PEPPERS MEXICAN GRILL AND CANTINA
14073 EMERALD COAST PKWY, Destin FL 32541
Last inspected Aug 26, 2026 · 13 visits since November 2023
DEC 24
APR 25
DEC 25
APR 26
AUG 26
≈ ERRATIC
5 inspections, swinging between A and D. Consistency is the problem here, not any single visit.
Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. Cold hold- expo- reach in cooler- portioned house salsa 45F (9:30-2:30), marinara sauce 45F ( undetermined and moldy).
★ Spotless◆ Clean streak● Perfect year✓ Never fined
Awarded on the inspection record alone. What they mean →
Inspection history
13 visits, newest first
Aug 26, 2026Warning IssuedComplaint Investigation
Violations found and a warning issued, with a return visit required. 5 recorded, 1 high priority.
1 High priority0 Intermediate4 Basic
What the inspector wrote — 5 findingsThe state's own report →
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. 0 ppm chlorine multiple attempts
Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated of dust, or mold-like substance. Multiple areas of the dining areas and front bar.
Exterior door has a gap at the threshold that opens to the outside. Rear kitchen doors
Floor-mounted equipment that is not easily movable is not sealed to the floor and has wooden pallet as base that provide less than a 6-inch clearance between the pallet / floor and equipment. Vevor Soft serve bar drink machine.
Show the remaining 1 finding ▾
Food stored on floor. Drink mixes contained in plastic containers at front bar
Apr 20, 2026Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 4 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
1 High priority0 Intermediate3 Basic
Show 4 findings ▾
Nonfood-grade bags used in direct contact with food. Observed house made tortillas stored inside T-shirt bag on cook line. Operator placed inside cambro during inspection.
Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin. Ceiling of ice bin located near office has accumulation of black substance.
Floor not cleaned when the least amount of food is exposed. Observed buildup of cooking oil on floor under fryers.
Food stored on floor. Observed two containers of chips stored on floor in kitchen and two containers of red sauce stored on floor in walk-in cooler.
Dec 2, 2025Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 17 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
0 High priority3 Intermediate14 Basic
Show 17 findings ▾
Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Multiple dishes stored in hand wash sink in ware washing location.
No chemical test kit provided when using sanitizer at three-compartment sink/warewashing machine or wiping cloths.
Proof of required state approved employee training not available for some 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.
Cloth used as a food-contact surface under foil wrapped tortilla shells at expo. Cloth stored under spatula at grill press.
Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Back pack and speaker stored on top of dish machine.
Floor area(s) covered with standing water in ware washing area.
Floor tiles missing and/or in disrepair. Multiple floor tiles missing/broken in ware wash location.
Food stored on floor. Oil and butter blend jugs stored on floor near upright cooler.
Ice bucket/shovel stored on floor between uses. Ice bucket stored on floor next to ice machine.
In-use ice scoop stored on soiled surface between uses. Ice scoop stored on top of ice machine.
In-use utensil in non-time/temperature control for safety food not stored with handle above top of food within a closed container. Scoop handle stored in sugar, pitcher handle stored in dry rice both in wait station location.
Multiple Cutting boards have cut marks and are no longer cleanable at make bars.
No conspicuously located ambient air temperature thermometer in multiple cold holding units and walk in cooler.
Objectionable odors in women's bathroom or other areas of the establishment.
Stored food not covered. Reach in cooler near office- portioned salsa not covered. Walk in cooler- Raw beef 39F, seasoned lard 38F, green salsa 38F not covered. Reach in cooler at expo- Cojita cheese 39F, mayo not covered. Upright- tomato purée 39F, cooked ground beef 39F, salsa 38F not covered. Cheese sauce stored in warmer not covered. Upright- raw beef 40F, raw shrimp 39F, chicken wings 39F not covered. Upright freezer- octopus, raw shrimp, crabmeat, cooked shrimp not covered.
Water leaking from pipe and/or faucet/handle on cook line at hand wash sink.
Apr 29, 2025□ Call Back - CompliedRoutine Inspection
A return visit. The problems from the previous inspection had been dealt with.
1 High priority0 Intermediate0 Basic
Show 1 finding ▾
Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Cold hold- expo- reach in cooler- portioned house salsa 45F (9:30-2:30), marinara sauce 45F ( moldy and undetermined). Cold hold- make bar/reach in cooler- Krab 62F, scallops 53F, shredded cheese 60Fm white fish 55F, sliced beef 55F, chorizo 59F, cooked chicken wings 56F, cooked pork 59F. See stop sale
Apr 25, 2025Call Back - Extension given, pendingRoutine Inspection
A return visit. The problems were not fixed yet and the kitchen was given more time.
1 High priority0 Intermediate0 Basic
Show 1 finding ▾
Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Cold hold- expo- reach in cooler- portioned house salsa 45F (9:30-2:30), marinara sauce 45F ( moldy and undetermined). Cold hold- make bar/reach in cooler- Krab 62F, scallops 53F, shredded cheese 60Fm white fish 55F, sliced beef 55F, chorizo 59F, cooked chicken wings 56F, cooked pork 59F. See stop sale
Apr 23, 2025Call Back - Admin. complaint recommendedRoutine Inspection
Referred for a formal case, which can lead to a fine. 3 violations recorded, 2 high priority.
