DIVING PELICAN
901 COPELAND AVE S, Everglades City FL 34139 · 239-564-6882
Last inspected Apr 17, 2026 · 8 visits since September 2023
JAN 24
NOV 24
APR 25
DEC 25
APR 26
▼ IMPROVING
5 inspections trending up, 12 points better than where it started.
Employee touching ready-to-eat food with their bare hands - food was not being heated as a sole ingredient to 145 degrees F or immediately added to other ingredients to be cooked/heated to the minimum required temperature to allow bare hand contact. Establishment has no approved Alternative Operating Procedure. Observed cook plate cooked fish sandwich with bare hands. Spoke with operator regarding proper glove use.
★ Spotless◆ Clean streak● Perfect year✓ Never fined
Awarded on the inspection record alone. What they mean →
Inspection history
8 visits, newest first
Apr 17, 2026Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 5 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
1 High priority2 Intermediate2 Basic
What the inspector wrote — 5 findingsThe state's own report →
Raw animal foods not properly separated from each other in holding unit based upon minimum required cooking temperature. In the walk in cooler by the dish area raw chicken is stored above raw alligator and raw fish. Operator moved items to proper storage.
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. There is dried food debris on the inside of the blade guard of the slicer.
Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. The hand washing sink in the kitchen has been used as a dump sink as evidenced by ice cubes inside the basin.
Covered waste receptacle not provided in women's bathroom. There is no covered waste receptacle in the women's restroom room.
Show the remaining 1 finding ▾
Employee with no hair restraint while engaging in food preparation. Employee put on a bandana.
Dec 19, 2025Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 9 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
1 High priority3 Intermediate5 Basic
Show 9 findings ▾
Stop Sale issued due to food not being in a wholesome, sound condition. 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. Seven red snapper filets filly thawed in reduced oxygen packaging labeled to be opened.
Establishment conducts non-continuous cooking of raw animal foods without written procedures approved by the division. Observed partially cooked fish and ground beef in Reach-in-cooler, operator confirmed that it was,partially cooked and no approved plan. Printed form for operator. Corrective action taken
Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Spray bottle in hand washing sink on cook line, toilet paper in hand washing sink in bathroom. Both corrected on site
No measuring device available for measuring utensil surface temperature when using hot water as sanitizer in a dishmachine.
Accumulation of debris on exterior of warewashing machine.
Bathroom located inside establishment not completely enclosed with tight-fitting, self-closing doors. Bathroom doors not self closing right side of restaurant.
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. Seven red snapper filets filly thawed in reduced oxygen packaging labeled to be opened.
Ice buildup in reach-in freezer and/or walk-in freezer. Reach-in-Freezer has heavy ice build up on cook line.
Straws provided for customer self-service not individually wrapped or in an approved dispenser. Straws at bar unwrapped and within customers reach. Corrected on site operator moved.
Apr 30, 2025Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 7 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
2 High priority0 Intermediate5 Basic
Show 7 findings ▾
Employee touching ready-to-eat food with their bare hands - food was not being heated as a sole ingredient to 145 degrees F or immediately added to other ingredients to be cooked/heated to the minimum required temperature to allow bare hand contact. Establishment has no approved Alternative Operating Procedure. Observed cook plate cooked fish sandwich with bare hands. Spoke with operator regarding proper glove use.
Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. In top part of cook line reach-in coolers, cut tomatoes (51F - Cold Holding); ham (52F - Cold Holding); sliced cheddar (48F - Cold Holding) for one hour per operator after lunch rush with lid left open. Operator added lids to containers to aid in cooling.
Bathroom located inside establishment not completely enclosed with tight-fitting, self-closing doors. Far right dining room, 2 bathrooms in back.
Ice buildup in reach-in freezer far end cook line. Walk-in freezer outside.
No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees. At handwash sinks in two far right side dining room bathrooms. At handwash sink at entrance to kitchen.
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Dust/grease on removable hood vents. Also gaskets on cook line reach-in coolers.
Ten (10) foot-candles of light at least 30 inches from floor not provided in walk-in freezer in far back of kitchen, inside.
Nov 1, 2024Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 4 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
0 High priority1 Intermediate3 Basic
Show 4 findings ▾
Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Strainer in hand-wash sink at bar. Corrected on site
Bathroom located inside establishment not completely enclosed with tight-fitting, self-closing doors. Bathroom door-not self closing. Corrected on site. Operator installed door closure.
Ice buildup in reach-in freezer and/or walk-in freezer. Ice-in walk-in freezer on ceiling.
Ten (10) foot-candles of light at least 30 inches from floor not provided in walk-in freezer. No light in walk-in freezer
Jan 24, 2024□ Call Back - CompliedRoutine Inspection
A return visit. The problems from the previous inspection had been dealt with.
0 High priority1 Intermediate1 Basic
Show 2 findings ▾
Proof of required state approved employee training not available for some employees. To order approved program food safety material, call DBPR contracted provider: Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (SafeStaff) 866-372-7233. No proof of employee food safety training for Douglas and Tony.
Ten (10) foot-candles of light at least 30 inches from floor not provided in walk-in cooler. The light in the walk-in freezer is inoperable.
Jan 22, 2024Warning IssuedRoutine Inspection
Violations found and a warning issued, with a return visit required. 5 recorded, 2 high priority.
2 High priority2 Intermediate1 Basic
Show 5 findings ▾
Dishmachine not sanitizing properly. Discontinue use of dishmachine for sanitizing and set up manual sanitization until dishmachine is repaired and sanitizing properly. Dishwasher (Temperature 131F). Operator will sanitize in the triple sink until the dishwasher is repaired.
Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Fish (46F - Cold Holding); raw ground beef (47F - Cold Holding); Poultry (49F - Cold Holding). Operator iced all items and will move to walk-in cooler at end of day.
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. There is dry black food debris on the can opener blade. Operator moved the can opener to the dish pit.
Proof of required state approved employee training not available for some employees. To order approved program food safety material, call DBPR contracted provider: Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (SafeStaff) 866-372-7233. No proof of employee food safety training for Douglas and Tony.
Ten (10) foot-candles of light at least 30 inches from floor not provided in walk-in cooler. The light in the walk-in freezer is inoperable.
Sep 19, 2023□ Call Back - CompliedRoutine Inspection
A return visit. The problems from the previous inspection had been dealt with.
0 High priority0 Intermediate1 Basic
Show 1 finding ▾
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. In the walk-in cooler by the dish pit, ahi tuna and nahi mahi, both thawed inside of unopened commercially processed reduced oxygen packages. Operator removed the fish from the reduced oxygen packaging.
Sep 18, 2023Warning IssuedRoutine Inspection
Violations found and a warning issued, with a return visit required. 5 recorded, 2 high priority.
2 High priority1 Intermediate2 Basic
Show 5 findings ▾
Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. In the walk-in cooler in the storage area, raw shell eggs are stored over flour tortillas. Operator moved items to proper storage order.
Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. In the drawer cooler under the grill, hamburger (46F - Cold Holding); Poultry (49F - Cold Holding); Fish (48F - Cold Holding). Operator stated the items in the drawer cooler for less than four hours. Operator moved all time temperature control for safety foods to the under counter cooler in front of the convection oven.
No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. The paper towel dispenser at the end of the cook line is not operating.
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. In the walk-in cooler by the dish pit, ahi tuna and nahi mahi, both thawed inside of unopened commercially processed reduced oxygen packages. Operator removed the fish from the reduced oxygen packaging.
Food stored on floor. There are multiple cases of food stored on the floor in the walk-in freezer. Operator moved the food to proper storage.
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.