Secret Garden Cafe
Last inspected: Nov 6, 2025
58
Score
Public records show eight inspections at Secret Garden Cafe stretching back to 2022. The most recent visit was on Nov 6, 2025. Medium risk typically reflects a handful of issues that inspectors wrote up but didn't deem critical.
Violation counts have ticked up lately, averaging around nine violations per visit versus roughly three violations earlier in the record.
Looking across the full record, “nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease” is the recurring theme, flagged five times.
Secret Garden Cafe's latest score of 58 falls below the Jacksonville average of 74. On the whole, the file is mixed but not concerning.
8
Inspections
1
Critical latest
1
Major latest
6
Minor latest
Inspection History
Nov 6, 2025
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 6 minor violations.
View 8 violations
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed house made uncooked breaded green tomatoes (47F - Cold Holding) in glass door reach-in cooler in kitchen area. Operator stated they were semi frozen earlier so he adjusted cooler. Operator rearranged and moved tomatoes to a colder area of cooler to chill. Retook temp at end of inspection at 44F-45F **Corrective Action Taken**
03A-02-5
Intermediate - Paper towel dispenser at handwash sink not working/unable to dispense paper towels. Observed paper towels at hand wash sink next to employee restroom unable to dispense. Operator removed cut removed-threaded paper towels properly to dispense paper towels. **Corrected On-Site**
31B-05-4
Basic - Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Observed cup without handle used to dispense feta cheese in flip top reach-in cooler on cook line next to food warmer. Operator removed souflee cup from cheese. **Corrected On-Site**
14-01-5
Basic - Clean utensils or equipment stored in dirty drawer or rack. Observed multiple clean utensils stored in containers that have an accumulation of food debris next to oven.
24-06-4
Basic - Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting. Clean stacked cups on storage shelf at soda dispensing machine unable to properly air dry **Repeat Violation**
24-08-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed gasket on reach in deep freezer and fridge in storage spare a soiled. Also, gasket on reach-in cooler on cook line next to food warmer soiled. Also, exterior of oven on cook line soiled. **Repeat Violation**
23-03-4
Basic - Reach-in cooler interior/shelves have accumulation of soil residues. Interior of reach-in cooler next to food warmer on cook line and reach-in cooler across from fryer soiled.
22-16-4
Basic - Unsealed concrete floor in food preparation, food storage, warewashing area or bathroom. Observed unsealed floor in dry food storage area and front service station. **Repeat Violation**
36-02-5
58
May 15, 2025
Routine - Food
3 major violations. 5 minor violations.
View 8 violations
Intermediate - Water with a temperature of least 85 degrees Fahrenheit not provided/shut off at employee handwash sink. No hot water at hand wash sink next to ice machine.
27-16-4
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Cutting board on reach-in cooler next to food warmer soiled/ stained. **Repeat Violation**
22-02-4
Intermediate - No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. No paper towels at hand wash sink next to ice machine. Operator replenished paper towels. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
31B-02-4
Basic - Ice buildup in reach-in freezer and/or walk-in freezer. Ice buildup up in all reach in freezers throughout kitchen and cook line.
14-69-4
Basic - Reach-in cooler interior/shelves have accumulation of soil residues. Interior of reach-in cooler across from fryers soiled. **Repeat Violation**
22-16-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Gaskets on multiple reach-in coolers and drawers in kitchen area soiled. Also, handles on fryer baskets has accumulation of food debris. **Repeat Violation**
23-03-4
Basic - Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting. Clean stacked cups on storage shelf in front service are unable to properly air dry. Operator removed cups to have rewashed. **Corrective Action Taken** **Repeat Violation**
24-08-4
Basic - Unsealed concrete floor in food preparation, food storage, warewashing area or bathroom. Unsealed concrete for floor in dry food storage area. **Repeat Violation**
36-02-5
58
Dec 12, 2024
Routine - Food
4 major violations. 6 minor violations.
View 10 violations
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Cutting board on reach-in cooler next to food warmer soiled/ stained. Also, nozzle area of cappuccino machine at front service line soiled. **Repeat Violation**
22-02-4
Intermediate - Handwash sink does not provide water through a mixing valve or combination faucet. No hot water at hand wash sink in back storage room. Also, no hot water at hand wash sink in employee restroom.
27-05-5
Intermediate - No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. No paper towels at hand wash sink in back storage area next to employee restroom.
31B-02-4
Intermediate - No written procedures available for use of time as a public health control to hold time/temperature control for safety food. No written procedure at Establishment for butter chips using TPHC. Butter chips time marked.
03F-10-5
Basic - Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting. Clean stacked cups on storage shelf next to soda dispensing machine unable to properly air dry
24-08-4
Basic - Floor soiled/has accumulation of debris. Floor under fryer and grill area has accumulation of grease and debris.
36-73-4
Basic - Interior of ice machine/bin with rust that has pitted the surface Interior deflector plate and area of bin where it's installed of large ice machine rusty.
14-34-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Gaskets on reach-in cooler on cook line soiled. Also, filters in hood area above grill and fryer soiled.
23-03-4
Basic - Reach-in cooler interior/shelves have accumulation of soil residues. Interior of reach-in cooler across from fryer has accumulation of debris.
22-16-4
Basic - Unsealed concrete floor in food preparation, food storage, warewashing area or bathroom. Unsealed concrete in food storage area.
36-02-5
50
May 2, 2024
Routine - Food
2 major violations. 2 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Cutting board on reach-in cooler near steamtable soiled/ stained.
