BLUE GATOR OF DUNNELLON
12189 S WILLIAMS ST, Dunnellon FL 34432 · 7326929691
Last inspected Jul 23, 2026 · 12 visits since July 2023
5 inspections, swinging between C and F. Consistency is the problem here, not any single visit.
Live, small flying insects found Observed three flies in kitchen area.
Awarded on the inspection record alone. What they mean →
Disciplinary actions
1 case · $200
| Case | Violation date | Final order | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5--2017025594 | May 23, 2017 | Jun 20, 2017 | $200 |
Inspection history
12 visits, newest first
A return visit. The problems from the previous inspection had been dealt with.
Referred for a formal case, which can lead to a fine. 14 violations recorded, 4 high priority.
Show 14 findings ▾
Date marked combined ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food not consumed/sold within 7 days of preparing/opening the earliest ready-to-eat time/temperature for safety ingredient. See stop sale. Pan containing open hotdogs with date mark of 7/7-7/14. On shelf inside reach-in cooler at cookline. Stop sale issued.
Employee touched soiled apron/clothes and then engaged in food preparation, handled clean equipment or utensils, or touched unwrapped single-service items without washing hands. An employee entered the kitchen from outdoors, rubbed hands on his shirt, then put on gloves and handled sliced lemons. The manager had the employee wash hands and put on new gloves during this inspection.
Live, small flying insects found. 1. Five flies flying in kitchen at cookline. 2. Two live flies crawling on shelf at pickup window by cookline. 3. One fly crawling on cutting board at refrigerated make-table in kitchen. 4. Three flies crawling on dirty dishes by dish machine. 5. Three flies crawling on beer cooler jn bar area. 6. Two flies crawling on floor in bar area. Immediate administrative complaint and following day callback per Robert Protomastro.
Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Inside beer cooler in bar area: half and half (48F - Cold Holding); half and half (49F - Cold Holding). An employee stated she removed all items from the cooler and placed them outside of refrigeration while she cleaned the cooler this morning, about two hours prior. Manager discarded the half and half during this inspection.
Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Handwash sink at cookline blocked with equipment. An employee unblocked the sink during this inspection.
Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Single-use plastic cup without handle stored down inside sugar bin in bar area.
Carbon dioxide/helium tanks not adequately secured. Two co2 tanks not secured behind building.
Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Employee phone and purse stored above and beside gloves and salt on shelf in bar area.
Ice buildup in reach-in freezer and/or walk-in freezer. Buildup of ice on shelving inside walk-in freezer.
No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees. No handwash sign posted at handwash sink at cookline.
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. 1. Area around nozzles of fountain machine in bar soiled with mold-like substance. 2. Exterior of ice machines soiled with lime-like substance.
Outer openings not protected during operation and vermin and/or environmental cross contamination present. Kitchen and bar areas soiled open to the outdoors. 16 flies present during this inspection.
Unclean building components, attachments or fixtures. Fans on ceiling in kitchen and bar areas soiled with dust.
Water leaking from pipe and/or faucet/handle. Leaking pipe below handwash sink beside ice machines.
Referred for a formal case, which can lead to a fine. 15 violations recorded, 2 high priority.
Show 15 findings ▾
Dishmachine chlorine sanitizer not at proper minimum strength. Discontinue use of dishmachine for sanitizing and set up manual sanitization until dishmachine is repaired and sanitizing properly. Dish machine chlorine 0ppm. Manager primed the machine, still 0ppm. Manager reconnected a loose tube, then chlorine 50ppm. Inspector instructed manager to wash, rinse, and sanitize all dishes that have been sanitized using the dishwasher machine today.
Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. Bottle containing tablets, cans containing stainless steel polish, and air fresheners stored on shelf beside ketchup and box of wax paper inside storage closet near kitchen. Manager removed the chemicals from the shelf during this inspection.
Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Single-use cups containing pico missing date marks inside cooler near cookline. Employee stated they were made on 12/6 and added the proper date marks during this inspection.
Ceiling not smooth, nonabsorbent and easily cleanable in food preparation, food storage, or warewashing areas. Exposed wooden rafters on ceiling over tiki bar.
Clean linens stored on floor. Bag containing clean wiping cloths stored directly on floor in tiki bar area. Employee removed the wiping cloths from the floor during this inspection.
Equipment in poor repair. Paint peeling on doors of keg cooler in tiki bar.
