CUCINA SOUTH
4828 FIRST COAST HWY · FERNANDINA BEACH · Nassau County · FL 32034
Inspection Summary
Violation Summary
Counts reported for this inspection visit.
All DBPR Inspector Observations
18 full violation description(s) documented by the inspector during this visit.
High Priority 6
35A-02-7High Priority – Live, small flying insects found. Observed four (4) live flying insects near dish machine and end of cook line. Also, observed four (4) live flying insects behind bar and near register. **Warning**
50-17-3High Priority – Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license. Establishment operating with license that expired June 1, 2026. Chef reached out to owner to renew license. **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
08A-05-6High Priority – Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. In reach in freezer near dish machine, ziplock bag of raw tuna stored on ready to eat pasta. Chef moved raw tuna above raw beef. **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
08A-20-5High Priority – Raw animal foods not properly separated from each other in holding unit based upon minimum required cooking temperature. In outside walk-in cooler on speed racks, raw beef steaks stored on sheet above raw shrimp. Chef moved shrimp above beef. **Corrected On-Site**
01B-02-5High Priority – Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. In drink cooler near bar, half and half (46F – Cold Holding). Chef stated half and half has been in cooler all night. Ambient air of cooler 46F.
03A-02-5High Priority – Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. In drink cooler near bar, half and half (46F – Cold Holding). Chef stated half and half has been in cooler all night. Ambient air of cooler 46F. No other Time/Temperature control for safety foods stored in cooler. Also, in reach in cooler next to steam tables, fresh garlic (50F – Cold Holding); pork (51F – Cold Holding); raw fish (49F – Cold Holding). Chef stated breaker tripped earlier and he didn't realize for about 15 minutes. **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
Intermediate 3
22-02-4Intermediate – Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Can opener attached to server table soiled with residues.
53B-14-5Intermediate – Required employee training expired for some employees. To order approved program food safety material, call DBPR contracted provider: Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (SafeStaff) 866-372-7233. Two employees food handler training expired. Nichole B expired 5/9/26 and Kaylee M expired 3/27/26.
41-17-4Intermediate – Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled. Hanging on side of dirty dish rack to left of three compartment sink, spray bottle with blue liquid not labeled. Chef labeled bottle. **Corrected On-Site**
Basic 9
22-20-5Basic – Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin. Interior deflector plate soiled with black mold-like substance. **Repeat Violation**
40-06-5Basic – Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Employee backpack on bottom shelf of server table in kitchen next to cutting boards.
36-73-4Basic – Floor soiled/has accumulation of debris. Floor under three compartment sink and dish machine soiled with debris. **Repeat Violation**
14-69-4Basic – Ice buildup in reach-in freezer and/or walk-in freezer. Ice build up in both reach in freezer on property. **Repeat Violation**
10-20-4Basic – In-use tongs stored on equipment door handle between uses. Multiple tongs on handle of oven on cook line. Chef removed tongs from oven handle. **Corrected On-Site**
10-06-5Basic – In-use utensil not stored with handle above the top of time/temperature control for safety food and rim of the container. In reach in cooler on cook line next to stove, handle of scoop used for pico in product. Chef moved handle of scoop above rim of container. **Corrected On-Site**
23-03-4Basic – Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Multiple gaskets of reach in coolers on cook line soiled with food debris. Also, fan cover in outside walk-in cooler soiled with dust build up.
22-16-4Basic – Reach-in cooler interior/shelves have accumulation of soil residues. Interior of reach in coolers on either end of cook line soiled with food debris/slime.
14-20-4Basic – Ripped/worn tin foil used as shelf cover. On bottom shelf of server table in kitchen lined with aluminum foil that is torn.
Inspector observations synchronized from DBPR on August 11, 2026 8:12 PM.
Violation category totals
1 observation(s)
1 observation(s)
2 observation(s)
2 observation(s)
2 observation(s)
3 observation(s)
1 observation(s)
1 observation(s)
1 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.