Charlie Horse in Ocala flagged for 13 violations in Marion County, FL, & needs a follow-up

Charlie Horse - chicken wings mealPhoto byYelp / Susanna D.

Charlie Horse, a popular bar and grill in Ocala, Marion County, received 13 violations during a Florida Department of Business & Professional Regulation inspection on August 28, 2024.

The establishment, known for its pub grub and lively atmosphere, wasn't ordered to close but requires a follow-up inspection.

This is What Happened During The Inspection

The initial inspection revealed four high-priority, two intermediate, and seven basic violations.

According to the inspector's note, high-priority infractions included employees handling raw chicken and then ready-to-eat food without washing hands, and temperature control problems with sour cream and chicken.

Meanwhile, intermediate violations involved a soiled food-contact surface in the ice machine and unlabeled spray bottles containing unhealthy substances.

Basic violations ranged from employee beverages on prep tables to food stored on the floor.

Despite these setbacks, Charlie Horse maintains a 4.2-star rating from 1,705 Google reviews. The restaurant offers a variety of American fare, with a focus on burgers and wings.

The Ocala eatery is also known for its full bar, daily lunch specials, and entertainment options like live music, karaoke, trivia, and bingo nights.

Reviewers Comment: Local guide and recent customer, Heather, praised the establishment in a recent review:

"Hometown bar and grill. Excellent food. Full bar- beer, wine, liquor. Daily lunch specials $9.99. Open late on the weekends with live music and karaoke. Trivia and bingo nights also- check their Facebook page. Always a fun time. Staff is great!!"

Locals will hope that Charlie Horse will quickly rectify these violations before the follow-up inspection.

It is worth noting that the restaurant's management took corrective actions on several issues during the inspection, but state records continue to show the need for improvement.

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