DirtyFLRestaurant Inspection Data

CORTEZ CAFE

CORTEZ CAFE in CORTEZ has 11 health inspections on record with an overall food safety rating of 2.8/5. Recent inspections show improving food safety practices.

Last inspection: 3 weeks ago · 11 reports on file

12108 Cortez Road West
Florida, 34215
Manatee County County

Overall Food Safety Rating

★★½☆☆ (2.8/5)
Based on 11 health inspection reports

All Inspection Reports

2/19/2026· 3w ago

Visit ID: 13600780

Met Inspection Standards

1 high, 4 basic

  • 36-37-5:Basic - Ceiling not smooth, nonabsorbent and easily cleanable in food preparation, food storage, or warewashing areas. Observed duct tape being used to seal ceiling tiles in kitchen.
  • 13-04-4:Basic - Employee with no beard guard/restraint while engaging in food preparation. Observed employee engaged in food preparation without a beard guard. Employee put on beard guard. Corrected On-Site
  • 10-01-5:Basic - In-use utensil in non-time/temperature control for safety food not stored with handle above top of food within a closed container. Observed handle of scoop in sugar in back storage area. Operator removed scoop. Corrected On-Site
  • 36-30-4:Basic - Wall not smooth, nonabsorbent and easily cleanable in food preparation, food storage, warewashing areas or bathroom. Observed wall next to reach-in cooler in back dry storage area with wire mesh covering a hole.
  • 22-43-4:High Priority - Quaternary ammonium sanitizer not at proper minimum strength for manual warewashing. Do not use equipment/utensils not properly sanitized. Observed three compartment sink quaternary sanitizer not at minimum ppm. Operator changed quaternary sanitizer. Quaternary sanitizer now at 400ppm. Corrected On-Site Repeat Violation

12/19/2025· 2mo ago

Visit ID: 13486106

Facility Temporarily Closed

6 high, 1 int, 1 basic

  • 14-01-5:Basic - Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Observed bowl being used to dispense hash browns on cook line. Operator removed bowl. Corrected On-Site Repeat Violation Warning
  • 01B-07-4:High Priority - Food with mold-like growth. See stop sale. Observed tzatziki sauce in back room reach in cooler next to door to dining room with visible mold and dated from 11/29. Operator voluntarily discarded product. Corrected On-Site Warning
  • 50-17-3:High Priority - Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license. Observed establishment operating with an expired DBPR license from 12/01/25. Warning
  • 41-05-4:High Priority - Pesticide/insecticide labeled for household use only present in establishment. Observed household pesticide on shelf below the egg cooking burners holding cleaners. Operator discarded pesticide. Corrected On-Site Warning
  • 22-43-4:High Priority - Quaternary ammonium sanitizer not at proper minimum strength for manual warewashing. Do not use equipment/utensils not properly sanitized. Observed quaternary sanitizer in 3 compartment at 0ppm. Operator changed the water and put in new sanitizer. Quaternary sanitizer now at 200ppm. Corrected On-Site Warning
  • 02C-01-5:High Priority - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food marked with a date that exceeds 7 days after opening/preparation. Observed tzatziki sauce in back room reach in cooler next to door to dining room with visible mold and dated from 11/29. Operator voluntarily discarded product. Operator voluntarily discarded product. Warning
  • 35A-04-4:High Priority - Rodent activity present as evidenced by rodent droppings found. Observed approximately 5 rodent droppings found on shelf in back corner under electrical box holding slicer. Operator cleaned and sanitized the area. Corrected On-Site Warning
  • 31A-11-4:Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Observed a frozen ham and a measuring cup in hand wash sink in kitchen next to dish machine. Employee removed items. Corrected On-Site Warning

12/19/2025· 2mo ago

Visit ID: 13600536

Met Inspection Standards
  • N/A:No Violations Were Observed

8/7/2025· 7mo ago

Visit ID: 10902900

Met Inspection Standards

4 basic

  • 14-01-5:Basic - Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Observed bowl being used to dispense potatoes in 4 drawer reach-in cooler on cook line. Operator removed bowl. Corrected On-Site
  • 06-09-1:Basic - Commercially processed reduced oxygen packaged fish bearing a label indicating that it is to remain frozen until time of use no longer frozen and not removed from reduced oxygen package.Observed commercially processed Swai fish thawed in packaging. Operator removed all fish from packaging. Corrected On-Site
  • 13-07-4:Basic - Employee wearing jewelry other than a plain ring on their hands/arms while preparing food. Observed employee engaged in food preparation while wearing a watch. Employee removed watch. Corrected On-Site
  • 42-01-4:Basic - Wet mop not stored in a manner to allow the mop to dry. Observed wet mop not hung to dry. Operator hung mop to dry. Corrected On-Site Repeat Violation

