How many health inspections has BLUE HEN CAFE had?

BLUE HEN CAFE has had 46 inspections according to Florida DBPR records.

Has BLUE HEN CAFE ever been shut down?

Yes, BLUE HEN CAFE has been shut down 1 time by state inspectors.

What are the most common violations at BLUE HEN CAFE?

The most frequently cited violations at BLUE HEN CAFE are: Employee health reporting, Food contact surfaces, Outer openings protected.

What does Florida violation V23 (Chemical properly stored) mean?

CHEMICAL POISONING: Improperly stored chemicals near food can cause acute poisoning through contamination, mislabeling, or accidental use. Sanitizer concentrate causes chemical burns to mouth and esophagus. Pesticides cause neurological damage. Degreaser ingestion requires emergency treatment. Cross-contamination from chemical storage areas can affect all food in facility. Store ALL chemicals: below food and food contact surfaces, in original labeled containers, separated from food storage areas, in designated chemical storage area. Never store chemicals in food containers. Maintain Safety Data Sheets (SDS) for all chemicals. Train employees on proper chemical handling, storage, and emergency procedures.

What does Florida violation V31 (Clean multi-use utensils) mean?

BACTERIAL BIOFILM: Improperly cleaned multi-use utensils develop bacterial biofilms within 24 hours. These biofilms protect pathogens (Listeria, Salmonella, E. coli) from routine sanitizing — requiring physical scrubbing to remove. Each use of a contaminated utensil transfers pathogens to food. Improperly cleaned cutting boards harbor 200x more bacteria than a toilet seat. Clean and sanitize all multi-use utensils using the 3-compartment sink method: Wash in hot soapy water (110°F minimum), rinse in clean water, sanitize in approved solution (50-100 ppm chlorine or 200-400 ppm quaternary ammonium for 30 seconds), air dry. Or use properly functioning commercial dishwasher. Clean utensils at least every 4 hours during continuous use.

What does Florida violation V51 (Premises clean) mean?

OVERALL SANITATION: Premises not clean or in disrepair indicate systemic food safety management failure. Unsanitary conditions support pest populations, bacterial growth, and cross-contamination. Dirty facilities correlate with higher rates of critical violations. A facility's general cleanliness is the strongest predictor of its food safety performance. Maintain entire premises in clean and sanitary condition. Develop and implement cleaning schedule covering all areas. Clean as you go during operations. Deep clean regularly. Remove unnecessary items and clutter. Maintain exterior areas to prevent pest attraction. Address all maintenance needs promptly.

BLUE HEN CAFE

223 W KING ST UNIT A, St Augustine, FL 32084

St. Johns County · Permanent Food Service · Owner: BLUE HEN CAFE LLC · License: SEA6501909

BLUE HEN CAFE in St Augustine, FL has 46 inspections on record with 269 total violations (5.8 per inspection) and 1 emergency closure.

46Inspections

269Violations

1Closures

Data current as of February 28, 2025

Emergency Closures (1)

Emergency closure history for BLUE HEN CAFE
Date	Reason	Reopened
Dec 7, 2022	Roach & rodent activity	15:38:00

Inspection History (46)

Feb 28, 2025 — Routine - Food· 3 violations · Inspection Completed - No Further Action

Aug 16, 2024 — Routine - Food· 7 violations (3 high priority)· Inspection Completed - No Further Action

High Priority Violations

V03 Employee health reporting

V14 Food contact surfaces

Intermediate Violations

V29 Proper sewage disposal

V35 Single-use items

V40 Wiping cloths usage

Basic Violations

V53 Outer openings protected

May 2, 2024 — Food-Licensing Inspection· 1 violations · Inspection Completed - No Further Action

High Priority Violations

V14 Food contact surfaces

Apr 17, 2023 — Routine - Food· 1 violations · Call Back - Extension given, pending

Basic Violations

V53 Outer openings protected

Feb 14, 2023 — Routine - Food· 21 violations (3 high priority)· Warning Issued

High Priority Violations

V02 Employee health policy

V03 Employee health reporting

V09 No contamination

V11 Food in good condition

V12 Shell stock requirements

V16 Proper cooking temps

V22 Consumer advisory

V23 Chemical properly stored

V25 Allergen awareness

Intermediate Violations

V31 Clean multi-use utensils

V35 Single-use items

V36 Proper ventilation

V38 Waste properly disposed

Basic Violations

V53 Outer openings protected

Dec 20, 2022 — Food-Licensing Inspection· 0 violations · Call Back - Complied

No violations recorded for this inspection.

