Whales Tail Beach Grill
Last inspected: Mar 16, 2026
52
Score
Going back to 2022, Whales Tail Beach Grill has 11 inspections in the public record. The latest inspection on file is from Mar 16, 2026. High risk usually means inspectors flagged either critical violations or a stack of smaller ones.
Things are looking better lately, with recent visits averaging around three violations compared to roughly 10 violations earlier on.
When inspectors have written things up, “accumulation of black/green mold-like substance” has been the most frequent reason, cited six times.
That's lower than the typical Destin restaurant, which scores around 90. This restaurant has more on its record than most do.
11
Inspections
0
Critical latest
4
Major latest
5
Minor latest
Inspection History
Mar 16, 2026
Routine - Food
4 major violations. 5 minor violations.
View 9 violations
Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Order tickets stored in sink on cook line. Employee removed tickets from sink. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
31A-11-4
Intermediate - No chemical test kit provided when using sanitizer at three-compartment sink/warewashing machine or wiping cloths. Provided establishment with chlorine test strips. **Corrected On-Site**
16-37-1
Intermediate - No currently certified food service manager on duty with four or more employees engaged in food preparation/handling. A list of accredited food manager certification examination providers can be found at http://www.myfloridalicense.com/DBPR/hotels-restaurants/food-lodging/food-manager/
53A-05-6
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.
53B-13-5
Basic - Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin. **Repeat Violation**
22-20-5
Basic - Current Hotel and Restaurant license not displayed.
50-09-4
Basic - Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable. **Repeat Violation**
14-09-4
Basic - Food stored on floor. Case of shrimp stored on floor in walk in cooler. **Repeat Violation**
08B-38-4
Basic - Stored food not covered. Pot of corn on the Cobb stored in walk in cooler not covered. Employee placed lid over corn. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
08B-12-5
52
Aug 8, 2025
Routine - Food
No violations found.
100
Aug 6, 2025
Routine - Food
1 critical violation.
View 1 violation
High Priority - - From initial inspection : High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Thawing- calamari 47F, raw chicken 57Fm raw beef 57F, raw shrimp 60F. Cold hold- make bar- raw shrimp 58F, pico 51Fm tuna dip 45F, sausage link 51F (10:00-11:00). Cold hold- drawer- white fish 51Fm raw ground beef patty 50F, raw chicken 64F, crab cakes 55F ( 10:00-11:00). Egg wash 57F.**Warning** **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2025-08-06: Cold hold drawers- white fish 34F, raw beef burger 49F, raw chicken 50F ( 12:30-3:30 ). Make bar- cold hold- ambient 50F- pico 52F, sliced tomato 50F, diced ham 50F (2:30-3:30). Kitchen manager placed all food items on ice during inspection. Owner has called a technician they are scheduled to be out Friday Aug 8th establishment was told not to use equipment until it is repaired or can hold TCS foods at 41F or less. **Time Extended**
03A-02-5
86
Aug 5, 2025
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 2 major violations. 12 minor violations.
View 15 violations
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Thawing- calamari 47F, raw chicken 57Fm raw beef 57F, raw shrimp 60F. Cold hold- make bar- raw shrimp 58F, pico 51Fm tuna dip 45F, sausage link 51F (10:00-11:00). Cold hold- drawer- white fish 51Fm raw ground beef patty 50F, raw chicken 64F, crab cakes 55F ( 10:00-11:00). Egg wash 57F.**Warning** **Warning**
03A-02-5
Intermediate - No currently certified food service manager on duty with four or more employees engaged in food preparation/handling. A list of accredited food manager certification examination providers can be found at http://www.myfloridalicense.com/DBPR/hotels-restaurants/food-lodging/food-manager/. Manager arrived during inspection. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
53A-05-6
Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Chef knife stored in sink on cook line near fryers. **Repeat Violation**
31A-11-4
Basic - Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin near ice chute. Exterior ice machine lid soiled. **Repeat Violation**
22-20-5
Basic - Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Multiple soufflé cup/bowls stored in marinara sauce at Expo station. **Repeat Violation**
14-01-5
Basic - Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable at make bar on cook line. **Repeat Violation**
14-09-4
Basic - Equipment in poor repair. Reach in cooler drawer does not close all the way. White fish stored in drawer at 51F.
