RESTAURANT EL MESQUITE
825 SR 66 · ZOLFO SPRINGS · Hardee County · FL 33890
Inspection Summary
Violation Summary
Counts reported for this inspection visit.
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All DBPR Inspector Observations
9 full violation description(s) documented by the inspector during this visit.
High Priority 2
14-31-5High Priority – Nonfood-grade bags used in direct contact with food. Observed green tomatoes in a carry out bag in the reach in freezer. **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
08A-05-6High Priority – 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. **Warning**
Intermediate 2
31B-02-4Intermediate – 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. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
53B-05-5Intermediate – 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. **Warning**
Basic 5
12B-07-4Basic – 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. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
14-11-5Basic – Equipment in poor repair. Observed torn gaskets in the reach in cooler in the kitchen. **Warning**
23-03-4Basic – Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed hoods soiled with grease. **Warning**
35B-09-4Basic – Screen in door torn/in poor repair – vermin present. Observed back screen door is torn. **Warning**
29-49-6Basic – Standing water in bottom of reach-in-cooler. Observed in reach in cooler under prep table with standing water at the bottom. **Warning**
Inspector observations synchronized from DBPR on August 20, 2026 3:54 PM.
Violation category totals
1 observation(s)
1 observation(s)
2 observation(s)
1 observation(s)
1 observation(s)
1 observation(s)
1 observation(s)
1 observation(s)
1 observation(s)
Inspection records and inspector observations reflect conditions documented by DBPR at the time of the inspection and may not reflect current conditions.