Putnam County — Food Safety Records
Putnam County, Florida has 119 food establishments with 2,736 inspections on record. 2 establishments were shut down this year. The pass rate is 80.3%, below the state average of 85.7%. Inspections average 5.4 violations per visit.
Most recent closure: Blue Water Bay in Melrose, shut down July 16, 2026 for rodent activity.
Largest fine: $560 assessed to Taqueria Don Chanito in Palatka on May 4, 2026.
Data from Florida DBPR. Updated September 2026.
Putnam County Restaurants: Comparison to Florida State Averages
Putnam County
80.3%
Pass Rate
80.3%
Florida Average
85.7%
Pass Rate
85.7%
Putnam County
5.4
Avg Violations / Inspection
5.4
Florida Average
4.7
Avg Violations / Inspection
4.7
Putnam County
1.68
Closures per 100 Facilities
1.68
Florida Average
1.96
Closures per 100 Facilities
1.96
Putnam County Restaurants: Recent Closures (1)
| Date | Business | City | Reason |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blue Water Bay | Melrose | Rodent activity |
Putnam County Restaurants: Recent Inspections (Last 30 Days)
| Date | Business | City | Violations | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen #132 | Palatka | 14 (1 high) | Inspection Completed - No Further Action | |
| Frozen Pelican | Melrose | 0 | Call Back - Complied | |
| Blue Water Bay | Melrose | 0 | Emergency Order Callback Complied | |
| Frozen Pelican | Melrose | 5 (2 high) | Warning Issued | |
| Blue Water Bay | Melrose | 2 (2 high) | Emergency Order Callback Not Complied | |
| Oaks Golf Club | Crescent City | 10 (5 high) | Warning Issued | |
| China Wok | Crescent City | 0 | Inspection Completed - No Further Action | |
| Blue Water Bay | Melrose | 19 (5 high) | Emergency order recommended | |
| Cp Deli & More | Palatka | 2 (2 high) | Call Back - Admin. complaint recommended | |
| Huddle House Restaurant | Palatka | 2 | Call Back - Extension given, pending |
Putnam County Restaurants: Most Common Health Violations
| Code | Violation | Citations |
|---|---|---|
| 22 | Consumer advisory | 23,864 |
| 23 | Chemical properly stored | 22,829 |
| 14 | Food contact surfaces | 22,115 |
| 08 | Proper hand/arm washing | 17,725 |
| 24 | Toxic substance control | 17,163 |
Putnam County Restaurants: Disciplinary Actions & Fines
Largest Fines (Past 12 Months)
| Date | Business | Fine | Case |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 4, 2026 | Taqueria Don Chanito | $560 | 5--2026004752 |
| Apr 27, 2026 | Blue Water Bay | $400 | 5--2026021997 |
Putnam County Restaurants: Fire Safety Violations
Most Common Fire Safety Issues
| Issue | Citations |
|---|---|
| Fire extinguisher in red zone | 51 |
| Cooking without hood suppression | 20 |
| Other fire safety violation | 14 |
| Exit blocked or locked | 14 |
| Propane tank stored inside building | 7 |
Putnam County: Notable Restaurants
J & J Seafood & Chicken
57 inspections
416 violations
3 closures
Mariscos El Pacifico
37 inspections
332 violations
3 closures
Blue Water Bay
50 inspections
416 violations
2 closures
Renegades on the River
56 inspections
347 violations
2 closures
Sonic # 3855
51 inspections
345 violations
1 closures
Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen #132
43 inspections
261 violations
1 closures
Putnam County: Restaurant Chains (DBPR)
| Chain | Locations | Violations | Closures |
|---|---|---|---|
| McDonalds | 4 | 289 | 0 |
| Taco Bell | 3 | 181 | 0 |
| Dunkin | 3 | 303 | 1 |
| Burger King | 2 | 215 | 0 |
| Wendys | 2 | 315 | 0 |
| Subway | 2 | 146 | 0 |
| Zaxbys | 1 | 78 | 0 |
| Dominos | 1 | 76 | 0 |
| Holiday Inn | 1 | 13 | 0 |
| Sonic Drive-in | 1 | 345 | 1 |
Putnam County Restaurant Inspections: FAQ
- How many restaurants are in Putnam County?
