Waffle House
Last inspected: Nov 21, 2025
74
Score
Going back to 2022, Waffle House has nine inspections in the public record. Inspectors last stopped by on Nov 21, 2025. A medium risk rating points to a few notable findings at the last inspection, though nothing severe.
There hasn't been much movement either way: counts have stayed near five violations per visit across recent inspections.
Across the inspection history, “nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease” is the issue that surfaces most often, recorded four times.
Among Gainesville restaurants, this is a fairly standard result. The record is unremarkable in either direction.
9
Inspections
0
Critical latest
1
Major latest
4
Minor latest
Inspection History
Nov 21, 2025
Routine - Food
1 major violation. 4 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Certified Food Manager Identification
FL-02
Hands Clean and Properly Washed
FL-08
Hot and Cold Water Available; Adequate Pressure
FL-25
Lighting Adequate; Required Shields in Place
FL-36
Plumbing Maintained; Sewage Disposal
FL-51
74
Jul 21, 2025
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 1 minor violation.
View 3 violations
Employee Health Policies Present
FL-03
Food Received at Proper Temperature
FL-12
Equipment Adequate to Maintain Product Temperature
FL-29
70
Jan 23, 2025
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 3 minor violations.
View 5 violations
High Priority - Server handled soiled dishes or utensils and then picked up plated food, served food, or prepared a beverage without washing hands. Server dropped cup on floor then picked it up and proceeded to handle clean dishes without washing hands. Manager had employee wash hands and rewash dishes. **Corrective Action Taken** **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
12A-02-4
Intermediate - No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. No hand towels at front counter hand washing sink. Employee provided hand towels during inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
31B-02-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact equipment exposed to splash/spillage not constructed of materials that are corrosion resistant, non-absorbent, smooth and easily cleanable. Top for wait station tea urn.
14-47-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Gasket of double door glass door reach-in cooler in wait station. Fan covers in walk-in cooler. **Repeat Violation**
23-03-4
Basic - Standing water in bottom of reach-in-cooler. Double door glass door reach-in cooler in wait station.
29-49-6
67
Sep 16, 2024
Routine - Food
No violations found.
100
Sep 9, 2024
Routine - Food
4 critical violations. 1 major violation. 2 minor violations.
View 7 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 touched nose and proceeded to handle clean silverware behind front counter without washing hands. Manager had employee wash hands and rewash silverware. **Corrective Action Taken** **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
12A-25-4
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. Front counter dish machine, 150F. **Warning**
22-57-6
High Priority - Raw animal foods not properly separated from each other in holding unit based upon minimum required cooking temperature. Raw ground beef stored over raw pork in reach-in cooler next to cook line grill. Manager placed ground beef underneath pork. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
08A-20-5
High Priority - Wiping cloth sanitizer solution exceeds the maximum concentration allowed. Sanitizer bucket behind front counter 200+ ppm. Manager had employee add water to sanitizer bucket, 75 ppm. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
41-27-4
Intermediate - Employee washed hands in a sink other than an approved handwash sink. Employee washed hands in three compartment sink. **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
12A-03-4
Basic - Employee personal food not properly identified and segregated from food to be served to the public. Employee container of hummus stored in front counter reach-in cooler closest to office. Manager removed hummus during inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
08B-49-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Shelf underneath front counter soda machine. **Repeat Violation**
23-03-4
45
Feb 16, 2024
Routine - Food
3 critical violations. 2 major violations. 3 minor violations.
View 8 violations
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Shell eggs stored over creamers in reach-in cooler across from front counter fire extinguisher. Manager moved eggs to bottom shelf. **Corrected On-Site**
08A-05-6
High Priority - Server handled soiled dishes or utensils and then picked up plated food, served food, or prepared a beverage without washing hands. Server handled dirty dishes next to dish machine and proceeded to prepare drink for customer. Manager had employee wash hands. **Corrective Action Taken** **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
12A-02-4
High Priority - Wiping cloth sanitizer solution exceeds the maximum concentration allowed. Sanitizer bucket across from front counter register, 200+. Employee changed sanitizer water, 75 ppm. **Corrected On-Site**
41-27-4
Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Employee dumped sanitizer bucket in hand washing sink next to dish machine.
31A-11-4
Intermediate - Proof of required state approved employee training not available for some employees. To order approved program food safety material, call DBPR contracted provider: Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (SafeStaff) 866-372-7233. One employee training certificate available. Establishment has twenty employees.
