EL GAUCHO INCA BISTRO
22909 LYDEN DRIVE, Estero FL 33928 · 2394941564
Last inspected Mar 18, 2026 · 5 visits since September 2023
SEP 23
MAR 24
SEP 24
OCT 25
MAR 26
≈ ERRATIC
5 inspections, swinging between A and C. Consistency is the problem here, not any single visit.
Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license. Observed business license expired 12-1-2023.
★ Spotless◆ Clean streak● Perfect year✓ Never fined
Awarded on the inspection record alone. What they mean →
Inspection history
5 visits, newest first
Mar 18, 2026Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 6 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
0 High priority2 Intermediate4 Basic
What the inspector wrote — 6 findingsThe state's own report →
No currently certified food service manager on duty with four or more employees engaged in food preparation/handling. A list of accredited food manager certification examination providers can be found at http://www.myfloridalicense.com/DBPR/hotels-restaurants/food-lodging/food-manager/ no certified food manager currently available at Time of inspection 10 employees working. Current cfm presents certificate expired.
Operator is not properly tracking/marking the number of days ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite was held at refrigeration temperatures prior to freezing in order to properly date mark the food when it is thawed and held at refrigeration temperatures again. Not all food in the freezer in ziploc bags has date and description of the food on the bags, in the stand up freezer to the right of the kitchen entrance door.
In-use utensil stored in standing water less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed utensils in standing water at 78F.
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed gaskets on reach in cooler soiled.
Show the remaining 2 findings ▾
Time/temperature control for safety food thawed in an improper manner. Observed fish thawing in standing water in 3 comp sink.
Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Observed squirt bottles of oils and sauces on the sauté cook line not labeled.
Oct 1, 2025Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 5 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
0 High priority1 Intermediate4 Basic
Show 5 findings ▾
Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Observed handwashing sink on the back cook line blocked by garbage can and pans.
Employee eating while preparing food. Observed employee eating food on the cook line.
Employee with no hair restraint while engaging in food preparation. Observed employee with no hair protection preparing food.
Walk-in cooler/freezer shelves with rust that has pitted the surface. Observed walk in cooler shelves with rust.
Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Observed liquid squeeze bottles on the cook line not labeled.
Sep 12, 2024Inspection Completed - No Further ActionLicensing Inspection
Met inspection standards. 5 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
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. Observed some employee food handler trading was expired.
Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin. Observed black mold like substance on interior of ice machine bin.
No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees. Handwashing sign missing at dink not pasta station.
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed some food debris on the reach in cooler drawers and gaskets.
Walk-in cooler/freezer shelves with rust that has pitted the surface. Observed rust on the walk in cooler shelves.
Mar 14, 2024Administrative complaint recommendedRoutine Inspection
Referred for a formal case, which can lead to a fine. 2 violations recorded, 2 high priority.
2 High priority0 Intermediate0 Basic
Show 2 findings ▾
Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license. Observed business license expired 12-1-2023.
Raw animal food stored over or with ready-to-eat food in a freezer - not all products commercially packaged. Observed raw chicken not in original packaging stored above repackaged French fries in reach in freezer.
Sep 21, 2023Inspection 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 ▾
Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin. Observed black mold like substance inside ice machine bin.
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. Observed salmon and snapper thawed in commercially packaged bags
Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Observed working bottles of sauce on cook line not labeled.
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.