10 Lee County restaurants fail inspection; 1 food truck shut down
You can use the database to search by county or by restaurant name.
Florida's restaurant owners are not required to post restaurant inspection results where guests can see them. So every week, we provide that information for you.
For a complete list of local restaurant inspections, including violations not requiring warnings or administrative action, visit our Lee County restaurant inspections site.
Here's the breakdown for recent health inspections in Lee County, Florida, for the week of Nov. 20-26, 2023. Please note that some more recent, follow-up inspections may not be included here.
Disclaimer: The Florida Department of Business & Professional Regulation describes an inspection report as a 'snapshot' of conditions present at the time of the inspection. On any given day, an establishment may have fewer or more violations than noted in their most recent inspection. An inspection conducted on any given day may not be representative of the overall, long-term conditions at the establishment.
For full restaurant inspection details, visit our Lee County restaurant inspection site.
Which Lee County restaurants got perfect scores on their health inspections?
These restaurants met all standards during their Nov. 20-26 inspections and no violations were found.
3 Pepper Burrito Company, 6900 Daniels Pkwy Unit 15, Fort Myers**
Front Porch Social, 4721 Vincennes Blvd, Cape Coral**
La Quinta Inn and Suites, 20091 Summerlin Rd, Fort Myers**
Lexington C C-The Club Room, 16257 Willowcrest Way, Fort Myers**
Whiskey Creek Station, 11481 Mcgregor Blvd, Fort Myers**
** Restaurants that failed an inspection and aced a follow-up inspection in the same week
Which Lee County restaurants were temporarily closed by inspectors?
These restaurants failed their Nov. 20-26 inspections and were temporarily closed. Follow-upinspections are required.
Baracoa Latin American Style Food
Food truck
Routine inspection Nov. 20
Facility Temporarily Closed: Operations ordered stopped until violations are corrected.
9 total violations, with 5 high-priority violations
High Priority - Establishment using a sanitizer solution that does not meet the requirements specified in 40 CFR 180. Only use single-service items to serve food to customers until approved sanitizer is available for warewashing. Establishment is using low splash chlorine, not approved for food contact surfaces. **Warning**
High Priority - Mobile food dispensing vehicle disposing of wastewater at an unapproved location. Observed waste water dumping onto concrete, pipe connecting waste water tank leading into and dumping onto grass. **Warning**
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Raw shell eggs over cooked pork in small reach-in cooler silver towards back. **Warning**
High Priority - Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. Tall glass door reach-in cooler ; milk (49F - Cold Holding); cooked beef (49F - Cold Holding); evaporated milk (open) (50F - Cold Holding) stored overnight per operator. **Warning**
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Tall glass door reach-in cooler ; milk (49F - Cold Holding); cooked beef (49F - Cold Holding); evaporated milk (open) (50F - Cold Holding) stored overnight per operator. **Warning**
Which Lee County restaurants had high priority violations?
Caribbean Union Restaurant and Bakery
2814 Lee Blvd., Suite 7, Lehigh Acres
Routine inspection Nov. 20
Follow-Up Inspection Required: Violations require further review, but are not an immediate threat to the public.
10 total violations, with 2 high-priority violations
High Priority ― From initial inspection: High Priority - Rodent activity present as evidenced by rodent droppings found. In middle unused equipment room storage between two offices in back hallway across from walk-in freezer , observed 50 rodent droppings under shelves, 10 on shelves, and 10 on boxes. **Admin Complaint** - From follow-up inspection 2023-11-17: In middle unused equipment room storage between two offices in back hallway across from walk-in freezer , observed 50 rodent droppings under shelves, 10 on shelves, and 10 on boxes. Operator states they wanted to be sure that the inspector saw everything up close and misunderstood the need for immediate cleanup. Operator began immediately cleaning up the area. **Admin Complaint** - From follow-up inspection 2023-11-20: 35 rodent droppings on wooden shelves in middle unused equipment room storage between two offices in back hallway across from walk-in freezer. Some areas cleaned and sanitized. Discussed with operator necessity of cleaning all areas and sanitizing surfaces again. **Admin Complaint** **Corrective Action Taken**
High Priority ― From initial inspection : High Priority - Vacuum breaker missing at hose bibb next to handwash sink in middle of kitchen. Repeat 3/17/2023. **Repeat Violation** **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2023-11-17: **Time Extended** - From follow-up inspection 2023-11-20: **Time Extended**
Caribbean Union Restaurant and Bakery
2814 Lee Blvd., Suite 7, Lehigh Acres
Routine Inspection on Nov. 21
Follow-Up Inspection Required: Violations require further review, but are not an immediate threat to the public.
