STAR FISH COMPANY
12306 46 AVE W, Cortez FL 34215 · 941-794-1243
Last inspected Mar 5, 2026 · 9 visits since July 2023
APR 24
NOV 24
MAY 25
OCT 25
MAR 26
▼ IMPROVING
5 inspections, climbing. The current grade is the best on record.
Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed on the right side cook line: Cut tomatoes (56F - Cold Holding). Operator stated they had been out for approximately 1 hr. Operator placed ice around them.
★ Spotless◆ Clean streak● Perfect year✓ Never fined
Awarded on the inspection record alone. What they mean →
Inspection history
9 visits, newest first
Mar 5, 2026Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 4 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
0 High priority1 Intermediate3 Basic
What the inspector wrote — 4 findings
Non-pitting surface rust on food-contact equipment. Observed rust pitting on wire shelf in the main kitchen.
Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable. Observed cutting boards in both kitchens with grooved cutting boards.
Food stored on floor. Observed 2 cases of food on the floor in walk-in freezer. Operator moved cases to shelf.
Ice buildup in reach-in freezer and/or walk-in freezer. Observed ice buildup up in walk-in freezer.
Oct 14, 2025Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 5 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
0 High priority1 Intermediate4 Basic
Show 5 findings ▾
Non-pitting surface rust on food-contact equipment. Observed surface rust on wire rack located in kitchen 1.
Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable. Observed green cutting boards with cut marks.
Employee with no beard guard/restraint while engaging in food preparation. Observed employees bottled engaged in food preparation without a beard guard. Employee put on beard guard.
Ice buildup in reach-in freezer and/or walk-in freezer. Observed ice buildup-up in walk in freezer.
Ice scoop handle in contact with ice. Observed handle of ice scoop in ice located in bar area. Operator moved handle above ice.
May 7, 2025Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
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. Employee bottle of medicine stored on a shelf next to food in the kitchen. Employee removed the medicine.
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Dry storage rack in the kitchen soiled.
Ripped/worn tin foil used as shelf cover. Torn tin foil used to line a shelf under the grill on the cook line. Employee replaced the foil.
Wet wiping cloths not stored in sanitizing solution between uses. Employee placed the cloths in a sanitizer solution.
Nov 26, 2024□ Call Back - CompliedRoutine Inspection
A return visit. The problems from the previous inspection had been dealt with.
0 High priority0 Intermediate0 Basic
Nov 19, 2024Warning IssuedRoutine Inspection
Violations found and a warning issued, with a return visit required. 5 recorded, 1 high priority.
1 High priority2 Intermediate2 Basic
Show 5 findings ▾
Raw animal foods not properly separated from each other in holding unit based upon minimum required cooking temperature. Observed raw beef burgers over fish in 2 door reach-in cooler in new kitchen. Operator moved products and placed them according to cook temperatures.
Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Observed a water pitcher in handwashing sink. Operator removed pitcher.
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. Observed D. Roggenkamp, J. Peralta, R. Gibbs food handler training expired.
Bathroom facility in disrepair. Both men's and women's bathrooms are unusable at the time of this inspection. Operator stated that bathrooms are in the process of being repaired. Operation has been allowed to use the bathrooms next door at the fish house owned by same owner.
In-use utensil in non-time/temperature control for safety food not stored with handle above top of food within a closed container. Observed bowl being used to dispense grits in food prep area. Operator removed bowl.
Apr 19, 2024Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 10 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
3 High priority3 Intermediate4 Basic
Show 10 findings ▾
Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Observed raw fish stored over ready to eat coleslaw in the right side kitchen reach in cooler. Operator moved the fish.
Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed on the right side cook line: Cut tomatoes (56F - Cold Holding). Operator stated they had been out for approximately 1 hr. Operator placed ice around them.
Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed in the right side kitchen: Fish (96F - Hot Holding). Operator stated they had been out for approximately 30minutes. Operator disposed of the fish of his choice.
Employee washed hands in a sink other than an approved handwash sink. Observed an employee wash hands in a dump sink. Instructed operator on proper washing.
No chemical test kit provided when using sanitizer at three-compartment sink/warewashing machine or wiping cloths. Observed no chemical test kit for their quaternary triple sink.
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. Observed expired: Karen S, Ralph G.
Carbon dioxide/helium tanks not adequately secured. Observed multiple carbon dioxide tanks not secured in the storage walk way. Operator secured them with a bungee cord.
Employee with no hair restraint while engaging in food preparation. Observed an employee working in the right side kitchen with no hair restraint.
Floor not cleaned when the least amount of food is exposed. Observed grease buildup under the left side kitchen cook line.
No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees. Observed no hand wash sign at the prep hand wash sink. Operator placed a sign.
Nov 13, 2023Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 8 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
4 High priority1 Intermediate3 Basic
Show 8 findings ▾
Dented/rusted cans present. See stop sale. Observed in dry storage in main kitchen area a dented can of Chili sauce and crushed tomatoes. Educated Person in charge on dented cans. Person in charge set aside for pick up and return.
Stop Sale issued due to food not being in a wholesome, sound condition. Observed in Walk in cooler in main kitchen area raw oysters with no tag. Educated Person in charge on No tag on/for original container of raw, in-shell clams/mussels/oysters. Person in charge discarded Oysters.
Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. Observed in bar area Seafood Chowder (149F - Reheating). Person in charge stated that it was a reheated food product and was started in the warming unit 8:00am. Educated Person in charge on Time/temperature control for safety food reheated for hot holding not reaching 165 degrees Fahrenheit for 15 seconds within 2 hours. Person in charge voluntarily discarded the Seafood Chowder.
Time/temperature control for safety food reheated for hot holding not reaching 165 degrees Fahrenheit for 15 seconds within 2 hours. Observed in bar area Seafood Chowder (149F - Reheating). Person in charge stated that it was a reheated food product and was started in the warming unit 8:00am. Educated Person in charge on Time/temperature control for safety food reheated for hot holding not reaching 165 degrees Fahrenheit for 15 seconds within 2 hours. Person in charge voluntarily discarded the Seafood Chowder.
No tag on/for original container of raw, in-shell clams/mussels/oysters. See stop sale. Observed in Walk in cooler in main kitchen area raw oysters with no tag. Educated Person in charge on No tag on/for original container of raw, in-shell clams/mussels/oysters. Person in charge discarded Oysters.
Ice buildup in reach-in freezer and/or walk-in freezer. Ice buildup in reach walk-in freezer in side area of kitchen walk way. As a repeat violation the importance of following proper protocol with this violation was reinforced with the employee.
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed in main kitchen area over fryers and Grill hood filters soiled with grease. As a repeat violation the importance of following proper protocol with this violation was reinforced with the employee.
Walk-in cooler/freezer shelves with rust that has pitted the surface. Walk-in cooler shelves with rust that has pitted the surface in main kitchen area. As a repeat violation the importance of following proper protocol with this violation was reinforced with the employee.
Jul 26, 2023□ Call Back - CompliedRoutine Inspection
A return visit. The problems from the previous inspection had been dealt with.
0 High priority0 Intermediate3 Basic
Show 3 findings ▾
Ice buildup in reach walk-in freezer in side area of kitchen walk way. As a repeat violation the importance of following proper protocol with this violation was reinforced with the employee.
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed in main kitchen area over fryers and Grill hood filters soiled with grease.
Walk-in cooler shelves with rust that has pitted the surface.
Jul 26, 2023□ Call Back - CompliedRoutine Inspection
A return visit. The problems from the previous inspection had been dealt with.
0 High priority0 Intermediate0 Basic
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.