Falafel N Cafe
Last inspected: Mar 17, 2026
67
Score
Falafel N Cafe appears in inspection records 10 times, starting in 2022. The most recent visit was on Mar 17, 2026. Diners should read medium risk as a signal that some issues exist but aren't extreme.
The picture has improved over the last few visits: recent inspections have averaged around five violations, down from roughly 11 violations earlier in the record.
When inspectors have written things up, “food-contact surface soiled with food debris” has been the most frequent reason, cited five times.
The city-wide average sits at 79, which Falafel N Cafe's 67 doesn't quite reach. The full record sits in fairly typical territory for a working restaurant.
10
Inspections
1
Critical latest
1
Major latest
3
Minor latest
Inspection History
Mar 17, 2026
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 3 minor violations.
View 5 violations
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Raw eggs over bread in reach in cooler. Operator rearranged the cooler to gain compliance.
08A-05-6
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Serving utensils soiled in container with clean stored utensils.
22-02-4
Basic - Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name.Squeeze bottles containing foods removed removed from the original container not labeled with common name. **Repeat Violation**
02D-01-5
Basic - Food stored on floor. Fryer oil and cans of tomatoes stored on the floor.
08B-38-4
Basic - Floor soiled/has accumulation of debris. Walls have an accumulation of grease behind front counter **Repeat Violation**
36-73-4
67
Oct 20, 2025
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 3 minor violations.
View 4 violations
High Priority - - From initial inspection : High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Beef raw 46F cold hold, all other food items in the refrigerated unit meet minimum temperature requirements. Cooler door was slightly ajar. Operator placed in freezer to cool. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2025-10-20: Chicken 41F cold holding Raw beef 40F cold hold all in same unit. Temp wasn't taken stored overnight see stop sale **Time Extended**
03A-02-5
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Light switches and door handles have an accumulation of grease and food debris. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2025-10-20: **Time Extended**
23-03-4
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Wall soiled with accumulated grease, food debris, and/or dust. Walls soiled throughout the establishments **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2025-10-20: **Time Extended**
36-27-5
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Food containers containing food removed from its original container not labeled with common name. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2025-10-20: **Time Extended**
02D-01-5
74
Aug 12, 2025
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 5 minor violations.
View 7 violations
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Beef raw 46F cold hold, all other food items in the refrigerated unit meet minimum temperature requirements. Cooler door was slightly ajar. Operator placed in freezer to cool. **Warning**
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. 2 employees, both expired July 2025, discussed the need to brink **Warning**
53B-05-5
Basic - Wall soiled with accumulated grease, food debris, and/or dust. Walls soiled throughout the establishments **Warning**
36-27-5
Basic - Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Food containers containing food removed from its original container not labeled with common name. **Warning**
02D-01-5
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Light switches and door handles have an accumulation of grease and food debris. **Warning**
23-03-4
Basic - Wet wiping cloth not stored in sanitizing solution between uses. **Warning**
21-12-4
Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Employee beverage drink beverage stored on shelf above food prep table. **Warning**
12B-07-4
61
Apr 10, 2025
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 1 major violation. 3 minor violations.
View 6 violations
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Raw meat stored overcooked beef bread. Operator rearranged foods to gain compliance **Corrected On-Site**
08A-05-6
High Priority - Employee failed to wash hands before putting on gloves to initiate a task working with food. Employee slouched soiled surfaces and then used gloves to prepare food. No hand wash. Discussed proper hand washing
12A-07-5
Intermediate - No proof of required state approved employee training provided for employee hired more than 60 days ago. To order approved program food safety material, call DBPR contracted provider: Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (SafeStaff) 866-372-7233.
53B-02-5
Basic - Employee with no hair restraint while engaging in food preparation. Cook had no hair restraint at time of inspection. Discussed the importance of wearing hair restraints when involved in food prep. **Repeat Violation**
13-03-4
Basic - Floor soiled/has accumulation of debris. Floors walls and ceilings cook line, dish area, storage areas.
36-73-4
Basic - Unnecessary items/unused equipment on the premises. Several pieces of non working equipment such as ice maker and freezers stored outside. Discussed the importance of not having broken equipment outside including the possible attraction to vermin.
33-31-5
58
Jan 23, 2025
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 2 major violations. 6 minor violations.
