Waffle House #988
Last inspected: Mar 9, 2026
100
Score
Across the available record, Waffle House #988 has nine inspections on file, the first dated 2022. The most recent visit was on Mar 9, 2026. Low risk indicates the latest report didn't flag anything that would worry the average customer.
The picture has improved over the last few visits: recent inspections have averaged around three violations, down from roughly five violations earlier in the record.
The pattern that stands out is “nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease”, which has been cited three times.
Restaurants in Panama City average 83, so Waffle House #988 is doing better than most peers. Taken together, the history is a positive one.
9
Inspections
0
Critical latest
0
Major latest
0
Minor latest
Inspection History
Mar 9, 2026
Routine - Food
No violations found.
100
Jan 5, 2026
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 4 minor violations.
View 6 violations
High Priority - Cooked poultry not reaching a minimum internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit. Chicken breast cooked to final temperature of 160F. Cooked placed chicken back on grill and cooked to final temperature of 169F, **Corrected On-Site**
03C-44-5
Intermediate - Manager or person in charge lacking proof of food manager certification and no other certified food service manager employed at this location. No certification for Phillip Waddell. **Warning**
53A-02-7
Basic - Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated dust over three compartment sink area.
36-34-5
Basic - Exterior door has a gap at the threshold that opens to the outside. Back door to kitchen.
35B-01-4
Basic - Interior of prep area hot box in disrepair/has exposed insulation.
14-36-5
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Mold like substance on walk-in cooler shelves. Mold like substance on reach in cooler gasket.
23-03-4
64
May 12, 2025
Routine - Food
3 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Basic - Floor area(s) covered with standing water. Observed water on the floor next to ice machine. Operator mopped up the water. **Corrected On-Site**
36-22-4
Basic - No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees. No handwashing signs in both the ladies and men's restrooms.
31B-04-4
Basic - Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance. Observed dust on ceiling tiles above waffle station.
36-34-5
86
Nov 19, 2024
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 2 major violations. 3 minor violations.
View 7 violations
Required Records Available; Shellstock Tags/Labels
FL-14
Food Received at Proper Temperature
FL-12
Food Contact Surfaces Clean and Sanitized
FL-22
Non-Food Contact Surfaces Clean
FL-23
Equipment, Food and Non-Food Contact Surfaces Approved
FL-35
Lighting Adequate; Required Shields in Place
FL-36
Toilet Rooms Maintained
FL-53
50
Jun 18, 2024
Routine - Food
No violations found.
100
Apr 16, 2024
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 3 major violations. 3 minor violations.
View 8 violations
High Priority - Stop sale issued due to cross contamination from raw shell egg to ready to eat sandwich.
01B-13-4
High Priority - Employee switched from working with raw food to ready-to-eat food without washing hands. Observed employee crack raw shell eggs with gloves hands, begin handling ready to eat sandwich with same gloves and no handwash. Discussed with employee and issued stop sale on sandwich.
12A-12-4
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. Observed 3 cooks/servers employed over 60 days. **Warning**
53B-01-5
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 5 cook/servers
53A-05-6
Intermediate - No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. At Hand wash sink in back kitchen area. Restocked at time of inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
31B-02-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Mold like substance on walk-in cooler shelves and fan,
23-03-4
Basic - Single-service articles not stored inverted or protected from contamination. Disposable cups not inverted or protected. Cups covered at time of inspection. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
25-06-4
Basic - Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin.
22-20-5
47
Nov 7, 2023
Routine - Food
1 major violation. 2 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Intermediate - Records/documents for required employee training do not contain all of the required information. No completion date on certificate for some employees. Dates determined at time of inspection and written on certificates. **Corrected On-Site**
53B-10-4
Basic - Single-service articles not stored inverted or protected from contamination. Styrofoam cups stored uncovered right side up in dispenser. Manager put lids on dispenser. **Corrected On-Site**
25-06-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Food debris behind make table. Manager cleaned at time of inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
23-03-4
82
Jan 13, 2023
Routine - Food
3 major violations. 1 minor violation.
View 4 violations
Food Obtained from Approved Sources
FL-11
Potentially Hazardous Food Held at Proper Temperature
FL-16
Non-Food Contact Surfaces Clean
FL-23
Toilet Rooms Maintained
FL-53
64
Aug 30, 2022
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 2 major violations. 3 minor violations.
View 7 violations
High Priority - Raw animal foods not properly separated from each other in holding unit based upon minimum required cooking temperature. Raw chicken on shelf over raw sausage. Manager voluntarily discarded at time of inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
08A-20-5
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food identified in the written procedure as a food held using time as a public health control has no time marking. Raw shell eggs on cook line shelf. Manager marked time during inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
03F-02-5
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/. James Farrell expired 3-9-21
53A-03-7
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.
53B-14-5
Basic - Stored food not covered. Open carton of orange juice in freezer. Manager voluntarily discarded at time of inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
08B-12-5
Basic - In-use knife/knives stored in cracks between pieces of equipment. On cook line between steam table and egg shell disposal. Manager sent knife to dish pit for washing and relocating. **Corrective Action Taken**
10-17-4
Basic - Clean utensils or equipment stored in dirty drawer or rack. Coffee cups stored on dirty trays. Employees began cleaning during inspection. **Corrective Action Taken**
24-06-4
52
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Waffle House #988 last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Waffle House #988 on file is from Mar 9, 2026. The public record contains nine inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Waffle House #988?
Across the inspection record, “nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease” has been cited three times, more than any other issue at Waffle House #988.
How does Waffle House #988 compare to other restaurants in Panama City?
Waffle House #988 most recently scored 100 out of 100, which is higher than the Panama City average of 83.
Has Waffle House #988's inspection record improved over time?
Yes. Recent inspections at Waffle House #988 have averaged around three violations per visit, down from roughly five earlier in the record.
What does a low risk rating mean?
A low risk rating at Waffle House #988 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 Waffle House #988 inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Waffle House #988 is inspected around three times per year on average.
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