WAVES BAR & GRILL
321 N FORT LAUDERDALE BEACH BLVD, Fort Lauderdale FL 33304 · 954.467.1111
Last inspected Aug 24, 2026 · 10 visits since August 2023
APR 25
OCT 25
MAR 26
JUN 26
AUG 26
— STEADY
5 inspections within 22 points of each other. Whatever this kitchen does, it does consistently.
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 - chicken empanadas. Operator properly time stamped.
★ Spotless◆ Clean streak● Perfect year✓ Never fined
Awarded on the inspection record alone. What they mean →
Disciplinary actions
3 cases · $960
| Case | Violation date | Final order | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2--2019019628 | Apr 5, 2019 | Jun 14, 2019 | $400 |
| 2--2018001866 | Dec 27, 2017 | Apr 12, 2018 | $200 |
| 2--2015043174 | Sep 16, 2015 | Oct 26, 2015 | $360 |
Inspection history
10 visits, newest first
Aug 24, 2026Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 3 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
0 High priority0 Intermediate3 Basic
What the inspector wrote — 3 findings
Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Inside the chip bin, a small bowl was stored inside and being used to dispense the chips. The bowl was removed.
Carbon dioxide/helium tanks not adequately secured. At the outside bar
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. The electrical conduit to the heat lamp on the cook line is dusty.
Jun 22, 2026Inspection Completed - No Further ActionComplaint Investigation
Met inspection standards. 5 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
0 High priority3 Intermediate2 Basic
Show 5 findings ▾
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Outside bar soda gun nozzle. The nozzle was washed and sanitized during the inspection
No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. At the front counter coffee bar hand sink. Paper towels were provided
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.
Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin.
Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. In the tub of homemade potato chips, a small bowl was stored inside and being used to dispense the food. The bowl was removed.
Mar 26, 2026Inspection 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 ▾
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. 0 Ppm chlorine. Motor on dish machine wash not working correctly. Machine fixed during inspection recheck chlorine 100Ppm
No written procedures available for use of time as a public health control to hold time/temperature control for safety food. Plan was not filled out. Chef filled out plan.
Carbon dioxide/helium tanks not adequately secured. Located in kitchen next to rack of soda syrups and bar
Standing water in bottom of reach-in-cooler. Observed standing water in bottom of flip top cooler.
Wall soiled with accumulated grease, food debris, and/or dust. Observed behind alto shaam wall soiled with accumulation of grease
Dec 10, 2025Call Back - Admin. complaint recommendedRoutine Inspection
Referred for a formal case, which can lead to a fine. 1 violations recorded, 1 high priority.
1 High priority0 Intermediate0 Basic
Show 1 finding ▾
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. Beef and spinach empanadas per operator placed out 4 hours ago. Operator discarded items.
Oct 9, 2025Warning IssuedRoutine Inspection
Violations found and a warning issued, with a return visit required. 4 recorded, 2 high priority.
2 High priority1 Intermediate1 Basic
Show 4 findings ▾
Employee switched from working with raw food to ready-to-eat food without washing hands. Cook touched raw fish, changed gloves and touched ready to eat cheese without washing hands. Reviewed proper hand washing and employee washed hands.
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. Beef and spinach empanadas per operator placed out 4 hours ago. Operator discarded items.
No plan review submitted and approved - bar area added. Must submit plans and plan review application to DBPR H and R Plan Review office located at 2601 Blair Stone Rd., Tallahassee, FL 32399-1011. Plans must be submitted AND approved within 60 days. The direct link to the Plan Review page is https://www2.myfloridalicense.com/hotels-restaurants/licensing/plan-review/. Portable bar added to pool area - serving drinks, scooping ice - no hand sink.
Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin.
Apr 18, 2025Inspection Completed - No Further ActionComplaint Investigation
Met inspection standards. 8 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
0 High priority2 Intermediate6 Basic
Show 9 findings ▾
Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. -Bar hand washing sink used as dump sink. Operator removed strainer.
No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink at bar.
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. -Cookline employee drinking from open water container.
Equipment in poor repair. -Reach in cooler bottom drawer under oven not remaining closed.
Floor area by ware washing station covered with standing water.
Interior of refrigerator in disrepair has torn gaskets.
No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees at bar.
Standing water in bottom of right reach-in-cooler at pizza section.
No current insurance inspector boiler report or boiler certificate available for boiler. For reporting purposes only. Operator provided invoice for North Tower boiler.
Mar 27, 2025Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 2 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
1 High priority0 Intermediate1 Basic
Show 3 findings ▾
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 - chicken empanadas. Operator properly time stamped.
Ceiling tile missing. Above prep area.
No current insurance inspector boiler report or boiler certificate available for boiler. For reporting purposes only.
Jan 9, 2025Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 3 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
1 High priority1 Intermediate1 Basic
Show 4 findings ▾
Time/temperature control for safety food prepared from/mixed with ingredient(s) at ambient temperature not cooled to 41 degrees Fahrenheit within 4 hours. Cookline - drawers - raw fish - ambient cooling 1 hour at 12:30pm (41-48F - Cooling) at 1pm 45-48F. At this rate, proper cooling will not occur. Operator moved items to freezer to quick chill.
Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled. Outside bar - unlabeled spray bottle with cleaner. Operator properly labeled.
Label on a food item prepared and packaged onsite for customer self-service does not include product identity/description, date product was packaged and name and address of the establishment that prepared and packaged the food. Grab and go fruit cups. Operator labeled during inspection.
No current insurance inspector boiler report or boiler certificate available for boiler. For reporting purposes only.
Mar 28, 2024Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 4 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
1 High priority2 Intermediate1 Basic
Show 4 findings ▾
Stop Sale issued due to food not being in a wholesome, sound condition. 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. Cookline - drawers - 15 - 8oz packs of thawed ROP fish (grouper) - per operator in unit overnight. Reviewed proper procedures. See stop sale.
No written procedures available for use of time as a public health control to hold time/temperature control for safety food. TPHC - coffee creamers, croquettes, empanadas. Provided Time as a Public Health Control Form to operator. Operator filled out during inspection.
Water with a temperature of least 85 degrees Fahrenheit not provided/shut off at employee handwash sink. Front counter hand sink - water 80F. Operator repaired during inspection. Water 115F.
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. Cookline - drawers - 15 - 8oz packs of thawed ROP fish (grouper) - per operator in unit overnight. Reviewed proper procedures. See stop sale.
Aug 9, 2023Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 2 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
1 High priority1 Intermediate0 Basic
Show 2 findings ▾
Raw animal food stored over or with ready-to-eat food in a freezer - not all products commercially packaged. Raw beef burgers stored over fully cooked chicken in cookline reach in freezer. Operator stored all items properly.
No written procedures available for use of time as a public health control to hold time/temperature control for safety food. Operator filled out Time as a Public Health Control form during 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.