FALAFEL N CAFE
24139 US 19 N, Clearwater FL 33763 · 727-401-3078
Last inspected Aug 24, 2026 · 9 visits since August 2023
NOV 24
APR 25
AUG 25
MAR 26
AUG 26
≈ ERRATIC
5 inspections, swinging between B and D. Consistency is the problem here, not any single visit.
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. - manager printed a written procedure
★ 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3--2021046409 | Sep 23, 2021 | Nov 17, 2021 | $400 |
Inspection history
9 visits, newest first
Aug 24, 2026Warning IssuedRoutine Inspection
Violations found and a warning issued, with a return visit required. 5 recorded, 4 high priority.
4 High priority0 Intermediate1 Basic
What the inspector wrote — 5 findingsThe state's own report →
Container of medicine improperly stored. Burn spray stored on shelf above food.
Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. hummus (48F - Cold Holding); tzatziki sauce (47F - Cold Holding); egg plant (48F - Cold Holding
Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. hummus (48F - Cold Holding); tzatziki sauce (47F - Cold Holding); egg plant (48F - Cold Holding
Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. Glue stored next to clean equipment.
Show the remaining 1 finding ▾
Food stored on floor. Bottled water.
Mar 17, 2026Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 5 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
1 High priority1 Intermediate3 Basic
Show 5 findings ▾
Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Raw eggs over bread in reach in cooler. Operator rearranged the cooler to gain compliance.
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Serving utensils soiled in container with clean stored utensils.
Floor soiled/has accumulation of debris. Walls have an accumulation of grease behind front counter
Food stored on floor. Fryer oil and cans of tomatoes stored on the floor.
Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name.Squeeze bottles containing foods removed removed from the original container not labeled with common name.
Oct 20, 2025□ Call Back - CompliedRoutine Inspection
A return visit. The problems from the previous inspection had been dealt with.
1 High priority0 Intermediate3 Basic
Show 4 findings ▾
Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Beef raw 46F cold hold, all other food items in the refrigerated unit meet minimum temperature requirements. Cooler door was slightly ajar. Operator placed in freezer to cool.
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Light switches and door handles have an accumulation of grease and food debris.
Wall soiled with accumulated grease, food debris, and/or dust. Walls soiled throughout the establishments
Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Food containers containing food removed from its original container not labeled with common name.
Aug 12, 2025Warning IssuedRoutine Inspection
Violations found and a warning issued, with a return visit required. 7 recorded, 1 high priority.
1 High priority1 Intermediate5 Basic
Show 7 findings ▾
Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Beef raw 46F cold hold, all other food items in the refrigerated unit meet minimum temperature requirements. Cooler door was slightly ajar. Operator placed in freezer to cool.
Required employee training expired for all employees. To order approved program food safety material, call DBPR contracted provider: Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (SafeStaff) 866-372-7233. 2 employees, both expired July 2025, discussed the need to brink
Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Employee beverage drink beverage stored on shelf above food prep table.
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Light switches and door handles have an accumulation of grease and food debris.
Wall soiled with accumulated grease, food debris, and/or dust. Walls soiled throughout the establishments
Wet wiping cloth not stored in sanitizing solution between uses.
Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Food containers containing food removed from its original container not labeled with common name.
Apr 10, 2025Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 6 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
2 High priority1 Intermediate3 Basic
Show 6 findings ▾
Employee failed to wash hands before putting on gloves to initiate a task working with food. Employee slouched soiled surfaces and then used gloves to prepare food. No hand wash. Discussed proper hand washing
Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Raw meat stored overcooked beef bread. Operator rearranged foods to gain compliance
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.
Employee with no hair restraint while engaging in food preparation. Cook had no hair restraint at time of inspection. Discussed the importance of wearing hair restraints when involved in food prep.
Floor soiled/has accumulation of debris. Floors walls and ceilings cook line, dish area, storage areas.
Unnecessary items/unused equipment on the premises. Several pieces of non working equipment such as ice maker and freezers stored outside. Discussed the importance of not having broken equipment outside including the possible attraction to vermin.
Jan 23, 2025□ Call Back - CompliedRoutine Inspection
A return visit. The problems from the previous inspection had been dealt with.
1 High priority2 Intermediate6 Basic
Show 9 findings ▾
Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Raw shrimp above shredded cheese on door of reach in freezer. Raw beef stored over jar of pickles and dough in reach in cooler.
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris. Cutting boards on cold holding units stained. Soda nozzles soiled. Operator states the soda machine is not working at the moment. Discussed the need to keep all equipment in the restaurant clean and sanitized.
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. Employee Stella has no proof of health reporting responsibilities. All other employees have proof.
Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable.
Employee with no hair restraint while engaging in food preparation. Employee cutting raw beef not wearing hair restraint.
Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting. Glasss stacked wet
Food stored on floor. Onions stored on floor. Operator relocated.
No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees. No handwash sign at sink near front counter
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with food debris. Reach in cooler gaskets.
Nov 18, 2024Warning IssuedRoutine Inspection
Violations found and a warning issued, with a return visit required. 17 recorded, 2 high priority.
2 High priority5 Intermediate10 Basic
Show 18 findings ▾
Quaternary ammonium sanitizer not at proper minimum strength for manual warewashing. Do not use equipment/utensils not properly sanitized. 0ppm. Operator refilled, second test 200ppm
Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Raw shrimp above shredded cheese on door of reach in freezer. Raw beef stored over jar of pickles and dough in reach in cooler.
