Walton County — Food Safety Records: DBPR & FDACS
Walton County, Florida has 904 food establishments with 5,979 inspections on record. The pass rate is 92.7%, above the state average of 85.9%. Inspections average 3.2 violations per visit.
Largest fine: $400 assessed to Cowgirl Kitchen Market in Santa Rosa Beach on March 2, 2026.
Data from Florida DBPR (restaurants) and FDACS (retail food). Updated June 2026.
Most-Inspected Facilities
| Business | City | Inspections | Violations | Closures |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cafe Nola | Defuniak Springs | 34 | 115 | 4 |
| Poppy's Seafood & Hammerheads | Miramar | 35 | 216 | 2 |
| Thai 9 Cuisine | Miramar Beach | 38 | 150 | 2 |
| Marcos Pizza | Miramar Beach | 30 | 139 | 2 |
| Iron and Grape Italian Kitchen | Defuniak Springs | 27 | 60 | 2 |
Walton County Restaurants: Comparison to Florida State Averages
Walton County
92.7%
Pass Rate
92.7%
Florida Average
85.9%
Pass Rate
85.9%
Walton County
3.2
Avg Violations / Inspection
3.2
Florida Average
4.7
Avg Violations / Inspection
4.7
Walton County
0
Closures per 100 Facilities
0
Florida Average
1.35
Closures per 100 Facilities
1.35
Walton County Restaurants: Recent Inspections (Last 30 Days)
| Date | Business | City | Violations | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lc's Pizza & Subs | Freeport | 0 | Inspection Completed - No Further Action | |
| Five Guys Burgers & Fries | Miramar Beach | 3 | Inspection Completed - No Further Action | |
| Shelby's Beach Bar & Grill | Santa Rosa Beach | 0 | Call Back - Complied | |
| Shelby's Beach Bar & Grill | Santa Rosa Beach | 1 | Inspection Completed - No Further Action | |
| Shunk Gulley | Santa Rosa Beach | 1 (1 high) | Call Back - Complied | |
| Shunk Gulley | Santa Rosa Beach | 9 (5 high) | Administrative complaint recommended | |
| Thai Elephant | Santa Rosa Beach | 1 | Inspection Completed - No Further Action | |
| Dunkin Donuts/baskin Robbins | Defuniak Springs | 0 | Call Back - Complied | |
| Shelby's Beach Bar & Grill | Santa Rosa Beach | 1 | Warning Issued | |
| Ghost Crab Pizza + Kitchen | Santa Rosa Beach | 0 | Inspection Completed - No Further Action |
Walton County Restaurants: Most Common Health Violations
| Code | Violation | Citations |
|---|---|---|
| 22 | Consumer advisory | 32,710 |
| 31 | Clean multi-use utensils | 31,938 |
| 08 | Proper hand/arm washing | 30,650 |
| 14 | Food contact surfaces | 29,034 |
| 53 | Outer openings protected | 23,238 |
Walton County Restaurants: Disciplinary Actions & Fines
Largest Fines (Past 12 Months)
| Date | Business | Fine | Case |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 2, 2026 | Cowgirl Kitchen Market | $400 | 6--2026007937 |
| Aug 26, 2025 | Dude and Meatballs | $320 | 6--2025031621 |
| Aug 20, 2025 | Seacrest CafÉ | $240 | 6--2025041133 |
| Jan 22, 2026 | Marcos Pizza | $200 | 6--2025078887 |
| Sep 24, 2025 | Amor Cafe at 30a | $200 | 6--2025067052 |
| Apr 16, 2026 | Surf Hut Restaurant | $200 | 6--2025083430 |
| Oct 29, 2025 | Li's Hot Wok Chinese Buffet | $200 | 6--2025074918 |
| Jan 13, 2026 | Jimmy John's 3290 | $160 | 6--2025087374 |
| Dec 11, 2025 | Holiday Inn Express & Suites Destin-miramar Beach | $160 | 6--2025068150 |
Walton County Restaurants: Fire Safety Violations
Most Common Fire Safety Issues
| Issue | Citations |
|---|---|
| Other fire safety violation | 26 |
| Propane tank stored inside building | 15 |
| Fire extinguisher in red zone | 12 |
| Cooking without hood suppression | 4 |
| Missing boiler certificate/report | 4 |
| Exit blocked or locked | 1 |
Walton County 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. Walton County has 537 FDACS-regulated facilities with 1,045 inspections on record and 725 stop-sale orders issued.
