DirtyFLRestaurant Inspection Data

EL CARIBE LATIN FLAVOR RESTAURANT

EL CARIBE LATIN FLAVOR RESTAURANT located in FORT MYERS has undergone 9 health department inspections, achieving a 2.5/5 overall safety rating. Recent inspections indicate some food safety concerns.

Last inspection: 1 months ago · 9 reports on file

3917 Palm Beach Boulevard
Fort Myers, Florida, 33916
Lee County County

Overall Food Safety Rating

★★½☆☆ (2.5/5)
Based on 9 health inspection reports

All Inspection Reports

1/26/2026· 1mo ago

Visit ID: 13518410

Met Inspection Standards

3 high, 1 int, 9 basic

  • 36-37-5:Basic - Ceiling not smooth, nonabsorbent and easily cleanable in food preparation, food storage, or warewashing areas.
  • 36-34-5:Basic - Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance. Ceiling vent soiled with mold like substance at cook line.
  • 33-12-4:Basic - Dumpster rusted out on bottom with holes.
  • 40-06-5:Basic - Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Employee tools stored with ice scoop above ice machine. Operator removed the scoop for sanitation and stored all employee tools to proper storage. Corrected On-Site
  • 33-10-4:Basic - Inside/outside of dumpster not clean.
  • 23-03-4:Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Interior of the hood soiled with grease.
  • 33-16-4:Basic - Open dumpster lid.
  • 25-06-4:Basic - Single-service food containers not stored inverted or protected from contamination at dry storage. Operator stored inverted. Corrected On-Site
  • 42-01-4:Basic - Wet mop not stored in a manner to allow the mop to dry near kitchen exit door.
  • 08A-08-5:High Priority - Raw animal food stored in same container as ready-to-eat food. In reach in cooler near cook line; raw bacons stored with slice cheese in the same container. See stop sale.
  • 01B-13-4:High Priority - Stop Sale issued due to food not being in a wholesome, sound condition. Raw animal food stored in same container as ready-to-eat food. In reach in cooler near cook line; raw bacons stored with slice cheese in the same container. See stop sale.
  • 41-10-4:High Priority - Toxic substance/chemical spray bottle stored over clean plates. Operator removed the spray bottle to proper storage. Corrected On-Site
  • 31A-11-4:Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Handwashing sink used to store dirty containers at front counter. Operator removed the containers. Corrected On-Site

11/13/2025· 3mo ago

Visit ID: 13518267

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

9/11/2025· 6mo ago

Visit ID: 10896355

Follow-up Inspection Required

4 high, 2 int, 2 basic

  • 31B-04-4:Basic - No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees at front counter and back of the kitchen. Warning
  • 33-16-4:Basic - Open dumpster lid. Warning
  • 08A-05-6:High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. In walk-in cooler; raw pork stored over shredded lettuce container. Operator moved raw pork to bottom shelf. Corrected On-Site Warning
  • 01B-13-4:High Priority - Stop Sale issued due to food not being in a wholesome, sound condition. Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. In reach-in cooler at front counter; cooked rice with milk (50F - Cold Holding); ham cheese sandwich (51F - Cold Holding). Per operator all items placed in reach-in cooler for 5 hours. See stop sale. Warning
  • 03A-02-5:High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. In reach-in cooler at front counter; cooked rice with milk (50F - Cold Holding); ham cheese sandwich (51F - Cold Holding). Per operator all items placed in reach-in cooler for 5 hours. See stop sale. Warning
  • 41-10-4:High Priority - Toxic substance/chemical spray bottle improperly stored above clean plates and ice machine. Operator moved the spray bottle. Corrected On-Site Warning
  • 31A-11-4:Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Employee washing wiping clothes at handwashing sink at front counter. Discussed employee about proper usage of handwashing sink. 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. Warning

6/11/2025· 9mo ago

Visit ID: 10818637

Met Inspection Standards

1 basic

  • 36-37-5:Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Ceiling not smooth, nonabsorbent and easily cleanable in food preparation, food storage, or warewashing areas. Observed expanded prep area where ceilings are acoustic tile. Warning - From follow-up inspection 2025-04-14: **Time Extended** - From follow-up inspection 2025-06-11: **Time Extended**

6/11/2025· 9mo ago

Visit ID: 10722614

Met Inspection Standards

1 high, 2 int, 3 basic

  • 13-07-4:Basic - Employee wearing jewelry other than a plain ring on their hands/arms while preparing food. Observed employee preparing food on cook's line while wearing a gold bracelet.
  • 13-03-4:Basic - Employee with no hair restraint while engaging in food preparation. Observed employe cutting dough in back prep area without a hair restraint.
  • 31B-04-4:Basic - No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees. Observed no hand washing sign at hand washing sink in back prep area and hand washing sink at front counter by coffee machine.
  • 08A-20-5:High Priority - Raw animal foods not properly separated from each other in holding unit based upon minimum required cooking temperature. Observed raw chicken stored over raw ground beef in standup double door reach in cooler in back prep area. Operator moved chicken under ground beef. Corrected On-Site
  • 31A-09-4:Intermediate - Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Observed hand washing sink in back prep room blocked with various items. Operator removed items from sink. Corrected On-Site
  • 41-17-4:Intermediate - Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled. Observed unlabeled spray bottle with clear liquid on prep table.

