MEL'S DINER FORT MYERS
4820 CLEVELAND AVE, Fort Myers FL 33907 · 239.275.7850
Last inspected Aug 13, 2026 · 9 visits since August 2023
JAN 25
JUL 25
NOV 25
JAN 26
AUG 26
▲ GETTING WORSE
5 inspections trending down, 17 points off where it started.
Dented/rusted cans present. See stop sale. Damaged/spoiled/recalled food not properly segregated. On can in kitchen, there was one 56 ounce can of tomato not segregated from-the un damage cans.
★ Spotless◆ Clean streak● Perfect year✓ Never fined
Awarded on the inspection record alone. What they mean →
Inspection history
9 visits, newest first
Aug 13, 2026Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 4 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
3 High priority0 Intermediate1 Basic
What the inspector wrote — 4 findings
Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. In reach in cooler near cook line; cooked chicken (45F - Cold Holding); shredded cheese (48F - Cold Holding). Per operator all items stored in reach in cooler for two hours. Operator removed all items to walk in cooler.
Toxic substance/chemical spray bottle stored over prep area. Operator removed the spray bottle to proper storage.
Vacuum breaker missing at mop sink faucet and on fitting/splitter added to mop sink faucet.
Single-service food containers not stored inverted or protected from contamination at dry storage. Operator stored inverted.
Jan 23, 2026Inspection Completed - No Further ActionComplaint Investigation
Met inspection standards. 8 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
1 High priority0 Intermediate7 Basic
Show 8 findings ▾
Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. In reach in cooler at cook line; raw sausage patties stored over smoked salmon. Operator removed raw sausage patties to bottom shelf.
Bowl with no handle used to dispense flour. Operator removed the bowl.
Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable at cook line.
Floor soiled/has accumulation of debris under cooking equipments at cook line.
No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees at cook line. Operator provided handwashing sign.
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Interior of the hood soiled with grease.
Plumbing system in disrepair at handwashing sink near prep area.
Single-service food containers not stored inverted or protected from contamination at dry storage. Operator stored inverted.
Nov 6, 2025Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 12 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
2 High priority1 Intermediate9 Basic
Show 12 findings ▾
Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. In walk-in cooler; raw pork stored over cooked sausage. Operator moved raw pork to bottom shelf.
Vacuum breaker missing on splitter added to hose bibb at mop sink.
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Can opener soiled with food debris. Operator cleaned can opener at time of inspection.
Bowl with no handle used to dispense salad dressing at server station. Operator removed the bowl.
Carbon dioxide/helium tanks not adequately secured near kitchen exit door.
Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable at cook line.
Employee wearing jewelry other than a plain ring on their hands/arms while preparing food. Employee wearing bracelets at cook line. Discussed with operator proper food preparation procedures and employee removed bracelets.
Equipment in poor repair. Reach-in cooler; broken door handle near server station.
Floor soiled/has accumulation of debris at bar area.
No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees at prep area.
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Interior of the hood soiled with grease.
Single-service coffee filters stored uncovered at server station. Operator stored coffee filters covered.
Jul 17, 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 ▾
Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable at cook line.
Wall soiled with accumulated grease behind cooking equipments at cook line.
Jul 16, 2025Warning IssuedRoutine Inspection
Violations found and a warning issued, with a return visit required. 7 recorded, 2 high priority.
2 High priority2 Intermediate3 Basic
Show 7 findings ▾
Stop Sale issued due to food not being in a wholesome, sound condition. Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. In reach-in cooler at cook line near by handwashing sink; sliced tomatoes (51F - Cold Holding); cooked peppers (50F - Cold Holding); cooked rice (51F - Cold Holding); roasted beef (49F - Cold Holding); cooked pasta (51F - Cold Holding); chicken salad (54F - Cold Holding); mozzarella cheese (53F - Cold Holding); blue cheese (54F - Cold Holding); cooked chicken (48F - Cold Holding); shredded cheese (54F - Cold Holding). Per operator all items stored in reach-in cooler overnight. See stop sale.
Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. In reach-in cooler at cook line near by handwashing sink; sliced tomatoes (51F - Cold Holding); cooked peppers (50F - Cold Holding); cooked rice (51F - Cold Holding); roasted beef (49F - Cold Holding); cooked pasta (51F - Cold Holding); chicken salad (54F - Cold Holding); mozzarella cheese (53F - Cold Holding); blue cheese (54F - Cold Holding); cooked chicken (48F - Cold Holding); shredded cheese (54F - Cold Holding). Per operator all items stored in reach-in cooler overnight. See stop sale.