Walton County 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 | City | Product | Reason |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sunshine Bay Empire LLC | Panama City | Brand Name: (Lot #:) | ss. 893.03(1)(a) and 893.035, F.S., Department of Legal Affairs Emergency Rule 2… | |
| Sunshine Bay Empire LLC | Panama City | Brand Name: (Lot #:) | FS 500.04; FS 500.172 Unsanitary Equipment.* Physical Facilities: Hot and cold w… | |
| Sunshine Bay Empire LLC | Panama City | Brand Name: (Lot #:) | FS 500; FAC 5K-4 Violation of Florida Food Law.* Labeling Comments: Print Date:… | |
| Sunshine Bay Empire LLC | Panama City | Brand Name: (Lot #:) | FS 500; FAC 5K-4 Violation of Florida Food Law.* Labeling Comments: To request a… | |
| Sunshine Bay Empire LLC | Panama City | Brand Name: (Lot #:) | FS 500; FAC 5K-4 Violation of Florida Food Law.* Labeling Comments: To request a… | |
| Sunshine Bay Empire LLC | Panama City | Brand Name: (Lot #:) | FS 500; FAC 5K-4 Violation of Florida Food Law.* Labeling Comments: To request a… | |
| Sunshine Bay Empire LLC | Panama City | Brand Name: (Lot #:) | FS 500; FAC 5K-4 Violation of Florida Food Law.* Labeling Comments: To request a… | |
| Sunshine Bay Empire LLC | Panama City | Brand Name: (Lot #:) | FS 500; FAC 5K-4 Violation of Florida Food Law.* Labeling Comments: To request a… | |
| Sunshine Bay Empire LLC | Panama City | Brand Name: (Lot #:) | FS 500; FAC 5K-4 Violation of Florida Food Law.* Labeling Comments: To request a… | |
| Sunshine Bay Empire LLC | Panama City | Brand Name: (Lot #:) | FS 500; FAC 5K-4 Violation of Florida Food Law.* Labeling Comments: To request a… |
Browse all FDACS stop-sale order categories →
Walton County FDACS: Most Cited Code Violations
Browse all FDACS violation codes →
Walton County Retail Food Chains (FDACS)
| Chain | Locations | Stop-Sale Orders | Citations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dollar General | 17 | 57 | 2,871 |
| Winn-Dixie | 9 | 170 | 584 |
| Circle K | 6 | 102 | 1,574 |
| Dollar Tree | 5 | 9 | 1,084 |
| Publix | 5 | 30 | 875 |
| Starbucks | 5 | 77 | 1,170 |
| CVS | 4 | 9 | 882 |
| Family Dollar | 4 | 316 | 950 |
Walton County: Notable Restaurants
Cafe Nola
34 inspections
115 violations
4 closures
Poppy's Seafood & Hammerheads
35 inspections
216 violations
2 closures
Thai 9 Cuisine
38 inspections
150 violations
2 closures
Kfc F569056
48 inspections
375 violations
Plateful Chinese Buffet
45 inspections
177 violations
1 closures
Grayton Seafood Company LLC
42 inspections
116 violations
1 closures
Walton County: Restaurant Chains (DBPR)
| Chain | Locations | Violations | Closures |
|---|---|---|---|
| McDonalds | 6 | 237 | 1 |
| Subway | 5 | 170 | 2 |
| Waffle House | 4 | 232 | 0 |
| Taco Bell | 3 | 135 | 0 |
| Dunkin | 3 | 261 | 0 |
| Chick-fil-a | 2 | 74 | 0 |
| Whataburger | 2 | 78 | 0 |
| Hungry Howies | 2 | 106 | 0 |
| Burger King | 2 | 142 | 0 |
| Dominos | 2 | 24 | 0 |
Walton County Restaurant Inspections: FAQ
- How many restaurants are in Walton County?
- Walton County, Florida has 904 food establishments tracked by the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR).
- What is the restaurant inspection pass rate in Walton County?
- The current pass rate for food establishments in Walton County is 92.7%. The Florida state average is 85.9%.
- What are the most common health violations in Walton County?
- The most frequently cited violations in Walton County are: Consumer advisory, Clean multi-use utensils, Proper hand/arm washing.
- Which restaurant chain has the most locations in Walton County?
- McDonalds has the most locations in Walton County with 6 establishments.
- How does Walton County compare to the Florida state average?
- Walton County has a pass rate of 92.7%, which is 6.8 percentage points above the state average of 85.9%. The average violations per inspection is 3.2 compared to the state average of 4.66.
- How often are restaurants inspected in Walton County?
- Food establishments in Walton County have an average of 6.6 inspections on record. Florida DBPR conducts routine inspections based on facility type and risk level.
- How much in fines have restaurants in Walton County been assessed?
- Food establishments in Walton County have been assessed $48,280 in fines across 114 disciplinary actions. The average fine is $427 and the largest single fine was $3,360.
- How many fire safety violations have been found in Walton County restaurants?
- 62 fire safety violations have been documented across 50 food establishments in Walton County. The most common issue is other fire safety violation.
