RUSTICA AT SAINT JOHNS
70 SILVER FOREST DR STE 115, Saint Augustine FL 32092 · 808-635-9952
Last inspected Jul 22, 2026 · 9 visits since October 2023
FEB 25
JUN 25
DEC 25
JUN 26
JUL 26
▼ IMPROVING
5 inspections trending up, 14 points better than where it started.
Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed butter (55F - Cold Holding) for approximately 10 mins. Discussed time control and provided blank written procedures.
★ Spotless◆ Clean streak● Perfect year✓ Never fined
Awarded on the inspection record alone. What they mean →
Inspection history
9 visits, newest first
Jul 22, 2026Administrative complaint recommendedComplaint Investigation
Referred for a formal case, which can lead to a fine. 7 violations recorded, 2 high priority.
2 High priority1 Intermediate4 Basic
What the inspector wrote — 7 findingsThe state's own report →
Raw animal food stored over or with ready-to-eat food in a freezer - not all products commercially packaged. In kitchen reach-in freezer, raw ground chicken stored over ground pork, both items in resealable bags. In walk-in cooler, raw tuna stored over cooked short ribs. Operator moved items to proper storage levels.
Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. In walk-in cooler, pasta (45F - Cold Holding); carrots (46F - Cold Holding). Items in cooler overnight. Door continuously opened for prep, ambient temperature 43f.
Operator is doing a special process, conducting reduced oxygen packaging, cooking time/temperature control for safety food to a time and temperature combination lesser than those in the Food Code or operating a molluscan shellfish tank for human consumption without a HACCP plan approved by the Division of Hotels and Restaurants. Establishment does reduced oxygen packaging vacuum sealing raw beef and pork with intention of keeping products packaged over 48 hours. No haccp submitted at time of inspection. Establishment is on open warning with for this violation with callback due 6/28/2026
Carbon dioxide/helium tanks not adequately secured. At bar, one tank by keg beer cooler not secured.
Show the remaining 3 findings ▾
Ice scoop handle in contact with ice. At bar, scoop in ice bin at bar has handle touching product.
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. In kitchen, exterior of bulk sugar container soiled with food debris/residue.
Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. In kitchen, bulk sugar container not labeled. Operator labeled container.
Jun 26, 2026Administrative complaint recommendedRoutine Inspection
Referred for a formal case, which can lead to a fine. 6 violations recorded, 3 high priority.
3 High priority1 Intermediate2 Basic
Show 6 findings ▾
Non-food grade paper/paper towel used as liner for food container. Observed brown paper towels on salmon at front line. Person in charge removed paper towels. Observed no visible contamination on fish. Discussed food grade paper towels or deli paper options with person in charge.
Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed butter (55F - Cold Holding) for approximately 10 mins. Discussed time control and provided blank written procedures.
Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed garlic butter (88F - Hot Holding); roasted garlic (78F - Hot Holding) discussed time control with person in charge and they placed labels on product. Provided blank written procedures to person in charge.
Operator is doing a special process, conducting reduced oxygen packaging, cooking time/temperature control for safety food to a time and temperature combination lesser than those in the Food Code or operating a molluscan shellfish tank for human consumption without a HACCP plan approved by the Division of Hotels and Restaurants. Observed reduced oxygen packaging vacuum sealed raw beef and pork with intentions of keeping product in packaging over 48 hrs without approved HACCP. provided HACCP card and website to person in charge.
Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Observed employee drinks on front counter. Person in charge removed all employee drinks from food prep area.
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed gaskets on reach in freezer soiled with black/green mold like substance.
Dec 17, 2025Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 8 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
2 High priority2 Intermediate4 Basic
Show 8 findings ▾
Non-food grade paper/paper towel used as liner for food container. Paper towels used as a liner in multiple raw fish containers. Chef removed paper towels.
Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Garlic butter on kitchen counter at 55F. Chef states butter left out for a few minutes to soften. Butter placed back in reach in cooler. Discussed holding garlic butter on time controls with Chef and operator.
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. Six servers and three cooks are missing employee food handler training.
Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled. Unlabeled spray bottle with purple liquid in storage cabinet.
Carbon dioxide/helium tanks not adequately secured. Carbon dioxide tank in bar area is unsecured.
Silverware/utensils/containers dried with a towel/cloth. Observed employee drying containers from dishmachine with a cloth.
Wiping cloth chlorine sanitizing solution not at proper minimum strength. Wiping cloth solution in kitchen tested at 0ppm chlorine. Operator remade solution to 100ppm chlorine.
