SANIBEL CAFE
2007 PERIWINKLE WAY, Sanibel FL 33957 · 239-472-5323
Last inspected Aug 6, 2026 · 8 visits since January 2024
NOV 24
FEB 25
JUL 25
DEC 25
AUG 26
— STEADY
5 inspections within 14 points of each other. Whatever this kitchen does, it does consistently.
Raw animal foods not properly separated from each other in holding unit based upon minimum required cooking temperature. Raw chicken and ground beef stored above raw fish and gator meat in reach in cooler. Operator moved food to proper storage.
★ Spotless◆ Clean streak● Perfect year✓ Never fined
Awarded on the inspection record alone. What they mean →
Disciplinary actions
1 case · $160
| Case | Violation date | Final order | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7--2018062393 | Nov 19, 2018 | Jan 10, 2019 | $160 |
Inspection history
8 visits, newest first
Aug 6, 2026Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 1 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
0 High priority0 Intermediate1 Basic
What the inspector wrote — 1 finding
Opened employee beverage container in a cold holding unit with food to be served to customers. Partial bottle of water in reach in cooler on cooks line. Observed operator correct violations in order to meet inspection standards.
Dec 10, 2025Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 3 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
1 High priority0 Intermediate2 Basic
Show 3 findings ▾
Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Smoked salmon directly above container of black olives in reach in cooler. Observed operator correct violations in order to meet inspection standards.
Carbon dioxide/helium tanks not adequately secured. Four unsecured CO2 cylinders outside back door next to mop sink.
Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Cell phone in front counter/service window.
Jul 10, 2025Inspection 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 ▾
Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Raw smoked salmon over ready to eat food in reach in cooler. Operator moved salmon to proper storage
Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance. Dust build up on ceiling at dish machine.
In-use wet wiping cloth/towel used under cutting board. On back prep table. Operator removed.
Standing water in bottom of reach-in-cooler. Inside front line cooks make table cooler
Feb 27, 2025□ Call Back - CompliedRoutine Inspection
A return visit. The problems from the previous inspection had been dealt with.
0 High priority0 Intermediate0 Basic
Feb 24, 2025Warning IssuedRoutine Inspection
Violations found and a warning issued, with a return visit required. 3 recorded, 1 high priority.
1 High priority0 Intermediate2 Basic
Show 3 findings ▾
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. After three attempts at the surface of the plate: Dishwasher (Chlorine 00ppm); Operator,set up triple sink: Triple Sink (Chlorine 100ppm)
Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Partial bottle of water on front prep table. Operator removed drink.
In-use tongs stored on equipment door handle between uses. Tongs on oven handle, operator removed tongs.
Nov 7, 2024Inspection 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 ▾
Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Raw smoked salmon stored over squeeze bottles of sauces and dressings in reach in cooler. Operator moved foods to proper storage.
Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Ramekin used as scoop in tomato salsa and in feta cheese. Operator removed.
Employee with no hair restraint while engaging in food preparation. Two employees in kitchen preparing food without hair restraints
Exhaust/ventilation hood system not designed to prevent grease or condensation from dripping onto food, clean equipment and utensils, and single-service items. Condensation dripping on to clean food containers. Operator placed drip pan to catch condensation
May 22, 2024Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 7 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
4 High priority0 Intermediate3 Basic
Show 7 findings ▾
Dented/rusted cans present. See stop sale. On back storage shelf, one # 10 can of Country Sausage Gravy was observed with a large deep dent in the rim
Raw animal foods not properly separated from each other in holding unit based upon minimum required cooking temperature. Raw chicken and ground beef stored above raw fish and gator meat in reach in cooler. Operator moved food to proper storage.
Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. In front line make table tuna salad (45 F - Cold Holding); chicken salad (45 F - Cold Holding) per operator food was brought to make table from reach in cooler 3 hours prior and was below 41 F. Operator retuned food to large reach in cooler
Vacuum breaker missing at hose bibb or on fitting/splitter added to hose bibb. No vacuum breaker present at hose bibb outside storage to mop sink.
Carbon dioxide/helium tanks not adequately secured. Three unsecured CO 2 tanks outside next to mop sink.
Ceiling/ceiling tile shows damage or is in disrepair. Damaged ceiling tile above shelf for stored ware washed items next to dish machine.
Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Employee bottles water on prep table in back kitchen. Operator removed.
Jan 11, 2024Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 6 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
3 High priority0 Intermediate3 Basic
Show 6 findings ▾
Employee failed to wash hands before putting on gloves to initiate a task working with food. Cook cracked raw shelled gags on line and then changed gloves without hand washing. Discussed with operator the need for hand washing during glove change when going form one task to another.
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 on the need for hand washing.
Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Raw shelled gags stored above open containers of diced ham and shredded cheese in reach in cooler. Operator moved eggs to proper storage.
Employee with no hair restraint while engaging in food preparation. Employees working with food without hair restraints.
Label on a food item prepared and packaged onsite for customer self-service does not include product identity/description, date product was packaged and name and address of the establishment that prepared and packaged the food. Jams and Jellies sold on site without the proper labeling.
Ventilation inadequate as evidenced by excessive steam or vapors in kitchen. Observed smoke rolling off grill onto cooks line.
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.