Waffle House
Last inspected: Feb 4, 2026
45
Score
Waffle House appears in inspection records nine times, starting in 2022. The latest inspection on file is from Feb 4, 2026. High risk usually means inspectors flagged either critical violations or a stack of smaller ones.
Compared to the prior visit, inspectors found more to write up: 11 violations versus seven before.
When inspectors have written things up, basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease has been the most frequent reason, cited four times.
Waffle House's latest score of 45 falls below the Ocala average of 78. The pattern in the record is worth a careful look.
9
Inspections
2
Critical latest
1
Major latest
8
Minor latest
Inspection History
Feb 4, 2026
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 1 major violation. 8 minor violations.
View 11 violations
High Priority - Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. Bottle of bleach on top of shelf containing bag in a box soda syrups. Moved during this inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
41-10-4
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/with unwashed produce. In walk in cooler: unwashed case of tomatoes on shelf over cases of raw bacon. Also, in walk in cooler: unwashed heads of lettuce on shelf over bags of chopped onions.
08A-04-5
Intermediate - Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Hand wash sink blocked with roll cart. Moved during this inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
31A-09-4
Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Employee cup of coffee in cooler over bin of butter. Manager moved. **Corrected On-Site**
12B-07-4
Basic - Employee personal food not properly identified and segregated from food to be served to the public. Employee energy drink on reach in cooler over bin of creamer.
08B-49-4
Basic - Employee wearing jewelry other than a plain ring on their hands/arms while preparing food. Female employee wearing bracelet while scooping ice.
13-07-4
Basic - Employee with no hair restraint while engaging in food preparation. Male employee cooking wearing a visor with long hair not restrained. Employee placed hair net over head during this inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
13-03-4
Basic - Grease receptacle lid open, broken, or missing. Lid open on receptacle located in dumpster area. **Repeat Violation**
33-29-4
Basic - Single-service articles not stored inverted or protected from contamination. Togo cups next to fountain machine not covered. Two containers with coffee filters not in bag or covered. All were covered.**Corrective Action Taken** **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
25-06-4
Basic - Storage of maintenance equipment/tools in areas that may result in cross contamination of food, equipment, utensils, linens and/or single-service and single-use articles. Roll of trash bags in container with crackers and sugar packets. Moved during this inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
42-03-5
Basic - Wet wiping cloth not stored in sanitizing solution between uses. One towel on wire rack over ketchup bottles. Placed in bucket during this inspection. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
21-12-4
45
Aug 27, 2025
Routine - Food
3 critical violations. 1 major violation. 4 minor violations.
View 8 violations
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. Eggs on front cookline have no time mark. Time stamp was added during this inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
03F-02-5
High Priority - Employee handled soiled equipment or utensils and then engaged in food preparation, handled clean equipment or utensils, or touched unwrapped single-service items without washing hands. Female employee placed soiled dishes in dish pit then touched clean dishes without washing hands. **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
12A-13-4
High Priority - Employee cracked raw shell eggs and then handled ready-to-eat food and/or clean equipment or utensils without washing hands. Male employee cracked shell eggs with gloved hands then continued to removed gloves, adjust glasses, then put on new gloves to plate food without washing hands. **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
12A-27-4
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Interior of reach in dessert cooler soiled with food debris. Interior of reach in cooler containing protein soiled with food debris. **Repeat Violation**
22-02-4
Basic - Grease receptacle lid open, broken, or missing. Lid open on grease receptacle.
33-29-4
Basic - Sanitizing solution for wiping cloths not free of food debris and visible soil. Two metal trays near tables are brown and grey in color.
21-11-4
Basic - Single-service items for customer self-service not properly protected to prevent contamination. Dispensers with foam cups in two server stations missing covers. Coffee filters in plastic bin not covered. **Repeat Violation**
25-09-4
Basic - Wet wiping cloth not stored in sanitizing solution between uses. One towel on crash cart. Placed in sanitizer during this inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
21-12-4
47
Feb 17, 2025
Complaint Full
3 critical violations. 2 major violations. 8 minor violations.