4/14/2025· 11mo ago

Visit ID: 10722332

Follow-up Inspection Required

1 int, 1 basic

  • 36-37-5:Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Ceiling not smooth, nonabsorbent and easily cleanable in food preparation, food storage, or warewashing areas. Observed expanded prep area where ceilings are acoustic tile. Warning - From follow-up inspection 2025-04-14: **Time Extended**
  • 51-16-7:Intermediate - - From initial inspection : Intermediate - No plan review submitted and approved - renovations were made or are in progress. Must submit plans and plan review application to DBPR H and R Plan Review office located at 2601 Blair Stone Rd., Tallahassee, FL 32399-1011. Plans must be submitted AND approved within 60 days. The direct link to the Plan Review page is http://www.myfloridalicense.com/DBPR/hotels-restaurants/licensing/plan-review/. Observed walk in cooler has been to the other side of the restaurant. Warning - From follow-up inspection 2025-04-14: Operator was confused how to proceed with remodel after last inspection. Operator has pulled all permits from city of Fort Myers and thought he had to complete city inspections before submitting remodel application to Tallahassee. 60 day extension approved per Supervisor Dominick Tartaglione. I have provided remodel information to Operator. **Time Extended**

11/18/2024· 1y 3mo ago

Visit ID: 8719381

Follow-up Inspection Required

1 high, 2 int, 1 basic

  • 36-37-5:Basic - Ceiling not smooth, nonabsorbent and easily cleanable in food preparation, food storage, or warewashing areas. Observed expanded prep area where ceilings are acoustic tile. Warning
  • 08A-04-5:High Priority - Raw animal food stored over or with unwashed produce. Observed raw chicken stored over unwashed potatoes in walk in cooler. Warning
  • 51-16-7:Intermediate - No plan review submitted and approved - renovations were made or are in progress. Must submit plans and plan review application to DBPR H and R Plan Review office located at 2601 Blair Stone Rd., Tallahassee, FL 32399-1011. Plans must be submitted AND approved within 60 days. The direct link to the Plan Review page is http://www.myfloridalicense.com/DBPR/hotels-restaurants/licensing/plan-review/. Observed walk in cooler has been to the other side of the restaurant. Warning
  • 41-17-4:Intermediate - Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled. Observed unlabeled spray bottle with clear liquid on prep table. Repeat Violation Warning

4/2/2024· 1y 11mo ago

Visit ID: 8541983

Met Inspection Standards

1 high, 4 int, 1 basic

  • 06-01-5:Basic - Time/temperature control for safety food thawed in an improper manner. Observed chicken thawing in standing water by three compartment sink. Operator moved chicken to walk-in cooler. Corrected On-Site
  • 08A-20-5:High Priority - Raw animal foods not properly separated from each other in holding unit based upon minimum required cooking temperature. Observed raw chicken breast stored over raw ground beef in walk-in cooler. Operator moved chicken to bottom shelf. Corrected On-Site
  • 31A-11-4:Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Observed employee filling a pitcher in hand washing sink in kitchen.
  • 31B-03-4:Intermediate - No soap provided at handwash sink. Observed no soap at hand washing sink in kitchen. Operator refilled. Corrected On-Site Repeat Violation
  • 02C-02-5:Intermediate - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Observed cooked beef prepared yesterday no date mark in walk-in cooler. Repeat Violation
  • 41-17-4:Intermediate - Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled. Observed unlabeled spray bottles with clear liquid inside. Operator labeled bottles during inspection. Corrected On-Site

11/1/2023· 2y 4mo ago

Visit ID: 8341193

Met Inspection Standards

2 high, 4 int, 2 basic

  • 13-07-4:Basic - Employee wearing jewelry other than a plain ring on their hands/arms while preparing food. Observed employee wearing a watch while preparing food on cook's line. Operator had employee remove watch. Corrected On-Site Repeat Violation
  • 51-13-4:Basic - No Heimlich maneuver/choking sign posted. Repeat Violation
  • 12A-25-4:High Priority - Employee touched face/hair and then engaged in food preparation, handled clean equipment or utensils, or touched unwrapped single-service items without washing hands. Observed employee wearing gloves touch hair then handle clean metal covers to place on food at steam table. Discussed proper hand washing practices with operator. **Corrective Action Taken**
  • 03A-03-5:High Priority - Shell eggs not stored at an ambient air temperature of 45 degrees Fahrenheit or less. Observed shell eggs on counter next to flat top. Owner stated eggs were out for half an hour. Permitted me to take internal temp of one egg 73F. Operator moved eggs to reach in cooler. **Corrective Action Taken**
  • 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. Provided Operator with Clean up Form DBPR HR 5030-104 printed copy. 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. Provided Operator with Employee Reporting Agreement DBPR Form HR 5030-103 via email. Operator completed printed copy during inspection. Corrected On-Site Repeat Violation
  • 31B-03-4:Intermediate - No soap provided at handwash sink. Observed no soap at hand washing sink at end of cook's line. Operator refilled during inspection. Corrected On-Site
  • 02C-02-5:Intermediate - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Observed cooked chicken in reach in cooler on cook's line prepared yesterday no date mark.