193 N CAUSEWAY, NEW SMYRNA BEACH, FL 32169
State inspectors have documented 7 high-priority violations at MERK'S BAR & GRILL over the past year. That's the kind that can make you sick. Consider the alternatives below. The trailing-year record shows 53 violations, including 7 high-priority and 0 Emergency Orders of Closure.
Scores higher than 8% of the 168 inspected restaurants in NEW SMYRNA BEACH on the trailing-year record.
7 high-priority violations on the trailing-year record — above the Volusia County average of 3.3.
Full available history. The score uses only the most recent 365 days — older visits are shown for context, not counted.
Missing or expired food manager certification, or employee food-safety training not documented.
Floors, walls, ceilings, or attached equipment dirty, damaged, or poorly vented.
Shelves, counters, handles, or equipment exteriors soiled with grease, debris, or dust.
Food held, cooled, cooked, or reheated outside safe temperatures, letting dangerous bacteria multiply.
Food from an unapproved supplier, unsafe or spoiled food, missing shellfish harvest tags, or raw fish without required parasite destruction.
Workers handling ready-to-eat food with bare hands without an approved alternative procedure.
Hands not washed or gloves not changed when required, or employees eating, drinking, or smoking in food areas.
Roaches, rodents, flies, or other pests present — or doors and openings that let them in not protected.
Floors, walls, ceilings, or attached equipment dirty, damaged, or poorly vented.
Food-contact or nonfood-contact surfaces improperly designed, constructed, maintained, or located.
Dirty wiping cloths not stored in sanitizer, or soiled linens handled improperly.
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.
Garbage overflowing or uncovered, or the premises not maintained.
Hands not washed or gloves not changed when required, or employees eating, drinking, or smoking in food areas.
Missing consumer advisory for raw or undercooked items, ready-to-eat food not date-marked, or food not properly labeled.
Missing or inaccurate food and equipment thermometers.
Surfaces that touch food — cutting boards, ice bins, dish racks — soiled or not sanitized.
Floors, walls, ceilings, or attached equipment dirty, damaged, or poorly vented.
Dirty wiping cloths not stored in sanitizer, or soiled linens handled improperly.
Shelves, counters, handles, or equipment exteriors soiled with grease, debris, or dust.
Plumbing not installed or maintained properly — leaks, mop sink issues, unserviced water filters, or missing backflow prevention.
Floors, walls, ceilings, or attached equipment dirty, damaged, or poorly vented.
Surfaces that touch food — cutting boards, ice bins, dish racks — soiled or not sanitized.
Floors, walls, ceilings, or attached equipment dirty, damaged, or poorly vented.
Missing or expired food manager certification, or employee food-safety training not documented.
Floors, walls, ceilings, or attached equipment dirty, damaged, or poorly vented.
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.
Garbage overflowing or uncovered, or the premises not maintained.
Food held, cooled, cooked, or reheated outside safe temperatures, letting dangerous bacteria multiply.
Raw meat, poultry, or seafood not separated from ready-to-eat food, or food left unprotected during prep, storage, or display.
Workers handling ready-to-eat food with bare hands without an approved alternative procedure.
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.
Missing or expired food manager certification, or employee food-safety training not documented.
Surfaces that touch food — cutting boards, ice bins, dish racks — soiled or not sanitized.
Floors, walls, ceilings, or attached equipment dirty, damaged, or poorly vented.
Food-contact or nonfood-contact surfaces improperly designed, constructed, maintained, or located.
Shelves, counters, handles, or equipment exteriors soiled with grease, debris, or dust.
Clean equipment and utensils stored improperly or not air-dried.
Plumbing not installed or maintained properly — leaks, mop sink issues, unserviced water filters, or missing backflow prevention.
Garbage overflowing or uncovered, or the premises not maintained.
Roaches, rodents, flies, or other pests present — or doors and openings that let them in not protected.
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.
Missing or expired food manager certification, or employee food-safety training not documented.
Shelves, counters, handles, or equipment exteriors soiled with grease, debris, or dust.
Plumbing not installed or maintained properly — leaks, mop sink issues, unserviced water filters, or missing backflow prevention.
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.
Raw meat, poultry, or seafood not separated from ready-to-eat food, or food left unprotected during prep, storage, or display.
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.
Missing consumer advisory for raw or undercooked items, ready-to-eat food not date-marked, or food not properly labeled.
Missing or expired food manager certification, or employee food-safety training not documented.
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.
Plumbing not installed or maintained properly — leaks, mop sink issues, unserviced water filters, or missing backflow prevention.
Garbage overflowing or uncovered, or the premises not maintained.
Floors, walls, ceilings, or attached equipment dirty, damaged, or poorly vented.
Dish machine or sinks not set up or working properly, or missing sanitizer test kit and gauges.
Missing or expired food manager certification, or employee food-safety training not documented.
Shelves, counters, handles, or equipment exteriors soiled with grease, debris, or dust.
Clean equipment and utensils stored improperly or not air-dried.
Garbage overflowing or uncovered, or the premises not maintained.
Floors, walls, ceilings, or attached equipment dirty, damaged, or poorly vented.
Food from an unapproved supplier, unsafe or spoiled food, missing shellfish harvest tags, or raw fish without required parasite destruction.
Dish machine or sinks not set up or working properly, or missing sanitizer test kit and gauges.
Missing or expired food manager certification, or employee food-safety training not documented.
Shelves, counters, handles, or equipment exteriors soiled with grease, debris, or dust.
