Don Carlin Restaurant
Last inspected: Feb 9, 2026
61
Score
Across the available record, Don Carlin Restaurant has eight inspections on file, the first dated 2022. The most recent report on file is from Feb 9, 2026. A medium risk rating points to a few notable findings at the last inspection, though nothing severe.
The picture has improved over the last few visits: recent inspections have averaged around four violations, down from roughly seven violations earlier in the record.
Looking across the full record, “stored food not covered” is the recurring theme, flagged two times.
Restaurants in Fort Lauderdale average 80, so Don Carlin Restaurant trails the local norm. On the whole, the file is mixed but not concerning.
8
Inspections
2
Critical latest
0
Major latest
4
Minor latest
Inspection History
Feb 9, 2026
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 4 minor violations.
View 6 violations
Food Received at Proper Temperature
FL-12
Hands Clean and Properly Washed
FL-08
Food in Good Condition, Safe, and Unadulterated
FL-13
Potentially Hazardous Food Held at Proper Temperature
FL-16
Non-Food Contact Surfaces Clean
FL-23
Toxic Substances Properly Identified, Stored, Used
FL-32
61
Nov 4, 2025
Routine - Food
No violations found.
100
Nov 3, 2025
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 1 major violation. 3 minor violations.
View 6 violations
Employee Health Policies Present
FL-03
Supervisor/Person in Charge Present
FL-01
Adequate Handwashing Facilities Supplied and Accessible
FL-10
Toilet Rooms Maintained
FL-53
Proper Hot and Cold Holding Temperatures
FL-21
Lighting Adequate; Required Shields in Place
FL-36
55
Dec 9, 2024
Routine - Food
2 major violations. 3 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Hands Clean and Properly Washed
FL-08
Certified Food Manager Identification
FL-02
Proper Hot and Cold Holding Temperatures
FL-21
Food Received at Proper Temperature
FL-12
Approved Thawing Methods Used
FL-31
67
Sep 3, 2024
Routine - Food
2 major violations. 4 minor violations.
View 6 violations
Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Observed handwash sink used to fill sanitizer bucket.
31A-11-4
Intermediate - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Observed pork ribs cooked September 1 not date marked. PIC date marked. **Corrected On-Site**
02C-02-5
Basic - Wet wiping cloths stored in detergent and sanitizer mixed together. Observed next to handwash sink.
21-03-4
Basic - Opened employee beverage container in a cold holding unit with food to be served to customers. Observed in low boy cooler across from cook line. Employee removed. **Corrected On-Site**
12B-13-4
Basic - Soiled dry wiping cloth in use. Observed soiled dry wiping cloth used to clean prep table next to clean utensil shelf.
21-10-4
Basic - Stored food not covered. Observed Cooked yuka stored uncovered in reach in cooler next to dish machine. PIC covered. **Corrected On-Site**
08B-12-5
67
Feb 19, 2024
Routine - Food
4 critical violations. 5 minor violations.
View 9 violations
High Priority - Cooked/heated time/temperature control for safety food not cooled from 135 degrees Fahrenheit to 41 degrees Fahrenheit within 6 hours. Observed cooked black beans 58F - Cooling since day prior to inspection but did not make it to 41F. See stop sales. **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
03D-02-5
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Observed packs of juice mixes stored with raw beef and chicken. Meats not commercially packaged. Manager removed and stored appropriately. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
08A-05-6
High Priority - Raw animal foods not properly separated from each other in holding unit based upon minimum required cooking temperature. Observed raw beef stored next to raw chicken in reach in freezer. Items not commercially packaged. Manager removed and stored appropriately. **Corrected On-Site**
08A-20-5
High Priority - Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. Cooked/heated time/temperature control for safety food not cooled from 135 degrees Fahrenheit to 41 degrees Fahrenheit within 6 hours. Observed cooked black beans 58F - Cooling since day prior to inspection but did not make it to 41F. See stop sales. **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
01B-02-5
Basic - Current Hotel and Restaurant license not displayed.
