BUENA ONDA CAFE
224 W KING ST, Saint Augustine FL 32084 · 904.827.4499
Last inspected Apr 14, 2026 · 7 visits since November 2023
APR 24
AUG 24
JAN 25
OCT 25
APR 26
▲ GETTING WORSE
5 inspections trending down, 37 points off where it started.
Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license. Observed license expired 6/1/2024.
★ Spotless◆ Clean streak● Perfect year✓ Never fined
Awarded on the inspection record alone. What they mean →
Inspection history
7 visits, newest first
Apr 14, 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, 2026Administrative complaint recommendedRoutine Inspection
Referred for a formal case, which can lead to a fine. 10 violations recorded, 2 high priority.
2 High priority2 Intermediate6 Basic
Show 10 findings ▾
Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. In cooler overnight; Tofu 47F, mushroom rice 44F, cauliflower mix 44F, poke rice 44F, pooled eggs 48F
Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. In cooler overnight; Tofu 47F, mushroom rice 44F, cauliflower mix 44F, poke rice 44F, pooled eggs 48F
Food manager certification expired. A list of accredited food manager certification examination providers can be found at https://www2.myfloridalicense.com/hotels-restaurants/food-lodging/food-manager/ One managers certificate is expired.
No proof of required state approved employee training provided for any employees. To order approved program food safety material, call DBPR contracted provider: Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (SafeStaff) 866-372-7233. Establishment needs training for all employees.
Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Phone on top of dishwasher. Person in charge removed.
Ice buildup in reach-in freezer and/or walk-in freezer. Both reach in freezers have ice buildup
In-use knife/knives/spatula stored in cracks between pieces of equipment. Spatula under sandwich press. Person in charge removed.
In-use wet wiping cloth/towel used under cutting board. Wet rags under cutting boards. Person in charge removed.
Unsealed concrete floor in food preparation, food storage, warewashing area or bathroom. Kitchen/dish washing floor is showing exposed concrete.
Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Sugar/rice need to be labeled. Person in charge labeled.
Oct 7, 2025Administrative complaint recommendedRoutine Inspection
Referred for a formal case, which can lead to a fine. 9 violations recorded, 3 high priority.
3 High priority1 Intermediate5 Basic
Show 9 findings ▾
Container of medicine improperly stored. Observed Eczema cream stored on top of ice machine. Person in charge removed cream from food area.
Non-food grade paper/paper towel used as liner for food container. Observed tape used to repair cracked food containers, food is exposed to sticky side of tape. Person in charge removed containers from kitchen.
Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed Pickled onions (51F - Cold Holding); kale and lentils (46F - Cold Holding) in flip-top cooler left open with torn gaskets. Person in charge placed in cooler with ice.
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Observed cutting boards on flip-top coolers stained with food debris.
Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Observed open coffee mug left on food prep table on cook line. Person in charge removed coffee mug from food area.
Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Observed employee cell phone on food prep table on cook line. Person in charge removed cellphone from food area.
Equipment in poor repair. Observed reach in coolers and reach in freezer gaskets heavily torn.
Food storage container/container lid cracked or broken. Observed two 22qt plastic containers cracked. Person in charge removed containers from kitchen.
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed gaskets on reach in coolers and reach in freezer soiled with food debris and black/green mold like substance.
Jan 29, 2025Administrative complaint recommendedRoutine Inspection
Referred for a formal case, which can lead to a fine. 7 violations recorded, 1 high priority.
1 High priority1 Intermediate5 Basic
Show 7 findings ▾
Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed ambient raw shell eggs (72F - Cold Holding); black bean dip (68F - Cold Holding) left on cook line counter for less than one hour per person in charge. Discussed time control and portion control to operator.
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Observed cutting board on flip-top cooler stained with food debris.
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. Observed employees drinking from coffee mugs without covers in food prep area. Discussed with person in charge. Person in charge removed drinks from food area.
Employee eating in a food preparation or other restricted area. Observed employee drinks on shelf above prep table. Person in charge removed employee drinks from food prep area.
Equipment in poor repair. Observed reach in freezer gaskets torn Observed small reach in cooler on cook line and flip-top cooler gaskets torn.
Ice buildup in reach-in freezer and/or walk-in freezer. Observed ice buildup up in stand up reach in freezer.
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed torn gaskets soiled with food debris.
Aug 28, 2024Administrative complaint recommendedRoutine Inspection
Referred for a formal case, which can lead to a fine. 5 violations recorded, 2 high priority.
2 High priority1 Intermediate2 Basic
Show 5 findings ▾
Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license. Observed license expired 6/1/2024.
Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed black bean dip (61F - Cold Holding) on counter for two hours per person in charge. Person in charge placed on time control.
Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled. Observed chemical spray bottle filled with yellow liquid not labeled in kitchen. Person in charge added label.
Ice buildup in reach-in freezer and/or walk-in freezer. Observed ice buildup up in standing reach in freezer.
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed gaskets on small reach in cooler and standing reach in freezer soiled with food debris.
Apr 18, 2024Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 3 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
0 High priority0 Intermediate3 Basic
Show 3 findings ▾
Equipment in poor repair. Observed gaskets on white reach in freezer torn.
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed gaskets on white reach in freezer soiled with food debris.
Wiping cloth quaternary ammonium compound sanitizing solution not at proper minimum strength. Observed wiping cloth sanitizer bucket at 0ppm quat. Employee filled it from triple sink which has no chemical hooked up. Person in charge directed employee to use sanit bucket tablets to remake bucket at 400ppm quat.
Nov 1, 2023Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 6 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
0 High priority1 Intermediate5 Basic
Show 6 findings ▾
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Observed make line cutting boards stained with food debris.
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. Observed open coffee cup on ice machine in prep area. Discussed with person in charge.
Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting. Observed plastic food containers stored and stacked on shelves in kitchen with visible moisture.
Equipment in poor repair. Observed multiple gaskets on reach in coolers on make line torn and cracked.
Food storage container/container lid cracked or broken. Observed 12qt plastic food container cracked and repaired with black duct tape. Discussed with person in charge.
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed multiple gaskets on make line reach in coolers soiled with food debris. Observed walk-in cooler shelves soiled with food debris. Observed Reach in freezer gaskets heavily soiled.
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.