KANDELA TACOS & TEQUILA
2405 TARPON BAY BLVD #1, Naples FL 34119 · 239.431.7571
Last inspected Dec 1, 2025 · 9 visits since August 2023
MAR 24
NOV 24
APR 25
JUL 25
DEC 25
— STEADY
5 inspections within 20 points of each other. Whatever this kitchen does, it does consistently.
Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. Observed cooked chorizo (46F - Cooling - overnight) in walk in cooler.
★ Spotless◆ Clean streak● Perfect year✓ Never fined
Awarded on the inspection record alone. What they mean →
Disciplinary actions
1 case · $200
| Case | Violation date | Final order | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7--2023057030 | Aug 16, 2023 | Dec 11, 2023 | $200 |
Inspection history
9 visits, newest first
Dec 1, 2025Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 9 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
2 High priority3 Intermediate4 Basic
What the inspector wrote — 9 findingsThe state's own report →
Nonexempt fish offered raw or undercooked has not undergone proper parasite destruction. Fish must be fully cooked or discarded.
Stop Sale issued due to food not being in a wholesome, sound condition. 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. In Walk in cooler observed twenty packages unopened, thawed raw mahi mahi in Reduced Oxygen Packaging labeled "Remove from Packaging Before Thawing"Operator discarded product.
Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. On front line, observed floor fan blocking Hand washing sink. Operator moved fan.
No currently certified food service manager on duty with four or more employees engaged in food preparation/handling. A list of accredited food manager certification examination providers can be found at http://www.myfloridalicense.com/DBPR/hotels-restaurants/food-lodging/food-manager/. Observed one cook and three servers handling food with no certified food manager present. Camilo Arias 1-28-24, arrived during inspection.
Show the remaining 5 findings ▾
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.Some expired 3-23-25
Carbon dioxide/helium tanks not adequately secured. Located outside
Cardboard used to line nonfood-contact shelves. Observed in kitchen
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. In Walk in cooler observed twenty packages unopened, thawed raw mahi mahi in Reduced Oxygen Packaging labeled "Remove from Packaging Before Thawing"Operator discarded product.
In-use tongs stored on equipment door handle between uses. On front line. Operator moved tongs
Sep 29, 2025□ Call Back - CompliedRoutine Inspection
A return visit. The problems from the previous inspection had been dealt with.
0 High priority1 Intermediate1 Basic
Show 2 findings ▾
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Can opener has accumulated debris. Operator moved can opener to dishwasher area to be cleaned and sanitized Two cutting boards on front line have accumulated mold like substance.
Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting. Observed glasses in storage wet nesting.
Jul 23, 2025Warning IssuedRoutine Inspection
Violations found and a warning issued, with a return visit required. 7 recorded.
0 High priority4 Intermediate3 Basic
Show 7 findings ▾
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Can opener has accumulated debris. Operator moved can opener to dishwasher area to be cleaned and sanitized Two cutting boards on front line have accumulated mold like substance.
Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Near soda fountain, observed Hand washing sink with towels inside. Operator moved towels.
No proof of required state approved employee training provided for employee hired more than 60 days ago. To order approved program food safety material, call DBPR contracted provider: Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (SafeStaff) 866-372-7233. Several kitchen and waitstaff hired over sixty days with no proof of training.
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 only two completed forms. Eight employees currently working.
Cleaned and sanitized equipment or utensils not properly stored. Ice scoop is being stored on a can rack. Operator moved scoop
Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting. Observed glasses in storage wet nesting.
Water draining onto floor surface. Walk in cooler has water draining from fans onto floor. Ceiling on back line near ice machine has water leaking onto floor
Apr 3, 2025Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 15 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
3 High priority2 Intermediate10 Basic
Show 15 findings ▾
Nonfood-grade bags used in direct contact with tortillas on the cook line.
Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Observed raw bacon wrapped shrimp stored over cut tomatoes in the reach in cooler. The operator properly stored the raw food.
Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed cooked pork (60F - Cold Holding) on a shelf near the grill. The operator stated the pork had been held for approximately 2 hours. The operator placed the cooked pork in a reach in cooler.
No chemical test kit provided when using sanitizer at three-compartment sink/warewashing machine or wiping cloths. Observed no quaternary test kit available.
No currently certified food service manager on duty with four or more employees engaged in food preparation/handling. A list of accredited food manager certification examination providers can be found at http://www.myfloridalicense.com/DBPR/hotels-restaurants/food-lodging/food-manager/
Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Observed a plastic container with no handle used as a scoop for uncooked beans. The operator removed the container.
Cardboard used to line nonfood-contact shelves. Observed soiled cardboard used to line shelves with kitchen equipment near the walk in cooler.
Clean equipment/dishware/utensils stored below soap or paper towel dispenser exposing the items to drips from people's hands. Observed clean bowls stored underneath a paper towel dispenser at the hand sink near the walk in cooler.
Duct tape used to repair a lid for a container with uncooked beans.
