How many health inspections has FIRST CHOICE BUFFET had?

FIRST CHOICE BUFFET has had 29 inspections according to Florida DBPR records.

Has FIRST CHOICE BUFFET ever been shut down?

No, FIRST CHOICE BUFFET has no emergency closures on record.

What are the most common violations at FIRST CHOICE BUFFET?

The most frequently cited violations at FIRST CHOICE BUFFET are: Proper hand/arm washing, Approved food source, Employee health reporting.

What does Florida violation V08 (Proper hand/arm washing) mean?

TECHNIQUE FAILURE: Improper handwashing technique leaves pathogens on hands even when a handwashing attempt is made. Studies show 95% of people wash hands incorrectly — most don't scrub for 20 seconds or miss fingertips, thumbs, and between fingers. Incomplete washing creates a false sense of security while still transferring E. coli, Norovirus, and Salmonella to food. Correct technique requires: wet hands with clean warm water, apply soap, lather and scrub for 20+ seconds covering all surfaces including fingertips/nails/between fingers/back of hands, rinse thoroughly, dry with single-use towel. Use towel to turn off faucet. Do NOT use hand sanitizer as substitute for handwashing.

What does Florida violation V14 (Food contact surfaces) mean?

CROSS-CONTAMINATION: Improperly cleaned food contact surfaces are a primary vehicle for bacterial transfer. Cutting boards can harbor 200x more fecal bacteria than a toilet seat. Biofilms form on surfaces within 24 hours, protecting Listeria, Salmonella, and E. coli from routine cleaning. One contaminated surface can transfer pathogens to dozens of food items throughout the day. Clean and sanitize ALL food contact surfaces: after each use, between different food types (especially raw meat to ready-to-eat), every 4 hours during continuous use, and when contaminated. Use proper sanitizer concentration: chlorine 50-100 ppm, quaternary ammonium 200-400 ppm. Air dry — do not towel dry. Test sanitizer concentration every 2 hours.

FIRST CHOICE BUFFET

4585 E HWY 20 STE 150, Niceville, FL 32578

Okaloosa County · Permanent Food Service · Owner: FIVE BROTHER USA INC · License: SEA5603762

FIRST CHOICE BUFFET in Niceville, FL has 29 inspections on record with 133 total violations (4.6 per inspection) and 0 emergency closures.

29Inspections

133Violations

0Closures

Data current as of February 17, 2025

Inspection History (29)

Feb 17, 2025 — Complaint Partial· 2 violations · Inspection Completed - No Further Action

High Priority Violations

V08 Proper hand/arm washing

V14 Food contact surfaces

Jul 29, 2024 — Complaint Full· 4 violations (1 high priority)· Inspection Completed - No Further Action

High Priority Violations

V08 Proper hand/arm washing

V10 Approved food source

V23 Chemical properly stored

Intermediate Violations

V29 Proper sewage disposal

Jul 18, 2024 — Complaint Full· 0 violations · Call Back - Complied

No violations recorded for this inspection.

Jul 17, 2024 — Complaint Full· 12 violations (5 high priority)· Warning Issued

Mar 4, 2024 — Complaint Partial· 0 violations · Call Back - Complied

No violations recorded for this inspection.

Feb 23, 2024 — Complaint Partial· 1 violations · Warning Issued

Intermediate Violations

V36 Proper ventilation

Jan 24, 2024 — Routine - Food· 0 violations · Call Back - Complied

No violations recorded for this inspection.

Jan 22, 2024 — Routine - Food· 4 violations (1 high priority)· Warning Issued

High Priority Violations

V03 Employee health reporting

V08 Proper hand/arm washing

V10 Approved food source

V14 Food contact surfaces

Jul 11, 2023 — Complaint Full· 3 violations (2 high priority)· Call Back - Complied

High Priority Violations

V03 Employee health reporting

Intermediate Violations

V35 Single-use items

Jul 7, 2023 — Complaint Full· 3 violations (2 high priority)· Call Back - Extension given, pending

High Priority Violations

V03 Employee health reporting

Intermediate Violations

V35 Single-use items

Jul 6, 2023 — Complaint Full· 18 violations (5 high priority)· Administrative complaint recommended

High Priority Violations

V02 Employee health policy

V03 Employee health reporting

V08 Proper hand/arm washing

V10 Approved food source

V12 Shell stock requirements

V16 Proper cooking temps

V22 Consumer advisory

V23 Chemical properly stored

V24 Toxic substance control

Intermediate Violations

V31 Clean multi-use utensils

V35 Single-use items

V36 Proper ventilation

Mar 29, 2023 — Routine - Food· 7 violations (1 high priority)· Inspection Completed - No Further Action

High Priority Violations

V08 Proper hand/arm washing

V22 Consumer advisory

V25 Allergen awareness

Intermediate Violations

V32 Proper sanitizing

V36 Proper ventilation

Oct 18, 2022 — Routine - Food· 10 violations (3 high priority)· Inspection Completed - No Further Action

High Priority Violations

V03 Employee health reporting

V08 Proper hand/arm washing

V12 Shell stock requirements

V14 Food contact surfaces

V16 Proper cooking temps

Intermediate Violations

V35 Single-use items

V38 Waste properly disposed

Mar 21, 2022 — Routine - Food· 4 violations · Inspection Completed - No Further Action

High Priority Violations

V22 Consumer advisory

V27 Correct procedures

Intermediate Violations

V31 Clean multi-use utensils

V40 Wiping cloths usage

Nov 9, 2021 — Routine - Food· 0 violations · Call Back - Complied

No violations recorded for this inspection.