Dec 20, 2022 — Routine - Food· 0 violations · Call Back - Complied

No violations recorded for this inspection.

Dec 7, 2022 — Routine - Food· 6 violations (2 high priority)· Administrative complaint recommended

High Priority Violations

V03 Employee health reporting

Intermediate Violations

V36 Proper ventilation

Basic Violations

V50 Adequate lighting

V53 Outer openings protected

Dec 5, 2022 — Food-Licensing Inspection· 10 violations (3 high priority)· Warning Issued

High Priority Violations

V01 Management awareness

V03 Employee health reporting

V14 Food contact surfaces

V21 Time as control

V22 Consumer advisory

V25 Allergen awareness

Intermediate Violations

V35 Single-use items

V36 Proper ventilation

V42 Equipment condition

Nov 17, 2022 — Routine - Food· 18 violations (4 high priority)· Warning Issued

High Priority Violations

V02 Employee health policy

V03 Employee health reporting

V08 Proper hand/arm washing

V10 Approved food source

V14 Food contact surfaces

V16 Proper cooking temps

V22 Consumer advisory

V23 Chemical properly stored

Intermediate Violations

V31 Clean multi-use utensils

V36 Proper ventilation

Basic Violations

V50 Adequate lighting

V53 Outer openings protected

Apr 27, 2022 — Routine - Food· 11 violations (2 high priority)· Warning Issued

High Priority Violations

V03 Employee health reporting

V10 Approved food source

V22 Consumer advisory

Intermediate Violations

V31 Clean multi-use utensils

V33 Proper cooling equipment

V36 Proper ventilation

V38 Waste properly disposed

Basic Violations

V51 Premises clean

V53 Outer openings protected

Aug 3, 2021 — Routine - Food· 4 violations (1 high priority)· Call Back - Complied

Intermediate Violations

V29 Proper sewage disposal

V33 Proper cooling equipment

V36 Proper ventilation

Basic Violations

V50 Adequate lighting

Aug 2, 2021 — Routine - Food· 7 violations (3 high priority)· Warning Issued

High Priority Violations

V01 Management awareness

V03 Employee health reporting

V10 Approved food source

Intermediate Violations

V29 Proper sewage disposal

V33 Proper cooling equipment

V36 Proper ventilation

Basic Violations

V50 Adequate lighting

Mar 2, 2021 — Routine - Food· 5 violations · Call Back - Admin. complaint recommended

High Priority Violations

V14 Food contact surfaces

Intermediate Violations

V33 Proper cooling equipment

V36 Proper ventilation

Basic Violations

V53 Outer openings protected

Jan 4, 2021 — Routine - Food· 8 violations · Call Back - Extension given, pending

High Priority Violations

V14 Food contact surfaces

V22 Consumer advisory

Intermediate Violations

V33 Proper cooling equipment

V36 Proper ventilation

Basic Violations

V53 Outer openings protected

Dec 29, 2020 — Routine - Food· 20 violations (4 high priority)· Warning Issued

High Priority Violations

V01 Management awareness

V02 Employee health policy

V03 Employee health reporting

V08 Proper hand/arm washing

V10 Approved food source

V12 Shell stock requirements

V14 Food contact surfaces

V21 Time as control

V22 Consumer advisory

Intermediate Violations

V29 Proper sewage disposal

V33 Proper cooling equipment

V36 Proper ventilation

V40 Wiping cloths usage

Basic Violations

V53 Outer openings protected

Oct 27, 2020 — Routine - Food· 1 violations · Call Back - Admin. complaint recommended

Basic Violations

V53 Outer openings protected

Sep 17, 2020 — Routine - Food· 3 violations · Call Back - Extension given, pending

