SOUTHERN GROUNDS & CO
3562 ST JOHNS AVE, Jacksonville FL 32205 · 904.374.1838
Last inspected Jun 23, 2026 · 10 visits since October 2023
JAN 25
MAY 25
OCT 25
JAN 26
JUN 26
— STEADY
5 inspections within 25 points of each other. Whatever this kitchen does, it does consistently.
Live, small flying insects in kitchen, food preparation area, food storage area and/or bar area. One flying insect in kitchen area
★ Spotless◆ Clean streak● Perfect year✓ Never fined
Awarded on the inspection record alone. What they mean →
Inspection history
10 visits, newest first
Jun 23, 2026□ Call Back - CompliedComplaint Investigation
A return visit. The problems from the previous inspection had been dealt with.
0 High priority0 Intermediate0 Basic
Jun 12, 2026Warning IssuedComplaint Investigation
Violations found and a warning issued, with a return visit required. 8 recorded, 2 high priority.
2 High priority2 Intermediate4 Basic
Show 8 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. Dishwasher (Chlorine 0ppm) do not use the dishwasher machine to sanitize dishes until the machine is repaired. Use the triple sink to sanitize all dishes.
Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Raw shell pooled eggs stored over prepped bags of cooked rice in reach in cooler. Employee properly stored food items.
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Can opener blade soiled with food debris, manager cleaned can opener blade.
Incorrect chemical test kit provided for measuring the concentration of the sanitizer solution used in the three-compartment sink and/or dishmachine. Quaternary ammonia test strips provided dish machine is chlorine. Per manager they ordered test strips.
Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance. Dust on ceiling tiles in kitchen area.
Dead roaches/insects on premises. Two dead insects in entry way to kitchen near side back door.
Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Employee drink cup stored on prep table, employee discarded beverage.
In-use utensil in non-time/temperature control for safety food not stored with handle above top of food within a closed container. Tongs stored on handle of black rolling cart.
Jan 26, 2026Inspection Completed - No Further ActionComplaint Investigation
Met inspection standards. 4 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
1 High priority0 Intermediate3 Basic
Show 4 findings ▾
Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. Sanitizer spray bottle stored on prep table, manager moved spray bottle.
Food storage container/container lid cracked or broken. A few melted of cracked lids present.
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Dust on storage shelves where clean dishes are stored.
Old labels stuck to food containers after cleaning. Old stickers stuck on clean dishes stored on shelf.
Oct 7, 2025Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 6 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
0 High priority1 Intermediate5 Basic
Show 6 findings ▾
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Can opener blade is soiled with food debris. Employee cleaned blade.
Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Cell phone prep table, employee moved cell phone.
Food storage container/container lid cracked or broken. Melted lid on cooked rice in prep cooler.
In-use ice scoop stored on soiled surface between uses. Ice scoop stored in soiled container, manager cleaned container and scoop.
No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees. Hand wash sign missing at hand sink on cooks line.
Stored food not covered. Bread and muffins stored in kitchen area on rack top of rack is open air. Suggested to manager to put a sheet pan on the top shelf to cover bread products. Manager covered products.
May 28, 2025Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 7 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
1 High priority1 Intermediate5 Basic
Show 7 findings ▾
Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. Lima beans dated 4/19/25 which exceeds 7 days since preparation.
Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Pork belly prepared onsite stored in the walk in cooler not date marked. Employee date marked pork.
Carbon dioxide/helium tanks not adequately secured. Co2 tank not secured, manager secured tank
Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance. Vent and ceiling tiles closest to vent are soiled with dust.
Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Cellphone stored on shelf with dry seasoning food items, green cell phone charger on meat slicer. Employee moved personal items.
Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting. Wet clean dishes stacked on shelf near ice Machine.
Wet wiping cloth not stored in sanitizing solution between uses. Two wiping cloths stored on prep tables when not in use.
Feb 24, 2025□ Call Back - CompliedRoutine Inspection
A return visit. The problems from the previous inspection had been dealt with.
0 High priority0 Intermediate0 Basic
Feb 10, 2025Call Back - Extension given, pendingRoutine Inspection
A return visit. The problems were not fixed yet and the kitchen was given more time.
1 High priority0 Intermediate0 Basic
Show 1 finding ▾
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. 0ppm chlorine sanitizer in dish machine. Discontinue use of dishmachine for sanitizing and set up manual sanitization (3-compartment sink) until dishmachine is repaired and sanitizing properly.
Jan 31, 2025Warning IssuedRoutine Inspection
Violations found and a warning issued, with a return visit required. 10 recorded, 2 high priority.
2 High priority2 Intermediate6 Basic
Show 10 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. 0ppm chlorine sanitizer in dish machine. Discontinue use of dishmachine for sanitizing and set up manual sanitization (3-compartment sink) until dishmachine is repaired and sanitizing properly.
Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Raw cold smoked Salmon stored over fully cooked pasta in drawers on flip top cooler. Manager properly stored food items during inspection
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Stained white cutting board
Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled. Unlabeled spray bottle with clear solution in server area, manager labeled spray bottle during inspection
Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin. Slight mold like build up on interior of ice machine
Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Sweater and keys stored on prep table where sandwiches are being prepped
Interior of oven/microwave has accumulation of black substance/grease/food debris. Food debris on interior of microwave on cooks line
No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees. No hand wash sign in server area near dessert display case
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Soiled gasket on cooler used to store milk near coffee machines
Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Unlabeled container with a white powdery substance stored on shelf in prep area
Mar 6, 2024Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 8 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
0 High priority2 Intermediate6 Basic
Show 8 findings ▾
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Stained white cutting board
Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Soiled scoop stored in hand wash sink on cooks line near oven, manager removed scoop from hand sink
Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance. Dust on ceiling above prep area
Employee with no beard guard/restraint while engaging in food preparation. Preparing sandwiches with no beard guard employee has facial hair. Employee put on beard guard
Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting. Wet clean dishes stacked on shelf near serving window
Equipment in poor repair. Torn gasket on reach in cooler drawers
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Debris on stand where bread mixer is located
Walk-in cooler/freezer shelves with rust that has pitted the surface. Rust on walk in cooler shelves
Oct 18, 2023Administrative complaint recommendedRoutine Inspection
Referred for a formal case, which can lead to a fine. 7 violations recorded, 2 high priority.
2 High priority0 Intermediate5 Basic
Show 7 findings ▾
Live, small flying insects in kitchen, food preparation area, food storage area and/or bar area. One flying insect in kitchen area
Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. sliced tomato (61F - Cold Holding) sliced tomato stored in clear container with lid on top of chill line in flip top cooler. Manager discarded tomato
Buildup of food debris/soil residue on equipment door handles. Food debris on Microwave door handle in kitchen area, dusty fan covers in the walk in cooler, soiled gasket on cooler under steam line and coffee prep area
Current Hotel and Restaurant license not displayed. Old license displayed, employee printed the correct license
Employee with no hair restraint while engaging in food preparation. Employees at server window adding butter and toppings on food items before serving to customers.
Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting. Wet clean dishes stacked on shelf in storage area, manager moved wet dishes to dish area to dry
Floor soiled/has accumulation of debris. Floor soiled with debris in the walk in freezer
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.