WHALES TAIL BEACH GRILL

Name: WHALES TAIL BEACH GRILL
Address: 1373 E HWY 98, DESTIN, FL, 32550, US
Rating: 82.9

1373 E HWY 98, DESTIN, FL 32550

License #7600372

🍽️ American ℹ️

82.9 Grade C / 100

Mixed Health Record

How is this score calculated? →

Latest inspection

March 16, 2026 · 9 findings · 0 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

WHALES TAIL BEACH GRILL in DESTIN currently holds an InspectFL Health Score of 82.9 out of 100 — a C grade — a noticeable pattern of violations across recent inspections. This restaurant has been inspected 7 times from Florida DBPR, with the most recent inspection on March 16, 2026. Across those visits, inspectors documented 39 total violations — 4 critical, 9 major, 26 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 8, 2025

The latest inspection on March 16, 2026 shows 9 observation rows: no critical rows, 4 major, and 5 minor.

Official recordInspection data quality

DBPR source + data confidenceWhat’s powering this page

Official source: DBPR

Inspection coverage

71%

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?

WHALES TAIL BEACH GRILL has some meaningful issues on record. Would you still eat here?

C record

This is where the context matters most — some people will still eat there, others will want cleaner inspections first.

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
[22-20-5] Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin.
[50-09-4] Current Hotel and Restaurant license not displayed.
[14-09-4] Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable.
[08B-38-4] Food stored on floor. Case of shrimp stored on floor in walk in cooler.
[08B-12-5] Stored food not covered. Pot of corn on the Cobb stored in walk in cooler not covered. Employee placed lid over corn.
[31A-11-4] Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Order tickets stored in sink on cook line. Employee removed tickets from sink.
[16-37-1] No chemical test kit provided when using sanitizer at three-compartment sink/warewashing machine or wiping cloths. Provided establishment with chlorine test strips.
[53A-05-6] No currently certified food service manager on duty with four or more employees engaged in food preparation/handling. A list of accredited food manager certification examination providers can be found at http://www.myfloridalicense.com/DBPR/hotels-restaurants/food-lodging/food-manager/
[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.

Disposition: Warning Issued
[22-20-5] Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin near ice chute. Exterior ice machine lid soiled.
[14-01-5] Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Multiple soufflé cup/bowls stored in marinara sauce at Expo station.
[14-09-4] Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable at make bar on cook line.
[14-11-5] Equipment in poor repair. Reach in cooler drawer does not close all the way. White fish stored in drawer at 51F.
[12B-02-4] Evidence of. Employee eating in a food preparation or other restricted area. Container of pico with crackers and a fork stored on food shelf above make bar during inspection.
[35B-01-4] Exterior door has a gap at the threshold that opens to the outside at front dining room door and kitchen back exit door.
[08B-38-4] Food stored on floor. Onion rings and shrimp stored on floor in walk in freezer. Bag of potatoes stored on floor in dry storage area.
[21-10-4] Soiled dry wiping cloth in use. Multiple dry soiled cloths hanging from cooks clothing. Employees removed cloths and discarded.
[08B-12-5] Stored food not covered. Marinara sauce/salsa stored in upright glass reach in cooler not covered. Tray of bacon stored in walk in freezer not covered.
[06-03-5] Thawed portions of ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food rose above 41 degrees Fahrenheit while being thawed under running water. Thawing- calamari 47F, raw chicken 57F,raw beef 57F, raw shrimp 60F.
[36-27-5] Wall soiled with accumulated grease, food debris, and/or dust at 3 compartment sink.
[21-09-4] Wet wiping cloths used for occasional spills on equipment food- and nonfood-contact surfaces not clean. Multiple soiled wet cloths stored on food contact surface near prep sink. Owner discarded cloths.
[03A-02-5] Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Thawing- calamari 47F, raw chicken 57Fm raw beef 57F, raw shrimp 60F. Cold hold- make bar- raw shrimp 58F, pico 51Fm tuna dip 45F, sausage link 51F (10:00-11:00). Cold hold- drawer- white fish 51Fm raw ground beef patty 50F, raw chicken 64F, crab cakes 55F ( 10:00-11:00). Egg wash 57F.
[31A-11-4] Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Chef knife stored in sink on cook line near fryers.
[53A-05-6] No currently certified food service manager on duty with four or more employees engaged in food preparation/handling. A list of accredited food manager certification examination providers can be found at http://www.myfloridalicense.com/DBPR/hotels-restaurants/food-lodging/food-manager/. Manager arrived during inspection.