How many health inspections has CORTEZ KITCHEN had?

CORTEZ KITCHEN has had 26 inspections according to Florida DBPR records.

Has CORTEZ KITCHEN ever been shut down?

Yes, CORTEZ KITCHEN has been shut down 2 times by state inspectors.

What are the most common violations at CORTEZ KITCHEN?

The most frequently cited violations at CORTEZ KITCHEN are: Proper ventilation, Consumer advisory, Food contact surfaces.

What does Florida violation V12 (Shell stock requirements) mean?

SHELLFISH TRACEABILITY: Shellfish (oysters, clams, mussels) are high-risk foods consumed raw or lightly cooked. Without proper identification tags, contaminated shellfish cannot be traced during outbreaks. Vibrio vulnificus from Gulf shellfish has a 50% fatality rate in at-risk populations. Norovirus in shellfish causes 50% of shellfish-related illnesses. Proper tags enable rapid recall during outbreaks. Maintain shellfish tags for 90 days from date of sale/service. Tags must include: harvester name and certification number, harvest date and location, quantity, dealer information. Store shellfish in original tagged container until empty. Record date on each container when last shell is removed. Never commingle shellfish from different lots.

What does Florida violation V21 (Time as control) mean?

TIME ABUSE: When time is used as a public health control (instead of temperature), food is allowed to remain in the temperature danger zone for a limited period. Without proper written procedures, documentation, and disposal protocols, food may be served after unsafe time periods. Bacteria reach dangerous levels after 4 hours at room temperature — causing Staphylococcal intoxication, Salmonellosis, and C. perfringens illness. If using time as a control: develop written procedures, mark food with discard time (4 hours from removal, or 6 hours if starting at 41°F and not exceeding 70°F), monitor and document. Food must be discarded at marked time — no exceptions. Staff must be trained on procedures. Time as control is NOT appropriate for all foods.

What does Florida violation V35 (Single-use items) mean?

CONTAMINATION RISK: Reusing single-use items (gloves, cups, utensils, foil) that were designed for one use creates contamination pathways. Single-use gloves develop micro-tears during use, becoming bacterial incubators. Reused single-use containers lose structural integrity, leaking contaminated liquids. Single-use utensils cannot be properly sanitized between uses. Single-use articles (gloves, cups, lids, foil, plastic wrap, straws, stirrers, paper napkins) must be used once and discarded. Do not wash and reuse. Store in original packaging to prevent contamination. Dispense in sanitary manner. Use food-grade single-use items only.

CORTEZ KITCHEN

4528 119 ST W, Cortez, FL 34215

Manatee County · Permanent Food Service · Owner: WESTWINDS COZ LLC · License: SEA5104508

CORTEZ KITCHEN in Cortez, FL has 26 inspections on record with 176 total violations (6.8 per inspection) and 2 emergency closures.

26Inspections

176Violations

2Closures

Data current as of June 3, 2025

Emergency Closures (2)

Emergency closure history for CORTEZ KITCHEN
Date	Reason	Reopened
Apr 14, 2021	Rodent activity	15:38:00
Feb 5, 2020	Rodent activity	08:44:00

Inspection History (26)

Jun 3, 2025 — Routine - Food· 3 violations · Inspection Completed - No Further Action

High Priority Violations

V12 Shell stock requirements

V21 Time as control

Intermediate Violations

V35 Single-use items

Mar 6, 2025 — Routine - Food· 9 violations (1 high priority)· Inspection Completed - No Further Action

High Priority Violations

V01 Management awareness

V03 Employee health reporting

V10 Approved food source

V12 Shell stock requirements

V24 Toxic substance control

V25 Allergen awareness

Intermediate Violations

V31 Clean multi-use utensils

V35 Single-use items

V40 Wiping cloths usage

Jun 27, 2024 — Complaint Full· 3 violations (1 high priority)· Inspection Completed - No Further Action

High Priority Violations

V03 Employee health reporting

Intermediate Violations

V31 Clean multi-use utensils

V33 Proper cooling equipment

Apr 30, 2024 — Routine - Food· 0 violations · Call Back - Complied

No violations recorded for this inspection.

