FALAFEL KING
3252 SW 35 BLVD, Gainesville FL 32608 · 352.375.6342
Last inspected Jun 26, 2026 · 11 visits since August 2023
SEP 24
JAN 25
JUL 25
NOV 25
JUN 26
— STEADY
5 inspections within 23 points of each other. Whatever this kitchen does, it does consistently.
Live, small flying insects in kitchen, food preparation area, food storage area and/or bar area. Observed: 1 flying insect in the market area.
★ Spotless◆ Clean streak● Perfect year✓ Never fined
Awarded on the inspection record alone. What they mean →
Inspection history
11 visits, newest first
Jun 26, 2026Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 10 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
4 High priority3 Intermediate3 Basic
What the inspector wrote — 10 findingsThe state's own report →
Gyro meat in a broiler that is turned off. Gyro broiler behind front counter. Manager turned gyro broiler on.
Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license. Observed : the current license expired on 6-1-2026.
Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed : gyro on the front line, 108°, heaters turned off. The heaters were turned back on, 167-194 in 15 minutes.
Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. Perfume stored over sugar water and bananas in front counter area.
Show the remaining 6 findings ▾
Certified food manager unable to answer basic Food Code questions pertaining to safe operation of establishment. Observed : manager/owner unable to answer basic allergen questions. Forms were sent.
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Blade of can opener in kitchen prep area soiled with old food debris. Cutting board on kitchen reach-in cooler stained. Shelves in reach-in freezer of storage area reach-in freezer.
No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. No hand wash sign or paper towels for kitchen hand wash sink.
Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Employee bottles of water on kitchen prep table.
Food not stored at least 6 inches off of the floor. Bag of onions in basket on kitchen floor.
Ice buildup in reach-in freezer and/or walk-in freezer. Reach-in freezer across from kitchen reach-in cooler.
Nov 10, 2025Administrative complaint recommendedRoutine Inspection
Referred for a formal case, which can lead to a fine. 9 violations recorded, 3 high priority.
3 High priority2 Intermediate4 Basic
Show 9 findings ▾
Raw animal food stored over or with unwashed produce. Observed : raw chicken stored over un-prepped vegetables in the kitchen reach-in cooler. The chicken was moved to the bottom shelf.
Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed : rice in the kitchen reach-in cooler, 58°. This was cooked yesterday, not cooled to 41° within 6 hours.
Time/temperature control for safety food not cooled from ambient temperature to 41 degrees Fahrenheit within four hours. See stop sale. Observed : rice in the kitchen reach-in cooler, 58°, cooked yesterday, not cooled to 41° within six hours.
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Observed : the can opener blade with dried food debris on it. ALSO, a cutting board in the kitchen prep area is stained.
Records/documents for required employee training do not contain all of the required information. Observed : Certified Food Manager number and some expiration dates are missing.
Current Hotel and Restaurant license not displayed. Observed : the current license was not in the book or on the board.
Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Observed : clutch purse, air freshener and perfume on the front line counter with straws, baklava display and plastic ware. The air freshener was moved below.
Equipment in poor repair. Observed : the gasket on the make table, left hand door is torn at the top.
Food not stored at least 6 inches off of the floor. Observed : onions in a wire basket, the bottom of the bag is not 6 inches off the floor.
Jul 28, 2025□ Call Back - CompliedRoutine Inspection
A return visit. The problems from the previous inspection had been dealt with.
0 High priority0 Intermediate0 Basic
Jul 25, 2025Warning IssuedRoutine Inspection
Violations found and a warning issued, with a return visit required. 9 recorded, 4 high priority.
4 High priority2 Intermediate3 Basic
Show 9 findings ▾
Container of medicine improperly stored. Observed : over the counter acid reducer stored with seasonings, overhead shelf.
Food stored in ice used for drinks. See stop sale. Observed : an unsealed bottle of water in the ice machine bin. The bottle was removed, ice was scooped out.
Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license. Observed : license expired on 6-01-2025. Owner asked accountant to pay for license.
Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed : hummus 60°, taboullah 60°, lettuce 54°, these were in the kitchen make table. Items stocked after 1:15. Gasket is torn on this unit. ALSO, milk in a reach-in cooler on the front line 48°. This was moved to the back of kitchen reach-in cooler.
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Observed : the can opener blade with dried food debris.
No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. Observed : no drying devices at the back kitchen hand wash sink. Napkins were added.
Cold holding equipment not maintained in good repair. Do not store time/temperature control for safety food in this unit until the unit is repaired. Observed : flip top, gasket compromised, time/temperature control for safety foods at 59+°.
Employee eating in a food preparation or other restricted area. Observed : employee eating food on the cook line make table cutting board. Front line staff redirected staff to eat in the dining room.
Equipment in poor repair. Observed reach-in cooler in the kitchen, gasket compromised.
Jan 7, 2025Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 5 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
2 High priority2 Intermediate1 Basic
Show 5 findings ▾
Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed: a gallon of milk in the front line reach-in cooler 49°. This was moved to the reach-in cooler with no lid. This item was opened last night and was used repeatedly during the day. ALSO, cooked rice was in a round pan on the prep table. This was taken out in response to a customer order. This was placed in the reach-in cooler with no cover. This dropped from 54 to 51 in 11 minutes.
Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. Observed: air freshener stored over the prep table in the kitchen. The spray cans were moved to cleaning.
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Observed: the can opener with dried food debris on the blade. This was moved to the 3 compartment sink.
No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. Observed: front line hand wash sink lacks paper towels. Napkins were added.
Time/temperature control for safety food thawed under water that was barely running/dripping. Observed: frozen chicken stored in the 3 compartment sink in standing water. This was moved into a bus pan with cold water running into it.
Sep 11, 2024□ Call Back - CompliedRoutine Inspection
A return visit. The problems from the previous inspection had been dealt with.
0 High priority0 Intermediate0 Basic
Sep 3, 2024Warning IssuedRoutine Inspection
Violations found and a warning issued, with a return visit required. 9 recorded, 2 high priority.
2 High priority5 Intermediate2 Basic
Show 9 findings ▾
Live, small flying insects in kitchen, food preparation area, food storage area and/or bar area. Observed: 1 flying insect in the market area.
Raw animal foods not properly separated from each other in holding unit based upon minimum required cooking temperature. Observed: raw chicken frozen in the market reach-in freezer, stored over unsealed lamb/shank.
Certified Food Manager or person in charge lacks knowledge of foodborne illnesses and symptoms of illness that would prevent an employee from working with food, clean equipment and utensils, and single-service items. Observed: person in charge is not able to recite big 6 food-bourne illnesses.
Commercially processed ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food opened and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked after opening. Observed: a gallon of milk in the front line reach-in cooler, opened yesterday per the staff, no date.
Handwash sink removed from food preparation/dishwashing area. Must be reinstalled in the same location where removed. Observed: hand wash sink that was next to the 3 compartment sink was removed when it was falling off the wall.
No probe thermometer provided to measure temperature of food products. Observed: no probe thermometer was made available at the start of the inspection. When the owner arrived, a probe thermometer was found in the black bag at the first table.
Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Observed: rice cold held in the reach-in cooler, made yesterday per the staff, no date mark.
Food not stored at least 6 inches off of the floor. Observed: bags of rice for sale in the market are not 6" off the floor, it is on a flat piece of sealed wood.
No Heimlich maneuver/choking sign posted. Observed: the choking poster could not be found.
Feb 6, 2024□ Call Back - CompliedRoutine Inspection
A return visit. The problems from the previous inspection had been dealt with.
0 High priority0 Intermediate0 Basic
Feb 5, 2024Administrative complaint recommendedRoutine Inspection
Referred for a formal case, which can lead to a fine. 5 violations recorded, 3 high priority.
3 High priority1 Intermediate1 Basic
Show 5 findings ▾
Nonfood-grade bags used in direct contact with food. Observed: logoed plastic bags used so store frozen food, in the reach-in freezer.
Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed: rice in the kitchen, 79F. This was placed uncovered in the reach-in cooler. ALSO, lamb in the reach-in freezer in the corner 45F. The door was closed and the lamb dropped to 43F.
Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed: gyro at the front counter, 97-109F. ALSO, gyro 83F. The gyro cooker was turned back on. The gyro in the kitchen was placed in the walk-in cooler.
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Observed: the ceiling of the lower microwave with an accumulation of dried food debris. Also the can opener has dried food debris on the blade. ALSO, the reach-in freezer has liquid spills at rye lower shelf. ALSO, the cutting boards in the 3 compartment sink have stains on them.
Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Observed: a container not labeled. A salt label was to be added.
Oct 19, 2023□ Call Back - CompliedRoutine Inspection
A return visit. The problems from the previous inspection had been dealt with.
0 High priority0 Intermediate0 Basic
Aug 15, 2023Warning IssuedRoutine Inspection
Violations found and a warning issued, with a return visit required. 9 recorded, 1 high priority.
1 High priority6 Intermediate2 Basic
Show 9 findings ▾
Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed: gyro on the front line, 97F. ALSO, gyro on the make line 112F. The gyro on the front line was turned back on, the gyro in the kitchen was placed uncovered in the reach-in cooler.
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Observed: the can opener with dried food debris. This was moved to the 3 compartment sink.
Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Observed: bus tubs in the kitchen hand wash sink. These were removed.
No certified food manager for establishment. A list of accredited food manager certification examination providers can be found at http://www.myfloridalicense.com/DBPR/hotels-restaurants/food-lodging/food-manager/ Observed lack of a Certified Food Manager for the business.
No proof of required state approved employee training provided for employee hired more than 60 days ago. To order approved program food safety material, call DBPR contracted provider: Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (SafeStaff) 866-372-7233. Observed: 1 employee over 60 days, no certificate.
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. Observed: 1 employee lacking verification.
No soap provided at handwash sink. Observed: the front line hand wash sink lacked soap. Soap was added. Also no paper towels on the front line, napkins awere added. ALSO, no paper towels at the kitchen hand wash sink. These were added.
Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Observed: phones stored next to the paper plates and deli wrap. Items were adjusted.
Food stored on floor. Observed cases of various dry goods stored on the floor.
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.