- Putnam County, Florida has 119 food establishments tracked by the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR).
- What is the restaurant inspection pass rate in Putnam County?
- The current pass rate for food establishments in Putnam County is 80.3%. The Florida state average is 85.7%.
- How many restaurants were shut down in Putnam County this year?
- 2 food establishments in Putnam County have been shut down by health inspectors in 2026.
- What are the most common health violations in Putnam County?
- The most frequently cited violations in Putnam County are: Consumer advisory, Chemical properly stored, Food contact surfaces.
- Which restaurant chain has the most locations in Putnam County?
- McDonalds has the most locations in Putnam County with 4 establishments.
- What was the most recent restaurant closure in Putnam County?
- Blue Water Bay in Melrose was shut down on July 16, 2026 for rodent activity.
- How does Putnam County compare to the Florida state average?
- Putnam County has a pass rate of 80.3%, which is 5.4 percentage points below the state average of 85.7%. The average violations per inspection is 5.4 compared to the state average of 4.68.
- How often are restaurants inspected in Putnam County?
- Food establishments in Putnam County have an average of 23 inspections on record. Florida DBPR conducts routine inspections based on facility type and risk level.
- How much in fines have restaurants in Putnam County been assessed?
- Food establishments in Putnam County have been assessed $25,330 in fines across 48 disciplinary actions. The average fine is $528 and the largest single fine was $3,000.
- How many fire safety violations have been found in Putnam County restaurants?
- 106 fire safety violations have been documented across 49 food establishments in Putnam County. The most common issue is fire extinguisher in red zone.
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Putnam County Restaurants & Food Establishments (118)
Salsas Mexican Restaurant
506 N STATE RD 19 STE 1, Palatka
19 inspections · 205 violations · Last: Mar 2026Wendy's 1769
1824 REID ST, Palatka
37 inspections · 200 violations · Last: Aug 2026Larry's Giant Subs
700 S PALM AVE, Palatka
30 inspections · 181 violations · Last: Apr 2026Niko's Pizza
804 S SR 19, Palatka
22 inspections · 180 violations · Last: May 2026Dj's Billiard Room
1024 ST JOHNS AVE, Palatka
32 inspections · 179 violations · Last: Nov 2025Chili's Grill & Bar #941
1004 SOUTH STATE ROAD 19, Palatka
23 inspections · 175 violations · Last: Apr 2026Wayne's Fryers Chicken
32 HWY 26 A, Melrose
28 inspections · 175 violations · Last: Jul 2026Gator Bait Sports Bar & Grill
304 SR 26, Melrose
33 inspections · 172 violations · Last: Jul 20263 Bananas
11 S LAKE ST, Crescent City
30 inspections · 164 violations · Last: Aug 2026Cowboy
1116 SR 20, Interlachen
28 inspections · 161 violations · Last: Aug 2026Magnolia Cafe
705 ST JOHNS AVE, Palatka
30 inspections · 157 violations · Last: Mar 2026China Wok
1114 SR 20 #200, Interlachen
23 inspections · 149 violations · Last: May 2026Burger King #16751
184 S HWY 17, East Palatka
22 inspections · 132 violations · Last: Aug 2026Welaka Lodge
1001 FRONT ST, Welaka
25 inspections · 132 violations · Last: May 2026Stoner's Pizza Joint Palatka
314 FL 19, Palatka
20 inspections · 124 violations · Last: Jun 2026Taco Bell #042920
3306 CRILL AVE, Palatka
24 inspections · 115 violations · Last: Jun 2026Wendys #72
775 N SUMMIT ST, Crescent City
27 inspections · 115 violations · Last: Aug 2026McDonald's #3134
2627 REID ST, Palatka
34 inspections · 109 violations · Last: Apr 2026McDonald's East Palatka
168 S US HWY #17, East Palatka
20 inspections · 106 violations · Last: Mar 2026Vick's Supper Club
207 N 18 ST, Palatka
23 inspections · 104 violations · Last: May 2026