11 Lee County restaurants get perfect scores; 18 fail inspection

Staff reports
·14 min read

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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. 13-19, 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. 13-19 inspections and no violations were found.

** Restaurants that failed an inspection and aced a follow-up inspection in the same week

Which Lee County restaurants had high priority violations?

Caribbean Union Restaurant and Bakery

2814 Lee Blvd Ste 7, Lehigh Acres

Routine Inspection on Nov. 16

Follow-Up Inspection Required: Violations require further review, but are not an immediate threat to the public.

14 total violations, with 3 high-priority violations

  • 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**

  • High Priority - Rodent burrow or rodent nesting materials present. In middle unused equipment room storage between two offices in back hallway across from walk-in freezer , chew debris under shelves, on shelves, and on boxes. **Admin Complaint**

  • High Priority - Vacuum breaker missing at hose bibb next to handwash sink in middle of kitchen. Repeat 3/17/2023. **Repeat Violation** **Warning**

Caribbean Union Restaurant and Bakery

2814 Lee Blvd Ste 7, Lehigh Acres

Routine Inspection on Nov. 17

Follow-Up Inspection Required: Violations require further review, but are not an immediate threat to the public.

11 total violations, with 3 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**

  • High Priority - - From initial inspection : High Priority - Rodent burrow or rodent nesting materials present. In middle unused equipment room storage between two offices in back hallway across from walk-in freezer , chew debris under shelves, on shelves, and on boxes. **Admin Complaint** - From follow-up inspection 2023-11-17: This area has not been cleaned of chew debris. **Admin Complaint**

  • 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**

China Garden Iii

9846 Stringfellow Rd C2, Saint James City

Routine Inspection on Nov. 13

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. Observed raw chicken (48F - Cold Holding); chicken (47F - Cold Holding); pork (48F - Cold Holding); shrimp (48F - Cold Holding); chicken (49F - Cold Holding) in reach-in cooler across from cook line. The manager is moving all products to walk-in cooler she also stated they are having reach-in cooler service 9/12/2023. **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2023-11-13: Observed raw chicken 47F, raw beef 47F and raw shrimp 46F in reach-in cooler across from cook line. The manager moved all raw products into walk-in cooler. **Admin Complaint**

Citanos Cafeteria Inc

30 Hancock Bridge Pkwy Unit 101, Cape Coral

Routine Inspection on Nov. 15

Follow-Up Inspection Required: Violations require further review, but are not an immediate threat to the public.

6 total violations, with 1 high-priority violation

  • High Priority - - From initial inspection : High Priority - Raw animal foods not properly separated from each other in holding unit based upon minimum required cooking temperature. Observed raw chicken over shelled eggs in stand up reach-in cooler. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2023-11-15: Observed raw chicken over shelled eggs in stand-up reach-in cooler. The operator moved raw chicken to bottom shelf in reach-in cooler. **Admin Complaint** **Corrected On-Site**

Dachefs Specialty Pancakes & Grill

Mobile food dispensing vehicle

Routine Inspection on Nov. 13

Follow-Up Inspection Required: Violations require further review, but are not an immediate threat to the public.

11 total violations, with 3 high-priority violations

  • High Priority - Raw animal food stored over or with unwashed produce. Observed raw shell eggs stored over produce items. Operator moved item for proper storage. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**

  • High Priority - Shell eggs not stored at an ambient air temperature of 45 degrees Fahrenheit or less. Observed in reach in cooler by pick up window : raw shell eggs - ambient air (57F - Cold Holding). See stop sale. **Warning**

  • High Priority - Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. Shell eggs not stored at an ambient air temperature of 45 degrees Fahrenheit or less. Observed in reach in cooler by pick up window : raw shell eggs - ambient air (57F - Cold Holding). **Warning**

Front Porch Social

4721 Vincennes Blvd, Cape Coral

Routine Inspection on Nov. 14

Follow-Up Inspection Required: Violations require further review, but are not an immediate threat to the public.

10 total violations, with 3 high-priority violations

  • 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. Observed chlorine concentration at 0 ppm at outside bar. **Warning**

  • High Priority - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food marked with a date that exceeds 7 days after opening/preparation. Observed coleslaw dated 11/06/23. Stop Sale. Operator discarded coleslaw. **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning**

  • High Priority - Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored by food items. Operator removed chemical. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**

Jun Korean and Sushi

5100 S Cleveland Ave Ste 310, Fort Myers

Routine Inspection on Nov. 14

Follow-Up Inspection Required: Violations require further review, but are not an immediate threat to the public.

6 total violations, with 2 high-priority violations

  • High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Observed raw calamari over cooked rice in the reach in cooler across from the cook line. Operator placed the raw calamari under the cooked rice in the reach in cooler. **Corrected On-Site**

  • High Priority - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food marked with a date that exceeds 7 days after opening/preparation. Observed cooked rice in the reach in cooler with no date mark.

Little Sicily

5611 Six Mile Commercial Ct #3, Fort Myers

Routine Inspection on Nov. 15

Follow-Up Inspection Required: Violations require further review, but are not an immediate threat to the public.

