Eat SafelyIn Florida
Home/Fort Walton Beach/CRACK OF DAWN CAFE

CRACK OF DAWN CAFE

550 MARY ESTHER CUT OFF NW UNIT 11, Fort Walton Beach FL 32548 · 850-374-8561

Last inspected Jul 29, 2026 · 9 visits since August 2023

Licence typeRestaurant
Seats56
Risk levelRisk Level 2
LicenceSEA5604234
Grade history
DEC 24
FEB 25
SEP 25
MAR 26
JUL 26
▼ IMPROVING

5 inspections trending up, 17 points better than where it started.

Worst finding on record
Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license. License expired June 1, 2023. Operator updated license during inspection.
High priority/50-17-3/Corrected On-Site
Badges — 2 earned
★ Spotless◆ Clean streak● Perfect year✓ Never fined

Awarded on the inspection record alone. What they mean →

Inspection history

9 visits, newest first

Jul 29, 2026Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection

Met inspection standards. 1 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.

0 High priority0 Intermediate1 Basic
What the inspector wrote — 1 finding
Ceiling tile missing. Ceiling tile over back door missing. Ceiling tile over walk in cooler warped/not seated properly.
Basic/36-36-4/Repeat Violation
Mar 3, 2026Inspection 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 ▾
Carbon dioxide/helium tanks not adequately secured. Carbon dioxide container near ice machine not secure.
Basic/51-11-4/Repeat Violation
Ceiling tile missing. Ceiling tile in kitchen where AC vent is located is missing.
Basic/36-36-4/Repeat Violation
Single-service articles improperly stored. Box of single use containers and lids stored on ground below dry storage racks near ice machine.
Basic/25-05-4
Sep 23, 2025Inspection 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 ▾
Carbon dioxide/helium tanks not adequately secured. Upon inspection observed CO2 tanks not secured.
Basic/51-11-4
Ceiling tile missing. Upon inspection observed ceiling tile missing in kitchen.
Basic/36-36-4
Ice buildup in reach-in freezer and/or walk-in freezer. Upon inspection observed ice buildup inside one of reach in freezers in kitchen.
Basic/14-69-4
Feb 19, 2025Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection

Nothing was found. The inspector recorded no violations at all.

0 High priority0 Intermediate0 Basic
Feb 19, 2025□ Call Back - CompliedRoutine Inspection

A return visit. The problems from the previous inspection had been dealt with.

0 High priority0 Intermediate0 Basic
Dec 12, 2024Warning IssuedRoutine Inspection

Violations found and a warning issued, with a return visit required. 4 recorded, 1 high priority.

1 High priority1 Intermediate2 Basic
Show 4 findings ▾
Pesticide/insecticide labeled for household use only present in establishment. Observed two cans of Raid on top of freezer in kitchen. Operator discarded cans during inspection
High priority/41-05-4/Corrected On-Site
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 employee training available for employees over 60 days
Intermediate/53B-01-5/Warning
Ceiling tile missing. Multiple ceiling tiles in kitchen missing
Basic/36-36-4
Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting. Cups wet nesting on shelf behind front counter
Basic/24-08-4
Jun 4, 2024Inspection Completed - No Further ActionLicensing Inspection

Met inspection standards. 1 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.

0 High priority1 Intermediate0 Basic
Show 1 finding ▾
Raw/undercooked animal food offered and establishment has no written consumer advisory. Raw animal foods must be fully cooked prior to service: Establishment serves eggs cooked to order but does not have a Consumer Advisory. Inspector gave one to Owner/Operator.
Intermediate/02B-02-5
Jan 23, 2024Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection

Met inspection standards. 2 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.

0 High priority1 Intermediate1 Basic
Show 2 findings ▾
No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. At hand wash sink near dish machine.
Intermediate/31B-02-4
Ceiling/ceiling tile shows damage or is in disrepair. Damaged tiles over ice machine.
Basic/36-32-5
Aug 7, 2023Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection

Met inspection standards. 2 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.

1 High priority0 Intermediate1 Basic
Show 2 findings ▾
Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license. License expired June 1, 2023. Operator updated license during inspection.
High priority/50-17-3/Corrected On-Site
Carbon dioxide/helium tanks not adequately secured. Tank used as door stop at entryway to kitchen.
Basic/51-11-4/Repeat Violation

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.