ZAFEM CARIBBEAN RESTAURANT
2190 45 STREET 105, Vero Beach FL 32967 · 772-985-1022
Last inspected Jun 16, 2026 · 10 visits since September 2023
JUL 24
DEC 24
JUN 25
JAN 26
JUN 26
— STEADY
5 inspections within 39 points of each other. Whatever this kitchen does, it does consistently.
Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license.
★ Spotless◆ Clean streak● Perfect year✓ Never fined
Awarded on the inspection record alone. What they mean →
Inspection history
10 visits, newest first
Jun 16, 2026Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 4 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
1 High priority0 Intermediate3 Basic
What the inspector wrote — 4 findings
Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Cut cabbage mix in pre-portioned cups on cooks line at 73f. Employee states she removed from walk in cooler less than 1 hour ago. Advised employee to rapid chill product and keep in ice bath
Current Hotel and Restaurant license not displayed. License is current and active. Operator needs to print out new license
Single-service articles improperly stored. Opened To go containers stored between wall and wire rack. Advised employee to move to storage shelf and store inverted
Walk-in cooler/freezer shelves with rust that has pitted the surface. Shelf under condenser unit in walk in is badly rusted
Jan 5, 2026Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 3 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
1 High priority2 Intermediate0 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 and the time removed from temperature control cannot be determined. Advised operator to add time for cut cabbage. Emailed time plan to operator
No chemical test kit provided when using sanitizer at three-compartment sink/warewashing machine or wiping cloths.
No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink.
Aug 19, 2025□ Call Back - CompliedRoutine Inspection
A return visit. The problems from the previous inspection had been dealt with.
1 High priority0 Intermediate2 Basic
Show 3 findings ▾
Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Cut cabbage 67 cold holding. On cooks line. In service for 1 hour. Advised to move to cooler. Or add to time plan
Condensation or other drainage not disposed of according to law. Walk in cooler drain line is dripping into container
Water draining onto floor surface. Roof mounted AC unit is dripping from ceiling onto floor. Isolated to one area of kitchen away from prep tables or equipment. AC technician arrived during inspection
Jun 19, 2025Warning IssuedRoutine Inspection
Violations found and a warning issued, with a return visit required. 6 recorded, 2 high priority.
2 High priority1 Intermediate3 Basic
Show 6 findings ▾
Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license. Expired 4/1/2025. License was renewed during inspection
Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Cut cabbage 67 cold holding. On cooks line. In service for 1 hour. Advised to move to cooler. Or add to time plan
Proof of required state approved employee training not available for some employees. To order approved program food safety material, call DBPR contracted provider: Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (SafeStaff) 866-372-7233. All expired in march
Condensation or other drainage not disposed of according to law. Walk in cooler drain line is dripping into container
Stored food not covered. Walk in cooler has various cooked items with no lid or coverings. Operator added coverings
Water draining onto floor surface. Roof mounted AC unit is dripping from ceiling onto floor. Isolated to one area of kitchen away from prep tables or equipment. AC technician arrived during inspection
Dec 20, 2024□ Call Back - CompliedRoutine Inspection
A return visit. The problems from the previous inspection had been dealt with.
0 High priority1 Intermediate1 Basic
Show 2 findings ▾
Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Front counter. Chairs and storage of items are blocking off hand wash sink
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Hood filters soiled
Dec 19, 2024Warning IssuedRoutine Inspection
Violations found and a warning issued, with a return visit required. 10 recorded, 4 high priority.
4 High priority1 Intermediate5 Basic
Show 10 findings ▾
Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. Items in walk in cooler since 1am
Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Items in walk in cooler goat (51F - Cold Holding); turkey (54F - Cold Holding); cooked beef (55F - Cold Holding); cooked rice (55F - Cold Holding)cooked chicken 55f cold holding. Griyo 55f. Cold holding
Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Rice in steam table in service for 1 hour. Advised to reheat. Operator turned up steam table.
Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. Being stored next to pots and pans lids.
Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Front counter. Chairs and storage of items are blocking off hand wash sink
Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. In bulk bin in dry storage
Clean equipment/dishware/utensils stored next to handwash/food preparation sink exposed to splash. Pots and pan lids next to hand sink
Cold holding equipment not maintained in good repair. Do not store time/temperature control for safety food in this unit until the unit is repaired. Walk in cooler ambient 50f. Visible ice on condenser and water draining into pans
Food stored on floor. Cooked meat in plastic container on floor in walk in cooler
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Hood filters soiled
Jul 29, 2024Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 4 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
0 High priority1 Intermediate3 Basic
Show 4 findings ▾
Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Various cooked meats and rice in walk in cooler
Food stored on floor. Fryer oil in back room
Stored food not covered. Cooked meats in walk in cooler
Walk-in cooler shelves with rust that has pitted the surface.
Jan 26, 2024Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 4 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
0 High priority0 Intermediate4 Basic
Show 4 findings ▾
Covered waste receptacle not provided in women's bathroom.
Food stored on floor. Frying oil
Old labels stuck to food containers after cleaning.
Ten (10) foot-candles of light at least 30 inches from floor not provided in walk-in cooler. Had to use flashlight in walk in cooler
Sep 11, 2023□ Call Back - CompliedRoutine Inspection
A return visit. The problems from the previous inspection had been dealt with.
0 High priority2 Intermediate1 Basic
Show 3 findings ▾
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Reach in freezer shelves
Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Multiple items in walk in cooler not date marked
Ten (10) foot-candles of light at least 30 inches from floor not provided in walk-in cooler. No lighting in walk in cooler, had to use flashlight to see
Sep 8, 2023Administrative complaint recommendedRoutine Inspection
Referred for a formal case, which can lead to a fine. 15 violations recorded, 5 high priority.
5 High priority4 Intermediate6 Basic
Show 15 findings ▾
Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license.
Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. white rice (40F - Cold Holding); rice and beans (47F - Cold Holding); cut cabbage (47F - Cold Holding); cooked beef (48F - Cold Holding); cooked oxtail (48F - Cold Holding) all in walk in cooler over night
Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. white rice (40F - Cold Holding); rice and beans (47F - Cold Holding); cut cabbage (47F - Cold Holding); cooked beef (48F - Cold Holding); cooked oxtail (48F - Cold Holding)
Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. Orange cleaner hanging next to sauce on wire shelf
Warewashing sanitizing solution exceeding the maximum concentration allowed. Triple sink sanitizer reading 200+ppm, manager remade solution. Now reading 100ppm
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Reach in freezer shelves
Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Hand wash sink had dirty silverware in sink
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. Emailed form to operator
Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Multiple items in walk in cooler not date marked
Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Bowl used as scoop for beans
Employee personal food not properly identified and segregated from food to be served to the public. Employee food stored next to restaurant food in walk in cooler
Food stored on floor. Sodas stored on floor behind front counter
Old labels stuck to food containers after cleaning.
Ten (10) foot-candles of light at least 30 inches from floor not provided in walk-in cooler. No lighting in walk in cooler, had to use flashlight to see
Wet wiping cloth not stored in sanitizing solution between uses. Cloth hanging on cart
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.