"Iconic," Longtime FL Eatery Whitey's Fish Camp Shut Down After Inspection

Photo bypointnshoot, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

There are restaurants in Florida that, because of their longevity and locations, are called "iconic." Examples are Tampa's The Columbia and Miami's Versailles. Another example is Whitey's Fish Camp, which has been in business for 60 years. When I wrote about it being for sale earlier this year, many readers expressed sadness. Unfortunately, it was recently temporarily shut down after a state inspection.

About Whitey's Fish Camp: This eatery has been in business since 1963 and is still owned and run by a family. It offers many different services. There is a restaurant that sells fresh seafood, but there are also boat rentals and a campground.

While it's known for its generous seafood portions like all-you-can-eat catfish, it is probably just as well known for its live music (which was reportedly a favorite of Lynyrd Skynyrd singer Ronnie Van Zant.)

As a result of some of this notary, The Clay County Sheriff's Office had called Whitey's "iconic" and some patrons seem to agree. The eatery at 2032 County Road has over 5,900 reviews on Google reviews with an average of 4.4 out of 5 stars. Most talk about the vibe of the place, but many alsomention the food. A reviewer named Cathy wrote:

"One of my all-time favorite places to eat when I go to Jacksonville. Whitey’s never disappoints. The shrimp boil is one of my favorite dishes, but everything is absolutely yummy. I love sitting outside by the water and watching the sunset..."

In February of 2024, it was reported that the eatery was for sale because the owners, now in their 60s and 70s, wanted to retire due to some health issues. However, the sellers have expressed hope that whoever buys the eatery will leave it as is.

What Happened At Inspection?: According to data from the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation, an inspection occurred on August 2, 2024. At that time, 16 violations were noted.

Examples of basic violations were the observation of dead roaches, a soiled floor, a floor covered with standing water, employees preparing food in the dining area, and "a black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin."

Intermediate violations came for a pan and strainer being in the hand wash sink and black staining on a cutting board.

High-priority violations were for the observation of live roaches and rodent droppings and cold foods like cheese and tuna being held at over 41 degrees.

As a result of some of the above violations, the restaurant was temporarily shut down.

At a follow-up on August 3, 2024, the restaurant had 0 violations, "met inspection standards," and was free to reopen.

Please note that an inspection is one moment in time and not necessarily indicative of how a restaurant conducts itself every day.