COWTOWN TAVERN
1610 UNIVERSITY BLVD W, Jacksonville FL 32217 · 904-448-2110
Last inspected Aug 10, 2026 · 9 visits since July 2023
JUL 24
DEC 24
SEP 25
JAN 26
JUL 26
≈ ERRATIC
5 inspections, swinging between A and F. Consistency is the problem here, not any single visit.
Live, small flying insects found. Observed three flying insects in back corner storage area by walk in cooler around sauce storage.
★ Spotless◆ Clean streak● Perfect year✓ Never fined
Awarded on the inspection record alone. What they mean →
Disciplinary actions
1 case · $200
| Case | Violation date | Final order | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5--2019048996 | Aug 12, 2019 | Oct 11, 2019 | $200 |
Inspection history
9 visits, newest first
Aug 10, 2026□ Call Back - CompliedRoutine Inspection
A return visit. The problems from the previous inspection had been dealt with.
0 High priority0 Intermediate1 Basic
What the inspector wrote — 1 finding
Equipment in poor repair. In use breading container with hole on edge of container and lid. Also, gasket torn in stand up reach in cooler, person in charge states is on order.
Jul 29, 2026Warning IssuedRoutine Inspection
Violations found and a warning issued, with a return visit required. 11 recorded, 6 high priority.
6 High priority2 Intermediate3 Basic
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. Dishmachine at bar area testing at 0ppm, even after priming. Person in charge will utilize dishmachine in back kitchen until unit can be serviced.
Live, small flying insects found. Observed three flying insects in back corner storage area by walk in cooler around sauce storage.
Pesticide-emitting strip present in food prep area. Observed pesticide emitting strip in bar area, and in back kitchen food storage area.
Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. In reach in cooler raw beef in pan stored over uncovered pan of pickles. Person in charge moved to appropriate location. Also, in reach in freezer no longer commercially packaged raw shrimp stored over bag of fries. Person in charge began rearranging.
Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Sour cream in squeeze bottle on line at 60F. Person in charge states had out of unit for short period of time. Moved to reach in cooler.
Vacuum breaker missing at mop sink faucet or on fitting/splitter added to mop sink faucet. Mop sink missing vacuum breaker.
No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. Paper towels missing from cookline hand wash sink. Person in charge provided.
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. Several employees with food handler training expired 2024, 2025.
Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance. Dust accumulated on vent in kitchen. Also, mold like substance on wall at dishpit. Also, floors showing wear in kitchen. Standing water observed on floor at dish machine.
Equipment in poor repair. In use breading container with hole on edge of container and lid. Also, gasket torn in stand up reach in cooler, person in charge states is on order.
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Soda plates and soda gun holster in bar area with mold like substance accumulation.
Jan 7, 2026Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 11 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
1 High priority3 Intermediate7 Basic
Show 11 findings ▾
Raw animal food stored over or with ready-to-eat food in a freezer - not all products commercially packaged. Tray of raw eggs over ready to eat dairy in rear cooler. Moved by manager.
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Soiled soda nozzle at bar.
No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. Missing paper towels at kitchen Hand Wash Sink. Replaced by manger.
No soap provided at handwash sink. Missing soap at kitchen Hand Wash Sink. Replaced by manger.
Buildup of food debris/soil residue on equipment door handles. Soiled exterior of equipment including handles to coolers.
Carbon dioxide/helium tanks not adequately secured. Unsecured CO2 tank/s at bar. Secured by manger.
Drain cover(s) missing. Missing drain over at drain hole near Dish machine.
Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Employee drinks container on kitchen prep table. Moved by manager.
Interior of refrigerator or freezer in disrepair/has exposed insulation. Torn / loose gaskets to coolers. Kitchen
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Soiled cooler gaskets. Kitchen.
Standing water in bottom of reach-in-cooler. Standing water in base of multiple coolers. Kitchen.
Sep 5, 2025Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 5 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
0 High priority0 Intermediate5 Basic
Show 5 findings ▾
Carbon dioxide/helium tanks not adequately secured. Unsecured CO2 tank/s at bar.
