CORTESSE'S BISTRO
172 SAN MARCO AVE, Saint Augustine FL 32084 · 904-217-0705
Last inspected May 29, 2026 · 10 visits since September 2023
APR 24
NOV 24
MAY 25
NOV 25
MAY 26
≈ ERRATIC
5 inspections, swinging between A and F. Consistency is the problem here, not any single visit.
Live, small flying insects found Observed one live flying insect in kitchen near soup. Observed one live flying insect at bar near ice bin.
★ Spotless◆ Clean streak● Perfect year✓ Never fined
Awarded on the inspection record alone. What they mean →
Inspection history
10 visits, newest first
May 29, 2026□ Call Back - CompliedRoutine Inspection
A return visit. The problems from the previous inspection had been dealt with.
0 High priority0 Intermediate0 Basic
May 12, 2026Warning IssuedRoutine Inspection
Violations found and a warning issued, with a return visit required. 7 recorded, 2 high priority.
2 High priority2 Intermediate3 Basic
Show 7 findings ▾
Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Tall glass cooler; milk 45F. Person in charge placed in walk in cooler.
Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Lemon sauce 130. Person in charge reheated to 135F.
Proof of required state approved employee training not available for some employees. To order approved program food safety material, call DBPR contracted provider: Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (SafeStaff) 866-372-7233. Marco in kitchen food certificates have expired.
Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Mashed potatoes, cooked broccoli not dated. Person in charge dated.
No mop sink or curbed cleaning facility provided at establishment. Establishment does not have hot and cold running water at mop sink.
Stored food not covered. French fries not covered. Person in charge covered.
Wall soiled with accumulated grease, food debris, and/or dust. With black mold like substance behind dish machine.
Nov 4, 2025Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 3 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
1 High priority0 Intermediate2 Basic
Show 3 findings ▾
Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food not consumed/sold within 7 days after opening/preparation. See stop sale. Observed house made mango salsa dated 10/27 in walk-in cooler.
Food stored on floor. Observed one case of food on floor in walk-in cooler.
Old labels stuck to food containers after cleaning. Observed clean containers stacked on wire rack with old label residue stuck to sides.
May 27, 2025Administrative complaint recommendedRoutine Inspection
Referred for a formal case, which can lead to a fine. 15 violations recorded, 8 high priority.
8 High priority3 Intermediate4 Basic
Show 15 findings ▾
Cooked/heated time/temperature control for safety food not cooled from 135 degrees Fahrenheit to 41 degrees Fahrenheit within 6 hours. Observed cooked pasta from previous day (55F - Cooling) 1640 see stop sale.
Cooked/heated time/temperature control for safety food not cooled from 135 degrees Fahrenheit to 70 degrees Fahrenheit within two hours and from 135 degrees Fahrenheit to 41 degrees Fahrenheit within six hours. See stop sale. Observed cooked pasta from previous day (55F - Cooling) 1640
Live, small flying insects found Observed one live flying insect in kitchen near soup. Observed one live flying insect at bar near ice bin.
Shell eggs in use or stored with cracks or broken shells. See stop sale. Observed one cracked raw shell egg in walk-in cooler.
Stop Sale issued due to food not being in a wholesome, sound condition. Observed six bags of reduced oxygen packaged fish completely thawed while not being removed from its reduced oxygen environment.
Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. Observed butter kept on time control being placed into a new pan and placed back on ice. Discussed with person in charge.
Time/temperature control for safety food held using time as a public health control not discarded at the end of the 4-hour/6-hour period. See stop sale. Observed butter kept on time control being placed into a new pan and placed back on ice. Discussed with person in charge. See stop sale.
Vacuum breaker missing at hose bibb or on fitting/splitter added to hose bibb. Observed green hose by back door at bar missing vacuum breaker.
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 milk opened on Sunday per person in charge missing date mark. Person in charge added date mark.
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Observed cutting board in flip-top cooler stained with black marks.
Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Observed large quantities of ice dumped in hand washing station by dish washer.
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. Observed six bags of reduced oxygen packaged fish completely thawed while not being removed from its reduced oxygen environment. See stop sale.
Food stored on floor. Observed case of fish on floor in walk-in freezer. Person in charge placed fish on shelf.
In-use utensil stored in standing water less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed grill and cooking utensils sitting in 84F water. Person in charge placed on grill and slowly reheated water to 135F
Silverware/utensils/dishes dried with a towel/cloth. Observed dish employee drying dishes with towels.
Nov 20, 2024□ Call Back - CompliedRoutine Inspection
A return visit. The problems from the previous inspection had been dealt with.
0 High priority0 Intermediate0 Basic
Nov 13, 2024Administrative complaint recommendedRoutine Inspection
Referred for a formal case, which can lead to a fine. 7 violations recorded, 2 high priority.
2 High priority2 Intermediate3 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 at bar. Person in charge started killing flying insects.
