THIRSTY MARLIN GRILL & BAR
1023 FLORIDA AVE, Palm Harbor FL 34683 · 727-784-3469
Last inspected Apr 14, 2026 · 8 visits since September 2023
APR 24
SEP 24
APR 25
JUL 25
APR 26
≈ ERRATIC
5 inspections, swinging between B and F. Consistency is the problem here, not any single visit.
Live, small flying insects found 3 flies underneath counter where soda station is located. 1 fly near the back door where soda boxes are located. 2 flies in dry storage area. 8 flies where boxes of ketchup and canned pineapple juice located in dry storage.
★ Spotless◆ Clean streak● Perfect year✓ Never fined
Awarded on the inspection record alone. What they mean →
Disciplinary actions
1 case · $200
| Case | Violation date | Final order | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3--2025060840 | Jul 14, 2025 | Nov 10, 2025 | $200 |
Inspection history
8 visits, newest first
Apr 14, 2026Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 7 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
1 High priority0 Intermediate6 Basic
What the inspector wrote — 7 findingsThe state's own report →
Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license. License expired on 02/01/26. Observed establishment open to the public and operating selling food with expired license. Operator was able to go in and update license.
Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Observed an employee beverage on the prep table in the kitchen. Manager corrected storage.
Floor area(s) covered with standing water in the walk in cooler..
Floor tiles missing and/or in disrepair. Observed missing floor tiles in the walk in cooler.
Show the remaining 3 findings ▾
Food stored on floor in the walk in freezer. Manager corrected storage.
Standing water in bottom of reach-in-cooler on cook line.
Walk-in cooler shelves with rust that has pitted the surface.
Jul 15, 2025Call Back - Admin. complaint recommendedComplaint Investigation
Referred for a formal case, which can lead to a fine. 6 violations recorded, 1 high priority.
1 High priority2 Intermediate3 Basic
Show 6 findings ▾
Live, small flying insects found 3 flies underneath counter where soda station is located. 1 fly near the back door where soda boxes are located. 2 flies in dry storage area. 8 flies where boxes of ketchup and canned pineapple juice located in dry storage.
Food manager certification expired. A list of accredited food manager certification examination providers can be found at https://www2.myfloridalicense.com/hotels-restaurants/food-lodging/food-manager/ Kevin expired. Kevin is in the process of getting recertified.
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. Tom, Ed, Mary Ellen.
Ceiling/ceiling tile shows damage or is in disrepair. Tiles in kitchen damaged new the office.
Floor soiled/has accumulation of debris. Floors throughout kitchen and bar soiled. Air Vents in kitchen soiled. Ceiling soiled with black substance where damage has occurred near the office. Walk in cooler floor soiled with food debris.
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Soiled fan walk in cooler. Racks in walk in cooler soiled with rust and mold like substance.
Jul 14, 2025Administrative complaint recommendedComplaint Investigation
Referred for a formal case, which can lead to a fine. 15 violations recorded, 4 high priority.
4 High priority2 Intermediate9 Basic
Show 15 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. Operator ran dish machine 2 cycles, 0ppm. Operator attempted to prime the machine and no sanitizer was dispensing. Discontinue use of dishmachine for sanitizing and set up manual sanitization (3-compartment sink) until dishmachine is repaired and sanitizing properly. 3 compartment sink set up and at 50ppm chlorine.
Live, small flying insects found 3 flies underneath counter where soda station is located. 1 fly near the back door where soda boxes are located. 2 flies in dry storage area. 8 flies where boxes of ketchup and canned pineapple juice located in dry storage.
Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Raw fish above ready to eat vegetables in walk in. Manager relocated.
Stop Sale issued due to food not being in a wholesome, sound condition. Grouper fully thawed in package that states to be removed from package prior to thawing.
Food manager certification expired. A list of accredited food manager certification examination providers can be found at https://www2.myfloridalicense.com/hotels-restaurants/food-lodging/food-manager/ Kevin expired. Kevin is in the process of getting recertified.
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. Tom, Ed, Mary Ellen.
Accumulation of debris on exterior of warewashing machine. Top of dish machine.
Ceiling/ceiling tile shows damage or is in disrepair. Tiles in kitchen damaged new the office.
Commercially processed reduced oxygen packaged fish bearing a label indicating that it is to remain frozen until time of use no longer frozen and not removed from reduced oxygen package. Grouper fully thawed in package that states to be removed from package prior to thawing. One package of grouper was frozen, chef removed from package. See stop sale.
Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting. Aluminum pans in the ware washing area stacked wet. Operator unstacked.
