EAST LAKE CAFE
3430 EAST LAKE RD STE 3, Palm Harbor FL 34685 · 727-772-0707
Last inspected May 4, 2026 · 11 visits since August 2023
JAN 24
NOV 24
FEB 25
DEC 25
APR 26
▼ IMPROVING
5 inspections trending up, 74 points better than where it started.
Establishment did not report seating change that affects the license fee, Clean Indoor Air Act, sewage system approval or other related requirements. 68 seats inside, 47 outside, license shows 69 seats.
★ Spotless◆ Clean streak● Perfect year✓ Never fined
Awarded on the inspection record alone. What they mean →
Disciplinary actions
2 cases · $600
| Case | Violation date | Final order | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3--2026032332 | Apr 29, 2026 | Jun 10, 2026 | $200 |
| 3--2022018600 | Apr 13, 2022 | May 3, 2022 | $400 |
Inspection history
11 visits, newest first
May 4, 2026□ Call Back - CompliedRoutine Inspection
A return visit. The problems from the previous inspection had been dealt with.
0 High priority0 Intermediate1 Basic
What the inspector wrote — 1 finding
Raw fruits/vegetables not washed prior to preparation. Mushrooms being sliced with out being washed. Discussed the need to wash produce before preparation.
Apr 29, 2026Administrative complaint recommendedRoutine Inspection
Referred for a formal case, which can lead to a fine. 5 violations recorded, 1 high priority.
1 High priority1 Intermediate3 Basic
Show 5 findings ▾
Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41F corned beef hash (49F - Cold Holding); shredded cheese (46F - Cold Holding, second temperature at 10.35 50F ); sliced tomatoes (45F - Cold Holding, 49F ); sausage (45F - Cold Holding, second temperature 49F); ham (46F - Cold Holding), second temperature 46F,operator had food on minimal ice. They are now adding enough ice to go up the sides of the pan and placing the food in the freezer for quick cool. They will be keeping the food iced or moving to another cooler until it can be determined if the cooler needs to be repaired.
No soap provided at handwash sink. Soap dispenser fell off wall per operator. It was placed on a shelf above the sink too high to be convenient for use. Operator replenished soap during inspection.
Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Employee beverage on upper shelf of prep table on cook line
Raw fruits/vegetables not washed prior to preparation. Mushrooms being sliced with out being washed. Discussed the need to wash produce before preparation.
Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Squeeze bottles on cooks line containing food removed from the original container not labeled with common name.
Dec 29, 2025Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 6 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
1 High priority2 Intermediate3 Basic
Show 6 findings ▾
Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Scrambled egg mix 50F cold held in a deep container set in a shallow pan of ice,corned beef hash 46F cold held, turkey slices 48F, shredded cheddar 42F cold hold cold hold. All foods were in unit less than 4 hours, operator placed in freezer for quick cool. Second temperature taken at 9:02 scrambled eggs 47F cooling, corned beef has 45F cooling, turkey slices 38F cold holding, shredded cheddar 42F cold hold
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Cutting board in server station stained/ soiled
No soap provided at handwash sink. No soap at hand wash sink, dish soap was provided for hand washing
Food stored on floor. Pickles stored on floor of walk in cooler.
Raw fruits/vegetables not washed prior to preparation. Avocado not washed and stickers removed before sliced. Operator removed product from cook line to be washed
Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Squeeze bottles on cook line containing food removed from the original container not labeled with common name.
Feb 26, 2025Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 5 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
2 High priority0 Intermediate3 Basic
Show 5 findings ▾
Employee touched soiled surface and then engaged in food preparation, handled clean equipment or utensils, or touched unwrapped single-service items without washing hands. Employee on 2 occasions was on cell phone while prepping and did not wash hands after phone use. Discussed the importance of not using the phone while prepping and washing hands before continuing to work with food.
Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Portioned butter 45F cold hold, second temperature at 10:01 43F cold hold
Floor soiled/has accumulation of debris. Under and behind equipment.
Open dumpster lid. Discussed the importance of of closing the lid to the dumpster to help keep vermin from the establishment.
Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Food containers containing foods removed from their original container not labeled with common name.
Nov 5, 2024□ Call Back - CompliedComplaint Investigation
A return visit. The problems from the previous inspection had been dealt with.
1 High priority1 Intermediate7 Basic
Show 9 findings ▾
Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Middle make station; Dairy (54F - Cold Holding); Plant Foods (54F - Cold Holding) Items moved to freezer to get back in temperature.