Nonfood-grade containers used for food storage - direct contact with food. Observed Homer bucket used to store soups in walk-in cooler. Person in charge removed Homer bucket from walk-in cooler.
Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Observed hand washing station by ice machine near bar blocked by out of order sign. Person in charge is unaware why hand washing station is out of order. Person in charge will speak to operator and plan to fix
No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. Observed paper towels missing from hand washing station at bar near ice machine.
Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Observed employee phone and speaker on top of dishes on cook line. Person in charge removed personal items from cook line.
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed gaskets on some reach in coolers soiled with food debris.
Water leaking from pipe and/or faucet/handle. Observed faucet used to fill steamer table leaking.
Apr 16, 2024□ Call Back - CompliedRoutine Inspection
A return visit. The problems from the previous inspection had been dealt with.
0 High priority0 Intermediate0 Basic
Apr 15, 2024Administrative complaint recommendedRoutine Inspection
Referred for a formal case, which can lead to a fine. 16 violations recorded, 8 high priority.
8 High priority4 Intermediate4 Basic
Show 16 findings ▾
Live, small flying insects in kitchen, food preparation area, food storage area and/or bar area. Observed two live flying insects in dry storage near bags of onions. Discussed with person in charge.
Nonfood-grade containers used for food storage - direct contact with food. Observed orange Home Depot Homer bucket used to store elbow macaroni soup.
Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Observed frozen individually wrapped fish stored above frozen cakes in walk-in freezer. Not all originally packaged. Observed raw veal stored above ready to eat milk in glass door reach in cooler. Person in charge moved raw veal to another cooler.
Stop Sale issued due to food not being in a wholesome, sound condition. Observed sheet pan in glass door reach in cooler of oysters. Person in charge could not find any oyster tags.
Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. Observed mushroom soup (112F - Hot Holding); chicken stock (120F - Hot Holding); escargot sauce (97F - Hot Holding); elbow macaroni in bucket (120F - Hot Holding); house made red sauce (89F - Hot Holding); gravy (92F - Hot Holding)
Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed house made sauces (gravy, cream) x 4 (52-54F - Cold Holding) left on speed rack from walk-in cooler 30 mins prior to inspection per person in charge. Person in charge placed in cooler to cool.
Time/temperature control for safety food identified in the written procedure as a food held using time as a public health control has no time marking. Observed garlic butter missing time mark. Butter put since 1500 per person in charge.
Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed mushroom soup (112F - Hot Holding); chicken stock (120F - Hot Holding); escargot sauce (97F - Hot Holding); elbow macaroni in bucket (120F - Hot Holding); house made red sauce (89F - Hot Holding); gravy (92F - Hot Holding) Products have been left out since 1200 in various places in kitchen per person in charge.
Establishment not maintaining clam/mussel/oyster tags for 90 days. Observed no oyster tags for last 90 days for establishment.
Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Observed hand washing station in dry storage kitchen blocked by trash can and vacuum cleaner. Observed hand washing station in kitchen blocked by cart. Person in charge moved cart.
No currently certified food service manager on duty with four or more employees engaged in food preparation/handling. A list of accredited food manager certification examination providers can be found at http://www.myfloridalicense.com/DBPR/hotels-restaurants/food-lodging/food-manager/ Observed seven food employees in establishment without food manager present.
No tag on/for original container of raw, in-shell clams/mussels/oysters. See stop sale. Observed sheet pan in glass door reach in cooler of oysters. Person in charge could not find any oyster tags.
Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting. Observed food pans stacked in storage with visible moisture.
Floor soiled/has accumulation of debris. Observed food debris on kitchen floors under equipment.
In-use utensil stored in standing water less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed cooking utensils stored in 76F water on floor. Person in charge placed utensils in ware washing.
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed multiple gaskets on small reach in coolers in kitchen soiled with food debris.
Sep 20, 2023□ Call Back - CompliedComplaint Investigation
A return visit. The problems from the previous inspection had been dealt with.
0 High priority0 Intermediate0 Basic
Sep 6, 2023Administrative complaint recommendedComplaint Investigation
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 ▾
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. Observed dish machine being used at 0ppm chlorine. Person in charge set up triple sink at 200ppm
Food-contact surfaces not sanitized after cleaning, before use. Do not use equipment/utensils not properly sanitized. Observed rack of dishes in dish machine while dish machine is 0ppm chlorine.
Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed mashed potatoes (78F - Cold Holding) left on prep table since 1330 person in charge. Person in charge placed in walk-in cooler to cool.
Establishment not maintaining clam/mussel/oyster tags for 90 days. No tags from oysters served in prior month. Per person in charge.
Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin.Observed interior deflector plate in ice machine soiled with white/black/green mold like substance
Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting. Observed food pans stacked on drying rack with visible moisture. Discussed with person in charge.
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed multiple reach in cooler and walk-in cooler gaskets soiled with black/green mold like substance.
Old labels stuck to food containers after cleaning. Observed old labels stuck to food pans on drying rack. Discussed with person in charge.
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.