8 total violations, with 3 high-priority violations

  • High Priority - Nonfood-grade bags used in direct contact with food. Approximately 6 plastic to-go bags used to store portioned chicken wings in reach-in freezer next to walk-in cooler. 6 bags of wings in walk-in cooler. Discussed alternative storage options with owner. **Warning**

  • High Priority - Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. Pizza make table top drop in cooler:; housemade tomato sauce (51F - Cold Holding); cooked pork sausage (54F - Cold Holding); cooked beef meatballs (52F - Cold Holding); ham (51F - Cold Holding) stored overnight per operator. **Warning**

  • High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Pizza make table top drop in cooler:; housemade tomato sauce (51F - Cold Holding); cooked pork sausage (54F - Cold Holding); cooked beef meatballs (52F - Cold Holding); ham (51F - Cold Holding) stored overnight per operator. **Warning**

Lynq

16230 Summerlin Rd Unit 223, Fort Myers

Routine Inspection on Nov. 15

Follow-Up Inspection Required: Violations require further review, but are not an immediate threat to the public.

12 total violations, with 4 high-priority violations

  • 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. Observed chlorine concentration at 0 ppm. **Warning**

  • High Priority - Nonfood-grade bags used in direct contact with rice at cook line. Educated operator on importance of using food grade containers. Operator switched to food grade container. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation** **Warning**

  • High Priority - Raw animal food stored over or with ready-to-eat food in a freezer - not all products commercially packaged. Observed dish of raw repackaged beef stored over packages of frozen noodles. **Warning**

  • High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed Butter 46F cold hold, raw hamburger 45F cold hold less than 4 hours. Educated operator on maintaining temperature at 41F or below. Operator opened walk in freezer door ajar. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation** **Warning**

Marios

20301 Grande Oak Shoppes Dr Unit 108, Estero

Routine Inspection on Nov. 13

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 - Employee failed to wash hands before putting on gloves to initiate a task working with food. Observed employee change gloves without washing hands. **Warning**

  • High Priority - Raw animal food stored over or with ready-to-eat food in a freezer - not all products commercially packaged. Observed raw pork chops on shelf above cooked pasta in reach in cooler on cook line. Operator moved raw pork. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation** **Warning**

Marsala Pizza

20321 Grande Oaks Blvd #300, Estero

Routine Inspection on Nov. 13

Follow-Up Inspection Required: Violations require further review, but are not an immediate threat to the public.

10 total violations, with 1 high-priority violation

  • High Priority - Heat strip failed to turn black to indicate the sanitization temperature of 160 degrees Fahrenheit was achieved on the dish surface and/or high temperature holding thermometer did not reach 160F. Discontinue use of dishmachine for sanitizing and set up manual sanitization until dishmachine is repaired. Manual non reversible thermometer only reached 136 F after 3 cycles, operator has no way to determine if machine is working properly. **Warning**

Napoli on The Bay Pizzeria Viii

27975 Old 41 Rd Suite 105, Bonita Springs

Routine Inspection on Nov. 15

Follow-Up Inspection Required: Violations require further review, but are not an immediate threat to the public.

11 total violations, with 3 high-priority violations

  • High Priority - Dented/rusted cans present. See stop sale. Two small cans of Roland Baby Clams severely dented on one side. **Warning**

  • High Priority - Stop Sale issued due to food not being in a wholesome, sound condition. Two small cans of Roland Baby Clams severely dented on one side. **Warning**

  • High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Pizza held in front covered display with no date marking. Time as a Public Health Control form was provided during last visit on 9/14/23. Discussed today with PIC. No time marking was applied at any time during the visit. **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**

Pokemoto

16240 Summerlin Rd Unit 310, Fort Myers

Routine Inspection on Nov. 15

Follow-Up Inspection Required: Violations require further review, but are not an immediate threat to the public.

7 total violations, with 2 high-priority violations

  • High Priority - Dented/rusted cans present. See stop sale. Observed three 6 lb cans of mandarin oranges dented. Operator separated cans to be returned to distributor. **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning**

  • High Priority - Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored near clean food equipment. Operator removed chemicals. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**

Rosatis

9011 Daniels Pkwy Ste 104, Fort Myers

Routine Inspection on Nov. 15

Follow-Up Inspection Required: Violations require further review, but are not an immediate threat to the public.

13 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. Observed employee coming inside from back door to kitchen to make pizzas, no handwash. Discussed with employee proper handwashing, employee washed hands properly before returning to work **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**

  • High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. In walk-in cooler bottom shelf, observed raw ground beef over ham, cooked beef. **Warning**

  • High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Pizza make table reach-in cooler : raw ground pork (68F - Cold Holding) for one hour per operator. Operator is using ice to keep foods in make table cold and has called a technician. Operator placed all potentially hazardous foods into walk-in cooler for quick cooling and cold holding. **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning**

Tacos Mexican Restaurant

30 Hancock Bridge Pkwy #116, Suite 116, Cape Coral

Routine Inspection on Nov. 15

Follow-Up Inspection Required: Violations require further review, but are not an immediate threat to the public.

5 total violations, with 2 high-priority violations

  • High Priority - Raw animal food stored over or with unwashed produce. Observed raw beef and raw chorizo over produce in stand reach-in cooler.

  • High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed chicken (105F); beef (107F - Hot Holding) in container above cook line. The cook reheated beef and chicken. **Corrected On-Site**

Whiskey Creek Station

11481 Mcgregor Blvd, Fort Myers

Routine Inspection on Nov. 14

Follow-Up Inspection Required: Violations require further review, but are not an immediate threat to the public.

16 total violations, with 3 high-priority violations

  • 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. Observed chlorine concentration at 0 ppm. Operator primed sanitizer and called technician. **Warning**

  • High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed Sliced tomatoes 44F cold hold, cut lettuce 46F cold hold less than 4 hours. Operator turned down reach in cooler. **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning**

  • High Priority - Vacuum breaker missing at mop sink faucet or on fitting/splitter added to mop sink faucet. **Warning**

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, Cape area restaurant and food truck inspections Nov. 13-19