ESSENCE OF INDIA
1105 APALACHEE PKWY UNIT A, Tallahassee FL 32301 · 850 345 8846
Last inspected Feb 5, 2026 · 9 visits since October 2023
MAR 24
AUG 24
FEB 25
JUL 25
JAN 26
≈ ERRATIC
5 inspections, swinging between A and F. Consistency is the problem here, not any single visit.
Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. Observed following food items cold holding more than 4 hours: Chicken 45F Lamb 46F
★ Spotless◆ Clean streak● Perfect year✓ Never fined
Awarded on the inspection record alone. What they mean →
Inspection history
9 visits, newest first
Feb 5, 2026□ Call Back - CompliedComplaint Investigation
A return visit. The problems from the previous inspection had been dealt with.
0 High priority0 Intermediate0 Basic
Jan 26, 2026Warning IssuedComplaint Investigation
Violations found and a warning issued, with a return visit required. 12 recorded, 2 high priority.
2 High priority1 Intermediate9 Basic
Show 12 findings ▾
Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. Observed following food items cold holding for more than 4 hours: Raw chicken 56F Grilled chicken 47F
Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed following food items cold holding for less than 4 hours: Lamb 45F Beef 47F Chick peas 45F Chicken curry 46F. Operator placed food items inside walk in cooler during time of inspection. Observed following food items cold holding for more than 4 hours: Raw chicken 56F Grilled chicken 47F
Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Observed dish cleaner inside handwashing sink near bar entrance.
Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin near walk in cooler.
Carbon dioxide/helium tanks not adequately secured.
Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance. Observed ceiling tiles throughout kitchen accumulated with dust.
Cutting board inside kitchen across from stove has cut marks and is no longer cleanable.
Floor tiles missing and/or in disrepair inside kitchen near three compartment sink.
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed hood vents soiled with grease, and food debris. Observed exterior of heavy duty blender soiled with food debris. Observed exterior of white deep freezer soiled with dirt, grease and food debris.
Single-service articles improperly stored. Observed box containing plastic cups and lids stored on floor near bar area. Operator properly placed items during time of inspection.
Stored food not covered. Observed chicken, onion sauce and butter sauce uncovered inside walk in cooler.
Wall behind three compartment sink soiled with accumulated grease, food debris, and/or dust.
Jul 8, 2025Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 8 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
1 High priority1 Intermediate6 Basic
Show 8 findings ▾
Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed following food items cold holding less than 4 hours: Lamb 44F Chicken 44F. Operator placed food items inside walk in cooler during time of inspection.
No soap provided at handwash sink. No soda provided at hand-sink in kitchen and bar area. Operator added soap to sink during time of inspection.
Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin.
Carbon dioxide/helium tanks not adequately secured. CO tanks behind bar are not properly secured.
Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance. Observed ceilings vents throughout kitchen accumulated with dust.
Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. I serene employee beverage on prep sink in kitchen. Operator threw away drink during time of inspection.
Floor tiles missing and/or in disrepair. Missing floor tile near entrance to bar area.
Wall soiled with accumulated grease, food debris, and/or dust. Observed wall in prep area soiled with food debris.
Feb 27, 2025Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 13 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
3 High priority4 Intermediate6 Basic
Show 13 findings ▾
Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. Observed following food items cold holding more than 4 hours: Chicken 45F Lamb 46F
Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed following food items cold holding more than 4 hours: Chicken 45F Lamb 46F. *See stop sale
Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed white rice hot holding less than 4 hours at 125F during inspection. Operator began to reheat food item during inspection.
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Observed heavy duty blender soiled with food debris.
Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Observed food inside hand washing sink next to three door reach in cooler.
No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. No paper towels or soap at handwashing sink in bar area.
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.
Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin.
Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Observed bowl inside red sauce with no handle.
Carbon dioxide/helium tanks not adequately secured. CO tanks not properly secured.
Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance. Observed ceiling vents soiled with dust throughout kitchen.
Floor tiles missing and/or in disrepair. Observed floor tiles cracked next to three compartment sink.
Wall soiled with accumulated grease, food debris, and/or dust. Observed Walls throughout kitchen soiled with food debris, and grease.
