ELK HOUSE EATERY
6357 A1A SOUTH, Saint Augustine FL 32080 · 904-377-4129
Last inspected Aug 25, 2026 · 7 visits since January 2024
MAY 24
NOV 24
MAY 25
FEB 26
JUN 26
▲ GETTING WORSE
5 inspections, one direction. The current grade is the worst on record.
Employee touching ready-to-eat food with their bare hands - food was not being heated as a sole ingredient to 145 degrees F or immediately added to other ingredients to be cooked/heated to the minimum required temperature to allow bare hand contact. Establishment has no approved Alternative Operating Procedure. Observed employee preparing a salad and grabbing ingredients with bare hands.
★ Spotless◆ Clean streak● Perfect year✓ Never fined
Awarded on the inspection record alone. What they mean →
Inspection history
7 visits, newest first
Aug 25, 2026□ Call Back - CompliedRoutine Inspection
A return visit. The problems from the previous inspection had been dealt with.
0 High priority0 Intermediate0 Basic
Jun 17, 2026Administrative complaint recommendedRoutine Inspection
Referred for a formal case, which can lead to a fine. 9 violations recorded, 3 high priority.
3 High priority3 Intermediate3 Basic
Show 9 findings ▾
Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. In walk in cooler raw oysters stored over créme brûlée. Person in charge moved to appropriate location.
Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food not consumed/sold within 7 days after opening/preparation. See stop sale. Cooked shell eggs ice bath chilled dated 6/5.
Stop Sale issued due to food not being in a wholesome, sound condition. Cabbage cooked,bagged cold, vacuum sealed and frozen 2/17 per person in charge with no approved haccp. 1 package of tuna with instructions to remove from packaging thawed in sealed ROP in walk in cooler.
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Several cutting boards in kitchen with staining.
Operator is doing a special process, conducting reduced oxygen packaging, cooking time/temperature control for safety food to a time and temperature combination lesser than those in the Food Code or operating a molluscan shellfish tank for human consumption without a HACCP plan approved by the Division of Hotels and Restaurants. Establishment is vacuum sealing chicken raw, sous vides product, then holds in sealed ROP bag for longer than 48 hours per person in charge. Provided operator haccp information.
When operator asked to identify product used for specific item advertised on menu/menu board, operator indicated an imitation product or different product was used. Observed Jumbo Gulf Shrimp on the menu. Per person in charge serving farm raised shrimp, unable to provide invoice for Gulf shrimp. Per person in charge recently changed menu. No gulf shrimp on site.
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. 1 package of tuna with instructions to remove from packaging thawed in sealed ROP in walk in cooler.
Equipment in poor repair. Multiple spatulas with missing edges. Also several in use containers with cracked edges, missing pieces.
Hole in or other damage to wall. Hole in wall under dishmachine, cove molding missing from wall along wall by back door.
Feb 6, 2026Inspection 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 ▾
Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin. Ice plate inside ice machine is soiled.
Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable. 2 boards are deeply grooved.
In-use knife/knives/spatula stored in cracks between pieces of equipment. Spatula in between tables.
In-use tongs stored on equipment door handle between uses. Tongs hanging from oven door. Person in charge removed.
Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Flour not labeled. Person in charge labeled.
May 28, 2025Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 4 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
2 High priority0 Intermediate2 Basic
Show 4 findings ▾
Employee touching ready-to-eat food with their bare hands - food was not being heated as a sole ingredient to 145 degrees F or immediately added to other ingredients to be cooked/heated to the minimum required temperature to allow bare hand contact. Establishment has no approved Alternative Operating Procedure. Observed employee preparing a salad and grabbing ingredients with bare hands.
Stop Sale issued due to food not being in a wholesome, sound condition. Employee preparing salad with bare hands.
Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable. Cutting boards on cookline coolers no longer cleanable.
Ice buildup in reach-in freezer and/or walk-in freezer. Ice buildup up in reach in freezer.
Nov 15, 2024Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 4 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
0 High priority0 Intermediate4 Basic
Show 4 findings ▾
Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin. Ice plate has black/mold like substance on it.
Food stored on floor. Salmon on floor in walk in cooler. Person in charge moved salmon to store correctly.
In-use knife/knives/spatula stored in cracks between pieces of equipment. Spatula in between fryers. Person in charge removed.
Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Salt and peeper not labeled. Person in charge labeled.
May 29, 2024Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 5 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
1 High priority0 Intermediate4 Basic
Show 5 findings ▾
Raw animal foods not properly separated from one another based upon minimum required cooking temperature when stored in a freezer - not all products commercially packaged. In reach in freezer; raw chicken over raw venison. Person in charge rearranged.
Ice buildup in reach-in freezer and/or walk-in freezer. Reach in freezer has ice accumulation.
In-use utensil in non-time/temperature control for safety food not stored with handle above top of food within a closed container. Scoop handle laying in corn bread. Person in charge removed handle.
No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees. Missing at bar hand washing sink. Emailed to operator.
Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Breading not labeled. Person in charge labeled.
Jan 25, 2024Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 3 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
1 High priority1 Intermediate1 Basic
Show 3 findings ▾
Raw animal foods not properly separated from each other in holding unit based upon minimum required cooking temperature. Raw chicken over raw duck in reach in freezer. Person in charge rearranged chicken to bottom shelf.
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. 2 persons do not have their certificates.
Opened employee beverage container in a cold holding unit with food to be served to customers. Person in charge moved drink.
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.