DirtyFLRestaurant Inspection Data

BACKWATERS

Based on 12 health inspections, BACKWATERS in CLEARWATER has earned a 3.5/5 food safety rating. Recent inspections show improving food safety practices.

Last inspection: 1 months ago · 12 reports on file

1261 GULF BLVD 129 AND 130

Overall Food Safety Rating

★★★½☆ (3.5/5)
Based on 12 health inspection reports

All Inspection Reports

1/20/2026· 1mo ago

Visit ID: 13579382

Met Inspection Standards
  • N/A:No Violations Were Observed

12/29/2025· 2mo ago

Visit ID: 13601842

Follow-up Inspection Required

1 int, 3 basic

  • 14-09-4:Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable. On cook line - From follow-up inspection 2025-12-29: **Time Extended**
  • 08B-42-4:Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Food stored outside. Two reach in coolers and 3 reach in freezers located outside on south side of restaurant, only protected from overhead Establishment was previously cited and warned on 11/19/25 with a pending callback due on 1/19/26 Repeat Violation Admin Complaint - From follow-up inspection 2025-12-29: Establishment still utilizing cold holding units outside. Units can be locked and management will utilize locks to protect food. There currently is no room to store food inside. Admin Complaint
  • 08B-61-5:Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Outdoor ice machine with no overhead protection. - From follow-up inspection 2025-12-29: Establishment has attempted to cover ice machine by utilizing sunshade/tarp. **Time Extended**
  • 51-16-7:Intermediate - - From initial inspection : Intermediate - 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/. No updated plan for outside storage. 2 reach in coolers and 2 reach in freezer are permanently covered with locked access. Ice machine and chest freezer missing cover due to hurricanes. Establishment was previously cited on 11/19/25 with a pending callback due on 1/19/26 Repeat Violation - From follow-up inspection 2025-12-29: Establishment has submitted plans Reference #I12993871.R6177.C2010 **Time Extended**

12/22/2025· 2mo ago

Visit ID: 13597345

Follow-up Inspection Required

3 high, 1 int, 13 basic

  • 14-09-4:Basic - Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable. On cook line
  • 08B-20-4:Basic - Damaged/spoiled/recalled food not properly segregated. 2 dented cans (marinara/queso) in dry storage area, removed from inventory Corrected On-Site
  • 12B-07-4:Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Employee beverage on top of canned goods in office area of kitchen
  • 40-06-5:Basic - Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Cell phone and shirt on top of clean plates over cooler on cook line, removed Corrected On-Site
  • 08B-38-4:Basic - Food stored on floor. Cooking oil on floor in kitchen, relocated Corrected On-Site
  • 08B-42-4:Basic - Food stored outside. Two reach in coolers and 3 reach in freezers located outside on south side of restaurant, only protected from overhead Establishment was previously cited and warned on 11/19/25 with a pending callback due on 1/19/26 Repeat Violation Admin Complaint
  • 14-42-4:Basic - Hood filter missing from automatic fire suppression/exhaust system. Multiple hood filters removed for cleaning from above cook line
  • 10-14-5:Basic - Ice bucket/shovel stored outdoor between uses. Staff removed Corrected On-Site
  • 10-13-5:Basic - In-use ice scoop for ice machine located outside not stored in a protected manner between uses.
  • 23-03-4:Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Soiled fans hanging from ceiling over cook line
  • 08B-61-5:Basic - Outdoor ice machine with no overhead protection.
  • 14-33-4:Basic - Reach-in freezer located outside with exterior surface rust
  • 06-01-5:Basic - Time/temperature control for safety food thawed in an improper manner. Raw chicken observed thawing in standing water, removed and placed under cold running water Corrected On-Site
  • 01B-01-4:High Priority - Dented/rusted cans present. See stop sale. 2 dented cans (marinara/queso) in dry storage area, removed from inventory
  • 08A-20-5:High Priority - Raw animal foods not properly separated from each other in holding unit based upon minimum required cooking temperature. Raw comminuted beef over raw snapper in cooler Order corrected Corrected On-Site
  • 03A-02-5:High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. raw snapper (45F - Cold Holding), placed on ice, redemption 39F Corrected On-Site
  • 51-16-7:Intermediate - 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/. No updated plan for outside storage. 2 reach in coolers and 2 reach in freezer are permanently covered with locked access. Ice machine and chest freezer missing cover due to hurricanes. Establishment was previously cited on 11/19/25 with a pending callback due on 1/19/26 Repeat Violation

