15 violations found at Ocala's Firehouse Subs in Marion County, FL

Firehouse subsPhoto byGoogle Reviews/Canva

Firehouse Subs at 2701 SW SR 200 Ste 108 in Ocala, Marion County, was inspected by the Florida Department of Business & Professional Regulation on July 29, 2024, following a complaint. The inspection revealed 15 violations, leading to a follow-up review.

What Happened During The Inspection: The inspector uncovered violations categorized as 3 high-priority, 3 intermediate, and 9 basic at the sandwich shop, popular among several Floridians, including this writer.

High-priority issues included a stop sale on meatballs held at unsafe temperatures in the steam table, ranging from 110°F to 124°F for over four hours.

Additionally, the inspector noted that the handwash sink near the ware wash area was obstructed, with plumbing issues causing water to drain onto the floor.

Intermediate violations highlighted the lack of state-approved employee training for seven workers employed over 60 days and missing documentation about employees' responsibilities regarding foodborne illnesses.

Basic violations included the lack of a current restaurant license display, improper storage of employee personal items and beverages, and wet nesting of plastic pans.

Standing water was present under the front counter hand sink, and food items, such as a bucket of pickles, were stored on the floor. The dumpster lid was open, and plumbing issues caused water to drain onto the floor.

Despite these findings, Firehouse Subs maintains a 4.1-star rating from 445 Google reviews.

Notably, a local guide, C Allen, shared concerns about the location's service efficiency, citing a long wait for a sandwich.

Just can’t get it together at this location. 20 minute wait for a sandwich? Unacceptable. There are more than enough workers in there to make things run efficiently.

While this issue wasn't addressed in the inspection, it highlights the need for improvement in customer service.

The follow-up inspection will determine if these issues have been addressed satisfactorily.

NOTE: Please note that an inspection report, per the Florida Department of Business & Professional Regulation, provides a snapshot of the conditions observed during the inspection