83 CENTRAL SQUARE, SANTA ROSA BEACH, FL 32459
THE GREAT SOUTHERN CAFE has a mixed inspection record — 8 violations in the past year, including 3 high-priority. Not alarming, but worth knowing before you order. The trailing-year record shows 8 violations, including 3 high-priority and 0 Emergency Orders of Closure.
Scores higher than 5% of the 146 inspected restaurants in SANTA ROSA BEACH on the trailing-year record.
3 high-priority violations on the trailing-year record — above the Walton County average of 0.6.
Full available history. The score uses only the most recent 365 days — older visits are shown for context, not counted.
Plumbing not installed or maintained properly — leaks, mop sink issues, unserviced water filters, or missing backflow prevention.
This visit closed with no further action required.
Food held, cooled, cooked, or reheated outside safe temperatures, letting dangerous bacteria multiply.
Roaches, rodents, flies, or other pests present — or doors and openings that let them in not protected.
Dish machine or sinks not set up or working properly, or missing sanitizer test kit and gauges.
Handwash sink missing, blocked, or used for other purposes, or missing soap, towels, or the handwash sign.
Surfaces that touch food — cutting boards, ice bins, dish racks — soiled or not sanitized.
Shelves, counters, handles, or equipment exteriors soiled with grease, debris, or dust.
Clean equipment and utensils stored improperly or not air-dried.
Hands not washed or gloves not changed when required, or employees eating, drinking, or smoking in food areas.
Surfaces that touch food — cutting boards, ice bins, dish racks — soiled or not sanitized.
Food from an unapproved supplier, unsafe or spoiled food, missing shellfish harvest tags, or raw fish without required parasite destruction.
Food held, cooled, cooked, or reheated outside safe temperatures, letting dangerous bacteria multiply.
Shelves, counters, handles, or equipment exteriors soiled with grease, debris, or dust.
This visit closed with no further action required.
Food from an unapproved supplier, unsafe or spoiled food, missing shellfish harvest tags, or raw fish without required parasite destruction.
Missing consumer advisory for raw or undercooked items, ready-to-eat food not date-marked, or food not properly labeled.
Shelves, counters, handles, or equipment exteriors soiled with grease, debris, or dust.
Floors, walls, ceilings, or attached equipment dirty, damaged, or poorly vented.
Every violation on this record falls into one of the state's standardized categories. Here is what each category covers and why inspectors check for it — in plain English, with the trailing-year count for this kitchen.
Cold food must stay at 41°F or below and hot food at 135°F or above, through receiving, holding, cooking, cooling, and reheating. The range in between is where bacteria multiply fastest, which is why temperature control is checked on nearly every visit.
On this record, the category appears in 1 of the 3 trailing-year inspections. The written details for each entry are in the state inspection documents linked above.
Dirty Dish List is built from public inspection data published by the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation. The inspection dates, dispositions, and violations on this report card mirror what the state has on file for License No. 7601084 — you can read the original documents yourself and compare.