EL LOCAL
18911 S TAMIAMI TRAIL UNIT 17, Fort Myers FL 33908 · 239-237-2903
Last inspected Jul 21, 2026 · 8 visits since December 2023
SEP 24
NOV 24
AUG 25
NOV 25
JUL 26
≈ ERRATIC
5 inspections, swinging between B and D. Consistency is the problem here, not any single visit.
Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license.
★ Spotless◆ Clean streak● Perfect year✓ Never fined
Awarded on the inspection record alone. What they mean →
Disciplinary actions
4 cases · $960
| Case | Violation date | Final order | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7--2023001562 | Dec 20, 2022 | Feb 10, 2023 | $160 |
| 7--2017052114 | Oct 11, 2017 | Dec 19, 2017 | $400 |
| 7--2017028154 | May 2, 2017 | Aug 25, 2017 | $200 |
| 7--2015046077 | Oct 14, 2015 | Nov 3, 2015 | $200 |
Inspection history
8 visits, newest first
Jul 21, 2026Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 16 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
3 High priority3 Intermediate10 Basic
What the inspector wrote — 16 findingsThe state's own report →
Nonfood-grade bags used in direct contact with food. Observed black trash bag used with food in walk in cooler.
Nonfood-grade containers used for food storage - direct contact with food. Observed black bus tub used with cooked chicken.
Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed lard 82F cold hold overnight. Stop Sale. Operator discarded lard.
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris behind slicer blade.
Show the remaining 12 findings ▾
Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Observed handwash sink at cook line blocked by boxes of avocados.
Squeeze bottle in dishwash area containing toxic substance not labeled.
Bathroom located inside establishment not completely enclosed with tight-fitting, self-closing doors. Men's restroom door.
Ceiling tile missing in hallway near back exit.
Covered waste receptacle not provided in women's bathroom.
Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable at steam table at cook line.
Employee drinking from an unenclosed beverage container in a food preparation/clean dishware area and the container does not have a dispensing mechanism to prevent hand contact with lip contact area of drink container. Observed employee open beverage on shelving above ice scoop near beverage walk in cooler.
Food not stored at least 6 inches off of the floor. Observed boxes of avocados stored on floor at end of cook line and observed boxes of food stored on floor in walk in freezer.
In-use tongs stored on equipment door handle between uses. Operator removed tongs.
Open dumpster lid.
Soiled dry wiping cloth in use.
Walk-in cooler shelves with rust that has pitted the surface.
Nov 6, 2025Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 9 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
1 High priority1 Intermediate7 Basic
Show 9 findings ▾
Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed raw pork 50F cold hold, sauce 50F cold hold less than 4 hours in reach in cooler across from stove. Operator turned down reach in cooler.
Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Observed hand wash sink in back food prep area blocked by brooms. Operator removed brooms.
Accumulation of debris on exterior of warewashing machine.
Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Observed breath mints stored on table next to food items.
Opened employee beverage container in a cold holding unit with food to be served to customers. Reach in freezer near kitchen exit. Operator removed beverages.
Time/temperature control for safety food thawed in an improper manner. Observed raw frozen pork roast thawing at room temperature. Operplaced pork in working walk in cooler to thaw.
Wall soiled with accumulated gray-like substance in dishwash area.
Wet wiping cloths used for occasional spills on equipment food- and nonfood-contact surfaces not clean. Operator discarded cloth.
Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Spices. Educated operator on the importance of labeling. Operator labeled containers.
Aug 15, 2025□ Call Back - CompliedRoutine Inspection
A return visit. The problems from the previous inspection had been dealt with.
0 High priority0 Intermediate0 Basic
Aug 6, 2025Warning IssuedRoutine Inspection
Violations found and a warning issued, with a return visit required. 11 recorded, 4 high priority.
4 High priority2 Intermediate5 Basic
Show 11 findings ▾
Dishmachine chlorine sanitizer not at proper minimum strength. Discontinue use of dishmachine for sanitizing and set up manual sanitization until dishmachine is repaired and sanitizing properly. Observed chlorine concentration at 0 ppm.
