SAMIRA'S CAFE
119 BARTRAM OAKS WALK STE 101, Saint Johns FL 32259 · 904.295.3163
Last inspected Aug 10, 2026 · 10 visits since July 2023
JUL 24
OCT 24
SEP 25
DEC 25
AUG 26
≈ ERRATIC
5 inspections, swinging between C and F. Consistency is the problem here, not any single visit.
Live, small flying insects found. Approximately 3 live flying insects around dish area and back door to kitchen.
★ Spotless◆ Clean streak● Perfect year✓ Never fined
Awarded on the inspection record alone. What they mean →
Inspection history
10 visits, newest first
Aug 10, 2026□ Call Back - CompliedRoutine Inspection
A return visit. The problems from the previous inspection had been dealt with.
0 High priority0 Intermediate0 Basic
Aug 6, 2026Administrative complaint recommendedRoutine Inspection
Referred for a formal case, which can lead to a fine. 22 violations recorded, 6 high priority.
6 High priority6 Intermediate10 Basic
Show 22 findings ▾
Non-food grade paper/paper towel used as liner for food container. No food grade blanket utilized to store bundle of parsley in reach in cooler.
Raw animal food stored over or with ready-to-eat food in a freezer - not all products commercially packaged. In the standup reach in freezer by the hand wash sink, raw beef over ready to eat falafel, neither commercially packaged. In center of kitchen reach in freezer, raw shrimp in open bag over open bag of ready to eat salami.
Single-use gloves not changed as needed after changing tasks or when damaged or soiled. Sole employee present not changing gloves and washing hands when needed. Employee handled soiled plumbing under hand wash sink, handeled soiled utensils without switching gloves and washing hands.
Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. In the center of kitchen reach in cooler, chicken salad (49F - Cold Holding); beef schwarma (48F - Cold Holding); chicken (47F - Cold Holding); rice (49F - Cold Holding); cooked chickpeas (51F - Cold Holding) prepared the day before and stored in reach in cooler over 4 hours.
Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. In the center of kitchen reach in cooler, chicken salad (49F - Cold Holding); beef schwarma (48F - Cold Holding); chicken (47F - Cold Holding); rice (49F - Cold Holding); cooked chickpeas (51F - Cold Holding) prepared the day before and stored in reach in cooler over 4 hours.
Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. Pesticide spray can of raid for flying insects stored on top of reach in cooler at center of kitchen. Chemical spray bottle of windex on trash can station of dining room with pink liquid not windex stored inside the spray bottle.
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Cutting board on flip top reach in cooler soiled with food residue staining, portable cutting board stored with clean utensils on shelf soiled with black residue.
Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Hand wash sink in kitchen area with used container and lime stored in sink basin.
No chemical test kit provided when using sanitizer at three-compartment sink/warewashing machine or wiping cloths. Chlorine test kit at three compartment sink no longer usable, all strips have contacted water.
Paper towel dispenser at handwash sink not working/unable to dispense paper towels. Paper towel dispenser does not dispense towels, opened lid of dispenser to access paper towels.
Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. In reach in cooler at center of kitchen, chicken, rice, chicken salad per operator prepared the previous day missing product date marking.
Water with a temperature of least 85 degrees Fahrenheit not provided/shut off at employee handwash sink. No hot water available at hand wash sink on cook line. Operator has turned off because sink runs even when handle set to off. Operator turned hot water back on.
Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin. Bulk ice bin has mold like substance stain on interior wall and build up on the ice cube forming unit inside the bulk ice bin.
Cardboard used to line food-contact shelves. Cardboard lining shelf of stand up reach in cooler.
Employee eating in a food preparation or other restricted area. Employee meal on table at center of kitchen prep space.
Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. On storage shelf opposite office space area, employees jacket stored over containers and cans of dry goods.
Equipment in poor repair. Top microwave of stacked microwave with rust pitting the surface of bottom plate of microwave.
In-use utensil stored in standing water less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Utensils for cooking on flat top grill stored in water at ambient air temperature of 78F.
Label on a food item prepared and packaged onsite for customer self-service does not include product identity/description, date product was packaged and name and address of the establishment that prepared and packaged the food. Prepared food items in grab and go cooler in dining room have no product labeling on any containers of food prepared onsite.
Reuse of single-service or single-use articles. Establishment reusing plastic bags originally containing bread products to store cooked and raw meat products.
Unwashed fruits/vegetables stored with ready-to-eat food. In stand up reach in cooler, unwashed bagged produce and heads of lettuce stored over cooked beef schwarma.
Wet wiping cloth not stored in sanitizing solution between uses. Two wet wiping cloths stored on prep counters, one wet wiping cloth under in use cutting board on flip top reach in cooler. Sanitizer solution bucket by three compartment sink at 0ppm, per employee little bleach then soapy water.
Dec 11, 2025Administrative complaint recommendedComplaint Investigation
Referred for a formal case, which can lead to a fine. 4 violations recorded, 3 high priority.