Wiping cloth sanitizing solution stored on the floor. Wiping cloth solution stored on the floor in the bar. Employee moved bucket to shelf.
Jun 24, 2025□ Call Back - CompliedRoutine Inspection
A return visit. The problems from the previous inspection had been dealt with.
0 High priority0 Intermediate0 Basic
Jun 17, 2025Administrative complaint recommendedRoutine Inspection
Referred for a formal case, which can lead to a fine. 7 violations recorded, 2 high priority.
2 High priority2 Intermediate3 Basic
Show 7 findings ▾
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. In use dish machine ran multiple times and did not read any sanitizer.
Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. In reach in coolers on cook line: Raw tuna stored over cooked beef. Raw oysters stored over tomato bisque. Raw fish stored over bok choy. All items rearranged.
Menu does not identify which items contain raw or undercooked animal foods covered by the consumer advisory. Missing from Rustica Style Crudo, operator corrected during inspection.
Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled. Bottle of purple liquid on table by bathrooms, operator labeled.
Dead insect on premises. 1dead fly on deli paper in container inside reach in cooler, fly cleaned up and discarded.
Employee with no hair restraint while engaging in food preparation. Operator preparing food on cook line.
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Soda gun holster at bar area. Underside of dish machine.
Feb 11, 2025Administrative complaint recommendedRoutine Inspection
Referred for a formal case, which can lead to a fine. 8 violations recorded, 3 high priority.
3 High priority4 Intermediate1 Basic
Show 8 findings ▾
Non-food grade paper/paper towel used as liner for food container. Linen towels and paper towels used to line containers of produce in reach in cooler on cook line and in walk in cooler.
Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Raw lamb stored over cauliflower in reach in cooler on make line, lamb moved.
Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. Spray bottle of all purpose cleaner stored with blocks of cream cheese and butter, set out to soften, in server area, bottle moved.
Clam/mussel/oyster tags not marked with last date served. Dates marked on tags are dates shell stock was purchased per operator.
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Soda gun at bar.
Menu does not identify which items contain raw or undercooked animal foods covered by the consumer advisory. Missing disclaimer from salmon,tuna,hamachi crudo on menu, operator corrected during inspection.
Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Cooked potatoes made Sunday per operator in reach in cooler on cook line, manager corrected during inspection.
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Soda gun holster at bar.
May 22, 2024□ Call Back - CompliedRoutine Inspection
A return visit. The problems from the previous inspection had been dealt with.
0 High priority0 Intermediate0 Basic
May 21, 2024Administrative complaint recommendedRoutine Inspection
Referred for a formal case, which can lead to a fine. 6 violations recorded, 4 high priority.
4 High priority2 Intermediate0 Basic
Show 6 findings ▾
Nonexempt fish offered raw or undercooked has not undergone proper parasite destruction. Fish must be fully cooked or discarded. Per operator they can offer their salmon undercooked per customer's request, but they do not have any proof of parasite destruction or letter of aquaculture. Per operator they get their salmon from Restaurant Depot.
Raw animal foods not properly separated from one another based upon minimum required cooking temperature when stored in a freezer - not all products commercially packaged. Raw beef, removed from original packaging, stored over raw pork, removed from original, in reach in freezer in back prep area, all items rearranged.
Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food not consumed/sold within 7 days after opening/preparation. See stop sale. 4 containers of bolognese, 3 containers of puttanesca, 1 container of beef stock, 4 containers of sesame butter, 2 containers of garlic butter, 1 container of lobster sauce, 1 container of chutney in reach in cooler at end of cook line and in walk in cooler all with a date of 5/14 or older.
Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. Unlabeled chemical spray bottle with clear liquid stored with clean pitchers on table in server area, bottle removed.
Required employee training provided by a third-party employee training program and operator unable to provide original certificate for employees trained. 3 certificates are photocopies.
Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled. Unlabeled chemical spray bottle with clear liquid stored with clean pitchers on table in server area, bottle labeled
Oct 24, 2023Inspection Completed - No Further ActionLicensing Inspection
Met inspection standards. 4 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
1 High priority0 Intermediate3 Basic
Show 4 findings ▾
Raw animal food stored over or with unwashed produce. Raw chicken bones over unwashed carrots and raw egg muffin mix over unwashed leafy greens in the walk in cooler. Operator relocated the raw products.
Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting. On the storage shelf by the walk in cooler, clean plastic containers stacked while wet.
In-use tongs stored on equipment door handle between uses. Tongs stored on oven door handle of the main cook line.
No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees. No employee hand wash signage at bar hand wash sink. Operator has extra signs to hang.
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.