SAMS SOUTHERN RESTAURANT
1855 N MAIN ST, Jacksonville FL 32206
Last inspected Apr 9, 2026 · 9 visits since July 2023
JUL 24
FEB 25
AUG 25
OCT 25
APR 26
▲ GETTING WORSE
5 inspections, one direction. The current grade is the worst on record.
Live, small flying insects in kitchen, food preparation area, food storage area and/or bar area. One fly in kitchen area
★ 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5--2019008243 | Dec 11, 2018 | May 6, 2019 | $200 |
| 5--2019018904 | Mar 27, 2019 | May 2, 2019 | $400 |
Inspection history
9 visits, newest first
Apr 9, 2026Administrative complaint recommendedRoutine Inspection
Referred for a formal case, which can lead to a fine. 10 violations recorded, 1 high priority.
1 High priority2 Intermediate7 Basic
What the inspector wrote — 10 findingsThe state's own report →
Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Open case of frozen ground beef patties stored above case of French fries in reach in freezer.
Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Large bottle of soap stored in hand sink near triple sink.
No soap provided at handwash sink. No hand soap provided At hand wash sink at entrance to kitchen.
Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Bowl used to scoop rice.
Show the remaining 6 findings ▾
Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Red jacket single service lids employee moved jacket.
Employee with no hair restraint while engaging in food preparation. No hair restraint on employee preparing food items.
Equipment in poor repair. Torn gaskets on raw meat cooler.
Interior of refrigerator or freezer in disrepair/has exposed insulation. Insulation exposed on door of ice machine.
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Fan cover soiled with black debris. Hood filters soiled with grease build up.
Wet mop not stored in a manner to allow the mop to dry. Mop stored in soiled mop water in bucket.
Jan 15, 2026□ Call Back - CompliedRoutine Inspection
A return visit. The problems from the previous inspection had been dealt with.
0 High priority0 Intermediate0 Basic
Jan 5, 2026Call 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 ▾
Required employee training expired for all employees. To order approved program food safety material, call DBPR contracted provider: Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (SafeStaff) 866-372-7233. All employee training certificates expired.
Oct 24, 2025Warning IssuedRoutine Inspection
Violations found and a warning issued, with a return visit required. 11 recorded, 1 high priority.
1 High priority1 Intermediate9 Basic
Show 11 findings ▾
Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Raw mussels stored over corn on the cob in reach in freezer.
Required employee training expired for all employees. To order approved program food safety material, call DBPR contracted provider: Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (SafeStaff) 866-372-7233. All employee training certificates expired.
Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin. Black mold like substance on interior of ice machine.
Buildup of food debris/soil residue on equipment door handles. Food debris on Walk in cooler door handle.
Equipment in poor repair. Torn gasket on flip top meat cooler.
Exterior door has a gap at the threshold that opens to the outside. Gap on bottom of Back door.
Hole in or other damage to wall. In dining area front wall.
Interior of oven/microwave has accumulation of black substance/grease/food debris. Microwave soiled with food debris.
Interior of refrigerator or freezer in disrepair/has exposed insulation. Black mold like substance on interior of Ice machine.
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Fan covers dusty in the walk in cooler. Shelves walk in cooler soiled with black debris. Gaskets soiled with black debris on cooler drawers.
Wet mop not stored in a manner to allow the mop to dry. Mop stored in mop bucket with soiled water when not in use.
Aug 5, 2025Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 12 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
0 High priority2 Intermediate10 Basic
Show 12 findings ▾
Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Soap bottle stored in hand wash sink near triple sink
No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. No paper towels at hand wash sink near entrance to kitchen. Employee provided paper towels.
Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin. Black mold like substance on interior of ice machine.
Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Clear cup used to scoop rice
Buildup of food debris/soil residue on equipment door handles. Walk in cooler door handle.
Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Open employee beverage stored on prep table.
Employee with no hair restraint while engaging in food preparation. Employee with no hair restraint preparing food items.
Exterior door has a gap at the threshold that opens to the outside. Gap underneath bottom of back door.
Food stored on floor. Open container of pickles stored on floor in walk in cooler.
In-use ice scoop stored on soiled surface between uses. Ice scoop is stored on a Soiled exterior of ice machine.
In-use utensil in non-time/temperature control for safety food not stored with handle above top of food within a closed container. Handle of scoop stored in sugar.