3 High priority0 Intermediate1 Basic
Show 4 findings ▾
Raw animal food stored over or with ready-to-eat food in a freezer - not all products commercially packaged. Raw beef stored over open bags tortillas in standing reach in freezer by triple sink. Raw beef stored over chicken, removed from original packaging in standing reach in freezer by triple sink. All items rearranged.
Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. fresh garlic in oil (69F - Cold Holding) sitting out on cart next to grill on cook line, per operator garlic in oil was made in the morning around 8/9am, time of temperature check around 3:40pm.
Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. fresh garlic in oil (69F - Cold Holding) sitting out on cart next to grill on cook line, per operator garlic in oil was made in the morning around 8/9am, time of temperature check around 3:40pm.
Equipment in poor repair. Hot water handle to hand wash station by triple sink broken and consistently runs, employee turns valve under sink to shut off water, employee fixed handle during inspection.
Sep 18, 2025Administrative complaint recommendedRoutine Inspection
Referred for a formal case, which can lead to a fine. 7 violations recorded, 3 high priority.
3 High priority2 Intermediate2 Basic
Show 7 findings ▾
Evidence of mop/cleaning wastewater dumped onto ground. Mop sink blocked, and when inspector asked what do they do with the mop water they stated they throw it outside on the ground.
Live, small flying insects found. Approximately 3 live flying insects around dish area and back door to kitchen.
Raw animal food stored over or with ready-to-eat food in a freezer - not all products commercially packaged. Raw beef kabobs, removed from original packaging, stored over pita bread in small reach in freezer by cook line, beef moved
Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Hand wash station by triple sink blocked by cart, cart moved.
Water with a temperature of least 85 degrees Fahrenheit not provided/shut off at employee handwash sink. Hot water shut off at hand wash station by triple sink in kitchen, hot water turned back on.
Employee personal food not properly identified and segregated from food to be served to the public. Bags of personal food in standing reach in cooler in kitchen and in reach in freezer chest in small storage area by display reach in coolers in dining area over multiple food items for customers, employee began to moved all items during inspection.
Food stored on floor. Buckets of grape leaves by back door to kitchen. Case of water under table at front counter.
Oct 31, 2024□ Call Back - CompliedRoutine Inspection
A return visit. The problems from the previous inspection had been dealt with.
0 High priority0 Intermediate0 Basic
Oct 15, 2024Administrative complaint recommendedComplaint Investigation
Referred for a formal case, which can lead to a fine. 13 violations recorded, 5 high priority.
5 High priority4 Intermediate4 Basic
Show 14 findings ▾
Employee handled soiled equipment or utensils and then engaged in food preparation, handled clean equipment or utensils, or touched unwrapped single-service items without washing hands. Employee washed drain cover and pipes in triple sink then continued to handle bowls of food and clean utensils without washing hands between tasks.
Non-food grade paper/paper towel used as liner for food container. Cloth used to line container of broccoli and cloth used to wrap up parsley in standing reach in cooler in kitchen.
Pesticide/insecticide labeled for household use only present in establishment. Pesticide for various bugs under hand wash station in kitchen, per employee it is used inside kitchen.
Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Raw lamb mixture stored over at of bag of cut onions and container of rice in standing reach in cooler in kitchen, lamb moved.
Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. Bottles of Windex, sanitizer wipes, and sanitizer stored with boxes of to go utensils on cart at front counter.
Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Cart blocking hand wash station in kitchen by triple sink, cart moved
No certified food manager for establishment. A list of accredited food manager certification examination providers can be found at http://www.myfloridalicense.com/DBPR/hotels-restaurants/food-lodging/food-manager/ No certified food manager for establishment, one employee is in the process of taking the online class, establishment already on open warning for violation.
No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. At hand wash station by display reach in coolers in dining area. Also no soap at same hand wash station.
Water with a temperature of least 85 degrees Fahrenheit not provided/shut off at employee handwash sink. Hot water shut off at hand wash station by triple sink, employee turned on.
Current Hotel and Restaurant license not displayed.
Food stored on floor. Bucket of grape leaves and cooking oil in storage area, cooking oil moved.
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Handle of lemonade dispenser at drink station, employee cleaned during inspection.
Single-service articles improperly stored. To go boxes at front counter no inverted. To go utensils at drink station in dining area with food contact surface facing upwards. Boxes inverted.
Propane tank (larger than 2.7 lb. water capacity/1 lb. gas capacity) located inside of the building. For reporting purposes only. Propane tank larger than 1 pound hooked up to moveable grill inside kitchen, per employee it is for personal use only.
Sep 30, 2024Call 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 ▾
No certified food manager for establishment. A list of accredited food manager certification examination providers can be found at http://www.myfloridalicense.com/DBPR/hotels-restaurants/food-lodging/food-manager/ No certified food manager all at for the establishment, inspector walked through process of obtaining manager certification with staff.
