EL GAUCHO INCA FT MYERS
4383 COLONIAL BLVD, Fort Myers FL 33966 · 239-2757504
Last inspected Jun 24, 2026 · 7 visits since December 2023
APR 24
FEB 25
APR 25
DEC 25
APR 26
≈ ERRATIC
5 inspections, swinging between A and F. Consistency is the problem here, not any single visit.
Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license. License expired 12/01/25.
★ Spotless◆ Clean streak● Perfect year✓ Never fined
Awarded on the inspection record alone. What they mean →
Inspection history
7 visits, newest first
Jun 24, 2026Call Back - Admin. complaint recommendedRoutine Inspection
Referred for a formal case, which can lead to a fine. 7 violations recorded.
0 High priority2 Intermediate5 Basic
What the inspector wrote — 7 findingsThe state's own report →
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Can opener blade soiled. Slicer blade soiled.
Menu does not identify which items contain raw or undercooked animal foods covered by the consumer advisory. Raw shrimp and fish ceviche on the menu not identified as raw items.
Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine.
Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance. Ceilings tiles in the three compartment sink area soiled..
Show the remaining 3 findings ▾
Floor soiled/has accumulation of debris. Floors in the walk in cooler and the walk in freezer soiled.
No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees. No hand wash sign at the hand wash sink in the bar area.
Unclean building components, attachments or fixtures. Fan guards in the walk in cooler soiled.
Apr 24, 2026Warning IssuedRoutine Inspection
Violations found and a warning issued, with a return visit required. 16 recorded, 8 high priority.
8 High priority3 Intermediate5 Basic
Show 16 findings ▾
Employee touched face/hair and then engaged in food preparation, handled clean equipment or utensils, or touched unwrapped single-service items without washing hands. Employee touched their mouth then clean equipment without washing their hands. Employee removed the equipment to be sanitized and washed their 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. Observed employee handling limes with their bare hands while cutting them. Manager stated the limes were intended the be garish on customers plate. Manager discarded the limes.
Pesticide-emitting strip present in food prep area. Two pest emitting strips hanging over preparation tables in the kitchen. Manager removed the strips.
Raw animal food stored over or with unwashed produce. Raw beef stored over unwashed onions in the walk in cooler. Manager removed the beef.
Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Raw shell eggs stored over cooked rice in the stand up reach in cooler on the cook line. Manager removed the rice.
Stop Sale issued due to food not being in a wholesome, sound condition. Observed employee handling limes with their bare hands while cutting them. Manager stated the limes were intended the be garish on customers plate. Manager discarded the limes.
Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. Spray bottles containing cleaning fluid stored next to food in the cook line area. Employee removed the bottles.
Wiping cloth sanitizer solution exceeds the maximum concentration allowed. Wiping cloth sanitizer reading +200ppm chlorine. Manager replaced the sanitizer, new reading 100ppm chlorine.
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Can opener blade soiled. Slicer blade soiled.
Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Several items stored in the hand wash sink in the dishwasher area. Employee removed the items.
Menu does not identify which items contain raw or undercooked animal foods covered by the consumer advisory. Raw shrimp and fish ceviche on the menu not identified as raw items.
Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine.
Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance. Ceilings tiles in the three compartment sink area soiled..
Floor soiled/has accumulation of debris. Floors in the walk in cooler and the walk in freezer soiled.
No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees. No hand wash sign at the hand wash sink in the bar area.
Unclean building components, attachments or fixtures. Fan guards in the walk in cooler soiled.
Dec 5, 2025Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 17 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
5 High priority4 Intermediate8 Basic
Show 17 findings ▾
Nonfood-grade bags used in direct contact with tortillas. Operator switched to food grade container.
Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license. License expired 12/01/25.
Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Observed raw shell eggs stored over rice in reach in cooler. Operator switched containers.
Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed mashed potato 53F cold hold less than 4 hours. Operator placed foods in working reach in cooler.
Vacuum breaker missing at hose bibb or on fitting/splitter added to hose bibb behind establishment.
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris. Can opener. Operator cleaned can opener.
Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Observed handwash sink in dishwash area blocked by shelving.
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. Observed precooked meats/foods in date marked in reach in freezer at entrance. Operator date marked.
Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled. Operator labeled bottle.
Accumulation of gray-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin. Operator cleaned ice machine.
Carbon dioxide/helium tanks not adequately secured.
Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust above three compartment sink. Educated operator on cleaning ceiling above three compartment sink.
Covered waste receptacle not provided in women's bathroom.
In-use knife/knives stored in cracks between pieces of equipment. Operator removed knife.
No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees. Bar.
Wall soiled with accumulated gray-like substance underneath spray table in dishwash area.
Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Flour/sugar/salt containers.
Apr 15, 2025Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 6 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
0 High priority1 Intermediate5 Basic
Show 6 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.
Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance over 3 compartment sink.
Cove molding at floor/wall juncture broken/missing. Observed cove molding missing on wall between dish washing area and dry storage.
Ice scoop handle in contact with ice in bar area soda machine and ice bin.
In-use utensil stored in standing water less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed scoop in standing water at 84F.
Opened employee beverage container in a cold holding unit with food to be served to customers, observed open bottle of water in reach in cooler on prep line.
Feb 20, 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 ▾
Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled. Observed two unlabeled spray bottles at bar area. Operator had employee label spray bottles.
Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin.
Hood filter missing from automatic fire suppression/exhaust system, one filter missing in hood system. Operator directed employee to replace filter.
In-use tongs stored on equipment door handle between uses. Observed tongs stored on oven handle. Operator moved items for proper storage.
Walk-in cooler/freezer shelves with rust that has pitted the surface.
Apr 3, 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 ▾
Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed on cook line: green beans (51F - Cold Holding). Operator placed items on ice.
Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Observed container used as a scoop in bulk rice bin. Operator removed container.
In-use tongs stored on equipment door handle between uses. Observed tongs stored on oven handle in kitchen. Operator moved item for proper storage.
In-use utensil stored in standing water less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed rice scoop in standing water at 83F.
Dec 27, 2023Inspection Completed - No Further ActionLicensing Inspection
Met inspection standards. 3 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
2 High priority0 Intermediate1 Basic
Show 3 findings ▾
Non-food grade paper/paper towel used as liner for food container. Observed paper towel in direct contact with cilantro in reach in cooler. Operator removed paper towels.
Raw animal foods not properly separated from one another based upon minimum required cooking temperature when stored in a freezer - not all products commercially packaged. Observed pan of raw chicken stored over cases of French fries in walk in freezer unit.
Old labels stuck to food containers after cleaning. Observed old label tape on item in reach in cooler across from white freezer on cook line.
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.