Ice buildup in reach-in freezer and/or walk-in freezer. Buildup of ice on shelving, boxes, and floor inside walk-in freezer.
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Area around nozzles of fountain machine in tiki bar soiled with mold-like substance.
Open dumpster lid. Lids of both dumpsters left open.
Standing water in bottom of reach-in-cooler. Standing water inside bottom of reach-in cooler near cookline.
Time/temperature control for safety food thawed in an improper manner. Pan containing two ziplock bags of frozen soup thawing at room temperature on shelf at cookline. Soup is still partially frozen. Employee placed the soup into a cooler to continue to thaw.
Unclean building components, attachments or fixtures. Fans on ceiling in tiki bar soiled with dust.
Water leaking from pipe and/or faucet/handle. Pipe below handwash sink beside ice machines leaking.
Wet wiping cloth not stored in sanitizing solution between uses. Wet wiping cloth stored on top of corner of beer cooler in tiki bar area. Manager removed the wiping cloths from during this inspection.
Wiping cloth sanitizing solution stored on the floor. Sanitizer bucket stored directly on floor at cookline. Employee placed the solution on a shelf during this inspection.
Referred for a formal case, which can lead to a fine. 4 violations recorded, 3 high priority.
Show 4 findings ▾
Live, small flying insects found Seven flies on pans and flying in kitchen at cookline.
Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. 1. Inside top of refrigerated make-table at cookline: cheese (52F - Cold Holding). The cheese is stored on top of a pan, well above the safe load line. Manager stated the cheese was placed inside the cooler approximately two hours prior, then moved the cheese into the walk-in freezer to rapidly cool to 41F. * 2. Inside bottom of reach-in cooler at cookline: shrimp (45F - Cold Holding); shrimp (47F - Cold Holding); chicken (47F - Cold Holding); chicken (48F - Cold Holding); chicken wings (49F - Cold Holding). Manager stated all items have been stored inside the unit since the previous day and have not been in-use today. Stop sales issued.
Time/temperature control for safety food required to be date marked is not date marked and time of opening/preparation cannot be determined. See stop sale. Ziplock bag containing fully-cooked chicken with date mark of 7/9 on shelf inside cooler at cookline. Manager stated 7/9 was the frozen date, but was unable to determine when it had been thawed.
Unclean building components, attachments or fixtures. 1. Fan on wall near dish machine soiled with dust. 2. Rafters on ceiling in tiki bar soiled with dust. 3. Dusty vent on ceiling near cookline.
A return visit. The problems were not fixed yet and the kitchen was given more time.
Show 7 findings ▾
Live, small flying insects found Seven flies on pans and flying in kitchen at cookline.
Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. 1. Inside top of refrigerated make-table at cookline: cheese (52F - Cold Holding). The cheese is stored on top of a pan, well above the safe load line. Manager stated the cheese was placed inside the cooler approximately two hours prior, then moved the cheese into the walk-in freezer to rapidly cool to 41F. * 2. Inside bottom of reach-in cooler at cookline: shrimp (45F - Cold Holding); shrimp (47F - Cold Holding); chicken (47F - Cold Holding); chicken (48F - Cold Holding); chicken wings (49F - Cold Holding). Manager stated all items have been stored inside the unit since the previous day and have not been in-use today. Stop sales issued.
Time/temperature control for safety food required to be date marked is not date marked and time of opening/preparation cannot be determined. See stop sale. Ziplock bag containing fully-cooked chicken with date mark of 7/9 on shelf inside cooler at cookline. Manager stated 7/9 was the frozen date, but was unable to determine when it had been thawed.
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. 1. Cutting board at cookline stained. 2. Exterior of pans containing fries at cookline heavily soiled with black substance. Manager transferred fries into another pan during this inspection.
Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food opened/prepared, frozen and then thawed and held at refrigeration temperature not properly date marked. Ziplock bag containing fully-cooked chicken with date mark of 7/9 on shelf inside cooler at cookline. Manager stated 7/9 was the frozen date, but was unable to determine when it had been thawed. Stop sale issued.
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Top of dish machine soiled with dust.
Unclean building components, attachments or fixtures. 1. Fan on wall near dish machine soiled with dust. 2. Rafters on ceiling in tiki bar soiled with dust. 3. Dusty vent on ceiling near cookline.
