GATORS DOCKSIDE OF ST JOHNS
485-1 SR 13 N, Saint Johns FL 32259 · 904.230-4353
Last inspected May 18, 2026 · 12 visits since July 2023
MAY 24
AUG 24
JUN 25
DEC 25
MAY 26
≈ ERRATIC
5 inspections, swinging between A and D. Consistency is the problem here, not any single visit.
Live, small flying insects in kitchen, food preparation area, food storage area and/or bar area. Observed roughly 14 small flies in the dry storage room by the bulk ice bin. Observed 4 small flies on the waitstation line by the iced tea dispenser. Operator states just has pipes in kitchen cleaned which flushed the flies to the open areas.
★ Spotless◆ Clean streak● Perfect year✓ Never fined
Awarded on the inspection record alone. What they mean →
Inspection history
12 visits, newest first
May 18, 2026Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 11 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
2 High priority1 Intermediate8 Basic
What the inspector wrote — 11 findingsThe state's own report →
Cooked poultry not reaching a minimum internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed on grill Chicken wings (122F-125F - Cooking). Manager placed chicken wings back on grill. Took second temperature at 167F.
Live, small flying insects found. Observed total of 4 flying insects. 2 flying insects in office area. 2 flying insects in warehouse washing area.
Required employee training expired for some employees. To order approved program food safety material, call DBPR contracted provider: Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (SafeStaff) 866-372-7233. Observed some employee food training expired.
Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin. Observed interior of ice machine soiled with mold like substance near ice chute of unit.
Show the remaining 7 findings ▾
Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance. Observed ceiling air vent in kitchen dusty.
Drain cover(s) missing. Observed drain cover missing at mop sink. Manager placed drain cover on drain.
Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Observed employee drink on food preparation table. Employee removed and stored properly.
Exterior door has a gap at the threshold that opens to the outside. Observed light shining from outside at bottom of kitchen exit door.
Floor tiles missing and/or in disrepair. Observed floor tiles in disrepair throughout kitchen.
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed walk in cooler door gasket soiled with mold like substance. Observed filters over grill area soiled with grease.
Wet mop not stored in a manner to allow the mop to dry. Observed wet mop stored inside mop bucket. Manager will store mop to dry properly.
Dec 9, 2025Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 9 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
2 High priority1 Intermediate6 Basic
Show 9 findings ▾
Dented/rusted cans present. See stop sale. 2 cans of red raspberry preserves on rack in back storage area.
Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. Bottles of bleach stored with bags of flour at end of cook line, bottles moved.
Food being cooled by nonapproved method as evidenced by inadequate rate of cooling during time of inspection. ranch with buttermilk (49F - Cooling, after 40 minutes 49F) in deep plastic covered container in walk in cooler, per manager ranch was made 1.75 hours prior, ranch put in walk in freezer and lid removed. tempura batter (44F - Cooling, after 40 minutes 45F) in reach in cooler on make line, per manager batter was made about 3 hours prior and left next to door to reach in cooler, batter moved to walk in cooler.
Floor soiled/has accumulation of debris. All floors at bar area have a build up of standing water and food debris. Floors under large ice machine in kitchen have a build up of food debris. Floors under equipment on cook line have a build up of grease.
In-use ice scoop stored on soiled surface between uses. Interior of blue container ice scoop is in has a build up of mold like substance spots at bottom.
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Hand wash station at bar has a build up of mold like substance. Exterior of large ice machine has a build up of mold like substance and lime scale.
Objectionable odors in bathroom or other areas of the establishment. In both men's and women's bathroom. Around triple sink at bar.
Reach-in cooler interior/shelves have accumulation of soil residues. Interior of large ice machine in kitchen has a build up of mold like substance on deflector plate. Interior of all reach in coolers at bar have a build up of food debris, standing water, and rust.
Wiping cloth quaternary ammonium compound sanitizing solution not at proper minimum strength. Sanitation bucket on server line reading 0ppm, manager remade to 200ppm
Jun 18, 2025Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 5 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
2 High priority0 Intermediate3 Basic
Show 5 findings ▾
Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food not consumed/sold within 7 days after opening/preparation. See stop sale. Spinach dip date marked 6/11 in walk in cooler.
Vacuum breaker missing at mop sink faucet or on fitting/splitter added to mop sink faucet. Vaccum breaker at mop sink missing from split at non-chemical side.
