WHALES TAIL BEACH GRILL

Name: WHALES TAIL BEACH GRILL
Address: 1373 E HWY 98, DESTIN, FL, 32550, US
Rating: 85.9

1373 E HWY 98, DESTIN, FL 32550

License #7600372

🍽️ American ℹ️ Categories are auto-assigned based on restaurant names and may not be 100% accurate

85.9 Grade B / 100

Solid Health Score

How is this score calculated? →

Quick take

WHALES TAIL BEACH GRILL in DESTIN currently holds an InspectFL Health Score of 85.9 out of 100 — a B grade — generally clean with some minor or moderate violations on record. This restaurant has 4 inspections on record from Florida DBPR, with the most recent inspection on March 16, 2026. Across those visits, inspectors documented 20 total violations — 2 critical, 6 major, 12 minor.

Inspection data quality

What’s powering this page

Official source: DBPR

Inspection coverage

75%

Imported observations

Coverage note

Inspector notes shown when available

InspectFL reorganizes public DBPR inspection records into a page you can actually scan. When imported inspector observations are available, they appear inline. Otherwise, the page falls back to violation categories plus the official DBPR record.

What you’ll see here

•Imported DBPR observations appear directly inside inspection entries when available.
•When note coverage is missing, the official violation record still stays visible.

Location + actions

See the place, then share or verify

Open in Google Maps ↗ Open in Apple Maps ↗

DBPR

*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.

Inspection Completed - No Further Action
[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.
[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.
[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.
[50-09-4] Current Hotel and Restaurant license not displayed.
[22-20-5] Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin.
[31A-11-4] Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Order tickets stored in sink on cook line. Employee removed tickets from sink.
[14-09-4] Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable.
[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/

Warning Issued
[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.
[31A-11-4] Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Chef knife stored in sink on cook line near fryers.
[36-27-5] Wall soiled with accumulated grease, food debris, and/or dust at 3 compartment sink.
[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.
[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.
[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.
[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.
[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.
[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.

Community reaction

What do locals think?

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

Community pulse