How many health inspections has DON PEPE MEXICAN RESTAURANT had?

DON PEPE MEXICAN RESTAURANT has had 22 inspections according to Florida DBPR records.

Has DON PEPE MEXICAN RESTAURANT ever been shut down?

Yes, DON PEPE MEXICAN RESTAURANT has been shut down 1 time by state inspectors.

What are the most common violations at DON PEPE MEXICAN RESTAURANT?

The most frequently cited violations at DON PEPE MEXICAN RESTAURANT are: Shell stock requirements, Employee health reporting, Food contact surfaces.

What does Florida violation V08 (Proper hand/arm washing) mean?

TECHNIQUE FAILURE: Improper handwashing technique leaves pathogens on hands even when a handwashing attempt is made. Studies show 95% of people wash hands incorrectly — most don't scrub for 20 seconds or miss fingertips, thumbs, and between fingers. Incomplete washing creates a false sense of security while still transferring E. coli, Norovirus, and Salmonella to food. Correct technique requires: wet hands with clean warm water, apply soap, lather and scrub for 20+ seconds covering all surfaces including fingertips/nails/between fingers/back of hands, rinse thoroughly, dry with single-use towel. Use towel to turn off faucet. Do NOT use hand sanitizer as substitute for handwashing.

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 V14 (Food contact surfaces) mean?

CROSS-CONTAMINATION: Improperly cleaned food contact surfaces are a primary vehicle for bacterial transfer. Cutting boards can harbor 200x more fecal bacteria than a toilet seat. Biofilms form on surfaces within 24 hours, protecting Listeria, Salmonella, and E. coli from routine cleaning. One contaminated surface can transfer pathogens to dozens of food items throughout the day. Clean and sanitize ALL food contact surfaces: after each use, between different food types (especially raw meat to ready-to-eat), every 4 hours during continuous use, and when contaminated. Use proper sanitizer concentration: chlorine 50-100 ppm, quaternary ammonium 200-400 ppm. Air dry — do not towel dry. Test sanitizer concentration every 2 hours.

DON PEPE MEXICAN RESTAURANT

20744 W PENNSYLVANIA AVE, Dunnellon, FL 34431

Marion County · Permanent Food Service · Owner: DON PEPE INC · License: SEA5202523

DON PEPE MEXICAN RESTAURANT in Dunnellon, FL has 22 inspections on record with 109 total violations (5 per inspection) and 1 emergency closure.

22Inspections

109Violations

1Closures

Data current as of February 3, 2025

Emergency Closures (1)

Emergency closure history for DON PEPE MEXICAN RESTAURANT
Date	Reason	Reopened
Nov 15, 2016	Roach activity	10:31:00

Inspection History (22)

Feb 3, 2025 — Routine - Food· 7 violations (2 high priority)· Inspection Completed - No Further Action

High Priority Violations

V08 Proper hand/arm washing

V12 Shell stock requirements

V14 Food contact surfaces

Intermediate Violations

V31 Clean multi-use utensils

V36 Proper ventilation

Oct 28, 2024 — Routine - Food· 7 violations · Inspection Completed - No Further Action

High Priority Violations

V12 Shell stock requirements

V22 Consumer advisory

V23 Chemical properly stored

Intermediate Violations

V31 Clean multi-use utensils

V35 Single-use items

V36 Proper ventilation

V41 Toilet facilities

Feb 5, 2024 — Routine - Food· 5 violations (2 high priority)· Inspection Completed - No Further Action

High Priority Violations

V08 Proper hand/arm washing

V12 Shell stock requirements

V14 Food contact surfaces

V22 Consumer advisory

V23 Chemical properly stored

Nov 2, 2023 — Food-Licensing Inspection· 0 violations · Inspection Completed - No Further Action

No violations recorded for this inspection.

Jul 17, 2023 — Routine - Food· 4 violations (2 high priority)· Inspection Completed - No Further Action

Jan 23, 2023 — Routine - Food· 1 violations · Call Back - Admin. complaint recommended

Intermediate Violations

V35 Single-use items

Jan 20, 2023 — Routine - Food· 14 violations (5 high priority)· Administrative complaint recommended

High Priority Violations

V01 Management awareness

V02 Employee health policy

V03 Employee health reporting

V14 Food contact surfaces

V23 Chemical properly stored

V24 Toxic substance control

Intermediate Violations

V31 Clean multi-use utensils

V35 Single-use items

V36 Proper ventilation

V40 Wiping cloths usage

V41 Toilet facilities

Basic Violations

V53 Outer openings protected

Jul 11, 2022 — Routine - Food· 7 violations (2 high priority)· Administrative complaint recommended

High Priority Violations

V02 Employee health policy

V03 Employee health reporting

V12 Shell stock requirements

V14 Food contact surfaces

Intermediate Violations

V31 Clean multi-use utensils

V41 Toilet facilities

Jan 11, 2022 — Routine - Food· 3 violations (2 high priority)· Inspection Completed - No Further Action

