CORTEZ KITCHEN
4528 119 ST W, Cortez FL 34215 · 941.798.2035
Last inspected Mar 5, 2026 · 8 visits since July 2023
JUN 24
MAR 25
JUN 25
OCT 25
MAR 26
— STEADY
5 inspections within 17 points of each other. Whatever this kitchen does, it does consistently.
Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Coleslaw 52F, operators coleslaw had been put out about an hour. Operator placed coleslaw in walk-in cooler.
★ Spotless◆ Clean streak● Perfect year✓ Never fined
Awarded on the inspection record alone. What they mean →
Disciplinary actions
1 case · $800
| Case | Violation date | Final order | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7--2021017867 | Apr 14, 2021 | May 19, 2021 | $800 |
Inspection history
8 visits, newest first
Mar 5, 2026Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 5 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
0 High priority1 Intermediate4 Basic
What the inspector wrote — 5 findingsThe state's own report →
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Observed the interior of soda gun with a build up of slime. Operator cleaned soda gun.
Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting. Observed wet nesting on stainless pan on drying rack. Operator separated pans to dry properly.
Open dumpster lid. Observed open dumpster lids. Operator closed the dumpster lids.
Wiping cloth quaternary ammonium compound sanitizing solution not at proper minimum strength. Observed quaternary sanitizer not a proper minimum strength. Operator changed bucket to chlorine.
Show the remaining 1 finding ▾
Wiping cloth sanitizing solution stored on the floor. Observed wiping cloth sanitizer bucket on the floor. Operator put a bucket under the sanitizer bucket.
Oct 22, 2025Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 4 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
2 High priority1 Intermediate1 Basic
Show 4 findings ▾
Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Observed raw scallops over sausage in 4 drawer reach-in cooler on cook line. Operator moved scallops below sausage.
Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed top chicken wings at 47F, wings were piled to high in pan. Operator stated the lid had been on the single door make station for approximately 1.5 hours while prepping food. Operator removed all the top wings and placed on ice to bring down temperature rapidly. Educated operator on piling food products to high.
Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Observed wiping cloth towels and green scrubby in handwashing sink next to cook line. Employee removed items.
Wiping cloth quaternary ammonium compound sanitizing solution not at proper minimum strength. Observed quaternary wiping cloth solution at 0ppm. Operator changed to a bleach sanitizer. Chlorine sanitizer now at 100ppm.
Jun 3, 2025Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 3 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
0 High priority0 Intermediate3 Basic
Show 3 findings ▾
Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Observed employee beverage on single door flip top make station cutting board. Employee removed the beverage.
Exterior door has a gap at the threshold that opens to the outside. Observed a gap beneath exterior door from dish area.
Wiping cloth quaternary ammonium compound sanitizing solution not at proper minimum strength. Observed quaternary sanitizer at 0ppm. Operator changed sanitizer. Sanitizer now at 200ppm.
Mar 6, 2025Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 9 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
1 High priority2 Intermediate6 Basic
Show 9 findings ▾
Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed hush puppy batter on cook line at 71 F, operator stated hush puppy batter had been out approximately 1 hour. Operator placed hush puppy batter on ice and placed in reach-in cooler to rapidly bring down temperature.
Clam/mussel/oyster tags not marked with last date served. Observed tags without last day written.
No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. Observed no paper towels at hand wash sink.operator replaced towels.
Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Observed employees beverage on food prep make station. Operator removed beverage.
Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Observed employee speaker at make table on cutting board at cook line. Operator removed speaker.
Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting.observed wet nesting on stainless pans on dry rack in dish area.
In-use utensil not stored with handle above the top of time/temperature control for safety food and rim of the container. Observed handle of scoop on calamari in 2 door reach-in coolers and under on cook line. Operator removed scoop.
Outer openings not protected with self-closing doors. Observed exit door from dish area without a self closer.
Single-service articles not stored inverted or protected from contamination. Observed single serve container on microwave not inverted. Operator turned over containers.
Jun 27, 2024Inspection Completed - No Further ActionComplaint Investigation
Met inspection standards. 3 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
1 High priority1 Intermediate1 Basic
Show 3 findings ▾
Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Coleslaw 52F, operators coleslaw had been put out about an hour. Operator placed coleslaw in walk-in cooler.
No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. Observed no paper towels at hand wash sink next to cook line. Operator replaced paper towel.
Open dumpster lid. Operator closed lids.
Apr 30, 2024□ Call Back - CompliedRoutine Inspection
A return visit. The problems from the previous inspection had been dealt with.
0 High priority0 Intermediate0 Basic
Feb 28, 2024Warning IssuedRoutine Inspection
Violations found and a warning issued, with a return visit required. 8 recorded, 1 high priority.
1 High priority3 Intermediate4 Basic
Show 8 findings ▾
Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. Cleaning fluid stored next to food product. Operator moved the cleaning product.
Clam/mussel/oyster tags not marked with last date served.
Establishment packaging time/temperature control for safety food using a reduced oxygen method that does not control the growth of and toxin formation of C. botulinum and the growth of Listeria monocytogenes. Establishment does not have an approved variance from the Division of Hotels and Restaurants. Operators is conducting reduced oxygen packaging of homemade guacamole containing sour cream. No approved variance on file.
Operator is doing a special process, conducting reduced oxygen packaging, cooking time/temperature control for safety food to a time and temperature combination lesser than those in the Food Code or operating a molluscan shellfish tank for human consumption without a HACCP plan approved by the Division of Hotels and Restaurants. Operator is conducting reduced oxygen packaging on site with raw meats, chicken, and homemade guacamole containing sour cream. No approved HACCP plan on file.
Employee wearing jewelry other than a plain ring on their hands/arms while preparing food. Employee wearing watch and ring. Employee removed both.
Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting.
Missing drain plug at dumpster.
Single-service articles improperly stored. Operator nverted
Jul 13, 2023Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 2 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
0 High priority1 Intermediate1 Basic
Show 2 findings ▾
No soap provided at handwash sink at the bar. Person in charge filled soap dispenser.
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed in main kitchen area hood filters soiled with grease.
This record follows the licence, not the owner. Restaurants change hands and the licence history normally does not, so an older entry may describe people who no longer run the place. Every inspection above links to the state's own report. Something wrong? Tell us.