High Priority Violations

V02 Employee health policy

V23 Chemical properly stored

Basic Violations

V53 Outer openings protected

Aug 26, 2020 — Routine - Food· 13 violations (4 high priority)· Administrative complaint recommended

High Priority Violations

V01 Management awareness

V02 Employee health policy

V03 Employee health reporting

V14 Food contact surfaces

V21 Time as control

V23 Chemical properly stored

Intermediate Violations

V29 Proper sewage disposal

V36 Proper ventilation

Basic Violations

V50 Adequate lighting

V53 Outer openings protected

Feb 3, 2020 — Routine - Food· 0 violations · Admin. Complaint Callback Complied

No violations recorded for this inspection.

Nov 20, 2019 — Routine - Food· 1 violations · Call Back - Complied

High Priority Violations

V23 Chemical properly stored

Nov 19, 2019 — Routine - Food· 5 violations (2 high priority)· Emergency order recommended

High Priority Violations

V14 Food contact surfaces

V22 Consumer advisory

V23 Chemical properly stored

Basic Violations

V50 Adequate lighting

Jul 19, 2019 — Complaint Full· 1 violations (1 high priority)· Call Back - Complied

Basic Violations

V50 Adequate lighting

Jul 18, 2019 — Complaint Full· 8 violations (4 high priority)· Warning Issued

High Priority Violations

V01 Management awareness

V03 Employee health reporting

V14 Food contact surfaces

V16 Proper cooking temps

V22 Consumer advisory

Intermediate Violations

V36 Proper ventilation

Basic Violations

V50 Adequate lighting

May 14, 2019 — Routine - Food· 1 violations · Call Back - Complied

High Priority Violations

V14 Food contact surfaces

May 8, 2019 — Routine - Food· 3 violations (1 high priority)· Call Back - Extension given, pending

High Priority Violations

V03 Employee health reporting

V14 Food contact surfaces

May 7, 2019 — Routine - Food· 3 violations (1 high priority)· Call Back - Admin. complaint recommended

High Priority Violations

V03 Employee health reporting

V14 Food contact surfaces

May 6, 2019 — Routine - Food· 4 violations (2 high priority)· Administrative complaint recommended

High Priority Violations

V01 Management awareness

V03 Employee health reporting

V14 Food contact surfaces

May 6, 2019 — Complaint Full· 0 violations · Admin. Complaint Callback Not Complied

No violations recorded for this inspection.

Nov 6, 2018 — Complaint Full· 2 violations · Call Back - Complied

High Priority Violations

V14 Food contact surfaces

Intermediate Violations

V33 Proper cooling equipment

Oct 29, 2018 — Complaint Full· 4 violations (1 high priority)· Call Back - Extension given, pending

High Priority Violations

V03 Employee health reporting

V14 Food contact surfaces

Intermediate Violations

V33 Proper cooling equipment

Oct 23, 2018 — Complaint Full· 15 violations (3 high priority)· Administrative complaint recommended

High Priority Violations

V01 Management awareness

V02 Employee health policy

V03 Employee health reporting

V08 Proper hand/arm washing

V14 Food contact surfaces

V21 Time as control

V22 Consumer advisory

Intermediate Violations

V29 Proper sewage disposal

V33 Proper cooling equipment

V35 Single-use items

V36 Proper ventilation

V40 Wiping cloths usage

V41 Toilet facilities

Aug 24, 2018 — Routine - Food· 0 violations · Call Back - Complied

No violations recorded for this inspection.

Aug 21, 2018 — Routine - Food· 7 violations (5 high priority)· Administrative complaint recommended

High Priority Violations

V01 Management awareness

V03 Employee health reporting

V14 Food contact surfaces

Basic Violations

V50 Adequate lighting

Jul 9, 2018 — Routine - Food· 1 violations (1 high priority)· Call Back - Complied

Basic Violations

V50 Adequate lighting

Jul 6, 2018 — Routine - Food· 3 violations (2 high priority)· Call Back - Admin. complaint recommended

High Priority Violations

V03 Employee health reporting

V05 Handwashing procedures

Basic Violations

V50 Adequate lighting

Jun 27, 2018 — Routine - Food· 4 violations (3 high priority)· Call Back - Admin. complaint recommended