Employee beverage containers in multiple cold holding units with food to be served to customers.
Floor area covered with standing water near the ice machine.
Food stored on floor. Observed a box of pork belly stored on the floor in the walk in freezer.
Ice bucket stored on floor between uses. The operator properly stored the ice bucket.
In-use knife stored in cracks between a reach in cooler and a food preparation table. The operator removed the knife from in between the equipment.
In-use utensil stored in standing water less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed in-use bar utensils stored in 67F standing water behind the bar. The operator removed the utensils from the water.
Dec 2, 2024□ 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 ▾
Floor tiles missing and/or in disrepair. Located in back part of kitchen floor. Operator is aware of missing tiles. Unknown repair status.
Nov 22, 2024Warning IssuedRoutine Inspection
Violations found and a warning issued, with a return visit required. 8 recorded, 2 high priority.
2 High priority1 Intermediate5 Basic
Show 8 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. Machine tested at 0ppm for 3 cycles. Operator advised to not use machine for sanitizing and advised to set up manual sanitization. Operator acknowledged and set up 3 compartment sink.
Employee failed to wash hands before putting on gloves to initiate a task working with food. Server observed serving food with gloved hands with no hand washing prior to applying gloves. Operator advised of need for proper handwashing.
No soap provided at handwash sink. Located behind bar, 2 hand wash sinks, no soap. Operator supplied soap for both sinks.
Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin. Located in kitchen, under soda dispenser. Interior and lid of ice bin slimy and moldy, with build up of debris. Operator advised and states he will clean.
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. Found on front line in kitchen. Advised operator to remove fish from reduced oxygen package before continuing the thawing process. Operator acknowledged and removed from packaging.
Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Found in kitchen, next to front line. Operator removed.
Floor tiles missing and/or in disrepair. Located in back part of kitchen floor. Operator is aware of missing tiles. Unknown repair status.
Ice scoop handle in contact with ice. Located in ice bin under soda dispenser in kitchen.
Mar 19, 2024Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 13 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
3 High priority1 Intermediate9 Basic
Show 13 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 00ppm ); operator replaced chlorine sanitizer to achieve Dishwasher (Chlorine 100ppm)
Nonfood-grade containers used for food storage - direct contact with food. Tortillas stored in plastic to go bag. Operator removed to proper storage.
Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. shredded cheese (57F - Cold Holding) on counter of cooks line; operator. moved cheese to walk in cooler to rapidly chill.
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. No proof provided by operator. Operator had forms signed during inspection.
Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin.mold like substance in main ice machine. Mold like substance in frozen drink machine nozzles at bar.
Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance. Ceiling tile above hot holding area soiled.
Employee eating in a food preparation or other restricted area. Open drink containers in food prep area. Operator removed.
Floor tiles missing and/or in disrepair. Tiles missing by floor drain in prep kitchen.
Fly sticky tape hanging over food/food preparation area/food-contact equipment. Fly strip hanging over main prep table in front kitchen area. Operator removed
Food stored on floor.Ice on floor of walk-in freezer.
In-use tongs stored on equipment door handle between uses.Tongs hanging on oven handle.cook removed to proper storage
In-use wet wiping cloth/towel used under cutting board. Wiping cloth under cutting board in front prep area.
No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees. No employee handwashing sign in Lady's rest room.
Oct 19, 2023□ Call Back - CompliedRoutine Inspection
A return visit. The problems from the previous inspection had been dealt with.
2 High priority0 Intermediate0 Basic
Show 2 findings ▾
Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Observed raw eggs stored over cheese in walk in cooler. Operator moved for proper storage.
Raw animal foods not properly separated from each other in holding unit based upon minimum required cooking temperature. Observed raw chicken over raw fish, shrimp and pork in drawer on cook line. Operator moved for proper storage.. Repeat 2/22/2023.
Aug 16, 2023Administrative complaint recommendedRoutine Inspection
Referred for a formal case, which can lead to a fine. 6 violations recorded, 4 high priority.
4 High priority1 Intermediate1 Basic
Show 6 findings ▾
Cooked/heated time/temperature control for safety food not cooled from 135 degrees Fahrenheit to 41 degrees Fahrenheit within 6 hours. Observed cooked chorizo (46F - Cooling - overnight) in walk in cooler. Operator discarded product.
Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Observed raw eggs stored over cheese in walk in cooler. Operator moved for proper storage.
Raw animal foods not properly separated from each other in holding unit based upon minimum required cooking temperature. Observed raw chicken over raw fish, shrimp and pork in drawer on cook line. Operator moved for proper storage.. Repeat 2/22/2023.
Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. Observed cooked chorizo (46F - Cooling - overnight) in walk in cooler.
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 no proof of employee reporting agreements. Provided operator with employee agreement. Repeat 2/22/2023
In-use knife/knives stored in cracks between pieces of equipment. Observed knives stored in between cracks on cook line. Operator moved for cleaning and proper storage.
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.