An Ocala restaurant that failed multiple food health inspections earlier this year must pay the state $1,000 for various fines associated with the closure.
The Huddle House in Ocala was fined $1,000 on June 17 for multiple violations reported by the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation during a series of inspections conducted earlier this year.
Located at 331 NW 20th Street, Huddle House was originally closed on March 24 after it was cited for 18 health code violations. During that visit, the inspector noted that approximately 17 live roaches and 20 live flies were found throughout the establishment.
Several other high priority violations were also noted during that initial inspection, including a “Stop Sale” that was issued on a pan of turkey with no date marked and raw burgers stored directly over cases of bread in a walk-in freezer. The inspector also found that a reach-in make table was failing to keep temperature-sensitive items like sausage, tomatoes, and cheese below the required 41°F.
The fine issued by the state is associated with at least six violations noted during the March 24 visit, although the specific violations have not been identified.
A follow-up inspection on March 25 yielded similar results, with the report noting that while the live roach activity had been resolved, additional dead roaches were found around the business. The inspector also observed one live fly remaining in the food preparation area during the second visit.
The restaurant was permitted to reopen on March 26, but still required a follow-up inspection. That follow-up was conducted on April 6, according to state records.
The property housing Ocala’s sole Huddle House, known as the Parretts Travel Plaza, was sold in late 2024 for $3,200,000 to Central Florida Petroleum Distributers, L C.