View 9 violations
High Priority - - From initial inspection : High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Raw shrimp above shredded cheese on door of reach in freezer. Raw beef stored over jar of pickles and dough in reach in cooler. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2025-01-23: Raw fish above French fries in freezer. Fish not commercially packaged. Raw chicken above hamburgers. Operator relocated items. **Time Extended** **Corrected On-Site**
08A-05-6
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : Intermediate - 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. Employee Stella has no proof of health reporting responsibilities. All other employees have proof. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2025-01-23: **Time Extended**
11-26-1
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris. Cutting boards on cold holding units stained. Soda nozzles soiled. Operator states the soda machine is not working at the moment. Discussed the need to keep all equipment in the restaurant clean and sanitized. **Repeat Violation** **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2025-01-23: **Time Extended**
22-02-4
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Employee with no hair restraint while engaging in food preparation. Employee cutting raw beef not wearing hair restraint. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2025-01-23: Chef not wearing hair restraint. Chef put in a hat during inspection. **Time Extended** **Corrected On-Site**
13-03-4
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable. **Repeat Violation** **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2025-01-23: **Time Extended**
14-09-4
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with food debris. Reach in cooler gaskets. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2025-01-23: **Time Extended**
23-03-4
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees. No handwash sign at sink near front counter **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2025-01-23: Provided operator with paper handwashing sign. Sign is not hanging. **Time Extended** **Corrected On-Site**
31B-04-4
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Food stored on floor. Onions stored on floor. Operator relocated. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2025-01-23: Flour and oil on floor in kitchen. Operator corrected. **Time Extended** **Corrected On-Site**
08B-38-4
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting. Glasss stacked wet **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2025-01-23: Wetnesting observed. Discussed with owner. **Time Extended**
24-08-4
52
Nov 18, 2024
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 5 major violations. 10 minor violations.
View 17 violations
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Raw shrimp above shredded cheese on door of reach in freezer. Raw beef stored over jar of pickles and dough in reach in cooler. **Warning**
08A-05-6
High Priority - Quaternary ammonium sanitizer not at proper minimum strength for manual warewashing. Do not use equipment/utensils not properly sanitized. 0ppm. Operator refilled, second test 200ppm **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
22-43-4
Intermediate - Food manager certification expired. A list of accredited food manager certification examination providers can be found at http://www.myfloridalicense.com/DBPR/hotels-restaurants/food-lodging/food-manager/ Michael Basily expired 4/22/24 **Warning**
53A-03-7
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris. Cutting boards on cold holding units stained. Soda nozzles soiled. Operator states the soda machine is not working at the moment. Discussed the need to keep all equipment in the restaurant clean and sanitized. **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
22-02-4
Intermediate - No plan review submitted and approved - renovations were made or are in progress. 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 http://www.myfloridalicense.com/DBPR/hotels-restaurants/licensing/plan-review/. Operator has 2 charcoal grills outdoors. He states one is broken, and the other is used to cook kofta. No walk in cooler outside. There is a broken reach in cooler but the operator states he is not going to repair cooler. **Warning**
51-16-7
Intermediate - 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. Employee Stella has no proof of health reporting responsibilities. All other employees have proof. **Warning**
11-26-1
Intermediate - Operator is not properly tracking/marking the number of days ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite was held at refrigeration temperatures prior to freezing in order to properly date mark the food when it is thawed and held at refrigeration temperatures again. Potato salad prepared 11/08/2024 in reach in cooler. Operator states it was placed in the freezer after it was prepared and placed back into the reach in cooler 2 days ago. Operator put correct date mark on potato salad. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
02C-04-5
Basic - Wiping cloth quaternary ammonium compound sanitizing solution not at proper minimum strength. 0ppm, operator refilled. 200ppm second test **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
21-08-4
Basic - Wiping cloth sanitizing solution stored on the floor. Operator placed bucket under sanitizer bucket. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
21-38-4
Basic - Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Multiple squeeze bottles in kitchen not labeled **Warning**
02D-01-5
Basic - Clean glasses, cups, bowls, plates, pots and pans not stored inverted or in a protected manner. Multiple pots and bowls not inverted in kitchen and warewashing area. Discussed with owner. **Warning**
24-05-4
Basic - Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable. **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
14-09-4
Basic - Employee with no hair restraint while engaging in food preparation. Employee cutting raw beef not wearing hair restraint. **Warning**
13-03-4
Basic - Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting. Glasss stacked wet **Warning**
24-08-4
Basic - Food stored on floor. Onions stored on floor. Operator relocated. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
08B-38-4
Basic - No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees. No handwash sign at sink near front counter **Warning**
31B-04-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with food debris. Reach in cooler gaskets. **Warning**
23-03-4
27
May 29, 2024
Routine - Food
3 critical violations. 1 major violation. 5 minor violations.
View 9 violations
High Priority - Warewashing sanitizing solution exceeding the maximum concentration allowed. Three-compartment sink chlorine sanitizer exceeding 200ppm. Operator added water to sanitizer. Re checked reading 50ppm. **Corrected On-Site**
41-18-4
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. From reach-in coolers on cooks line near front counter at 4:15pm. Employee placed items in ice bath. Re check at 4:40pm a. hummus (53F - Cold Holding); 43f b. baba ghanouj (53F - Cold Holding); 43f c. tzatziki sauce (53F - Cold Holding); 46f d. diced tomatoes (48F - Cold Holding); 40f e. cut lettuce (51F - Cold Holding) 42f **Corrective Action Taken**
03A-02-5
High Priority - Nonfood-grade bags used in direct contact with food. Grocery bags are used to store food in upright refrigerator at front counter.