14-11-5
Basic - Evidence of. Employee eating in a food preparation or other restricted area. Container of pico with crackers and a fork stored on food shelf above make bar during inspection.
12B-02-4
Basic - Exterior door has a gap at the threshold that opens to the outside at front dining room door and kitchen back exit door. **Repeat Violation**
35B-01-4
Basic - Food stored on floor. Onion rings and shrimp stored on floor in walk in freezer. Bag of potatoes stored on floor in dry storage area. **Repeat Violation**
08B-38-4
Basic - Soiled dry wiping cloth in use. Multiple dry soiled cloths hanging from cooks clothing. Employees removed cloths and discarded. **Corrected On-Site**
21-10-4
Basic - Stored food not covered. Marinara sauce/salsa stored in upright glass reach in cooler not covered. Tray of bacon stored in walk in freezer not covered. **Repeat Violation**
08B-12-5
Basic - Thawed portions of ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food rose above 41 degrees Fahrenheit while being thawed under running water. Thawing- calamari 47F, raw chicken 57F,raw beef 57F, raw shrimp 60F. **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
06-03-5
Basic - Wall soiled with accumulated grease, food debris, and/or dust at 3 compartment sink.
36-27-5
Basic - Wet wiping cloths used for occasional spills on equipment food- and nonfood-contact surfaces not clean. Multiple soiled wet cloths stored on food contact surface near prep sink. Owner discarded cloths. **Corrected On-Site**
21-09-4
39
Apr 21, 2025
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 2 major violations. 2 minor violations.
View 6 violations
High Priority - Raw animal food not separated from ready-to-eat food during preparation. Upright cooler- crab meat stored over lettuce.
08A-14-5
High Priority - Stop Sale issued due to adulteration of food product. ROP mahi 39F thawed in sealed package.
01B-03-5
Intermediate - No currently certified food service manager on duty with four or more employees engaged in food preparation/handling. A list of accredited food manager certification examination providers can be found at http://www.myfloridalicense.com/DBPR/hotels-restaurants/food-lodging/food-manager/.
53A-05-6
Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Employee rinsed 2 coffee filter holders in hand wash sink across from ice machine. **Repeat Violation**
31A-11-4
Basic - Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin around chute. **Repeat Violation**
22-20-5
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. ROP Mahi 39F thawed in sealed package. See stop sale.
06-09-1
55
Sep 20, 2024
Routine - Food
1 major violation. 7 minor violations.
View 8 violations
Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Lettuce in bottom of hand wash sink drain. Chef removed food from sink. **Corrected On-Site**
31A-11-4
Basic - Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin. **Repeat Violation**
22-20-5
Basic - Ceiling ac vent cover missing in dry storage area. **Repeat Violation**
36-36-4
Basic - Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance. **Repeat Violation**
36-34-5
Basic - Floors not maintained smooth and durable in walk in freezer. **Repeat Violation**
36-11-4
Basic - In-use tongs stored on equipment door handle between uses. Tongs stored on oven handle.
10-20-4
Basic - Stored food not covered. Salsa stored in yellow bucket in upright glass reach in cooler not covered. **Repeat Violation**
08B-12-5
Basic - Time/temperature control for safety food thawed under water that was barely running/dripping. 3 compartment sink- Thawing- raw chicken wings 39F, calamari rings 30F, beef 30F. Thawing beef in standing water. Chef removed beef and placed in cooler. **Corrected On-Site**
06-08-5
64
May 17, 2024
Complaint Partial
No violations found.
100
Aug 4, 2023
Complaint Full
5 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Basic - Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin. **Repeat Violation**
22-20-5
Basic - Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable. **Repeat Violation**
14-09-4
Basic - Exterior door has a gap at the threshold that opens to the outside. Multiple doors that lead to the outside have gaps at sides and bottom of doors. **Repeat Violation**
35B-01-4
Basic - Floor not cleaned when the least amount of food is exposed. Floors in kitchen heavily soiled with food debris and build up on cook line and under equipment.
