Ocala, Florida's Golden Spoon Diner cited for 11 violations in Marion County; Follow-up is needed

Golden Spoon Diner brunchPhoto byYelp/Victor H.

Golden Spoon Dinner & Seafood, a popular eatery in Ocala, Florida, encountered some hurdles during a recent Florida Department of Business & Professional Regulation inspection. The diner, known for its breakfast, brunch and seafood offerings, received 11 violations on October 8, 2024, including three high-priority issues.

Located at 5400 SW College Rd, Golden Spoon Dinner & Seafood struggled with food storage and date-marking practices.

According to state records, the inspection was prompted by a complaint. During the visit, inspectors revealed high-priority violations, such as raw beef stored above ready-to-eat items in the freezer and some prepared foods marked with dates surpassing the 7-day safety window.

A container of chili in the walk-in cooler was past its safe serving date, leading to a stop sale order on the item.

The inspection report also acknowledged cleanliness issues, including mold-like substance in the ice machine and a dirty can opener. Additionally, the restaurant's menu lacked proper consumer advisories for items containing raw or undercooked ingredients.

On the brighter side, Golden Spoon Dinner & Seafood in Ocala staff demonstrated a willingness to address issues promptly.

State records showed that several violations were corrected on-site, showing a commitment to maintaining proper food safety standards. The management quickly rectified problems such as employee drink placement and personal item storage.

While the inspection resulted in a warning and a required follow-up, Golden Spoon Dinner & Seafood was not ordered to close. The restaurant will need to address the remaining issues to meet inspection standards fully.

For Marion County diners, it's worth noting that inspections provide a snapshot of a restaurant's conditions on a given day. Golden Spoon Dinner & Seafood maintains a 4.3-star rating from 684 Google reviews, suggesting overall customer satisfaction.

As the restaurant works to resolve these violations, local patrons can stay updated on its progress through future inspection reports. The establishment's response to these challenges will be crucial in maintaining its standing in Ocala's dining scene.

High Priority Violations:

• Unsuitable separation of raw animal foods in freezer
• Incorrect date marking on ready-to-eat foods
• Time/temperature management issues for safety food

Intermediate Violations:

• Soiled food-contact surfaces
• Menu lacking proper consumer advisory for raw/undercooked items

Basic Violations:

• Mold-like substance in ice machine
• Unsuitable storage of employee items
• Lack of hair restraints
• Damaged food storage containers
• Old labels on containers
• Unsuitable placement of employee beverages