PAPA J'S DINER
2056 HWY 44 W, Inverness FL 34453 · 352-341-5169
Last inspected Apr 6, 2026 · 9 visits since August 2023
MAR 24
AUG 24
APR 25
AUG 25
APR 26
≈ ERRATIC
5 inspections, swinging between A and F. 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. 5 live flies dining room Manager was able to kill 5 flies and sanitize the area.
★ Spotless◆ Clean streak● Perfect year✓ Never fined
Awarded on the inspection record alone. What they mean →
Disciplinary actions
1 case · $320
| Case | Violation date | Final order | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3--2024006187 | Oct 24, 2023 | Mar 13, 2024 | $320 |
Inspection history
9 visits, newest first
Apr 6, 2026Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 2 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
0 High priority2 Intermediate0 Basic
What the inspector wrote — 2 findings
Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Ice dumped in hand wash sink in front counter area
Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled. Chemical spray bottle in prep area. Operator labeled degreaser.
Sep 5, 2025□ Call Back - CompliedRoutine Inspection
A return visit. The problems from the previous inspection had been dealt with.
0 High priority0 Intermediate0 Basic
Aug 19, 2025Warning IssuedRoutine Inspection
Violations found and a warning issued, with a return visit required. 7 recorded, 3 high priority.
3 High priority1 Intermediate3 Basic
Show 7 findings ▾
Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food marked with a date that exceeds 7 days after opening/preparation. Meat loaf date marked at 8/9 15 portions in reach in cooler
Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food not consumed/sold within 7 days after opening/preparation. See stop sale. Meat loaf date marked at 8/9 15 portions in reach in cooler
Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Ambient temperature 48F in three door reach in cooler kitchen cook line. Operator took temperature all below 41F at 6:30am. We took at 10 am and operator remove all food to freezer to chill. egg wash (48F - Cold Holding); corned beef hash (48F - Cold Holding); diced tomatoes (47F - Cold Holding); shredded cheese (49F - Cold Holding); sausage (50F - Cold Holding); can mushrooms (47F - Cold Holding); steak (47F - Cold Holding); sausage links (52F - Cold Holding); sliced cheese (47F - Cold Holding) Temperature recheck- Sausage 40F;Diced tomatoes 38F;Diced ham 42F; Corned beef hash 35F;Egg wash 40F;Sliced cheese 37F; Shredded cheese 42F; Sausage links 35F; Steak 41F; canned mushrooms 37F
Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Employee rinsed dish in hand wash sink in front counter area
Cloth used as a food-contact surface. Cloth covering biscuits in cook line area
Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Employee drinks on top of prep table. Operator removed drinks.
Time/temperature control for safety food thawed in an improper manner. Frozen meat thawing without running water in sink. Operator turn on running cold water
Apr 14, 2025Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 3 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
0 High priority1 Intermediate2 Basic
Show 3 findings ▾
Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled. Multiple chemical spray bottles in kitchen
Ceiling not smooth, nonabsorbent and easily cleanable in food preparation, food storage, or warewashing areas. Water damaged acoustic ceiling tiles in server/front counter area
Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting. Cups in beverage station
Aug 27, 2024□ Call Back - CompliedRoutine Inspection
A return visit. The problems from the previous inspection had been dealt with.
1 High priority0 Intermediate2 Basic
Show 3 findings ▾
Cooked/heated time/temperature control for safety food not cooled from 135 degrees Fahrenheit to 70 degrees Fahrenheit within 2 hours. 10lbs grits stop sale 117F cooked at 5:30 am see stop sale.
Covered waste receptacle not provided in women's bathroom. Spoke with manager about cover on waste receptacle. He will replace.
Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable. On prep table in kitchen. Discussed with manager.
Aug 26, 2024Warning IssuedRoutine Inspection
Violations found and a warning issued, with a return visit required. 12 recorded, 6 high priority.
6 High priority1 Intermediate5 Basic
Show 12 findings ▾
Cooked/heated time/temperature control for safety food not cooled from 135 degrees Fahrenheit to 70 degrees Fahrenheit within 2 hours. 10lbs grits stop sale 117F cooked at 5:30 am see stop sale.
