Marion County, FL, popular restaurant in Ocala, temporarily closed due to 14 violations

Red Lobster InspectionPhoto byET M/GR/Canva

The Red Lobster in Ocala, Florida, at 3393 SW College Rd, has been temporarily closed following a series of violations identified by the Florida Department of Business & Professional Regulation during an inspection conducted on August 16, 2024.

The initial inspection resulted in 14 total violations, categorized as four high-priority violations, three intermediate violations, and seven basic violations. A follow-up inspection on August 17, 2024, saw a reduction in violations, but the restaurant remained closed with three ongoing violations.

This Marion County location currently holds a 4.1-star rating from 3,247 Google reviews, reflecting a mix of customer experiences.

What The Inspection Report Revealed

The August 16 inspection disclosed four high-priority violations, including the presence of live roaches in the kitchen. The inspector's note revealed live roach activity, with three spotted below an electrical box and one on the floor next to a preparation table.

Additionally, roach droppings were found, signaling a pressing problem. The inspection also revealed unhealthy substances wrongly stored near food preparation areas and close to clean dishes.

Notably, managers addressed these unsafe storage issues immediately during the inspection.

Intermediate violations included soiled food-contact surfaces, lack of soap at a handwash sink, and expired employee training certifications.

Basic violations highlighted the existence of dead roaches stuck to kitchen surfaces and various unclean fixtures throughout the restaurant, including cracked floor tiles and soiled ceiling tiles.

Other violations also highlighted ongoing cleanliness issues, such as wet nesting of utensils and unsuitable storage of employee drinks near food preparation areas, which have repeatedly gone uncorrected.

As Red Lobster works to rectify these violations, the focus remains on ensuring a safe dining environment for customers.

A follow-up review will be essential in determining the establishment’s readiness to reopen and serve the Ocala community once again.

Questions for Readers:

1. How important are health inspection ratings to your dining choices?
2. Have you ever experienced concerns about cleanliness at a restaurant?
3. What steps do you think restaurants should take to improve food safety?