RESTAURANT EL MESQUITE
825 SR 66, Zolfo Springs FL 33890 · 863-245-4181
Last inspected Mar 16, 2026 · 8 visits since October 2023
JAN 24
NOV 24
MAY 25
OCT 25
MAR 26
≈ ERRATIC
5 inspections, swinging between B and F. Consistency is the problem here, not any single visit.
Raw animal foods not properly separated from one another based upon minimum required cooking temperature when stored in a freezer - not all products commercially packaged. Observed the reach in freezer with chicken repackaged and stored over beef and seafood.
★ Spotless◆ Clean streak● Perfect year✓ Never fined
Awarded on the inspection record alone. What they mean →
Disciplinary actions
1 case · $400
| Case | Violation date | Final order | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7--2024072097 | Nov 5, 2024 | Feb 3, 2025 | $400 |
Inspection history
8 visits, newest first
Mar 16, 2026Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 9 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
1 High priority3 Intermediate5 Basic
What the inspector wrote — 10 findingsThe state's own report →
Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Observed flats of raw shell eggs in reach in cooler in kitchen over pre-packaged butter chips, owner moved the eggs to bottom shelf.
No probe thermometer provided to measure temperature of food products.
No soap provided at handwash sink. Observed no soap at hand wash sink in kitchen next to three compartment sink, owner replaced.
No written procedures available for use of time as a public health control to hold time/temperature control for safety food. Observed raw shell eggs out on counter, with no written plan, owner stated eggs have been out ten minutes placed back in reach in cooler, sent operator a copy by email and went over.
Show the remaining 6 findings ▾
Equipment in poor repair. Observed torn gasket in reach in cooler on cook line.
Screen in door torn/in poor repair - vermin present. Observed holes in screen door by side entrance in the kitchen.
Stored food not covered. Observed pan of raw ground beef not covered in reach in freezer in kitchen.
Wiping cloth chlorine sanitizing solution not at proper minimum strength. Observed chlorine solution reading at 25ppm, employee changed the water in 3-compartment sink and new chlorine solution reading at 50ppm.
Wiping cloth sanitizing solution stored on the floor. Observed cloth chlorine sanitizing solution on the floor in the kitchen, owner moved.
Marked exit/path to marked exit blocked. For reporting purposes only. Observed exit door in dining room is blocked.
Dec 15, 2025□ Call Back - CompliedRoutine Inspection
A return visit. The problems from the previous inspection had been dealt with.
0 High priority0 Intermediate2 Basic
Show 3 findings ▾
Equipment in poor repair. Observed torn gaskets in the reach in cooler in the kitchen.
Screen in door torn/in poor repair - vermin present. Observed back screen door is torn.
- From initial inspection : Marked exit/path to marked exit blocked. For reporting purposes only. Observed a table blocking the exit door in the dining room.
Oct 8, 2025Warning IssuedRoutine Inspection
Violations found and a warning issued, with a return visit required. 9 recorded, 2 high priority.
2 High priority2 Intermediate5 Basic
Show 10 findings ▾
Nonfood-grade bags used in direct contact with food. Observed green tomatoes in a carry out bag in the reach in freezer.
Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Observe flats of hard raw shell eggs over butter chips and jalapeños in the reach in cooler in the kitchen.
No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. Observed no paper towels at the hand wash sink in back of kitchen, employee replaced.
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. Observed employees I. Torres expired 8/12/23 and H. Tyson expired 8/12/23 from approved food worker training program.
Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Observed employees drink on the prep table in the kitchen, employee moved drink.
Equipment in poor repair. Observed torn gaskets in the reach in cooler in the kitchen.
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed hoods soiled with grease.
Screen in door torn/in poor repair - vermin present. Observed back screen door is torn.
Standing water in bottom of reach-in-cooler. Observed in reach in cooler under prep table with standing water at the bottom.
Marked exit/path to marked exit blocked. For reporting purposes only. Observed a table blocking the exit door in the dining room.
May 21, 2025Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 3 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
2 High priority0 Intermediate1 Basic
Show 3 findings ▾
Nonfood-grade bags used in direct contact with food. Observed non food grade bags used in the freezer and reach in.
Raw animal foods not properly separated from one another based upon minimum required cooking temperature when stored in a freezer - not all products commercially packaged. Observed the reach in freezer with chicken repackaged and stored over beef and seafood.
Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin. Observed a mold like substance on the ice drop tray on the inside of the ice machine.
Nov 6, 2024□ Call Back - CompliedRoutine Inspection
A return visit. The problems from the previous inspection had been dealt with.
1 High priority2 Intermediate0 Basic
Show 3 findings ▾
Vacuum breaker missing at hose bibb or on fitting/splitter added to hose bibb. Observed no vacuum breaker on the hose bibb under the preparation sink located in the kitchen.
No chemical test kit provided when using sanitizer at three-compartment sink/warewashing machine or wiping cloths. Observed no chlorine test strips for sanitizer bucket or 3 compartment sinks.
No soap provided at handwash sink. Observed no soap at handwashing sink in wait station. Owner placed soap at sink.