7 total violations, with 1 high-priority violation
High Priority - - From initial inspection : High Priority - Vacuum breaker missing at hose bibb next to handwash sink in middle of kitchen. Repeat 3/17/2023. **Repeat Violation** **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2023-11-17: **Time Extended** - From follow-up inspection 2023-11-20: **Time Extended** - From follow-up inspection 2023-11-21: **Time Extended**
Embassy Suites Fort Myers Estero
10450 Corkscrew Commons Dr, Estero
Routine Inspection on Nov. 20
Follow-Up Inspection Required: Violations require further review, but are not an immediate threat to the public.
8 total violations, with 1 high-priority violation
High Priority - Live, small flying insects in kitchen, food preparation area, food storage area and/or bar area. Observed 25 live small flying insects in covered kitchen prep sink when I lifted the lid. **Admin Complaint**
Gandules Grill
5705 Lee Blvd, Suite 11-12, Lehigh Acres
Complaint Inspection on Nov. 20
Follow-Up Inspection Required: Violations require further review, but are not an immediate threat to the public.
12 total violations, with 3 high-priority violations
High Priority - Employee began working with food, handling clean equipment or utensils, or touching unwrapped single-service items without first washing hands. Cook returned to work after entering in back door, no handwash. Discussed with employee need to wash hands before returning to work, employee washed hands properly. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food, other meats. In walk-in cooler observed raw chicken over raw beef, raw fish over ready-to-eat margarine. **Warning**
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. In walk-in cooler, raw fish (45F - Cold Holding); raw chicken (44F - Cold Holding); raw pork (44F - Cold Holding); raw beef (45F - Cold Holding); fresh cheese (45F - Cold Holding); heavy cream (45F - Cold Holding); ham (45F - Cold Holding); sour cream (44F - Cold Holding) for 3 hours due to busy morning prep period, receiving delivery. Operator called technician and iced down all foods. **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning**
Gandules Grill
5705 Lee Blvd, Suite 11-12, Lehigh Acres
Complaint Inspection on Nov. 21
Follow-Up Inspection Required: Violations require further review, but are not an immediate threat to the public.
4 total violations, with 1 high-priority violation
High Priority - - From initial inspection : High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. In walk-in cooler, raw fish (45F - Cold Holding); raw chicken (44F - Cold Holding); raw pork (44F - Cold Holding); raw beef (45F - Cold Holding); fresh cheese (45F - Cold Holding); heavy cream (45F - Cold Holding); ham (45F - Cold Holding); sour cream (44F - Cold Holding) for 3 hours due to busy morning prep period, receiving delivery. Operator called technician and iced down all foods. **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2023-11-21: In walk-in cooler, housemade tomato salsa 46F - cold holding, cooked octopus 46F cold Holding, cut tomatoes 46F cold holding, fresh garlic in oil 48F cold holding, cooked beans 49F cold holding, cream 46F cold holding, sour cream 48F cold holding, cut raw beef 45F cold holding, ham 46F cold holding, raw chicken 46F cold holding, raw pork 45F cold holding all stored overnight per operator. SEE STOP SALE. **Admin Complaint**
Parrot Key Caribbean Grill & Bar
2500 Main St, Fort Myers Beach
Routine Inspection on Nov. 20
Follow-Up Inspection Required: Violations require further review, but are not an immediate threat to the public.
