HAVANA BAKERY & CAFE / EL SABOR DE MIS RAICES
5624 8 ST W, Lehigh Acres FL 33971 · 239-491-6953
Last inspected Apr 21, 2026 · 10 visits since February 2024
JUN 24
AUG 24
JAN 25
AUG 25
APR 26
— STEADY
5 inspections within 22 points of each other. Whatever this kitchen does, it does consistently.
Establishment has no written procedures for employees to follow in response to a vomiting or diarrheal event where the vomit or diarrhea is discharged onto surfaces in the establishment. Provided operator with Clean-up Of Vomiting And Diarrheal Events handout HR 5030-104.
★ Spotless◆ Clean streak● Perfect year✓ Never fined
Awarded on the inspection record alone. What they mean →
Inspection history
10 visits, newest first
Apr 21, 2026Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 4 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
2 High priority0 Intermediate2 Basic
What the inspector wrote — 4 findings
Cooked/heated time/temperature control for safety food not cooled from 135 degrees Fahrenheit to 41 degrees Fahrenheit within 6 hours. Observed pea potato soup 59F cooling overnight. Stop Sale. Operator discarded soup.
Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Observed container of raw pork stored over cooked sauce. Operator placed raw porkon bottom shelf.
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 packages of raw salmon and snapper thawed overnight. Not removed from packaging with instructions to remove before thawing. Stop Sale. Operator discarded fish.
Wet wiping cloth not stored in sanitizing solution between uses. Operator discarded wiping cloth.
Sep 3, 2025□ Call Back - CompliedRoutine Inspection
A return visit. The problems from the previous inspection had been dealt with.
0 High priority0 Intermediate1 Basic
Show 1 finding ▾
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. Missing date product was packaged for peanut bars on front counter.
Aug 20, 2025Warning IssuedRoutine Inspection
Violations found and a warning issued, with a return visit required. 9 recorded, 2 high priority.
2 High priority2 Intermediate5 Basic
Show 9 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. Dishwasher (Chlorine 0ppm) after running three times. Operator discontinued use of machine and sent all dishware to Triple Sink (Chlorine 50ppm) already set up.
Time/temperature control for safety food identified in the written procedure as a food held using time as a public health control has no time marking. Per operator written plan, times will be marked on chart for hot line foods held using time as a public health control - cooked pork, two containers cooked beef in back service kitchen, per operator held using time as a public health control for one hour previously. Operator updated time marking.
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Mold like substance on piping bags in main pastry room. Also slicer in sandwich station across from back walk-in cooler. Operator began separating and discarding.
Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled on cart in restaurant side hallway outside entrance to bakery.
Ice buildup in reach-in freezer and/or walk-in freezer in sandwich station by bakery ice cream reach-in freezer.
In-use utensil not stored on a clean portion of food preparation or cooking equipment. Pizza paddle on top of dirty oven on main lunch service cook line. Knives in crack on main lunch service cook line. Operator removed all for proper storage.
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. Missing date product was packaged for peanut bars on front counter.
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Gaskets on sandwich reach-in cooler by bakery prep area.
Unwashed fruits/vegetables stored with ready-to-eat food and raw meats in central walk-in cooler, unwashed plantains and lettuce over ready-to-eat drinks and raw pork.
Mar 26, 2025□ Call Back - CompliedRoutine Inspection
A return visit. The problems from the previous inspection had been dealt with.
0 High priority0 Intermediate1 Basic
Show 1 finding ▾
Cove molding at floor/wall juncture broken/missing in far back pastry decoration areas.
Jan 22, 2025Warning IssuedRoutine Inspection
Violations found and a warning issued, with a return visit required. 5 recorded, 1 high priority.
1 High priority1 Intermediate3 Basic
Show 5 findings ▾
Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. In back of restaurant large pastry walk-in cooler, raw shell eggs over ready-to-eat milk. In front of restaurant walk-in cooler for meats, raw ground beef over whole muscle beef. Operator rearranged both coolers for proper food protection.
No plan review submitted and approved - renovations were made or are in progress. Must submit plans and plan review application to DBPR H and R Plan Review office located at 2601 Blair Stone Rd., Tallahassee, FL 32399-1011. Plans must be submitted AND approved within 60 days. The direct link to the Plan Review page is https://www2.myfloridalicense.com/hotels-restaurants/licensing/plan-review/. Observed new bar and seating area built in far back of restaurant with ice machine, no handwash sinks yet in place, currently not in use. Observed main cook line with triple sink moved, dishwashing machine added, no equipment in use. Observed side left pastry room with new cook line and equipment provided. Operator states remodel is in progress. Provided operator Plan Review Requirements handout.
Cove molding at floor/wall juncture broken/missing in far back pastry decoration areas.
Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Next to deep fryers on side cook line, observed employee cell phone on cutting board with food. Operator removed the phone.
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. Packed pork fat, pies, pastries on top of front counter missing proper label.
Aug 14, 2024Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 6 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
0 High priority2 Intermediate4 Basic
Show 6 findings ▾
Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Blocked by cart, mop in bread baking room. Operator cleared the cart. Spoke with operator about the importance of easily accessible handwash sinks in all areas.
No written procedures available for use of time as a public health control to hold time/temperature control for safety food. Observed chart of foods on buffet line with proper time marks, per operator discarded after 4 hours, no written plan. Provided operator with time as a public health control form and discussed use.
Ceiling not smooth, nonabsorbent and easily cleanable in food storage area above front counter.