Nov 5, 2024Administrative complaint recommendedRoutine Inspection
Referred for a formal case, which can lead to a fine. 11 violations recorded, 8 high priority.
8 High priority2 Intermediate1 Basic
Show 11 findings ▾
Cooked/heated time/temperature control for safety food not cooled from 135 degrees Fahrenheit to 70 degrees Fahrenheit within 2 hours. Enchiladas sauce (84F - Cooling) stored at room temperature on a dry storage shelf in the kitchen. Owner stated the enchiladas sauce was cooked at 10:00 am and placed on rack to cool. Owner discarded sauce.
Cooked/heated time/temperature control for safety food not cooled from 135 degrees Fahrenheit to 70 degrees Fahrenheit within two hours and from 135 degrees Fahrenheit to 41 degrees Fahrenheit within six hours. See stop sale. Enchiladas sauce (84F - Cooling) stored at room temperature on a dry storage shelf in the kitchen. Owner stated the enchiladas sauce was cooked at 10:00 am and placed on rack to cool. Owner discarded sauce.
Nonfood-grade bags used in direct contact with food. Observed raw beef stored in and in direct contact with black garbage bag in the reach in freezer chest by back exit. Owner removed the beef.
Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Observed raw shell eggs stored over container of milk and container of margarine on the right side of reach in cooler in the kitchen. Owner removed the eggs. Observed a pan of raw beef stored over a pan ready to eat broccoli in the reach in cooler on the left side in the kitchen. Owner removed the beef.
Stop Sale issued due to food not being in a wholesome, sound condition. Bag of ice, container of creamer and pitcher of lemonade stored in the ice machine and in direct contact with the ice in the machine used for customer drinks. Owner removed the items and discarded the ice in the machine.
Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. All the following items stored in the reach in cooler on the left side of cook line, Sliced tomato (54F - Cold Holding); Sliced American cheese (58F - Cold Holding); Shredded mix cheese (59F - Cold Holding); Sliced fresco cheese (55F - Cold Holding); Cut lettuce (55F - Cold Holding). Manager stated the items stored in reach in cooler over night, manager discarded the items.
Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. All the following items stored in the reach in cooler on the left side of cook line, Sliced tomato (54F - Cold Holding); Sliced American cheese (58F - Cold Holding); Shredded mix cheese (59F - Cold Holding); Sliced fresco cheese (55F - Cold Holding); Cut lettuce (55F - Cold Holding). Manager stated the items stored in reach in cooler over night, manager discarded the items.
Vacuum breaker missing at hose bibb or on fitting/splitter added to hose bibb. Observed no vacuum breaker on the hose bibb under the preparation sink located in the kitchen.
No chemical test kit provided when using sanitizer at three-compartment sink/warewashing machine or wiping cloths. Observed no chlorine test strips for sanitizer bucket or 3 compartment sinks.
No soap provided at handwash sink. Observed no soap at handwashing sink in wait station. Owner placed soap at sink.
Equipment and utensils not rinsed between washing and sanitizing. Observed employee washing dishes in three compartment sink without rinsing before sanitizing. Employee set up a rinse bay in three compartment sink and rehashed the dishes.
Jan 30, 2024Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 7 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
3 High priority2 Intermediate2 Basic
Show 7 findings ▾
Non-food grade paper/paper towel used as liner for food container. Bserved tortillas stored in damp cloth and covered by garbage bag in reach in cooler. Operator discarded tortillas touching cloth and rewrapped others in deli paper and plastic wrap.
Nonfood-grade bags used in direct contact with food. Observed thank you take out bags used to store raw meats in reac in chest freezer.
Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Observed raw shell eggs over jug of milk and bread and cut vegetables operator rearranged shelves.
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. Inspector provided form and operator had employees sign during inspection
Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Observed cooked pork cooked two days ago not dated at working cooler across from steam table. Operator dated.
Food stored on floor. Observed box of potatoes stored n floor at back door. Operator moved to shelving.
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed exterior of bulk flour containers with old grease and food debris.
Oct 25, 2023Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 7 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
3 High priority1 Intermediate3 Basic
Show 7 findings ▾
Chlorine sanitizer not at proper minimum strength for manual warewashing. Do not use equipment/utensils not properly sanitized.
Employee touching ready-to-eat food with their bare hands - food was not being heated as a sole ingredient to 145 degrees F or immediately added to other ingredients to be cooked/heated to the minimum required temperature to allow bare hand contact. Establishment has no approved Alternative Operating Procedure. Observed cook making tortillas and removing from grill with bare hand. Manager corrected.
Nonfood-grade bags used in direct contact with food. Observed raw meat stored in to go bags with food on contract with bags.
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. Inspector emailed form and operator had employees read sign and date during inspection.
Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting. Observed beverage glasses stored nested while still wet.
Equipment and utensils not rinsed between washing and sanitizing. Employee washing and sanitizing with no rinse step. Manager corrected and rinse sink was set up.
In-use ice scoop stored on soiled surface between uses. Observed ice scoop stored on bucket with debris observed inside. Manager had items sent through dishwash.
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.