Top 25 in depth: Jacksonville
By Clancy & Gracie
Clancy: Pull up a stool. These are the 25 restaurants in Jacksonville with the heaviest enforcement record between October 19, 2021 and October 18, 2026. Between them: 81 emergency closures, $56,260 in fines and 142 inspector-cited complaints.
81 emergency closures25 of 25 venues
$56,260 in fineson the record
142 inspector-cited complaintsadministrative
In Jacksonville, 9 of every 100 licensed restaurants had at least one emergency closure in these five years; statewide it was 6. That is higher than the statewide rate.
- #1 CASA DORA ITALIAN CAFE — Jacksonville
Emergency closures 6 (September 2022, August 2023, February 2025, March 2025, November 2025, September 2026)Fines $9,500 (7)Complaints 16Order filings 26Ownership change: n.a.
- #2 ARTE PIZZA — FERNANDINA BEACH
Emergency closures 6 (December 2022, January 2023, December 2023, February 2025, May 2025, September 2026)Fines $4,000 (5)Complaints 3Order filings 23Ownership change: n.a.
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Clancy: Arte Pizza in Fernandina Beach had emergency closures in December 2022 and December 2023, then again in January 2023, February 2025, May 2025, and September 2026. Fines totaled $4,000.00. There were three administrative complaints on the record.
Gracie: Bondye bon, Bouki just blinked at that total. The calendar likes to visit the same month.
- #3 CASA MARINA HOTEL & RESTAURANT — JACKSONVILLE BEACH
Emergency closures 3 (June 2024, August 2024, January 2026)Fines $2,000 (3)Complaints 14Order filings 18Ownership change: n.a.
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Clancy: Casa Marina Hotel & Restaurant in Jacksonville Beach had emergency closures in June 2024, August 2024, and January 2026. Fines totaled $2,000.00. There were also 14 administrative complaints on the record.
Gracie: Bouki can chatter later; I am reading the closures and fines. The rooster feather waits while I separate the signal from the theatre.
- #4 BLUE WATER BAY — Melrose
Emergency closures 4 (November 2022, January 2026, July 2026, September 2026)Fines $1,360 (2)Complaints 11Order filings 15Ownership change: n.a.
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Clancy: Blue Water Bay in Melrose had emergency closures in November 2022, January 2026, July 2026, and September 2026. The fines came to $1,360.00. There are eleven administrative complaints on the record.
Gracie: The gris-gris bag stays on my table while I read. Manman Brigitte keeps her ledger; I am watching the shape of this record.
- #5 AHAN THAI KITCHEN — Fernandina Beach
Emergency closures 4 (August 2024, October 2024, December 2024, February 2025)Fines $2,800 (4)Complaints 3Order filings 14Ownership change: n.a.
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Clancy: Ahan Thai Kitchen in Fernandina Beach had emergency closures in August 2024, October 2024, December 2024, and February 2025. Fines came to $2,800.00. The latest closure happened just this past February.
Gracie: Closures and fines share this entry. The candle is mine; the arithmetic is theirs.
- #6 GRILLED CHEESE GALLERY — SAINT AUGUSTINE
Emergency closures 3 (April 2024, April 2025, June 2025)Fines $2,800 (3)Complaints 9Order filings 13Ownership change: n.a.
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Clancy: Grilled Cheese Gallery in Saint Augustine had emergency closures in April 2024, April 2025, and June 2025. The fines came to $2,800.00. There were nine administrative complaints on the record.
Gracie: Bouki leans closer while Manman Brigitte keeps the figures straight. This list of closures is like a long road.
- #7 KAZU SUSHI BURRITO* — Jacksonville
Emergency closures 4 (August 2024, August 2026, August 2026, October 2026)Fines $600 (1)Complaints 5Order filings 12Ownership change: record kept
An ownership change was approved on January 26, 2021, but the business name stayed the same, so the earlier record still counts.
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Clancy: Kazu Sushi Burrito in Jacksonville had emergency closures in August 2024, August 2026, August 2026, and October 2026. Fines came to $600.00. The record includes filings from before the January 2021 ownership change because the name didn't change.
Gracie: Manman Brigitte can wait while I finish this. Baron Samedi would find it funny how the same month keeps coming back like a ghost.
- #8 PERSIS INDIAN GRILL* — Jacksonville
Emergency closures 3 (January 2025, September 2025, November 2025)Fines $2,600 (3)Complaints 5Order filings 12Ownership change: record kept
An ownership change was approved on December 27, 2023, but the recorded ownership-change exception applied, so the earlier record still counts.
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Clancy: PERSIS INDIAN GRILL in Jacksonville had an emergency closure order 3 times, in January 2025, September 2025 and November 2025. It also has $2,600.00 in fines on the books. Add 5 inspector-cited administrative complaints to that.
Gracie: Bouki has his chatter; I have this entry to finish. The gris-gris bag can rest; this entry carries its own weight in plain ink.
