JOE'S CAFE
43 HOMESTEAD RD, Lehigh Acres FL 33936 · (239)369-6500
Last inspected Jul 21, 2026 · 9 visits since July 2023
JUL 24
DEC 24
AUG 25
JAN 26
JUL 26
≈ ERRATIC
5 inspections, swinging between A and C. Consistency is the problem here, not any single visit.
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 touching cooked toast with bare hands.
★ Spotless◆ Clean streak● Perfect year✓ Never fined
Awarded on the inspection record alone. What they mean →
Inspection history
9 visits, newest first
Jul 21, 2026Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 5 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
0 High priority0 Intermediate5 Basic
What the inspector wrote — 5 findingsThe state's own report →
Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin. Observed interior bin in the ice machine soiled.
Bathroom located inside establishment not completely enclosed with tight-fitting, self-closing doors. Observed door in restroom ladies room not tight fitting.
Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Observed employee beverage on cookline next to make table
Floor soiled/has accumulation of debris. Onserved food debris on the floor in the walk in cooler and under equipment on the cook line.
Show the remaining 1 finding ▾
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed dust like substance o fan guards in the walk in cooler.
Mar 11, 2026Call Back - Admin. complaint recommendedRoutine Inspection
Referred for a formal case, which can lead to a fine. 3 violations recorded.
0 High priority1 Intermediate2 Basic
Show 3 findings ▾
Required employee training expired for all employees. To order approved program food safety material, call DBPR contracted provider: Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (SafeStaff) 866-372-7233.
Bathroom located inside establishment not completely enclosed with tight-fitting, self-closing doors. Observed both bathroom doors not tight fitting.
Duct tape used to repair nonfood-contact surface. Observed black duct tape utilized on door handle on reach-in cooler beside cook line.
Jan 8, 2026Warning 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 ▾
Employee touched soiled apron/clothes and then engaged in food preparation, handled clean equipment or utensils, or touched unwrapped single-service items without washing hands. Observed cook wiping hands on apron while engaging in food preparation. Educated cool to not touch cloths or skin while engaging in food preparation.
Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license.
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. Observed Employee Reporting Form. The Owner stated he is making copies and having all employees read and sign form.
Required employee training expired for all employees. To order approved program food safety material, call DBPR contracted provider: Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (SafeStaff) 866-372-7233.
Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin.
Bathroom located inside establishment not completely enclosed with tight-fitting, self-closing doors. Observed both bathroom doors not tight fitting.
Carbon dioxide/helium tanks not adequately secured.
Duct tape used to repair nonfood-contact surface. Observed black duct tape utilized on door handle on reach-in cooler beside cook line.
Single-service articles not stored inverted or protected from contamination. Observed plastic plated not inverted above coffee machine. The plastic plated was inverted.
Aug 12, 2025Inspection 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 ▾
Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin. Observed grayish black like substance on the interior of the ice machine bin.
Grease receptacle/dumpster not on proper pad/nonabsorbent surface. Observed grease receptacle not on pad or solid surface, sitting on grass/ dirt surface behind building.
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed buildup,of dust like substance on the fan guard in the walk in cooler.
Standing water in bottom of reach-in-cooler. Observed water in bottom of cooler on cookline, operator stated they have a repair service coming to repair.
Feb 25, 2025□ Call Back - CompliedRoutine Inspection
A return visit. The problems from the previous inspection had been dealt with.
0 High priority0 Intermediate2 Basic
Show 2 findings ▾
Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance. Observed ceiling vent and tile above front counter with build up of dust like substance.
Floor tiles missing and/or in disrepair. Observed floor tiles missing near the stove on the cook line.
Dec 26, 2024Warning IssuedRoutine Inspection
Violations found and a warning issued, with a return visit required. 13 recorded, 2 high priority.
2 High priority2 Intermediate9 Basic
Show 13 findings ▾
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 operator touch toast with bare hands, cut and plate. Spoke with operator regarding proper food handling techniques use of gloves or other medium such as tongs or food grade paper.
Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license. Observed license expired 12-1-24.
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Observed slime like substance in the interior bin of the ice machine.
No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. observed paper towel dispenser in the men's room with no paper towels.
Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance. Observed ceiling vent and tile above front counter with build up of dust like substance.
Current Hotel and Restaurant license not displayed. Observed current license not displayed.
Floor soiled/has accumulation of debris. Observed floor soiled along wall where the dish machine and 3 compartment sink are in rear kitchen area, and along walls.
Floor tiles missing and/or in disrepair. Observed floor tiles missing near the stove on the cook line.
Hole in or other damage to wall. Observed wall damaged under 3 compartment sink and dishwasher in the warehouse washing area.
Missing partition and/or door for bathroom with more than 1 toilet facility. Observed door missing between the urinal and the toilet bowl.
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed gaskets soiled on reach in cooler and freezer.
Walk-in cooler/freezer shelves with rust that has pitted the surface. Observed walk in cooler shelves rusting.
Wall soiled with accumulated grease, food debris, and/or dust. Observed wall soiled in kitchen area.
Jul 30, 2024Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 7 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
0 High priority0 Intermediate7 Basic
Show 7 findings ▾
Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin. Observed brownish slime like substance in the interior of the ice bin.
Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance. Observed ceiling vent and tile above front counter with build up of dust like substance.
Current Hotel and Restaurant license not displayed. Observed current license not displayed.
Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Observed unloaded plastic beverage cup above hot steam well. Operator removed cup.
Floor soiled/has accumulation of debris. Observed floor soiled along wall where the dish machine and 3 compartment sink are in rear kitchen area.
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed dust like substance on walk in cooler fan guards.
Walk-in cooler/freezer shelves with rust that has pitted the surface. Observed walk in cooler shelves rusting.
Nov 8, 2023Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 11 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
3 High priority1 Intermediate7 Basic
Show 11 findings ▾
Employee cracked raw shell eggs and then handled ready-to-eat food and/or clean equipment or utensils without washing hands. Observed employee crack she'll eggs then handle spatula without washing 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 touching cooked toast with bare hands.
Nonfood-grade containers used for food storage - direct contact with food. Observed whole cucumbers individually wrapped in grocery store like bags in walk in cooler.
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Observed cutting board on reach in sandwich unit soiled.
Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin. Observed buildup of black mold like substance inside ice machine bin.
Buildup of food debris/soil residue on equipment door handles. Observed build up of food debris on walk in cooler door handle.
Current Hotel and Restaurant license not displayed.
Floor soiled/has accumulation of debris. I observed floor soiled under dishwasher, storage shelves, around cook-line, and in walk in cooler.
Nonfood-contact equipment exposed to splash/spillage not constructed of materials that are corrosion resistant, non-absorbent, smooth and easily cleanable. Observed soda machine on top of particle board shelf which is chipping.
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed build up of food debris in the walk in cooler on wire shelving and on reach in cooler door gaskets.
Walk-in cooler/freezer shelves with rust that has pitted the surface. Observed walk in cooler shelves rusted.
Jul 7, 2023Inspection 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 ▾
Non-pitting surface rust on food-contact equipment. Observed rusting on shelves in walk in cooler.
Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance. Observed buildup of grease/dust on ceiling vents in kitchen cooking area.
Floor area(s) covered with standing water. Observed Standing water on floor in walk in cooler.
Floor soiled/has accumulation of debris. Observed build up of food debris under cook line equipment, dishwasher and food storage shelves.
Nonfood-contact equipment exposed to splash/spillage not constructed of materials that are corrosion resistant, non-absorbent, smooth and easily cleanable. Observed particle board under soda machine chipping and peeling.
Reach-in cooler interior/shelves have accumulation of soil residues. Observed build up of food debris ob wire shelves in walk in cooler.
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.