Big Al's Chicken Shack
Last inspected: Feb 23, 2026
100
Score
Big Al's Chicken Shack has been inspected nine times since 2022. Big Al's Chicken Shack was last inspected on Feb 23, 2026. Diners can read the low risk label as a sign that recent inspections have gone well.
Performance has remained roughly level over recent inspections, averaging near eight violations each time.
When inspectors have written things up, “ceiling not smooth” has been the most frequent reason, cited three times.
Restaurants in Fernandina Beach average 69, so Big Al's Chicken Shack is doing better than most peers. The file should reassure diners considering a visit.
9
Inspections
0
Critical latest
0
Major latest
0
Minor latest
Inspection History
Feb 23, 2026
Routine - Food
No violations found.
100
Dec 23, 2025
Routine - Food
6 critical violations. 5 major violations. 12 minor violations.
View 23 violations
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Observed raw shelled eggs over ready to eat food items in reach in cooler at kitchen entrance. Operators relocated the eggs. Observed raw salmon over ready to eat food products in reach in cooler. **Corrected On-Site**
08A-05-6
High Priority - Employee failed to wash hands before putting on gloves to initiate a task working with food. Observed employee touch clothing, then reach into bulk salt bin and take scoop out, employee did not change gloves or watch hands.
12A-07-5
High Priority - Container of medicine improperly stored. Observed medication improperly stored on shelf with food items in wait station area.Manager relocated the items.
41-07-4
High Priority - Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. Observed chemical spray borrow on shelf in wait station next to Hershey Syrup. Manager relocated items.
41-10-4
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed chicken on food prep table at end of cook Iine for extended period of time at 69F,manager disposed of food product before more information could be collected. Observed bulk bin of Pickled vegetables with heat applied in wait station at room temp of 70F operator stated it had been sitting there for several days. **Corrective Action Taken**
03A-02-5
High Priority - Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. Observed bulk bin of picked vegetables with heat applied in wait station at room temp operator stated it had been sitting there for several days.
01B-02-5
Intermediate - Incorrect chemical test kit provided for measuring the concentration of the sanitizer solution used in the three-compartment sink and/or dishmachine. Manager only has quaternary test strips and chlorine test strips, did not has hear stickers or probe thermometer to test dish machine.
16-32-5
Intermediate - No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. No paper towels at hand wash sink at end of cook line.
31B-02-4
Intermediate - 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 any training for all employees.manager does have training books **Warning**
53B-01-5
Intermediate - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Multiple items in multiple reach in coolers in kitchen area not date marked. Operator placed date marking on all items.
02C-02-5
Intermediate - Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled. Unlabeled spray bottle on front counter with a blue chemical in it. Employee put label on it. Pump spray bottle outback with degrease In it unlabeled, manager put label on it. **Corrected On-Site**
41-17-4
Basic - Stored food not covered. Observed raw chicken in reach in cooler at beginning of cook line uncovered. Operator covers raw chicken Observed multiple containers of curry sauce uncovered in reach in cooler on cook line. Operator covered all items. **Corrected On-Site**
08B-12-5
Basic - Time/temperature control for safety food thawed in an improper manner. Observed manager thawing lamb by letting it sit on food prep table, chicken was not under cold constant running water or under refrigeration. Manager placed chicken in reach in cooler. **Corrected On-Site**
06-01-5
Basic - Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Observed multiple employee jackets draped over single serve food items, and oranges. Manager relocated all jackets. Observed a dog hair roller on top of food prep table.
40-06-5
Basic - Current Hotel and Restaurant license not displayed. Current license not available operator has not printed it out.
50-09-4
Basic - Ceiling not smooth, nonabsorbent and easily cleanable in food preparation, food storage, or warewashing areas. Multiple ceiling tiles in kitchen area are not smooth or easily cleanable.
36-37-5
Basic - Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting. Observed wet nesting on clean dishes on clean dish reach in ware wash area.
24-08-4
Basic - Equipment or utensils not designed or constructed in a durable manner. Observed spatula on cook line with chipped and melted edges, managed on his own accord disposed of spatula. **Corrected On-Site**
14-10-4
Basic - Food stored on floor. Liquid butter on floor in food strange building out back. Operator picked items up off floor.
08B-38-4
Basic - In-use wet wiping cloth/towel used under cutting board. Observed wet wiping cloth under cutting board cook line. Operator removed the wet wiping cloth. **Corrected On-Site**
21-04-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Hood filter system soiled with dust. Gasket at start of cook line soiled with old food debri.
23-03-4
Basic - Open Container beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Observed open container beverage of food prep table on cook line. Manager relocated the glass of water. **Corrected On-Site**
12B-07-4
Basic - Open dumpster lid. Dumpster lid is missing.
33-16-4
14
Apr 16, 2025
Complaint Full
No violations found.
100
Jan 27, 2025
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 1 major violation. 9 minor violations.
View 12 violations
High Priority - Employee failed to wash hands before putting on gloves to initiate a task working with food. Cook touched face and face mask with hands and immediately placed on gloves without washing hands. Manager coached employee on proper hand washing procedures. Employee washed hands correctly. **Corrective Action Taken**
12A-07-5
High Priority - Vacuum breaker missing at hose bibb or on fitting/splitter added to hose bibb. Missing on outside faucet near rear exit door where green hose is attached. Operator states he will purchase today. **Corrective Action Taken** **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
29-34-4
Intermediate - No measuring device available for measuring utensil surface temperature when using hot water as sanitizer in a dishmachine. No device available. **Repeat Violation**
16-62-1
Basic - Single-service articles improperly stored. Case of plastic jugs stored on floor in outside storage area. **Repeat Violation**
25-05-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Mop sink in back kitchen area. **Repeat Violation**
23-03-4
Basic - Current Hotel and Restaurant license not displayed. License displayed expired 12/1/2024.