9 total violations, with 1 high-priority violation
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. Dishwasher (Chlorine 00ppm)
Subway
5660 Bayshore Rd Units 48 - 51, North Fort Myers
Routine Inspection on Nov. 21
Follow-Up Inspection Required: Violations require further review, but are not an immediate threat to the public.
12 total violations, with 1 high-priority violation
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed Sliced tomatoes at 2.5 hours (63F - Cold Holding); Shredded lettuce at 2.5 hours (64F - Cold Holding). Operator stated one half of reach in cooler unit at front counter is not working. Operator placed items in walk-in cooler to reduce temperature. Operator placed fresh items in functioning side of unit. Temperatures were less than or equal to 41F. **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning**
Summerlin Cafe
11370 Summerlin Square Dr, Fort Myers Beach
Routine Inspection on Nov. 20
Follow-Up Inspection Required: Violations require further review, but are not an immediate threat to the public.
16 total violations, with 5 high-priority violations
High Priority - Employee handled soiled equipment or utensils and then engaged in food preparation, handled clean equipment or utensils, or touched unwrapped single-service items without washing hands. Observed employee loading dishes into the dish machine with gloved hands and then while wearing the same soiled gloves, unloaded the clean and sanitized dishes from the machine. Glove change and hand washing was needed.
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Raw chicken stored over blueberry's and strawberries on cooks line. Raw ground beef stored over cut lettuce in tall reach in cooler on cooks line. Educated operator on proper food storage. And provided operator with DBPR Form HR 5030-099 Refrigeration Storage Guide in Spanish. . Repeat from 03-07-2023 **Corrective Action Taken** **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
High Priority - Stop Sale issued due to food not being in a wholesome, sound condition. Salmon packaged bearing labeling to remove from packaging prior to thawing, thawed still under reduced oxygen packaging in reach in cooler on cooks line.
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. shelled eggs - ambient (75F - Cold Holding); pooled eggs (75F - Cold Holding). Per operator food had been removed from refrigeration 1 hour prior and is being used for service. Discussed Time As Public Health Control with operator. Repeat from 03-07-2023. As a repeat violation the importance of following proper protocol with this violation was reinforced with the operator. **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. On steam table sausage pattyn (107 F - Hot Holding), per operator sausage was cooked 45 minutes prior and placed in double pan on steam table. Operator began reheating.
Tropical Smoothie Cafe
13111 Paul J Doherty Pkwy #140, Fort Myers
Routine Inspection on Nov. 20
Follow-Up Inspection Required: Violations require further review, but are not an immediate threat to the public.
3 total violations, with 1 high-priority violation
High Priority - Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license. License expired on 1/20/2023. **Admin Complaint**
What agency inspects restaurants in Florida?
Routine regulation and inspection of restaurants is conducted by the Department of Business and Professional Regulation. The Department of Health is responsible for investigation and control of food-borne illness outbreaks associated with all food establishments.
How do I report a dirty restaurant in Florida?
If you see abuses of state standards, report them and the Department of Business and Professional Regulation will send inspectors. Call the Florida DBPR at 850-487-1395 or report a restaurant for health violations online.
Get the whole story at our restaurant inspection database.
What does all that terminology in Florida restaurant inspections mean?
Basic violations are those considered against best practices.
A warning is issued after an inspector documents violations that must be corrected by a certain date or within a specified number of days from receipt of the inspection report.
An administrative complaint is a form of legal action taken by the division. Insufficient compliance after a warning, a pattern of repeat violations or existence of serious conditions that warrant immediate action may result in the division initiating an administrative complaint against the establishment. Says the division website: "Correcting the violations is important, but penalties may still result from violations corrected after the warning time was over."
An emergency order — when a restaurant is closed by the inspector — is based on an immediate threat to the public. Here, the Division of Hotels and Restaurants director has determined that the establishment must stop doing business and any division license is suspended to protect health, safety or welfare of the public.
A 24-hour call-back inspection will be performed after an emergency closure or suspension of license.
This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: Fort Myers and Cape Coral area restaurant and food truck inspections Nov. 20-26
