Lazy Gator
Last inspected: Dec 8, 2025
58
Score
Across the available record, Lazy Gator has 15 inspections on file, the first dated 2022. The newest entry in the record is dated Dec 8, 2025. A medium risk rating points to a few notable findings at the last inspection, though nothing severe.
Things have been moving in the right direction, with the rolling count dropping from around 11 violations to closer to eight violations per visit.
Across the inspection history, “handwash sink not accessible for employee use” is the issue that surfaces most often, recorded eight times.
Lazy Gator's latest score of 58 falls below the Ruskin average of 75. On the whole, the file is mixed but not concerning.
15
Inspections
2
Critical latest
2
Major latest
1
Minor latest
Inspection History
Dec 8, 2025
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 2 major violations. 1 minor violation.
View 5 violations
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. macaroni salad (47F - Cold Holding); potato salad (48F - Cold Holding)
03A-02-5
High Priority - Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse.
01B-02-5
Intermediate - Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Handwashing sink has a food preparation table in front of it.
31A-09-4
Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Handwashing sink on cooks line has dishes stored inside it.
31A-11-4
Basic - Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Plastic bottles of sauces used for cooking has no labeling of ingredients on cooks line.
02D-01-5
58
May 14, 2025
Complaint Full
3 major violations. 2 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : Intermediate - Clam/mussel/oyster tags not marked with last date served. Oyster tags. **Repeat Violation** **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2025-05-14: **Time Extended**
01C-03-4
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Soda gun. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2025-05-14: **Time Extended**
22-02-4
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : Intermediate - Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Handwash sink blocked with prep table on cook line. Handwash sink blocked with silverware next to 3 compartment sink. **Repeat Violation** **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2025-05-14: **Time Extended**
31A-09-4
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Interior of oven/microwave has accumulation of black substance/grease/food debris. Microwave. Employee removed at cleaned at time of inspection. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2025-05-14: **Time Extended**
22-08-4
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Carbon dioxide tanks not adequately secured. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2025-05-14: **Time Extended**
51-11-4
67
Mar 13, 2025
Complaint Full
2 critical violations. 5 major violations. 8 minor violations.
View 15 violations
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Cut tomatoes 45 F- retemp 43 F in reach in cooler, employee placed on ice. Crab 46, cheese 46 in walk in cooler, employee placed in walk in cooler. **Corrective Action Taken** **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
03A-02-5
High Priority - Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license. Expired 2/1/2025. **Warning**
50-17-3
Intermediate - Clam/mussel/oyster tags not marked with last date served. Oyster tags. **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
01C-03-4
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Soda gun. **Warning**
22-02-4
Intermediate - Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Handwash sink blocked with prep table on cook line. Handwash sink blocked with silverware next to 3 compartment sink. **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
31A-09-4
Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Observed employee empty cup in handwash sink. **Warning**
31A-11-4
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. **Warning**
53B-01-5
Basic - Carbon dioxide tanks not adequately secured. **Warning**
51-11-4
Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Employee drink on prep table. **Warning**
12B-07-4
Basic - Employee personal food not properly identified and segregated from food to be served to the public. Employee food in reach in cooler. **Warning**
08B-49-4
Basic - Floor soiled/has accumulation of debris. **Repeat Violation**
36-73-4
Basic - Interior of oven/microwave has accumulation of black substance/grease/food debris. Microwave. Employee removed at cleaned at time of inspection. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
22-08-4
Basic - Sanitizer bucket stored with food, equipment, utensils, linens, single-service, or single-use articles. Sanitizer bucket on prep table. Employee removed at removed at time of inspection. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
21-44-1
Basic - Wet wiping cloth not stored in sanitizing solution between uses. Wet wiping cloth on prep table. Employee removed at time of inspection. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
21-12-4
Basic - Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Container of sugar not labeled. Employee labeled at time of inspection. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
02D-01-5
30
Jan 22, 2025
Complaint Full
1 critical violation. 8 major violations. 6 minor violations.
View 15 violations
High Priority - Quaternary ammonium sanitizer in sanitizer bucket not at proper minimum strength. 0 ppm quaternary. Re made 200 quaternary. **Corrected On-Site**
22-40-4
Intermediate - Clam/mussel/oyster tags not maintained in chronological order according to the last date they were served in the establishment. For Oysters. **Repeat Violation**
01C-05-4
Intermediate - Clam/mussel/oyster tags not marked with last date served. For oysters.
01C-03-4
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Cutting boards
22-02-4
Intermediate - No currently certified food service manager on duty with four or more employees engaged in food preparation/handling. A list of accredited food manager certification examination providers can be found at http://www.myfloridalicense.com/DBPR/hotels-restaurants/food-lodging/food-manager/ 5 employees. **Repeat Violation**
53A-05-6
Intermediate - No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. Handwash sink at bar.
31B-02-4
Intermediate - No soap provided at handwash sink at bar.
31B-03-4
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.
53B-13-5
Intermediate - Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled with purple liquid at dish area.
41-17-4
Basic - Floor soiled/has accumulation of debris. Behind cooks line.
