Lee County — Food Safety Records: DBPR & FDACS
Lee County, Florida has 2517 food establishments with 35,766 inspections on record. 20 establishments were shut down this year. The pass rate is 91.8%, above the state average of 85.9%. Inspections average 4.4 violations per visit.
Most recent closure: Jalapeno's in Fort Myers, shut down April 22, 2026 for roach activity.
Largest fine: $2,500 assessed to Tween Waters Inn (main Kitchen) in Captiva on May 4, 2026.
Data from Florida DBPR (restaurants) and FDACS (retail food). Updated June 2026.
Most-Inspected Facilities
| Business | City | Inspections | Violations | Closures |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maria's Pizzeria & Restaurant | Cape Coral | 33 | 278 | 3 |
| Tropical Creole Restaurant | Fort Myers | 46 | 272 | 3 |
| Sea-craft Waterfront Tiki | North Fort Myers | 31 | 239 | 3 |
| Havana Bakery | Lehigh Acres | 36 | 162 | 3 |
| New England Moorings Sea Rest | Cape Coral | 51 | 441 | 2 |
Lee County Restaurants: Comparison to Florida State Averages
Lee County
91.8%
Pass Rate
91.8%
Florida Average
85.9%
Pass Rate
85.9%
Lee County
4.4
Avg Violations / Inspection
4.4
Florida Average
4.7
Avg Violations / Inspection
4.7
Lee County
0.79
Closures per 100 Facilities
0.79
Florida Average
1.35
Closures per 100 Facilities
1.35
Lee County Restaurants: Recent Closures (3)
| Date | Business | City | Reason |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jalapeno's | Fort Myers | Roach activity | |
| Key Lime Bistro #1097 | Fort Myers | Fly activity | |
| Gateway Golf | Fort Myers | Rodent activity |
Lee County Restaurants: Recent Inspections (Last 30 Days)
| Date | Business | City | Violations | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jalapeno's | Fort Myers | 10 (2 high) | Call Back - Complied | |
| Place Cafe/marketplace | Estero | 0 | Inspection Completed - No Further Action | |
| Banh Mi and Tea INC | Fort Myers | 2 | Call Back - Complied | |
| Ceviches by Divino | Fort Myers | 1 (1 high) | Call Back - Complied | |
| El Gaucho Inca Ft Myers | Fort Myers | 7 | Call Back - Admin. complaint recommended | |
| Guru Indian Bistro | Bonita Springs | 3 | Inspection Completed - No Further Action | |
| Tween Waters Inn (main Kitchen) | Captiva | 5 | Inspection Completed - No Further Action | |
| Jalapeno's | Fort Myers | 14 (2 high) | Warning Issued | |
| Outback Steakhouse | Cape Coral | 5 | Inspection Completed - No Further Action | |
| Chuchi's Restaurant | Cape Coral | 0 | Inspection Completed - No Further Action |
Lee County Restaurants: Most Common Health Violations
| Code | Violation | Citations |
|---|---|---|
| 36 | Proper ventilation | 268,265 |
| 14 | Food contact surfaces | 265,643 |
| 31 | Clean multi-use utensils | 237,088 |
| 08 | Proper hand/arm washing | 226,229 |
| 22 | Consumer advisory | 214,043 |
Lee County Restaurants: Disciplinary Actions & Fines
Largest Fines (Past 12 Months)
| Date | Business | Fine | Case |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 4, 2026 | Tween Waters Inn (main Kitchen) | $2,500 | 7--2026014829 |
| Dec 1, 2025 | Old' Cuban Restaurant & Bar | $2,400 | 7--2025066762 |
| Sep 4, 2025 | Los Taquitos Mexican Food | $1,600 | 7--2025006176 |
| Sep 16, 2025 | Kumo Six Mile | $1,400 | 7--2025059723 |
| Aug 12, 2025 | That Ny Bagel Place | $1,200 | 7--2025029158 |
| Nov 3, 2025 | Captain Hook's Sushi/ Pho/thai | $1,100 | 7--2025066877 |
| Oct 14, 2025 | Tacos 'el Tio' | $1,000 | 7--2025062440 |
| Jul 9, 2025 | Los Taquitos Mexican Food II | $800 | 7--2025008042 |
| Jul 29, 2025 | Marikami Thai and Sushi | $800 | 7--2025014720 |
| Aug 26, 2025 | Sensaciones Restaurant | $800 | 7--2025056108 |
Lee County Restaurants: Fire Safety Violations
Most Common Fire Safety Issues
| Issue | Citations |
|---|---|
| Exit blocked or locked | 176 |
| Fire extinguisher in red zone | 138 |
| Other fire safety violation | 99 |
| Propane tank stored inside building | 78 |
| Missing boiler certificate/report | 34 |
| Cooking without hood suppression | 18 |
| Sprinkler system issue | 1 |
Lee County Retail Food: FDACS Inspection Records
In addition to restaurants, Florida's Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) inspects grocery stores, markets, gas station food sections, and other retail food establishments. Lee County has 801 FDACS-regulated facilities with 1,591 inspections on record and 652 stop-sale orders issued.
