ROSALITA'S CANTINA
975 RABBIT RD, Sanibel FL 33957 · 239 955-7673
Last inspected Aug 3, 2026 · 9 visits since July 2023
SEP 24
MAR 25
JUL 25
NOV 25
AUG 26
— STEADY
5 inspections within 17 points of each other. Whatever this kitchen does, it does consistently.
Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. beef (51 F - Cold Holding); scallops (54 F - Cold Holding); shrimp (55 F - Cold Holding) per operator food had been taken out of cooler to clean inside less than one hour prior to inspection. Operator put food on ice and in walk in cooler to rapidly cool.
★ Spotless◆ Clean streak● Perfect year✓ Never fined
Awarded on the inspection record alone. What they mean →
Disciplinary actions
2 cases · $560
| Case | Violation date | Final order | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7--2025029143 | Mar 4, 2025 | Jul 22, 2025 | $400 |
| 7--2024027710 | Apr 4, 2024 | Jun 20, 2024 | $160 |
Inspection history
9 visits, newest first
Aug 3, 2026Administrative complaint recommendedRoutine Inspection
Referred for a formal case, which can lead to a fine. 3 violations recorded.
0 High priority1 Intermediate2 Basic
What the inspector wrote — 3 findings
Identity of food or food product misrepresented. Menu lists Shrimp Diablo as containing Tiger Shrimp but establishment is serving standard shrimp.
Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Cell phone on shelf on cooks line. Observed operator correct violations in order to meet inspection standards.
Floor soiled/has accumulation of debris. Build up of debris underneath shelves walk in cooler and dry storage area
Nov 13, 2025Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 4 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
1 High priority2 Intermediate1 Basic
Show 4 findings ▾
Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. Can off insect repellent stored on shelf with dried peppers. Operator removed chemicals.
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Soda station nozzles have a mold like substance.
Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled. Behind bar; operator labeled.
Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Operator removed.
Jul 17, 2025Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 6 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
3 High priority2 Intermediate1 Basic
Show 6 findings ▾
Dented/rusted cans present. See stop sale. On storage rack, one #10 can of diced tomatoes was observed with a severely dented rim and surface.
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. Dishwasher (Chlorine 00ppm) Operator repaired issue with machine and achieved Dishwasher (Chlorine 100ppm).
Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. Can of bug repellent stored on dish shelf with clean food containers. Operator discarded.
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Bar soda nozzle soiled with a mold like substance.
Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled. Unlabeled spray bottle at dish machine table. This is a repeat violation from previous inspection dated 03-04-2025 operator labeled spray bottle
Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Cell phone on shelf of cooks line. Operator removed phone.
Mar 7, 2025□ Call Back - CompliedRoutine Inspection
A return visit. The problems from the previous inspection had been dealt with.
0 High priority0 Intermediate0 Basic
Mar 4, 2025Administrative complaint recommendedRoutine Inspection
Referred for a formal case, which can lead to a fine. 7 violations recorded, 1 high priority.
1 High priority3 Intermediate3 Basic
Show 7 findings ▾
Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. chicken (53 F - Cold Holding); beef (51 F - Cold Holding); prepared chorizo (52 F - Cold Holding) per operator they just came out of a high volume lunch shift and all food was at 41 F or below prior to lunch. Operator iced down food to rapidly cool. This is a repeat violation from previous inspection dated 09-11-2024
Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Hand sink next to ice machine not accessible.
No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. No,paper towels at hand sink next to ice machine.
Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled. Unlabeled spray bottle underneath hand sink at the end of cooks line. This is a repeat violation from previous inspection dated 09-11-2024
Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Partial bottle,of water stored on shelf with tortillas. Operator removed.
Wall soiled with accumulated grease, food debris, and/or dust. Build ip of dust on wall of kitchen above prep table.
Wet wiping cloth not stored in sanitizing solution between uses. Wet wiping cloth on expo counter. This is a repeat violation from previous inspection dated 09-11-2024
Sep 13, 2024□ Call Back - CompliedRoutine Inspection
A return visit. The problems from the previous inspection had been dealt with.