Clean equipment and utensils stored improperly or not air-dried.
Garbage overflowing or uncovered, or the premises not maintained.
Floors, walls, ceilings, or attached equipment dirty, damaged, or poorly vented.
Raw meat, poultry, or seafood not separated from ready-to-eat food, or food left unprotected during prep, storage, or display.
Food held, cooled, cooked, or reheated outside safe temperatures, letting dangerous bacteria multiply.
Food from an unapproved supplier, unsafe or spoiled food, missing shellfish harvest tags, or raw fish without required parasite destruction.
Hands not washed or gloves not changed when required, or employees eating, drinking, or smoking in food areas.
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.
Missing or expired food manager certification, or employee food-safety training not documented.
Garbage overflowing or uncovered, or the premises not maintained.
Missing hair or beard restraint, dirty work clothes, jewelry, or painted/artificial fingernails during food prep.
Dirty wiping cloths not stored in sanitizer, or soiled linens handled improperly.
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.
Single-use items (cups, straws, to-go containers) stored or handled improperly.
Floors, walls, ceilings, or attached equipment dirty, damaged, or poorly vented.
Food held, cooled, cooked, or reheated outside safe temperatures, letting dangerous bacteria multiply.
Surfaces that touch food — cutting boards, ice bins, dish racks — soiled or not sanitized.
Garbage overflowing or uncovered, or the premises not maintained.
Floors, walls, ceilings, or attached equipment dirty, damaged, or poorly vented.
Food held, cooled, cooked, or reheated outside safe temperatures, letting dangerous bacteria multiply.
Surfaces that touch food — cutting boards, ice bins, dish racks — soiled or not sanitized.
Garbage overflowing or uncovered, or the premises not maintained.
Floors, walls, ceilings, or attached equipment dirty, damaged, or poorly vented.
Food held, cooled, cooked, or reheated outside safe temperatures, letting dangerous bacteria multiply.
Raw meat, poultry, or seafood not separated from ready-to-eat food, or food left unprotected during prep, storage, or display.
Roaches, rodents, flies, or other pests present — or doors and openings that let them in not protected.
Cleaning chemicals or other toxic substances unlabeled or stored where they can reach food.
Missing or inaccurate food and equipment thermometers.
Handwash sink missing, blocked, or used for other purposes, or missing soap, towels, or the handwash sign.
Missing or expired food manager certification, or employee food-safety training not documented.
Surfaces that touch food — cutting boards, ice bins, dish racks — soiled or not sanitized.
High-risk food (like meat) thawed improperly, promoting bacterial growth.
Food-contact or nonfood-contact surfaces improperly designed, constructed, maintained, or located.
Dirty wiping cloths not stored in sanitizer, or soiled linens handled improperly.
Shelves, counters, handles, or equipment exteriors soiled with grease, debris, or dust.
Single-use items (cups, straws, to-go containers) stored or handled improperly.
Garbage overflowing or uncovered, or the premises not maintained.
Floors, walls, ceilings, or attached equipment dirty, damaged, or poorly vented.
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.
Roaches, rodents, flies, or other pests present — or doors and openings that let them in not protected.
Misrepresenting or misbranding food — e.g. selling one product as another.
Missing consumer advisory for raw or undercooked items, ready-to-eat food not date-marked, or food not properly labeled.
A sick or symptomatic employee present, or staff unaware of when illness bars them from working with food.
Handwash sink missing, blocked, or used for other purposes, or missing soap, towels, or the handwash sign.
Scoops and other in-use utensils stored improperly (e.g. handle down in the food).
Food-contact or nonfood-contact surfaces improperly designed, constructed, maintained, or located.
Dirty wiping cloths not stored in sanitizer, or soiled linens handled improperly.
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.
Plumbing not installed or maintained properly — leaks, mop sink issues, unserviced water filters, or missing backflow prevention.
Garbage overflowing or uncovered, or the premises not maintained.
Floors, walls, ceilings, or attached equipment dirty, damaged, or poorly vented.
Employee jackets, phones, drinks, or other personal items stored where they can contaminate food.
Roaches, rodents, flies, or other pests present — or doors and openings that let them in not protected.
A sick or symptomatic employee present, or staff unaware of when illness bars them from working with food.
Shelves, counters, handles, or equipment exteriors soiled with grease, debris, or dust.
Plumbing not installed or maintained properly — leaks, mop sink issues, unserviced water filters, or missing backflow prevention.
Floors, walls, ceilings, or attached equipment dirty, damaged, or poorly vented.
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.
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.
A sick or symptomatic employee present, or staff unaware of when illness bars them from working with food.
Dish machine or sinks not set up or working properly, or missing sanitizer test kit and gauges.
Surfaces that touch food — cutting boards, ice bins, dish racks — soiled or not sanitized.
Floors, walls, ceilings, or attached equipment dirty, damaged, or poorly vented.
Food-contact or nonfood-contact surfaces improperly designed, constructed, maintained, or located.
Dirty wiping cloths not stored in sanitizer, or soiled linens handled improperly.
Shelves, counters, handles, or equipment exteriors soiled with grease, debris, or dust.
Clean equipment and utensils stored improperly or not air-dried.
Plumbing not installed or maintained properly — leaks, mop sink issues, unserviced water filters, or missing backflow prevention.
Garbage overflowing or uncovered, or the premises not maintained.
Employee jackets, phones, drinks, or other personal items stored where they can contaminate food.
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 4 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. 7405552 — you can read the original documents yourself and compare.