HERONS NEST RESTAURANT
2250 HERONS GLEN BLVD, N Ft Myers FL 33917 · 239-731-4501
Last inspected Mar 23, 2026 · 8 visits since October 2023
OCT 24
MAR 25
APR 25
OCT 25
MAR 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. Observed license expired 12/01/2024. Operator brought license current during inspection. License is current in system.
★ Spotless◆ Clean streak● Perfect year✓ Never fined
Awarded on the inspection record alone. What they mean →
Inspection history
8 visits, newest first
Mar 23, 2026Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 3 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
0 High priority0 Intermediate3 Basic
What the inspector wrote — 3 findings
Carbon dioxide/helium tanks not adequately secured.
Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting.
Water leaking from pipe and/or faucet/handle. Observed leaking faucet in prep kitchen.
Oct 28, 2025Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 6 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
0 High priority0 Intermediate6 Basic
Show 6 findings ▾
Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance. Observed ceiling tile in prep area stained.
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 raw salmon and red snapper in vacuum sealed commercially packaged containers in walk in cooler beginning to thaw. Operator removed from packaging. Provided Operator with industry Bulletin regarding thawing fish, effective January 1, 2026.
Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting. Observed metal pans wet nesting on rack across fro three compartment sink.
Food stored on floor. Observed case of bread stored on floor of walk in freezer. Operator moved to shelf.
Lights in food preparation, food storage or warewashing area missing the proper shield, sleeve coatings or covers. Observed light bulb in walk in cooler unshielded.
No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees. Observed no hand washing sign at hand washing sink in wait station next to coffee urns and at main bar.
Apr 17, 2025Inspection Completed - No Further ActionComplaint Investigation
Met inspection standards. 19 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
6 High priority3 Intermediate10 Basic
Show 19 findings ▾
Dented/rusted cans present. See stop sale. Observed 2 - #10 cans of Cherry pie filling and 1-#10 can Quartered artichoke hearts heavily dented on dunnage rack by dry storage. Operator discarded cans.
Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Observed raw chicken stored over ready to eat cooked pasta in reach in cooler on cook's line. Operator moved pasta above raw chicken.
Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. Observed Sliced tomatoes (62F - Cold Holding); Cut leafy greens (68F - Cold Holding) on wait station on outside expo for over four hours per Operator. Operator discarded items.
Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed Sliced tomatoes (62F - Cold Holding); Cut leafy greens (68F - Cold Holding) on wait station on outside expo for over four hours per Operator. Operator discarded items.
Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. Observed sanitizer spray bottles stored next to bottles of honey on wait station. Operator removed chemicals from area.
Vacuum breaker missing at mop sink faucet or on fitting/splitter added to mop sink faucet. Observed black hose connected to splitter with no vacuum breaker at mop sink.
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Observed slicer in prep kitchen across from dishwasher area with buildup of dried food on slicer blades.
Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Observed cart blocking hand washing sink by pizza station. Operator moved cart.
No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. Observed no paper towels at hand washing sink behind bar.
Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin. Observed black mold like substance inside ice machine.
Bathroom located inside establishment not completely enclosed with tight-fitting, self-closing doors. Observed employee bathroom door not self closing.
Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance. Observed buildup of dust on fan covers in walk in cooler by keg walk in.
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 snapper in walk in cooler not removed from packaging while thawing. Operator cut open packaging.
Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Observed employee beverages on prep tables.
Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting. Observed metal pans wet nesting on wire shelf across from dishwasher.
In-use tongs stored on equipment door handle between uses. Observed tongs hanging on oven door handle below waist level on cook's line. Operator removed tongs.
In-use utensil stored in standing water less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed in use utensils in cup of standing water at 107F.
No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees. Observed no sign at hand washing sink at bar.
Waste line missing at soda gun holster. Observed waste lines missing at soda gun holsters at main bar.
Mar 25, 2025Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 10 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
4 High priority1 Intermediate5 Basic
Show 10 findings ▾
Employee failed to wash hands before putting on gloves to initiate a task working with food. Observed employee put on gloves without washing hands on cook's line before working with food. Discussed proper hand washing practices with Operator.
Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license. Observed license expired 12/01/2024. Operator brought license current during inspection. License is current in system.
Raw animal food stored over canned/bottled drinks. Observed raw shell eggs over canned drinks in walk in cooler next to keg cooler. Operator moved eggs away from drinks.
Raw animal foods not properly separated from each other in holding unit based upon minimum required cooking temperature. Observed raw ground beef over raw fish in walk in cooler. Operator moved beef under and away from raw fish during inspection.
Water with a temperature of least 85 degrees Fahrenheit not provided/shut off at employee handwash sink. Observed hot water at handwashing sinks in prep kitchen at 78F after running water for more than 4 minutes. Observed all other hand washing sinks temperatures were at 89F and above. Operator had maintenance manager come over and he checked and will adjust temperatures for those two sinks. Maintenance adjusted temperature and sinks are now at 87F.
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 frozen fish commercially packaged thawing in walk in cooler not removed from packaging. Operator cut open bags during inspection.
Employee wearing jewelry other than a plain ring on their hands/arms while preparing food. Observed cook wearing a watch while preparing food on cook's line.
Lights in food preparation, food storage or warewashing area missing the proper shield, sleeve coatings or covers. Observed no light shield for bulbs in two walk in cooler's by employee restroom.
No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees. Observed no hand washing sign at hand washing sink behind bar.
Waste line missing at soda gun holster. Observed waste line missing at soda gun behind bar.
Oct 23, 2024Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 2 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
1 High priority1 Intermediate0 Basic
Show 2 findings ▾
Dented/rusted cans present. Observed 1-5lb can of Hoisin sauce dented in dry storage. Operator removed from circulation. See stop sale.
Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Observed pan of carrots sitting on hand washing sink by produce walk in cooler. Operator moved pan.
May 10, 2024Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 5 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
0 High priority2 Intermediate3 Basic
Show 5 findings ▾
No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. Observed no paper towels at hand washing sink in prep area across from dishwasher. Refilled towels.
Soap dispenser at handwash sink not working/unable to dispense soap. Employee bathroom soap dispenser not dispensing soap. Notified Operator. Replacing batteries to dispenser.
Food stored on floor. Observed case of waffles stored on floor of walk-in freezer next to produce walk-in cooler. Operator moved to shelf.
In-use tongs stored on equipment door handle between uses. Observed tongs hanging on oven handle on cook's line. Operator moved.
Wet mop not stored in a manner to allow the mop to dry. Observed wet mop stored in mop sink.
Mar 8, 2024Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 7 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
1 High priority1 Intermediate5 Basic
Show 7 findings ▾
Dented/rusted cans present. See stop sale. Observed 2-50 oz cans of Cream of Mushroom with dents and damaged rims. Operator voluntarily discarded during inspection.
No chemical test kit provided when using sanitizer at three-compartment sink/warewashing machine or wiping cloths.
Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Observed plastic ramekin used as a scoop in blue cheese crumbles on salad station.
Employee wearing jewelry other than a plain ring on their hands/arms while preparing food. Observed employee preparing food on cook's line wearing a watch.
Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting. Observed metal pans wet nesting on shelf adjacent to three compartment sink.
Food stored on floor. Observed case of bread rolls stored on floor of walk-in freezer.
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed buildup of dust on hood filters over fryers and pizza oven.
Oct 12, 2023□ Call Back - CompliedRoutine Inspection
A return visit. The problems from the previous inspection had been dealt with.
0 High priority0 Intermediate0 Basic
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.