36-73-4
Basic - Employee with no beard guard/restraint while engaging in food preparation.
13-04-4
Basic - Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Employee video games on top of rice bin in kitchen. **Repeat Violation**
40-06-5
Basic - Employee eating in a food preparation or other restricted area. Employee eating on cooks line.
12B-02-4
Basic - Single-service articles improperly stored. Bulk box of 2 oz Togo containers on floor in dry storage room.
25-05-4
Basic - No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees in kitchen at bar and in kitchen.
31B-04-4
29
Nov 21, 2024
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 3 major violations. 8 minor violations.
View 12 violations
Supervisor/Person in Charge Present
FL-01
Certified Food Manager Identification
FL-02
Employee Health Policies Present
FL-03
Adequate Handwashing Facilities Supplied and Accessible
FL-10
Proper Hot and Cold Holding Temperatures
FL-21
Food Contact Surfaces Clean and Sanitized
FL-22
Warewashing Facilities Maintained and Used
FL-24
Equipment Adequate to Maintain Product Temperature
FL-29
Approved Thawing Methods Used
FL-31
Personal Cleanliness
FL-40
Washing Fruits and Vegetables
FL-42
Toilet Rooms Maintained
FL-53
33
Mar 27, 2024
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 2 major violations. 2 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Supervisor/Person in Charge Present
FL-01
Employee Health Policies Present
FL-03
Required Records Available; Shellstock Tags/Labels
FL-14
Food Contact Surfaces Clean and Sanitized
FL-22
Warewashing Facilities Maintained and Used
FL-24
64
Mar 25, 2024
Routine - Food
4 critical violations. 3 major violations. 3 minor violations.
View 10 violations
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Butter 46 F, oysters 45 F in walk in cooler, employee placed to the back of walk in cooler. Pasta 46 F in reach in cooler. **Corrective Action Taken** **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
03A-02-5
High Priority - Stop Sale issued due to food not being in a wholesome, sound condition. 1 fly in cut tomatoes. **Warning**
01B-13-4
High Priority - Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license. Expired 2/1/2024. **Warning**
50-17-3
High Priority - Live, small flying insects in kitchen, food preparation area, food storage area and/or bar area. 1 fly flying around in kitchen 1 fly in cut tomatoes. **Warning**
35A-02-6
Intermediate - Clam/mussel/oyster tags not marked with last date served. For oysters. **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
01C-03-4
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Soda machine. Cutting boards through out kitchen. **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
22-02-4
Intermediate - Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Handwash sink on cook line blocked with cart. **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
31A-09-4
Basic - Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting. Cups wet nesting next to soda machine. **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
24-08-4
Basic - Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable. Cutting boards through out kitchen. **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
14-09-4
Basic - Employee personal food not properly identified and segregated from food to be served to the public. Employee food in reach in cooler at bar. **Warning**
08B-49-4
35
Nov 20, 2023
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 7 major violations. 7 minor violations.
View 15 violations
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Cheese 47 F, slaw 51 F in reach in cooler, operator placed on ice at time of inspection. **Corrective Action Taken** **Repeat Violation**
03A-02-5
Intermediate - Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Prep table blocking handwash sink on cook line. Operator removed at time of inspection. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
31A-09-4
Intermediate - Clam/mussel/oyster tags not marked with last date served. For oysters.
01C-03-4
Intermediate - Employee washed hands in a sink other than an approved handwash sink.observed server wash hands in prep sink.
12A-03-4
Intermediate - Establishment has no written procedures for employees to follow in response to a vomiting or diarrheal event where the vomit or diarrhea is discharged onto surfaces in the establishment.
11-27-4
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Cutting boards through out kitchen. Soda gun at bar. **Repeat Violation**
22-02-4
Intermediate - No currently certified food service manager on duty with four or more employees engaged in food preparation/handling. A list of accredited food manager certification examination providers can be found at http://www.myfloridalicense.com/DBPR/hotels-restaurants/food-lodging/food-manager/ observed 4+ employees working with no food manager onsite.
53A-05-6
Intermediate - 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. Operator provided 2 valid food handler certifications.
53B-14-5
Basic - In-use tongs stored on equipment door handle between uses. Tongs on oven door handle, operator removed at time of inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
10-20-4
Basic - Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting. Cup wet nesting near soda machine. **Repeat Violation**
24-08-4
Basic - Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable. Through out kitchen. **Repeat Violation**
14-09-4
Basic - Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin. Ice machine. **Repeat Violation**
22-20-5
Basic - Wiping cloth quaternary ammonium compound sanitizing solution not at proper minimum strength. Sanitizer bucket tested 0 ppm, operator remade tested 50 ppm chlorine. **Corrected On-Site**
21-08-4
Basic - Wet mop not stored in a manner to allow the mop to dry.
42-01-4
Basic - Interior of oven/microwave has accumulation of black substance/grease/food debris. Microwave.