Referred for a formal case, which can lead to a fine. 19 violations recorded, 6 high priority.
Show 19 findings ▾
Dishmachine chlorine sanitizer not at proper minimum strength. Discontinue use of dishmachine for sanitizing and set up manual sanitization until dishmachine is repaired and sanitizing properly. Dish machine chlorine 0ppm. Inspector instructed manager to discontinue the use of the dishwasher machine for sanitization and utilize the three-compartment sink to sanitize dishes until the dishwasher machine is repaired. Inspector also instructed manager to use the three-compartment sink to sanitize all dishes that have been sanitized using the dishwasher machine today.
Live, small flying insects found Seven flies on pans and flying in kitchen at cookline.
Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. Inside bottom of reach-in cooler at cookline: shrimp (45F - Cold Holding); shrimp (47F - Cold Holding); chicken (47F - Cold Holding); chicken (48F - Cold Holding); chicken wings (49F - Cold Holding). Manager stated all items have been stored inside the unit since the previous day and have not been in-use today.
Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. 1. Inside top of refrigerated make-table at cookline: cheese (52F - Cold Holding). The cheese is stored on top of a pan, well above the safe load line. Manager stated the cheese was placed inside the cooler approximately two hours prior, then moved the cheese into the walk-in freezer to rapidly cool to 41F. * 2. Inside bottom of reach-in cooler at cookline: shrimp (45F - Cold Holding); shrimp (47F - Cold Holding); chicken (47F - Cold Holding); chicken (48F - Cold Holding); chicken wings (49F - Cold Holding). Manager stated all items have been stored inside the unit since the previous day and have not been in-use today. Stop sales issued.
Time/temperature control for safety food required to be date marked is not date marked and time of opening/preparation cannot be determined. See stop sale. Ziplock bag containing fully-cooked chicken with date mark of 7/9 on shelf inside cooler at cookline. Manager stated 7/9 was the frozen date, but was unable to determine when it had been thawed.
Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. 1. Jug containing "Dawn" dish soap stored on shelf directly beside box containing crackers and condiments in kitchen near cookline. Manager removed dish soap from the shelf during this inspection. 2. Spray bottle containing bleach and jug containing soap stored on shelf directly beside several bottles of ketchup inside storage closet near cookline. Manager removed food from the shelf during this inspection.
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. 1. Cutting board at cookline stained. 2. Exterior of pans containing fries at cookline heavily soiled with black substance. Manager transferred fries into another pan during this inspection.
Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food opened/prepared, frozen and then thawed and held at refrigeration temperature not properly date marked. Ziplock bag containing fully-cooked chicken with date mark of 7/9 on shelf inside cooler at cookline. Manager stated 7/9 was the frozen date, but was unable to determine when it had been thawed. Stop sale issued.
Bathroom located inside establishment not completely enclosed with tight-fitting, self-closing doors. Outside restroom doors not self-closing.
Ceiling not smooth, nonabsorbent and easily cleanable in food preparation, food storage, or warewashing areas. Rafters on ceiling in tiki bar area appear to be unsealed wood.
Cold holding equipment not maintained in good repair. Do not store time/temperature control for safety food in this unit until the unit is repaired. Several stop sales issued inside bottom of reach-in cooler cookline. Ambient air temperature 47F.
Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Two employee drink cups on shelf directly beside single-use utensils in kitchen near tiki bar entrance. Manager removed drink cups from the shelf during this inspection.
Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Keys hanging from wire shelf above refrigerated make-table at cookline.
Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting. Wet nested drink cups on shelf near fountain machine in tiki bar area.
Food storage container/container lid cracked or broken. Three cracked pans in-use at cookline. Manager discarded the pans during this inspection.
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Top of dish machine soiled with dust.
Outer openings not protected during operation and vermin and/or environmental cross contamination present. Door to kitchen propped open. No separation and/or protection between kitchen and open-air tiki bar. Several flies present at cookline.
Unclean building components, attachments or fixtures. 1. Fan on wall near dish machine soiled with dust. 2. Rafters on ceiling in tiki bar soiled with dust. 3. Dusty vent on ceiling near cookline.
Wiping cloth sanitizing solution stored on the floor. Two sanitizer buckets stored directly on floor in kitchen near kitchen entrance. Manager placed both buckets on a shelf during this inspection.
