EL GAUCHO DELI CAFE
22905 LYDEN DR, Estero FL 33928 · 239-494-2125
Last inspected Aug 21, 2026 · 8 visits since September 2023
JAN 25
JUL 25
OCT 25
MAR 26
AUG 26
▲ GETTING WORSE
5 inspections, one direction. The current grade is the worst on record.
Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed 30 dozen she'll eggs sitting out at room temperature of 77F for over 4 hours. Operator discarded eggs.
★ Spotless◆ Clean streak● Perfect year✓ Never fined
Awarded on the inspection record alone. What they mean →
Disciplinary actions
1 case · $160
| Case | Violation date | Final order | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7--2023032661 | Apr 18, 2023 | Jun 19, 2023 | $160 |
Inspection history
8 visits, newest first
Aug 21, 2026Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 7 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
2 High priority3 Intermediate2 Basic
What the inspector wrote — 7 findingsThe state's own report →
Employee cracked raw shell eggs and then handled ready-to-eat food and/or clean equipment or utensils without washing hands. Observed operator crack eggs, then use a clean utensil without washing their hands and changing gloves. Educated operator on proper hand washing.
Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Observed raw chicken stored above ready to eat cheese and ham. Reach in glass double door refrigerator in the kitchen. Operator moved chicken to a lower shelf.
Paper towel dispenser at handwash sink not working/unable to dispense paper towels. Observed paper towel dispenser in the kitchen unable to dispense towels.
Raw/undercooked animal food offered and establishment has no written consumer advisory. Raw animal foods must be fully cooked prior to service. Observed restaurant is serving eggs, burgers and steaks cooked to order with no posted consumer advisory posted.emailed form.
Show the remaining 3 findings ▾
Required employee training expired for some employees. To order approved program food safety material, call DBPR contracted provider: Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (SafeStaff) 866-372-7233. Observed some employee training expired.
Employee with no hair restraint while engaging in food preparation. Observed employee preparing food with no hair protection.
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed gaskets on the reach in cooler on the cookline soiled.
Mar 20, 2026Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 5 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
1 High priority0 Intermediate4 Basic
Show 5 findings ▾
Raw animal food stored over or with ready-to-eat food in a freezer - not all products commercially packaged. Observed smoked salmon stored above ready to eat lunch meats in standup reach in cooler in the kitchen area. Operator moved salmon.
Clean equipment/dishware/utensils stored next to handwash/food preparation sink exposed to splash. Observed plates next to the espresso machine next to the handwashing sink on the cook line.
Employee wearing jewelry other than a plain ring on their hands/arms while preparing food. Observed employee preparing food wearing a watch.
Employee with no hair restraint while engaging in food preparation. Observed employee preparing food with no hair restraint.
Ice scoop handle in contact with ice. Observed ice handle in the ice in the small cooler on the cook line. operator moved scoop.
Oct 30, 2025Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 1 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
0 High priority0 Intermediate1 Basic
Show 1 finding ▾
Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable. Observed cut marks in cutting board in the front kitchen area across from the flat top grill.
Jul 22, 2025Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 2 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
0 High priority0 Intermediate2 Basic
Show 2 findings ▾
Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable. Observed cutting board on the front line make table grooved and may need to be replaced.
Wall soiled with accumulated grease, food debris, and/or dust. Observed wall soiled at 3 compartment sink.
Jan 29, 2025Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 2 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
0 High priority0 Intermediate2 Basic
Show 2 findings ▾
Equipment in poor repair. Observed interior of ice machine plastic chipping.
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed reach in cooler door gaskets on the cook line soiled with food debris. Operator cleaned while inspection was still open.
Jul 17, 2024Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 4 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
1 High priority0 Intermediate3 Basic
Show 4 findings ▾
Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Observed raw shell eggs and raw beef stored above cooked ready to eat food in reach in refrigerator to the left of the door to the kitchen from the service counter. Operator moved eggs and raw beef to lower shelf.
Current Hotel and Restaurant license not displayed. Observed current license not displayed, operator printed copy of current license and posted it before inspection was concluded.
Food stored in a prohibited area. Observed bottles of water and other beverages stored in the employee restroom which is in use. Operator removed beverages from the restroom.
Food stored on floor. Observed bottled water and juices stored on the floor in the employees restroom. Operator relocated beverages bottles.
Feb 15, 2024Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 5 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
1 High priority0 Intermediate4 Basic
Show 5 findings ▾
Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Observed raw chicken and beef stored above ready to eat salsa, onions and hot dogs in single glass door reach in cooler next to double door exit to dining room in the kitchen operator moved to lower shelf.
Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Observed cell phone on prep table where employee is preparing food.
Employee wearing jewelry other than a plain ring on their hands/arms while preparing food. Observed employee engaged in food preparation with multiple bracelets n their wrist.
Old labels stuck to food containers after cleaning. Observed old labels on plastic containers on storage shelf next to stand up double door teach in freezer.
Opened employee beverage container in a cold holding unit with food to be served to customers. Observed open bottle of water on shelf in reach in cooler by the back wall where back desserts are kept.
Sep 21, 2023Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 4 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
3 High priority0 Intermediate1 Basic
Show 4 findings ▾
Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Observed smoked salmon in reach in cooler next to large prep table stored above ready to eat cheeses and deli meats. Operator moved salmon.
Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. Observed 30 dozen eggs sitting on top of reach in refrigerator unit, operator states they have been there since 10:00 a.m. held at room temperature over 4 hours. At time of inspection it is currently 3:30 p.m. Operator discarded eggs.
Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed 30 dozen she'll eggs sitting out at room temperature of 77F for over 4 hours. Operator discarded eggs.
Covered waste receptacle not provided in women's bathroom. Covered receptacle not provided in unisex restroom.
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.