795 E MERRIT ISLAND CSWY, MERRITT ISLAND, FL 32952
FIRST WATCH has a mixed inspection record — 9 violations in the past year, including 7 high-priority. Not alarming, but worth knowing before you order. The trailing-year record shows 9 violations, including 7 high-priority and 0 Emergency Orders of Closure.
Scores higher than 21% of the 101 inspected restaurants in MERRITT ISLAND on the trailing-year record.
7 high-priority violations on the trailing-year record — above the Brevard County average of 2.1.
Full available history. The score uses only the most recent 365 days — older visits are shown for context, not counted.
Hands not washed or gloves not changed when required, or employees eating, drinking, or smoking in food areas.
This visit closed with no further action required.
Roaches, rodents, flies, or other pests present — or doors and openings that let them in not protected.
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.
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.
Shelves, counters, handles, or equipment exteriors soiled with grease, debris, or dust.
Floors, walls, ceilings, or attached equipment dirty, damaged, or poorly vented.
Hands not washed or gloves not changed when required, or employees eating, drinking, or smoking in food areas.
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.
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).
Missing hair or beard restraint, dirty work clothes, jewelry, or painted/artificial fingernails during food prep.
Food-contact or nonfood-contact surfaces improperly designed, constructed, maintained, or located.
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.
Restrooms not clean, stocked, or maintained as required.
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.
Raw meat, poultry, or seafood not separated from ready-to-eat food, or food left unprotected during prep, storage, or display.
Handwash sink missing, blocked, or used for other purposes, or missing soap, towels, or the handwash sign.
A sick or symptomatic employee present, or staff unaware of when illness bars them from working with food.
Surfaces that touch food — cutting boards, ice bins, dish racks — soiled or not sanitized.
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.
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.
No live pests — roaches, rodents, flies — and no gaps that let them in: doors, screens, and outer openings must be protected. Pests move between waste areas and food-prep surfaces, carrying bacteria with them, which is why live activity is among the most serious findings on the form.
On this record, the category appears in 3 of the 5 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. 1507212 — you can read the original documents yourself and compare.