Dec 13, 2024□ Call Back - CompliedComplaint Investigation
A return visit. The problems from the previous inspection had been dealt with.
0 High priority0 Intermediate0 Basic
Aug 28, 2024Warning IssuedComplaint Investigation
Violations found and a warning issued, with a return visit required. 23 recorded, 3 high priority.
3 High priority5 Intermediate15 Basic
Show 23 findings ▾
Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Observed raw eggs stored green yogurt sauce in walk in cooler.
Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed tomato curry sauce 46°F and curry chicken 55°F I walk in cooler, per manager stored more than 24 hours.
Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed tomato sauce 46°F and curry chicken 55°F I walk in cooler, per manager stored more than 24 hours.
Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing, spoons inside handwashing sink near employee entrance.
No chemical test kit provided when using sanitizer at three-compartment sink/warewashing machine or wiping cloths, for chlorine.
No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. Observed no paper towels at sink in bar area.
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 soap provided at handwash sink. Observed no soap at hand wash sink in bar area.
Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin.
Carbon dioxide/helium tanks not adequately secured. Observed co2 tanks not secured behind bar area.
Ceiling tile missing. Observed ceiling tiles missing near 3 compartment sink.
Clean glasses, cups, bowls, plates, pots and pans not stored inverted or in a protected manner. Observed pans stored upright on shelving throughout kitchen.
Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Observed cell phone stored on expo cooler.
Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting. Observed wet nesting of pans in ware washing area.
Floor tiles missing and/or in disrepair. Observed floor tiles in disrepair in ware washing area and bar area.
In-use ice scoop stored on soiled surface between uses. Observed ice scoop stored directly on ice machine.
In-use utensil stored in standing water less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed utensils in standing water 113°F.
Interior of oven/microwave has accumulation of black substance/grease/food debris. Observed oven, stove, microwave soiled with food debris.
No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees, in bar area.
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed hood vents soiled with grease, Also observed soda gun and soda gun holster soiled with slime and mold like substance in bar area.
Single-service articles improperly stored. Observed clam shell containers stored in the floor near employee entrance to kitchen.
Walk-in cooler/freezer shelves with rust that has pitted the surface.
Wall soiled with accumulated grease, food debris, and/or dust. Observed walls soiled throughout kitchen area.
Mar 27, 2024Inspection 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 ▾
Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance. Observed ceiling throughout kitchen with accumulation of dust.
Floor tiles missing and/or in disrepair. Observed broken floor tile to left on warewash area.
Wall soiled with accumulated grease, food debris, and/or dust. Observed walls throughout kitchen with accumulation of food debris.
Oct 12, 2023□ Call Back - CompliedRoutine Inspection
A return visit. The problems from the previous inspection had been dealt with.
0 High priority0 Intermediate0 Basic
Oct 11, 2023Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 11 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
3 High priority0 Intermediate8 Basic
Show 11 findings ▾
Cooked/heated time/temperature control for safety food not cooled from 135 degrees Fahrenheit to 41 degrees Fahrenheit within 6 hours. Observed cooked goat 45F and cooked beef 45F in expo cooler near walk in cooler, per manager stored overnight.
Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. Observed goat 45F and beef 45F in expo cooler near walk in cooler, per manager stored overnight.
Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed cut tomatoes 52F in expo cooler near servers area. Per manager stored 40 minutes ago, placed in ice bath.
Carbon dioxide/helium tanks not adequately secured. Observed co2 tanks not secured, bar area.
Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance. Observed hood vents soiled with grease and food, also observed AC vents with dust accumulation.
Floor soiled/has accumulation of debris. Observed floors with old food debris near ovens and storage areas.
Floor tiles missing and/or in disrepair. Observed floor tile missing in bar area.
In-use utensil stored in standing water less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed utensils stored in standing water 82F next to oven.
No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees. Observed no hand wash sign at sink in bar area.
Stored food not covered. Observed chicken pieces and shrimp not covered in expo cooler near servers area and also rice in walk in cooler not covered, goat and beef also not covered expo cooler near walk in cooler.
Wet wiping cloth not stored in sanitizing solution between uses. Observed wet wiping cloths stored on prep tables.
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.