CUCINA SOUTH
4828 FIRST COAST HWY, Fernandina Beach FL 32034 · 904.432-7920
Last inspected Jun 22, 2026 · 9 visits since December 2023
MAR 24
DEC 24
MAY 25
FEB 26
JUN 26
≈ ERRATIC
5 inspections, swinging between B and F. Consistency is the problem here, not any single visit.
Live, small flying insects found. One (1) live fly observed on cook line in kitchen.
★ Spotless◆ Clean streak● Perfect year✓ Never fined
Awarded on the inspection record alone. What they mean →
Inspection history
9 visits, newest first
Jun 22, 2026□ Call Back - CompliedRoutine Inspection
A return visit. The problems from the previous inspection had been dealt with.
0 High priority0 Intermediate0 Basic
Jun 19, 2026Administrative complaint recommendedRoutine Inspection
Referred for a formal case, which can lead to a fine. 18 violations recorded, 6 high priority.
6 High priority3 Intermediate9 Basic
Show 18 findings ▾
Live, small flying insects found. Observed four (4) live flying insects near dish machine and end of cook line. Also, observed four (4) live flying insects behind bar and near register.
Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license. Establishment operating with license that expired June 1, 2026. Chef reached out to owner to renew license.
Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. In reach in freezer near dish machine, ziplock bag of raw tuna stored on ready to eat pasta. Chef moved raw tuna above raw beef.
Raw animal foods not properly separated from each other in holding unit based upon minimum required cooking temperature. In outside walk-in cooler on speed racks, raw beef steaks stored on sheet above raw shrimp. Chef moved shrimp above beef.
Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. In drink cooler near bar, half and half (46F - Cold Holding). Chef stated half and half has been in cooler all night. Ambient air of cooler 46F.
Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. In drink cooler near bar, half and half (46F - Cold Holding). Chef stated half and half has been in cooler all night. Ambient air of cooler 46F. No other Time/Temperature control for safety foods stored in cooler. Also, in reach in cooler next to steam tables, fresh garlic (50F - Cold Holding); pork (51F - Cold Holding); raw fish (49F - Cold Holding). Chef stated breaker tripped earlier and he didn't realize for about 15 minutes.
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Can opener attached to server table soiled with residues.
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. Two employees food handler training expired. Nichole B expired 5/9/26 and Kaylee M expired 3/27/26.
Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled. Hanging on side of dirty dish rack to left of three compartment sink, spray bottle with blue liquid not labeled. Chef labeled bottle.
Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin. Interior deflector plate soiled with black mold-like substance.
Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Employee backpack on bottom shelf of server table in kitchen next to cutting boards.
Floor soiled/has accumulation of debris. Floor under three compartment sink and dish machine soiled with debris.
Ice buildup in reach-in freezer and/or walk-in freezer. Ice build up in both reach in freezer on property.
In-use tongs stored on equipment door handle between uses. Multiple tongs on handle of oven on cook line. Chef removed tongs from oven handle.
In-use utensil not stored with handle above the top of time/temperature control for safety food and rim of the container. In reach in cooler on cook line next to stove, handle of scoop used for pico in product. Chef moved handle of scoop above rim of container.
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Multiple gaskets of reach in coolers on cook line soiled with food debris. Also, fan cover in outside walk-in cooler soiled with dust build up.
Reach-in cooler interior/shelves have accumulation of soil residues. Interior of reach in coolers on either end of cook line soiled with food debris/slime.
Ripped/worn tin foil used as shelf cover. On bottom shelf of server table in kitchen lined with aluminum foil that is torn.
Feb 12, 2026Administrative complaint recommendedRoutine Inspection
Referred for a formal case, which can lead to a fine. 10 violations recorded, 4 high priority.
4 High priority0 Intermediate6 Basic
Show 10 findings ▾
Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license. Establishment is operating either license that expired June 1, 2025. Chef contacted the owner and let him know to renew.
Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. In outside walk-in cooler on speed rack, metal pan of raw tuna stored next to dessert cake. Chef moved raw tuna to lower shelf.
Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. In reach in cooler at end of cook line, noodles (46F - Cold Holding). Chef stated noodles were out of cooler 20 mins prior to stock cooler then placed back into cooler. Chef placed noodles in freezer to bring temperature down quickly.
Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. Behind bar, four spray bottles of assorted cleaners hung on side of rack next to clean rolled utensils. Chef put spray bottles on bottom shelf. Also, in kitchen on clean dish rack spray bottle of bleach, bottle of soap and spray bottler of cleaner next/above clean dishes. Chef removed chemicals from shelf and placed on floor under 3 compartment sink.
Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin. Interior deflector plate of ice machine soiled with black mold-like substance.
Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. In container of sugar, plastic cup used as scoop. Chef removed cup from product.
Floor soiled/has accumulation of debris. Floor under kitchen equipment soiled with food debris. Also, floor under dish machine and 3 compartment sink soiled with black residue. Also, floor in non-working pizza oven room soiled with debris.
Ice buildup in reach-in freezer and/or walk-in freezer. Ice buildup up in reach in freezer on back door of kitchen.
Standing water in bottom of reach-in-cooler. Standing water in bottom of beer cooler behind bar area.
Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. In server area on top floor, container of sugar not labeled. Chef added label.
May 8, 2025Administrative complaint recommendedRoutine Inspection
Referred for a formal case, which can lead to a fine. 14 violations recorded, 4 high priority.
4 High priority1 Intermediate9 Basic
Show 14 findings ▾
Live, small flying insects found. One (1) live fly observed on cook line in kitchen.
