Whiskey Joe's Bar & Grill
Last inspected: Mar 25, 2026
70
Score
Whiskey Joe's Bar & Grill has been inspected 10 times since 2023. The most recent report on file is from Mar 25, 2026. A medium risk rating points to a few notable findings at the last inspection, though nothing severe.
Recent inspections have turned up roughly the same number of issues each time, hovering near five violations per visit.
When inspectors have written things up, “no handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used” has been the most frequent reason, cited two times.
Restaurants in Ellenton average 78, so Whiskey Joe's Bar & Grill trails the local norm. The record is unremarkable in either direction.
10
Inspections
2
Critical latest
0
Major latest
1
Minor latest
Inspection History
Mar 25, 2026
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 1 minor violation.
View 3 violations
High Priority - - From initial inspection : High Priority - Cooked/heated time/temperature control for safety food not cooled from 135 degrees Fahrenheit to 41 degrees Fahrenheit within 6 hours. Observed in the walk in cooler: Gumbo (52F - Cooling). Operator stated it was cooked the day before. Operator willingly disposed of the product. **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2026-03-25: Observed in the walk in cooler: Jambalaya 58F cooling. Operator stated it was made the day before. Operator willingly disposed of the products. **Admin Complaint** **Corrective Action Taken**
03D-02-5
High Priority - - From initial inspection : High Priority - Cooked/heated time/temperature control for safety food not cooled from 135 degrees Fahrenheit to 70 degrees Fahrenheit within two hours and from 135 degrees Fahrenheit to 41 degrees Fahrenheit within six hours. See stop sale. Observed in the walk in cooler: Gumbo (52F - Cooling). Operator stated it was cooked the day before. Operator willingly disposed of the product. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2026-03-25: Observed in the walk in cooler: Jambalaya 58F cooling. Operator stated it was made the day before. Operator willingly disposed of the products. **Admin Complaint**
01B-36-5
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable. Observed their make table cutting boards grooved. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2026-03-25: **Time Extended**
14-09-4
70
Mar 24, 2026
Routine - Food
5 critical violations. 2 minor violations.
View 7 violations
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed in the right side cook line cooler: Chicken (56F - Cold Holding); Jumbalya (60F - Cold Holding); Sliced cheese (55F - Cold Holding). Operator stated it had been set up approximately 2hrs ago. Operator placed most food in the walk in cooler and the rest in half pans with ice. **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning**
03A-02-5
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed in the hot holding cabinet and the server steam table: Chicken (120F - Hot Holding); Fish (120F - Hot Holding); Queso (121F - Hot Holding). Operator stated the product had been place to hot hold approximately 1hr ago. Operator turned up their machines and started the process of reheating the food. **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning**
03B-01-6
High Priority - Cooked/heated time/temperature control for safety food not cooled from 135 degrees Fahrenheit to 41 degrees Fahrenheit within 6 hours. Observed in the walk in cooler: Gumbo (52F - Cooling). Operator stated it was cooked the day before. Operator willingly disposed of the product. **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning**
03D-02-5
High Priority - Cooked/heated time/temperature control for safety food not cooled from 135 degrees Fahrenheit to 70 degrees Fahrenheit within two hours and from 135 degrees Fahrenheit to 41 degrees Fahrenheit within six hours. See stop sale. Observed in the walk in cooler: Gumbo (52F - Cooling). Operator stated it was cooked the day before. Operator willingly disposed of the product. **Warning**
01B-36-5
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Observed raw pork stored over cooked pork and observed raw chicken stored over tagged draw oyster in the walk in cooler. Operator moved the pork and oysters. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
08A-05-6
Basic - Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable. Observed their make table cutting boards grooved. **Warning**
14-09-4
Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Observed multiple employee drinks stored above the cook line. Operator disposed of the drinks. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
12B-07-4
43
Dec 16, 2025
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 5 minor violations.
View 6 violations
High Priority - Raw animal foods not properly separated from each other in holding unit based upon minimum required cooking temperature. Observed raw ground beef stored over raw whole pork. Operator moved the pork. **Corrected On-Site**
08A-20-5
Basic - Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Observed an employees jacket stored above clean dishes in the back storage area. Operator removed it. **Corrected On-Site**
40-06-5
Basic - No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees. Observed no sign at the tiki bar. **Repeat Violation**
31B-04-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed the sides of the fryers with food debris and grease buildup.
