MEL'S WAY BISTRO & BAR
3536 VIA POINCIANA DR, Lake Worth FL 33467 · 561.530.7947
Last inspected Apr 2, 2026 · 7 visits since September 2023
MAR 24
NOV 24
MAR 25
SEP 25
APR 26
▲ GETTING WORSE
5 inspections trending down, 25 points off where it started.
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. Emailed poster to operator.
★ Spotless◆ Clean streak● Perfect year✓ Never fined
Awarded on the inspection record alone. What they mean →
Disciplinary actions
4 cases · $1,800
| Case | Violation date | Final order | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2--2025073115 | Sep 4, 2025 | Oct 23, 2025 | $400 |
| 2--2025031054 | Mar 5, 2025 | Apr 23, 2025 | $200 |
| 2--2018052529 | Oct 5, 2018 | Nov 1, 2018 | $400 |
| 2--2015004219 | Jan 13, 2015 | Apr 6, 2015 | $800 |
Inspection history
7 visits, newest first
Apr 2, 2026Administrative complaint recommendedRoutine Inspection
Referred for a formal case, which can lead to a fine. 6 violations recorded, 2 high priority.
2 High priority1 Intermediate3 Basic
What the inspector wrote — 6 findingsThe state's own report →
Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. Eggplant Lasagna (77F - Cold Holding); stored in True reach in cooler. Per operator, food not prepped or portioned today, food prepared yesterday and held in reach in cooler. Manager discarded food. See Stop Sale.
Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. 1). Cooked Penne Pasta (48F - Cold Holding),stored in flip top cooker on cook line today. Per operator, food not prepped or portioned today. Food prepared yesterday and stored in reach in cooler, and moved to flip top cooler on cook line, and held for approximately 2 hours. Food was placed in freezer to quick chill. 2). Eggplant Lasagna (77F - Cold Holding); stored in True reach in cooler. Per operator, food not prepped or portioned today, food prepared yesterday and held in reach in cooler. Manager discarded food. See Stop Sale.
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. Emailed poster to operator.
In-use wet wiping cloth/towel used under cutting board. Wet wiping cloths stored under 2 cutting boards. Employee removed wiping cloths from under cutting boards.
Show the remaining 2 findings ▾
No Heimlich maneuver/choking sign posted. Emailed poster to operator.
No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees. No handwashing signs in both gender bathrooms.
Sep 4, 2025Administrative complaint recommendedRoutine Inspection
Referred for a formal case, which can lead to a fine. 6 violations recorded, 3 high priority.
3 High priority0 Intermediate3 Basic
Show 6 findings ▾
Employee touched face/hair and then engaged in food preparation, handled clean equipment or utensils, or touched unwrapped single-service items without washing hands. Employee wiped face with hand and after without washing hands handled multiple containers of various food products, discussed with employee who washed hands.
Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. In reach in cooler butter (53F - Cold Holding) per operator product not portioned or prepared today and left out of cooler for approximately 30 minutes, discussed with operator who placed product into freezer to chill.
Vacuum breaker missing at hose bibb or on fitting/splitter added to hose bibb. Exterior hose Bibb at mop sink has no vacuum breaker installed, discussed with operator to install.
Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin. Ice machine interior has Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin, discussed with operator to clean and sanitize.
Floor soiled/has accumulation of debris. Floors throughout kitchen soiled with grease and food debris, discussed with operator to clean and sanitize floors.
Reach-in cooler shelves with rust that has pitted the surface. Reach in cooler at server expo station interior shelves rusted and pitted, discussed with operator to replace or repair.
Mar 6, 2025□ Call Back - CompliedRoutine Inspection
A return visit. The problems from the previous inspection had been dealt with.
0 High priority0 Intermediate0 Basic
Mar 5, 2025Administrative complaint recommendedRoutine Inspection
Referred for a formal case, which can lead to a fine. 5 violations recorded, 5 high priority.
5 High priority0 Intermediate0 Basic
Show 5 findings ▾
Employee used tobacco, ate, or drank then engaged in food preparation, handled clean equipment or utensils, or touched unwrapped single-service items without washing hands. Chef eating while handling food containers on cook line Hands not washing prior to food preparation
Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Raw fish over cooked chicken Raw carne asada over ready to eat turkey Reach in coolers near double bay sink Removed
Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. chicken (50F - Cold Holding); calamari (50F - Cold Holding); hard boil egg (50F - Cold Holding); in salad station cooler. Not prepped or portioned today. In unit over four hours.
Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. chicken (50F - Cold Holding); calamari (50F - Cold Holding); hard boil egg (50F - Cold Holding); in salad station cooler. Not prepped or portioned today. In unit over four hours.
Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. Spray cleaner with red wine vinegar in dry storage Removed
Nov 13, 2024Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 5 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
3 High priority1 Intermediate1 Basic
Show 5 findings ▾
Dented/rusted cans present. See stop sale. One dented can of marinara sauce in dry storage
Raw animal food stored over or with ready-to-eat food in a freezer - not all products commercially packaged. Raw salmon over eggplant in two door freezer Removed
Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Raw pork over meatloaf Raw shrimp over Parmesan in salad cooler Raw beef over garlic cloves in three door reach in cooler Removed
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.
Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Flour in dry storage
Mar 15, 2024Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 2 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
1 High priority0 Intermediate1 Basic
Show 2 findings ▾
Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observe at Ice bath; tuna salad (71F - Cold Holding). Operator stated 2 hours and add more ice and bag of ice on top.
Food stored on floor. Observe 35 gal plastic container of oil on dry storage floor.
Sep 1, 2023Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 2 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
0 High priority0 Intermediate2 Basic
Show 2 findings ▾
Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin. Double repeat violation.
Soda supply line passing through ice bin at bar service well with mold like buildup.
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.