53B-13-5
Basic - Missing drain plug at dumpster. Dumpster behind building. **Repeat Violation**
33-11-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Side of reach-in cooler next to front counter soda machine. **Repeat Violation**
23-03-4
Basic - Standing water in bottom of reach-in-cooler. Cook line reach-in coolers.
29-49-6
45
Oct 3, 2023
Routine - Food
4 critical violations. 2 major violations. 5 minor violations.
View 11 violations
High Priority - Employee cracked raw shell eggs and then handled ready-to-eat food and/or clean equipment or utensils without washing hands. Employee cracked eggs and handled clean plate without washing hands. Manager had employee wash hands and use another plate. **Corrective Action Taken** **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
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 behind front counter, 148F. Repair person fixed dish machine, 165F. **Corrected On-Site**
22-57-6
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food identified in the written procedure as a food held using time as a public health control has no time marking and the time removed from temperature control cannot be determined. Eggs stored on front counter. Manager stated items placed on counter 15 minutes prior, manager placed proper time mark on item. **Corrective Action Taken** **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
03F-02-5
High Priority - Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. Spray bottle of Clorox stored next to bottle of syrup behind front counter. Manager moved spray bottle to area in back of kitchen. **Corrected On-Site**
41-10-4
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Lid and container for chili stored in reach-in cooler next to front counter coffee machine. Manager placed chili in a different container. **Corrective Action Taken**
22-02-4
Intermediate - No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. Hand washing sink behind front counter. Manager provided towels at hand washing sink. **Corrected On-Site**
31B-02-4
Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Employee drink on counter next to warmer on counter.
12B-07-4
Basic - Employee personal food not properly identified and segregated from food to be served to the public. Employee vitamin water stored in reach-in cooler in wait station.
08B-49-4
Basic - In-use ice scoop stored on soiled surface between uses. Ice scoop stored on top of soda box next to ice machine. Mana placed ice scoop in pan. **Corrective Action Taken**
10-12-5
Basic - Missing drain plug at dumpster. Dumpster behind building.
33-11-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Gasket and bottom of reach-in cooler in wait station. **Repeat Violation**
23-03-4
35
Jan 24, 2023
Routine - Food
4 critical violations. 4 major violations. 3 minor violations.
View 11 violations
Employee Health Policies Present
FL-03
Hands Clean and Properly Washed
FL-08
Food Obtained from Approved Sources
FL-11
Food Received at Proper Temperature
FL-12
Non-Food Contact Surfaces Clean
FL-23
Required Records Available; Shellstock Tags/Labels
FL-14
Potentially Hazardous Food Held at Proper Temperature
FL-16
Approved Thawing Methods Used
FL-31
Equipment, Food and Non-Food Contact Surfaces Approved
FL-35
Single-Use/Single-Service Articles Properly Stored and Used
FL-45
Toilet Rooms Maintained
FL-53
30
Aug 17, 2022
Routine - Food
4 critical violations. 1 major violation. 1 minor violation.
View 6 violations
High Priority - Vacuum breaker missing at hose bibb or on fitting/splitter added to hose bibb. Observed the hose Bibb by the back door lacks a vacuum breaker(back flow preventer) **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
29-34-4
High Priority - Chlorine sanitizer in spray bottle/bucket not at proper minimum strength. Observed both sanitizers on the front line at 0ppm for chlorine. Chlorine was added. **Corrected On-Site**
22-39-4
High Priority - Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. Observed 3 spray chemicals stored on the same rack, next to/over syrup and mustard packs. The chemicals were moved to cleaning. **Corrected On-Site**
41-10-4
High Priority - Wiping cloth sanitizer solution exceeds the maximum concentration allowed. Observed the bulk chlorine sanitizer jug at 200+ ppm for chlorine. Water was added and dropped to 100 ppm. **Corrected On-Site**
41-27-4
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Observed coffee caddys/trays with an accumulation of drips and debris. ALSO, the unsweet tea nozzle has buildup in the cone. This item **Repeat Violation**
22-02-4
Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Observed 2 employee drinks stored on food prep areas. These were moved to the back. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
12B-07-4
47
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Waffle House last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Waffle House on file is from Nov 21, 2025. The public record contains nine inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Waffle House?
Across the inspection record, “nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease” has been cited four times, more than any other issue at Waffle House.
How does Waffle House compare to other restaurants in Gainesville?
Waffle House most recently scored 74 out of 100, which is about the same as the Gainesville average of 75.
Has Waffle House's inspection record improved over time?
Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at Waffle House have averaged around five violations per visit across the recent record.
What does a medium risk rating mean?
A medium risk rating at Waffle House 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 Waffle House inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Waffle House is inspected around three times per year on average.
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