EMPIRE BAGEL FACTORY
9961 INTERSTATE COMMERCE DR #195, Fort Myers FL 33913 · 239-228-5340
Last inspected Mar 20, 2026 · 8 visits since May 2024
MAY 24
JUL 24
NOV 24
SEP 25
MAR 26
≈ ERRATIC
5 inspections, swinging between A and F. Consistency is the problem here, not any single visit.
Live, small flying insects in kitchen, food preparation area, food storage area and/or bar area. 10 by mop sink, 3 by walk-in cooler/freezer, 2 in men's restroom.
★ Spotless◆ Clean streak● Perfect year✓ Never fined
Awarded on the inspection record alone. What they mean →
Disciplinary actions
1 case · $400
| Case | Violation date | Final order | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7--2024027336 | May 9, 2024 | Aug 29, 2024 | $400 |
Inspection history
8 visits, newest first
Mar 20, 2026Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 7 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
1 High priority2 Intermediate4 Basic
What the inspector wrote — 7 findingsThe state's own report →
Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored near food items. Operator removed chemical.
Lack of toilet tissue at each toilet. Women's restroom.
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.
Floor soiled/has accumulation of debris underneath front bagel display reach in cooler.
Show the remaining 3 findings ▾
Food not stored at least 6 inches off of the floor. Observed box of ham stored on floor in walk in cooler. Operator placed box on shelving.
Ice buildup in walk-in freezer. Educated operator on importance of defrosting walk in freezer.
Single-service articles improperly stored. Observed box of service cups stored on floor in dry storage.
Sep 4, 2025Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 8 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
4 High priority1 Intermediate3 Basic
Show 8 findings ▾
Employee cracked raw shell eggs and then handled ready-to-eat food and/or clean equipment or utensils without washing hands. After cracking raw shell eggs, employee handled ready-to-eat toasted bagel to butter without switching gloves, washing hands. Toasted bagel came into direct contact with raw eggs - see stop sale.
Stop Sale issued due to food not being in a wholesome, sound condition. Employee cracked raw shell eggs and then handled ready-to-eat food and/or clean equipment or utensils without washing hands. After cracking raw shell eggs, employee handled ready-to-eat toasted bagel to butter without switching gloves, washing hands. Toasted bagel came into direct contact with raw eggs.
Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. In reach-in cooler main, cooked pork sausage (51F - Cold Holding); cooked pork roll (54F - Cold Holding); veggie cream cheese (47F - Cold Holding); Ham (48F - Cold Holding); cut tomatoes (46F - Cold Holding) at top portions filled above fill line. Per operator, top unit was opened 3 hours ago and not closed in between service. Operator voluntarily discarded all items.
Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. On counter next to flat grill, cooked potatoes hash browns (74F - Hot Holding) for 20 minutes per operator. Operator added a 4 hour time mark for discard and. Discussed with operator updating time as a public health control form when adding new items to time control.
Commercially processed ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food opened and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked after opening. Observed cream cheese and flavored cream cheeses in walk-in cooler, reach-in cooler missing any date marking from date cream cheese was originally opened, per operator from multiple batches between 2-4 days ago. Operator began labeling all products.
Ice buildup in walk-in freezer.
Label on a food item prepared and packaged onsite for customer self-service does not include product identity/description, date product was packaged and name and address of the establishment that prepared and packaged the food. In front glass door reach-in cooler, packaged flavored cream cheese for customer self service lacking proper labeling,
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Vent covers in walk-in cooler.
Nov 20, 2024□ Call Back - CompliedRoutine Inspection
A return visit. The problems from the previous inspection had been dealt with.
0 High priority0 Intermediate3 Basic
Show 3 findings ▾
Ice buildup in walk-in freezer.
Plumbing system in disrepair. Handwash sink closest to triple sink leaking.
Walk-in cooler shelves have accumulation of soil residues. Also on vent cover.