36-01-4
Basic - Hole in or other damage to wall. Hole in wall in kitchen near expo station.
36-24-5
78
Jul 18, 2023
Complaint Full
2 major violations. 6 minor violations.
View 8 violations
Intermediate - Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Sink blocked with jug of oil. Manager had employee remove oil from sink area and place on shelf. **Corrected On-Site**
31A-09-4
Intermediate - No written procedures available for use of time as a public health control to hold time/temperature control for safety food. Holding on time- boiled potatoes 64F ( 9:00-1:00 ). Inspector printed form for operator to hold potatoes on time. **Corrective Action Taken**
03F-10-5
Basic - Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin. **Repeat Violation**
22-20-5
Basic - Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food.cup stored inside salsa. Manager removed cup from salsa and discarded cup. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
14-01-5
Basic - Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable at make table. **Repeat Violation**
14-09-4
Basic - Exterior door has a gap at the threshold that opens to the outside. **Repeat Violation**
35B-01-4
Basic - Food stored on floor. Oil, coleslaw dressing and rice stored on floor in dry storage, oil stored on floor in front of hand wash wash sink on cook line, shrimp stored on floor in walk in freezer. Manager had employee remove all items from floor and place on shelves. **Corrective Action Taken** **Repeat Violation**
08B-38-4
Basic - Thawed portions of ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food rose above 41 degrees Fahrenheit while being thawed under water. Thawing in running water- mahi 60F, whitefish 54F (10:00-10:40). Manager had employee place both fish in reach in cooler. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
06-03-5
61
Jan 18, 2023
Routine - Food
3 critical violations. 1 major violation. 7 minor violations.
View 11 violations
Hands Clean and Properly Washed
FL-08
Employee Health Policies Present
FL-03
Proper Eating, Tasting, Drinking, or Tobacco Use
FL-06
Food Obtained from Approved Sources
FL-11
Food Contact Surfaces Clean and Sanitized
FL-22
Equipment Adequate to Maintain Product Temperature
FL-29
Approved Thawing Methods Used
FL-31
Lighting Adequate; Required Shields in Place
FL-36
Personal Cleanliness
FL-40
Required Records Available; Shellstock Tags/Labels
FL-14
Proper Hot and Cold Holding Temperatures
FL-21
26
Oct 3, 2022
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 7 minor violations.
View 8 violations
Employee Health Policies Present
FL-03
Hands Clean and Properly Washed
FL-08
Adequate Handwashing Facilities Supplied and Accessible
FL-10
Required Records Available; Shellstock Tags/Labels
FL-14
Proper Hot and Cold Holding Temperatures
FL-21
Food Contact Surfaces Clean and Sanitized
FL-22
Equipment, Food and Non-Food Contact Surfaces Approved
FL-35
Lighting Adequate; Required Shields in Place
FL-36
52
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Whales Tail Beach Grill last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Whales Tail Beach Grill on file is from Mar 16, 2026. The public record contains 11 inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Whales Tail Beach Grill?
Across the inspection record, “accumulation of black/green mold-like substance” has been cited six times, more than any other issue at Whales Tail Beach Grill.
How does Whales Tail Beach Grill compare to other restaurants in Destin?
Whales Tail Beach Grill most recently scored 52 out of 100, which is lower than the Destin average of 90.
Has Whales Tail Beach Grill's inspection record improved over time?
Yes. Recent inspections at Whales Tail Beach Grill have averaged around three violations per visit, down from roughly 10 earlier in the record.
What does a high risk rating mean?
A high risk rating at Whales Tail Beach Grill means the most recent inspection flagged either critical violations or a substantial number of smaller ones. Diners may want to read the violation details before deciding to visit.
How often is Whales Tail Beach Grill inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Whales Tail Beach Grill is inspected around three times per year on average.
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