Ocala, FL's Diner On The Square cited for 20 violations - Marion County

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Diner On The Square, a popular breakfast restaurant in downtown Ocala, recently underwent a routine food inspection by the Florida Department of Business & Professional Regulation.

This is What Happened During The Inspection

The inspection, conducted on August 13, 2024, revealed a total of 20 violations, including 5 high-priority and 10 intermediate violations as well as 5 basic infractions that required further review.

Despite these setbacks, Diner On The Square, located at 316 E Silver Springs Blvd in Marion County, continues to operate as normal. However, the issues need to be rectified before the follow-up inspection.

The high-priority issues ranged from unsuitable food temperature handling to employee hygiene concerns, highlighting the need for the establishment to address these highlighted areas.

Among the key violations were the discovery of an unhealthy substance, namely a container of bug spray, stored in the dish area, as well as instances of employees handling ready-to-eat food with bare hands and failing to wash their hands after touching soiled equipment.

The inspection at the Ocala diner also revealed basic violations regarding the cleaning concentration in the dishwashing machine and the storage of uncovered food items.

Diner On The Square was issued a follow-up inspection requirement, indicating that the violations, while not an immediate threat to the public, require further attention and rectification before the next visit.

The management at the Marion County eatery has been tasked with addressing these concerns to maintain its standing as a trusted and safe dining destination for the local community.

Despite these inspection challenges, the restaurant enjoys a strong 4.5-star rating from 262 Google reviews.

One recent customer, Lori Maddams, praised the "great service, friendly and fast" experience, as well as the "best breakfast" offerings.

As the Diner On The Square works to address the identified issues, local diners may wonder:

• What steps will the restaurant take to ensure food safety and employee hygiene?
• How will the follow-up inspection process unfold, and when can the community expect a resolution?
• What can patrons do to support the establishment's efforts to maintain high standards of quality and service?