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Restaurant · Minneapolis, MN

The Painted Turtle

4955 West Lake Nokomis Pkwy

Last inspected Sep 4, 2026 · View Map ↗ · Compare ↗

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More issues recentlyThe latest inspection recorded more violations than the one before it. Review the dated records below.

The full inspection history

3 inspections

Routine

Sep 4, 2026

Complete

Official score: 92 · Understand this area’s scale

7 recorded violations

minorCode MN Rule 4626.1457Handwashing

Official wording

Post a sign at all handwashing sinks used by employees to remind them to wash their hands.

Inspector’s notes

Observed sign missing at handwashing sink in main prep area informing employees to wash their hands. Post a sign at each handwashing sink. Sending pdf example with report.

In plain English

Staff were not washing their hands when required, or a handwashing sink was blocked, missing soap or paper towels, or used for something else. Hands are one of the most common ways germs reach food.

More about handwashing problems
majorCode MN Rule 4626.0715Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

Have a test kit for the type of sanitizer used.

Inspector’s notes

Person in charge was not able to find test kit. Provide test kit for sanitizer.

In plain English

Dishes, equipment, or surfaces that touch food were not properly washed, rinsed, and sanitized, or sanitizer was not at the right strength. Clean surfaces help stop germs from spreading to food.

More about cleaning or sanitizing problems
minorCode MN Rule 4626.0275AContamination

Official wording

When utensils are stored in food, keep the handles stored above the level of the food to prevent contamination.

Inspector’s notes

Observed ice scoop handle resting in ice. Keep the handle above the top of the food to prevent contamination. Employee corrected at time of inspection.

In plain English

Food was stored or handled in a way that could let germs or other material get into it, such as raw meat stored above ready-to-eat food or uncovered food. Cross-contamination is a common cause of foodborne illness.

More about food not protected from contamination
majorCode MN Rule 4626.1110ABHandwashing

Official wording

Keep handwashing sinks accessible at all times. Make sure they are only used for handwashing.

Inspector’s notes

Observed handwashing sink in dish washing area blocked by a shelving unit. Move shelving unit and keep all handwashing sinks accessible at all times.

In plain English

Staff were not washing their hands when required, or a handwashing sink was blocked, missing soap or paper towels, or used for something else. Hands are one of the most common ways germs reach food.

More about handwashing problems
minorCode MN Rule 4626.0735ABEquipment and utensils

Official wording

All equipment and components must be in good repair. Keep them maintained to manufacturer's specifications.

Inspector’s notes

Observed temperatures in lower cooler with syrups around 51*F. Turn down temperature dial on cooler, if temps do not decrease within a couple hours, call for repair of cooler. All cold holding equipment should maintain foods at 41*F or below.

In plain English

Equipment, utensils, thermometers, cutting boards, or single-use items were not in good condition, not the right type, or not stored properly.

More about equipment or utensil issues
criticalCode MN Rule 4626.0395A2Food temperature

Official wording

Keep all cold TCS foods at 41 degrees F or colder under mechanical refrigeration.

Inspector’s notes

Observed temperatures in lower cooler with syrups around 51*F. Turn down temperature dial on cooler, if temps do not decrease within a couple hours, call for repair of cooler. All cold holding equipment should maintain foods at 41*F or below.

In plain English

Food was not kept cold enough, hot enough, cooled fast enough, or cooked or reheated to the right temperature. Bacteria grow quickly in the "danger zone" between 41°F and 135°F, which makes this one of the most important food-safety checks.

More about food kept at an unsafe temperature
minorCode MN Rule 4626.1260Other

Official wording

Have a covered trash can in toilet rooms.

Inspector’s notes

There was no covered trash can in toilet room. Provide a covered trash can.

In plain English

An issue that does not fit the common categories. Check the official wording for details.

More about other finding

Official record from Minneapolis Health Department, Sep 4, 2026 · Original Source

Routine

Aug 29, 2025

Complete

Official score: 98 · Understand this area’s scale

4 recorded violations

minorCode MN Rule 4626.1457Handwashing

Official wording

Post a sign at all handwashing sinks used by employees to remind them to wash their hands.

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED MISSING SIGNS AT HANDWASHING SINKS INFORMING EMPLOYEES TO WASH THEIR HANDS. POST SIGN AT EACH HANDWASHING SINK. .

In plain English

Staff were not washing their hands when required, or a handwashing sink was blocked, missing soap or paper towels, or used for something else. Hands are one of the most common ways germs reach food.

More about handwashing problems
majorCode MN Rule 4626.0715Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

Have a test kit for the type of sanitizer used.

Inspector’s notes

THERE WERE NO TEST STRIPS AVAILABLE FOR QUATERNARY AMMONIUM SANITIZER. PROVIDE TEST STRIPS.

