Saint Petersburg, FL Big C'S BBQ in Pinellas County was cited for 31 violations

Big C'S BBQ sandwichPhoto byGoogle Reviews

Big C'S BBQ in Saint Petersburg, Florida, received a warning from the Florida Department of Business & Professional Regulation following an inspection on August 20, 2024.

The barbecue restaurant located at 1035 9th St S in Pinellas County is known for its flavorful offerings. It has a 4.5-star rating from 280 reviews and 4.7 stars from 55 Yelp reviews.

Petr Doubravský, a local guide, shared on Google Reviews:

This is one of the best barbecue place in town who hasn’t tried. It is missing out.

Another customer named Sethrity shared:

So far the best BBQ I've had on the west coast of FL! Can't wait to go back!

However, in a recent inspection on August 20, 2024, Big C'S BBQ faced a total of 31 identified violations that required a follow-up inspection.

What Happened During The Inspection?

The inspection revealed 31 violations, including 6 high-priority, 8 intermediate, and 17 basic violations.

High-priority infractions included live flying insects in the kitchen and food preparation areas, as well as roach activity near the water heater. Food safety concerns were also noted, such as unsuitable hand washing practices and inadequate cleaning of food-contact surfaces.

Among the intermediate violations were soiled food-contact surfaces, lack of proper certifications for food managers, and absence of required employee training proof.

Basic violations ranged from accumulation of dead insects to damaged floor tiles and inadequate protection of outer openings.

A follow-up inspection on August 22, 2024, showed some improvement, with the number of violations reduced to 19.

However, the restaurant was given an extension, indicating that further corrections were still needed.

Share Your Thoughts:

1. How do you think health inspection results should impact a restaurant's overall rating?
2. What steps can restaurants take to maintain both food safety standards and customer satisfaction?
3. As a diner, how much weight do you give to health inspection reports when choosing where to eat?

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.