Brevard County's Gators Dockside in Cape Canaveral, Florida, was cited for 26 violations

Chicken wings at Gator's Portside Port CanaveralPhoto byGoogle Reviews/Jeff Hopper

Gators Dockside, a popular waterfront restaurant in Cape Canaveral, Florida, successfully passed a follow-up inspection by the Florida Department of Business & Professional Regulation after being cited for 26 violations, including five high-priority infractions, during an initial inspection.

While the restaurant wasn't ordered to close, the follow-up inspection on September 5, 2024, confirmed that all necessary corrective measures had been implemented.

The Brevard County eatery, known for its all-day happy hour, was cited for five high-priority, eight intermediate, and 13 basic violations during the initial inspection on September 4, 2024.

High-priority violations included unsuitable hand hygiene practices, presence of flying insects, and unacceptable storage of unhealthy substances. The inspector also issued a Stop Sale order for melted raw tuna in vacuum-sealed packaging.

Intermediate violations ranged from lack of proper handwashing facilities to issues with food-contact surfaces, while basic violations included standing water in kitchen areas and unsuitable storage of clean utensils.

On a positive note, Gators Dockside quickly addressed many issues during the inspection. The restaurant's swift compliance during the follow-up inspection the following day demonstrates a commitment to maintaining food safety standards.

Gators Dockside, with its 4.1-star rating from 2,287 Google reviews, remains a local favorite. The restaurant offers breakfast, lunch, and dinner options, with an all-day happy hour that keeps locals coming back.

High Priority Violations:

• Unsuitable employee hand hygiene
• Live flying insects in food preparation areas
• Unsuitable glove use
• Stop Sale issued for incorrectly melted tuna
• Unhealthy substances wrongly stored