Welaka Lodge
Last inspected: Sep 11, 2025
67
Score
The health department has logged 10 inspections at Welaka Lodge, the earliest from 2022. The latest inspection on file is from Sep 11, 2025. Medium risk typically reflects a handful of issues that inspectors wrote up but didn't deem critical.
Violation counts have held steady across recent visits, averaging around six violations each.
The pattern that stands out is “nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease”, which has been cited three times.
Restaurants in Florida average 72, so Welaka Lodge trails the local norm. The record is unremarkable in either direction.
10
Inspections
0
Critical latest
0
Major latest
8
Minor latest
Inspection History
Sep 11, 2025
Complaint Full
8 minor violations.
View 8 violations
Basic - Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin. Ice machine deflector plate soiled.
22-20-5
Basic - Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable. Cutting board in kitchen not labeled longer cleanable. **Repeat Violation**
14-09-4
Basic - Employee personal food not properly identified and segregated from food to be served to the public. Employee personal food near food items to be served to public. Operator removed. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
08B-49-4
Basic - In-use tongs stored on equipment door handle between uses. Multiple tongs hanging on front of oven handle. Operator removed. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
10-20-4
Basic - Interior of oven/microwave has accumulation of black substance/grease/food debris. Interior of microwave soiled. **Repeat Violation**
22-08-4
Basic - Reach-in cooler interior/shelves have accumulation of soil residues. Reach in cooler shelves soiled.
22-16-4
Basic - Wall soiled with accumulated grease, food debris, and/or dust. Walls soiled in kitchen.
36-27-5
Basic - Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Bulk container of white substance in kitchen not labeled. Operator labeled sugar. **Corrected On-Site**
02D-01-5
67
Jun 5, 2025
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 1 major violation. 7 minor violations.
View 10 violations
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. Salad bar cut tomato and cut lettuce missing time marking. Employee placed time marker on board. **Corrective Action Taken**
03F-02-5
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. In cook line reach in cooler, raw tuna and salmon over ready to eat hotdogs. Operator rearranged storage levels. **Corrected On-Site**
08A-05-6
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Debris on blades of potato punch in prep area. **Repeat Violation**
22-02-4
Basic - In-use tongs stored on equipment door handle between uses. Tongs stored on oven door handle on cook line.
10-20-4
Basic - Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Styrofoam bowl used as scoop in bulk rice container.
14-01-5
Basic - Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable. On warewashing shelf clean cutting boards with deep groove marking.
14-09-4
Basic - Employee personal food not properly identified and segregated from food to be served to the public. In standup reach in cooler personal employee food on top shelf over food for customers.
08B-49-4
Basic - Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Personal phone on box of single service gloves on cook line.
40-06-5
Basic - Interior of oven/microwave has accumulation of black substance/grease/food debris. Microwave in prep area with debris build up.
22-08-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Reach in chest freezer in storage area with debris build up. **Repeat Violation**
23-03-4
47
Jan 24, 2025
Routine - Food
1 major violation.
View 1 violation
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : Intermediate - Menu does not identify which items contain raw or undercooked animal foods covered by the consumer advisory. Tuna appetizer and Tuna sandwich on menu with no identifier to consumer advisory for being undercooked. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2025-01-24: At time of follow up inspection menus offered have no changes made to identify that Tuna appetizer or Tuna Sandwich are served undercooked. Discussed with operator necessary changes. **Admin Complaint** **Corrective Action Taken**
02B-01-5
90
Nov 22, 2024
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 3 major violations. 5 minor violations.
View 9 violations
High Priority - Stop Sale issued due to food not being in a wholesome, sound condition. In the cook line reach in cooler, 5 packages of tuna and 3 packages of mahi fully thawed and sealed in reduced oxygen packages. Operator pulled the fish to discard.
01B-13-4
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Potato punch in prep area with old food debris build up. Kitchen oven of flat top grill has build up of debris.
22-02-4
Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Hand wash sink behind bar with dirty cup stored in sink. Operator removed the cup from the sink. **Corrected On-Site**
31A-11-4
Intermediate - Menu does not identify which items contain raw or undercooked animal foods covered by the consumer advisory. Tuna appetizer and Tuna sandwich on menu with no identifier to consumer advisory for being undercooked. **Warning**
02B-01-5
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Reach in freezer door gaskets with mold like substance build up.