Met inspection standards. 6 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
Show 6 findings ▾
Live, small flying insects found Observed three flies in kitchen area.
Raw animal food stored over or with ready-to-eat food in a freezer - not all products commercially packaged. Raw chicken stored over gumbo in walk-in freezer. Manager placed gumbo on top rack.
Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Items stored in walk-in cooler: chicken (44F,45F - Cold Holding); cheese (45F,45F - Cold Holding); tomatoes (45F - Cold Holding). Manager stated items were at proper temperature earlier in the morning, door to cooler was open to clean the floor. Manager placed items in walk-in freezer to reduce temperature to 41F: cheese (39F,40F - Cold Holding); chicken (40F,39F - Cold Holding); tomatoes (40F - Cold Holding).
Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled. Spray bottle in dish area.
Accumulation of debris on exterior of warewashing machine. Top of dish machine in dish area.
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Dish racks in dish area.
Referred for a formal case, which can lead to a fine. 11 violations recorded, 3 high priority.
Show 11 findings ▾
Dishmachine chlorine sanitizer not at proper minimum strength. Discontinue use of dishmachine for sanitizing and set up manual sanitization until dishmachine is repaired and sanitizing properly. Dish machine chlorine 0ppm. Manager changed chlorine bucket and primed machine, then 50ppm. Inspector instructed manager to resanitize all dishes that have been washed today.
Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Pans containing raw shrimp and raw hamburger meat stored on shelf directly above pans containing fully-cooked chicken wings inside walk-in cooler. Manager moved chicken wings to another shelf during this inspection.
Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. Aerosol can containing glass cleaner on shelf directly above single-use foil pans in storage room behind bar. Manager removed chemicals from shelf during this inspection.
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Nozzles on fountain machine in bar area soiled with mold-like substance.
No chemical test kit provided when using sanitizer at three-compartment sink/warewashing machine or wiping cloths. Manager unable to provide chlorine test kit for dish machine.
Ceiling not smooth, nonabsorbent and easily cleanable in food preparation, food storage, or warewashing areas. Ceiling and walls in bar area constructed with u sealed wood.
Dead roaches on premises. One dead roach on floor near dry storage room behind indoor bar area. Manager cleaned area during this inspection.
Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting. 1. Wet nested drink cups on counter in bar area. 2. Wet nested pans on lower shelving below prep tables in prep room.
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Area around nozzles on fountain machine in bar area soiled with mold-like substance.
Old labels stuck to food containers after cleaning. Old labels stuck to sides of several pans on clean dish racks in prep room.
Unclean building components, attachments or fixtures. Ceiling, rafters, and fans in bar area soiled with dust.
Met inspection standards. 16 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
Show 16 findings ▾
Employee began working with food, handling clean equipment or utensils, or touching unwrapped single-service items without first washing hands. Server entered the bar area from outdoors and scooped ice without first washing hands. Manager had employee stop and wash hands before continuing to work in bar area.
Employee failed to wash hands before putting on gloves to initiate a task working with food. Employee entered kitchen from outside, touched personal drink, the put on gloves to begin work at cookline. Manager had employee wash hands and put on new gloves before continuing to work at cookline.
Live, small flying insects in kitchen, food preparation area, food storage area and/or bar area. Three flies flying in kitchen at cookline. One fly in bar area.
Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Pan containing cooked bacon stored on shelf below package containing raw hamburger meat inside reach-in cooler at cookline. Employee moved raw hamburger meat to the bottom shelf during this inspection. Packages containing cooked ham and salami stored directly on top of packaging containing raw pork and below shelf containing raw calamari. Manager had employee move cooked foods to a higher shelf,f during this inspection.
Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food marked with a date that exceeds 7 days after opening/preparation. Container containing ranch dressing made with buttermilk with date mark of 08/05. Manager stated the ranch was made the previous night and added proper date mark.
Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Condiment cup without handle stored inside container of seasoning on shelf in prep room.
Ceiling not smooth, nonabsorbent and easily cleanable in food preparation, food storage, or warewashing areas. Ceiling, rafters, and upper portions of walls in bar area made from unsealed wood.
Dead roaches on premises. One dead roach on floor in kitchen beside fryers.
Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting. Wet nested drink cups on shelf near fountain machine in bar area. Wet nested plastic pans on shelf in prep room.
Ice buildup in reach-in freezer and/or walk-in freezer. Heavy ice buildup on shelving and boxes inside walk-in freezer.