Nonfood-grade bags used in direct contact with raw meat while pounding meat.
Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Observed packaged raw beef roast stored over precooked chopped chicken in walk in cooler. Operator placed raw beef on bottom.
Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored bottled beverages. Operator removed chemical.
Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Observed strainer stored in hand wash sink at bar. Operator removed strainer.
Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled. Operator labeled bottle.
Bathroom located inside establishment not completely enclosed with tight-fitting, self-closing doors. Men's restroom.
Ice buildup in reach-in freezer near kitchen exit.
In-use knife/knives stored in cracks between pieces of equipment. Educated operator on proper storage of knives. Operator removed knives.
No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees. Hand wash sink at bar.
Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Salt container. Educated operator on labeling. Operator labeled salt.
Nov 22, 2024Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 7 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
1 High priority0 Intermediate6 Basic
Show 7 findings ▾
Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored by food items. Operator removed chemicals.
Ceiling not smooth, nonabsorbent and easily cleanable in food preparation, food storage, or warewashing areas. Observed acoustic ceiling tiles in kitchen. Educated operator on having smooth and easily cleanable ceilings.
Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Observed employee beverage stored on slicer. Operator properly stored employee beverage.
Food not stored at least 6 inches off of the floor. Observed containers of sauce stored on floor in beer walk in cooler. Educated operator on storing foods 6 inches off of floor.
Ice scoop handle in contact with ice. Bar.
In-use knife/knives stored in cracks between pieces of equipment. Bar.
Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Spice container.
Sep 3, 2024Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 9 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
1 High priority1 Intermediate7 Basic
Show 9 findings ▾
Nonfood-grade bags used in direct contact with beets in beer walk in cooler.
Soap dispenser at handwash sink not working/unable to dispense soap. Hand wash sink at kitchen front entrance.
Ceiling not smooth, nonabsorbent and easily cleanable in food preparation, food storage, or warewashing areas. Observed acoustic ceiling tiles in kitchen. Educated operator on having smooth and easily cleanable ceilings.
Employee drinking from an unenclosed beverage container in a food preparation/clean dishware area and the container does not have a dispensing mechanism to prevent hand contact with lip contact area of drink container.
Floor area in front of walk in cooler covered with standing water.
Floor soiled/has accumulation of debris underneath shelving in walk in cooler.
Food not stored at least 6 inches off of the floor. Observed bags of onions stored on floor at cook line and observed box of raw pork stored on floor in walk in cooler. Educated operator on importance of storing food off of floor.
In-use wet wiping cloth/towel used under cutting board.
No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees. Hand wash sink at bar.
Feb 22, 2024Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 9 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
0 High priority2 Intermediate7 Basic
Show 9 findings ▾
Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Observed hand wash sink at entrance blocked by boxes.
Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Observed hand wash sink in wait station used as dump sink.
Ceiling not smooth, nonabsorbent and easily cleanable in food preparation, food storage, or warewashing areas. Observed acoustic ceiling tiles in kitchen.
Floor tiles missing and/or in disrepair in beer/beverage walk in cooler. Educated operator on importance of having smooth and easily cleanable floors.
Food not stored at least 6 inches off of the floor. Observed boxes of food stored on floor in walk in freezer. Observed bottled water stored on floor in beverage walk in cooler.
In-use tongs stored on equipment door handle between uses.
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust around bottom of water heater.
Open dumpster lid. Educated operator on keeping dumpster lid closed.
Standing water or very slow draining water in outdoor mop sink.
Dec 20, 2023Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 6 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
1 High priority0 Intermediate5 Basic
Show 6 findings ▾
Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license.
Floor tiles missing and/or in disrepair in beer/beverage walk in cooler. Educated operator on importance of having smooth and easily cleanable floors.
Ice buildup in reach-in freezer at cook line.
Open dumpster lid.
Wall soiled with accumulated gray-like substance in dishwash area.
Water leaking from pipe at kitchen entrance hand wash sink.
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.