3/4/2025· 1y ago

Visit ID: 8873356

Met Inspection Standards

1 int, 3 basic

  • 24-08-4:Basic - Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting. Observed clear containers on bottom shelf under steam table with wet nesting.operator removed containers to be sanitized and dry properly. **Corrective Action Taken**
  • 23-03-4:Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed black mold like substance and soil underneath soda dispenser. Employee started cleaning area. **Corrective Action Taken**
  • 42-01-4:Basic - Wet mop not stored in a manner to allow the mop to dry. Observed wet mop in back storage room not hung to dry. Operator hung motto dry. Corrected On-Site
  • 22-02-4:Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Observed slicer with dried food particles. Operator had employee start cleaning slicer. **Corrective Action Taken**

8/27/2024· 1y 6mo ago

Visit ID: 8783114

Met Inspection Standards

2 high, 3 int, 5 basic

  • 14-01-5:Basic - Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Observed no handle scoop being used to dispense flour in back storage area.
  • 12B-07-4:Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Observed employees cups of coffee on food prep surface next to steam table. Corrected On-Site Repeat Violation
  • 33-15-4:Basic - Garbage can located outside has no lid or lid open/broken. Observed broken/ missing dumpster lid on shared dumpster.
  • 25-05-4:Basic - Single-service articles improperly stored. Observed to go containers stored on floor in dry storage area in outside dry storage area. Operator mover containers to shelf. Corrected On-Site
  • 29-49-6:Basic - Standing water in bottom of reach-in-cooler. Observed standing water in bottom of 2 door reach-in in back storage area.
  • 08A-02-6:High Priority - Raw animal food stored over or with ready-to-eat food in a freezer - not all products commercially packaged. Observed raw unpackaged veal over French fries in reach-in freezer in back storage area. Corrected On-Site
  • 08A-05-6:High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Observed raw pooled eggs over lettuce in 2 door reach-in in the back storage area. Operator moved pooled eggs to bottom shelf. Corrected On-Site Repeat Violation
  • 16-33-4:Intermediate - Chemical test kit not used to ensure proper sanitization of equipment and utensils when using a chemical sanitizer. Observed operator with out a chemical test strips for quaternary solution in sanitizer bucket.
  • 22-02-4:Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Observed slicer with build up of food debris. Corrected On-Site Repeat Violation
  • 11-26-1:Intermediate - No proof provided that food employees are informed of their responsibility to report to the person in charge information about their health and activities related to foodborne illnesses. Observed no signed employee health reporting agreements. Operator had employees sign health agreements. Corrected On-Site Repeat Violation

3/22/2024· 1y 11mo ago

Visit ID: 8593026

Met Inspection Standards

1 basic

  • 14-11-5:Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Equipment in poor repair. Observed torn gasket on reach in on cookline. Repeat Violation Warning - From follow-up inspection 2024-03-22: **Time Extended**

1/17/2024· 2y 1mo ago

Visit ID: 8465866

Follow-up Inspection Required

2 high, 3 int, 5 basic

  • 36-32-5:Basic - Ceiling/ceiling tile shows damage or is in disrepair. Observed damage to ceiling in back storage area. Observed damage ceiling tiles in waitstaff area. Warning
  • 35A-03-4:Basic - Dead roaches on premises. Observed dead roach in waitstaff area cabinet. Operator cleaned and sanitized area. Corrected On-Site Warning
  • 40-06-5:Basic - Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Observed back scratcher between loafs of bread. Repeat Violation Warning
  • 14-11-5:Basic - Equipment in poor repair. Observed torn gasket on reach in on cookline. Repeat Violation Warning
  • 12B-13-4:Basic - Opened employee beverage container in a cold holding unit with food to be served to customers. Observed open employee drinks in cooler near food served to customers. Warning
  • 50-17-3:High Priority - Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license. Observed license as expired as of 12/01/23 Warning
  • 41-18-4:High Priority - Warewashing sanitizing solution exceeding the maximum concentration allowed. Observed three compartment sink sanitizer 200ppm. Chlorine. Warning
  • 22-02-4:Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Observed food particles on slicer. Warning
  • 11-26-1:Intermediate - No proof provided that food employees are informed of their responsibility to report to the person in charge information about their health and activities related to foodborne illnesses. Observed no employee agreements. Emailed forms to operator. Repeat Violation Warning
  • 53B-05-5:Intermediate - Required employee training expired for all employees. To order approved program food safety material, call DBPR contracted provider: Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (SafeStaff) 866-372-7233. Observed all food handlers certificates, expired. Warning