Drain cover(s) missing. Missing drain cover at mop sink.
Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Employee drink container on prep table. Moved by manager
In-use ice scoop stored on soiled surface between uses. Soiled ice scoop container. By ice machine. Cleaned by manager.
Aug 19, 2024□ Call Back - CompliedRoutine Inspection
A return visit. The problems from the previous inspection had been dealt with.
1 High priority0 Intermediate0 Basic
Show 1 finding ▾
Live, small flying insects in kitchen, food preparation area, food storage area and/or bar area. Approximately 3 live flying insects around soda nozzles of soda machines in server area in kitchen. 1 live flying insects around triple sink next to cook line kitchen. Approximately 2 live flying insects around pipes under dish machine in warehouse washing area. Approximately 4 live flying insects around pipes and drains in bar area.
Aug 14, 2024Call Back - Admin. complaint recommendedRoutine Inspection
Referred for a formal case, which can lead to a fine. 1 violations recorded, 1 high priority.
1 High priority0 Intermediate0 Basic
Show 1 finding ▾
Live, small flying insects in kitchen, food preparation area, food storage area and/or bar area. Approximately 3 live flying insects around soda nozzles of soda machines in server area in kitchen. 1 live flying insects around triple sink next to cook line kitchen. Approximately 2 live flying insects around pipes under dish machine in warehouse washing area. Approximately 4 live flying insects around pipes and drains in bar area.
Aug 12, 2024Administrative complaint recommendedRoutine Inspection
Referred for a formal case, which can lead to a fine. 14 violations recorded, 3 high priority.
3 High priority2 Intermediate9 Basic
Show 14 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. Employee at bar cutting lemons and limes with bare hands.
Live, small flying insects in kitchen, food preparation area, food storage area and/or bar area. Approximately 3 live flying insects around soda nozzles of soda machines in server area in kitchen. 1 live flying insects around triple sink next to cook line kitchen. Approximately 2 live flying insects around pipes under dish machine in warehouse washing area. Approximately 4 live flying insects around pipes and drains in bar area.
Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. individual sour cream (45F - Cold Holding); individual ranch (45F - Cold Holding) in standing reach in cooler in server area right next to door, per manager door has been consistently open for less then 30 minutes.
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Blade of can opener on table in prep area.
Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Ribs on cook line in reach in cooler, per manager ribs were made Friday. Bags of portioned cooked potatoes in reach in cooler on cook line and in walk in cooler not dated, per manager box of precooked potatoes opened on the 6th.
Clean glasses, cups, bowls, plates, pots and pans not stored inverted or in a protected manner. Stacks of clean plates and baskets over make line in kitchen left out over night not currently in use.
Floor soiled/has accumulation of debris. Under dish machine and drain boards in ware washing area. Under large ice machine in kitchen. Under all equipment in bar area. Also walls around dish machine have a build up debris.
Floors not maintained smooth and durable. Multiple sections on cook line.
In-use utensil not stored with handle above the top of time/temperature control for safety food and rim of the container. Handle laying in container of raw chicken in reach in cooler on cook line.
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Interior of drawer of prep table in prep area in kitchen.
Objectionable odors in bathroom or other areas of the establishment. In men's bathroom.
Reach-in cooler interior/shelves have accumulation of soil residues. Interior of reach in cooler on cook line closest to ware washing area.
Single-service articles not stored inverted or protected from contamination. Stacks of to go containers on make line and server area.
Unwashed fruits/vegetables stored with ready-to-eat food. Unwashed green bell peppers and unwashed mushrooms stored over containers of cut romaine and cut lettuce in walk in cooler.
May 20, 2024□ Call Back - CompliedComplaint Investigation (Partial)
A return visit. The problems from the previous inspection had been dealt with.
0 High priority0 Intermediate0 Basic
May 15, 2024Warning IssuedComplaint Investigation (Partial)
Violations found and a warning issued, with a return visit required. 2 recorded.
0 High priority0 Intermediate2 Basic
Show 2 findings ▾
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Build up of grease on all cooking equipment and tables on cook line in kitchen.
Wall soiled with accumulated grease, food debris, and/or dust. Build up of grease on walls and pipes behind cook line in kitchen.