11/19/2025· 3mo ago

Visit ID: 13577216

Follow-up Inspection Required

3 int, 3 basic

  • 14-05-4:Basic - Cardboard used to line food-contact shelves in reach in cooler. Corrected On-Site
  • 08B-42-4:Basic - Food stored outside. Cover for ice machine and reach in freezer was damaged by hurricanes. Cover not replaced yet.
  • 08B-12-5:Basic - Stored food not covered. Ice cubes for bar service not covered. Corrected On-Site
  • 31A-09-4:Intermediate - Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Knives store in hand sink in back area. Corrected On-Site
  • 51-16-7:Intermediate - 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/. No updated plan for outside storage. 2 reach in coolers and 2 reach in freezer are permanently covered with locked access. Ice machine and chest freezer missing cover due to hurricanes.
  • 53B-14-5:Intermediate - 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.

7/15/2025· 8mo ago

Visit ID: 13459980

Met Inspection Standards

2 basic

  • 08B-36-4:Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Food stored in a location that is exposed to splash/dust. Outside ice machine missing overhead coverage. Damaged during hurricanes. - From follow-up inspection 2025-07-15: **Time Extended**
  • 14-33-4:Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Reach-in cooler shelves with rust that has pitted the surface. Alley stand up cooler where shucked oysters are stored. - From follow-up inspection 2025-07-15: **Time Extended**

7/14/2025· 8mo ago

Visit ID: 13454157

Follow-up Inspection Required

1 high, 1 int, 3 basic

  • 08B-36-4:Basic - Food stored in a location that is exposed to splash/dust. Outside ice machine missing overhead coverage. Damaged during hurricanes.
  • 14-33-4:Basic - Reach-in cooler shelves with rust that has pitted the surface. Alley stand up cooler where shucked oysters are stored.
  • 29-49-6:Basic - Standing water in bottom of reach-in-cooler. Breading cooler.
  • 22-41-4:High Priority - Dishmachine chlorine sanitizer not at proper minimum strength. Discontinue use of dishmachine for sanitizing and set up manual sanitization until dishmachine is repaired and sanitizing properly. 0 ppm.
  • 31A-09-4:Intermediate - Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Scrub pad and knife stored in hand sink in kitchen.

1/22/2025· 1y 1mo ago

Visit ID: 8879916

Met Inspection Standards

1 high

  • 03B-01-6:High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Marinara 119f, queso 109f, items put back for reheat. **Corrective Action Taken** Repeat Violation

9/9/2024· 1y 6mo ago

Visit ID: 8879427

Met Inspection Standards
  • N/A:No Violations Were Observed

9/4/2024· 1y 6mo ago

Visit ID: 8757959

Follow-up Inspection Required

2 high

  • 22-41-4:High Priority - Dishmachine chlorine sanitizer not at proper minimum strength. Discontinue use of dishmachine for sanitizing and set up manual sanitization until dishmachine is repaired and sanitizing properly. 0 ppm. Service has been called.
  • 03B-01-6:High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Queso 110f, marinara 120f, items placed back in steamer. **Corrective Action Taken**

4/30/2024· 1y 10mo ago

Visit ID: 8664570

Met Inspection Standards
  • N/A:No Violations Were Observed

3/28/2024· 1y 11mo ago

Visit ID: 8511040

Met Inspection Standards

3 basic

  • 16-21-4:Basic - Accumulation of debris on exterior of warewashing machine.
  • 24-07-4:Basic - Cleaned and sanitized equipment or utensils not properly stored. Ice scoop stored in scoop container holding water. Corrected On-Site
  • 14-11-5:Basic - Equipment in poor repair. Breading fridge gasket torn. Repeat Violation

9/27/2023· 2y 5mo ago

Visit ID: 8367774

Met Inspection Standards

1 high, 1 int, 5 basic

  • 32-12-5:Basic - Covered waste receptacle not provided in women's bathroom.
  • 14-11-5:Basic - Equipment in poor repair. Broken lid for ice machine.
  • 35B-01-4:Basic - Exterior door has a gap at the threshold that opens to the outside. Top of door. Repeat Violation
  • 10-17-4:Basic - In-use knife/knives stored in cracks between pieces of equipment. Corrected On-Site Repeat Violation
  • 31B-04-4:Basic - No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees. Both restrooms. Corrected On-Site
  • 35A-02-6:High Priority - Live, small flying insects in kitchen area. One fly observed on cooks line.
  • 22-02-4:Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Slicer.