In plain English

Dishes, equipment, or surfaces that touch food were not properly washed, rinsed, and sanitized, or sanitizer was not at the right strength. Clean surfaces help stop germs from spreading to food.

More about cleaning or sanitizing problems
minorCode MN Rule 4626.0275AContamination

Official wording

When utensils are stored in food, keep the handles stored above the level of the food to prevent contamination.

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED ICE SCOOP HANDLE RESTING IN ICE. EMPLOYEE MOVED SCOOP AT TIME OF INSPECTION. STORE HANDLES ABOVE THE TOP OF THE ICE TO PREVENT CONTAMINATION.

In plain English

Food was stored or handled in a way that could let germs or other material get into it, such as raw meat stored above ready-to-eat food or uncovered food. Cross-contamination is a common cause of foodborne illness.

More about food not protected from contamination
minorCode MN Rule 4626.0840CCleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

Clean non-food contact surfaces of equipment. Keep them clean.

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED DUSTY FAN IN PREP AREA. OBSERVED DUSTY VENTS ON ICE MACHINE. CLEAN AND MAINTAIN CLEAN.

In plain English

Dishes, equipment, or surfaces that touch food were not properly washed, rinsed, and sanitized, or sanitizer was not at the right strength. Clean surfaces help stop germs from spreading to food.

More about cleaning or sanitizing problems

Official record from Minneapolis Health Department, Aug 29, 2025 · Original Source

Routine

Aug 2, 2024

Complete

Official score: 98 · Understand this area’s scale

6 recorded violations

minorCode MN Rule 4626.1457Handwashing

Official wording

Post a sign at all handwashing sinks used by employees to remind them to wash their hands.

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED MISSING HANDWASHING SIGN AT HAND SINK IN PREP AREA. POST SIGN.

In plain English

Staff were not washing their hands when required, or a handwashing sink was blocked, missing soap or paper towels, or used for something else. Hands are one of the most common ways germs reach food.

More about handwashing problems
majorCode MN Rule 4626.1595Chemicals

Official wording

Clearly label working containers of toxic chemicals with the common chemical name.

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED UNLABELED SPRAY BOTTLES IN CHEMICAL STORAGE AREA. LABEL SPRAY BOTTLES CONTAINING TOXIC INGREDIENTS.

In plain English

Cleaning products, pesticides, or other chemicals were stored or labeled in a way that could let them get into food. This is serious because chemical contamination can make people sick quickly.

More about chemicals stored or used unsafely
minorCode MN Rule 4626.0275CCleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

Store in-use food preparation and serving utensils only on clean, sanitized surfaces.

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED TONGS STORED ON OVEN HANDLE. TONGS CAN BECOME CONTAMINATED BY RUBBING AGAINST EMPLOYEE CLOTHING. STORE TONGS IN A CLEAN AND SANITIZED LOCATION.

In plain English

Dishes, equipment, or surfaces that touch food were not properly washed, rinsed, and sanitized, or sanitizer was not at the right strength. Clean surfaces help stop germs from spreading to food.

More about cleaning or sanitizing problems
minorCode MCO 204.30AOther

Official wording

Provide containers for food or beverages prepared for takeout or to be eaten immediately. Containers must be reuseable, recyclable or compostable.

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED FOAM COFFEE CUPS AND BLACK PLASTIC LIDS. ALL TO-GO PRODUCTS MUST BE REUSABLE, RECYCLABLE OR COMPOSTABLE. REPLACE CONTAINERS.

In plain English

An issue that does not fit the common categories. Check the official wording for details.

More about other finding
minorCode MN Rule 4626.0285BCleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

Wiping cloths used for wiping surfaces must: • Be held in an approved sanitizing solution • Laundered daily

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED WET WIPING CLOTHS ON COUNTERS THROUGHOUT ESTABLISHMENT. PLACE WIPING CLOTHS IN A BUCKET WITH AN APPROVED SANITIZER SOLUTION AFTER USE.

In plain English

Dishes, equipment, or surfaces that touch food were not properly washed, rinsed, and sanitized, or sanitizer was not at the right strength. Clean surfaces help stop germs from spreading to food.

More about cleaning or sanitizing problems
minorCode MN Rule 4626.0033DPermits, training, and postings

Official wording

Post the Certified Food Protection Manager certificate.

Inspector’s notes

CERTIFIED FOOD PROTECTION MANGER CERTIFICATE WAS NOT POSTED. POST IN A CONSPICUOUS LOCATION.

In plain English

A required permit, food safety certificate, trained manager, or posted sign was missing or not current. These show the business is following the rules and has trained staff.

More about paperwork, training, or posting issues

Official record from Minneapolis Health Department, Aug 2, 2024 · Original Source

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