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Soda gun soiled with food debris at bar.
No soap provided at handwash sink at front line. Operator provided soap.
Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable at cook line.
Single-service coffee filters stored uncovered at coffee station. Operator stored coffee filters covered.
Wall soiled with accumulated grease behind cooking equipments at cook line.
Jan 8, 2025Inspection 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 ▾
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Can opener soiled with food debris.
Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine.
Grease on the ground and pad around grease receptacle.
Single-service coffee filters improperly stored at dry storage. Operator stored coffee filters properly.
Water leaking from handwashing sink faucet/handle at server station.
Wet mop not stored in a manner to allow the mop to dry at mop sink. Operator stored wet mop properly.
Jul 19, 2024Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 7 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
1 High priority2 Intermediate4 Basic
Show 7 findings ▾
Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Reach in cooler at cook-line, close to hand washing sink; raw pork sausage (47F - Cold Holding); cooked chicken (46F - Cold Holding); shredded mozzarella (47F - Cold Holding) Per operator all items placed in Reach in cooler from Walk-in cooler for one hour before the inspection. Operator removed all items back to Walk-in cooler; raw pork sausage (43F - Cold Holding); cooked chicken (43F - Cold Holding); shredded mozzarella (42F - Cold Holding).
Hand washing sink blocked with service cart. Operator removed the cart.
Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled at server station. Operator labeled spray bottle.
Clean glasses, cups, bowls, plates, pots and pans not stored inverted or in a protected manner. Clean ice buckets stored not inverted next to ice machine. Operator stored inverted.
Missing drain plug at dumpster.
Single-service coffee filters improperly stored at server station. Operator stored all coffee filters properly in closed container.
Wet wiping cloth not stored in sanitizing solution between uses at cook line. Operator removed wet wiping cloth and stored it in sanitizing solution.
Feb 26, 2024Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 10 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
2 High priority4 Intermediate4 Basic
Show 10 findings ▾
Server handled soiled dishes or utensils and then picked up plated food, served food, or prepared a beverage without washing hands. Observed server drop dishes and went back to front line to serve clean plates. Discussed employee proper handwashing procedures. Employee washed her hand.
Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. Observed sanitation bucket stored next to soup at server station. Operator removed correct storage.
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Observed soda gun at bar with mold like substance. Operator cleaned at time of inspection.
Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Observed handwashing sink has food particles at server station. Operator cleaned handwashing sink.
No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink at bar. Operator provided paper towel.
No soap provided at handwash sink at bar. Operator provided soap.
Covered waste receptacle not provided in women's bathroom.
Employee wearing jewelry other than a plain ring on their hands/arms while preparing food. Observed cook wearing bracelet. Discussed operator proper procedures. Employee removed it to his storage.
Open dumpster lid. Operator closed.
Wet wiping cloth not stored in sanitizing solution between uses. Observed wet wiping clothes stored on prep table at front line. Operator placed it in sanitation bucket.
Aug 16, 2023Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 13 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
2 High priority2 Intermediate9 Basic
Show 13 findings ▾
Dented/rusted cans present. See stop sale. Damaged/spoiled/recalled food not properly segregated. On can in kitchen, there was one 56 ounce can of tomato not segregated from-the un damage cans.
Raw animal foods not properly separated from each other in holding unit based upon minimum required cooking temperature. Ground beef over whole muscle meat strip beef loins and raw sausage over whole muscle beef steaks in prep walk in. Operator corrected situation and placed items in proper location.
No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. Back hand washing sink in prep area out of paper towels.
Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Rib base prepped 2 days ago not date mark. Operator marked with proper date mark.
Damaged/spoiled/recalled food not properly segregated. On can in kitchen, there was one 56 ounce can of tomato not segregated from-the un damage cans. See stop sale.
Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Soda bottle located under hot window in server alley.
Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting. On the shelf units by office door in ware-wash area.
Floor area(s) covered with standing water. Floor throughout kitchen is wet. Standing water located in dish area by office.
Hole in or other damage to wall. Cove base is missing and interior is expose, at the corner of the office door and triple sink.
In-use utensil in non-time/temperature control for safety food not stored with handle above top of food within a closed container. Soda bottle next to single serve crackers in server alley.
In-use utensil stored in standing water less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Utensils by poaching water tempt at 122F. Operator raised tempature of water to 135F
Interior of oven/microwave has accumulation of black substance/grease/food debris. Microwaves on cooks line at far end are heavily soiled.
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Heavy dust build up in the walk in cooler in back prep area.
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.