23-03-4
Basic - Single-service articles not stored inverted or protected from contamination. Observed multiple single service articles in the establishment not inverted. Operator inverted them. **Corrected On-Site**
25-06-4
Basic - Wet wiping cloth not stored in sanitizing solution between uses. Observed a wiping cloth stored on top of a container of drink mix. Operated removed it. **Corrected On-Site**
21-12-4
67
Feb 25, 2025
Routine - Food
1 major violation. 4 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Required Records Available; Shellstock Tags/Labels
FL-14
Equipment Adequate to Maintain Product Temperature
FL-29
Approved Thawing Methods Used
FL-31
Wiping Cloths Properly Used and Stored
FL-41
Food and Non-Food Contact Surfaces Designed and Constructed
FL-50
74
Sep 18, 2024
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 3 minor violations.
View 5 violations
High Priority - In-use utensil stored in unclean water at or above 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed utensil in container of water at 87f. Chef removed container to be washed. **Corrected On-Site**
10-05-5
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Observed can opener with black buildup. Chef washed. **Corrected On-Site**
22-02-4
Basic - Carbon dioxide/helium tanks not adequately secured. Obviously c02 tanks not secured.
51-11-4
Basic - No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees. Observed no hand wash sign at tiki bar hand sink.
31B-04-4
Basic - Standing water in bottom of reach-in-cooler. Observed standing water in tiki bar reach in cooler.
29-49-6
67
Apr 9, 2024
Complaint Full
1 major violation. 1 minor violation.
View 2 violations
Supervisor/Person in Charge Present
FL-01
Required Records Available; Shellstock Tags/Labels
FL-14
86
Nov 14, 2023
Routine - Food
4 critical violations. 2 minor violations.
View 6 violations
High Priority - Shellfish received from unapproved/unlisted shipper. See stop sale. Observed one case green tagged oysters in walk-in cooler. Chef removed from shelf.
01A-08-4
High Priority - Employee handled soiled equipment or utensils and then engaged in food preparation, handled clean equipment or utensils, or touched unwrapped single-service items without washing hands. Observed employee washing dishes touch dirty dishes then go touch clean dishes without changing gloves and washing hands. Chef talked to employee concerning proper procedures. **Corrective Action Taken**
12A-13-4
High Priority - Stop Sale issued due to food originating from an unapproved source. Observed one case of green tagged oysters in walk in cooler. Chef removed case from shelf.
01B-04-5
High Priority - Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. Observed spray paint and butane on shelf next to soda syrup. Chef moved chemicals to different area. **Corrected On-Site**
41-10-4
Basic - Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable. Observed grooved cut board at hot foods station. Observed several heavily grooved cutting boards in rear storage area. Chef threw out. **Corrected On-Site**
14-09-4
Basic - Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting. Observed stacked wet pans on back storage shelf.
24-08-4
50
Jul 5, 2023
Complaint Full
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Basic - Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable. Observed grooved cutting boards in kitchen area. **Repeat Violation**
14-09-4
95
Jun 7, 2023
Routine - Food
1 major violation. 3 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Certified Food Manager Identification
FL-02
Hands Clean and Properly Washed
FL-08
Required Records Available; Shellstock Tags/Labels
FL-14
Wiping Cloths Properly Used and Stored
FL-41
78
Jan 6, 2023
Routine - Food
1 major violation. 9 minor violations.
View 10 violations
Certified Food Manager Identification
FL-02
Hands Clean and Properly Washed
FL-08
Food Obtained from Approved Sources
FL-11
Food Received at Proper Temperature
FL-12
Food in Good Condition, Safe, and Unadulterated
FL-13
Required Records Available; Shellstock Tags/Labels
FL-14
Warewashing Facilities Maintained and Used
FL-24
Approved Thawing Methods Used
FL-31
Toxic Substances Properly Identified, Stored, Used
FL-32
Personal Cleanliness
FL-40
58
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Whiskey Joe's Bar & Grill last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Whiskey Joe's Bar & Grill on file is from Mar 25, 2026. The public record contains 10 inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Whiskey Joe's Bar & Grill?
Across the inspection record, “no handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used” has been cited two times, more than any other issue at Whiskey Joe's Bar & Grill.
How does Whiskey Joe's Bar & Grill compare to other restaurants in Ellenton?
Whiskey Joe's Bar & Grill most recently scored 70 out of 100, which is lower than the Ellenton average of 78.
Has Whiskey Joe's Bar & Grill's inspection record improved over time?
Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at Whiskey Joe's Bar & Grill have averaged around five violations per visit across the recent record.
What does a medium risk rating mean?
A medium risk rating at Whiskey Joe's Bar & Grill 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 Whiskey Joe's Bar & Grill inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Whiskey Joe's Bar & Grill is inspected around three times per year on average.
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