Finley's Cafe

12800 Jones St, Lavonia, GA 30553
Café / Breakfast
License: Food Service
Last inspected: Apr 16, 2026
100
Score
Low Risk

Public records show six inspections at Finley's Cafe stretching back to 2024. Finley's Cafe was last inspected on Apr 16, 2026. Diners can read the low risk label as a sign that recent inspections have gone well.

Things are looking better lately, with recent visits averaging around one violation compared to roughly three violations earlier on.

Looking across the full record, “proper eating, tasting, drinking, or tobacco use” is the recurring theme, flagged two times.

That puts the facility ahead of the local pack: the average Lavonia restaurant scores 94. There isn't much in the file that would give a customer pause.

6
Inspections
0
Critical latest
0
Major latest
0
Minor latest
Inspection History
Apr 16, 2026
Routine
No violations found.
100
Oct 20, 2025
Routine
No violations found.
100
May 2, 2025
Routine
1 major violation. 1 minor violation. 1 corrected on site.
View 2 violations
15B - warewashing facilities: installed, maintained, used; test strips
Inspector notes: 511-6-1.05(3)(h),(i),(j) - Temperature Measuring Device, Manual Warewashing; Sanitizing Solutions, Testing Device (Pf) (h) Temperature Measuring Devices, Manual and Mechanical Warewashing. 1. In manual warewashing operations, a temperature measuring device shall be provided and readily accessible for frequently measuring the washing and sanitizing temperatures. Pf 2. In hot water mechanical warewashing operations, an irreversible registering temperature indicator shall be provided and readily accessible for measuring the utensil surface temperature. Pf (i) Sanitizing Solutions, Testing Devices. A test kit or other device that accurately measures the concentration in mg/L of sanitizing solutions shall be provided. Pf j) Cleaning Agents and Sanitizers. 1. Cleaning agents that are used to...
511-6-1.05(3)(h)
12C - wiping cloths: properly used and stored (corrected on site)
Inspector notes: 511-6-1.04(4)(m) - Wiping Cloths, Use Limitation (C) (m) Wiping Cloths, Use Limitation. 1. Cloths in-use for wiping food spills from tableware and carry-out containers that occur as food is being served shall be: (i) Maintained dry; and (ii) Used for no other purpose. 2. Cloths in-use for wiping counters and other equipment surfaces shall be: (i) Held between uses in a chemical sanitizer solution at a concentration specified under DPH Rule 511-6-1-.05(6)(n); and (ii) Laundered daily. 3. Cloths in-use for wiping surfaces in contact with raw animal foods shall be kept separate from cloths used for other purposes. 4. Dry wiping cloths and the chemical sanitizing solutions in which wet wiping cloths are held between uses shall be free of food debris and visible soil. 5. Containers of chemic...
511-6-1.04(4)(m)
86
Nov 15, 2024
Routine
3 minor violations. 2 corrected on site.
View 3 violations
2-2B - proper eating, tasting, drinking, or tobacco use (corrected on site)
Inspector notes: 511-6-1.03(5)(j)1&2 - Eating, Drinking, or Using Tobacco (C) (j) Hygienic Practices. 1. Employees shall not use tobacco in any form, or electronic devices that simulate tobacco smoking, while engaged in food preparation or service, nor while in areas used for equipment or utensil washing and storage, food preparation or food storage. Employees shall only use tobacco products or electronic devices that simulate tobacco smoking in approved designated areas. 2. Employees shall consume food only in approved designated areas separate from food preparation and serving areas, equipment or utensil areas and food storage areas. However, drinking from a single service beverage cup with a secure lid and straw that is handled to prevent contamination of the employee’s hands, the container, exposed...
511-6-1.03(5)(k)
13A - posted: permit/inspection/choking poster/handwashing (corrected on site)
Inspector notes: 11-6-1.02(1)(f)(1) - Permit, Displayed (C) 1. Post the permit in a location in the food service establishment that is conspicuous to consumers NOTE: Most recent inspection is not posted. PIC to post most recent inspection to COS.
511-6-1.02(1)(f)(1)
18 - insects, rodents, and animals not present
Inspector notes: 511-6-1.07(5)(k) - Controlling Pests (Pf, C) (k) Controlling Pests. The presence of insects, rodents, and other pests shall be controlled to minimize their presence on the premises by: 1. Routinely inspecting incoming shipments of food and supplies; 2. Routinely inspecting the premises for evidence of pests; 3. Using methods, if pests are found, such as trapping devices or other means of pest control as specified under subsections (6)(e), (6)(m), and (6)(n) of this Rule; Pf and 4. Eliminating harborage conditions. NOTE: Observed multiple flies in food prep area and in main kitchen. PIC recommended to have a pest control company evaluate the property.
511-6-1.07(5)(k)
86
Oct 31, 2024
Routine
2 critical violations. 2 major violations. 2 minor violations. 6 corrected on site.
View 6 violations
6-1A - proper cold holding temperatures (corrected on site)
Inspector notes: 511-6-1.04(6)(f) - Time/Temperature Control for Safety; Cold Holding (P) (f) Time/Temperature Control for Safety Food, Hot and Cold Holding. Except during preparation, cooking, or cooling, or when time is used as the public health control, time/temperature control for safety food shall be maintained at 41°F (5°C) or below or 135°F (57°C) or above, except that roasts cooked to a temperature and for a time specified in subsection (5)(a)2 of this Rule and reheated using the same temperature and time conditions as cooking may be held at a temperature of 130°F (54°C) or above. NOTE: Observed potentially hazardous food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Coleslaw in RIC temped at 50F. Sliced cheese temped at 54F. Shredded Cheese temped at 51F. PIC COS by voluntarily tossing Chees...
