RED LOBSTER #0479
1331 TAMIAMI TRL, Port Charlotte FL 33948 · 941.625.7745
Last inspected Jul 22, 2026 · 7 visits since September 2023
DEC 24
APR 25
AUG 25
JAN 26
JUL 26
— STEADY
5 inspections within 11 points of each other. Whatever this kitchen does, it does consistently.
Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license. Observed license expired on December 1, 2024.
★ Spotless◆ Clean streak● Perfect year✓ Never fined
Awarded on the inspection record alone. What they mean →
Inspection history
7 visits, newest first
Jul 22, 2026Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 4 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
0 High priority1 Intermediate3 Basic
What the inspector wrote — 4 findings
Non-pitting surface rust on food-contact equipment. Observed rust on the can opener blade.
Buildup of food debris/soil residue on the reach in freezer door handle on the cook line.
Ice buildup in the walk-in freezer.
In-use utensil used with moist food stored in running water with insufficient velocity to flush food particles away on the server expo line. The operator increased the water flow.
Jan 8, 2026Inspection Completed - No Further ActionComplaint Investigation
Met inspection standards. 6 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
0 High priority3 Intermediate3 Basic
Show 6 findings ▾
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Observed residue buildup on can opener blade at prep table.
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. Operator able to provide by the end of inspection.
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. Observed expired foodhandler trading certificates. Operator able to provide the food safety manager certificate for the expired foodhandler training certificate.
Ceiling tile missing. Observed missing ceiling tile above cookline at grill.
Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance. Observed residue buildup on ceiling tiles at various locations at kitchen.
Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Observed calamari flour not labeled at container above Reach in Freezer next to Deep Fryers. Operator labeled the food item.
Aug 26, 2025Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 4 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
0 High priority1 Intermediate3 Basic
Show 4 findings ▾
Commercially processed ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food opened and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked after opening. Observed half n half opened, without date marked after.
Employee with ineffective hair restraint while engaging in food preparation. Observed cook with hat on, but long hair, not restrained back.
Interior of oven/microwave has accumulation of black substance/grease/food debris. Observed dried food debris on microwave shield.
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed in reach in cooler on cook line, with debris on gasket.
Apr 21, 2025Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 9 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
0 High priority2 Intermediate7 Basic
Show 9 findings ▾
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Observed can opener with food debris on blade. Observed operator taking can opener to dish to be washed.
Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Observed at first handwashing sink, )when you enter Kitchen, closest to the front door) with tea/coffee stains inside sink, being used as a dump sink.
Buildup of food debris/soil residue on equipment door handles. Observed on reach in double doors, (by walk in cooler)food debris on back side of handles. Observed operator asking employee to clean handle
Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Observed on dry storage shelf, cordless speaker and phone charger on dry good shelf. Observed operator remove items, place in a container, labeled employee only, and put container on bottom shelf.
Floor not cleaned when the least amount of food is exposed. Observed in dry storage, along cove moldings, debris on floor.
In-use tongs stored on equipment door handle between uses. Observed throughout kitchen, tongs hanging on door handles. Educated operator on why, and proper storage. Observed operator removing tongs and storing properly.
Interior of oven/microwave has accumulation of black substance/grease/food debris. Observed microwave shields throughout kitchen soiled with food debris. Observed cook cleaning shields.
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed throughout kitchen and bar, reach in coolers with food debris on gaskets. Observed cook starting to clean gaskets.
Stored food not covered. Observed in walk in cooler, multiple seafood items on speed rack without lids on containers,protecting food. Observed operator covering food.
Dec 2, 2024Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 10 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
1 High priority0 Intermediate9 Basic
Show 10 findings ▾
Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license. Observed license expired on December 1, 2024.
Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin. Observed some black mold like substance on the metal frame of ice machine. Observed operator cleaning frame.
Buildup of food debris/soil residue on equipment door handles. Observed on dessert reach in cooler, food debris on backside of handle. Observed operator cleaning back side of handle.
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. Observed Maui Maui thawing in original packaging. Coached operator on proper thawing methods. Observed operator cutting packaging to expose to air.
Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Observed employee wireless speaker on a prep counter top. Observed operator removing and properly storing wireless speaker.
Exterior door has a gap at the threshold that opens to the outside. Observed at back door on left hand side from lock to the floor, a gap in the door.
Interior of oven/microwave has accumulation of black substance/grease/food debris. Observed fan guard inside of microwave in prep area with food debris on guard. Observed operator cleaning fan guard.
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed gaskets in reach in coolers in kitchen and bar with food debris on them and some torn.
Old food stuck to clean dishware/utensils. Observed bar shaker containers put away clean with food debris still stuck to containers,inside and out side. Observed operator having bartender re wash containers
Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Observed multiple dry items taken out of original container containers and put into bins without proper labels. Observed operator labeling containers.
Mar 25, 2024Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 6 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
0 High priority2 Intermediate4 Basic
Show 6 findings ▾
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Can opener has food debris on it. Observed operator cleaning can opener and removing food debris off of it.
Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Observed hand washing sink next to Pepsi dispensing machine being used as a dump sink. Operator melted all ice that was inside and informed employees that its for hand washing only.
Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Observed in seasoning tri bins, a paper soup cup, a tray, and a black togo tray inside containers being used as scoops. Observed operator removing them and throwing them away
Clean glasses, cups, bowls, plates, pots and pans not stored inverted or in a protected manner. Observed soup spoons not inverted with handles up in white container at silverware station. Observed operator placing them correct in container with handles up.
Iced tea/ Soda dispenser not cleaned at least once every 24 hours. Observed black mold like substance on machine, behind nozzles. Observed operator scrubbing soda machines. Wash, rinse, sanitize
In-use utensil in non-time/temperature control for safety food not stored with handle above top of food within a closed container. Observed in panko container handle touching panko. Operator corrected on site
Sep 29, 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 ▾
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Observed mold like substance behind nozzles of soda machine.
Ceiling tile missing. Observed open ceiling tile next to walk in freezer. Observed Manager replacing tile.
Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Observed employee red can Red Bull in reach in cooler in dessert cooler. Observed manager removing said drink and disposing drink.
Ice buildup in reach-in freezer and/or walk-in freezer. Observed a lot of ice build up in walk in freezer on pipes and floors. Observed manager sliding on slick ice. Observed water dripping from pipes in freezer and ice hanging from fire sprinklers.
Light not functioning. Observed in handicap stall in ladies bathroom, light bulb out. Observed manager replacing bulb.
Old labels stuck to food containers after cleaning. Observed multiple labels stuck on containers in dish area on drying shelf. Observed Manager removing all containers with labels on them and putting them back in dish pit.
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.