2 High priority0 Intermediate1 Basic
Show 3 findings ▾
Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. Cold hold- expo- reach in cooler- portioned house salsa 45F (9:30-2:30), marinara sauce 45F ( undetermined and moldy).
Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Cold hold- expo- reach in cooler- portioned house salsa 45F (9:30-2:30), marinara sauce 45F ( moldy and undetermined). Cold hold- make bar/reach in cooler- Krab 62F, scallops 53F, shredded cheese 60Fm white fish 55F, sliced beef 55F, chorizo 59F, cooked chicken wings 56F, cooked pork 59F. See stop sale
Cold holding equipment not maintained in good repair. Do not store time/temperature control for safety food in this unit until the unit is repaired. Reach in cooler on cook line ambient 65F.
Apr 22, 2025Warning IssuedRoutine Inspection
Violations found and a warning issued, with a return visit required. 16 recorded, 3 high priority.
3 High priority3 Intermediate10 Basic
Show 16 findings ▾
Food with mold-like growth. Marinara sauce 45F ( undetermined and moldy).See stop sale.
Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. Cold hold- expo- reach in cooler- portioned house salsa 45F (9:30-2:30), marinara sauce 45F ( undetermined and moldy).
Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Cold hold- expo- reach in cooler- portioned house salsa 45F (9:30-2:30), marinara sauce 45F ( moldy and undetermined). Cold hold- make bar/reach in cooler- Krab 62F, scallops 53F, shredded cheese 60Fm white fish 55F, sliced beef 55F, chorizo 59F, cooked chicken wings 56F, cooked pork 59F. See stop sale
Commercially processed ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food opened and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked after opening. Marinara sauce stored in reach in cooler near expo 45F and moldy.
No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink on cook line. Manager re stocked paper towels.
Records/documents for required employee training do not contain all of the required information. Keneth Moncado's training certificate provides name and birthdate only.
Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Red cup stored in sugar with no handle. Manager removed cup and placed in ware washing area.
Buildup of food debris/soil residue on equipment door handles.
Cold holding equipment not maintained in good repair. Do not store time/temperature control for safety food in this unit until the unit is repaired. Reach in cooler on cook line ambient 65F.
Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable.
Food stored on floor. Raw chicken stored in a tub on floor in walk in Freezer. Multiple buckets of sour cream stored on floor in walk in cooler. Oil jug stored on floor near warmer.
Ice scoop handle in contact with ice. Manager removed scoop and sent to warehouse washing area.
In-use ice scoop stored on soiled surface between uses. Ice machine scoop stored on top of ice maker on right side. Manager removed scoop and sent to warehouse wash location..
In-use utensil in non-time/temperature control for safety food not stored with handle above top of food within a closed container. Pitcher handle stored in dry rice. Manager removed scoop from rice and sent to warehouse washing area.
No conspicuously located ambient air temperature thermometer in holding unit on cook line.
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Walk in cooler interior door soiled with raw ground beef.
Dec 30, 2024Inspection Completed - No Further ActionLicensing Inspection
Nothing was found. The inspector recorded no violations at all.
0 High priority0 Intermediate0 Basic
May 28, 2024□ Call Back - CompliedComplaint Investigation (Partial)
A return visit. The problems from the previous inspection had been dealt with.
0 High priority0 Intermediate0 Basic
Apr 11, 2024Call Back - Extension given, pendingComplaint Investigation (Partial)
A return visit. The problems were not fixed yet and the kitchen was given more time.
0 High priority0 Intermediate1 Basic
Show 1 finding ▾
Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable.
Mar 12, 2024Warning IssuedComplaint Investigation (Partial)
Violations found and a warning issued, with a return visit required. 2 recorded.
0 High priority1 Intermediate1 Basic
Show 2 findings ▾
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Multiple cutting boards heavily soiled on cook line.
Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable.
Jan 19, 2024Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 5 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
0 High priority1 Intermediate4 Basic
Show 5 findings ▾
Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Piece of pipe/equipment stored in sink on cook line in front of fryers. Sink used as a dump sink at end of cook line near walk in cooler as evidence of liquid food. Cloth/towel stored in sink in prep area near office.
Cloth used as a food-contact surface on cook line under bowl of oil.
Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable. Multiple cutting boards on cook line and at make tables are heavily soiled with deep groove marks.
In-use tongs stored on equipment door handle between uses. Tongs stored on oven handle.
In-use utensil in non-time/temperature control for safety food not stored with handle above top of food within a closed container. Scoop handle stored in flour.
Nov 9, 2023Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 7 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
0 High priority2 Intermediate5 Basic
Show 7 findings ▾
No soap provided at handwash sink in ware washing area. Dispenser has been removed from wall / unable to locate. Manager placed a bottle of soap at sink.
Paper towel dispenser at handwash sink in ware washing area not working/unable to dispense paper towels. Manager replaced batteries in dispenser.
Ceiling/ceiling tile shows damage or is in disrepair above dish machine, part of tile missing.
Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance in main kitchen.
Floor tiles missing and/or in disrepair in ware washing area at hand sink and on floor in front of dish machine. Floor tiles broken/missing in front of walk in freezer inside walk in cooler.
Frozen time/temperature control for safety food being slacked at room temperature is no longer frozen solid. Thawing shrimp 54F (12:45- 1:15). Manager placed shrimp in walk in cooler.
Ice buildup in reach walk-in freezer.
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.