23-03-4
Basic - Wiping cloth quaternary ammonium compound sanitizing solution not at proper minimum strength. At time of inspection sanitizer bucket at 0ppm. Operator dumped and will remake. **Corrective Action Taken**
21-08-4
Basic - Wall soiled with accumulated grease, food debris, and/or dust. Kitchen wall with window build up of debris.
36-27-5
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. In the cook line reach in cooler, 5 packages of tuna and 3 packages of mahi fully thawed and sealed in reduced oxygen packages. Operator pulled the fish to discard. **Corrective Action Taken**
06-09-1
Basic - In-use utensil not stored on a clean portion of food preparation or cooking equipment. Tongs stored in the oven door handles on cook line. Salsa scoop in standing water at 65F, operator removed. **Corrective Action Taken**
10-02-4
50
Apr 26, 2024
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 2 minor violations.
View 3 violations
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Raw beef over ready to eat ice. Person in charge moved raw beef to bottom. **Corrected On-Site**
08A-05-6
Basic - No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees. Missing at hand washing sink. Emailed to operator during inspection. **Corrective Action Taken**
31B-04-4
Basic - Wiping cloth sanitizing solution stored on the floor. Person in charge moved sanitizer. **Corrected On-Site**
21-38-4
78
Oct 13, 2023
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 4 minor violations.
View 6 violations
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. In fliptop across from cooktop ground beef 53F cheese 46F. Person in charge had door open to adjust shelving. Other items in unit 41F. Ambient temperature of unit is 42F.
03A-02-5
High Priority - Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. Chemical spray bottles stored on cases of alcohol in kitchen. Person in charge moved to appropriate location. **Corrected On-Site**
41-10-4
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. Thawed tuna with instructions to removed from packaging after thawed with no oxygen introduction.
06-09-1
Basic - Faucet/handle missing at plumbing fixture. Handle at hand wash sink in bar area fixed with clamp tool. Missing handle.
29-09-4
Basic - Ice buildup in reach-in freezer and/or walk-in freezer. Ice buildup in reach in freezer by old oil container storage.
14-69-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Mold like substance on exterior of blue trimmed glass door reach in in bar area. Grease buildup on cooktop and griddle area in kitchen.
23-03-4
61
Aug 7, 2023
Routine - Food
2 major violations.
View 2 violations
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : Intermediate - No plan review submitted and approved - renovations were made or are in progress. Must submit plans and plan review application to DBPR H and R Plan Review office located at 2601 Blair Stone Rd., Tallahassee, FL 32399-1011. Plans must be submitted AND approved within 60 days. The direct link to the Plan Review page is https://www2.myfloridalicense.com/hotels-restaurants/licensing/plan-review/. Establishment was approved with sliding glass doors at the kitchen and a rolling door at the bar. Establishment currently has a door on a hinge that remains open when in service at the kitchen, with plexiglass up but not fully enclosing kitchen area. Also roll door at bar not closed during operation as indicated. Also, establishment is storing food in maintenance shed with tools, etc. and is not indicated on plans. Also, triple sink at bar area in use during inspection. **Repeat Violation** **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2023-08-07: Operator needs more time to submit. **Time Extended**
51-16-7
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : Intermediate - Menu does not identify which items contain raw or undercooked animal foods covered by the consumer advisory. Ahi tuna served undercooked as seared or blackened per person in charge with no disclosure on the menu. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2023-08-07: Operator needs more time to print new menus. **Time Extended**
02B-01-5
82
Jun 2, 2023
Routine - Food
3 critical violations. 6 major violations. 6 minor violations.
View 15 violations
High Priority - Live, small flying insects in kitchen, food preparation area, food storage area and/or bar area. Two flying insects observed in kitchen area during inspection.
35A-02-6
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over or with ready-to-eat food in a freezer - not all products commercially packaged. In silver reach in freezer in kitchen raw chicken no longer commercially packaged stored above ready to eat guacamole and cheesecake. Person in charge moved to appropriate location. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
08A-02-6
High Priority - Vacuum breaker missing at hose bibb or on fitting/splitter added to hose bibb. Missing at hose bibb by mop sink with red hose attachment.