14-31-5
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Meat slicer used more than 4 hours ago is soiled with food debris.
22-02-4
Basic - Both cutting boards in reach-in coolers in cooks line has cut marks and is no longer cleanable.
14-09-4
Basic - Current Hotel and Restaurant license not displayed.
50-09-4
Basic - Exterior door has a gap on sides, top and bottom that opens to the outside.
35B-01-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Soiled gaskets on reach-in cooler doors next to fat-fryer.
23-03-4
Basic - Reach-in cooler next to fat-fryer interior have accumulation of soil residues.
22-16-4
45
Aug 21, 2023
Complaint Full
2 critical violations. 3 major violations. 6 minor violations.
View 11 violations
Employee Health Policies Present
FL-03
Supervisor/Person in Charge Present
FL-01
Hands Clean and Properly Washed
FL-08
Food Obtained from Approved Sources
FL-11
Food Received at Proper Temperature
FL-12
Plumbing Maintained; Sewage Disposal
FL-51
Toilet Rooms Maintained
FL-53
Food Contact Surfaces Clean and Sanitized
FL-22
Non-Food Contact Surfaces Clean
FL-23
Approved Thawing Methods Used
FL-31
Proper Sanitizer Contact Time and Concentration
FL-33
29
Mar 6, 2023
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 3 major violations. 5 minor violations.
View 9 violations
High Priority - Raw animal food ( raw chicken ) stored over or with ready-to-eat food ( precooked potatoes ) in a freezer - not all products commercially packaged under grill **Corrected On-Site**
08A-02-6
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. - stained cutting boards at cook line
22-02-4
Intermediate - 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., Estela hired over a year
53B-13-5
Intermediate - Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled in front counter area **Corrected On-Site**
41-17-4
Basic - Establishment did not report seating change that affects the license fee, Clean Indoor Air Act, sewage system approval or other related requirements. 29 seats indoor ,32 seats outside areas total of 61 seats - establishment on municipal water . Provided to person in charge the seating change evaluation form DBPR Form HR 5021-103
51-09-4
Basic - Opened employee beverage container in a cold holding unit ( double door cooler ) with food to be served to customers. **Corrected On-Site**
12B-13-4
Basic - Reach-in cooler interior/shelves have accumulation of soil residues at cook line
22-16-4
Basic - Unnecessary items/unused equipment on the premises. - cooler and freezer in back door area outside
33-31-5
Basic - Unprotected ice machine in a customer/nonsecure area unlocked door in outside back area - person in charge locked gate area **Corrected On-Site**
08B-62-4
50
Sep 12, 2022
Routine - Food
2 major violations. 1 minor violation.
View 3 violations
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : Intermediate - No plan review submitted and approved - renovations were made or are in progress. 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. -Bar, 2 reach in coolers not currently in use, small table top dishwasher, no solid walls in the area, 2 small smokers extended from this area inside parking lot. - From follow-up inspection 2022-09-12: Plans not submitted per search on Onbase Operator added a hand wash sink in bar area - two coolers and portable dish machine in bar area ,screening for 3 walls , open air for one wall , two smokers in parking area -per plan reviewer Brianna , not plans have been submitted **Admin Complaint**
51-16-7
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : Intermediate - 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. - From follow-up inspection 2022-09-12: **Time Extended**
53B-13-5
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Unnecessary items/unused equipment on the premises. -Broken reach in freezer in back area near mop sink -Bar, 2 reach in coolers not currently in use, small table top dishwasher, 2 small smokers extended from this area inside parking lot. If operator is not going to use this equipment it must be removed from premises. - From follow-up inspection 2022-09-12: Two coolers in back of establishment, per operator he is waiting for repair **Time Extended**
33-31-5
78
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Falafel N Cafe last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Falafel N Cafe on file is from Mar 17, 2026. The public record contains 10 inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Falafel N Cafe?
Across the inspection record, “food-contact surface soiled with food debris” has been cited five times, more than any other issue at Falafel N Cafe.
How does Falafel N Cafe compare to other restaurants in Clearwater?
Falafel N Cafe most recently scored 67 out of 100, which is lower than the Clearwater average of 79.
Has Falafel N Cafe's inspection record improved over time?
Yes. Recent inspections at Falafel N Cafe have averaged around five violations per visit, down from roughly 11 earlier in the record.
What does a medium risk rating mean?
A medium risk rating at Falafel N Cafe 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 Falafel N Cafe inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Falafel N Cafe is inspected around three times per year on average.
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