- Are grocery stores and retail food stores in Walton County 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. Walton County, Florida has 537 FDACS-regulated retail food facilities with 1,045 inspections on record.
- How many FDACS stop-sale orders have been issued in Walton County?
- FDACS has issued 725 stop-sale orders at retail food establishments in Walton County, including 370 in 2026. 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 Walton County
See all 13 stories ↓
Miramar Sushi Counter Cited for Raw Fish Stored Over Ready-to-Eat Rolls
State inspectors found raw salmon stored directly above ready-to-eat avocado and summer rolls at a Miramar Publix sushi …
Stories You May Have Missed
- Miramar Sushi Counter Cited for Raw Fish Stored Over Ready-to-Eat Rolls
- Shunk Gulley Racked Up 6 High-Severity Violations and Stayed Open
- Fujisan Sushi Miramar: Sanitizer Stored With Food, Blocked Handwash Sink in January Inspection
- Sushi Rolls at Panama City Seafood Market Hit 45°F in January Inspection
- Miramar Beach Convenience Store Had No Valid Food Permit in February 2026
- Kenny D's in Miramar Beach Racked Up 9 High-Severity Violations in April 2026
- Panama City Dodge Store Failed Handwashing, Ice Testing in February Inspection
- Miramar Chevron Failed to Sanitize Hot Food Tongs for Over 4 Hours
- Miramar Hemp Shop Hit With 157-Page Stop Sale Report, Controlled Substance Findings
- Lola's Coastal Italian Racked Up 9 High-Severity Violations and Stayed Open
- Panama City Convenience Store Sold Kratom With Illegal Potency Levels, 18 Violations Found
- Panama City Panaderia Cited for Glove Misuse, Unmarked Empanadas in March Inspection
- Panama City Market Stayed Open With 9 High-Severity Violations, Including Unknown Food Sources
Walton County Restaurants & Food Establishments (892)
Carrabba's Italian Grill
10562 EMERALD COAST PKWY, San Destin
24 inspections · 160 violations · Last: Mar 2026Aj's Grayton Beach LLC
63 DEFUNIAK ST, Santa Rosa Beach
24 inspections · 150 violations · Last: Apr 2026Talay Thai Restaurant
12889 EMERALD COAST PKWY 105B, Miramar Beach
20 inspections · 146 violations · Last: Feb 2026Buffalo Jack's Legendary Wings
11275 W EMERALD COAST PKWY, Destin
23 inspections · 143 violations · Last: Mar 2026Nicks Seafood Rest
7585 STATE HWY 20, Basin Bayou
24 inspections · 143 violations · Last: May 2026Lin's Asian Cuisine of Ke INC
130 SCENIC GULF DR STE 5B, Miramar Beach
23 inspections · 141 violations · Last: Feb 2026Mezcal Mexican Grill
80 SEASCAPE DRIVE STE 101, Miramar Beach
21 inspections · 141 violations · Last: Feb 2026Old Florida Fish House
33 HERONS WATCH WAY, Santa Rosa Beach
33 inspections · 140 violations · Last: Mar 2026Li's Hot Wok Chinese Buffet
16400 US HWY 331 S STE A3, Freeport
29 inspections · 140 violations · Last: Sep 2025Two Cousins Cafe
63 SANTA ROSA AVE, Darlington
24 inspections · 140 violations · Last: Apr 2026Pizza by the Sea
9375 US HWY 98 W STE 6-305 UNIT 9, Miramar Beach
25 inspections · 137 violations · Last: Jun 2026Chopstix
4942 US 98 W #7, Santa Rosa Beach
26 inspections · 136 violations · Last: Feb 2026Donut Hole (the)
6745 E HWY 98, Santa Rosa Beach
23 inspections · 136 violations · Last: Feb 2026Grimaldis Pizzeria
780 GRAND BLVD STE 100, Miramar Beach
23 inspections · 134 violations · Last: Feb 2026Jimmy John's 3290
780 GRAND BLVD STE 110, Miramar Beach
25 inspections · 133 violations · Last: Nov 2025Don Pedros Cafe & Bakery
4942 US HWY 98 UNIT 9, Santa Rosa Beach
26 inspections · 132 violations · Last: Feb 2026Pompano Joe's - Destin
2237 SCENIC GULF HWY, Destin
25 inspections · 130 violations · Last: Apr 2026Boggy Boys Pizza of Florida INC
4101 E CO HWY 30A, Santa Rosa Beach
22 inspections · 129 violations · Last: Jan 2026Real Thai Fusion
11275 EMERALD COAST PKWY STE 11, Miramar Beach
23 inspections · 126 violations · Last: Dec 2025Summer Kitchen Cafe
78 MAIN ST, Rosemary Beach
39 inspections · 126 violations · Last: Mar 2026