Jan 16, 2024Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 9 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
3 High priority2 Intermediate4 Basic
Show 9 findings ▾
Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. Alfredo sauce (58F - Cold Holding); pot roast (57F - Cold Holding); mashed potatoes (58F - Cold Holding); Mac and cheese (59F - Cold Holding); spinach dip (60F - Cold Holding); cooked peppers (58F - Cold Holding); cooked onions (59F - Cold Holding) all items in reach in coolers at end of make line near ware washing area, GFI plug tripped, GFI reset, per manager all items have been in cooler since yesterday and the GFI must have tripped sometime overnight, ambient air temperature of both coolers got below 41F during inspection.
Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Alfredo sauce (58F - Cold Holding); pot roast (57F - Cold Holding); mashed potatoes (58F - Cold Holding); Mac and cheese (59F - Cold Holding); spinach dip (60F - Cold Holding); cooked peppers (58F - Cold Holding); cooked onions (59F - Cold Holding) all items in reach in coolers at end of make line near ware washing area, GFI plug tripped, GFI reset, per manager all items have been in cooler since yesterday and the GFI must have tripped sometime overnight, ambient air temperature of both coolers got below 41F during inspection.
Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. Two chemical spray bottles on rack facing box of single use gloves and straws and over containers of sugar and salt, bottles removed.
Combined ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food held more than 24 hours not date marked according to the date the earliest ready-to-eat time/temperature control for safety ingredient was opened/prepared. Tempura batter in reach in cooler marked 1/4, per manager batter was made 1/14, employee corrected during inspection.
No soap provided at handwash sink. At hand wash station at bar facing outside seating area.
Clean glasses, cups, bowls, plates, pots and pans not stored inverted or in a protected manner. Multiple stacks of clean plates through kitchen and bar area that are not in use and left out overnight not protected.
Floor soiled/has accumulation of debris. Under make line in kitchen.
Floors not maintained smooth and durable. Multiple sections throughout kitchen are cracking and in disrepair.
Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Bulk container of sugar in sever area.
Jul 10, 2023□ Call Back - CompliedRoutine Inspection
A return visit. The problems from the previous inspection had been dealt with.
0 High priority0 Intermediate0 Basic
Jul 7, 2023Call Back - Extension given, pendingRoutine Inspection
A return visit. The problems were not fixed yet and the kitchen was given more time.
1 High priority0 Intermediate0 Basic
Show 1 finding ▾
Live, small flying insects in kitchen, food preparation area, food storage area and/or bar area. Observed roughly 14 small flies in the dry storage room by the bulk ice bin. Observed 4 small flies on the waitstation line by the iced tea dispenser. Operator states just has pipes in kitchen cleaned which flushed the flies to the open areas.
Jul 5, 2023Warning IssuedRoutine Inspection
Violations found and a warning issued, with a return visit required. 11 recorded, 2 high priority.
2 High priority3 Intermediate6 Basic
Show 11 findings ▾
Live, small flying insects in kitchen, food preparation area, food storage area and/or bar area. Observed roughly 14 small flies in the dry storage room by the bulk ice bin. Observed 4 small flies on the waitstation line by the iced tea dispenser. Operator states just has pipes in kitchen cleaned which flushed the flies to the open areas.
Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. On the main cook line pass through window; boneless chicken (117F - Hot Holding); chicken wings (111F - Hot Holding). Employee placed both products into the fryer to bring temperature over 165F.
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. No bodily fluid clean up kit or written procedures available. Inspector provided written procedures.
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Green cutting board on the bottom shelf of the prep table has build up of food residue staining. Operator removed the cutting board to the dish washing area to be cleaned and sanitized.
Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled. On the bottom shelf in the dishwashing area, chemical spray bottle of bleach with no product labeling. Operator labeled the chemical spray bottle.
Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Employee phone and speaker stored on bags of flour at the end of the main cook line by the fryers. Operator relocated the employee items.
Ice bucket/shovel stored on floor between uses. Two ice buckets stored on the floor in front of the bulk ice bin. Operator relocated the ice buckets.
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Walk in cooler has build up of mold like substance on the door gasket.
Old labels stuck to food containers after cleaning. On the storage shelf between the warewashing area and the cook line, clean container with old stickers attached. Operator relocated the container to the dish area to have sticker removed and be rewashed.
Wet mop not stored in a manner to allow the mop to dry. Wet mop stored with mop head in the mop sink. Operator hung the mop to dry.
Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Bulk container of sugar on the waitstation line missing product labeling. Employee labeled the bulk sugar container.
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.