Picnic Cafe

30 Public Square, Dahlonega, GA 30533

Café / Breakfast

License: Food Service

Last inspected: Mar 25, 2026

Score

Medium Risk

Across the available record, Picnic Cafe has three inspections on file, the first dated 2024. The most recent visit was on Mar 25, 2026. Medium risk typically reflects a handful of issues that inspectors wrote up but didn't deem critical.

The picture has gotten worse over the last few visits, with the average climbing from around three violations to closer to five violations.

The most common issue across all inspections has been “physical facilities installed, maintained, and clean”, showing up two times.

The city-wide average sits at 80, which Picnic Cafe's 70 doesn't quite reach. Nothing in the record is alarming, but there's room to improve.

Inspections

Critical latest

Major latest

Minor latest

Inspection History

Mar 25, 2026

Routine

1 critical violation. 4 minor violations. 2 corrected on site.

View 5 violations

6-2 - proper date marking and disposition (corrected on site)

Inspector notes: Observed three containers of frosting that were kept past their disposition date. COS staff informed and items discarded

511-6-1.04(6)(h)

15A - food and nonfood-contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed, and used

Inspector notes: Observed that the baffle of the ice machine had mold-like debris. The ice machine must be cleaned as often as necessary to prevent the growth of mold and accumulation of debris.

511-6-1.05(2)(d)

15C - nonfood-contact surfaces clean

Inspector notes: Observed the outside of containers and drink machine CO2 cartridge with debris. All food and nonfood-contact surfaces should be cleaned with sanitizer as often as necessary to prevent the accumulation of debris.

511-6-1.05(7)(a)

17C - physical facilities installed, maintained, and clean

Inspector notes: Observed unsealed wood and gaps in the wall in the dry storage area. All surfaces in kitchen must be non-porous and easily cleanable. Gaps should be covered/sealed to prevent pest incursions. Observed some equipment handles repaired with duct tape. Tape is not a viable long-term repair.

511-6-1.07(5)(a)

14A - in-use utensils: properly stored (corrected on site)

Inspector notes: Observed in use can opener with excessive debris on the teeth of the opener and in the mount for the can opener. Observed that the in-use bread knife is being wiped with a dry rag between uses and only washed, rinsed, sanitized, at the end of the day. Observed in-use cannister-style milk frothers with debris stuck to the bottom of each frother. All in-use utensils must be cleaned with sanitizer as often as necessary to prevent the accumulation of debris. COS staff informed and items cleaned.

511-6-1.04(4)(k)

Apr 22, 2025

Routine

1 major violation. 2 minor violations. 1 corrected on site.

View 3 violations

3-1C - food in good condition, safe, and unadulterated (corrected on site)

Inspector notes: Observed numerous dented cans on the can storage rack in the dry storage area. COS cans removed from rack and moved to area to be returned to supplier.

511-6-1.04(3)(e)

12B - personal cleanliness

Inspector notes: Observed food handling employees without head hair or facial hair restraint upon arrival with hair longer than 1/2 inch. Employees informed of hair restraint requirements.

511-6-1.03(5)(j)

18 - insects, rodents, and animals not present

Inspector notes: Observed the main front entrance door with a self-closer to not self-close and the kitchen entrance double doors to be open on arrival. Observed the exterior door in the dry good area to be not self-closing and to not seal completely when closed (daylight visible around door). Observed many flies in the kitchen. Observed fly tape pads in use around the kitchen with multiple flies stuck to the pads. All exterior openings must be fitted with screens or self-closers to prevent pest intrusion. Advised Manager to adjust self-closer on main entrance door and close kitchen entrance doors to reduce pest incursion. Back door must be fitted with self-closer and must seal properly.

511-6-1.07(2)(n)

Apr 17, 2024

Routine

3 minor violations. 2 corrected on site.

View 3 violations

12B - personal cleanliness (corrected on site)

Inspector notes: Observed employees without hat or hair net upon arrival. Employees informed of hair restraint requirements. COS

511-6-1.03(5)(j)

12C - wiping cloths: properly used and stored (corrected on site)

Inspector notes: Observed dry wiping cloths being used to wipe counters. In-use wiping cloths MUST be stored in a sanitizer bucket kept at the proper sanitizer concentration. COS wiping cloths removed.

511-6-1.04(4)(m)

17C - physical facilities installed, maintained, and clean

Inspector notes: Observed unsealed wood in dry storage areas. All surfaces in kitchen must be non-porous and easily cleanable.

511-6-1.07(5)(a)

Frequently Asked Questions

When was Picnic Cafe last inspected?

The most recent health inspection at Picnic Cafe on file is from Mar 25, 2026. The public record contains three inspections in total.

What is the most common violation at Picnic Cafe?

Across the inspection record, “physical facilities installed, maintained, and clean” has been cited two times, more than any other issue at Picnic Cafe.

How does Picnic Cafe compare to other restaurants in Dahlonega?

Picnic Cafe most recently scored 70 out of 100, which is lower than the Dahlonega average of 80.

Has Picnic Cafe's inspection record improved over time?

No. Recent inspections at Picnic Cafe have averaged around five violations per visit, up from roughly three earlier in the record.

What does a medium risk rating mean?

A medium risk rating at Picnic Cafe 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 Picnic Cafe inspected?

Based on the inspection history on file, Picnic Cafe is inspected around two times per year on average.

Nearby Restaurants

Nighthawk Tavern

84 Public Square N Ste 1

Score: 70 — Medium Risk

Sandy P’S Pit Stop Llc- Mu

Score: 67 — Medium Risk

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→ All locations in Dahlonega → Café / Breakfast restaurants in Georgia → Café / Breakfast restaurants in Dahlonega