Jul 30, 2024Warning IssuedRoutine Inspection
Violations found and a warning issued, with a return visit required. 12 recorded, 6 high priority.
6 High priority2 Intermediate4 Basic
Show 12 findings ▾
Food stored in ice used for drinks. See stop sale. Personal drinks in drink ice in ice machine in kitchen for customers
Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license. Expired 6/1/2024
Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Raw shell eggs over cheese in reach in cooler in kitchen. Also raw beef, removed from original packaging, stored over fries in reach in freezer chest next to display coolers in dining room.
Stop Sale issued due to food not being in a wholesome, sound condition. Personal drinks in drink ice in ice machine in kitchen for customers
Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. grape leafs (51F - Cold Holding); vegetable soup (47F - Cold Holding) in display cooler at front counter, per employee these items are sold to the customer from the cooler and all other items are for display only, employee stated they will transition to all items in the display coolers in the dining room.
Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. Glass cleaner stored with plastic forks under cart at front counter.
No certified food manager for establishment. A list of accredited food manager certification examination providers can be found at http://www.myfloridalicense.com/DBPR/hotels-restaurants/food-lodging/food-manager/ No certified food manager all at for the establishment, inspector walked through process of obtaining manager certification with staff.
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. No one has proof of any food handler training, inspector instructed staff how to obtain food handler certificates.
Employee personal food not properly identified and segregated from food to be served to the public. Multiple items of personal food mixed in with various food for the public in reach in coolers and reach in freezers in kitchen.
Food stored on floor. Soaking beans next to oven in kitchen. Container of cooking oil, grape leafs, and tahini sauce in kitchen.
No copy of latest inspection report available.
Wet wiping cloth not stored in sanitizing solution between uses. Wet cloths stored on lips of three compartment sink.
Sep 11, 2023Inspection Completed - No Further ActionLicensing Inspection
Met inspection standards. 7 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
0 High priority2 Intermediate5 Basic
Show 8 findings ▾
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Brown cutting board stored to the side of the three compartment sink has food residue staining build up.
Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. In the two door standup reach in cooler multiple products missing date labeling.
Clean glasses, cups, bowls, plates, pots and pans not stored inverted or in a protected manner. Clean bowls on the storage shelf over the three compartment sink not inverted or covered for protection. Operator inverted the bowls.
Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting. Clean metal bowls over the three compartment sink stacked while wet.
Food stored on floor. In the storage area by the rear exterior door, fry oil stored in the floor. At the front counter storage area water bottles stored on the floor.
Label on a food item prepared and packaged onsite for customer self-service does not include product identity/description, date product was packaged and name and address of the establishment that prepared and packaged the food. Prepared lunch containers in the grab and go reach in cooler missing product identity, date marking and location address.
Stored food not covered. Grape leaves in the standup reach in cooler stored without being covered. Operator covered the grape leaves.
No child labor law poster. For reporting purposes only. No child labor law poster at time of inspection. Operator printed and posted the poster during inspection.
Jul 10, 2023Warning IssuedRoutine Inspection
Violations found and a warning issued, with a return visit required. 14 recorded, 1 high priority.
1 High priority5 Intermediate8 Basic
Show 14 findings ▾
Pesticide/insecticide labeled for household use only present in establishment. On the floor under the hand wash sink by the three compartment sink, blue raid pesticide can.
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 manager certification expired. A list of accredited food manager certification examination providers can be found at http://www.myfloridalicense.com/DBPR/hotels-restaurants/food-lodging/food-manager/ At time of inspection certified food manager Noura Khalil expired 05/23/2023.
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Cutting board on the flip top reach in cooler has build up of food residue staining.
Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. All prepared items in the two door stand up reach in cooler missing product date marking.
Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled. Chemical spray bottle stored on the shelf under the three compartment sink with no product labeling. Operator voluntarily emptied the spray bottle.
Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin. Interior of the bulk ice bin has mold like substance build up along the hose on the back of the bin.
Food stored on floor. In the back hallway area, fryer oil and falafel mix stored on the floor. In the main dining area beverage cans stored on the floor.
Hood filter missing from automatic fire suppression/exhaust system. At time of inspection multiple hood filters missing for hood system.
In-use utensil stored in standing water less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Utensils stored in cup of water at 83F on flat top grill.
Label on a food item prepared and packaged onsite for customer self-service does not include product identity/description, date product was packaged and name and address of the establishment that prepared and packaged the food. Prepared foods at the front grab and go cooler missing packaging date.
No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees. No employee hand wash signage at hand wash sink in the main kitchen area. Operator posted employee hand wash signage.
Single-service articles improperly stored. Container of single service napkins stored on the floor under the shelf at the front service counter.
Wet wiping cloth not stored in sanitizing solution between uses. Wet wiping cloth stored on clean prep table in front of the press toaster. Operator relocated the wet wiping cloth.
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.