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Cutting boards in kitchen have built up food debris. Slicer in rear of kitchen has built up food debris. Sandwich press on cook line has built up food debris.
Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin. Rear main ice machine has mold like growth around door gasket.
Buildup of food debris/soil residue on equipment door handles. Walk in cooler door handle has food debris.
Garbage on the ground and/or pad around dumpster.
Interior of oven/microwave has accumulation of black substance/grease/food debris. Toaster oven in server station area has built up food debris.
Missing drain plug at dumpster.
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Gaskets on reach in coolers on cook line have food debris.
Unwashed fruits/vegetables stored with ready-to-eat food. Unwashed avocados with ready to eat foods in reach in cooler on cook line.
Nov 4, 2024Warning IssuedComplaint Investigation
Violations found and a warning issued, with a return visit required. 24 recorded, 7 high priority.
7 High priority3 Intermediate14 Basic
Show 24 findings ▾
Container of medicine improperly stored. Medicine improperly stored on prep table in kitchen.
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 dishwasher going back and forth between dirty and clean materials without washing hands and changing gloves.
Employee switched from working with raw food to ready-to-eat food without washing hands. Cook on cook line touched raw beef to put on grill, removed gloves, but did not ash hands prior to putting on new gloves and touching ready to eat foods.
Employee touched soiled apron/clothes and then engaged in food preparation, handled clean equipment or utensils, or touched unwrapped single-service items without washing hands. Cook on line touched dirty shirt with gloves on and failed to remove gloves and wash hands.
Employee touched soiled surface and then engaged in food preparation, handled clean equipment or utensils, or touched unwrapped single-service items without washing hands. Cook on cook line was touching cell phone with gloves on and continued preparing food.
Raw animal food stored over or with ready-to-eat food in a freezer - not all products commercially packaged. Raw beef and raw salmon stored over bread in reach in freezer not all commercially packaged.
Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Middle make station; Dairy (54F - Cold Holding); Plant Foods (54F - Cold Holding) Items moved to freezer to get back in temperature.
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Cutting boards in kitchen have built up food debris. Slicer in rear of kitchen has built up food debris. Sandwich press on cook line has built up food debris.
Menu does not identify which items contain raw or undercooked animal foods covered by the consumer advisory. Smoked salmon and eggs Benedict not identified as being raw or undercooked items.
Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Cooked chicken in walk in cooler prepared more than 24 hours ago and not date marked.
Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin. Rear main ice machine has mold like growth around door gasket.
Buildup of food debris/soil residue on equipment door handles. Walk in cooler door handle has food debris.
Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Employee beverage on prep table across from dish machine.
Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Dishwasher had cell phone on table where she was storing recently washed equipment and untensils.
Employee with no hair restraint while engaging in food preparation. Cook on cook line has no hair restraint.
Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting. Found at nested glasses above the rear fountain station (on storage shelves)
Food stored on floor. Soda box on floor by hand wash sink. Cooking oil stored on floor by rear kitchen door.
Garbage on the ground and/or pad around dumpster.
Interior of oven/microwave has accumulation of black substance/grease/food debris. Toaster oven in server station area has built up food debris.
Missing drain plug at dumpster.
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Gaskets on reach in coolers on cook line have food debris.
Server scooping/portioning food (other than ice and beverages) has no hair restraint.
Unprotected ice machine in a customer/nonsecure area. Ice machine in hallway used by customers to get to restroom not locked.
Unwashed fruits/vegetables stored with ready-to-eat food. Unwashed avocados with ready to eat foods in reach in cooler on cook line.
Mar 26, 2024□ Call Back - CompliedRoutine Inspection
A return visit. The problems from the previous inspection had been dealt with.
0 High priority1 Intermediate4 Basic
Show 5 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.
Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated grease, dust. Kitchen
Equipment in poor repair. Gasket of 3 door cooler on cook line torn
Establishment did not report seating change that affects the license fee, Clean Indoor Air Act, sewage system approval or other related requirements. 68 seats inside, 47 outside, license shows 69 seats.
Establishment increased seating without providing written approval from the local fire authority and wastewater provider. 68 seats inside, 47 outside, license shows 69 seats.
Jan 25, 2024Call Back - Extension given, pendingRoutine Inspection
A return visit. The problems were not fixed yet and the kitchen was given more time.
0 High priority1 Intermediate6 Basic
Show 7 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.
Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated grease, dust. Kitchen
Equipment in poor repair. Gasket of 3 door cooler on cook line torn
Establishment did not report seating change that affects the license fee, Clean Indoor Air Act, sewage system approval or other related requirements. 68 seats inside, 47 outside, license shows 69 seats.
