SOUTHERN GROUNDS
1671 ATLANTIC BLVD, Jacksonville FL 32207 · 904-619-1503
Last inspected Aug 26, 2026 · 8 visits since December 2023
NOV 24
MAY 25
NOV 25
APR 26
AUG 26
▼ IMPROVING
5 inspections, climbing. The current grade is the best on record.
Live, small flying insects found. One by front counter
★ Spotless◆ Clean streak● Perfect year✓ Never fined
Awarded on the inspection record alone. What they mean →
Disciplinary actions
3 cases · $1,200
| Case | Violation date | Final order | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5--2021049132 | Oct 18, 2021 | Nov 12, 2021 | $800 |
| 5--2021046173 | Sep 21, 2021 | Nov 8, 2021 | $400 |
| 5--2021043584 | Sep 21, 2021 | Sep 29, 2021 | — |
Inspection history
8 visits, newest first
Aug 26, 2026Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 8 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
1 High priority1 Intermediate6 Basic
What the inspector wrote — 8 findingsThe state's own report →
Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed house made hollandaise sauce (102F - Hot Holding) in steam table across from hand wash sink on cook line. Requested hollandaise sauce to be reheated to 165F.
Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Observed hand wash sink in warewashing area used to store sanitizer bucket filled with cleaning supplies. Operator removed sanitizer bucket.
Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin. Observed interior of ice bin soiled with black like substance.
Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Observed cup/ bowl without handle used to dispense noodles on storage shelf. Operator removed bowl.
Show the remaining 4 findings ▾
Dead roaches on premises.Observed one dead roach on floor in single use storage room. Employee cleaned up and discarded.
Equipment in poor repair. Observed left bottom drawer of reach-in cooler drawers below grill in disrepair. Drawer falls out when trying to open.
Unsealed concrete floor in food preparation, food storage, warewashing area or bathroom. Observed unsealed concrete floor throughout kitchen, cook line, prep and warewashing areas.
Wiping cloth quaternary ammonium compound sanitizing solution not at proper minimum strength. Observed Sanitizer Bucket (Quaternary 0ppm) at closed end of cook line. Employee remade sanitizer solution and retested at 200ppm.
Apr 30, 2026□ Call Back - CompliedRoutine Inspection
A return visit. The problems from the previous inspection had been dealt with.
0 High priority0 Intermediate0 Basic
Apr 27, 2026Warning IssuedRoutine Inspection
Violations found and a warning issued, with a return visit required. 16 recorded, 5 high priority.
5 High priority5 Intermediate6 Basic
Show 16 findings ▾
Employee cracked raw shell eggs and then handled ready-to-eat food and/or clean equipment or utensils without washing hands. Cook cracked egg then changed gloves and scooped cooked foods, explained to him and he washed hands
Shell eggs in use or stored with cracks or broken shells. One cracked, employee discarded it
Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. Cheesecakes
Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. 48-50f raw smoked salmon, cooked chicken, in double pan in prep cooler at cook line, less than 4 hrs, employee rearranged, 46-50f cheesecakes in display cooler at 44f, overnight, stop sale, employee discarded them
Vacuum breaker missing at hose bibb or on fitting/splitter added to hose bibb. No vacuum breaker on faucet by dish machine
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Slicer with old build up, used yesterday
No chemical test kit provided when using sanitizer at three-compartment sink/warewashing machine or wiping cloths. For chlorine in dish machine
No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. Hand sink by cook line, no paper towels, employee placed some
Water pressure lacking at fixtures that require the use of water. Hot water side in hand sink at front counter by ice bin
Water with a temperature of least 85 degrees Fahrenheit not provided/shut off at employee handwash sink. Unable to open hot water side in hand sink by cook line next to prep sink, employee fixed it
Carbon dioxide/helium tanks not adequately secured. Small one in walk in cooler not secured
Clean glasses, cups, bowls, plates, pots and pans not stored inverted or in a protected manner. Fry pans on top shelf on storage shelf by ice machines employee inverted them
Food stored on floor. Bucket with food on floor, employee rearranged walk in cooler
In-use utensil stored in standing water less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. 70f water for scoop used for butter, server area, employee discarded water
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. 2 hood filters with grease build up
Water leaking from pipe and/or faucet/handle. Faucet in hand sink at cook line by prep sink
Nov 20, 2025Administrative complaint recommendedRoutine Inspection
Referred for a formal case, which can lead to a fine. 19 violations recorded, 2 high priority.