22-08-4
30
Jun 8, 2023
Complaint Partial
1 major violation. 2 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Food in Good Condition, Safe, and Unadulterated
FL-13
Approved Thawing Methods Used
FL-31
Lighting Adequate; Required Shields in Place
FL-36
82
May 8, 2023
Complaint Full
1 major violation.
View 1 violation
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : Intermediate - Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Prep table blocking handwash sink on cook line. **Repeat Violation** **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2023-05-08: **Time Extended**
31A-09-4
90
May 3, 2023
Complaint Full
3 critical violations. 5 major violations. 10 minor violations.
View 18 violations
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Rice 46 F, pasta 47 F, butter 45 F, cheese 46 F, shrimp 46 F, in walk in cooler. Fish 61 F, salmon 55 F, chicken 55 F, in reach in cooler. Advised operator to place all items on ice. **Warning**
03A-02-5
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Raw fish over cooked chicken in walk in cooler. **Warning**
08A-05-6
High Priority - 2 dozen oysters in walk in cooler with no tags. See stop sale. **Warning**
01B-39-5
Intermediate - Establishment not maintaining clam/mussel/oyster tags for 90 days. Operator wasn't able to provide any tags for oysters. **Warning**
01C-02-4
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Cutting board throughout kitchen. Microwave. **Warning**
22-02-4
Intermediate - Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Prep table blocking handwash sink on cook line. **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
31A-09-4
Intermediate - No tag on/for original container of raw, in-shell clams/mussels/oysters. See stop sale. Oysters in walk in cooler. **Warning**
01C-01-4
Intermediate - Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled. Chemical spray bottle not labeled, employee labeled at time of inspection. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
41-17-4
Basic - Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin. Ice machine. **Warning**
22-20-5
Basic - Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable.cutting board through out kitchen. **Warning**
14-09-4
Basic - Employee personal food not properly identified and segregated from food to be served to the public. Employee milk not segregated or identified in walk in cooler. **Warning**
08B-49-4
Basic - Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Employee cigarettes and glasses above microwave, operator removed at time of inspection. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
40-06-5
Basic - Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting. Containers wet nesting near dish machine. **Warning**
24-08-4
Basic - Floor soiled/has accumulation of debris. Throughout kitchen. **Warning**
36-73-4
Basic - Food stored on floor. Shrimp on floor in walk in freezer. **Warning**
08B-38-4
Basic - No conspicuously located ambient air temperature thermometer in holding unit. In walk in cooler. **Warning**
05-09-4
Basic - Sanitizer bucket stored with food, equipment, utensils, linens, single-service, or single-use articles. Sanitizer bucket on prep table, operator removed at time of inspection. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
21-44-1
Basic - Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Container of sugar not labeled, operator labeled at time of inspection. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
02D-01-5
23
Mar 14, 2023
Routine - Food
1 major violation. 2 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : Intermediate - Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Handwash sink next to fryers blocked with prep table. **Repeat Violation** **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2023-03-14: **Time Extended**
31A-09-4
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Standing water or very slow draining water in handwash sink, three-compartment sink, or mop sink. Slow drain at handwash sink next to sauce cooler. **Repeat Violation** **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2023-03-14: **Time Extended**
29-20-5
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin. Ice machine. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2023-03-14: **Time Extended**
22-20-5
82
Jan 19, 2023
Complaint Full
3 critical violations. 2 major violations. 4 minor violations.
View 9 violations
Certified Food Manager Identification
FL-02
Food Received at Proper Temperature
FL-12
Employee Health Policies Present
FL-03
Food Contact Surfaces Clean and Sanitized
FL-22
Warewashing Facilities Maintained and Used
FL-24
Equipment Adequate to Maintain Product Temperature
FL-29
Approved Thawing Methods Used
FL-31
Equipment, Food and Non-Food Contact Surfaces Approved
FL-35
Personal Cleanliness
FL-40
43
Jan 12, 2023
Complaint Full
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Certified Food Manager Identification
FL-02
Warewashing Facilities Maintained and Used
FL-24
90
Oct 10, 2022
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 2 major violations. 4 minor violations.
View 7 violations
Certified Food Manager Identification
FL-02
Employee Health Policies Present
FL-03
Hands Clean and Properly Washed
FL-08
Adequate Handwashing Facilities Supplied and Accessible
FL-10
Food Received at Proper Temperature
FL-12
Food Contact Surfaces Clean and Sanitized
FL-22
Proper Sanitizer Contact Time and Concentration
FL-33
43
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Lazy Gator last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Lazy Gator on file is from Dec 8, 2025. The public record contains 15 inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Lazy Gator?
Across the inspection record, “handwash sink not accessible for employee use” has been cited eight times, more than any other issue at Lazy Gator.
How does Lazy Gator compare to other restaurants in Ruskin?
Lazy Gator most recently scored 58 out of 100, which is lower than the Ruskin average of 75.
Has Lazy Gator's inspection record improved over time?
Yes. Recent inspections at Lazy Gator have averaged around eight violations per visit, down from roughly 11 earlier in the record.
What does a medium risk rating mean?
A medium risk rating at Lazy Gator 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 Lazy Gator inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Lazy Gator is inspected around five times per year on average.
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