22-02-4
Intermediate - Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled. Unlabeled Spray bottle containing toxic substance stored under cabinet in front service area. Operator labeled window cleaner. **Corrected On-Site**
41-17-4
Basic - Covered waste receptacle not provided in women's bathroom. Waste receptacle in family restroom and unisex restroom missing lid/ cover.
32-12-5
Basic - Floor tiles missing and/or in disrepair. Multiple floor tiles in kitchen/ cook line area missing/ chipped/ in disrepair. **Repeat Violation**
36-17-5
74
Sep 1, 2023
Routine - Food
No violations found.
100
Aug 22, 2023
Routine - Food
6 minor violations.
View 6 violations
Food in Good Condition, Safe, and Unadulterated
FL-13
Required Records Available; Shellstock Tags/Labels
FL-14
Potentially Hazardous Food Held at Proper Temperature
FL-16
Food Contact Surfaces Clean and Sanitized
FL-22
Non-Food Contact Surfaces Clean
FL-23
Lighting Adequate; Required Shields in Place
FL-36
74
Feb 17, 2023
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 2 major violations. 12 minor violations.
View 16 violations
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Observed raw chicken to be stored over pasteurized liquid eggs stored in stand alone cooler in back room area. Manager removed and stored properly. **Corrected On-Site**
08A-05-6
High Priority - Dishmachine chlorine sanitizer not at proper minimum strength. Discontinue use of dishmachine for sanitizing and set up manual sanitization until dishmachine is repaired and sanitizing properly. Observed Dish machine to be at 0ppm. Manager will use 3 compartment sink to sanitize dishes. **Corrected On-Site**
22-41-4
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. Observed establishment to not have written procedures on vomiting and diarrhea clean up. Inspector provided copy of written procedures on vomiting and diarrhea clean up.
11-27-4
Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Observed employee use water from hand sink in kitchen to mix in food preparation.
31A-11-4
Basic - Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Observed soufflé cup being used to dispense feta cheese located on cook line. Manager removed and placed spoon in feta cheese. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
14-01-5
Basic - Buildup of food debris/soil residue on equipment door handles. Observed stand alone cooler door handles located in back room area to be soiled.
23-24-4
Basic - Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance. Observed multiple ceiling tiles to be soiled throughout kitchen and vents to be dusty.
36-34-5
Basic - Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable. Observed multiple cutting boards throughout kitchen to be deeply grooved.
14-09-4
Basic - Employee with no beard guard/restraint while engaging in food preparation. Observed employee engaging in food preparation without beard guard.
13-04-4
Basic - Equipment in poor repair. Observed drawer gasket near grill to be torn.
14-11-5
Basic - Floor tiles missing and/or in disrepair. Observed multiple floor tiles missing or in disrepair throughout kitchen.
36-17-5
Basic - Interior of ice machine/bin with rust that has pitted the surface Observed interior splash guard in ice machine to have surface rust on it.
14-34-4
Basic - Lights in food preparation, food storage or warewashing area missing the proper shield, sleeve coatings or covers. Observed missing light shield located on cook line.
38-07-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed multiple reach in door gaskets on cook line to be soiled. **Repeat Violation**
23-03-4
Basic - Reach-in cooler interior/shelves have accumulation of soil residues. Observed interior of flip top coolers on cook line to be soiled.
22-16-4
Basic - Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Observed large container of bread crumbs without label. Manager placed label on container. **Corrected On-Site**
02D-01-5
33
Aug 16, 2022
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 6 minor violations.
View 7 violations
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed Liquid eggs held in container located across from grill at 52F, advise the employee that ice was low in the bucket holding container of liquid eggs cold. Employee placed more ice into container that holds liquid eggs. Person in charge stated they do not use time.Explained to owner the option of time in lieu of temperature as an option for the liquid eggs. **Corrective Action Taken**
03A-02-5
Basic - Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin. Observed ice bin in dry storage area to be soiled on the interior of unit. Observed the ice bin in service area to be soiled on the interior of unit.
22-20-5
Basic - Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Observed small cup without handle to portion cheese on flip to cooler near steam table. Employee removed cup from pan. **Corrected On-Site**
14-01-5
Basic - Covered waste receptacle not provided in women's bathroom. Observed in dry storage area the employee restroom to not have covered waste receptacle. Manager located the waste can that should be in restroom. **Corrected On-Site**
32-12-5
Basic - Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Observed in kitchen personal phone on top of prep table across from grill where food is being prepped. Observed personal phone stored on food rack above the flip top cooler next to steam table.
40-06-5
Basic - Food stored on floor. Observed box of oil stored on floor in middle of kitchen next to prep table. Observed box of oil stored on floor in dry storage area. Manager removed and stored properly. **Corrected On-Site**
08B-38-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed door gasket on cooler near entrance of kitchen to be soiled. Observed door gaskets on the upright coolers near back door to be soiled.
23-03-4
64
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Secret Garden Cafe last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Secret Garden Cafe on file is from Nov 6, 2025. The public record contains eight inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Secret Garden Cafe?
Across the inspection record, “nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease” has been cited five times, more than any other issue at Secret Garden Cafe.
How does Secret Garden Cafe compare to other restaurants in Jacksonville?
Secret Garden Cafe most recently scored 58 out of 100, which is lower than the Jacksonville average of 74.
Has Secret Garden Cafe's inspection record improved over time?
No. Recent inspections at Secret Garden Cafe have averaged around nine violations per visit, up from roughly three earlier in the record.
What does a medium risk rating mean?
A medium risk rating at Secret Garden 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 Secret Garden Cafe inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Secret Garden Cafe is inspected around two times per year on average.
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