2 High priority5 Intermediate12 Basic
Show 19 findings ▾
Live, small flying insects found. One fly by triple sink at front counter
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. For hollandaise sauce, 130f, employee wrote time on
Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Ice in hand sink at front counter
No chemical test kit provided when using sanitizer at three-compartment sink/warewashing machine or wiping cloths. Chlorine
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. One server here doesn't have it, couldn't find it on phone, 4 years here, K Douglass
Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled. Blue substance at front counter, manager labeled it windex
Water with a temperature of least 85 degrees Fahrenheit not provided/shut off at employee handwash sink. Hand sink at front counter, manager turned it on
Accumulation of debris on exterior of warewashing machine.
Carbon dioxide/helium tanks not adequately secured. In walk in cooler, secured by manager
Ceiling tile missing. One by server table, entrance to kitchen, ordered already
Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance. Dusty vent by dish machine area
Employee with no beard guard/restraint while engaging in food preparation. Cook cutting onions, no beard guard, he put one one
Equipment in poor repair. Gasket torn in drawer unit under grill, cook line
Food storage container/container lid cracked or broken. Cracked container for pico de gallo in prep cooler, employee changed container
Food stored on floor. Boxes with food in walk in cooler and walk in freezer, employee placed them on shelf
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Gasket with old food build up on drawer unit under grill, cook line, a couple of hood filters above grill are greasy,
Walk-in cooler/freezer shelves with rust that has pitted the surface. A couple of shelves with some rust
Water leaking from pipe and/or faucet/handle. Faucet by dish machine leaking and pipe in hand sink at front counter, has a bucket to catch water
Wet wiping cloth not stored in sanitizing solution between uses. By slicer, cook line area
May 6, 2025Administrative complaint recommendedRoutine Inspection
Referred for a formal case, which can lead to a fine. 13 violations recorded, 4 high priority.
4 High priority3 Intermediate6 Basic
Show 13 findings ▾
Employee rubbed hands together for less than 10-15 seconds while washing hands. Cracked egg then washed hands for 8 seconds, put on gloves and grabbed avocado, explained to her and she washed hands
Food-contact surfaces not sanitized after cleaning, before use. Do not use equipment/utensils not properly sanitized. Employee washed and rinsed dishes only in triple sink at front counter coffee area, explained to her and she filled sanitizer and placed them in it
Live, small flying insects found. One by front counter
Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. Degreaser sprayer by clean containers, manager moved chemical
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Slicer used yesterday, employee cleaned it
Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Knife in hand sink, manager removed it
Required employee training expired for some employees. To order approved program food safety material, call DBPR contracted provider: Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (SafeStaff) 866-372-7233. One expired in January 2025
Clean glasses, cups, bowls, plates, pots and pans not stored inverted or in a protected manner. Frypans and big bowls on storage shelf, manager inverted them
Food stored on floor. Bucket with food on floor in walk in cooler, employee placed it on shelf
In-use utensil stored in standing water less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. 125-131f water for utensils on stove, burner off, employee turned burner on
Interior of oven/microwave has accumulation of black substance/grease/food debris. Microwave, manager cleaned it
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Shelf in walk in cooler
Wall soiled with accumulated grease, food debris, and/or dust. By prep cooler
Nov 18, 2024Administrative complaint recommendedRoutine Inspection
Referred for a formal case, which can lead to a fine. 18 violations recorded, 5 high priority.