0 High priority1 Intermediate0 Basic
Show 1 finding ▾
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Mold like substance inside bar soda nozzle. As a repeat violation, the importance of following proper protocal concerning this violation was reinforced with the operator. Repeat from inspection dated 04-04-2024
Sep 11, 2024Warning IssuedRoutine Inspection
Violations found and a warning issued, with a return visit required. 7 recorded, 1 high priority.
1 High priority2 Intermediate4 Basic
Show 7 findings ▾
Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. beef (51 F - Cold Holding); scallops (54 F - Cold Holding); shrimp (55 F - Cold Holding) per operator food had been taken out of cooler to clean inside less than one hour prior to inspection. Operator put food on ice and in walk in cooler to rapidly cool.
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Mold like substance inside bar soda nozzle. As a repeat violation, the importance of following proper protocal concerning this violation was reinforced with the operator. Repeat from inspection dated 04-04-2024
Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled. Unlabeled spray bottles at dish machine. Repeat from inspection dated 04-04-2024. As a repeat violation, the importance of following proper protocal in regards to this violation was reinforced with the operator
No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees. At hand sink behind bar. Repeat from inspection dated 04-04-2024
Single-service articles improperly stored. Single serve to go tins not inverted during storage at bar top. Operator inverted.
Stored food not covered. Taco bowls on cooks line shelf uncovered. Operator covered food.
Wet wiping cloth not stored in sanitizing solution between uses. At dish drying rack. Operator removed.
Apr 4, 2024Administrative complaint recommendedRoutine Inspection
Referred for a formal case, which can lead to a fine. 10 violations recorded, 2 high priority.
2 High priority3 Intermediate5 Basic
Show 10 findings ▾
Beverage containers stored in ice used for drinks. See stop sale. Operator has containers of juices stored in ice well, where ice is used for beverages.
Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Raw shelled eggs stored above ready to eat sauces in walk in cooler Operator moved food to proper storage
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Mold like substance inside bar soda nozzle. Repeat from 07-25-2023
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. Server Eric, hired more than 60 days prior (Sept 2023) has no proof of training. As a repeat violation the importance of following proper protocol with this violation was reinforced with the operator. Repeat from 07-25-2023
Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled. Unlabeled spray bottle containing bleach at dish machine. Repeat from 07-25-2023
Duct tape used to repair nonfood-contact surface. Black duct tape used to repair lid of large food bin.
Employee personal food not properly identified and segregated from food to be served to the public. Personal food stored in wait station cooler with food served to guests. All personal food removed
Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Purse stored with sis gel serve sugars and coffee filters at wait station.
No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees. Not present at bar hand sink.
Soiled dry wiping cloth in use. On expo line.
Jul 25, 2023Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 11 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
4 High priority5 Intermediate2 Basic
Show 11 findings ▾
Dented/rusted cans present. See stop sale. Two number 10 cans of mandarin orange segments on can rack with deeply dented rims.
Employee handled soiled equipment or utensils and then engaged in food preparation, handled clean equipment or utensils, or touched unwrapped single-service items without washing hands. Observed employee loading dishes into the dish machine with bare hands and then without hand washing, unloaded the clean and sanitized dishes from the machine. Educated operator and observed proper hand washing. Discussed with operator the importance of hand washing between loading and unloading the dish machine
Non-food grade paper/paper towel used as liner for food container. Non food grade bag used to hold tamales in steam table. Operator removed tamales from bag.
Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. On cooks line reach in prepared stuffed chili peppers (63 F - Cold Holding), per operator food was taken out of refrigerator for service during lunch and was not used, operator stated food had been out for 90 minutes. Operator moved to cooler to rapidly cool.
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Mold like substance inside soda gun behind bar.
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. Some employees hired more than 60 days prior have no proof of training.
No soap provided at handwash sink. No soap at hand sink next to sodas fountain. Operator provided soap
Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Chili peppers stuffed with cheese cooked 24 hour prior, cooled and held for service not date marked with date prepared
Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled. Two bottles unlabeled at dish machine area. As a repeat violation the importance of following proper protocol with this violation was reinforced with the operator. Repeat form 02-27-2023
Carbon dioxide/helium tanks not adequately secured. Large helium tank unspecified by entrance to kitchen.
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. Salmon in walk in cooler with label stating "remove from packaging prior to thawing" still under reduced oxygen packaging. Operator pierced holes in packaging.
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.