Feb 28, 2024 — Routine - Food· 8 violations (1 high priority)· Warning Issued

High Priority Violations

V01 Management awareness

V03 Employee health reporting

V13 Parasite destruction

V24 Toxic substance control

V25 Allergen awareness

Intermediate Violations

V33 Proper cooling equipment

V41 Toilet facilities

Jul 13, 2023 — Routine - Food· 2 violations · Inspection Completed - No Further Action

High Priority Violations

V23 Chemical properly stored

Intermediate Violations

V31 Clean multi-use utensils

Mar 31, 2023 — Routine - Food· 8 violations · Inspection Completed - No Further Action

Dec 7, 2022 — Routine - Food· 11 violations (4 high priority)· Inspection Completed - No Further Action

High Priority Violations

V01 Management awareness

V03 Employee health reporting

V08 Proper hand/arm washing

V14 Food contact surfaces

V16 Proper cooking temps

V22 Consumer advisory

Intermediate Violations

V36 Proper ventilation

V41 Toilet facilities

Jun 1, 2022 — Routine - Food· 14 violations (4 high priority)· Inspection Completed - No Further Action

High Priority Violations

V03 Employee health reporting

V12 Shell stock requirements

V14 Food contact surfaces

V16 Proper cooking temps

V22 Consumer advisory

V25 Allergen awareness

Intermediate Violations

V29 Proper sewage disposal

V36 Proper ventilation

V41 Toilet facilities

Mar 1, 2022 — Routine - Food· 7 violations · Inspection Completed - No Further Action

High Priority Violations

V14 Food contact surfaces

V16 Proper cooking temps

V22 Consumer advisory

V23 Chemical properly stored

V25 Allergen awareness

Intermediate Violations

V32 Proper sanitizing

V36 Proper ventilation

Jun 16, 2021 — Routine - Food· 10 violations (1 high priority)· Call Back - Complied

High Priority Violations

V14 Food contact surfaces

V22 Consumer advisory

Intermediate Violations

V29 Proper sewage disposal

V36 Proper ventilation

V38 Waste properly disposed

Jun 15, 2021 — Routine - Food· 19 violations (3 high priority)· Warning Issued

High Priority Violations

V01 Management awareness

V03 Employee health reporting

V12 Shell stock requirements

V14 Food contact surfaces

V21 Time as control

V22 Consumer advisory

V23 Chemical properly stored

Intermediate Violations

V29 Proper sewage disposal

V36 Proper ventilation

V38 Waste properly disposed

Apr 23, 2021 — Complaint Full· 15 violations (2 high priority)· Inspection Completed - No Further Action

High Priority Violations

V12 Shell stock requirements

V14 Food contact surfaces

V16 Proper cooking temps

V21 Time as control

V22 Consumer advisory

V23 Chemical properly stored

V25 Allergen awareness

Intermediate Violations

V29 Proper sewage disposal

V31 Clean multi-use utensils

V35 Single-use items

V36 Proper ventilation

V38 Waste properly disposed

Apr 14, 2021 — Complaint Full· 9 violations (1 high priority)· Emergency order recommended

High Priority Violations

V22 Consumer advisory

V23 Chemical properly stored

Intermediate Violations

V29 Proper sewage disposal

V35 Single-use items

V36 Proper ventilation

Basic Violations

V53 Outer openings protected

Apr 14, 2021 — Complaint Full· 8 violations · Emergency Order Callback Complied

High Priority Violations

V22 Consumer advisory

V23 Chemical properly stored

Intermediate Violations

V29 Proper sewage disposal

V35 Single-use items

V36 Proper ventilation

Basic Violations

V53 Outer openings protected

Feb 6, 2020 — Routine - Food· 6 violations · Emergency Order Callback Complied

High Priority Violations

V14 Food contact surfaces

Intermediate Violations

V29 Proper sewage disposal

V35 Single-use items

V36 Proper ventilation

Basic Violations

V53 Outer openings protected

Feb 5, 2020 — Routine - Food· 10 violations (2 high priority)· Emergency order recommended