High Priority Violations

V08 Proper hand/arm washing

V24 Toxic substance control

Intermediate Violations

V41 Toilet facilities

Sep 2, 2021 — Complaint Full· 2 violations · Inspection Completed - No Further Action

High Priority Violations

V02 Employee health policy

V24 Toxic substance control

Apr 2, 2021 — Routine - Food· 14 violations (5 high priority)· Inspection Completed - No Further Action

High Priority Violations

V01 Management awareness

V03 Employee health reporting

V12 Shell stock requirements

V14 Food contact surfaces

V22 Consumer advisory

V23 Chemical properly stored

V24 Toxic substance control

Intermediate Violations

V35 Single-use items

V40 Wiping cloths usage

V41 Toilet facilities

Nov 16, 2020 — Routine - Food· 1 violations · Inspection Completed - No Further Action

High Priority Violations

V25 Allergen awareness

Aug 23, 2019 — Complaint Full· 2 violations (1 high priority)· Inspection Completed - No Further Action

High Priority Violations

V02 Employee health policy

V03 Employee health reporting

Jul 2, 2019 — Routine - Food· 6 violations (4 high priority)· Inspection Completed - No Further Action

High Priority Violations

V01 Management awareness

V02 Employee health policy

V03 Employee health reporting

V12 Shell stock requirements

Basic Violations

V50 Adequate lighting

Jan 9, 2019 — Routine - Food· 6 violations (4 high priority)· Inspection Completed - No Further Action

High Priority Violations

V01 Management awareness

V02 Employee health policy

V03 Employee health reporting

V08 Proper hand/arm washing

V14 Food contact surfaces

Jul 11, 2018 — Routine - Food· 5 violations (3 high priority)· Inspection Completed - No Further Action

High Priority Violations

V01 Management awareness

V03 Employee health reporting

V12 Shell stock requirements

V22 Consumer advisory

Jan 2, 2018 — Routine - Food· 4 violations · Inspection Completed - No Further Action

High Priority Violations

V12 Shell stock requirements

V21 Time as control

V24 Toxic substance control

Aug 16, 2017 — Routine - Food· 7 violations (3 high priority)· Inspection Completed - No Further Action

High Priority Violations

V01 Management awareness

V03 Employee health reporting

V08 Proper hand/arm washing

V12 Shell stock requirements

V21 Time as control

V23 Chemical properly stored

Dec 30, 2016 — Routine - Food· 0 violations · Admin. Complaint Callback Complied

No violations recorded for this inspection.

Dec 13, 2016 — Routine - Food· 3 violations · Inspection Completed - No Further Action

High Priority Violations

V14 Food contact surfaces

Intermediate Violations

V29 Proper sewage disposal

Basic Violations

V51 Premises clean

Nov 16, 2016 — Routine - Food· 2 violations · Emergency Order Callback Complied

Intermediate Violations

V29 Proper sewage disposal

V36 Proper ventilation

Nov 15, 2016 — Routine - Food· 9 violations (3 high priority)· Emergency order recommended

High Priority Violations

V03 Employee health reporting

V08 Proper hand/arm washing

Intermediate Violations

V29 Proper sewage disposal

V35 Single-use items

V36 Proper ventilation

Basic Violations

V51 Premises clean

V53 Outer openings protected

How Does This Facility Compare?

DON PEPE MEXICAN RESTAURANT has had 1 emergency closures, compared to the Marion County average of 0.16 closures per facility. It has averaged 5 violations per inspection vs. the county average of 3.09.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many health inspections has DON PEPE MEXICAN RESTAURANT had?: DON PEPE MEXICAN RESTAURANT has had 22 inspections according to Florida DBPR records.
Has DON PEPE MEXICAN RESTAURANT ever been shut down?: Yes, DON PEPE MEXICAN RESTAURANT has been shut down 1 time by state inspectors.
What are the most common violations at DON PEPE MEXICAN RESTAURANT?: The most frequently cited violations at DON PEPE MEXICAN RESTAURANT are: Shell stock requirements, Employee health reporting, Food contact surfaces.

Nearby Establishments

SWEETIES CAFE AND TEA HOUSE

20789 WALNUT ST, Dunnellon

23 inspections · 62 violations

Last inspected: Feb 11, 2025

LUGO'S GRILL

20583 W PENNSYLVANIA AVE, Dunnellon

25 inspections · 130 violations

Last inspected: Jan 17, 2025

SOUTHERN PALATE

12009 S WILLIAMS STREET, Dunnellon

24 inspections · 66 violations · 1 closures

Last inspected: Feb 20, 2025

WORKS BISTRO

12169 S WILLIAMS ST, Dunnellon

26 inspections · 200 violations

Last inspected: May 5, 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: February 3, 2025 | Our methodology | Editorial standards | Report an error

This page is maintained by FloridaFoodSafety.org and is not affiliated with DON PEPE MEXICAN RESTAURANT.