WATERS EDGE BAR AND GRILL
7004 SW HWY 358, Steinhatchee FL 32359 · 239-707-4687
Last inspected Oct 31, 2025 · 9 visits since February 2024
MAY 24
JUL 24
APR 25
JUL 25
OCT 25
≈ ERRATIC
5 inspections, swinging between A and F. Consistency is the problem here, not any single visit.
Live, small flying insects in kitchen, food preparation area, food storage area and/or bar area. One fly in kitchen near prep table in prep area. One flying insect on wall in prep area.
★ 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5--2021020390 | Mar 19, 2021 | Jun 9, 2021 | $200 |
Inspection history
9 visits, newest first
Oct 31, 2025Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 8 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
0 High priority2 Intermediate6 Basic
What the inspector wrote — 8 findingsThe state's own report →
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Interior of keg cooler in bar area soiled with dirty water and/or black substance.
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. Two new employees working in bar area handling food. Manager has no proof wither employee has been informed of their health reporting responsibilities.
Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Employees purse and bag stored with single-use items below bar. Manager had employees remove all personal items from the shelf during this inspection.
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Gaskets on keg cooler doors soiled with mold-like substance.
Show the remaining 4 findings ▾
Open dumpster lid. Dumpster lid left open.
Single-service articles not stored inverted or protected from contamination. Several boxes containing single-use cups and lids stored directly on floor in storage room behind bar. Manager placed all items on a table during this inspection.
Standing water in bottom of reach-in-cooler. Standing water inside bottom of keg cooler in bar area.
Wood surface not properly sealed. Unsealed wooden shelves in liquor storage closet in bar area.
Sep 4, 2025□ Call Back - CompliedRoutine Inspection
A return visit. The problems from the previous inspection had been dealt with.
0 High priority0 Intermediate0 Basic
Jul 2, 2025Administrative complaint recommendedRoutine Inspection
Referred for a formal case, which can lead to a fine. 14 violations recorded, 3 high priority.
3 High priority4 Intermediate7 Basic
Show 14 findings ▾
Nonfood-grade bags used in direct contact with food. Grocery bag containing personal food stored down inside ice inside ice machine in storage room behind bar. Manager removed bag from ice machine and discarded the top layer of ice during this inspection.
Private home/living/sleeping area used to conduct food operation. Bed inside rear food storage room behind bar, containing fountain soda syrups and ice machine.
Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. 1. Package of raw beef stored on shelf directly above box containing salad dressings and box containing romaine lettuce inside reach-in cooler in storage room near bar. 2. Package of raw hamburger meat stored on shelf directly above box containing heads of lettuce inside reach-in cooler in storage room near bar. Manager had an employee move all raw meats to the bottom shelf during this inspection.
Employee using bare hand contact with nonready-to-eat food (such as raw animal food or flour) unnecessarily without the use of gloves, deli paper, scoops, tongs or other utensils. Employee in bar area scooped ice with drink cup without handle.
Employee with artificial nails/nail polish working with exposed food without wearing intact gloves. Employee in bar area with painted and/or artificial nails scooped ice without wearing gloves in bar area. Scoop is a drink cup without handle.
Food service manager not certified within 30 days of employment. A list of accredited food manager certification examination providers can be found at http://www.myfloridalicense.com/DBPR/hotels-restaurants/food-lodging/food-manager/ No proof of food manager training for manager, Tony H. Manager on-duty stated that Tony is still in-charge of the kitchen and MFDV. Tony was the manager in-charge during the last inspection.
No proof of required state approved employee training provided for any employees. To order approved program food safety material, call DBPR contracted provider: Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (SafeStaff) 866-372-7233. No proof of food handler training available for any employees.
Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Drink cup without handle used as a scoop in ice chest in bar area.
Carbon dioxide/helium tanks not adequately secured. Four co2 tanks not secured inside exterior storage read storage room, near ice machine. Employee secured all tanks with a chain during this inspection.