No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees. Handwash sign missing from handwash sink inunisex restroom near indoor bar.
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Gaskets on door of keg cooler in indoor bar area soiled with mold-like substance.
Old labels stuck to food containers after cleaning. Remnants of old labels stuck to four pans on clean dish shelf in prep room.
Outer openings not protected during operation and vermin and/or environmental cross contamination present. No door between outdoor bar and kitchen. Flies found in kitchen and outdoor bar.
Standing water in bottom of reach-in-cooler. Standing water in bottom of reach-in cooler near cookline.
Unclean building components, attachments or fixtures. Floor in kitchen near fryers soiled with grease. Rafters in bar area heavily soiled with dust.
Referred for a formal case, which can lead to a fine. 9 violations recorded, 2 high priority.
Show 10 findings ▾
Stop Sale issued due to food not being in a wholesome, sound condition. Inside reach:in cooler at cookline: Seven packages of salmon thawed inside ROP package that does state to remove it from packaging before thawing. The date on the pan indicates it was thawed on 01/07.
Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. Aerosol air freshener can stored on shelf above condiments in dry storage area near main kitchen. Manager removed air freshener from shelf during this inspection. Metal pan filled with liquid dish soap on prep table in prep room above clean dishes. Employee removed pan of dish soap from area during this inspection.
Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Two empty grocery bags stored inside handwash sink near ice machines. Employee removed bags from handwash sink during this inspection.
Cardboard used to line food-contact and/or nonfood-contact shelves. Cardboard lining the top of prep table at cookline below breading pans.
Clean glasses, cups, bowls, plates, pots and pans not stored inverted or in a protected manner. Two ice buckets not inverted on crates near warewash area behind bar. Manager inverted buckets during this inspection. Several plastic pans not inverted on shelf above warewash area near dish machine. Manager inverted pans during this inspection.
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. Inside reach:in cooler at cookline: Seven packages of salmon thawed inside ROP package that does state to remove it from packaging before thawing. The date on the pan indicates it was thawed on 01/07. Stop sale issued. Employee discarded the salmon during this inspection.
Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting. Several wet nested clear plastic pans on lower shelf of prep table in prep area.
Ice buildup in reach-in freezer and/or walk-in freezer. Ice buildup around door and on shelving inside walk-in freezer.
Old labels stuck to food containers after cleaning. Old labels stuck to several clean clear plastic pans on lower shelf of prep table in prep area.
Portable fire extinguisher gauge in red zone. For reporting purposes only. Fire extinguisher in recharge zone in dining area near back door.
Referred for a formal case, which can lead to a fine. 11 violations recorded, 3 high priority.
Show 11 findings ▾
Live, small flying insects in kitchen, food preparation area, food storage area and/or bar area. One fly in kitchen near cookline. One fly in bar area. Five flies in storage room near mop sink.
Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. Inside make-table in pan above fill line: cheese slices (55F - Cold Holding). Employee stated the cheese was held inside unit almost five hours prior.
Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Inside make-table in pan above fill line: cheese slices (55F - Cold Holding). Employee stated the cheese was held inside unit almost five hours prior. Stop sale issued.
Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Soiled wiping cloths stored in handsink in bar area. Employee removed wiping cloths from handsink during this inspection.
Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled. Spray bottle containing glass cleaner missing label hanging from handwash sink in prep area. Manager had employee add proper label during this inspection.
Clean glasses, cups, bowls, plates, pots and pans not stored inverted or in a protected manner. Ice bucket on shelf in bar area not inverted. Manager inverted ice bucket during this inspection.
Covered waste receptacle not provided in women's bathroom. Covered waste receptacle not provided in women's restroom.
Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting. Drink cups near fountain machine in bar area wet nested. Plastic pans on lower shelf of prep table in prep kitchen wet nested.
Ice buildup in reach-in freezer and/or walk-in freezer. Ice buildup on shelf inside walk-in freezer.
No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees. Handwash sign missing from men's and women's restrooms near bar area.
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Area around nozzles of fountain machine in bar area soiled with mold-like substance.
A return visit. The problems from the previous inspection had been dealt with.
This record follows the licence, not the owner. Restaurants change hands and the licence history normally does not, so an older entry may describe people who no longer run the place. Every inspection above links to the state's own report. Something wrong? Tell us.