50-09-4
Basic - Stored food not covered. - Observed cooked rice stored unprotected in reach in cooler. - Observed cooked pork chunks stored unprotected in reach in cooler. - observed cooked noodles stored unprotected in walk-in cooler.
08B-12-5
Basic - In-use utensil in non-time/temperature control for safety food not stored with handle above top of food within a closed container. - Observed portioning utensil handle not stored above black pepper. - Observed portioning utensil handle not stored above oregano leaves. Manager removed and stored appropriately. **Corrected On-Site**
10-01-5
Basic - Food stored on floor. Observed oil stored on floor across from walk-in cooler. Manager removed and stored appropriately. **Corrected On-Site**
08B-38-4
Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Observed employee beverage stored next to service plates behind flip top cooler.
12B-07-4
43
Oct 3, 2023
Routine - Food
3 critical violations. 1 minor violation.
View 4 violations
High Priority - Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. Cooked/heated time/temperature control for safety food not cooled from 135 degrees Fahrenheit to 41 degrees Fahrenheit within 6 hours. In the walk in cooler, black beans (75F - Cooling); pork chunks (47F - Cooling). The items were prepared yesterday and were cooling overnight. The items were discarded. See stop sale
01B-02-5
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. In the walk in cooler, raw shell eggs were stored over cooked pork and cooked beans. The eggs were moved to a lower shelf to be stored appropriately. **Corrected On-Site**
08A-05-6
High Priority - Cooked/heated time/temperature control for safety food not cooled from 135 degrees Fahrenheit to 41 degrees Fahrenheit within 6 hours. In the walk in cooler, black beans (75F - Cooling); pork chunks (47F - Cooling). The items were prepared yesterday and were cooling overnight. The items were discarded. See stop sale
03D-02-5
Basic - Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin. At the front counter.
22-20-5
61
Aug 10, 2022
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 1 major violation. 3 minor violations.
View 6 violations
High Priority - Raw animal food stored in same container as ready-to-eat food. raw shell eggs stored above RTE rice in large double door reach-in cooler.
08A-08-5
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. cut tomatoes (49°F - Cold Holding) Observed tomatoes stacked high above fill line. Operator removed excess tomatoes and placed 5em into reach-in below. **Corrective Action Taken**
03A-02-5
Intermediate - Required employee training expired for all employees. To order approved program food safety material, call DBPR contracted provider: Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (SafeStaff) 866-372-7233.
53B-05-5
Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Observed employee drink on shelf holding restaurant clean plates. Operator removed. **Corrected On-Site**
12B-07-4
Basic - Food stored on floor. Observed containers of beans stored on floor in dry storage area. Operator moved off floor. **Corrected On-Site**
08B-38-4
Basic - In-use utensil in non-time/temperature control for safety salt not stored with handle above top of food within a closed container. Operator moved handle. **Corrected On-Site**
10-01-5
58
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Don Carlin Restaurant last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Don Carlin Restaurant on file is from Feb 9, 2026. The public record contains eight inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Don Carlin Restaurant?
Across the inspection record, “stored food not covered” has been cited two times, more than any other issue at Don Carlin Restaurant.
How does Don Carlin Restaurant compare to other restaurants in Fort Lauderdale?
Don Carlin Restaurant most recently scored 61 out of 100, which is lower than the Fort Lauderdale average of 80.
Has Don Carlin Restaurant's inspection record improved over time?
Yes. Recent inspections at Don Carlin Restaurant have averaged around four violations per visit, down from roughly seven earlier in the record.
What does a medium risk rating mean?
A medium risk rating at Don Carlin Restaurant means the most recent inspection turned up a handful of issues that the health department wrote up but did not classify as critical.
How often is Don Carlin Restaurant inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Don Carlin Restaurant is inspected around two times per year on average.
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