- #9 H&M BACK 40 — Saint Augustine Beach
Emergency closures 4 (October 2022, January 2023, September 2023, November 2024)Fines $1,950 (3)Complaints 1Order filings 11Ownership change: n.a.
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Clancy: H&M BACK 40 in Saint Augustine Beach had emergency closures in October 2022, January 2023, September 2023, and November 2024. Fines came to $1,950.00. One inspector-cited administrative complaint is on the record.
Gracie: Baron Samedi can wait while I look at this table. This file stretches like a lazy cat.
- #10 RANDEVOU CARIBBEAN BAR AND GRILL II* — Orange Park
Emergency closures 3 (February 2025, February 2026, April 2026)Fines $3,240 (3)Complaints 5Order filings 9Ownership change: record kept
An ownership change was approved on July 24, 2024, but two or more inspector complaints were filed in the year before it, so the earlier record still counts.
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Clancy: Randevou Caribbean Bar and Grill II in Orange Park had emergency closures in February 2025, February 2026, and April 2026. Fines came to $3,240.00. The record includes filings from before the July 2024 ownership change because of multiple complaints that year.
Gracie: The candle gives light. It does not revise a figure.
- #11 ROYALE CAFE — Jacksonville
Emergency closures 3 (August 2025, June 2026, August 2026)Fines $800 (1)Complaints 5Order filings 12Ownership change: n.a.
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Clancy: Royale Cafe in Jacksonville had emergency closures in August 2025, June 2026, and August 2026. Fines came to $800.00. There were five administrative complaints cited by inspectors.
Gracie: Listen closely while Bouki hides his face. This list is like a long song that keeps repeating the same verse.
- #12 MOJOS TACOS — Saint Augustine
Emergency closures 3 (April 2025, June 2025, January 2026)Fines $2,800 (3)Complaints 6Order filings 8Ownership change: n.a.
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Clancy: Mojos Tacos in Saint Augustine had emergency closures in April 2025, June 2025, and January 2026. The fines came to $2,800.00. There were six administrative complaints on the record.
Gracie: My shoulder is busy with Bouki. The figures need no company.
- #13 LAS DELICIAS LATIN FOOD — Jacksonville
Emergency closures 3 (July 2023, July 2025, March 2026)Fines $2,400 (3)Complaints 4Order filings 9Ownership change: n.a.
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Clancy: Las Delicias Latin Food in Jacksonville had emergency closures in July 2023, July 2025, and March 2026. Fines totaled $2,400.00. There were four administrative complaints on the record.
Gracie: Let me read this with the rooster feather in my gris-gris bag. Baron Samedi would laugh at a calendar that keeps circling back.
- #14 DOWN UNDER RESTAURANT — Fernandina Beach
Emergency closures 3 (March 2025, May 2025, September 2026)Fines $1,600 (2)Complaints 2Order filings 11Ownership change: n.a.
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Clancy: Down Under Restaurant in Fernandina Beach had emergency closures in March 2025, May 2025, and September 2026. The fines came to $1,600.00. There were two administrative complaints on the record.
Gracie: Bouki is restless. I am finishing the entry.
- #15 PRIMI PIATTI — Jacksonville
Emergency closures 3 (April 2023, April 2023, April 2024)Fines $1,200 (2)Complaints 6Order filings 8Ownership change: n.a.
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Clancy: Primi Piatti in Jacksonville had emergency closures in April 2023, April 2023, and April 2024. The fines came to $1,200.00. There are six administrative complaints on the record.
Gracie: Bouki points at the closures, then the fines. I can read a hint.
- #16 ISLAND TROPICS RESTAURANT & LOUNGE — Jacksonville
Emergency closures 3 (January 2023, April 2024, August 2025)Fines $2,400 (3)Complaints 3Order filings 8Ownership change: n.a.
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Clancy: Island Tropics Restaurant & Lounge in Jacksonville had emergency closures in January 2023, April 2024, and August 2025. The fines came to $2,400.00. There were three administrative complaints cited by inspectors.
Gracie: At my table Baron Samedi is waiting for me to finish. This list of closures grew like a vine.
- #17 BIG OAK BBQ — Jacksonville
Emergency closures 3 (March 2022, November 2022, December 2024)Fines $2,400 (3)Complaints 4Order filings 7Ownership change: n.a.
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Clancy: Big Oak BBQ in Jacksonville had emergency closures in March 2022, November 2022, and December 2024. The fines came to $2,400.00. There were four administrative complaints on the record.
Gracie: My white candle does not amend closures or fines. Baron Samedi can wait outside; this page can wait for daylight.
- #18 CALLAHAN BARBECUE — Callahan
Emergency closures 2 (December 2022, September 2024)Fines $1,600 (2)Complaints 6Order filings 10Ownership change: n.a.
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Clancy: Callahan Barbecue in Callahan had emergency closures in December 2022 and September 2024. The fines came to $1,600.00. There were six administrative complaints on the record.
Gracie: Bouki settled on my shoulder for the reading. M wè sa nan kafe a; the paperwork is louder than the cup today.