Employee personal food not properly identified and segregated from food to be served to the public. Grocery bag containing personal food stored down inside ice inside ice machine in storage room behind bar. Manager removed bag from ice machine and discarded the top layer of ice during this inspection.
Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Three hats stored on shelf directly above fountain soda syrups in rear food storage room. Manager removed hats from shelf during this inspection.
Equipment in poor repair. Nonfunctional reach-in cooler in bar area. No temperature -controlled foods stored inside unit.
Food stored on floor. 1. Several fountain soda syrups boxes stored directly on floor in rear storage area. 2. Plastic bottles of water stored directly on floor inside refrigerated trailer. Employee placed all items on a shelf during this inspection.
Single-service articles improperly stored. Box containing foam takeout trays stored directly on floor inside storage trailer. Employee placed box on a a shelf during this inspection.
Jul 2, 2025□ Call Back - CompliedRoutine Inspection
A return visit. The problems from the previous inspection had been dealt with.
0 High priority0 Intermediate0 Basic
Apr 25, 2025Warning IssuedRoutine Inspection
Violations found and a warning issued, with a return visit required. 3 recorded.
0 High priority1 Intermediate2 Basic
Show 3 findings ▾
No certified food manager for establishment. A list of accredited food manager certification examination providers can be found at http://www.myfloridalicense.com/DBPR/hotels-restaurants/food-lodging/food-manager/ No certified food manager certificate available for any employees. Manager, Tony H. Present during the last inspection.
Equipment in poor repair. Unused and nonfunctional keg cooler in bar area.
Standing water in bottom of reach-in-cooler. Standing water in bottom of cooler in bar area.
Jul 17, 2024Administrative complaint recommendedRoutine Inspection
Referred for a formal case, which can lead to a fine. 14 violations recorded, 6 high priority.
6 High priority0 Intermediate8 Basic
Show 14 findings ▾
Employee touched soiled apron/clothes and then engaged in food preparation, handled clean equipment or utensils, or touched unwrapped single-service items without washing hands. Employee rubbed hands on shirt, then put on gloves and began handling raw fish. Inspector had employee stop and wash hands before continuing to handle food.
Live, small flying insects in kitchen, food preparation area, food storage area and/or bar area. Two small flying insects in kitchen near pickup window. One fly in kitchen near storage shelves.
Raw animal foods not properly separated from each other in holding unit based upon minimum required cooking temperature. Raw ground hamburger meat stored on shelf directly above raw alligator meat inside reach-in cooler at cookline. Employee moved hamburger meat to the bottom shelf during this inspection.
Stop Sale issued due to food not being in a wholesome, sound condition. Seven packages of raw tuna thawed inside reduced oxygen packaging. Packaging does give instruction to remove the fish from the reduced oxygen packaging prior to thawing. Manager stated the fish was thawed the previous day.
Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Inside reach-in cooler at cookline: shrimp (45F-51F - Cold Holding). Employee stated she had the shrimp out for a few minutes approximately one hour prior. Inspector had employee add ice to shrimp to cool to 41F.
Vacuum breaker missing at hose bibb or on fitting/splitter added to hose bibb. Backflow prevention device missing at blue hose connection on wall beside outdoor restrooms. Employee added a backflow prevention device to spigot during this inspection.
Carbon dioxide/helium tanks not adequately secured. One co2 tank not secured in storage room behind bar. Manager secured tank with a chain during this inspection.
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. Seven packages of raw tuna thawed inside reduced oxygen packaging. Packaging does give instruction to remove the fish from the reduced oxygen packaging prior to thawing. Manager stated the fish was thawed the previous day. Stop sale issued.
Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Employee drink cup on shelf above reach-in cooler and shelf containing single-use condiment cups and jars of ginger. Manager discarded drink cup during this inspection.
Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Employee purse stored on shelf beside mixers below counter behind bar. Employee removed purse from area during this inspection.
Insect control device installed over food preparation area. Insect pest control light installed on wall above reach-in cooler and shelf containing single-use condiment cups and jars of ginger.
