Merritt Island — Food Safety Records: DBPR & FDACS
Merritt Island, Florida has 128 food establishments with 1,954 inspections on record. 4 establishments were shut down this year. The pass rate is 86.3%, above the state average of 85.9%. Inspections average 5.7 violations per visit.
Most recent closure: Island Pancake House in Merritt Island, shut down May 6, 2026 for rodent, roach & fly activity.
Largest fine: $800 assessed to Papa John's Pizza #449 in Merritt Island on January 5, 2026.
Data from Florida DBPR (restaurants) and FDACS (retail food). Updated June 2026.
Most-Inspected Facilities
| Business | Inspections | Violations | Closures |
|---|---|---|---|
| Island Hotel of Space Coast | 43 | 202 | 3 |
| Island Waterfront Bar and Grill | 61 | 615 | 2 |
| Next Level Arcade | 46 | 397 | 2 |
| Papa Vito's Pizza Spot | 29 | 132 | 2 |
| Subway 25830 | 17 | 54 | 2 |
Merritt Island Restaurants: Comparison to Florida State Averages
Merritt Island
86.3%
Pass Rate
86.3%
Florida Average
85.9%
Pass Rate
85.9%
Merritt Island
5.7
Avg Violations / Inspection
5.7
Florida Average
4.7
Avg Violations / Inspection
4.7
Merritt Island
3.13
Closures per 100 Facilities
3.13
Florida Average
1.35
Closures per 100 Facilities
1.35
Merritt Island Restaurants: Recent Closures (2)
| Date | Business | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Island Pancake House | Rodent, Roach & Fly activity | |
| Tasty K-pot | Rodent activity |
Merritt Island Restaurants: Recent Inspections (Last 30 Days)
| Date | Business | Violations | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Limbania Vega & Jose Rene Oquendo | 8 (3 high) | Warning Issued | |
| Papa Vito's Pizza Spot | 9 (3 high) | Inspection Completed - No Further Action | |
| Kolache Bar | 0 | Call Back - Complied | |
| Kolache Bar | 5 (2 high) | Administrative complaint recommended | |
| Marker 24 Riverfront, LLC | 0 | Call Back - Complied | |
| Marker 24 Riverfront, LLC | 6 (3 high) | Warning Issued | |
| Tasty K-pot | 3 (1 high) | Inspection Completed - No Further Action | |
| Island Hotel of Space Coast | 5 | Inspection Completed - No Further Action | |
| Pepperoni Gril/jack and Harry's | 0 | Call Back - Complied | |
| Kings Duck Bar and Grill | 5 | Call Back - Complied |
Merritt Island Restaurants: Most Common Health Violations
| Code | Violation | Citations |
|---|---|---|
| 03 | Employee health reporting | 15,958 |
| 08 | Proper hand/arm washing | 15,325 |
| 36 | Proper ventilation | 14,470 |
| 22 | Consumer advisory | 13,857 |
| 14 | Food contact surfaces | 13,741 |
Merritt Island Restaurants: Disciplinary Actions & Fines
Largest Fines (Past 12 Months)
| Date | Business | Fine | Case |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 5, 2026 | Papa John's Pizza #449 | $800 | 4--2025085829 |
| Oct 23, 2025 | Island Hotel of Space Coast | $800 | 4--2025050528 |
| Sep 18, 2025 | Outback Steakhouse | $400 | 4--2025038900 |
| May 14, 2026 | Hibachi Buffet | $400 | 4--2026022506 |
| Mar 5, 2026 | Mimmos Pizza & Ristorante | $400 | 4--2026010217 |
| Nov 13, 2025 | Chalkies Billiards & Sports | $320 | 4--2025046069 |
| Jul 1, 2025 | Papa John's Pizza #449 | $200 | 4--2025046120 |
| Aug 7, 2025 | Mimmos Pizza & Ristorante | $200 | 4--2025046517 |
| Oct 22, 2025 | Burger King | $200 | 4--2025072083 |
| Mar 25, 2026 | First Watch | $200 | 4--2026015809 |
Merritt Island Restaurants: Fire Safety Violations
Most Common Fire Safety Issues
| Issue | Citations |
|---|---|
| Fire extinguisher in red zone | 13 |
| Exit blocked or locked | 6 |
| Propane tank stored inside building | 5 |
| Cooking without hood suppression | 5 |
| Other fire safety violation | 5 |
Merritt Island Retail Food: FDACS Inspection Records
In addition to restaurants, Florida's Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) inspects grocery stores, markets, gas station food sections, and other retail food establishments. Merritt Island has 35 FDACS-regulated facilities with 54 inspections on record and 29 stop-sale orders issued.
