Inspection Report

Florida DBPR Inspection Report

RESTAURANT EL MESQUITE

825 SR 66 · ZOLFO SPRINGS · Hardee County · FL 33890

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Inspection Summary

Inspection dateMarch 16, 2026
Inspection typeRoutine – Food
Inspection classFood
DBPR dispositionInspection Completed – No Further Action
Resultmet_inspection_standards
Inspection number3672568
Visit number1
Inspection Visit ID13543783
DBPR license3500270

Violation Summary

Counts reported for this inspection visit.

Full inspector observations available
1 High Priority3 Intermediate5 Basic0 Critical0 Non-Critical9 Total

All DBPR Inspector Observations

9 full violation description(s) documented by the inspector during this visit.

High Priority 1

#6High Priority08A-05-6

High Priority – 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. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**

Corrected On-SiteRepeat Violation

Intermediate 3

#7Intermediate05-08-4

Intermediate – No probe thermometer provided to measure temperature of food products.

#8Intermediate31B-03-4

Intermediate – No soap provided at handwash sink. Observed no soap at hand wash sink in kitchen next to three compartment sink, owner replaced. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**

Corrected On-SiteRepeat Violation
#9Intermediate03F-10-5

Intermediate – 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. **Corrective Action Taken**

Corrective Action Taken

Basic 5

#1Basic14-11-5

Basic – Equipment in poor repair. Observed torn gasket in reach in cooler on cook line. **Repeat Violation**

Repeat Violation
#2Basic35B-09-4

Basic – Screen in door torn/in poor repair – vermin present. Observed holes in screen door by side entrance in the kitchen. **Repeat Violation**

Repeat Violation
#3Basic08B-12-5

Basic – Stored food not covered. Observed pan of raw ground beef not covered in reach in freezer in kitchen.

#4Basic21-07-4

Basic – 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. **Corrected On-Site**

Corrected On-Site
#5Basic21-38-4

Basic – Wiping cloth sanitizing solution stored on the floor. Observed cloth chlorine sanitizing solution on the floor in the kitchen, owner moved. **Corrected On-Site**

Corrected On-Site

Inspector observations synchronized from DBPR on August 12, 2026 10:23 PM.

Violation category totals
Category 4 · Facilities maintain proper food temperature
1 observation(s)
Category 6 · Proper thawing of TCS food
1 observation(s)
Category 9 · Bare-hand contact with ready-to-eat food / AOP
2 observation(s)
Category 15 · No longer used
1 observation(s)
Category 22 · Food-contact surfaces clean and sanitized
2 observation(s)
Category 32 · Bathrooms
1 observation(s)
Category 36 · Floors, walls, ceilings, attached equipment and ventilation
1 observation(s)
Category 47 · Electrical wiring/outlets – reporting only
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.