PEPPER'S COCINA MEXICANA (FERNANDINA)
530 CENTRE ST · FERNANDINA BEACH · Nassau County · FL 32034
Inspection Summary
Violation Summary
Counts reported for this inspection visit.
All DBPR Inspector Observations
21 full violation description(s) documented by the inspector during this visit.
High Priority 6
01B-01-4High Priority – Dented/rusted cans present. See stop sale. 2 cans of jalapeño peppers dented.
01A-05-4High Priority – Food/ice received from unapproved source/no invoice provided to verify source. See Stop Sale. 6 pieces of Tres lechhes observed in reach in cooler by storage area, operate could not provide invoices for them. **Admin Complaint**
01B-13-4High Priority – Stop Sale issued due to food not being in a wholesome, sound condition. Observed 6 packs of grouper thawed while still in sealed ROP packaging, with instructions saying to remove fish from packaging before thawing.
03A-02-5High Priority – Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed in reach in cooler on cook line, shrimp 51F, scallops 53F, Beef 51F, chicken 48F, cheese 43F, cut cabbage 53F, Pico 49F, cooked chicken 46F, Pork 52F. All cold holding, Ambient temp of cooler 57. Operator moved all items to walk-in cooler. **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning**
03B-01-6High Priority – Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed beef at 120F, operators said it has been at that temp since 11:00AM, operator took beef and placed it on stove to incense temp, 2nd temp 20 minutes Later 186F. **Corrected On-Site**
29-34-4High Priority – Vacuum breaker missing at hose bibb or on fitting/splitter added to hose bibb. No vacuum breaker on hose bib near outside walk in cooler and freezer.
Intermediate 5
22-02-4Intermediate – Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Can opener soiled with old food debris. Clean food bin stored on floor in ware wash area. Operator picked bins up off the floor. Interior of ice machine in storage area has mold like substance. **Repeat Violation**
31A-11-4Intermediate – Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing Both hand wash sinks in kitchen area blocked with trash can and prep table. Operator removed obstacles. Operator removed obstacles. Observed Hand wash sink near ware wash area being used for other purposes, had a blender in it, operator removed item. Hand wash sink in back storage room blocked, operate moved obstacle. **Corrected On-Site**
52-02-4Intermediate – Misrepresentation of a fruit or fruit juice. Multiple margaritas with fresh lime juice One margarita with fresh pineapple juice. Operator stated he used bottled juices. Operator began marking out "fresh" on menus. **Corrective Action Taken** **Admin Complaint**
31B-03-4Intermediate – No soap provided at handwash sink. No paper towels at hand was sink on cook line. Operator filled paper towel dispenser. No soap at hand wash sink on cook line operator filled soap dispenser No Paper towels at hand wash sink near ware wash area, operator filled paper towel dispenser
41-17-4Intermediate – Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled. Unlabeled spray bottle on triple sink containing bleach per manager. Manager placed label on spray bottle **Repeat Violation**
Basic 10
51-11-4Basic – Carbon dioxide/helium tanks not adequately secured. Unsecured tank by walk in cooler and freezer outside. Operator secured the tank. **Corrected On-Site**
14-74-7Basic – Cold holding equipment not maintained in good repair. Do not store time/temperature control for safety food in this unit until the unit is repaired. Ice buildup on cooling unit of reach in cooler on cook line. Ambient temperature 57f.
06-09-1Basic – Commercially processed reduced oxygen packaged fish bearing a label indicating that it is to remain frozen until time of use no longer frozen and not removed from reduced oxygen package. Observed 6 packs of grouper thawed while still in sealed ROP packaging, with instructions saying to remove fish from packaging before thawing.
08B-49-4Basic – Employee personal food not properly identified and segregated from food to be served to the public. Employee personal eggs stored in reach in cooler in back storage room, employee removed food from cooler and segregated it. Employee personal food stored on shelf over food prep table in kitchen area. Employee removed food and segregated it. **Corrected On-Site**
40-06-5Basic – Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Employee speaker stored above prep table. Operate removed speaker. **Corrected On-Site**
24-08-4Basic – Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried – wet nesting. Observed wet nesting of clean dishes on clean dish rack in kitchen area. **Repeat Violation**
10-20-4Basic – In-use tongs stored on equipment door handle between uses. Tongs stored on doors handle of oven. Operator moved tongs **Corrected On-Site**
21-04-4Basic – In-use wet wiping cloth/towel used under cutting board. Wet wash cloth under cutting board on food prep area.
25-05-4Basic – Single-service articles improperly stored. Multiple single service items in banquet room and storage room on floor **Repeat Violation**
08B-17-4Basic – Unwashed fruits/vegetables stored with ready-to-eat food. Observed unwashed avocados over ready to eat produce. Operator moved avocados to designated location in cooler. **Corrected On-Site**
Inspector observations synchronized from DBPR on August 17, 2026 7:43 AM.
Violation category totals
3 observation(s)
2 observation(s)
1 observation(s)
2 observation(s)
1 observation(s)
1 observation(s)
1 observation(s)
1 observation(s)
1 observation(s)
1 observation(s)
1 observation(s)
2 observation(s)
1 observation(s)
1 observation(s)
1 observation(s)
1 observation(s)
Inspection records and inspector observations reflect conditions documented by DBPR at the time of the inspection and may not reflect current conditions.