5 High priority4 Intermediate9 Basic
Show 18 findings ▾
Employee cracked raw shell eggs and then handled ready-to-eat food and/or clean equipment or utensils without washing hands. Employee cracked egg then change gloves and grabbed bread, explained to him, he washed hands and discarded bread
Employee rubbed hands together for less than 10-15 seconds while washing hands. Employee washed hands for 8 seconds after touching raw smoked salmon and then grabbed bread for another order, explained to her and she washed again properly,
Food not properly protected from contamination. One boiled egg has a hair on, discarded by employee
Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. 70f grits and oatmeal on warmer off, employee turned it on, reheated them on stove, got to 165f
Vacuum breaker missing at hose bibb or on fitting/splitter added to hose bibb. Faucet by dish machine
Chemical test kit not used to ensure proper sanitization of equipment and utensils when using a chemical sanitizer. For sink and surface and quat
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. For 2 new employees
Nonservice animals in the food establishment or on premises. One non service dog in outside seating
Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled. Blue substance by trip,e sink, employee wrote cleaner
Clean glasses, cups, bowls, plates, pots and pans not stored inverted or in a protected manner. Big bowls, storage by ice machine
Employee drinking from an unenclosed beverage container in a food preparation/clean dishware area and the container does not have a dispensing mechanism to prevent hand contact with lip contact area of drink container. 2 open cans at cook line, discarded
In-use utensil stored in standing water less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. 120f water for utensils on double pan, employee removed one pan, got to 165f
No Heimlich maneuver/choking sign posted. Emailed one
No copy of latest inspection report available.
No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees. Hand sink by cook line by prep sink at cook line, employee placed one
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Shelf and fan in walk in cooler
Reach-in cooler interior/shelves have accumulation of soil residues. Reach in cooler by fryers
Single-service articles not stored inverted or protected from contamination. Too many coffee filters on to of coffee machine, employee placed them in cabinet
Feb 21, 2024Administrative complaint recommendedComplaint Investigation
Referred for a formal case, which can lead to a fine. 18 violations recorded, 4 high priority.
4 High priority5 Intermediate9 Basic
Show 18 findings ▾
Employee switched from working with raw food to ready-to-eat food without washing hands. Cracked egg then grabbed bread with same gloves, explained to her, she washed hands and discarded bread
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. New eggs taken out a few minutes ago, she wrote time
Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. Degreaser on shelf above cup cake wrappers, storage area, mgr moved it
Vacuum breaker missing at mop sink faucet or on fitting/splitter added to mop sink faucet. On wrong side of splitter
Chemical test kit not used to ensure proper sanitization of equipment and utensils when using a chemical sanitizer. For bucket, quat
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 one
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Sandwich press
No chemical test kit provided when using sanitizer at three-compartment sink/warewashing machine or wiping cloths. Chlorine
No written procedures available for use of time as a public health control to hold time/temperature control for safety food. For French toast mix, time on but not in procedure, mgr write it in procedure
Ceiling tile missing. Panels leaned by dish washing area
Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Above can goods, employee moved it
Equipment in poor repair. Gasket in drawer unit
No copy of latest inspection report available. Mgr here called someone to get it, emailed to him
No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees. Hand sink by prep sink, cook line area,
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. A couple of hood filters, shelf in storage area
Single-service articles not stored inverted or protected from contamination. Cup cake wrappers in storage area, mgr inverted them
Water leaking from pipe and/or faucet/handle. Faucet in prep sink, cook line area
Wiping cloth quaternary ammonium compound sanitizing solution not at proper minimum strength. 0 ppm in bucket, kitchen, mgr made new solution manually, dispenser not dispensing, 300 ppm quat
Dec 14, 2023Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 15 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
3 High priority5 Intermediate7 Basic
Show 15 findings ▾
Employee cracked raw shell eggs and then handled ready-to-eat food and/or clean equipment or utensils without washing hands. Employee cracked egg then scooped rice, explained to her and she washed hands
Employee rubbed hands together for less than 10-15 seconds while washing hands. Employee picked something from floor then washed hands for 7 seconds, put on gloves and grabbed bread, explained to her and she washed hands
Vacuum breaker missing at mop sink faucet or on fitting/splitter added to mop sink faucet. Not on hanging hose side
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Slicer
Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Scrubby in it, hand sink by oven, cook line, mgr moved it employee dumping liquid in hand sink at beverage front counter area
No chemical test kit provided when using sanitizer at three-compartment sink/warewashing machine or wiping cloths. Chlorine and quat
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. For a couple of employees that don't have training
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. A couple of employees here more than 2 months
Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance. Kitchen area
Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. On prep table, employee discarded it
Equipment in poor repair. Gasket torn in drawer unit by cook line
No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees. Hand sink by oven at cook line
Outer openings not protected during operation and vermin and/or environmental cross contamination present. They have a couple of garage windows opened and they don't have air curtain like plans stated if they want to open them, mgr closed them
Wet wiping cloth not stored in sanitizing solution between uses. Placed in sanitizer, cook line
Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. White powder on shelf, salt written by employee
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.