Merritt Island FDACS: Recent Stop-Sale Orders
A stop-sale order prohibits a retail food establishment from selling specific products found to be unsafe, improperly stored, mislabeled, or non-compliant with Florida food code. Products may be embargoed, destroyed, or returned to the distributor.
| Date | Facility | Product | Reason |
|---|---|---|---|
| Island-smoke-shop-422602 | Brand Name: (Lot #:) | FS 500.04; FS 500.10 Adulterated.* Chapter 5K-4: Food deemed adulterated. | |
| Island-smoke-shop-422602 | Brand Name: (Lot #:) | FS 500.04; FS 500.10 Adulterated.* Chapter 5K-4: Food deemed adulterated. | |
| Island-smoke-shop-422602 | Brand Name: (Lot #:) | FS 500.04; FS 500.10 Adulterated.* Chapter 5K-4: Food deemed adulterated. | |
| Stop N Go Food Mart | Brand Name: (Lot #:) | FS 581.217 Distribution and Retail Sale of Hemp Extract. * Attractive to Childre… | |
| Stop N Go Food Mart | Brand Name: (Lot #:) | FS 581.217 Distribution and Retail Sale of Hemp Extract. * Attractive to Childre… | |
| Stop N Go Food Mart | Brand Name: (Lot #:) | FS 581.217 Distribution and Retail Sale of Hemp Extract. * Attractive to Childre… | |
| Stop N Go Food Mart | Brand Name: (Lot #:) | FS 581.217 Distribution and Retail Sale of Hemp Extract. * Attractive to Childre… | |
| Stop N Go Food Mart | Brand Name: (Lot #:) | FS 581.217 Distribution and Retail Sale of Hemp Extract. * Attractive to Childre… | |
| Stop N Go Food Mart | Brand Name: (Lot #:) | FS 581.217 Distribution and Retail Sale of Hemp Extract. * Attractive to Childre… | |
| Stop N Go Food Mart | Brand Name: (Lot #:) | FS 500.04; FS 500.11 Misbranded.* Labeling |
Browse all FDACS stop-sale order categories →
Merritt Island FDACS: Most Cited Code Violations
Browse all FDACS violation codes →
Merritt Island Retail Food Chains (FDACS)
| Chain | Locations | Stop-Sale Orders | Citations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ollies Bargain Outlet | 1 | 0 | 4 |
| Target | 1 | 15 | 249 |
| Starbucks | 1 | 77 | 1,170 |
| Walgreens | 1 | 1 | 743 |
Merritt Island: Notable Restaurants
Island Hotel of Space Coast
43 inspections
202 violations
3 closures
Island Waterfront Bar and Grill
61 inspections
615 violations
2 closures
Next Level Arcade
46 inspections
397 violations
2 closures
Pepperoni Gril/jack and Harry's
49 inspections
605 violations
Mimmos Pizza & Ristorante
46 inspections
332 violations
Papa Vito's Pizza Spot
30 inspections
141 violations
2 closures
Merritt Island: Restaurant Chains (DBPR)
| Chain | Locations | Violations | Closures |
|---|---|---|---|
| Burger King | 2 | 402 | 1 |
| Arbys | 1 | 61 | 0 |
| Chick-fil-a | 1 | 94 | 0 |
| Five Guys | 1 | 19 | 0 |
| McDonalds | 1 | 73 | 0 |
| Sonic Drive-in | 1 | 127 | 0 |
| Tijuana Flats | 1 | 215 | 0 |
| Checkers | 1 | 98 | 0 |
| First Watch | 1 | 30 | 0 |
| Longhorn Steakhouse | 1 | 139 | 0 |
Merritt Island Restaurant Inspections: FAQ
- How many restaurants are in Merritt Island?
- Merritt Island, Florida has 128 food establishments tracked by the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR).
- What is the restaurant inspection pass rate in Merritt Island?
- The current pass rate for food establishments in Merritt Island is 86.3%. The Florida state average is 85.9%.
- How many restaurants were shut down in Merritt Island this year?
- 4 food establishments in Merritt Island have been shut down by health inspectors in 2026.
- What are the most common health violations in Merritt Island?
- The most frequently cited violations in Merritt Island are: Employee health reporting, Proper hand/arm washing, Proper ventilation.
- Which restaurant chain has the most locations in Merritt Island?
- Burger King has the most locations in Merritt Island with 2 establishments.
- What was the most recent restaurant closure in Merritt Island?
- Island Pancake House in Merritt Island was shut down on May 6, 2026 for rodent, roach & fly activity.
- How does Merritt Island compare to the Florida state average?