Cove molding at floor/wall juncture broken/missing. Missing cove molding. Kitchen prep area.
Floor soiled/has accumulation of debris. Grease buildup on floor. Cookline.
Floors not maintained smooth and durable. Floors not smooth and easily cleanable. Kitchen. Rear storage. Per Person In Charge. Anticipated next few weeks.
Standing water in bottom of reach-in-cooler. Standing water in base of reach in cooler. Kitchen.
Dec 16, 2024Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 4 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
0 High priority2 Intermediate2 Basic
Show 4 findings ▾
No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. No paper towels at kitchen Hand Wash Sink.
No soap provided at handwash sink. No soap at kitchen Hand Wash Sink. Replaced by manger.
Buildup of food debris/soil residue on equipment door handles. Soiled exterior of equipment including handles to coolers.
Standing water in bottom of reach-in-cooler. Standing water in base of coolers. Kitchen.
Sep 30, 2024□ Call Back - CompliedRoutine Inspection
A return visit. The problems from the previous inspection had been dealt with.
0 High priority0 Intermediate0 Basic
Jul 31, 2024Warning IssuedRoutine Inspection
Violations found and a warning issued, with a return visit required. 11 recorded, 1 high priority.
1 High priority4 Intermediate6 Basic
Show 11 findings ▾
Food-contact surfaces not sanitized after cleaning, before use. Do not use equipment/utensils not properly sanitized. Dish machine chlorine 0ppm. Person In Charge set up manual sanitizing. Called service company. 100 ppm chlorine.
Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Limited access to kitchen Hand Wash Sink. Cooler too close to sink.
No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. Missing paper towels at Hand Wash Sink in kitchen. Replaced by manger.
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. No proof of any employee training available.
No soap provided at handwash sink. No soap at Hand Wash Sink in kitchen. Replaced by manger.
Buildup of food debris/soil residue on equipment door handles. Soiled exterior of equipment including handles to coolers. Kitchen.
Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Employee personal bag on shelf near restaurant foods. Moved by manager.
Floor area(s) covered with standing water. Standing water on floor by side of cookline cooler.
Interior of refrigerator or freezer in disrepair/has exposed insulation. Multiple coolers with loose / torn gaskets. Per Person In Charge. New gaskets on order. Arriving soon.
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Soiled Counters and shelves at kitchen. Grease buildup on some hood filters.
Standing water in bottom of reach-in-cooler. Standing water in base of kitchen cooler.
Dec 6, 2023Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 10 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
2 High priority3 Intermediate5 Basic
Show 10 findings ▾
Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. Cooked beans 47°. Cut tomato 47°. Cooed vegetables 47°.
Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Cooked beans 47°. Cut tomato 47°. Cooed vegetables 47°. dairy. egg. ham. placed about 2 hrs.before. Moved by manager. (46 F - Cold Holding)
Food manager certification expired. A list of accredited food manager certification examination providers can be found at http://www.myfloridalicense.com/DBPR/hotels-restaurants/food-lodging/food-manager/ KEN ELMORE 6/5/18
No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. Missing paper towels at kitchen Hand wash sink.
No soap provided at handwash sink. Missing soap at kitchen Hand wash sink.
Buildup of food debris/soil residue on equipment door handles. Soiled exterior of equipment including handles to coolers.
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. Walk in cooler blowing air 47°. Adjusted by manager. air flow 42° at end of inspection.
Drain cover(s) missing. Missing Drain over. By ice machine. Covered by manager.
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Soiled counters and shelves in kitchen.
Standing water or very slow draining water in handwash sink, three-compartment sink, or mop sink. Slow draining Hand wash sink.
Jul 13, 2023Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 4 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
0 High priority1 Intermediate3 Basic
Show 4 findings ▾
Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled. Unlabeled chemical bottle at bar.
Buildup of food debris/soil residue on equipment door handles. Soiled exterior of equipment including handles to coolers. Kitchen prep line.
Cove molding at floor/wall juncture broken/missing. Missing cove molding at walls. In kitchen.
Old labels stuck to food containers after cleaning. Old labels on exterior of cleaned containers. Dry rack.
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.