KESS KITCHEN AFRICAN CUISINE
7534 BEACH BLVD BAY 1, Jacksonville FL 32216 · 347.734.9752
Last inspected Jan 21, 2026 · 6 visits since March 2024
MAR 24
DEC 24
OCT 25
JAN 26
▲ GETTING WORSE
4 inspections, one direction. The current grade is the worst on record.
Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license. Establishment observed preparing, serving, or selling food to public with an expired license. Operator license expired June 1, 2025 and under same ownership. Operator paid license during inspection
★ Spotless◆ Clean streak● Perfect year✓ Never fined
Awarded on the inspection record alone. What they mean →
Inspection history
6 visits, newest first
Jan 21, 2026Administrative complaint recommendedRoutine Inspection
Referred for a formal case, which can lead to a fine. 11 violations recorded, 3 high priority.
3 High priority2 Intermediate6 Basic
What the inspector wrote — 11 findingsThe state's own report →
Food-contact surfaces not sanitized after cleaning, before use. Do not use equipment/utensils not properly sanitized. Observed employee wash and rinse and place equipment away for air dry without sanitizing. Review with employee and manager about setting up sanitizer in sink to properly sanitize all equipment. Employee setting sanitizer up
Single-use gloves not changed as needed after changing tasks or when damaged or soiled. Observed employee wash and rinse equipment and then handling food prep without washing hands. Discussed with employee on washing hands
Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Raw beef skin (61F - Cold Holding), stored sitting out in pan that was place there from walk in cooler approximately 1 hr. Employee placing back in walk in cooler
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. Operator has 1 food handler employee hired over 60 days with no proof of training
Show the remaining 7 findings ▾
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. Operator has 1 new employee hired under 60 days with no proof of written documentation provided Provided blank form.
Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Bowls stored in dry beans
Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Employee clothing hanging on shelf and stored next to food
Food stored on floor. Case of oil jug stored on floor in kitchen. Case of unwashed bell peppers stored on floor in kitchen
Standing water in bottom of reach-in-cooler. Inside reach in cooler on cook line
Time/temperature control for safety food not maintained frozen solid in a freezer. Walk in freezer not working properly but is maintaining temperature at 40F with TCS foods stored inside
Time/temperature control for safety food thawed in an improper manner. Case of frozen fish thawing in three compartment sink with no running water. Case of spinach thawing on prep table under no running water. Discussed with employee to place in walk in cooler or thaw under cold running water
Dec 19, 2025□ Call Back - CompliedRoutine Inspection
A return visit. The problems from the previous inspection had been dealt with.
0 High priority0 Intermediate0 Basic
Oct 17, 2025Warning IssuedRoutine Inspection
Violations found and a warning issued, with a return visit required. 10 recorded, 2 high priority.
2 High priority2 Intermediate6 Basic
Show 11 findings ▾
Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license. Establishment observed preparing, serving, or selling food to public with an expired license. Operator license expired June 1, 2025 and under same ownership. Operator paid license during inspection
Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Beef (104-110F - Hot Holding), stored in pan, place there after reheating for hot holding approximately 30 mins ago. Employee reheating
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. Operator has 2 total employees and only 1 hired over 60 days with no proof of food handler training
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. Operator has 2 new employees with no proof of forms. Provided blank form
Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Employee drink on prep table next to food
Employee with no hair restraint while engaging in food preparation. Employee preparing food with no hair restraint
Ice buildup in reach-in freezer and/or walk-in freezer. Walk in freezer shelves and door with ice build up
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Hood filters with grease build up
Time/temperature control for safety food thawed in an improper manner. Raw prep beef stored thawing in standing water at 30F in three compartment sink area. Employee turn on water in sink over raw beef.
Wet mop not stored in a manner to allow the mop to dry. Wet mop stored in mop bucket solution in standing water.
Propane tank (larger than 2.7 lb. water capacity/1 lb. gas capacity) located inside of the building. For reporting purposes only. Propane larger than 2.7 lb stored next to gas line in kitchen near hand wash sink. Advised manager to have this moved.
Jan 3, 2025□ Call Back - CompliedLicensing Inspection
A return visit. The problems from the previous inspection had been dealt with.
0 High priority0 Intermediate0 Basic
Dec 27, 2024Warning IssuedLicensing Inspection
Violations found and a warning issued, with a return visit required. 1 recorded, 1 high priority.
1 High priority0 Intermediate0 Basic
Show 1 finding ▾
Displayed food not properly protected from contamination. Operator is missing sneeze guard over front counter steam table area where customers will be located and serving foods. Proper and effective protection is required of all displayed foods. Operator states previous sneeze guard ordered was too low and is awaiting for new one to arrive. Licensing will not be issued until proper and effective protection for front line food displayed is corrected
Mar 6, 2024Inspection Completed - No Further ActionLicensing Inspection
Nothing was found. The inspector recorded no violations at all.
0 High priority0 Intermediate0 Basic
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.