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 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 |
| 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 22, 2026 | Marcos Pizza | $200 | 6--2025078887 |
| 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 |
| Starbucks | 5 | 77 | 1,170 |
| Dollar Tree | 5 | 9 | 1,084 |
| Publix | 5 | 30 | 875 |
| Family Dollar | 4 | 316 | 950 |
| CVS | 4 | 9 | 882 |
Walton County: Notable Restaurants
Cafe Nola
Poppy's Seafood & Hammerheads
Thai 9 Cuisine
Kfc F569056
Plateful Chinese Buffet
Grayton Seafood Company LLC
Walton County: Restaurant Chains (DBPR)
| Chain | Locations | Violations | Closures |
|---|---|---|---|
| McDonalds | 6 | 237 | 1 |
| Subway | 5 | 170 | 2 |
| Waffle House | 4 | 232 | 0 |
| Dunkin | 3 | 261 | 0 |
| Taco Bell | 3 | 135 | 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
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Walton County Restaurants & Food Establishments (892)
Great Southern Cafe
83 CENTRAL SQUARE, Santa Rosa Beach
25 inspections · 126 violations · Last: Mar 2026Bunkleys Burger and Grill
142 FISHERMANS COVE, Miramar Beach
19 inspections · 124 violations · Last: Feb 2026Holi Indian Kitchen
10859 US HIGHWAY 98 E STE 103, Miramar Beach
17 inspections · 124 violations · Last: Feb 2026Beef O Brady's
1310 US HWY 331 S UNIT 104, Defuniak Springs
27 inspections · 123 violations · Last: Feb 2026Aegean Restaurant
12889 US HWY 98 UNIT 114&115, Miramar Beach
20 inspections · 122 violations · Last: Feb 2026Burger King #06621
1303 S FREEPORT RD, Defuniak Springs
30 inspections · 122 violations · Last: Sep 2024Kitchen and Creamery
10562 EMERALD COAST PKWY #118, Destin
23 inspections · 121 violations · Last: Jan 2026Another Broken Egg - Grand Blvd LLC
755 GRAND BLVD STE B107, Miramar Beach
28 inspections · 121 violations · Last: Mar 2026George's at Alys Beach
30 CASTLE HARBOUR DR, Alys Beach
24 inspections · 120 violations · Last: Mar 2026Acme Oyster House
90 SEASCAPE DR UNIT 101, Miramar Beach
22 inspections · 119 violations · Last: Mar 2026Cafe Thirty a
3899 E COUNTY HIGHWAY 30A, Seagrove
23 inspections · 119 violations · Last: Feb 2026Slick Lips Seafood
140 FISHERMANS COVE, Destin
21 inspections · 118 violations · Last: Apr 2026La Guerrerense Taqueria and Supermarket
254 US 90 W, Defuniak Springs
26 inspections · 117 violations · Last: Mar 2026Mi Casita Mexican Restaurant
4141 E CO HWY 30A, Santa Rosa Beach
23 inspections · 117 violations · Last: Mar 2026Local Catch
3711 W COUNTY HWY 30A, Santa Rosa Beach
26 inspections · 116 violations · Last: Jan 2026Waffle House #788
130 SCENIC GULF DR, Miramar Beach
27 inspections · 114 violations · Last: May 2026Vue on 30a
4801 W HWY 30A, Santa Rosa Beach
24 inspections · 114 violations · Last: Feb 2026South of Philly 30a
1598 HIGHWAY 393 S SUITE 102, Santa Rosa Beach
25 inspections · 113 violations · Last: Mar 2026Restaurant Paradis
82 S BARRETT SQUARE UNIT 1A & 1B, Rosemary Beach
22 inspections · 113 violations · Last: May 2026Zen Japanese Grill & Sushi Bistro
11394 US HWY 98 W, Miramar Beach
16 inspections · 111 violations · Last: Mar 2026