Floor soiled/has accumulation of debris. Floors throughout kitchen and bar soiled. Air Vents in kitchen soiled. Ceiling soiled with black substance where damage has occurred near the office. Walk in cooler floor soiled with food debris.
Interior of oven/microwave has accumulation of black substance/grease/food debris. Soiled microwave plate. Employees state it has not been used today.
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Soiled fan walk in cooler. Racks in walk in cooler soiled with rust and mold like substance.
Standing water in bottom of reach-in-cooler. Prep cooler on cookline.
Water draining onto floor surface. Standing water on the floor under near the soda station and the dry storage racks.
Jul 2, 2025□ Call Back - CompliedRoutine Inspection
A return visit. The problems from the previous inspection had been dealt with.
0 High priority3 Intermediate0 Basic
Show 3 findings ▾
Clam/mussel/oyster tags not marked with last date served. Oyster tag on 3/27/25 with no date if last oyster served. Operator was able to determine at time of inspection.
Food manager certification expired. A list of accredited food manager certification examination providers can be found at https://www2.myfloridalicense.com/hotels-restaurants/food-lodging/food-manager/ Kevin expired 9/24/2018
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. Expired trainings for Ed, Tom and Mary Ellen.
Apr 28, 2025Warning IssuedRoutine Inspection
Violations found and a warning issued, with a return visit required. 12 recorded, 6 high priority.
6 High priority5 Intermediate1 Basic
Show 12 findings ▾
Nonexempt fish offered raw or undercooked has not undergone proper parasite destruction. Fish must be fully cooked or discarded. No parasite destruction letter for salmon that is served raw. Operator had the distributor email parasite destruction letter at time of inspection. Parasite destruction conducted through Devi Fisheries Incorporated.
Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license. License expired 02/01/2025. Operator renewed at time of inspection.
Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Raw chicken above ready to eat food in reach in cooler. Operator relocated.
Stop Sale issued due to food not being in a wholesome, sound condition. Tuna not removed from reduced oxygen packaging before thawed.
Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. Rice 71F left in rice cooker overnight. Rice cooker was turned off overnight.
Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. rice (71F - Cold Holding) rice left in cooker overnight in the sushi area. Cooker was turned off. Operator states that it was accidentally left in there overnight. Sushi is not served until 5pm.
Clam/mussel/oyster tags not marked with last date served. Oyster tag on 3/27/25 with no date if last oyster served. Operator was able to determine at time of inspection.
Food manager certification expired. A list of accredited food manager certification examination providers can be found at https://www2.myfloridalicense.com/hotels-restaurants/food-lodging/food-manager/ Kevin expired 9/24/2018
Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Blocked handwash sink at outside bar. Operator relocated glasses that were blocking.
Menu does not identify which items contain raw or undercooked animal foods covered by the consumer advisory. Sushi menu and regular menu does not identify which food items are raw. There is to be an asterisk next to the raw food item and the consumer advisory.
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. Expired trainings for Ed, Tom and Mary Ellen.
Commercially processed reduced oxygen packaged fish bearing a label indicating that it is to remain frozen until time of use no longer frozen and not removed from reduced oxygen package. Tuna fully thawed in package that states to remove from package before thawing. See stop sale.
Sep 16, 2024Inspection Completed - No Further ActionComplaint Investigation
Met inspection standards. 5 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
2 High priority2 Intermediate1 Basic
Show 5 findings ▾
Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. Tomatoes cut 46F cold hold, pasta 50FF cold hold, tuna raw 46F cold hold. See Stop Sale.
Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Tomatoes cut 46F cold hold, pasta 50F cold hold, tuna raw 46F cold hold. See Stop Sale.
Clam/mussel/oyster tags not maintained in chronological order according to the last date they were served in the establishment.
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Cutting board green
Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Squeeze bottles on cooks line contain foods removed from its original container not labeled with common name. Discussed the need to label all food removed from its original container.
Apr 24, 2024Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 5 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
1 High priority1 Intermediate3 Basic
Show 5 findings ▾
Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Tuna 44F cold hold, second temperature 41F cold hold, pasta 45F cold hold, second temperature 40F cold hold, feta 45F cold hold, second temperatures 36F cold hold. Second temps taken at 4:56
Clam/mussel/oyster tags not marked with last date served. 2 tags missing date.
Commercially processed reduced oxygen packaged fish bearing a label indicating that it is to remain frozen until time of use no longer frozen and not removed from reduced oxygen package. Operator opened packages of fish.
Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable.
Floor soiled/has accumulation of debris.
Sep 11, 2023Inspection 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 ▾
Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Tuna 45F cold hold
Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable.
Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Employee beverage on shelf with clean utensils. Employee moved beverage.
Floor soiled/has accumulation of debris. Under and behind equipment.
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.