High Priority Violations

V03 Employee health reporting

V05 Handwashing procedures

Intermediate Violations

V35 Single-use items

Basic Violations

V50 Adequate lighting

Jun 25, 2018 — Routine - Food· 6 violations (4 high priority)· Call Back - Admin. complaint recommended

High Priority Violations

V01 Management awareness

V03 Employee health reporting

V05 Handwashing procedures

Intermediate Violations

V31 Clean multi-use utensils

V35 Single-use items

Basic Violations

V50 Adequate lighting

Jun 22, 2018 — Routine - Food· 14 violations (6 high priority)· Administrative complaint recommended

High Priority Violations

V01 Management awareness

V02 Employee health policy

V03 Employee health reporting

V05 Handwashing procedures

V10 Approved food source

V12 Shell stock requirements

V21 Time as control

V22 Consumer advisory

V24 Toxic substance control

Intermediate Violations

V31 Clean multi-use utensils

V35 Single-use items

Basic Violations

V50 Adequate lighting

Mar 26, 2018 — Routine - Food· 0 violations · Call Back - Complied

No violations recorded for this inspection.

Jan 24, 2018 — Routine - Food· 10 violations (1 high priority)· Warning Issued

High Priority Violations

V03 Employee health reporting

V14 Food contact surfaces

V21 Time as control

V25 Allergen awareness

Intermediate Violations

V29 Proper sewage disposal

V31 Clean multi-use utensils

V41 Toilet facilities

Basic Violations

V53 Outer openings protected

Jun 12, 2017 — Routine - Food· 1 violations · Call Back - Complied

Intermediate Violations

V36 Proper ventilation

Jun 9, 2017 — Routine - Food· 16 violations (6 high priority)· Warning Issued

High Priority Violations

V03 Employee health reporting

V05 Handwashing procedures

V08 Proper hand/arm washing

V14 Food contact surfaces

V22 Consumer advisory

V23 Chemical properly stored

V24 Toxic substance control

Intermediate Violations

V29 Proper sewage disposal

V31 Clean multi-use utensils

V35 Single-use items

V36 Proper ventilation

V40 Wiping cloths usage

V41 Toilet facilities

Basic Violations

V53 Outer openings protected

Apr 5, 2017 — Routine - Food· 1 violations · Call Back - Complied

Intermediate Violations

V35 Single-use items

Jan 30, 2017 — Routine - Food· 5 violations (1 high priority)· Call Back - Extension given, pending

High Priority Violations

V14 Food contact surfaces

Intermediate Violations

V29 Proper sewage disposal

V35 Single-use items

Basic Violations

V51 Premises clean

V53 Outer openings protected

Jan 26, 2017 — Routine - Food· 15 violations (5 high priority)· Warning Issued

High Priority Violations

V01 Management awareness

V02 Employee health policy

V03 Employee health reporting

V05 Handwashing procedures

V08 Proper hand/arm washing

V12 Shell stock requirements

V14 Food contact surfaces

V22 Consumer advisory

V23 Chemical properly stored

Intermediate Violations

V29 Proper sewage disposal

V35 Single-use items

Basic Violations

V51 Premises clean

V53 Outer openings protected

How Does This Facility Compare?

BLUE HEN CAFE has had 1 emergency closures, compared to the St. Johns County average of 0.17 closures per facility. It has averaged 5.8 violations per inspection vs. the county average of 3.87.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many health inspections has BLUE HEN CAFE had?: BLUE HEN CAFE has had 46 inspections according to Florida DBPR records.
Has BLUE HEN CAFE ever been shut down?: Yes, BLUE HEN CAFE has been shut down 1 time by state inspectors.
What are the most common violations at BLUE HEN CAFE?: The most frequently cited violations at BLUE HEN CAFE are: Employee health reporting, Food contact surfaces, Outer openings protected.

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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 28, 2025 | Our methodology | Editorial standards | Report an error

This page is maintained by FloridaFoodSafety.org and is not affiliated with BLUE HEN CAFE.