511-6-1.04(6)(f)
2-1B - hands clean and properly washed (corrected on site)
Inspector notes: 511-6-1.03(5)(c) - When to Wash (P) (c) When to Wash. 1. Food employees shall clean their hands and exposed portions of their arms immediately before engaging in food preparation including working with exposed food, clean equipment and utensils, and unwrapped single-service and single-use articles P and: (i) After touching bare human body parts other than clean hands and clean, exposed arms; P (ii) After using the toilet room; P (iii) After caring for or handling service animals or aquatic animals; P (iv) After coughing, sneezing, using a handkerchief or disposable tissue, using tobacco, eating, or drinking, except for drinking from a closed beverage container and the container is handled to prevent contamination of the hands; P (v) After handling soiled equipment or utensils; P (vi) Du...
511-6-1.03(5)(c)
2-2D - adequate handwashing facilities supplied & accessible (corrected on site)
Inspector notes: 511-6-1.07(3)(a) - Handwashing Cleanser, Availability (Pf) (3) Numbers and Capacities. (a) Handwashing Cleanser, Availability. Each handwashing sink or group of two adjacent handwashing sinks shall be provided with a supply of hand cleaning liquid, powder, or bar soap. Pf NOTE: No supply of hand cleaning liquid, powder, or bar soap was provided at the hand sink in bathroom. PIC then placed hand soap in bathroom to COS.
511-6-1.07(3)(b)
4-2B - food-contact surfaces: cleaned & sanitized (corrected on site)
Inspector notes: 511-6-1.05(6)(n) - Manual and Mechanical Warewashing Equipment, Chemical Sanitization-Temperature, pH, Concentration, Hardness (P,Pf) (n) Manual and Mechanical Warewashing Equipment, Chemical Sanitization - Temperature, pH, Concentration, and Hardness. A chemical sanitizer used in a sanitizing solution for a manual or mechanical operation at contact times specified under subsection (8)(b)3 of this Rule shall meet the requirements specified in DPH Rule 511-6-1-.07(6)(g), shall be used in accordance with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)-registered label use instructions P, and shall be used as follows:... 3. A quaternary ammonium compound solution shall have a minimum temperature of 75ºF (24ºC), P have a concentration as specified in DPH Rule 511-6-1-.07(6)(g) and as indicated by...
511-6-1.05(6)(n)
12B - personal cleanliness (corrected on site)
Inspector notes: 511-6-1.03(5)(i) - Hair Restraints (C) (i) Hair Restraints. 1. Employees preparing or handling food shall use effective and clean, disposable or easily cleanable nets or other hair restraints approved by the Health Authority, worn properly to restrain loose hair including beards and mustaches longer than one half inch. 2. This does not apply to employees such as counter staff who only serve beverages and wrapped or packaged foods, hostesses, and wait staff if they present a minimal risk of contaminating exposed food, clean utensils and linens and unwrapped single-service and single-use articles. NOTE: Observed multiple employees with no hair restraints. By end of inspection, employees put on hair restraints.
511-6-1.03(5)(j)
2-2B - proper eating, tasting, drinking, or tobacco use (corrected on site)
Inspector notes: 511-6-1.03(5)(j)1&2 - Eating, Drinking, or Using Tobacco (C) (j) Hygienic Practices. 1. Employees shall not use tobacco in any form, or electronic devices that simulate tobacco smoking, while engaged in food preparation or service, nor while in areas used for equipment or utensil washing and storage, food preparation or food storage. Employees shall only use tobacco products or electronic devices that simulate tobacco smoking in approved designated areas. 2. Employees shall consume food only in approved designated areas separate from food preparation and serving areas, equipment or utensil areas and food storage areas. However, drinking from a single service beverage cup with a secure lid and straw that is handled to prevent contamination of the employee’s hands, the container, exposed...
511-6-1.03(5)(k)
55
Feb 7, 2024
Routine
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
13A - posted: permit/inspection/choking poster/handwashing
Inspector notes: Permit and inspection report not displayed for public view. Display permit and most current inspection report in public view within 15ft of the door. 5-7 from the floor and at a distance of one foot away to be able to be read
511-6-1.02(1)(f)(1)
95

Frequently Asked Questions

When was Finley's Cafe last inspected?

The most recent health inspection at Finley's Cafe on file is from Apr 16, 2026. The public record contains six inspections in total.

What is the most common violation at Finley's Cafe?

Across the inspection record, “proper eating, tasting, drinking, or tobacco use” has been cited two times, more than any other issue at Finley's Cafe.

How does Finley's Cafe compare to other restaurants in Lavonia?

Finley's Cafe most recently scored 100 out of 100, which is higher than the Lavonia average of 94.

Has Finley's Cafe's inspection record improved over time?

Yes. Recent inspections at Finley's Cafe have averaged around one violation per visit, down from roughly three earlier in the record.

What does a low risk rating mean?

A low risk rating at Finley's Cafe means inspectors found minimal or no significant issues at the most recent visit. Most facilities at this tier have a clean recent inspection report.

How often is Finley's Cafe inspected?

Based on the inspection history on file, Finley's Cafe is inspected around three times per year on average.