50-09-4
Basic - Missing drain plug at dumpster. Green dumpster outside of establishment.
33-11-4
Basic - In-use tongs stored on equipment door handle between uses. Tongs hanging on oven handle in kitchen. Tongs moved and stored correctly. **Corrected On-Site**
10-20-4
Basic - Food stored on floor. In front counter area, bag of potatoes stored on floor. Potatoes moved and stored correctly. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
08B-38-4
Basic - Floors, walls, and/or ceilings soiled/has accumulation of debris. Floor under cooking equipment in kitchen. Floor under dish machine in kitchen. **Repeat Violation**
36-73-4
Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Employee drink cup on top of microwave in prep area of kitchen. Drink discarded. **Corrected On-Site**
12B-07-4
Basic - Ceiling not smooth, nonabsorbent and easily cleanable in food preparation, food storage, or warewashing areas. Acoustic style tiles in kitchen are not sealed/painted. **Repeat Violation**
36-37-5
43
Aug 29, 2024
Routine - Food
5 critical violations. 3 major violations. 6 minor violations.
View 14 violations
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. In stand up warmer at front of kitchen, two trays of fried chicken 115F, rice 123F. Chicken and rice prepared more than two (2) hours prior. Items discarded. See stop sale. **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
03B-01-6
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. On prep table in middle of kitchen, batter mix (containing buttermilk) 63F. Batter prepared approximately 1.5 hours prior. Batter moved to reach in cooler to cool. **Corrective Action Taken** **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
03A-02-5
High Priority - Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. In stand up warmer at front of kitchen, two trays of fried chicken 115F, rice 123F. Chicken and rice prepared more than two (2) hours prior. Items discarded. See stop sale.
01B-02-5
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. In silver stand up reach in cooler by grill, raw shelled eggs and raw egg mixture stored over ready to eat soup and onions. Items moved and stored correctly. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
08A-05-6
High Priority - Vacuum breaker missing at hose bibb or on fitting/splitter added to hose bibb. Vacuum breaker missing for outside faucet where yellow hose is attached.
29-34-4
Intermediate - No measuring device available for measuring utensil surface temperature when using hot water as sanitizer in a dishmachine. No measuring device for high temperature dish machine.
16-62-1
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Waffle maker on prep table in middle of kitchen.
22-02-4
Intermediate - No soap provided at handwash sink. Hand washing sink in back kitchen. Soap provided. **Corrected On-Site**
31B-03-4
Basic - Ceiling not smooth, nonabsorbent and easily cleanable in food preparation, food storage, or warewashing areas. Acoustic style tiles in kitchen are not sealed/painted.
36-37-5
Basic - Floors, walls, and/or ceilings soiled/has accumulation of debris. Floor under cooking equipment in kitchen. Floor in mop sink area in back kitchen. Wall under dish machine.
36-73-4
Basic - Food stored on floor. Containers of oil on floor in back kitchen.
08B-38-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Hood filters above cooking equipment.
23-03-4
Basic - Single-service articles improperly stored. Single use containers on floor in outside shed. Styrofoam cups and bags on floor near front counter.
25-05-4
Basic - Wall/Ceiling not smooth, nonabsorbent and easily cleanable in food preparation, food storage, warewashing areas or bathroom. Wood beams and ceiling not finished in outside food storage shed.
36-30-4
26
Dec 8, 2023
Routine - Food
No violations found.
100
Jul 28, 2023
Routine - Food
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Light shield damaged/in disrepair. Cover in kitchen near dish area cracked - From follow-up inspection 2023-07-28: **Time Extended**
38-01-4
95
Jan 23, 2023
Routine - Food
3 critical violations. 3 major violations.
View 6 violations
Employee Health Policies Present
FL-03
Hands Clean and Properly Washed
FL-08
Food Received at Proper Temperature
FL-12
Approved Thawing Methods Used
FL-31
Wiping Cloths Properly Used and Stored
FL-41
Toilet Rooms Maintained
FL-53
45
Aug 10, 2022
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 5 minor violations.
View 6 violations
High Priority - Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license. 6-1-22 Paid at time of inspection **Corrected On-Site**
50-17-2
Basic - Covered waste receptacle not provided in women's bathroom.
32-12-5
Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Personal drink on make line Personal drink on table under pick up window in kitchen Discarded **Corrected On-Site**
12B-07-4
Basic - In-use utensil stored in sanitizer between uses. Cake cutter
10-18-5
Basic - Sanitizer bucket stored with food, equipment, utensils, linens, single-service, or single-use articles. Stored on prep table
21-44-1
Basic - Silverware/utensils stored upright with the food-contact surface up. Whisks stored in bucket, food contact facing up.
24-18-4
67
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Big Al's Chicken Shack last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Big Al's Chicken Shack on file is from Feb 23, 2026. The public record contains nine inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Big Al's Chicken Shack?
Across the inspection record, “ceiling not smooth” has been cited three times, more than any other issue at Big Al's Chicken Shack.
How does Big Al's Chicken Shack compare to other restaurants in Fernandina Beach?
Big Al's Chicken Shack most recently scored 100 out of 100, which is higher than the Fernandina Beach average of 69.
Has Big Al's Chicken Shack's inspection record improved over time?
Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at Big Al's Chicken Shack have averaged around eight violations per visit across the recent record.
What does a low risk rating mean?
A low risk rating at Big Al's Chicken Shack means inspectors found minimal or no significant issues at the most recent visit. Most facilities at this tier have a clean recent inspection report.
How often is Big Al's Chicken Shack inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Big Al's Chicken Shack is inspected around three times per year on average.
Nearby Restaurants