Dented/rusted cans present. See stop sale. Resliance apple sauce can, manager disposed of can.
Dishmachine chlorine sanitizer not at proper minimum strength. Discontinue use of dishmachine for sanitizing and set up manual sanitization until dishmachine is repaired and sanitizing properly. 0 ppm. Manger set up sanitizer in 3CS. 50 ppm when tested.
Live, small flying insects in kitchen, food preparation area, food storage area and/or bar area. 5 live flies dining room Manager was able to kill 5 flies and sanitize the area.
Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. Did not cool from 135f to 70f within 2hours. 10lbs grits stop sale 117F cooked at 5:30 am, see stop sale.
Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees. Milk at 47F reach in by wait station. Manager moved to freezer to cool down.
Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Coffee residue in sink and chemical bottle in handwashing sink on cook line. Manager moved. Handwashing sink blocked by mop bucket located in prep area. Manager moved.
Covered waste receptacle not provided in women's bathroom. Spoke with manager about cover on waste receptacle. He will replace.
Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable. On prep table in kitchen. Discussed with manager.
Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Employee cell phone on counter in wait station area. Manager moved.
Newspaper under cutting board on prep table as well as knife laying on newspaper. Manager removed.
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Fan guards wait station cooler soiled. Spoke with manager regarding keeping fan guards clean.
Mar 20, 2024Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 3 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
1 High priority1 Intermediate1 Basic
Show 3 findings ▾
Time/temperature control for safety food identified in the written procedure as a food held using time as a public health control has no time marking. Pooled eggs. Operator time marked 8am.
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. Emailed digital copy to operator
No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees. Both restrooms
Oct 24, 2023Call Back - Admin. complaint recommendedRoutine Inspection
Referred for a formal case, which can lead to a fine. 3 violations recorded.
0 High priority2 Intermediate1 Basic
Show 3 findings ▾
Menu contains an item made with a raw/undercooked animal food as an ingredient and description of item does not inform consumer of raw/undercooked animal food ingredient. Eggs Benedict
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/. All equipment has been removed from market area and changed into an additional seating area. ADA unisex bathroom in prep area has been turned into a storage room. Ice machine has moved from the corner near the dish machine machine to the wall directly to the right next to the kitchen entrance.
Establishment increased seating without providing written approval from the local fire authority and wastewater provider. 76 seats inside
Aug 21, 2023Warning IssuedRoutine Inspection
Violations found and a warning issued, with a return visit required. 14 recorded, 3 high priority.
3 High priority6 Intermediate5 Basic
Show 14 findings ▾
Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Raw country fried steaks stored above French fries in reach in freezer in cook line area. Operator corrected shelves.
Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food marked with a date that exceeds 7 days after opening/preparation. Sliced turkey and sliced ham both marked they were prepped on 8/13 in reach in cooler in prep area. See stop sale.
Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food not consumed/sold within 7 days after opening/preparation. See stop sale. Sliced turkey and sliced ham both marked they were prepped on 8/13 in reach in cooler in prep area
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. Emailed form to operator
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris. White cutting board in toast area
Menu contains an item made with a raw/undercooked animal food as an ingredient and description of item does not inform consumer of raw/undercooked animal food ingredient. Eggs Benedict
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/. All equipment has been removed from market area and changed into an additional seating area. ADA unisex bathroom in prep area has been turned into a storage room. Ice machine has moved from the corner near the dish machine machine to the wall directly to the right next to the kitchen entrance.
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 printed copy and had employees sign
Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled. Multiple unlabeled chemical spray bottles in kitchen and front counter area.
Employee wearing jewelry other than a plain ring on their hands/arms while preparing food. Multiple employees wearing watches in cook line area while preparing food. Operator had employees remove jewelry.
Establishment increased seating without providing written approval from the local fire authority and wastewater provider. 76 seats inside
In-use knife stored in cracks between reach in cooler and prep table in cook line area. Operator removed to be washed.
No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees. Multiple sinks throughout kitchen area. Emailed sign to operator.
Unwashed fruits/vegetables stored with ready-to-eat food. Unwashed pineapple and celery stored over sliced deli meats in glass door vertical cooler in prep area. Operator discarded sliced meats.
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.