DOWN THE HATCH
4894 FRONT ST, Ponce Inlet FL 32127 · 386-761-4831
Last inspected May 4, 2026 · 8 visits since August 2023
JUL 24
FEB 25
JUN 25
NOV 25
MAY 26
≈ ERRATIC
5 inspections, swinging between A and C. Consistency is the problem here, not any single visit.
Live, small flying insects found -2 flying insects inside storage area near bar -2 flying insects in outside bar area near beverage station/ice well at end -must be in compliance upon the next unannounced inspection
★ Spotless◆ Clean streak● Perfect year✓ Never fined
Awarded on the inspection record alone. What they mean →
Disciplinary actions
1 case · $400
| Case | Violation date | Final order | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4--2019063545 | Nov 6, 2019 | Jan 17, 2020 | $400 |
Inspection history
8 visits, newest first
May 4, 2026Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 5 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
3 High priority0 Intermediate2 Basic
What the inspector wrote — 5 findingsThe state's own report →
Live, small flying insects found -2 flying insects inside storage area near bar -2 flying insects in outside bar area near beverage station/ice well at end -must be in compliance upon the next unannounced inspection
Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license.
Vacuum breaker missing at hose bibb or on fitting/splitter added to hose bibb. -threaded faucet inside bar next ti hand sink
Equipment in poor repair. -chipped racks inside salad cooler
Show the remaining 1 finding ▾
Floor tiles missing and/or in disrepair.
Nov 10, 2025Inspection Completed - No Further ActionComplaint Investigation
Met inspection standards. 2 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
0 High priority1 Intermediate1 Basic
Show 2 findings ▾
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. -soda gun interior
Floor tiles in disrepair. -some areas around grout
Jun 16, 2025Administrative complaint recommendedRoutine Inspection
Referred for a formal case, which can lead to a fine. 2 violations recorded, 2 high priority.
2 High priority0 Intermediate0 Basic
Show 2 findings ▾
Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license.
Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. -milk 45F, cut mixed greens 50F inside cooler in wait station
Feb 17, 2025Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 1 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
0 High priority0 Intermediate1 Basic
Show 1 finding ▾
Floor tiles missing and/or in disrepair.
Jul 23, 2024□ Call Back - CompliedComplaint Investigation
A return visit. The problems from the previous inspection had been dealt with.
0 High priority0 Intermediate1 Basic
Show 1 finding ▾
Floors not maintained smooth and durable. -ware washing area
Jul 22, 2024Warning IssuedComplaint Investigation
Violations found and a warning issued, with a return visit required. 5 recorded, 2 high priority.
2 High priority1 Intermediate2 Basic
Show 5 findings ▾
Employee touched soiled surface and then engaged in food preparation, handled clean equipment or utensils, or touched unwrapped single-service items without washing hands. -employee in back handled cell phone prior to handling clean pots for use in food preparation, manager instructed employee to wash hands.
Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. -raw fish 45-46F, beef steaks 46F, cheese 45F inside walk in cooler near door to kitchen. Manager stated door propped open for cleaning/restocking. Next day callback inspection required to verify cold holding temperatures.
Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. -utensils/knife stored inside hand sink
Floor area(s) covered with standing water. -ware washing area in front of dish machine inside uneven floor
Floors not maintained smooth and durable. -ware washing area
Feb 9, 2024Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 13 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
4 High priority1 Intermediate8 Basic
Show 13 findings ▾
Container of medicine improperly stored. -burn spray stored above bowls, squeeze bottles next ti hand sink
Raw animal foods not properly separated from each other in holding unit based upon minimum required cooking temperature. -raw comminuted beef stored above raw beef steaks inside walk in cooler. Advised of minimum cook temperature used for hierarchy
Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food marked with a date that exceeds 7 days after opening/preparation. -gouda sauce
Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food not consumed/sold within 7 days after opening/preparation. See stop sale. -gouda sauce marked 1/25
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. -slatted cooking surface next to fryers
Clean pan storage shelves with rust that has pitted the surface. -next to meat cooler
Cutting board has cut marks/holes and is no longer cleanable. -small cutting board on prep table across from fryers
Employee with no hair restraint while engaging in food preparation. -employees preparing/handling food without hair restraints.
Floor area(s) covered with standing water. -warewashing area in front of dish machine -adea near ice machine
In-use utensil in non-time/temperature control for safety food not stored with handle above top of food within a closed container. -uncooked rice bulk container in prep area
In-use utensil used with moist food stored in running water with insufficient velocity to flush food particles away.
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. -top surface of equipment next to fryers
Single-service articles improperly stored. -case of paper cups on floor from delivery inside dry storage room
Aug 7, 2023Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 14 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
7 High priority1 Intermediate6 Basic
Show 14 findings ▾
Date marked combined ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food not consumed/sold within 7 days of preparing/opening the earliest ready-to-eat time/temperature for safety ingredient. See stop sale. --house calamari dressing with commercially cooked peppers marked 7/28.
Employee touched soiled surface and then engaged in food preparation, handled clean equipment or utensils, or touched unwrapped single-service items without washing hands. -dishwasher pre wash/sprayed off soiled dishes before putting clean plates up in warewashing area
Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Raw seafood stored above crab cakes with commercially processed precooked crab meat inside stand up fridge at end of cookline near fry station
Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food marked with a date that exceeds 7 days after opening/preparation. -house calamari dressing with commercially cooked peppers marled 7/28. See stop sale
Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. -cooked peppers, inadequate hot holding more than 4 hours.
Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. -cooked peppers 110-117F not properly held under heat lamp at end of line. Manager stated since 10am, see stop sale. -cooked chowder 115 at edge-155F in middle, inside large pot on cook line, manager stated it was reheated to 165F this morning, heat was turned off. Advised to ensure adequate reheating to 165 before hot holding at 135F. Using smaller batches may be advisable for logistics of maintaining 135F of all hot food. -manager reheated chowder during inspection, corrected on site
Vacuum breaker missing at fitting/splitter added to hose bibb. -warewashing area, splitter with hose hooked up beneath
Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. -hand sink in warewashing area blocked by large garbage can
Accumulation of debris on exterior of warewashing machine.
Floor area(s) covered with standing water. -warewashing area
Floors not maintained smooth and durable.
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. -dust build up in floor fan in back prep area -hood filters
Reach-in cooler shelves with rust that has pitted the surface. -salad station inside cooler
Sanitizing solution for wiping cloths not free of food debris and visible soil.
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.