack in dish soiled with food debris. Also, wall behind cook line soiled with grease debris.
36-73-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Hood filters above cook line soiled with grease build up.
23-03-4
Basic - Standing water in bottom of reach-in-cooler. Standing water in bottom of flip top reach in cooler on cook line.
29-49-6
Basic - Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. On bottom shelf of server station, container of sugar not labeled. Operator labeled. **Corrected On-Site**
02D-01-5
67
Aug 6, 2025
Routine - Food
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Basic - Wet wiping cloth not stored in sanitizing solution between uses. Wet cloth not stored completely in sanitizer solution under prep table. Manager properly stored **Corrected On-Site**
21-12-4
95
Feb 27, 2025
Routine - Food
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Warewashing Facilities Maintained and Used
FL-24
Approved Thawing Methods Used
FL-31
90
Oct 28, 2024
Routine - Food
3 critical violations. 6 minor violations.
View 9 violations
High Priority - Shell eggs in use or stored with cracks or broken shells. See stop sale. One cracked shelled egg on cook line. Egg discarded.
01B-14-4
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. On tray stand across from bar, container of cream cheese 67F and container of butter 53F. Both containers placed into service approximately 75 minutes prior. Items moved to reach in cooler to cool. **Corrective Action Taken**
03A-02-5
High Priority - Server handled soiled dishes or utensils and then picked up plated food, served food, or prepared a beverage without washing hands. Bartender dropped off soiled dishes in dish area and immediately returned to bar and handled clean glassware without washing hands. Manager coached employee on proper hand washing procedures. Employee washed hands correctly. **Corrective Action Taken**
12A-02-4
Basic - Clean glasses, cups, bowls, plates, pots and pans not stored inverted or in a protected manner. Blue ice bucket by ice machine not inverted. Manager inverted bucket. **Corrected On-Site**
24-05-4
Basic - Clean wiping cloth supply not properly stored. In bar on prep table where coffee is stored, red sanitizer bucket is used. Bucket moved and stored correctly. **Corrected On-Site**
21-19-4
Basic - Employee personal food not properly identified and segregated from food to be served to the public. Employee frozen food dinner stored in white reach in freezer near ice machine. Food identified and segregated. **Corrected On-Site**
08B-49-4
Basic - Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting. Clean storage pans stored on rack/shelf near dish area. Clean blue plastic cups in server station in dining area.
24-08-4
Basic - Floors, walls, and/or ceilings soiled/has accumulation of debris. Floor under bar equipment in bar.
36-73-4
Basic - No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees. Hand washing sink by ice machine and hand washing sink near dish area only have "handwashing only" sign. Inspector emailed Form 5030-111 (Hand Washing Sign). **Corrective Action Taken**
31B-04-4
47
Feb 22, 2024
Routine - Food
1 major violation. 1 minor violation.
View 2 violations
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Ice machine outside in shed area
22-02-4
Basic - Waste line missing at soda gun holster.
29-17-4
86
Oct 18, 2023
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 2 major violations. 1 minor violation.
View 5 violations
High Priority - Container of medicine improperly stored. Stored on prep area, moved **Corrected On-Site**
41-07-4
High Priority - Shell eggs in use or stored with cracks or broken shells. See stop sale. 1 cracked egg
01B-14-4
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Ice chute on drink station
22-02-4
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 Emailed **Corrected On-Site**
11-27-4
Basic - Waste line missing at soda gun holster. At bar
29-17-4
58
Mar 8, 2023
Routine - Food
3 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Basic - Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance. Soiled Fan covers in walk in cooler
36-34-5
Basic - Ice buildup in reach-in freezer and/or walk-in freezer. Behind unit in walk in cooler
14-69-4
Basic - Standing water in bottom of reach-in-cooler. 2 door cooler on line
29-49-6
86
Aug 22, 2022
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 1 major violation. 2 minor violations.
View 5 violations
High Priority - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food not consumed/sold within 7 days after opening/preparation. See stop sale. Pulled chicken. Dated 8-14 discarded
01B-24-5
High Priority - Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license. Expired 6-1-22. Paid at time of inspection **Corrected On-Site**
50-17-2
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Soda gun at bar
22-02-4
Basic - Employee with no hair restraint while engaging in food preparation. Oven guy
13-03-4
Basic - Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance. Fan covers in walk in cooler
36-34-5
61
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Tortuga Jacks last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Tortuga Jacks on file is from Mar 10, 2026. The public record contains eight inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Tortuga Jacks?
Across the inspection record, “food-contact surface soiled with food debris” has been cited three times, more than any other issue at Tortuga Jacks.
How does Tortuga Jacks compare to other restaurants in Fernandina Beach?
Tortuga Jacks most recently scored 67 out of 100, which is about the same as the Fernandina Beach average of 68.
Has Tortuga Jacks' inspection record improved over time?
Yes. Recent inspections at Tortuga Jacks have averaged around three violations per visit, down from roughly five earlier in the record.
What does a medium risk rating mean?
A medium risk rating at Tortuga Jacks 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 Tortuga Jacks inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Tortuga Jacks is inspected around two times per year on average.
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