MERMAID'S SEAFOOD AND OYSTER BAR

Name: MERMAID'S SEAFOOD AND OYSTER BAR
Address: 3299 MAIN ST, COTTONDALE, FL, 32431, US
Rating: 48.6

3299 MAIN ST, COTTONDALE, FL 32431

License #4200572

🦞 Seafood ℹ️

48.6 Grade F / 100

Failing Health Score

How is this score calculated? →

Latest inspection

April 8, 2026 · 11 findings · 3 critical

Routine - Food

View inspection data

Need help reading this?

Newest inspection first. Red dots matter most.

The score is the shortcut, but the inspection timeline is the proof. Start with the newest visit, then scan for repeat critical or major findings.

Critical

Highest-priority rows.

Major

Worth checking for repeats.

Minor

Usually lower-risk context.

Quick take

MERMAID'S SEAFOOD AND OYSTER BAR in COTTONDALE currently holds an InspectFL Health Score of 48.6 out of 100 — an F grade — a serious pattern of repeat or critical violations. This restaurant has been inspected 14 times from Florida DBPR, with the most recent inspection on April 8, 2026. Across those visits, inspectors documented 55 total violations — 9 critical, 34 major, 12 minor.

How to read this page

Start with the newest inspection

Use the score as a shortcut, then verify the latest DBPR record and nearby options.

Latest inspection ↓ Official DBPR ↗ Compare nearby ↓

Record snapshot

What stands out in this inspection history

Use this as context before you scroll through every inspection.

Inspections on file

Clean inspections

Callback visits

Latest clean pass

August 7, 2024

The latest inspection on April 8, 2026 shows 11 observation rows: 3 critical, 5 major, and 3 minor.

Official recordInspection data quality

DBPR source + data confidenceWhat’s powering this page

Official source: DBPR

Inspection coverage

93%

Inspector notes

Coverage note

Inspector notes linked where available

InspectFL turns public DBPR records into a scan-friendly timeline. Use the official DBPR link when you want to verify the newest inspection at the source. InspectFL reorganizes public DBPR inspection records into a page you can actually scan. When exact inspector notes are available, they appear inline. Otherwise, the page falls back to violation categories plus the official DBPR record.

What you’ll see here

•Inspector notes appear inline when available.
•The official DBPR inspection timeline still stays visible, even on pages with zero violations or zero inspector notes.

Map + verificationLocation + actions

Open the place or verify the recordSee the place, then share or verify

Open in Google Maps ↗ Open in Apple Maps ↗

DBPR

Community reaction

What do locals think?

Use the inspection history as the starting point, then compare it with real diner feedback. Vote first, then add what you actually saw.

Community pulse

Would you eat here?

MERMAID'S SEAFOOD AND OYSTER BAR has a rough inspection history. Would you risk it?

F record

A rough inspection history changes the conversation. This vote is a quick read on community trust.

Join the discussion

Seen this place in person? Share what stood out — cleanliness, food handling, service, or whether the inspection record matches the real experience.

Add your take in under a minute

or comment with email

Also send the weekly restaurant roundup

Loading comments…

*Scores are calculated by InspectFL based on public DBPR inspection data and are not official state ratings.

Inspection timeline

Inspection History

Read the newest inspection first, then scan for patterns. Repeated high-priority findings matter more than one isolated bad day.

Critical Major Minor

Inspector notes are being added across all restaurants. Some inspections may only show violation codes until notes are available.

Disposition: Met Inspection Standards
[13-03-4] Employee with no hair restraint while engaging in food preparation.
[31B-04-4] No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees. By the dish machine.
[29-11-4] Water leaking from faucet/handle that three compartment sink.
[50-17-3] Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license. Violation has already been addressed on the previous inspection.
[01A-09-4] Operator unable to verify source of shellstock. See stop sale. Observed a bag of oysters inside the walk in cooler without a tag and quarter of a bag oyster on the front line.
[01B-04-5] Stop Sale issued due to food originating from an unapproved source. Operator unable to verify source of shellstock. See stop sale. Observed a bag of oysters inside the walk in cooler without a tag and quarter of a bag oyster on the front line without a tag.
[11-01-5] Certified Food Manager or person in charge failed to notify the division of employee diagnosed with Norovirus, Hepatitis A, Shigella spp., Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli, Typhoid fever (caused by Salmonella Typhi) or Salmonella (nontyphoidal).
[01C-03-4] Clam/mussel/oyster tags not marked with last date served.
[22-02-4] Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Cutting board on the reach in cooler.
[53B-13-5] Proof of required state approved employee training not available for some employees. To order approved program food safety material, call DBPR contracted provider: Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (SafeStaff) 866-372-7233.
[27-16-4] Water with a temperature of least 85 degrees Fahrenheit not provided/shut off at employee handwash sink. Observed the hot water valve shut off.

Disposition: Warning Issued
[35B-01-4] Exterior door has a gap at the threshold that opens to the outside. Observed gap at threshold of cook line door.
[23-03-4] Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed wire shelving in walk-in cooler with rust.
[03D-02-5] Cooked/heated time/temperature control for safety food not cooled from 135 degrees Fahrenheit to 41 degrees Fahrenheit within 6 hours. Observed cooked chicken wings 44F at 2:13, per Cook wings were cooked yesterday. See stop sale.
[01B-36-5] Cooked/heated time/temperature control for safety food not cooled from 135 degrees Fahrenheit to 70 degrees Fahrenheit within two hours and from 135 degrees Fahrenheit to 41 degrees Fahrenheit within six hours. Cooked/heated time/temperature control for safety food not cooled from 135 degrees Fahrenheit to 41 degrees Fahrenheit within 6 hours. Observed cooked chicken wings 44F at 2:13, per Cook wings were cooked yesterday. See stop sale.
[50-17-3] Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license. Observed expired license. License expired 06/01/2024. Owner renewed license over phone during inspection.
[03A-02-5] Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed shredded cheese 71F, diced tomatoes 73F, cut cabbage 64F, cut Roma tomatoes 71F in 3 door cooler. Per cook approximately 3 hours, Cook placed items inside chest freezer. New temperatures after 45 mins, cut Roma tomatoes 36F, diced tomatoes 35F, shredded cheese 41F, shredded cabbage 41F,
[02C-03-5] Commercially processed ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food opened and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked after opening. Observed whole milk opened 2 days ago, per Cook with no date mark on it. Cook date marked.
[22-02-4] Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Observed cutting board in kitchen with buildup of food debris and green mold-like substance.
[31A-09-4] Inaccessible hand wash sink in dry storage area with boxes piled on it. Boxes moved at time of inspection. Inaccessible hand wash sink in server station blocked with server tray. Tray moved during inspection.
[51-16-7] 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/. Plans show hand wash sink in same room as dish pit. Observed dish pit in new room that is not on plans.
[31B-03-4] No soap provided at handwash sink. Observed no soap at server station hand wash sink. Cook restocked soap at sink.
[02A-01-4] Raw or undercooked oysters offered and establishment has no consumer advisory sign provided on wall, menu, placard, table tent or by any other written means. Raw animal foods must be fully cooked prior to service. Operator posted at time of inspection.
[41-17-4] Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled. Observed unlabeled spray bottle with blue liquid inside near bar area. Cook labeled spray bottle.
[27-19-4] Total lack of water at hand wash sink near upright freezer. Operator turned water on at time of inspection.