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Walk in cooler fan covers are soiled with debris. Gaskets soiled on meat cooler.
Feb 25, 2025Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 10 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
0 High priority2 Intermediate8 Basic
Show 10 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. No written procedures provided, emailed manager written clean up procedures
Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Two Soap bottles stored in hand wash sink near triple sink
Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin. Black mold like substance on interior of ice machine
Buildup of food debris/soil residue on equipment door handles. Food debris on Walk in cooler door handle
Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Employee beverage stored on prep table, employee moved beverage cup
Equipment in poor repair. Torn gasket on reach in freezer
Exterior door has a gap at the threshold that opens to the outside. Gap underneath back door
In-use utensil in non-time/temperature control for safety food not stored with handle above top of food within a closed container. Handle is scoop touching Sugar in grey bin
Time/temperature control for safety food thawed in an improper manner. Fish thawing in Standing water at triple sink
Wet wiping cloth not stored in sanitizing solution between uses. Wet wiping cloth stored on prep table when not in use
Jul 11, 2024Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 8 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
1 High priority2 Intermediate5 Basic
Show 8 findings ▾
Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Fish over dinner rolls in reach in freezer, manager properly stored food items
Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Chemical cleansers stored in hand wash sink near triple sink
No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. No paper towels stored at hand wash sink at entrance to kitchen, manager provided paper towels during inspection
Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin. Black mold like substance on interior of ice machine
Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Employee beverage on shelf above prep table in server area
Exterior door has a gap at the threshold that opens to the outside. Gap underneath back door of establishment
Food stored on floor. Two containers of mayonnaise stored on floor in the walk in cooler, manager properly stored mayonnaise
Reach-in cooler interior/shelves have accumulation of soil residues. Food debris on interior of reach in cooler/gaskets in server area
Jan 29, 2024Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 11 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
3 High priority1 Intermediate7 Basic
Show 11 findings ▾
Raw animal foods not properly separated from each other in holding unit based upon minimum required cooking temperature. Raw chicken stored over shrimp and fish, employee properly stored food items
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 and the time removed from temperature control cannot be determined. No time marking on egg wash and milk wash, employee wrote time marking
Vacuum breaker missing at mop sink faucet or on fitting/splitter added to mop sink faucet. Vacuum breaker missing at mop sink before red hose after splitter
Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Soap and bleach stored in hand wash sink near triple sink, employee removed items from hand sink
Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Small cups used to scoop sugar
Buildup of food debris/soil residue on equipment door handles. Food debris on walk in cooler door handle
In-use utensil in non-time/temperature control for safety food not stored with handle above top of food within a closed container. Handle of scoop touching Sugar, employee properly stored scoop
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Fan covers in walk in cooler are soiled Hood filters are soiled with grease build up
Time/temperature control for safety food thawed in an improper manner. Fish thawing at room temperature, employee put fish in oven
Wall soiled with accumulated grease, food debris, and/or dust. Wall soiled I kitchen area by window
Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. White powdery substance stored in bin, employee labeled bin
Jul 26, 2023Administrative complaint recommendedRoutine Inspection
Referred for a formal case, which can lead to a fine. 11 violations recorded, 1 high priority.
1 High priority3 Intermediate7 Basic
Show 11 findings ▾
Live, small flying insects in kitchen, food preparation area, food storage area and/or bar area. One fly in kitchen 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. No written procedures provided, emailed operator vomiting and diarrheal clean up procedures
Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Towel, knife and container of soap stored in hand wash sink, employee removed items
Paper towel dispenser at handwash sink not working/unable to dispense paper towels. Paper towels not dispensing at hand wash sink
Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin. Mold like substance on interior of ice machine
Bathroom located inside establishment not completely enclosed with tight-fitting, self-closing doors. Door closers on women and men's rest room doors
Buildup of food debris/soil residue on equipment door handles. Food debris on Walk in cooler handle and door
Employee personal food not properly identified and segregated from food to be served to the public. Employee Goat meat stored with food that will be served to the public
Ice scoop handle in contact with ice. Ice scoop handle stored in ice in server area, manager properly stored ice scoop
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Gaskets on freezer soiled with a mold like substance
Time/temperature control for safety food thawed in an improper manner. Two bags Red beans thawing on counter, employee put red beans in the cooler
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.