Equipment in poor repair. Gaskets to reach-in freezer at entrance to cook line torn and soiled.
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. On countertop, packaged cakes, cookies, meringues, pastries, habaneros, candies missing full labels. Operator removed all foods from customer self service area.
Walls soiled with accumulated grease, food debris, and/or dust behind prep tables in back part of kitchen.
Aug 14, 2024□ Call Back - CompliedRoutine Inspection
A return visit. The problems from the previous inspection had been dealt with.
0 High priority1 Intermediate3 Basic
Show 4 findings ▾
No written procedures available for use of time as a public health control to hold time/temperature control for safety food. Observed chart of foods on buffet line with proper time marks, per operator discarded after 4 hours, no written plan. Provided operator with time as a public health control form and discussed use.
Ceiling not smooth, nonabsorbent and easily cleanable in food preparation, food storage, and warewashing areas.
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. On countertop, packaged cakes, cookies, meringues, pastries, habaneros, candies missing full labels.
Walls soiled with accumulated grease, food debris, and/or dust behind prep tables in back part of kitchen.
Jun 12, 2024Warning IssuedRoutine Inspection
Violations found and a warning issued, with a return visit required. 8 recorded.
0 High priority4 Intermediate4 Basic
Show 8 findings ▾
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris. Piping tops and bags for cakes with accumulation of food debris, rust.
Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times in pastry area, blocked by cart. Operator cleared the sink for use.
No plan review approved, HQ-24-6433 has been submitted - renovations were made or are in progress. Must submit plans and plan review application and must be approved to DBPR H and R Plan Review office located at 2601 Blair Stone Rd., Tallahassee, FL 32399-1011. Plans must be submitted AND approved within 60 days. The direct link to the Plan Review page is https://www2.myfloridalicense.com/hotels-restaurants/licensing/plan-review/. Expansion of square footage and additional food prep areas added in back of establishment.
No written procedures available for use of time as a public health control to hold time/temperature control for safety food. Observed chart of foods on buffet line with proper time marks, per operator discarded after 4 hours, no written plan. Provided operator with time as a public health control form and discussed use.
Ceiling not smooth, nonabsorbent and easily cleanable in food preparation, food storage, and warewashing areas.
Cove molding at floor/wall juncture broken/missing. Some missing or broken cove base in new food storage are in far back of establishment.
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. On countertop, packaged cakes, cookies, meringues, pastries, habaneros, candies missing full labels.
Walls soiled with accumulated grease, food debris, and/or dust behind prep tables in back part of kitchen.
Apr 22, 2024□ Call Back - CompliedRoutine Inspection
A return visit. The problems from the previous inspection had been dealt with.
1 High priority0 Intermediate1 Basic
Show 2 findings ▾
Vacuum breaker missing at hose bibb or on fitting/splitter added to hose bibb. At handwash sink front line and back pre area near dough room next to sinks.
Ceiling not smooth, nonabsorbent and easily cleanable in food preparation, food storage, and warewashing areas.
Feb 20, 2024Warning IssuedRoutine Inspection
Violations found and a warning issued, with a return visit required. 11 recorded, 5 high priority.
5 High priority3 Intermediate3 Basic
Show 12 findings ▾
Food received from unapproved source/no invoice provided to verify source. See Stop Sale. Observed three jars packed honey at front counter for sale, no label, no invoice or receipt, per operator purchased already packaged.
Nonfood-grade containers used for food storage - direct contact with food. Observed throughout multiple locations in kitchen foods stored in direct contact with non food grade containers - sugar, flour, cut tomatoes, cheese, dough for bread in walk-in cooler.
Stop Sale issued due to food originating from an unapproved source. Food received from unapproved source/no invoice provided to verify source. Observed three jars packed honey at front counter for sale, no label, no invoice or receipt, per operator purchased already packaged.
Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Left side front steam wells at counter cooked pork (100F - Hot Holding); cooked plantain (122F - Hot Holding); cooked beans (129F - Hot Holding); cooked yucca (117F - Hot Holding) per operator set out for 20 minutes. Operator turned up steam wells and sent foods to back over for rapid reheating.
Vacuum breaker missing at hose bibb or on fitting/splitter added to hose bibb. At handwash sink front line and back pre area near dough room next to sinks.
Establishment has no written procedures for employees to follow in response to a vomiting or diarrheal event where the vomit or diarrhea is discharged onto surfaces in the establishment. Provided operator with Clean-up Of Vomiting And Diarrheal Events handout HR 5030-104.
No color/concentration comparison chart available for chemical test kit used to check sanitizer.
No proof provided that food employees are informed of their responsibility to report to the person in charge information about their health and activities related to foodborne illnesses. Provided operator employee reporting agreement, (HR 5030-309) manager health reporting responsibilities (HR 5030-101)and employee health reporting responsibilities (HR 5030-103], discussed with operator importance of employee heath. Discussed employee heath with operator, operator began filling outform at time of inspection.
Ceiling not smooth, nonabsorbent and easily cleanable in food preparation, food storage, and warewashing areas.
No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees. Handwash sinks in main prep line, bakery room,
No mop sink or curbed cleaning facility provided at establishment.
Propane tank (larger than 2.7 lb. water capacity/1 lb. gas capacity) located inside of the building. For reporting purposes only. One tank and one gas can in storage laundry room far back of kitchen. Operator moved outside of building.
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.