- Merritt Island has a pass rate of 86.3%, which is 0.4 percentage points above the state average of 85.9%. The average violations per inspection is 5.7 compared to the state average of 4.66.
- How often are restaurants inspected in Merritt Island?
- Food establishments in Merritt Island have an average of 15.3 inspections on record. Florida DBPR conducts routine inspections based on facility type and risk level.
- How much in fines have restaurants in Merritt Island been assessed?
- Food establishments in Merritt Island have been assessed $32,260 in fines across 86 disciplinary actions. The average fine is $384 and the largest single fine was $1,200.
- How many fire safety violations have been found in Merritt Island restaurants?
- 34 fire safety violations have been documented across 25 food establishments in Merritt Island. The most common issue is fire extinguisher in red zone.
- Are grocery stores and retail food stores in Merritt Island inspected?
- Yes. The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) inspects retail food establishments — grocery stores, gas station food sections, markets, and convenience stores. Merritt Island, Florida has 35 FDACS-regulated retail food facilities with 54 inspections on record.
- How many FDACS stop-sale orders have been issued in Merritt Island?
- FDACS has issued 29 stop-sale orders at retail food establishments in Merritt Island. A stop-sale order prohibits a facility from selling specific products found to be unsafe, mislabeled, or non-compliant with Florida food code.
In the News Merritt Island
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- Merritt Island Restaurant Racked Up 6 High-Severity Violations, Stayed Open
- Merritt Island K-Pot Shut Down for Rodent Activity, Reopened After One Day
Merritt Island Restaurants & Food Establishments (125)
Island Hotel of Space Coast 3 closures
260 E MERRITT ISLAND CSWY, Merritt Island
43 inspections · 202 violations · Last: Jun 2026Island Waterfront Bar and Grill 2 closures
1891 E MERRIT ISLAND CAUSEWAY, Merritt Island
61 inspections · 615 violations · Last: Mar 2026Next Level Arcade 2 closures
600 N. COURTENAY PARKWAY, Merritt Island
46 inspections · 397 violations · Last: Mar 2026Papa Vito's Pizza Spot 2 closures
203 CROCKET BLVD, Merritt Island
30 inspections · 141 violations · Last: Jun 2026Subway 25830 2 closures
3120 N COURTENAY PKWY, Merritt Island
17 inspections · 54 violations · Last: Mar 2026Ardella's Sandwiches and Such LLC 1 closure
780 E MERRITT ISLAND CWSY STE C102, Merritt Island
25 inspections · 159 violations · Last: Dec 2025Wendy's 1737 1 closure
10 W MERRITT ISLAND CSWY, Merritt Island
27 inspections · 158 violations · Last: Mar 2026Burger King 1 closure
1455 N COURTENAY PKWY, Merritt Island
25 inspections · 157 violations · Last: Jul 2025Island Pancake House 1 closure
950 N COURTENAY PKWY STE 18, Merritt Island
31 inspections · 156 violations · Last: May 2026Yum's 1 closure
1850 N COURTENAY PKWY SUITE 103, Merritt Island
22 inspections · 119 violations · Last: Mar 2026Taco Bell 1 closure
410 N COURTENAY PKWY, Merritt Island
24 inspections · 94 violations · Last: Apr 2026Shuttle Bar & Liquor 1 closure
6100 N COURTENAY PKWY, Merritt Island
14 inspections · 74 violations · Last: Oct 2025Tasty K-pot 1 closure
325 E MERRITT ISLAND CSWY UNIT A, Merritt Island
9 inspections · 39 violations · Last: Jun 2026Pepperoni Gril/jack and Harry's
1850 N COURTENAY PKWY STE 116, Merritt Island
49 inspections · 605 violations · Last: Jun 2026Alfredo Paradiso
217 CROCKETT BLVD, Merritt Island
29 inspections · 341 violations · Last: Apr 2026Umpa's Diner
1115 N COURTNEY PKY, Merritt Island
33 inspections · 332 violations · Last: Apr 2026Mimmos Pizza & Ristorante
325 MERRITT ISLAND CAUSEWAY STE L, Merritt Island
46 inspections · 332 violations · Last: Mar 2026Margarita Island Mexican Kitchen and Bar
777 E MERRITT ISLAND CSWY UNIT G15, Merritt Island
36 inspections · 328 violations · Last: Jan 2026Wabi Sabi
455 N COURTENAY PKWY, Merritt Island
30 inspections · 328 violations · Last: Jun 2026Merritt Island Beef O Brady's
1450 N COURTENAY PKWY UNIT 36, Merritt Island
30 inspections · 307 violations · Last: Mar 2026