View 13 violations
Supervisor/Person in Charge Present
FL-01
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
Potentially Hazardous Food Held at Proper Temperature
FL-16
Food Contact Surfaces Clean and Sanitized
FL-22
Non-Food Contact Surfaces Clean
FL-23
Warewashing Facilities Maintained and Used
FL-24
Hot and Cold Water Available; Adequate Pressure
FL-25
Lighting Adequate; Required Shields in Place
FL-36
Single-Use/Single-Service Articles Properly Stored and Used
FL-45
Toilet Rooms Maintained
FL-53
33
Sep 11, 2024
Routine - Food
3 major violations. 5 minor violations.
View 8 violations
Intermediate - No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. No paper towels at back hand wash sink. Manager restocked. **Corrected On-Site**
31B-02-4
Intermediate - Commercially processed ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food opened and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked after opening. Gallon container of milk in reach-in cooler not date-marked.
02C-03-5
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. White upper deflector plate in ice machine soiled with mold-like substances.
22-02-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Cookline mixer soiled with old food debris and mold-like substances.
23-03-4
Basic - Opened employee beverage container in a cold holding unit with food to be served to customers. Employee drink in reach-in cooler.
12B-13-4
Basic - Single-service articles not stored inverted or protected from contamination. Cups in tubes on cookline not inverted or protected.
25-06-4
Basic - Ceiling tile missing. Ceiling tile missing over ice machine.
36-36-4
Basic - Equipment in poor repair. Ice buildup on cooling unit in walk-in freezer. Cutting board grooved.
14-11-5
58
Jun 14, 2024
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 1 major violation. 3 minor violations.
View 6 violations
High Priority - Employee touched soiled apron/clothes and then engaged in food preparation, handled clean equipment or utensils, or touched unwrapped single-service items without washing hands. Observed cook knock his hat off his head, grab it and place it back on his head, then continue to handle cooking equipment without washing his hands and changing gloves. Discussed with Manager and she spoke with cook. **Corrective Action Taken**
12A-28-4
High Priority - Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. Observed bottle of hydrogen peroxide store on top of soft drink syrup boxes. Manager removed hydrogen peroxide. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
41-10-4
Intermediate - No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. Observed no paper towels at hand wash sink in back kitchen area. Manager restocked paper towels. **Corrected On-Site**
31B-02-4
Basic - Stored food not covered. Observed sausage patties in walk-in-freezer uncovered and stored on top of a box.
08B-12-5
Basic - Single-service articles improperly stored. Observed coffee filters stored in container however the lid was not on the container and coffee filters were not protected
25-05-4
Basic - Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Observed employee drink stored next on table next to steam bain containing hot holding food and over straws and glove boxes. Manager removed employee drink. **Corrected On-Site**
40-06-5
58
Dec 6, 2023
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 6 minor violations.
View 8 violations
High Priority - Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. Observed spray bottle of glass cleaner stored over single serve trays and lid on cookline one. Manager removed spray bottle **Corrected On-Site**
41-10-4
High Priority - Spray hose at dish sink lower than flood rim of sink. Observed spray hose at dishwash sink is lower than the flood rim of the sink.
29-37-4
Basic - Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Observed employee jacket and sweater stored over single serve trays and gloves. Manager removed jackets. **Corrected On-Site**
40-06-5
Basic - Food stored on floor. Observed case of plastic water bottles stored on floor in dry goods storage area
08B-38-4
Basic - Ice buildup in reach-in freezer and/or walk-in freezer. Observed ice build up around door and on the door of the walk-in-freezer. Manager showed work order to repair door. **Corrective Action Taken**
14-69-4
Basic - In-use utensil not stored with handle above the top of time/temperature control for safety food and rim of the container. Observed In-use utensil in a time/temperature control food stored with handle touching food (cheese )
10-06-5
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed door handle of reach in cooler on cookline soiled with waffle batter
23-03-4
Basic - Opened employee beverage container in a cold holding unit with food to be served to customers. Observed employee drinks stored above Ready-To-Eat food served to the public in reach in cooler on cook line. Employee removed drink. Also observed employee drink stored above single serve trays. Manager removed drink. **Corrected On-Site**
12B-13-4
55
Jul 6, 2023
Routine - Food
4 critical violations. 5 minor violations.