- #19 TUPTIM THAI RESTAURANT — Ponte Vedra Beach
Emergency closures 3 (May 2022, November 2023, January 2024)Fines $1,650 (2)Complaints 5Order filings 7Ownership change: n.a.
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Clancy: Tuptim Thai Restaurant in Ponte Vedra Beach had emergency closures in May 2022, November 2023, and January 2024. Fines came to $1,650.00. There were five administrative complaints on the record.
Gracie: Manman Brigitte has her ledger; this entry has closures and fines. A little humor can sit beside a serious record without changing it.
- #20 BEACH FRONT* — Flagler Beach
Emergency closures 3 (August 2022, January 2025, July 2025)Fines $1,600 (3)Complaints 2Order filings 9Ownership change: record kept
An ownership change was approved on May 12, 2026, but the business name stayed the same, so the earlier record still counts.
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Clancy: Beach Front in Flagler Beach had emergency closures in August 2022, January 2025, and July 2025. The fines came to $1,600.00. Since the business name stayed the same after May 2026, the earlier record was kept.
Gracie: The crossroads belong to Papa Legba; this reading belongs to me. The paper has its own rhythm; I am listening before I add a word.
- #21 HIDDEN CRAB — Fernandina Beach
Emergency closures 3 (August 2022, December 2024, June 2026)Fines $800 (2)Complaints 2Order filings 10Ownership change: n.a.
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Clancy: Hidden Crab in Fernandina Beach had emergency closures in August 2022, December 2024, and June 2026. The fines came to $800.00. Two administrative complaints were cited by inspectors.
Gracie: Bondye bon, my white candle burns steady while this list grows. Baron Samedi would find these gaps in the years quite curious.
- #22 RANDEVOU CARIBBEAN BAR AND GRILL — JACKSONVILLE
Emergency closures 2 (April 2023, August 2025)Fines $1,360 (2)Complaints 10Order filings 6Ownership change: n.a.
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Clancy: Randezvou Caribbean Bar and Grill in Jacksonville had emergency closures in April 2023 and August 2025. The fines came to $1,360.00. There are ten administrative complaints on the record.
Gracie: Bondye bon, I must tickle my rooster feather. This list of grievances is like a long vine.
- #23 TACOS BELLA* — Jacksonville
Emergency closures 3 (January 2022, May 2025, January 2026)Fines $1,800 (3)Complaints 1Order filings 8Ownership change: record kept
An ownership change was approved on June 23, 2021, but the business name stayed the same, so the earlier record still counts.
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Clancy: Tacos Bella in Jacksonville had emergency closures in January 2022, May 2025, and January 2026. The fines came to $1,800.00. One inspector-cited administrative complaint is on the record.
Gracie: Papa Legba gets the crossroads. I get the closures and fines.
- #24 RUZ BUKHARI AFGHAN CUISINE & COFFEE HOUSE* — Jacksonville
Emergency closures 2 (August 2025, October 2025)Fines $1,400 (2)Complaints 8Order filings 7Ownership change: record kept
An ownership change was approved on October 24, 2024, but the business name stayed the same, so the earlier record still counts.
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Clancy: Ruz Bukhari Afghan Cuisine & Coffee House in Jacksonville had emergency closures in August 2025 and October 2025. The fines came to $1,400.00. An ownership change happened in October 2024, but the record was kept because the business name didn't change.
Gracie: Even Bouki paused his chatter at this entry. A quiet table can hold a loud record without decorating it.
- #25 YUMMY YUMMY CARIBBEAN FOOD — Orange Park
Emergency closures 2 (November 2022, February 2025)Fines $1,600 (3)Complaints 6Order filings 8Ownership change: n.a.
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Clancy: Yummy Yummy Caribbean Food in Orange Park had emergency closures in November 2022 and February 2025. The fines came to $1,600.00. There are six administrative complaints on the record.
Gracie: Bondye bon. Closures and fines leave little room for a short reaction.
* Includes records from before a reported ownership change because the trading name continued and/or administrative complaints preceded the change.
Gracie: Take your time with it; the numbers will keep. 25 of these 25 had at least one emergency closure order in these five years, and every fine and complaint above is on the public record. The score counts only against whoever runs the kitchen today, so read each entry as written.
How this ranking works
Each emergency closure episode adds ten points, and each order filing inside it adds three more, so for the same number of filings a venue shut repeatedly outranks one bunched into a single closure. Every $250 in fines adds one point, and each inspector-cited administrative complaint adds two. Nearby filings (seven days or less apart) group into one episode. A tenancy boundary excludes records from before a qualifying ownership change unless the documented exception applies. Read the methodology.
Read Clancy and Gracie commentary
Clancy: Casa Dora Italian Cafe in Jacksonville had emergency closures in September 2022 and September 2026, then again in August 2023, February 2025, March 2025, and November 2025. Fines hit $9,500.00. There were sixteen administrative complaints.
Gracie: Gade pi byen, my coffee grounds are swirling like the seasons returning. Baron Samedi would find this many closures as long as a summer afternoon.