Nov 5, 2021 — Routine - Food· 1 violations (1 high priority)· Call Back - Extension given, pending

High Priority Violations

V01 Management awareness

Nov 4, 2021 — Routine - Food· 6 violations (4 high priority)· Warning Issued

High Priority Violations

V01 Management awareness

V08 Proper hand/arm washing

V10 Approved food source

V22 Consumer advisory

Jan 14, 2021 — Routine - Food· 2 violations · Inspection Completed - No Further Action

High Priority Violations

V27 Correct procedures

Intermediate Violations

V31 Clean multi-use utensils

Jul 20, 2020 — Routine - Food· 0 violations · Call Back - Complied

No violations recorded for this inspection.

Jul 20, 2020 — Complaint Full· 1 violations (1 high priority)· Inspection Completed - No Further Action

Intermediate Violations

V41 Toilet facilities

May 8, 2020 — Routine - Food· 5 violations (2 high priority)· Warning Issued

High Priority Violations

V03 Employee health reporting

V08 Proper hand/arm washing

V10 Approved food source

V12 Shell stock requirements

Basic Violations

V53 Outer openings protected

Jan 10, 2020 — Routine - Food· 2 violations (1 high priority)· Inspection Completed - No Further Action

High Priority Violations

V02 Employee health policy

V08 Proper hand/arm washing

Jun 12, 2019 — Routine - Food· 0 violations · Call Back - Complied

No violations recorded for this inspection.

Jun 11, 2019 — Routine - Food· 11 violations (2 high priority)· Warning Issued

High Priority Violations

V01 Management awareness

V08 Proper hand/arm washing

V10 Approved food source

V12 Shell stock requirements

V14 Food contact surfaces

V22 Consumer advisory

V24 Toxic substance control

Intermediate Violations

V31 Clean multi-use utensils

Basic Violations

V53 Outer openings protected

Jan 23, 2019 — Routine - Food· 1 violations · Call Back - Complied

High Priority Violations

V14 Food contact surfaces

Jan 22, 2019 — Routine - Food· 13 violations (5 high priority)· Warning Issued

High Priority Violations

V01 Management awareness

V02 Employee health policy

V03 Employee health reporting

V10 Approved food source

V14 Food contact surfaces

V22 Consumer advisory

V23 Chemical properly stored

Intermediate Violations

V29 Proper sewage disposal

V31 Clean multi-use utensils

Basic Violations

V51 Premises clean

Sep 13, 2017 — Routine - Food· 1 violations · Call Back - Complied

High Priority Violations

V14 Food contact surfaces

Aug 30, 2017 — Routine - Food· 10 violations (1 high priority)· Warning Issued

High Priority Violations

V08 Proper hand/arm washing

V10 Approved food source

V12 Shell stock requirements

V13 Parasite destruction

V14 Food contact surfaces

V23 Chemical properly stored

Intermediate Violations

V36 Proper ventilation

V40 Wiping cloths usage

May 18, 2017 — Routine - Food· 12 violations · Inspection Completed - No Further Action

High Priority Violations

V08 Proper hand/arm washing

V10 Approved food source

V22 Consumer advisory

V23 Chemical properly stored

Intermediate Violations

V36 Proper ventilation

Basic Violations

V51 Premises clean

How Does This Facility Compare?

FIRST CHOICE BUFFET has had 0 emergency closures, compared to the Okaloosa County average of 0.08 closures per facility. It has averaged 4.6 violations per inspection vs. the county average of 1.85.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many health inspections has FIRST CHOICE BUFFET had?: FIRST CHOICE BUFFET has had 29 inspections according to Florida DBPR records.
Has FIRST CHOICE BUFFET ever been shut down?: No, FIRST CHOICE BUFFET has no emergency closures on record.
What are the most common violations at FIRST CHOICE BUFFET?: The most frequently cited violations at FIRST CHOICE BUFFET are: Proper hand/arm washing, Approved food source, Employee health reporting.

Nearby Establishments

PEPITO'S MEXICAN RESTAURANT

4585 HWY 20 EAST SUITE 100,105,110, Niceville

23 inspections · 101 violations

Last inspected: Mar 6, 2025

HURRICANE GRILL AND WINGS

4579 HWY 20 E, Niceville

26 inspections · 101 violations

Last inspected: Mar 5, 2025

AMERICAN HOUSE BLUEWATER BAY

4595 EAST HWY 20, Niceville

23 inspections · 44 violations

Last inspected: Feb 25, 2025

SLEEP INN NICEVILLE DESTIN

4577 E HWY 20, Niceville

5 inspections · 9 violations

Last inspected: May 6, 2025

Editorial Standards & Data Oversight

Data Source: This report is based on official public inspection records from the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) and the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS).

Editorial Process: Content generated using AI to synthesize complex regulatory data, then reviewed and verified for accuracy by our editorial team.

Professional Review: All content undergoes standards and compliance oversight by Christopher F. Nesbitt, Sr., Nationally Registered EMT & BU-trained Paralegal, using professional regulatory data auditing protocols.

Last verified: February 17, 2025 | Our methodology | Editorial standards | Report an error

This page is maintained by FloridaFoodSafety.org and is not affiliated with FIRST CHOICE BUFFET.