No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees. Handwash sign at handwash sink in front of kitchen states "handwash sink only" and does not instruct employees to wash hands.
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Hood filters above grill soiled with grease. Gaskets on reach-in cooler doors in bar area soiled with mold-like substance. Employee cleaned gaskets during this inspection.
Standing water in bottom of reach-in-cooler. Standing water inside keg cooler in bar area.
May 28, 2024Inspection Completed - No Further ActionComplaint Investigation (Partial)
Nothing was found. The inspector recorded no violations at all.
0 High priority0 Intermediate0 Basic
Mar 28, 2024Administrative complaint recommendedComplaint Investigation
Referred for a formal case, which can lead to a fine. 15 violations recorded, 2 high priority.
2 High priority1 Intermediate12 Basic
Show 15 findings ▾
Live, small flying insects in kitchen, food preparation area, food storage area and/or bar area. One fly in kitchen near prep table in prep area. One flying insect on wall in prep area.
Stop Sale issued due to food not being in a wholesome, sound condition. Two pans of grouper thawed inside reduced oxygen packaging. Manager stated the grouper was thawed the previous day. Packaging does have a label indicating it must be removed from packaging prior to thawing.
Raw/undercooked animal food offered and establishment has no written consumer advisory. Raw animal foods must be fully cooked prior to service. No consumer advisory posted or on menu for hamburgers or steak that is offered undercooked to customers. Inspector had manager print and post a consumer advisory during this inspection.
Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Condiment cup without handle stored inside container of seasoning on shelf in prep area of kitchen. Manager discarded condiment cup during this inspection.
Ceiling and/or wall not smooth, nonabsorbent and easily cleanable in food preparation, food storage, or warewashing areas. Ceiling and walls in bar area constructed from unsealed plywood.
Cleaned and sanitized equipment or utensils not properly stored. Box containing single-use straws stored directly on floor in prep area of kitchen. Manager straws on shelf during this inspection.
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. Two pans of grouper thawed inside reduced oxygen packaging. Manager stated the grouper was thawed the previous day. Packaging does have a label indicating it must be removed from packaging prior to thawing. Stop sale issued.
Exterior door has a gap at the threshold that opens to the outside. Large gap below door to kitchen from bar area.
Food stored on floor. Two containers of cooking oil stored directly on floor in prep area of kitchen. Manager placed oil on shelf during this inspection.
Garbage not placed in a receptacle for storage until pick up to make the garbage inaccessible to insects and rodents. Trailer containing bags of trash beside dumpster area.
No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees. Handwash sign missing at handwash sink in prep area of kitchen.
Nonfood-contact equipment exposed to splash/spillage not constructed of materials that are corrosion resistant, non-absorbent, smooth and easily cleanable. Shelving throughout bar area constructed with unsealed plywood.
Open dumpster lid. Both dumpster lids left open on dumpsters in parking lot.
Outer openings not protected during operation and vermin and/or environmental cross contamination present. Sliding window to kitchen left open. Employee closed window during this inspection.
Standing water in bottom of reach-in-cooler. Standing water in bottom of keg cooler in bar area.
Feb 19, 2024Administrative complaint recommendedRoutine Inspection
Referred for a formal case, which can lead to a fine. 5 violations recorded, 1 high priority.
1 High priority0 Intermediate4 Basic
Show 5 findings ▾
Vacuum breaker missing at hose bibb or on fitting/splitter added to hose bibb. Backflow prevention device missing after splitter at spigot on side of bar near ramp. Operator removed splitter from spigot during this inspection. Spigot does have a backflow prevention device installed.
Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance. Ceiling throughout kitchen soiled with brown splatter.
Floor tiles missing and/or in disrepair. Several holes in floor behind bar area leading to the outside.
Outer openings of establishment cannot be properly sealed when not in operation. No window or screen at window to kitchen from bar area. Door missing leading from bar area to porch area on lodging-side of establishment. Screen missing from windows in bar area.
Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Two bins containing breading missing labels at no of cookline. Employee added proper labels during this inspection.
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.