Food manager certification expired. A list of accredited food manager certification examination providers can be found at http://www.myfloridalicense.com/DBPR/hotels-restaurants/food-lodging/food-manager/ Michael Basily expired 4/22/24
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris. Cutting boards on cold holding units stained. Soda nozzles soiled. Operator states the soda machine is not working at the moment. Discussed the need to keep all equipment in the restaurant clean and sanitized.
No plan review submitted and approved - renovations were made or are in progress. Must submit plans and plan review application to DBPR H and R Plan Review office located at 2601 Blair Stone Rd., Tallahassee, FL 32399-1011. Plans must be submitted AND approved within 60 days. The direct link to the Plan Review page is http://www.myfloridalicense.com/DBPR/hotels-restaurants/licensing/plan-review/. Operator has 2 charcoal grills outdoors. He states one is broken, and the other is used to cook kofta. No walk in cooler outside. There is a broken reach in cooler but the operator states he is not going to repair cooler.
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. Employee Stella has no proof of health reporting responsibilities. All other employees have proof.
Operator is not properly tracking/marking the number of days ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite was held at refrigeration temperatures prior to freezing in order to properly date mark the food when it is thawed and held at refrigeration temperatures again. Potato salad prepared 11/08/2024 in reach in cooler. Operator states it was placed in the freezer after it was prepared and placed back into the reach in cooler 2 days ago. Operator put correct date mark on potato salad.
Clean glasses, cups, bowls, plates, pots and pans not stored inverted or in a protected manner. Multiple pots and bowls not inverted in kitchen and warewashing area. Discussed with owner.
Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable.
Employee with no hair restraint while engaging in food preparation. Employee cutting raw beef not wearing hair restraint.
Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting. Glasss stacked wet
Food stored on floor. Onions stored on floor. Operator relocated.
No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees. No handwash sign at sink near front counter
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with food debris. Reach in cooler gaskets.
Wiping cloth quaternary ammonium compound sanitizing solution not at proper minimum strength. 0ppm, operator refilled. 200ppm second test
Wiping cloth sanitizing solution stored on the floor. Operator placed bucket under sanitizer bucket.
Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Multiple squeeze bottles in kitchen not labeled
Portable fire extinguisher gauge in red zone. For reporting purposes only.
May 29, 2024Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 9 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
3 High priority1 Intermediate5 Basic
Show 9 findings ▾
Nonfood-grade bags used in direct contact with food. Grocery bags are used to store food in upright refrigerator at front counter.
Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. From reach-in coolers on cooks line near front counter at 4:15pm. Employee placed items in ice bath. Re check at 4:40pm a. hummus (53F - Cold Holding); 43f b. baba ghanouj (53F - Cold Holding); 43f c. tzatziki sauce (53F - Cold Holding); 46f d. diced tomatoes (48F - Cold Holding); 40f e. cut lettuce (51F - Cold Holding) 42f
Warewashing sanitizing solution exceeding the maximum concentration allowed. Three-compartment sink chlorine sanitizer exceeding 200ppm. Operator added water to sanitizer. Re checked reading 50ppm.
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Meat slicer used more than 4 hours ago is soiled with food debris.
Both cutting boards in reach-in coolers in cooks line has cut marks and is no longer cleanable.
Current Hotel and Restaurant license not displayed.
Exterior door has a gap on sides, top and bottom that opens to the outside.
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Soiled gaskets on reach-in cooler doors next to fat-fryer.
Reach-in cooler next to fat-fryer interior have accumulation of soil residues.
Aug 21, 2023Administrative complaint recommendedComplaint Investigation
Referred for a formal case, which can lead to a fine. 15 violations recorded, 3 high priority.
3 High priority4 Intermediate8 Basic
Show 15 findings ▾
Cooked/heated time/temperature control for safety food not cooled from 135 degrees Fahrenheit to 41 degrees Fahrenheit within 6 hours. Cooked pasta covered at 64 F at 12:00 pm in reach in cooler at cook line - cooled from previous night per cook - reviewed cooling methods and procedures - person in charge discarded pasta
Cooked/heated time/temperature control for safety food not cooled from 135 degrees Fahrenheit to 70 degrees Fahrenheit within two hours and from 135 degrees Fahrenheit to 41 degrees Fahrenheit within six hours. See stop sale. Cooked pasta covered at 64 F at 12:00 pm in reach in cooler at cook line - cooled from previous night per cook - reviewed cooling methods and procedures - person in charge discarded pasta
Employee began working with food, handling clean equipment or utensils, or touching unwrapped single-service items without first washing hands. Cook entered kitchen and began removing pitas from package without washing hands first. Reviewed proper hand washing with cook - cook then washed hands properly
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. - manager printed a written procedure
No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink in front cook line area - person in charge placed towels at hand wash sink
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. - manager printed the employee heath reporting agreement, reviewed with employees and had the employees sign the document
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. No proof of employee training for Estella hired 2 years
Food stored outside. Boxes of produce stored in reach in cooler outside back door - operator moved food to the inside kitchen- operator to remove cooler from outside area
Interior of microwave has accumulation of grease/food debris at cook line
No Heimlich maneuver/choking sign posted. Manager printed and posted the choking poster
No copy of latest inspection report available.
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. - heavily soiled gaskets on coolers in front cook line area
Reach-in coolers interior/shelves have accumulation of soil residues in front cook line area
Unnecessary items/unused equipment on the premises. Broken freezer and cooler in the back area of establishment
Unprotected ice machine in a customer/nonsecure area. Ice machine stored in the back area of the restaurant not locked and fence open on east side - operator locked fenced area and wired fence to pole in enclosure
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.