29-34-4
Intermediate - Manager or person in charge lacking proof of food manager certification. Person in charge unable to provide proof of CFM during inspection. **Warning**
53A-01-7
Intermediate - Menu does not identify which items contain raw or undercooked animal foods covered by the consumer advisory. Ahi tuna served undercooked as seared or blackened per person in charge with no disclosure on the menu. **Warning**
02B-01-5
Intermediate - No chemical test kit provided when using sanitizer at three-compartment sink/warewashing machine or wiping cloths. Person in charge unable to provide test strips during inspection. **Repeat Violation**
16-37-1
Intermediate - No plan review submitted and approved - renovations were made or are in progress. Must submit plans and plan review application to DBPR H and R Plan Review office located at 2601 Blair Stone Rd., Tallahassee, FL 32399-1011. Plans must be submitted AND approved within 60 days. The direct link to the Plan Review page is http://www.myfloridalicense.com/DBPR/hotels-restaurants/licensing/plan-review/. Establishment was approved with sliding glass doors at the kitchen and a rolling door at the bar. Establishment currently has a door on a hinge that remains open when in service at the kitchen, with plexiglass up but not fully enclosing kitchen area. Also roll door at bar not closed during operation as indicated. Also, establishment is storing food in maintenance shed with tools, etc. and is not indicated on plans. Also, triple sink at bar area in use during inspection. **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
51-16-7
Intermediate - No proof of required state approved employee training provided for any employees. To order approved program food safety material, call DBPR contracted provider: Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (SafeStaff) 866-372-7233. Person in charge unable to provide proof of employee training during inspection. **Warning**
53B-01-5
Intermediate - No soap provided at handwash sink. Missing soap, paper towels and sign at hand wash sink in indoor bar area.
31B-03-4
Basic - In-use utensil stored in standing water less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Scoop in water at 84F. Person in charge removed, **Corrected On-Site**
10-07-4
Basic - Outer openings not protected during operation and vermin and/or environmental cross contamination present. Establishment operates kitchen with open hinged door, plexiglass, side door and rolling door open. 2 flying insects observed in kitchen area during inspection.
35B-05-4
Basic - Single-service articles improperly stored. Single service items stored on floor of maintenance shed.
25-05-4
Basic - Time/temperature control for safety food thawed in an improper manner. Chicken and hot dogs thawing in standing water in the kitchen.
06-01-5
Basic - Unwrapped single-service utensils not presented so that only the handles are touched. Utensils for self service not inverted. Person in charge inverted during inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
25-02-4
Basic - Warewashing conducted in outdoor area. Triple sink at bar has been hooked back up, observed employee washing dishes in outdoor bar sink during inspection.
16-25-5
26
Apr 21, 2023
Routine - Food
1 major violation.
View 1 violation
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : Intermediate - No plan review submitted and approved - renovations were made or are in progress. Must submit plans and plan review application to DBPR H and R Plan Review office located at 2601 Blair Stone Rd., Tallahassee, FL 32399-1011. Plans must be submitted AND approved within 60 days. Establishment was approved with sliding glass doors at the kitchen and a rolling door at the bar. Establishment currently has a door on a hinge that remains open when in service at the kitchen, with plexiglass up but not fully enclosing kitchen area. Also roll door at bar not closed during operation as indicated. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2022-12-09: Operator needs more time to complete. **Time Extended** - From follow-up inspection 2023-02-08: Person in charge needs more time to decide whether they want to operate as approved to, or submit plans. Establishment is seasonal and has been closed for last 2 months. **Time Extended** - From follow-up inspection 2023-04-21: Operator has not submitted plans yet and asked for details on process and asked for one more extension. **Time Extended**
51-16-7
90
Dec 9, 2022
Routine - Food
1 major violation.
View 1 violation
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : Intermediate - No plan review submitted and approved - renovations were made or are in progress. Must submit plans and plan review application to DBPR H and R Plan Review office located at 2601 Blair Stone Rd., Tallahassee, FL 32399-1011. Plans must be submitted AND approved within 60 days. Establishment was approved with sliding glass doors at the kitchen and a rolling door at the bar. Establishment currently has a door on a hinge that remains open when in service at the kitchen, with plexiglass up but not fully enclosing kitchen area. Also roll door at bar not closed during operation as indicated. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2022-12-09: Operator needs more time to complete. **Time Extended**
51-16-7
90
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Welaka Lodge last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Welaka Lodge on file is from Sep 11, 2025. The public record contains 10 inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Welaka Lodge?
Across the inspection record, “nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease” has been cited three times, more than any other issue at Welaka Lodge.
Has Welaka Lodge's inspection record improved over time?
Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at Welaka Lodge have averaged around six violations per visit across the recent record.
What does a medium risk rating mean?
A medium risk rating at Welaka Lodge 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 Welaka Lodge inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Welaka Lodge is inspected around four times per year on average.
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