Waffle House #618

1515 51 Ave E, Ellenton, FL 34222

Café / Breakfast

Last inspected: Mar 5, 2026

Score

Low Risk

Across the available record, Waffle House #618 has eight inspections on file, the first dated 2022. Inspectors last stopped by on Mar 5, 2026. Low risk means the most recent visit produced few or no significant findings.

Violation counts have held steady across recent visits, averaging around one violation each.

“Employee wearing jewelry other than a plain ring” comes up most often, recorded three times in the inspection record.

That puts the facility ahead of the local pack: the average Ellenton restaurant scores 78. Taken together, the history is a positive one.

Inspections

Critical latest

Major latest

Minor latest

Inspection History

Mar 5, 2026

Routine - Food

2 minor violations.

View 2 violations

Basic - Current Hotel and Restaurant license not displayed. Observed last years license posted.

50-09-4

Basic - Employee wearing jewelry other than a plain ring on their hands/arms while preparing food. Observed the operator preparing food while wearing a watch. Operator removed their watch. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**

13-07-4

Aug 19, 2025

Routine - Food

1 minor violation.

View 1 violation

Basic - Employee wearing jewelry other than a plain ring on their hands/arms while preparing food. Observed food prep employee with watch on wrist while preparing food. **Repeat Violation**

13-07-4

Jan 8, 2025

Routine - Food

1 minor violation.

View 1 violation

Basic - Employee wearing jewelry other than a plain ring on their hands/arms while preparing food. Observed bracelets on food prep employee. Employee removed bracelets. **Corrected On-Site**

13-07-4

Aug 26, 2024

Routine - Food

1 critical violation. 1 minor violation.

View 2 violations

High Priority - Employee touched soiled apron/clothes and then engaged in food preparation, handled clean equipment or utensils, or touched unwrapped single-service items without washing hands. Observed food prep employee on egg station touch and adjust visor and go back to preparing food with no glove change or handwashing. Manager coached employee and she changed gloves and washed hands. **Corrected On-Site**

12A-28-4

Basic - Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable. Observed brown countertop cutting board grooved.

14-09-4

Jan 29, 2024

Routine - Food

No violations found.

100

Sep 18, 2023

Routine - Food

2 minor violations.

View 2 violations

Basic - Exterior door has a gap at the threshold that opens to the outside. Observed gap beneath rear exterior kitchen door.

35B-01-4

Basic - Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable. Observed brown cutting boards heavily grooved. New boards ordered. **Repeat Violation**

14-09-4

Mar 8, 2023

Routine - Food

3 critical violations. 1 major violation. 4 minor violations.

View 8 violations

High Priority - Employee cracked raw shell eggs and then handled ready-to-eat food and/or clean equipment or utensils without washing hands. Observed operator crack raw shell eggs then touch fork to cook and serve eggs without changing gloves and washing hands. Discussed with Division manager and she discussed with the employee. **Corrective Action Taken**

12A-27-4

High Priority - Heat strip failed to turn black to indicate the sanitization temperature of 160 degrees Fahrenheit was achieved on the dish surface and/or high temperature holding thermometer did not reach 160F. Discontinue use of dishmachine for sanitizing and set up manual sanitization until dishmachine is repaired. Dish machine only reached 135F during sanitation cycle. Operator set up three part sink to sanitize dishes. **Corrective Action Taken**

22-57-6

High Priority - Hot water takes too long to reach handwash sink resulting in employees using only cold water to wash their hands. Observed hot water temperature of 79F on hot water side after 30 seconds.

12A-08-4

Intermediate - Water with a temperature of at least 100 degrees Fahrenheit not provided/shut off at employee handwash sink. Observed hand wash sink hot water temperature at 79F. Hot water temperature at 78F in women's restroom.

27-16-4

Basic - Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin. Observed interior of ice machine with black slimy buildup. **Repeat Violation**

22-20-5

Basic - Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable. Observed brown cutting boards with deep grooves.

14-09-4

Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Observed employee drink cup on cart/ shelf next to clean flatware. Operator moved cup to office. **Corrected On-Site**

12B-07-4

Basic - Ice buildup in reach-in freezer and/or walk-in freezer. Observed ice buildup on walk in freezer door. **Repeat Violation**

14-69-4

Nov 9, 2022

Routine - Food

3 minor violations.

View 3 violations

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

22-20-5

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

14-69-4

Basic - No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees. Observed no paper towels at rear hand wash sink. Operator replenished towels. **Corrected On-Site**

31B-04-4

Show all 8 inspections Show less

Frequently Asked Questions

When was Waffle House #618 last inspected?

The most recent health inspection at Waffle House #618 on file is from Mar 5, 2026. The public record contains eight inspections in total.

What is the most common violation at Waffle House #618?

Across the inspection record, “employee wearing jewelry other than a plain ring” has been cited three times, more than any other issue at Waffle House #618.

How does Waffle House #618 compare to other restaurants in Ellenton?

Waffle House #618 most recently scored 90 out of 100, which is higher than the Ellenton average of 78.

Has Waffle House #618's inspection record improved over time?

Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at Waffle House #618 have averaged around one violation per visit across the recent record.

What does a low risk rating mean?

A low risk rating at Waffle House #618 means inspectors found minimal or no significant issues at the most recent visit. Most facilities at this tier have a clean recent inspection report.

How often is Waffle House #618 inspected?

Based on the inspection history on file, Waffle House #618 is inspected around two times per year on average.

Nearby Restaurants

The Crazy Pork

5479 Factory Shops Blvd

Score: 52 — High Risk

Worthington

4815 17Th St E

Score: 100 — Low Risk

Ellenton01

5461 Factory Shops Blvd

Score: 100 — Low Risk

Explore More

→ All locations in Ellenton → Café / Breakfast restaurants in Florida → Café / Breakfast restaurants in Ellenton