Nov 18, 2024Warning IssuedRoutine Inspection
Violations found and a warning issued, with a return visit required. 6 recorded, 2 high priority.
2 High priority1 Intermediate3 Basic
Show 6 findings ▾
Live, small flying insects in kitchen, food preparation area, food storage area and/or bar area. 10 by mop sink, 3 by walk-in cooler/freezer, 2 in men's restroom.
Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. In walk-in cooler raw ground pork sausage over ready-to-eat crumb cake, butter, ham. Operator states pork was mistakenly sent from provide and moved to separate shelf for proper storage.
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Knife and knife rack on reach-in cooler shelves. Operator cleaned, sanitized, and layered with plastic wrap.
Ice buildup in walk-in freezer.
Plumbing system in disrepair. Handwash sink closest to triple sink leaking.
Walk-in cooler shelves have accumulation of soil residues. Also on vent cover.
Jul 8, 2024Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 4 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
0 High priority0 Intermediate4 Basic
Show 4 findings ▾
Employee wearing jewelry other than a plain ring on their hands/arms while preparing food. Two employees with watches on wrists.
Ice buildup in walk-in freezer.
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Fan covers in walk-in cooler.
Stored food not covered. Coffee ice cubes in walk-in freezer not covered. Operator covered foods.
Jul 8, 2024□ Call Back - CompliedRoutine Inspection
A return visit. The problems from the previous inspection had been dealt with.
0 High priority0 Intermediate0 Basic
May 9, 2024Emergency Order Callback Time ExtensionRoutine Inspection
A return visit. The problems were not fixed yet and the kitchen was given more time.
0 High priority2 Intermediate0 Basic
Show 2 findings ▾
Incorrect chemical test kit provided for measuring the concentration of the sanitizer solution used in the three-compartment sink and/or dishmachine. Establishment uses quaternary sanitizer, chlorine test strips observed.
Menu does not identify which items contain raw or undercooked animal foods covered by the consumer advisory. On posted digital menu, lox spread per operator served raw not marked as raw. Asterisk next to consumer advisory for other raw items not easily visible.
May 9, 2024■ Emergency order recommendedRoutine Inspection
Ordered shut on the spot. 8 violations recorded, 3 of them the tier the state says can make you ill. A reinspection is required before this kitchen may reopen.
3 High priority2 Intermediate3 Basic
Show 8 findings ▾
Live, small flying insects in kitchen, food preparation area, food storage area and/or bar area. 15 in back part of kitchen, on walls by walk-in cooler and mop sink. In front bagel display area, approximately 15 observed, with 5 landing on bagels - two on plain bagels to left, one on blueberry bagel bottom left, 2 on everything bagels. Operator wrapped all exposed bagels in paper bags.
Stop Sale issued due to food not being in a wholesome, sound condition. In front bagel display area, 5 small flying insects landing on bagels - two on plain bagels to left, one on blueberry bagel bottom left, 2 on everything bagels.
Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Main kitchen reach-in cooler:; raw cold smoked salmon (47F - Cold Holding); sliced white cheese (47F - Cold Holding); cooked pork sausage (46F - Cold Holding) for 3 and a half hours per operator.
Incorrect chemical test kit provided for measuring the concentration of the sanitizer solution used in the three-compartment sink and/or dishmachine. Establishment uses quaternary sanitizer, chlorine test strips observed.
Menu does not identify which items contain raw or undercooked animal foods covered by the consumer advisory. On posted digital menu, lox spread per operator served raw not marked as raw. Asterisk next to consumer advisory for other raw items not easily visible.
Floor soiled/has accumulation of debris in walk-in cooler.
Label on a food item prepared and packaged onsite for customer self-service does not include product identity/description, date product was packaged and name and address of the establishment that prepared and packaged the food. Cream cheese containers in reach-in cooler by front counter for customer self service lacking proper labels.
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Fans in walk-in cooler soiled.
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.