8/10/2023· 2y 7mo ago

Visit ID: 8467764

Met Inspection Standards

1 basic

  • 14-11-5:Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Equipment in poor repair. Observed torn gaskets on upright cooler on cook line. Warning - From follow-up inspection 2023-08-09: **Time Extended** - From follow-up inspection 2023-08-10: Observed gaskets still torn, owner has ordered. **Time Extended**

8/9/2023· 2y 7mo ago

Visit ID: 8465389

Follow-up Inspection Required

2 high, 4 basic

  • 40-06-5:Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Observed employee cell phone, metal water bottle, speaker stored over prep area next to cook line. Warning - From follow-up inspection 2023-08-09: **Time Extended**
  • 24-08-4:Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting. Observed plastic cups at hostess station wet nesting. Advised employee that cups need to be washed and air dried before placing together. Warning - From follow-up inspection 2023-08-09: **Time Extended**
  • 14-11-5:Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Equipment in poor repair. Observed torn gaskets on upright cooler on cook line. Warning - From follow-up inspection 2023-08-09: **Time Extended**
  • 25-05-4:Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Single-service articles improperly stored. Observed at single service take out containers stored above cook line in upright position. Warning - From follow-up inspection 2023-08-09: **Time Extended**
  • 12A-13-4:High Priority - - From initial inspection : 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 handled dirty dishes then clean dishes with out washing hands after touching dirty dishes at three compartment sink. Advised employee to wash hands after handling dirty dishes. Warning - From follow-up inspection 2023-08-09: Observed dish washer handling dirty dishes and then clean dishes without washing his hands. Admin Complaint
  • 03A-02-5:High Priority - - From initial inspection : High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed Shredded Cheddar (52F - Cold Holding); Diced Ham (50F - Cold Holding); Egg Wash French Toast (52F - Cold Holding) . Operator stated items had been in cooler since 6:30am. Operator placed items on ice for rapid cooling. **Corrective Action Taken** Repeat Violation Warning - From follow-up inspection 2023-08-09: Observed yogurt 51F. and turkey 50F. in cook line cooler. Operator iced down products. Admin Complaint **Corrective Action Taken**

8/4/2023· 2y 7mo ago

Visit ID: 8381436

Follow-up Inspection Required

4 high, 2 int, 5 basic

  • 40-06-5:Basic - Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Observed employee cell phone, metal water bottle, speaker stored over prep area next to cook line. Warning
  • 24-08-4:Basic - Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting. Observed plastic cups at hostess station wet nesting. Advised employee that cups need to be washed and air dried before placing together. Warning
  • 14-11-5:Basic - Equipment in poor repair. Observed torn gaskets on upright cooler on cook line. Warning
  • 25-05-4:Basic - Single-service articles improperly stored. Observed at single service take out containers stored above cook line in upright position. Warning
  • 02D-01-5:Basic - Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Observed sugar and oatmeal removed from original container not labeled. Operator labeled items. Corrected On-Site Warning
  • 12A-13-4: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 handled dirty dishes then clean dishes with out washing hands after touching dirty dishes at three compartment sink. Advised employee to wash hands after handling dirty dishes. Warning
  • 08A-05-6:High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Observed in reach in cooler raw ground beef stored on top of a feta cheese container. Operator moved raw ground beef. Corrected On-Site Warning
  • 03A-02-5:High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed Shredded Cheddar (52F - Cold Holding); Diced Ham (50F - Cold Holding); Egg Wash French Toast (52F - Cold Holding) . Operator stated items had been in cooler since 6:30am. Operator placed items on ice for rapid cooling. **Corrective Action Taken** Repeat Violation Warning
  • 41-10-4:High Priority - Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. Observed cleaning wipes stored on shelf above prep area next to bread. Warning
  • 11-27-4:Intermediate - Establishment has no written procedures for employees to follow in response to a vomiting or diarrheal event where the vomit or diarrhea is discharged onto surfaces in the establishment. Emailed plan to operator. Warning
  • 11-26-1:Intermediate - No proof provided that food employees are informed of their responsibility to report to the person in charge information about their health and activities related to foodborne illnesses. Emailed form to operator. Warning