CARIBBEAN SPICE
1310 NW 23 AVE UNIT C, Gainesville FL 32605 · 352-377-2712
Last inspected Jul 27, 2026 · 8 visits since October 2023
OCT 24
FEB 25
JUL 25
NOV 25
JUL 26
— STEADY
5 inspections within 31 points of each other. Whatever this kitchen does, it does consistently.
Establishment has no written procedures for employees to follow in response to a vomiting or diarrheal event where the vomit or diarrhea is discharged onto surfaces in the establishment.
★ Spotless◆ Clean streak● Perfect year✓ Never fined
Awarded on the inspection record alone. What they mean →
Inspection history
8 visits, newest first
Jul 27, 2026Administrative complaint recommendedRoutine Inspection
Referred for a formal case, which can lead to a fine. 6 violations recorded, 2 high priority.
2 High priority1 Intermediate3 Basic
What the inspector wrote — 7 findingsThe state's own report →
Raw animal foods not properly separated from each other in holding unit based upon minimum required cooking temperature. Observed : raw chicken stored over raw beef in the mid kitchen reach-in cooler. Items were adjusted into compliance.
Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed : plantains sitting on top of another pan in the front line hotwell, 118°. This was sent to the oven to be reheated to 165° or greater.
Probe thermometer not accurate within plus or minus 2 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed : the tested thermometer read 21° in a proper ice bath. This was adjusted to 32°.
Covered waste receptacle not provided in women's bathroom. Observed : there was not a covered trash receptacle in the women's restroom. The lid was found and placed back on.
Show the remaining 3 findings ▾
Equipment in poor repair. Observed : the reach-in cooler in the mid kitchen right hand door is not attached.
In-use utensil not stored with handle above the top of time/temperature control for safety food and rim of the container. Observed : in the center area reach-in cooler, the patties mix had a spoon handle touching product. The spoon was adjusted with a gloved hand.
Marked exit/path to marked exit blocked. For reporting purposes only. Observed : the back door by the restrooms is blocked by a garbage can and locked. The trash can was moved and the door unlocked.
Nov 14, 2025Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 10 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
2 High priority0 Intermediate8 Basic
Show 10 findings ▾
Nonfood-grade containers used for food storage - direct contact with food. Two nonfood-grade grocery bags containing raw dough inside reach-in cooler near kitchen entrance. Manager transferred the dough into a food-grade bags during this inspection.
Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Carton containing raw shell eggs stored directly on top of pan containing cut cabbage. Manager moved the raw eggs to the bottom shelf during this inspection.
Cove molding at floor/wall juncture broken/missing. cove molding missing under handwash sink in kitchen. Cove molding separating from wall by back door.
Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Employee drink bottle on dough machine table.
Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Employee hat stored on drinks. Aprons hanging from clean ware rack.
Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting. Clean stacked ( metal bins )not properly air-dried, and stored wet on clean ware rack resulting in wet nesting.
Equipment in poor repair. Broken door on reach-in cooler door near kitchen entrance.
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Gaskets on reach-in coolers throughout kitchen soiled with mold-like substances.
Single-service articles improperly stored. Box of take out trays and cutlery stored on floor I storage area.
Single-service articles not stored inverted or protected from contamination. Open bags for patties left open and upright and not protected
Jul 14, 2025Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 4 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
1 High priority1 Intermediate2 Basic
Show 4 findings ▾
Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Items stored in reach-in cooler next to steam table: rice (44F - Cold Holding); hamburger (44F - Cold Holding). Manager stated items were at proper temperature one hour earlier and the door had been opened often.
Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Cooked beef stored in reach-in cooler along kitchen wall next to reach-in freezer. Manager stated beef was cooked the previous morning.
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Shelf in kitchen across from oven.
Stored food not covered. Beef and chicken patties stored in reach-in freezer next to dining room.
Feb 13, 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 ▾
Nonfood-grade bags used in direct contact with food. Bags used to store dough in reach-in cooler next to reach-in freezer across from office.
Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Item stored in front counter steam table: cabbage (123F - Hot Holding). Manager stated cabbage placed in steam table two hours prior to temperature being taken. Manager voluntarily discarded cabbage.
Vacuum breaker missing at mop sink faucet or on fitting/splitter added to mop sink faucet. Hose side of splitter in mop sink.
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Cutting boards stored on shelf next to three computers sink.
Food stored on floor. Bags of sugar stored on kitchen floor.
No Heimlich maneuver/choking sign posted. No choking poster posted.
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Gasket for reach-in cooler next to reach-in freezer across from office.
Single-service articles improperly stored. Case of napkins stored on floor behind front counter. Manager had employee placed cooking napkins on shelf.
Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Container of food on kitchen prep table.
Oct 28, 2024Administrative complaint recommendedRoutine Inspection
Referred for a formal case, which can lead to a fine. 8 violations recorded, 3 high priority.
3 High priority1 Intermediate4 Basic
Show 8 findings ▾
Raw animal foods not properly separated from each other in holding unit based upon minimum required cooking temperature. Raw chicken stored over raw ground beef in reach-in cooler next to office. Manager placed chicken on bottom shelf.
Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Items stored in front counter steam table: cabbage (128F - Hot Holding); chicken (126F - Hot Holding). Item stored on counter across from front counter steam table: rice (108F - Hot Holding). Manager returned items to kitchen oven to reheat, chicken (188F - Reheating); rice (169F - Reheating); cabbage (175F - Reheating.
Vacuum breaker missing at mop sink faucet or on fitting/splitter added to mop sink faucet. No vacuum breaker on hose side of splitter for mop sink.
Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Bread pudding stored in reach-in cooler across from office. Manager stated bread pudding was prepared the previous morning.
Food stored on floor. Bag of flour stored on kitchen floor across from three compartment sink. Manager placed bag on rack.
No Heimlich maneuver/choking sign posted. No choking poster available. Inspector provided operator with choking poster.
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Outside of storage bin on shelf beneath kitchen prep table. Hood vents above kitchen oven.
Storage of maintenance equipment/tools in areas that may result in cross contamination of food, equipment, utensils, linens and/or single-service and single-use articles. Tools stored next to cans of coconut milk and above single use gloves on dry storage shelf next to office. Manager removed tools from shelf.
Apr 10, 2024□ Call Back - CompliedRoutine Inspection
A return visit. The problems from the previous inspection had been dealt with.
0 High priority0 Intermediate0 Basic
Feb 12, 2024Warning IssuedRoutine Inspection
Violations found and a warning issued, with a return visit required. 4 recorded, 1 high priority.
1 High priority2 Intermediate1 Basic
Show 4 findings ▾
Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Eggs over ready to eat vegetable in reach in cooler in storage area. Operator moved eggs to the bottom.
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. 1 employee prepping chicken in back kitchen working longer than 60 days, other 2 employees are new.
No proof provided that food employees are informed of their responsibility to report to the person in charge information about their health and activities related to foodborne illnesses. Operator had all employees sign during inspection.
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Interior rack inside reach in freezer across from dry storage rack. Reach in cooler gasket soiled in hallway. Reach in freezer gasket soiled across from dry storage rack.
Oct 16, 2023Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 6 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
1 High priority3 Intermediate2 Basic
Show 6 findings ▾
Nonfood-grade bags used in direct contact with food. Dough in thank you Togo bags, operator stated he is throwing dough away. He threw away dough.
Establishment has no written procedures for employees to follow in response to a vomiting or diarrheal event where the vomit or diarrhea is discharged onto surfaces in the establishment.
No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. In women's restroom and in men's the towels are unable to dispense. Operator placed new rolls at sinks. No handwashing sign at sink on front counter. Inspector emailed sign.
No proof provided that food employees are informed of their responsibility to report to the person in charge information about their health and activities related to foodborne illnesses. 2 new employees.
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Reach in freezer door jam soiled in mid kitchen.
Stored food not covered. Dough pieces in reach in cooler, operator discarded.
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.