High Priority Violations

V03 Employee health reporting

V14 Food contact surfaces

V22 Consumer advisory

Intermediate Violations

V29 Proper sewage disposal

V35 Single-use items

V36 Proper ventilation

Basic Violations

V53 Outer openings protected

Oct 4, 2019 — Routine - Food· 1 violations · Call Back - Complied

High Priority Violations

V14 Food contact surfaces

Oct 2, 2019 — Routine - Food· 4 violations (2 high priority)· Warning Issued

High Priority Violations

V01 Management awareness

V03 Employee health reporting

V14 Food contact surfaces

Intermediate Violations

V33 Proper cooling equipment

Feb 19, 2019 — Routine - Food· 7 violations · Inspection Completed - No Further Action

High Priority Violations

V06 Handwashing facilities

V14 Food contact surfaces

V22 Consumer advisory

Intermediate Violations

V31 Clean multi-use utensils

V33 Proper cooling equipment

Mar 21, 2018 — Routine - Food· 2 violations · Call Back - Complied

High Priority Violations

V22 Consumer advisory

Intermediate Violations

V36 Proper ventilation

Mar 14, 2018 — Routine - Food· 9 violations (2 high priority)· Warning Issued

High Priority Violations

V02 Employee health policy

V03 Employee health reporting

V05 Handwashing procedures

V08 Proper hand/arm washing

V21 Time as control

V22 Consumer advisory

V25 Allergen awareness

Intermediate Violations

V36 Proper ventilation

V38 Waste properly disposed

Aug 29, 2017 — Routine - Food· 0 violations · Inspection Completed - No Further Action

No violations recorded for this inspection.

Jan 10, 2017 — Routine - Food· 0 violations · Inspection Completed - No Further Action

No violations recorded for this inspection.

Jan 6, 2017 — Routine - Food· 2 violations · Call Back - Complied

High Priority Violations

V25 Allergen awareness

Basic Violations

V51 Premises clean

Dec 21, 2016 — Routine - Food· 9 violations (4 high priority)· Warning Issued

High Priority Violations

V01 Management awareness

V02 Employee health policy

V03 Employee health reporting

V25 Allergen awareness

Intermediate Violations

V29 Proper sewage disposal

V41 Toilet facilities

Basic Violations

V51 Premises clean

V53 Outer openings protected

How Does This Facility Compare?

CORTEZ KITCHEN has had 2 emergency closures, compared to the Manatee County average of 0.10 closures per facility. It has averaged 6.8 violations per inspection vs. the county average of 3.22.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many health inspections has CORTEZ KITCHEN had?: CORTEZ KITCHEN has had 26 inspections according to Florida DBPR records.
Has CORTEZ KITCHEN ever been shut down?: Yes, CORTEZ KITCHEN has been shut down 2 times by state inspectors.
What are the most common violations at CORTEZ KITCHEN?: The most frequently cited violations at CORTEZ KITCHEN are: Proper ventilation, Consumer advisory, Food contact surfaces.

Nearby Establishments

SWORDFISH GRILL

4628 119 ST W, Cortez

27 inspections · 160 violations

Last inspected: Nov 8, 2024

TYLERS HOMEMADE ICE CREAM

11904 CORTEZ RD WEST, Cortez

14 inspections · 60 violations

Last inspected: Oct 30, 2024

IZZY'S PLACE

12012 CORTEZ RD W, Bradenton

20 inspections · 105 violations · 1 closures

Last inspected: May 21, 2025

STAR FISH COMPANY

12306 46 AVE W, Cortez

29 inspections · 192 violations

Last inspected: May 7, 2025

Editorial Standards & Data Oversight

Data Source: This report is based on official public inspection records from the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) and the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS).

Editorial Process: Content generated using AI to synthesize complex regulatory data, then reviewed and verified for accuracy by our editorial team.

Professional Review: All content undergoes standards and compliance oversight by Christopher F. Nesbitt, Sr., Nationally Registered EMT & BU-trained Paralegal, using professional regulatory data auditing protocols.

Last verified: June 3, 2025 | Our methodology | Editorial standards | Report an error

This page is maintained by FloridaFoodSafety.org and is not affiliated with CORTEZ KITCHEN.