View 9 violations
High Priority - Spray hose at dish sink lower than flood rim of sink. Observed spray hose at dishwash sink is lower than the flood rim of the sink.
29-37-4
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 dishmachine at 0ppm CL and temperature of 154F.
22-41-4
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food held using time as a public health control marked with a time that exceeds the 4-hour limit. See stop sale. Observed raw shelled eggs on cook line on a five hour control. Eggs had been on the line for one hour.Manager correct time to four hours **Corrected On-Site**
03F-01-5
High Priority - Stop Sale issued due to adulteration of food product. Observed one cracked egg in reach in cooler. Manager discarded **Corrective Action Taken**
01B-03-5
Basic - Ice buildup in reach-in freezer and/or walk-in freezer. Observed ice build up around outside of door to walk-in-freezer. **Repeat Violation**
14-69-4
Basic - Opened employee beverage container in a cold holding unit with food to be served to customers. Observed employee water bottle in reach in cooler
12B-13-4
Basic - Standing water in floor drain/floor drain draining very slowly. Observed standing water in front of reach in cooler before entering the back area of restaurant.
29-19-4
Basic - Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting. Observed equipment not properly air-dried, and stored wet on clean ware rack resulting in wet nesting.
24-08-4
Basic - Clean glasses, cups, bowls, plates, pots, pans, ice bucket not stored inverted or in a protected manner. Observed ice bucket used to transport ice not stored inverted or in a protected manner by ice machine.
24-05-4
43
Mar 15, 2023
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 4 major violations. 4 minor violations.
View 10 violations
High Priority - Shell eggs in use or stored with cracks or broken shells. See stop sale. Observed 4 cracked eggs on the front line, over the flattop and in the right hand reach-in cooler. **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
01B-14-4
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 and the time removed from temperature control cannot be determined. Observed the eggs over the cook line lacking a time mark. An adjusted mark was added, 1-5pm. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
03F-02-5
Intermediate - Commercially processed ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food opened and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked after opening. Observed 2 gallon jugs of milk opened in the reach-in cooler on the front line. Staff relates they purchase about 6 gallons a week. The jug on the left end was opened yesterday. **Repeat Violation**
02C-03-5
Intermediate - Food service manager not certified within 30 days of employment. 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 Kay, about 3 months in the position as a relief manager, no Certified Food Manager card.
53A-04-6
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 6 staff involved with food, no Certified Food Manager on duty.
53A-05-6
Intermediate - Toxic substance/chemical on premise that is not required for the operation of establishment. Observed 2 glass cleaner spray bottles stored next to syrup on a rack, on the front line. The spray bottles were moved to cleaning. **Corrected On-Site**
41-04-4
Basic - Sanitizing solution for wiping cloths not free of food debris and visible soil. Observed the front line sanitizer pan with soiled sanitizer liquid in it. This was changed out. 100 ppm. **Corrected On-Site**
21-11-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed the front line cabinets closest to the office, with food debris on the bottom shelf,
23-03-4
Basic - Ice buildup in reach-in freezer and/or walk-in freezer. Observed ice build up around the freezer door.
14-69-4
Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Observed multiple employee drinks stored on/over the bulk sodas in the kitchen. These were discarded or moved below. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
12B-07-4
41
Aug 30, 2022
Routine - Food
7 critical violations. 4 major violations. 6 minor violations.