Establishment increased seating without providing written approval from the local fire authority and wastewater provider. 68 seats inside, 47 outside, license shows 69 seats.
Unprotected ice machine in a customer/nonsecure area. Ice machine in hallway next to restroom, customers must walk passed ice machine to get to rest room
Wiping cloth chlorine sanitizing solution not at proper minimum strength. At wait station, 0 ppm
Jan 24, 2024Warning IssuedRoutine Inspection
Violations found and a warning issued, with a return visit required. 24 recorded, 9 high priority.
9 High priority4 Intermediate11 Basic
Show 24 findings ▾
Employee began working with food, handling clean equipment or utensils, or touching unwrapped single-service items without first washing hands. Server came from dining room, filled glass with ice and soda, no hand wash.
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.
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. Cook touched English muffin on plate with bare hands, discussed not touching ready to eat foods with bare hands. See stop sale.
Raw animal food stored over or with unwashed produce. Raw bacon over produce in walk in cooler
Stop Sale issued due to adulteration of food product. 1 English muffin
Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. butter with seasoning (67F - Cold Holding)removed from refrigeration 3.5 hours ago. sliced tomatoes (46F - Cold Holding);recheck - cut melon (47F - Cold Holding); recheck 47F
Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. On lift top cooler on cook line- butter with seasoning (67F - Cold Holding)removed from refrigeration 3.5 hours ago. see stop sale In lift top cooler -sliced tomatoes (46F - Cold Holding);recheck - cut melon (47F - Cold Holding); operator covered. Recheck tomatoes 47F, melon 47F, see stop sale, prepped yesterday. egg whites (45F - Cold Holding) in bus tub with ice and water, operator states they were made yesterday, operator added ice to tub.
Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. In half pan on grill cooked potatoes (121/137F - Hot Holding);operator turned up heat
Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. Spray bottle on cart by host station over to go jelly packets.
Handwash sink does not have enough water pressure to properly wash hands. While dish machine running, water trickles at hand wash sink at wait station
Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Dishwasher filled styrofoam cup at hand wash sink at wait station.
Menu does not identify which items contain raw or undercooked animal foods covered by the consumer advisory. Eggs benedict on menu, nothing to identify them as under cooked. Operator put asterisk next to eggs Benedict
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.
Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated grease, dust. Kitchen
Equipment in poor repair. Gasket of 3 door cooler on cook line torn
Establishment did not report seating change that affects the license fee, Clean Indoor Air Act, sewage system approval or other related requirements. 68 seats inside, 47 outside, license shows 69 seats.
Establishment increased seating without providing written approval from the local fire authority and wastewater provider. 68 seats inside, 47 outside, license shows 69 seats.
Food stored on floor. Box of fry oil on floor by walk in cooler
Raw fruits/vegetables not washed prior to preparation. Stickers not removed from avocados before washing. Discussed proper washing of produce with manager on duty
Sanitizer bucket stored with food, equipment, utensils, linens, single-service, or single-use articles. At wait station on counter over clean plates
Unprotected ice machine in a customer/nonsecure area. Ice machine in hallway next to restroom, customers must walk passed ice machine to get to rest room
Unwashed fruits/vegetables stored with ready-to-eat food. In washed mushroom, sprouts over cooked chicken, muffins, in walk in cooler
Wet wiping cloth not stored in sanitizing solution between uses. On cart by host stand
Wiping cloth chlorine sanitizing solution not at proper minimum strength. At wait station, 0 ppm
Oct 30, 2023Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 7 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
2 High priority1 Intermediate4 Basic
Show 7 findings ▾
Employee handled soiled equipment or utensils and then handled clean equipment or utensils without washing hands.- manager reviewed with dishwasher - dishes rewashed. - dishwasher washed hands
Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. - pooled eggs 53 F placed in ice bath 2 hours previously -manager added ice -recheck 40 F
Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled in dish washing area - manager labeled spray bottle
Accumulation of black mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine - manager protected ice and cleaned and sanitized drop plate
Employee chewing gum while handling dishes in warewashing area.
Food ( pot of cooked potatoes ) stored on floor in walk in cooler - manager rearranged food
Unwashed fruits/vegetables ( bananas ) stored with ready-to-eat food ( cooked bacon ) in walk in cooler - manager rearranged food.
Aug 2, 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 ▾
Interior of oven has accumulation of black substance/grease/food debris.
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.