OWL CAFE
15 AVE D, Apalachicola FL 32320
Last inspected May 18, 2026 · 10 visits since November 2023
□ Not on the state's active licence list
This licence isn't in DBPR's current active file, which usually means the business has closed, been sold, or let the licence lapse. Everything below belongs to this licence, not to whoever may be trading here now. The history stays public because it is a public record.
AUG 24
JAN 25
DEC 25
FEB 26
MAY 26
— STEADY
5 inspections within 7 points of each other. Whatever this kitchen does, it does consistently.
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.
★ Spotless◆ Clean streak● Perfect year✓ Never fined
Awarded on the inspection record alone. What they mean →
Disciplinary actions
2 cases · $600
| Case | Violation date | Final order | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6--2021013170 | Mar 19, 2021 | Apr 23, 2021 | $200 |
| 6--2021013143 | Mar 18, 2021 | Apr 22, 2021 | $400 |
Inspection history
10 visits, newest first
May 18, 2026Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 6 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
0 High priority2 Intermediate4 Basic
What the inspector wrote — 6 findingsThe state's own report →
Clam/mussel/oyster tags not marked with last date served.
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Cutting board on the cook line.
Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin.
In-use tongs stored on equipment door handle between uses. Cook line.
Show the remaining 2 findings ▾
Interior of oven/has accumulation of black substance/grease/food debris.
Plumbing system in disrepair. Hand sink in the salad area.
Feb 19, 2026Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 6 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
1 High priority1 Intermediate4 Basic
Show 6 findings ▾
Employee touched face/hair and then engaged in food preparation, handled clean equipment or utensils, or touched unwrapped single-service items without washing hands.
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime.cutting board cook line.
Accumulation of lime scale on the inside of the dishmachine.
Cleaned and sanitized equipment or utensils not properly stored. Knife stored between reach in cooler and the wall in the salad. Employee removed the knife.
Commercially processed reduced oxygen packaged fish bearing a label indicating that it is to remain frozen until time of use no longer frozen and not removed from reduced oxygen package. Gator. Cook took the gator out of the bag.
Garbage on the ground and/or pad around back the area.
Dec 3, 2025Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 7 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
0 High priority3 Intermediate4 Basic
Show 7 findings ▾
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Cutting board on the cook line.
Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Dipping scoop in the employee hand sink in the salad area.
Soap bottle containing toxic substance not labeled in the bar area.
All Interior of ovens has accumulation of black substance/grease/food debris.
Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Serving cup inside the container of walnuts.
Water leaking from faucet/handle in the bar area.
Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Bakery area.
Aug 13, 2025□ Call Back - CompliedRoutine Inspection
A return visit. The problems from the previous inspection had been dealt with.
0 High priority0 Intermediate0 Basic
Feb 17, 2025Call Back - Extension given, pendingRoutine Inspection
A return visit. The problems were not fixed yet and the kitchen was given more time.
0 High priority1 Intermediate0 Basic
Show 1 finding ▾
Handwash sink removed from food preparation/dishwashing area. Must be reinstalled in the same location where removed. On the cook line.
Jan 13, 2025Warning IssuedRoutine Inspection
Violations found and a warning issued, with a return visit required. 7 recorded.
0 High priority2 Intermediate5 Basic
Show 7 findings ▾
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.
Handwash sink removed from food preparation/dishwashing area. Must be reinstalled in the same location where removed. On the cook line.
Carbon dioxide/helium tanks not adequately secured,by the office.
Ceiling/ hole above the drink station upstairs.
Clean utensils knifes stored between prep table and reach in cooler on the cook line.
Hole in or other damage to wall going upstairs by the handrails and stairs.
In-use tongs stored on equipment door handle between uses, on the oven doors.
Aug 15, 2024Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 11 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
0 High priority3 Intermediate8 Basic
Show 11 findings ▾
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Cutting board,cook line.
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.
Unnecessary persons in the food preparation, food storage, or warewashing area. Observed a person from the fish company across the street came in the kitchen to pickup food he ordered.
Carbon dioxide/helium tanks not adequately secured, in bar area.
Covered waste receptacle not provided in employee bathroom.
Equipment in poor repair. Observed heat element around the walk in cooler door in disrepair, with ice buildup.
Food stored on floor. Observed a bag of potatoes on the stockroom floor and a box onion rings on walk in freezer floor.
Interior of ovens has accumulation of black substance/grease/food debris, both cook line and back prep area.
No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees. Bar area.
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Hood system. Observed fan guard inside walk in cooler has build up.
Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Sugar container in the stockroom not labeled.
Aug 15, 2024□ Call Back - CompliedRoutine Inspection
A return visit. The problems from the previous inspection had been dealt with.
0 High priority0 Intermediate0 Basic
Mar 28, 2024Warning IssuedRoutine Inspection
Violations found and a warning issued, with a return visit required. 12 recorded.
0 High priority6 Intermediate6 Basic
Show 12 findings ▾
Clam/mussel/oyster tags not marked with last date served.
Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Observed scoop inside employee sink in the prep area.
No handwash sink located in vending machine area where employees service bulk food machines.
No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink in the bar area. Employee placed paper towel at the hand sink.
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 https://www2.myfloridalicense.com/hotels-restaurants/licensing/plan-review/. Observed kitchen has been remodeled by installing a new hood system next to the old hood system and added new reach in coolers and freezer and new prep area and new cooking equipment on the cook line and new walk in cooler next to the old walk in cooler.
Raw or undercooked oysters offered and establishment has no consumer advisory sign provided on wall, menu, placard, table tent or by any other written means. Raw animal foods must be fully cooked prior to service. Email a copy of the oyster advisory.manager printed and posted in the establishment.
Back Exterior door has a gap at the threshold that opens to the outside. Observed the back door bottom corner rusted out,seeing outside.
Clean equipment/utensils not stored at least 6 inches above the floor. Observed a clean pot setting on the stockroom floor.
Equipment in poor repair. Observed the heating element around the walk in freezer door in disrepair with ice buildup.
Food stored on floor. Observed a bag of panko setting on the stockroom floor. 'Employee removed item off the floor and stored item correctly.
In-use tongs stored on equipment door handle between uses. Cook line. Cook removed the tongs from the oven door.
No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees in the bar area.
Nov 3, 2023Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 6 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
0 High priority3 Intermediate3 Basic
Show 6 findings ▾
Establishment not maintaining clam/mussel/oyster tags for 90 days.
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Cutting board on the cook line.
Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled on the cook line.
Floor and wall junctures not coved in food area next to salad station.
In-use tongs stored on equipment door handle between uses on the oven doors.
Interior of oven has accumulation of black substance/grease/food debris.
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.