Spray hose at dish sink lower than flood rim of sink. Spray hose at triple sink.
Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. Spray bottle containing chemical cleaner stored on counter of cook line in kitchen. Bottle moved and stored correctly. On shelf below prep table in kitchen, can of insecticide stored next to clean cutting boards and bowls. Can moved and stored correctly.
Vacuum breaker missing at hose bibb or on fitting/splitter added to hose bibb. Breaker missing on outside faucet on back side of building where green hose is attached. Chef states he will purchase breaker.
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Multiple cutting boards in kitchen are soiled/stained.
Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. In walk in cooler, pan used to scoop marinara sauce.
Dead roaches on premises. One (1) dead roach on floor in bar. Dead roach discarded.
Floors, walls, and/or ceilings soiled/has accumulation of debris. Floor under equipment in kitchen. Floor in bar. Floor in upstairs storage area. Floor in non-working pizza oven area. Walls under dish area.
Hole in or other damage to wall. Wall under dish area.
Ice buildup in reach-in freezer and/or walk-in freezer. Chest freezer outside near walk in cooler. Chest freezer in pizza oven room.
Nonfood-contact equipment exposed to splash/spillage not constructed of materials that are corrosion resistant, non-absorbent, smooth and easily cleanable. Outside back door near walk in cooler, white chest freezer shows rust. In kitchen across from cook line, shelf below prep table shows rust.
Single-service articles not stored inverted or protected from contamination. Foil containers on top shelf in upstairs storage area. Containers inverted.
Standing water in bottom of reach-in-cooler. Reach in cooler on cook line near rear exit.
Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. In upstairs storage area, bulk container of sugar not labeled.
Dec 27, 2024Administrative complaint recommendedRoutine Inspection
Referred for a formal case, which can lead to a fine. 19 violations recorded, 4 high priority.
4 High priority6 Intermediate9 Basic
Show 19 findings ▾
Employee handled soiled equipment or utensils and then engaged in food preparation, handled clean equipment or utensils, or touched unwrapped single-service items without washing hands. Employee in kitchen handle exterior of sanitizer bucket on floor and immediately handled clean knife to cut parsley without washing hands. Manager coached employee on proper hand washing procedures. Employee washed hands correctly.
Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license. License expired 06/01/2024.
Stop Sale issued due to adulteration of food product. 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. In reach in cooler on cook line, seven (7) packages of thawed red snapper not removed from reduced oxygen packaging. Snapper discarded. See stop sale.
Vacuum breaker missing at hose bibb or on fitting/splitter added to hose bibb. Missing on outside faucet on back side of establishment where green hose is attached.
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 written plan available. Inspector emailed Form 5030-104 (Clean Up Instructions for Vomitting/Diarrhea).
Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Hand washing sink in pizza oven area blocked by chairs. Chairs moved and stored correctly.
No chemical test kit provided when using sanitizer at three-compartment sink/warewashing machine or wiping cloths. Missing for quaternary ammonium sanitizer.
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. Missing for one employee working today.
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. Missing for one employee working today.
Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled. Spray bottle containing chemical cleaner stored on cart in upstairs server area. Bottle labeled.
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. In reach in cooler on cook line, seven (7) packages of thawed red snapper not removed from reduced oxygen packaging. Snapper discarded. See stop sale.
Dead roaches on premises. One (1) dead roach on floor in pizza oven area. Dead roach discarded.
Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Multiple employee water bottles on prep tables and shelves above prep areas. Bottles discarded.
Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Employee cell phone on shelf in prep area above flip top cooler in kitchen. Phone moved and stored correctly.
Floors, walls, and/or ceilings soiled/has accumulation of debris. Floor under ice machine in upstairs storage area. Floor in pizza oven area.
Ice buildup in reach-in freezer and/or walk-in freezer. Reach in freezer in pizza oven area.
Nonfood-contact equipment exposed to splash/spillage not constructed of materials that are corrosion resistant, non-absorbent, smooth and easily cleanable. Two white chest freezers (one outside) show rust.
Single-service articles improperly stored. Case of single use soufflé cups on floor in upstairs storage area. Cups moved and stored correctly.
Wiping cloth sanitizing solution stored on the floor. Red sanitizer bucket on floor on cook line. Bucket moved and stored correctly.
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
Mar 27, 2024Warning IssuedRoutine Inspection
Violations found and a warning issued, with a return visit required. 5 recorded, 2 high priority.
2 High priority0 Intermediate3 Basic
Show 5 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. 0 ppms
Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Chicken 47f noddles 47f stand along single door cooler on line, placed on ice
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.
Employee wearing jewelry other than a plain ring on their hands/arms while preparing food. Prep cake cutter at dessert station wearing watch
Ice buildup in reach-in freezer and/or walk-in freezer. Reach in cooler next to steam table unit frozen inside
Dec 22, 2023□ Call Back - CompliedRoutine Inspection
A return visit. The problems from the previous inspection had been dealt with.
0 High priority0 Intermediate0 Basic
Dec 13, 2023Warning IssuedRoutine Inspection
Violations found and a warning issued, with a return visit required. 4 recorded, 1 high priority.
1 High priority0 Intermediate3 Basic
Show 4 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.
Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Multiple drinks Over coolers, moved
Employee wearing jewelry other than a plain ring on their hands/arms while preparing food. Wearing watch, watch removed
In-use tongs stored on equipment door handle between uses. Tongs hanging on oven doors.
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.