BAJA'S SOUTHERN STYLE COOKING AND CATERING
1838 49 ST SOUTH · ST PETERSBURG · Pinellas County · FL 33707
Inspection Summary
Violation Summary
Counts reported for this inspection visit.
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All DBPR Inspector Observations
15 full violation description(s) documented by the inspector during this visit.
High Priority 4
08A-05-6High Priority – Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Raw beef in freezer removed from commercial packaging stored over fruit purée and ham. Operator removed beef **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
28-26-6High Priority – Sewage/wastewater backing up through floor drains. Floor drain in kitchen near hand wash sink backs up with gray sewage water when hand wash sink is used. Operator wet vacuumed drain which cleared the clog. Hand sink is now able to be used without drain backing up, and operator cleaned and sanitized floor. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
03A-02-5High Priority – Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. In reach in cooler behind bar tuna Mac salad (46F – Cold Holding); potato salad (46F – Cold Holding); seafood pasta salad (46F – Cold Holding) All prepped on 10/25 and have not been removed from this cooler. Operator says this cooler has been opened frequently throughout the day. Ambient temperature 45F. Operator moved foods to different cooler. **Warning**
03B-01-6High Priority – Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. In steam table- cooked rice (120F – Hot Holding, operator voluntarily discarded); Mac n cheese (126F – Hot Holding, retemped at 138F); turkey wings (125F – Hot Holding, retimed at 172F) Discussed proper hot holding and reheating with operator and that foods must be reheated to 165F for continued hot holding at 135F. **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning**
Intermediate 2
31A-09-4Intermediate – Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. -hand wash sink in kitchen turned off due to it causing floor drain to back up when used. Operator turned on sink and wet vacuumed drain which cleared the clog. Hand sink is now able to be used without drain backing up. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
51-16-7Intermediate – No plan review submitted and approved – renovations were made or are in progress. Must submit plans and plan review application to DBPR H and R Plan Review office located at 2601 Blair Stone Rd., Tallahassee, FL 32399-1011. Plans must be submitted AND approved within 60 days. The direct link to the Plan Review page is https://www2.myfloridalicense.com/hotels-restaurants/licensing/plan-review/. Dining area of restaurant is now used for cold food storage, it has 3 reach in coolers, 2 reach in freezers, and a walk in cooler has been added. No food preparation is done in this area. Discussed Plan Review requirements with operator. **Warning**
Basic 9
23-24-4Basic – Buildup of food debris/soil residue on equipment door handles. -oven handles soiled **Warning**
36-37-5Basic – Ceiling not smooth, nonabsorbent and easily cleanable in food preparation, food storage, or warewashing areas. -acoustic ceiling tiles throughout kitchen, bar area, and food storage area near walk in cooler **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
36-34-5Basic – Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance. -acoustic ceiling tiles throughout kitchen, bar area, and food storage area near walk in cooler are soiled with dust, debris, and stains **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
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. Reach in salad cooler stocked this morning, no open containers inside. Ambient temp 49F. Unit has frozen over and not cooling properly. Operator moved all foods to different cooler. **Warning**
50-09-4Basic – Current Hotel and Restaurant license not displayed. -license printed on file expired 2/1/26 **Warning**
35B-01-4Basic – Exterior door has a gap at the threshold that opens to the outside. -front door has gap and large hole **Warning**
22-08-4Basic – Interior of oven has accumulation of black substance/grease/food debris. **Warning**
23-03-4Basic – Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. -hotbox gaskets soiled **Warning**
22-16-4Basic – Reach-in cooler and freezer interior/shelves have accumulation of soil residues. **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
Inspector observations synchronized from DBPR on October 29, 2026 6:19 PM.
Violation category totals
2 observation(s)
1 observation(s)
1 observation(s)
2 observation(s)
2 observation(s)
1 observation(s)
1 observation(s)
1 observation(s)
2 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.