Waterfront Crab Shack
Last inspected: Nov 7, 2025
74
Score
Waterfront Crab Shack appears in inspection records nine times, starting in 2022. The most recent report on file is from Nov 7, 2025. A medium risk score generally means inspectors found things to fix, though most weren't urgent.
Recent visits have produced comparable findings, with counts hovering near one violation per visit.
The pattern that stands out is “nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease”, which has been cited two times.
That's lower than the typical Fort Walton Beach restaurant, which scores around 96. The full record sits in fairly typical territory for a working restaurant.
9
Inspections
2
Critical latest
0
Major latest
0
Minor latest
Inspection History
Nov 7, 2025
Complaint Full
2 critical violations.
View 2 violations
Supervisor/Person in Charge Present
FL-01
Certified Food Manager Identification
FL-02
74
May 7, 2025
Routine - Food
No violations found.
100
Jan 29, 2025
Routine - Food
No violations found.
100
Mar 15, 2024
Routine - Food
1 critical violation.
View 1 violation
Equipment Adequate to Maintain Product Temperature
FL-29
86
Sep 26, 2023
Routine - Food
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Basic - In-use utensil in non-time/temperature control for safety food not stored with handle above top of food within a closed container. Single serve cups with no handles nesting in Cole slaw at prep table in kitchen.
10-01-5
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Dust buildup on fan of walk in cooler.
23-03-4
90
Jun 1, 2023
Complaint Full
No violations found.
100
Mar 27, 2023
Routine - Food
3 critical violations. 2 major violations.
View 5 violations
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food: - raw redfish, mahi, and cobia in low-boy reach-in cooler over sautéed green peppers, crawfish meat, garlic, cut sausage links, bacon bits, cooked chicken pieces. Kitchen Manager swapped the products in the drawers for proper storage. **Corrected On-Site**
08A-05-6
High Priority - Vacuum breaker missing at hose bibb or on fitting/splitter added to hose bibb: - two spigots beside mop sink do not have backflow preventers on them.
29-34-4
High Priority - Cooked/heated time/temperature control for safety food not cooled from 135 degrees Fahrenheit to 70 degrees Fahrenheit within 2 hours: - boiled potatoes placed in walk-in cooler at approximately 11:45 A.M. temping at 76° F. Kitchen Manager reheated to an internal temperature of at least 165° F. **Corrective Action Taken**
03D-01-5
Intermediate - Food being cooled by nonapproved method as evidenced by inadequate rate of cooling during time of inspection: - boiled potatoes placed in deep plastic container, covered, and placed in walk-in cooler. After 3.25 hours temped at 76° F. Kitchen Manager reheated to an internal temperature of at least 165° F. Inspector explained about placing in smaller portions and/or leaving uncovered until the internal temperatures reaches at least 41° F.
03D-15-4
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime: - right soda gun at bar dirty.
22-02-4
52
Dec 14, 2022
Food-Licensing Inspection
1 critical violation. 2 minor violations.
View 3 violations
High Priority - Live, small flying insects in kitchen, food preparation area, food storage area and/or bar area. Upon inspection, observed 1 small flying insect in kitchen area. Did not observe small flying insect land on food or food contact surface.
35A-02-6
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, or dust. Upon inspection, observed dust build up on wall vent cover in kitchen, electrical outlet in kitchen above service line shelves, and walk in cooler fan covers.
23-03-4
Basic - Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting. Upon inspection, observed plastic containers on drying rack in wash area stacked with moisture in between.
24-08-4
78
Nov 16, 2022
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 3 major violations. 10 minor violations.
View 14 violations
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Hot hold- French fries 126F, hush puppies 106F ( 1:55-2:25 ). Cook discarded food at time of temperature check. **Corrective Action Taken**
03B-01-6
Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Sanitizer bucket stored in sink at bar area.
31A-11-4
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Bar mats at bar counter soiled. Can opener soiled. **Repeat Violation**
22-02-4
Intermediate - Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Sink blocked with bucket near dish area.
31A-09-4
Basic - Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance.
36-34-5
Basic - Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Purse/bag on can goods in storage outside near upright freezer.
40-06-5
Basic - Exterior door has a gap at the threshold that opens to the outside.
35B-01-4
Basic - Floor tiles missing and/or in disrepair.
36-17-5
Basic - Food stored on floor. Chicken stored on floor in walk in freezer. **Repeat Violation**
08B-38-4
Basic - Opened employee beverage container in a cold holding unit with food to be served to customers.
12B-13-4
Basic - Reach-in upright freezer soiled at bottom on the interior.
22-16-4
Basic - Stored food not covered. In upright glass cooler prepared salads and Cole slaw not covered. Crab Rangoon and hush puppies stored in upright freezer uncovered. Crab legs in walk in freezer uncovered. Cooked and portioned clams, muscle stored in. Netting in upright freezer un covered. **Repeat Violation**
08B-12-5
Basic - Vents are missing in multiple locations on ac hood pipes.
36-36-4
Basic - Wall soiled with accumulated grease, food debris, and/or dust.
36-27-5
39
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Waterfront Crab Shack last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Waterfront Crab Shack on file is from Nov 7, 2025. The public record contains nine inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Waterfront Crab Shack?
Across the inspection record, “nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease” has been cited two times, more than any other issue at Waterfront Crab Shack.
How does Waterfront Crab Shack compare to other restaurants in Fort Walton Beach?
Waterfront Crab Shack most recently scored 74 out of 100, which is lower than the Fort Walton Beach average of 96.
Has Waterfront Crab Shack's inspection record improved over time?
Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at Waterfront Crab Shack have averaged around one violation per visit across the recent record.
What does a medium risk rating mean?
A medium risk rating at Waterfront Crab Shack 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 Waterfront Crab Shack inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Waterfront Crab Shack is inspected around three times per year on average.
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