DON PANCHO RESTAURANT
21561 US HWY 19 N, Clearwater FL 33765 · 727-560-7847
Last inspected Apr 2, 2026 · 5 visits since August 2024
AUG 24
FEB 25
NOV 25
APR 26
≈ ERRATIC
4 inspections, swinging between A and D. Consistency is the problem here, not any single visit.
Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license.License expired on 02/01/26. License renewed during inspection.
★ Spotless◆ Clean streak● Perfect year✓ Never fined
Awarded on the inspection record alone. What they mean →
Inspection history
5 visits, newest first
Apr 2, 2026Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 12 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
4 High priority4 Intermediate4 Basic
What the inspector wrote — 12 findingsThe state's own report →
Raw animal food ( raw fish) stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. ( cooked beef ) in triple door cooler -Raw animal foods not properly separated from each other in holding unit based upon minimum required cooking temperature. Raw shell eggs over raw seafood in triple door cooler in kitchen Manager directed employee to rearrange food which he did.
Nonfood-grade bags used in direct contact with food ( bread and pitas ).
Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license.License expired on 02/01/26. License renewed during inspection.
Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Cooked peppers and onions 120 F in warmer above stove. Manager reheated peppers and onions on grill. Recheck onions 172F, peppers 167-183F
Show the remaining 8 findings ▾
No probe thermometer provided to measure temperature of food products. -Probe thermometer not used to ensure proper food temperatures. Reviewed with manager
Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Hand wash sinks must in back kitchen has a trash can in front of it. Reviewed with manager hand wash sinks must be accessible at all times. Trash can relocated
No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. Employee placed paper towels in dispenser. Reviewed with manager hand wash sinks must be stocked at all times
Spray bottles containing toxic substance not labeled in dishwashing area. Manager labeled spray bottles
In-use knife/knives stored in cracks between pieces of equipment- between steam table and reach in cooler at cook line -In-use tongs stored on equipment door handle between uses. Manager moved knives to triple sink to clean. Tongs relocated
Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting- pans stacked with moisture in between on storage shelf in kitchen
Plumbing system in disrepair in men's room. Service scheduled. One bathroom available for use.
Wiping cloth chlorine sanitizing solution not at proper minimum strength. 0 ppm chlorine - Manager changed solution recheck 100 ppm chlorine
Nov 19, 2025Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 13 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
1 High priority3 Intermediate9 Basic
Show 13 findings ▾
Nonfood-grade bags used in direct contact with food. Observed non food grade bags used to store cooked tortillas in reach in cooler across from triple sink, employee removed the item and placed them in a food grade bag.
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Observed soiled cutting boards.
No hot water provided at hand wash sink in cook-line area, Observed hand sink with no running hot water
Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled. Observed multiple spray bottles with Chemicals not labeled, discussed with employee and ha said he will label them.
Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable. Observed cutting boards on cook line reach in cooler grooved.
Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting. Observed pans in ware washing area stacked together wet, discussed with employee the importance of drying pans before stacking.
Faucet/handle at plumbing fixture. Hot water handle not working at hand sink on the cook line
Fly sticky tape hanging over food/food preparation area/food-contact equipment. Observed fly trap hung in kitchen over plates by server window. Employee removed and discarded the fly trap.
Food stored on floor. Observed two containers of cooking oil stored on floor, employee raised containers off the floor.
In-use tongs stored on equipment door handle between uses. Observed a pair of tongs in use hanging on the oven handle on the cooks line, employee removed the tongs.
Missing drain plug at dumpster. Discussed with operator the importance of keeping the lids closed and the dumpster needing a drain plug.
Single-service articles improperly stored. Observed coffee filters on counter in the bar area unprotected. Employee covered the coffee filters.
Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. -Observed squeeze bottles on cook line used for cooking not properly labeled.
Apr 23, 2025Call Back - Admin. complaint recommendedRoutine Inspection
Referred for a formal case, which can lead to a fine. 1 violations recorded.
0 High priority1 Intermediate0 Basic
Show 1 finding ▾
No proof of required state approved employee training provided for any employees. To order approved program food safety material, call DBPR contracted provider: Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (SafeStaff) 866-372-7233.
Feb 21, 2025Warning IssuedRoutine Inspection
Violations found and a warning issued, with a return visit required. 10 recorded, 4 high priority.
4 High priority4 Intermediate2 Basic
Show 10 findings ▾
Nonfood-grade bags used in direct contact with food ( pitas) in triple door cooler. Reviewed with manager. Employee removed pitas from non food grade bag
Raw animal food ( raw shell eggs ) stored in same container as ready-to-eat food.( cut tomatoes ) in triple door cooler. Reviewed with manager.
Raw animal foods not properly separated from each other in holding unit based upon minimum required cooking temperature. Raw chicken over raw beef in triple door cooler. Reviewed with manager safe food storage. Manager then reviewed with employee. Employee rearranged food. Emailed to manager safe food storage. Manager printed and posted hand out on cooler door
Spray hose at dish sink lower than flood rim of sink. Reviewed with manager
No proof of required state approved employee training provided for any employees. To order approved program food safety material, call DBPR contracted provider: Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (SafeStaff) 866-372-7233.
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. Employees signed document during the inspection
No sanitizer of any kind available for warewashing. Only use single-service items to serve food to customers until sanitizer is available for warewashing. Manager went to market and brought chlorine used for sanitizing food contact surfaces.
Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled in front counter area. Employee labeled spray bottle
Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting of metal and plastic containers stacked in dish washing area. Reviewed with manager
In-use knife/knives stored in cracks between pieces of equipment - between stream table and reach in cooler at cook line. Reviewed with manager. Employee moved knifes to triple sink to wash,rinse and sanitize
Aug 30, 2024Inspection Completed - No Further ActionLicensing Inspection
Met inspection standards. 3 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
0 High priority2 Intermediate1 Basic
Show 3 findings ▾
No chemical test kit provided when using sanitizer at three-compartment sink/warewashing machine or wiping cloths. Operator went to store next door and came back with the proper test kit
No sanitizer of any kind available for warewashing. Only use single-service items to serve food to customers until sanitizer is available for warewashing. Operator went to store next door and came back with the proper sanitizer for food contact surfaces, assisted operator on setting up sanitizer sink and the proper PPM for chlorine sanitizer
No Heimlich maneuver/choking sign posted. Provide operator with printed copy of from 5030-105 and he posted in kitchen
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.