Caretta on the Gulf

500 Mandalay Ave, Clearwater Beach, FL 33767 · Permanent Food Service · License 6216178

Official report

out of 100

Grade C

Safety score 74 of 100

Latest visit: Sep 24, 2026 (6 weeks ago)

What drove the grade

Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41°F.High priority, repeat · no follow-up needed · 9 other violations

How the score was calculated

Starting score100
Violations at the Sep 24 complaint inspection
4 high priority (3 no follow-up needed, 1 fixed on the spot, 1 repeat), 4 intermediate (3 fixed on the spot), 2 basic (1 repeat)
-26
Safety score74

Our own summary of the public record, not an official state rating. How grades work · Report an error

Inspection history

2 inspections · 3 visits

Latest inspection

Sep242026

Complaint inspection

10 violations found

First visitSep 24, 2026 No follow-up needed
Met the state's inspection standards; the inspector didn't need to come back. Any violations cited still count toward the grade.
10 violations found:
- 4 High priority
- 4 Intermediate
- 2 Basic
What the inspector cited
High priority4
- Code 01, Approved source; food safe and unadulterated: Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse.
  Cooked rice 56f, cooling from last night, missed cooling window, item discarded. Raw oysters 46f, items discarded.
- Code 03, Food out of temperature: Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41°F.
  Raw oysters 46f, found in sushi cooler, item discarded.
  Repeat violation
  Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135°F.
  Butter 78f, , staff heated to 135, first use.
  Fixed on the spot
  Cooked/heated time/temperature control for safety food not cooled from 135°F to 41°F within 6 hours.
  Cooked rice 56f, cooling from last night, missed cooling window, item discarded.
Intermediate4
- Code 02, Labeling, date marking and consumer advisory: Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked.
  Spinach dip in walk in cooler, no date marked after opening.
  Fixed on the spot
- Code 22, Food-contact surfaces clean and sanitized: Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime.
  Mixing guard and machine.
- Code 31, Handwash sinks and supplies: Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times.
  Broom stored in hand sink in butcher area. Item removed.
  Fixed on the spot
  No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink.
  Butcher area.
  Fixed on the spot
Basic2
- Code 08, Food protection and cross-contamination: Food stored on floor in storage area.
  Fixed on the spot
- Code 22, Food-contact surfaces clean and sanitized: Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin.
  Crushed ice bin.
  Repeat violation
Official report, on the Florida DBPR website

Earlier inspections 1

Jul282026A91Routine inspection4 violations, 1 high priority · 1 follow-up visit Fixed at follow-up

Follow-up visitJul 30, 2026 Fixed at follow-up
The inspector came back and found the problems fixed.
All earlier violations corrected.
Official report, on the Florida DBPR website
First visitJul 28, 2026 Warning issued
Problems were found that had to be fixed. The inspector will come back to check.
4 violations found:
- 1 High priority
- 1 Intermediate
- 2 Basic
What the inspector cited
High priority1
- Code 03, Food out of temperature: Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41°F.
  Fresh mozz 50f, cut melon 51f, sliced tomatoes 52f, fresh mozz 51f, salad area. Ice bath added to containers. Sliced tomatoes 48f, diced ham 49f, goat cheese 48f, feta 49f, salmon 48f, cooks line. Ice added to containers.
  Fixed on the spot
Intermediate1
- Code 31, Handwash sinks and supplies: No soap provided at handwash sink.
  Bar sink, east end hand sink.
Basic2
- Code 08, Food protection and cross-contamination: Stored food not covered.
  Frozen watermelon and ice cubes in glass freezer not covered.
- Code 22, Food-contact surfaces clean and sanitized: Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin.
  Repeat violation
Official report, on the Florida DBPR website

Reading this report

Priority levels

High priority The problems most likely to make someone sick directly.
Intermediate Could lead to a high-priority problem if not fixed.
Basic Best practices and general upkeep.

Terms in the inspectors’ reports

Time/temperature control for safety food: Food that has to be kept hot, at 135°F or above, or cold, at 41°F or below, to stay safe: meat, seafood, eggs, dairy, cooked rice and beans, cut melons and the like.
Ready-to-eat food: Food eaten without further cooking, such as salads, sandwiches, deli meats and cooked dishes.
Food-contact surface: Anything food touches, such as cutting boards, utensils, counters and the inside of ice machines.
Stop sale: An order that the food can’t be sold or served.