BLUE HEN CAFE
223 W KING ST UNIT A, Saint Augustine FL 32084 · 904-217-3777
Last inspected Apr 15, 2026 · 7 visits since May 2024
MAY 24
AUG 24
FEB 25
OCT 25
APR 26
≈ ERRATIC
5 inspections, swinging between A and D. Consistency is the problem here, not any single visit.
Raw sewage/waste water on ground of establishment. Observed waste water leaking on floor near dish machine. Employee is able to contain waste water into floor drain with squeegee during service.
★ Spotless◆ Clean streak● Perfect year✓ Never fined
Awarded on the inspection record alone. What they mean →
Disciplinary actions
2 cases · $800
| Case | Violation date | Final order | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5--2019035941 | May 6, 2019 | Jan 3, 2020 | $400 |
| 5--2018061257 | Oct 23, 2018 | Apr 12, 2019 | $400 |
Inspection history
7 visits, newest first
Apr 15, 2026□ Call Back - CompliedRoutine Inspection
A return visit. The problems from the previous inspection had been dealt with.
0 High priority0 Intermediate0 Basic
Apr 9, 2026Warning IssuedRoutine Inspection
Violations found and a warning issued, with a return visit required. 15 recorded, 4 high priority.
4 High priority1 Intermediate10 Basic
Show 15 findings ▾
Employee failed to wash hands before putting on gloves to initiate a task working with food. Observed cook handle raw French toast with gloves on, removed gloved and place another pair on without washing hands before returning to cook line. Addressed and cook removed gloves, washed hands and then placed gloves on.
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. Observed cook touch pants pocket with gloves on and not wash hands.
Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. Made 4/6 in reach in cooler #3; Butter 46F, home made ranch dressing 46F; ( - Cold Holding)
Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. In reach in cooler #1; Shell and pooled eggs 53F, quiche 53F; ( - Cold Holding) In cooler; roast beef 57F, ham 44F, sliced cheese 52F, shredded cheese 42F, tomatoes 40F, black beans 42F On cookline; Pooled eggs 72F, chicken 66F, hash browns 50F; ( - Cold Holding) All items in cooler since 9am. In reach in cooler #3 overnight; Butter 46F, home made ranch dressing 46F; ( - Cold Holding)
Commercially processed ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food opened and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked after opening. Milk opened yesterday in walk in cooler not dated.
Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Cup and soufflé cup used as scoops in sugar. Person in charge removed.
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. Grouper in sealed bags on cookline. Still frozen. Person in charge cut bags open and placed in container.
Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable. All cutting boards are grooved and have black stuff on cookline.
Employee drinking from an unenclosed beverage container in a food preparation/clean dishware area and the container does not have a dispensing mechanism to prevent hand contact with lip contact area of drink container. Open cup with soda on top of dishwasher.
Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Employee sunglasses on top of dishwasher.
Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting. Clean glasses wet nesting at front of house.
In-use tongs stored on equipment door handle between uses. Tongs hanging from oven doors.
Soiled cloths, linen, aprons, coats, or other uniform apparel not kept in a suitable container prior to laundering. 3 cooks on cook line have rags tucked into aprons. Addressed and they removed them.
Unwashed fruits/vegetables stored with ready-to-eat food. Observed a cut avocado with sticker cut in middle and into avocado. Addressed and person took avocado's and washed them removing stickers.
Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Sugar at server station not labeled. Person in charge labeled.
Nov 13, 2025□ Call Back - CompliedRoutine Inspection
A return visit. The problems from the previous inspection had been dealt with.
0 High priority0 Intermediate0 Basic
Oct 27, 2025Warning IssuedRoutine Inspection
Violations found and a warning issued, with a return visit required. 10 recorded, 2 high priority.
2 High priority2 Intermediate6 Basic
Show 10 findings ▾
Container of medicine improperly stored. Observed first aid kit containing over the counter medications stored above food prep table. Discussed with person in charge and they moved away from food prep.
Raw sewage/waste water on ground of establishment. Observed waste water leaking on floor near dish machine. Employee is able to contain waste water into floor drain with squeegee during service.
Commercially processed ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food opened and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked after opening. Observed two gallons of milk used for grits opened previous morning per cook missing date mark.
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Observed cutting boards on cook line flip-top coolers heavily stained with black streaks.
Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting. Observed clean food containers stacked with visible moisture in prep area.
Food storage container/container lid cracked or broken. Observed 22qt plastic food container cracked.
In-use utensil in non-time/temperature control for safety food not stored with handle above top of food within a closed container. Observed no handle bowl used to scoop potatoes on cook line. Employee replaced bowl with scoop.
In-use utensil stored in standing water less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed cook line utensils in water 87F. Discussed with employee and they started to heat water up too 135F.
Old labels stuck to food containers after cleaning. Observed old date marking labels stuffed too clean stacked food containers
Water leaking from pipe and/or faucet/handle. Observed leaking pipe near dish machine under spray hose sink.
Feb 28, 2025Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 3 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
0 High priority1 Intermediate2 Basic
Show 3 findings ▾
No soap provided at handwash sink. Observed hand washing station by back door missing soap. Person in charge added soap to hand washing station.
Carbon dioxide/helium tanks not adequately secured. Observed green pressure tank not secured near bag n box.
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed gaskets on main cook line coolers soiled with food debris.
Aug 16, 2024Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 7 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
3 High priority2 Intermediate2 Basic
Show 7 findings ▾
Live, small flying insects in kitchen, food preparation area, food storage area and/or bar area. Observed two live flying insects in prep area.
Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed sliced quiche above chill line (50F - Cold Holding) for less than an hour per person in charge. Person in charge placed in bottom of reach in cooler.
Vacuum breaker missing at hose bibb or on fitting/splitter added to hose bibb. Observed hose Bibb with attached red hose by back door missing vacuum breaker.
Food being cooled by nonapproved method as evidenced by inadequate rate of cooling during time of inspection. Observed sausage gravy in 12 in deep plastic containers cool on counter. Person in charge placed gravy in shallow pans and ice bath.
Required employee training expired for some employees. To order approved program food safety material, call DBPR contracted provider: Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (SafeStaff) 866-372-7233. Obtained one certificate expired 8/4/2024. Discussed with person in charge.
Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Observed employees bags, cellphones, and keys above prep table in prep room. Person in charge moved all employee items away from prep area.
Equipment in poor repair. Observed large single door reach in cooler with torn gasket at start of cook line.
May 2, 2024Inspection Completed - No Further ActionLicensing Inspection
Met inspection standards. 1 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
0 High priority0 Intermediate1 Basic
Show 1 finding ▾
Equipment in poor repair. Observed flip-top cooler gaskets torn. Person in charge has work order for replacement gaskets.
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.