View 17 violations
High Priority - Raw animal foods not properly separated from each other in holding unit based upon minimum required cooking temperature. Pan over raw beef burgers stored over pan of pork chops. **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
08A-20-5
High Priority - Stop Sale issued due to food not being in a wholesome, sound condition. 6 butter packets 78F. Sliced tomatoes 47. 2 onions with mold on them. 2 plates of food containing hash browns and cooked burger contaminated with raw shell egg. **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
01B-13-4
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Butter packets containing milk 78Fon shelf. Manager stated butter packets had been out all morning. Stop sale issued. Manager discarded butter packets. Tomatoes on prep table next to grill: 46F. Manager stated tomatoes were sliced 5 hours prior. Stop sale issued. Tomatoes discarded. **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
03A-02-5
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. Eggs above grill have no time marked. Time added by manager. **Corrected On-Site**
03F-02-5
High Priority - Dishmachine not sanitizing properly. Discontinue use of dishmachine for sanitizing and set up manual sanitization until dishmachine is repaired and sanitizing properly. Dish machine is high temp with a temperature of 150F. Set up triple sink with chlorine sanitizer 50 ppm. **Corrective Action Taken** **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
22-49-4
High Priority - Employee switched from working with raw food to ready-to-eat food without washing hands and/or touched a dirty surface without washing hands. Female employee cracked raw shell eggs then continued to touch two plates of food containing a cooked burger and hash browns. Stop sale issued for both plates of food. Also, female employee touched hat, face, and clothes and continued to grasp plated food without washing hands. Also, male employee moved employee drink to trash can, then changed gloves without washing hands. **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
12A-12-4
High Priority - Hose attached to faucet at three-compartment/food preparation/handwash sink eliminating required air gap. Spray hose in dish area at front counter laying in pool of water. Also, hose does not have a back flow prevention device. **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
29-45-4
Intermediate - Commercially processed ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food opened and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked after opening. Three containers of milk opened yesterday with no date mark.
02C-03-5
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Ice bin soiled at under fountain machine at front of line. Metal lip above ice compartment of rear ice machine soiled. Dispensing nozzle of front lemonade machine soiled.
22-02-4
Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Dirty pan stored in hand washing sink next to cash register. Employee moved pan. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
31A-11-4
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. Missing certificates for 14 employees **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
53B-02-5
Basic - Opened employee beverage container in a cold holding unit with food to be served to customers. Opened employee protein drink in first cooler on front line. Manager discarded. Employee drink on shelf above soda syrup containers. Manager moved. **Corrected On-Site** **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
12B-13-4
Basic - Open dumpster lid.
33-16-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Gaskets soiled on reach-in cooler at front of cook-line.
23-03-4
Basic - Ice bucket/shovel stored improperly. Ice bucket sitting on milk crate was not inverted, open side was up. Flipped over **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
10-14-5
Basic - Hood filter missing from automatic fire suppression/exhaust system. Hood filters out being cleaned (soaking in liquid cleaner) while grill in use.
14-42-4
Basic - Single-service articles not stored inverted or protected from contamination. Single serve cups in dispenser at back of line not covered.
25-06-4
17
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Waffle House last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Waffle House on file is from Feb 4, 2026. The public record contains nine inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Waffle House?
Across the inspection record, basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease has been cited four times, more than any other issue at Waffle House.
How does Waffle House compare to other restaurants in Ocala?
Waffle House most recently scored 45 out of 100, which is lower than the Ocala average of 78.
Has Waffle House's inspection record improved over time?
No. Recent inspections at Waffle House have flagged more violations than earlier ones, ticking from about seven per visit to around 11 more recently.
What does a high risk rating mean?
A high risk rating at Waffle House means the most recent inspection flagged either critical violations or a substantial number of smaller ones. Diners may want to read the violation details before deciding to visit.
How often is Waffle House inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Waffle House is inspected around three times per year on average.
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