431 NE 1ST AVE, OCALA, FL 34471
BIG LEE'S - SERIOUS ABOUT BARBECUE has a mixed inspection record — 13 violations in the past year, including 2 high-priority. Not alarming, but worth knowing before you order. The trailing-year record shows 13 violations, including 2 high-priority and 0 Emergency Orders of Closure.
Scores higher than 52% of the 506 inspected restaurants in OCALA on the trailing-year record.
2 high-priority violations on the trailing-year record — below the Marion County average of 3.7.
Full available history. The score uses only the most recent 365 days — older visits are shown for context, not counted.
This visit closed with no further action required.
Food held, cooled, cooked, or reheated outside safe temperatures, letting dangerous bacteria multiply.
Water not safe, or hot (100°F) and cold water not available under pressure.
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.
Garbage overflowing or uncovered, or the premises not maintained.
This visit closed with no further action required.
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 expired food manager certification, or employee food-safety training not documented.
Food-contact or nonfood-contact surfaces improperly designed, constructed, maintained, or located.
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.
Restrooms not clean, stocked, or maintained as required.
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.
Handwash sink missing, blocked, or used for other purposes, or missing soap, towels, or the handwash sign.
Plumbing not installed or maintained properly — leaks, mop sink issues, unserviced water filters, or missing backflow prevention.
Mops, brooms, and other cleaning and maintenance equipment stored or maintained improperly.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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. 5203221 — you can read the original documents yourself and compare.