Thirsty Marlin Grill & Bar

1023 Florida Ave, Palm Harbor, FL 34683 · Permanent Food Service · License 6214962

F
Grade F
Safety score 37 of 100
Latest visit: Sep 29, 2026 (6 weeks ago)

What drove the grade

Live, small flying insects foundHigh priority · not yet fixed · 28 other violations

How the score was calculated

  • Starting score100
  • Violations at the Sep 28 complaint inspection
    3 high priority, 5 intermediate (2 fixed on the spot), 21 basic (3 repeats); basic violations cost 12 at most
    -43
  • Administrative complaint on Sep 28, now extension granted
    Counts in full until a follow-up finds the problems fixed
    -20
  • Safety score37

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

Inspection history

1 inspection · 2 visits

Complaint inspection

29 violations found · Inspector came back once
  1. Follow-up visitSep 29, 2026

    Some problems still weren't fixed, but the owner was working on them, so the inspector allowed more time and will come back again.

    9 violations still not corrected:

    • 1 Intermediate
    • 8 Basic
    What was still cited

    Intermediate1

    • Code 02, Labeling, date marking and consumer advisory: Menu does not identify which items contain raw or undercooked animal foods covered by the consumer advisory.

      More time given

    Basic8

    • Code 12, Handwashing and hygienic practices: Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils.

      More time given

    • Code 14, Food-contact surfaces designed and maintained: Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable.

      More time given

      Walk-in cooler/freezer shelves with rust that has pitted the surface.

      More time given

      Food storage container/container lid cracked or broken.

      More time given

    • Code 16, Dishwashing facilities and test kits: Old labels stuck to food containers after cleaning.

      More time given

    • Code 23, Non-food contact surfaces clean: Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust.

      More time given

    • Code 36, Floors, walls, ceilings and ventilation: Floor tiles missing and/or in disrepair.

      More time given

      Floor area(s) covered with standing water.

      More time given

    Official report, on the Florida DBPR website
  2. First visitSep 28, 2026 Administrative complaint

    Serious or repeated problems led the inspector to recommend formal action by the state, which can include fines.

    29 violations found:

    • 3 High priority
    • 5 Intermediate
    • 21 Basic
    What the inspector cited

    High priority3

    • Code 01, Approved source; food safe and unadulterated: Dented/rusted cans present.

      See stop sale. 18lbs of corn, snails 4lbs

    • Code 12, Handwashing and hygienic practices: Employee washed hands with cold water.

      Employee washed hands in cold water. Measured at 82°F

    • Code 35, Insects, rodents, pests and animals: Live, small flying insects found

      5 flies in inside bar

      Administrative complaint

    Intermediate5

    • Code 02, Labeling, date marking and consumer advisory: Menu does not identify which items contain raw or undercooked animal foods covered by the consumer advisory.

      Poke tuna bowl, tuna sashimi, wonton poke nachos, not marked as raw items on main menu

    • Code 12, Handwashing and hygienic practices: Employee washed hands in a sink other than an approved handwash sink.

      Employee washed hands in prep sink.

    • Code 22, Food-contact surfaces clean and sanitized: Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime.

      Interior of soda gun soiled with debris.

    • Code 31, Handwash sinks and supplies: No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink.

      No paper towels at hand sink by cook line. Operator added towels.

      Fixed on the spot

      No soap provided at handwash sink.

      No soap at hand sink near cook line. Operator added soap.

      Fixed on the spot

    Basic21

    • Code 02, Labeling, date marking and consumer advisory: Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name.

      Squeeze bottles of oil and water unlabeled on cookline.

    • Code 08, Food protection and cross-contamination: Stored food not covered.

      Chicken in reach in cooler on cook line not covered.

      Damaged/spoiled/recalled food not properly segregated.

      Damaged and rusted cans of corn and snails stored next to undamaged product.

    • Code 10, In-use utensils properly stored: In-use tongs stored on equipment door handle between uses.

      Tongs stored hanging on low shelf in cookline. Operator moved tongs to proper area

      Fixed on the spot

    • Code 12, Handwashing and hygienic practices: Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils.

      Employee coke in prep table in kitchen. Operator disposed of coke.

      Fixed on the spotRepeat violation

      Employee drinking from an unenclosed beverage container in a food preparation/clean dishware area and the container does not have a dispensing mechanism to prevent hand contact with lip contact area of drink container.

      Employee drinking from open cup of coffee and coke in kitchen.

    • Code 13, Clean clothes, hair restraints, jewelry: Employee with no hair restraint while engaging in food preparation.

      Employee preparing food with no hair restraint in kitchen.

      Employee wearing jewelry other than a plain ring on their hands/arms while preparing food.

      Employee wearing wrist watch in kitchen while preparing food.

    • Code 14, Food-contact surfaces designed and maintained: Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable.

      Grooved cutting boards in kitchen.

      Walk-in cooler/freezer shelves with rust that has pitted the surface.

      Shelves in walk in cooler rusted,

      Food storage container/container lid cracked or broken.

      Cracked containers in ware washing area.

    • Code 16, Dishwashing facilities and test kits: Old labels stuck to food containers after cleaning.

      Old labels in containers in ware washing area.

    • Code 22, Food-contact surfaces clean and sanitized: Interior of oven/microwave has accumulation of black substance/grease/food debris.

      Interior of microwave soiled with debris.

    • Code 23, Non-food contact surfaces clean: Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust.

      Shelves in kitchen and dry storage rusted.

    • Code 24, Clean equipment storage and air drying: Clean glasses, cups, bowls, plates, pots and pans not stored inverted or in a protected manner.

      Ice buckets stored on table in hallway not inverted

    • Code 29, Plumbing and backflow prevention: Waste line missing at soda gun holster.

      No waste lines at bar. Operator added waste lines.

      Fixed on the spot

    • Code 32, Restrooms: Covered waste receptacle not provided in women's bathroom.

      No waste basket in women's room. Operator added waste basket.

      Fixed on the spot

    • Code 35, Insects, rodents, pests and animals: Dead roaches on premises.

      2 dead roach outside women's and men's room by kitchen room. Operator cleaned up dead insects and sanitized area.

      Fixed on the spotAdministrative complaint

    • Code 36, Floors, walls, ceilings and ventilation: Floor tiles missing and/or in disrepair.

      Floor tiles in disrepair in kitchen.

      Repeat violation

      Floor area(s) covered with standing water.

      Standing water on cook line.

      Repeat violation

      Floor soiled/has accumulation of debris.

      Floors soiled in kitchen

    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

Food-contact surface
Anything food touches, such as cutting boards, utensils, counters and the inside of ice machines.
Nonfood-contact surface
Surfaces food doesn’t touch, such as the outsides of equipment, handles and door gaskets.
Stop sale
An order that the food can’t be sold or served.

Most cited

Food-contact surfaces designed and maintained6
Handwashing and hygienic practices5
Floors, walls, ceilings and ventilation5
Labeling, date marking and consumer advisory3
Food protection and cross-contamination2
Clean clothes, hair restraints, jewelry2
Dishwashing facilities and test kits2
Food-contact surfaces clean and sanitized2