Lee County FDACS: Recent Stop-Sale Orders
A stop-sale order prohibits a retail food establishment from selling specific products found to be unsafe, improperly stored, mislabeled, or non-compliant with Florida food code. Products may be embargoed, destroyed, or returned to the distributor.
| Date | Facility | City | Product | Reason |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rogers-market-sr31-426199 | North Fort Myers | Brand Name: (Lot #:) | FS 500.04; FS 500.172 Unsanitary Equipment.* Utensils, Equipment and Vending: Fo… | |
| Rogers-market-sr31-426199 | North Fort Myers | Brand Name: (Lot #:) | FS 500.04; FS 500.172 Unsanitary Equipment.* Utensils, Equipment and Vending: Fo… | |
| Chill-spot-2790-429789 | North Fort Myers | Brand Name: (Lot #:) | 500.10(1)(a), 581.217(3)(e), F.S., 893.03(1)(c)190.a., F.S.* Controlled Substanc… | |
| Rogers Market Sr31 Establishment # 426199 | North Fort Myers | Various food items (Rogers Market) | FS 500.04; FS 500.10 Adulterated.* Time/Temperature Control for Safety Food: Pro… | |
| Rogers Market Sr31 Establishment # 426199 | North Fort Myers | Sandwich cooler (turbo air) | FS 500.04; FS 500.172 Unsanitary Equipment.* Utensils, Equipment and Vending: Fo… | |
| Rogers Market Sr31 Establishment # 426199 | North Fort Myers | Walk in cooler (Louisville) | FS 500.04; FS 500.172 Unsanitary Equipment." Utensils, Equipment and Vending: Fo… | |
| Merlin-dream-404582 | Fort Myers | Brand Name: (Lot #:) | 500.10(1)(a), 581.217(3)(e), F.S., 893.03(1)(c)190.a., F.S.* Controlled Substanc… | |
| Merlin-dream-404582 | Fort Myers | Brand Name: (Lot #:) | 500.10(1)(a), 581.217(3)(e), F.S., 893.03(1)(c)190.a., F.S.* Controlled Substanc… | |
| Merlin-dream-404582 | Fort Myers | Brand Name: (Lot #:) | 500.10(1)(a), 581.217(3)(e), F.S., 893.03(1)(c)190.a., F.S.* Controlled Substanc… | |
| Merlin-dream-404582 | Fort Myers | Brand Name: (Lot #:) | 500.10(1)(a), 581.217(3)(e), F.S., 893.03(1)(c)190.a., F.S.* Controlled Substanc… |
Browse all FDACS stop-sale order categories →
Lee County FDACS: Most Cited Code Violations
Browse all FDACS violation codes →
Lee County Retail Food Chains (FDACS)
| Chain | Locations | Stop-Sale Orders | Citations |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7-Eleven | 20 | 84 | 2,422 |
| Aldi | 10 | 2 | 310 |
| Circle K | 10 | 102 | 1,574 |
| Dollar General | 9 | 57 | 2,871 |
| Walgreens | 9 | 1 | 743 |
| Starbucks | 8 | 77 | 1,170 |
| Publix | 8 | 30 | 875 |
| Walmart | 7 | 77 | 608 |
Lee County: Notable Restaurants
Maria's Pizzeria & Restaurant
33 inspections
278 violations
3 closures
Tropical Creole Restaurant
46 inspections
272 violations
3 closures
Sea-craft Waterfront Tiki
31 inspections
239 violations
3 closures
China Star
66 inspections
800 violations
Edison Restaurant
54 inspections
300 violations
2 closures
Blu Sushi
51 inspections
300 violations
Lee County: Restaurant Chains (DBPR)
| Chain | Locations | Violations | Closures |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dunkin | 33 | 1,817 | 1 |
| Subway | 30 | 1,784 | 2 |
| McDonalds | 29 | 1,640 | 0 |
| Burger King | 16 | 665 | 1 |
| Wendys | 16 | 1,217 | 4 |
| Taco Bell | 12 | 877 | 0 |
| Culvers | 11 | 663 | 0 |
| Hyatt | 10 | 684 | 0 |
| Tropical Smoothie | 9 | 409 | 0 |
| Dominos | 9 | 337 | 0 |
Lee County Restaurant Inspections: FAQ
- How many restaurants are in Lee County?
- Lee County, Florida has 2517 food establishments tracked by the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR).
- What is the restaurant inspection pass rate in Lee County?
- The current pass rate for food establishments in Lee County is 91.8%. The Florida state average is 85.9%.
- How many restaurants were shut down in Lee County this year?
- 20 food establishments in Lee County have been shut down by health inspectors in 2026.
- What are the most common health violations in Lee County?
- The most frequently cited violations in Lee County are: Proper ventilation, Food contact surfaces, Clean multi-use utensils.
- Which restaurant chain has the most locations in Lee County?
- Dunkin has the most locations in Lee County with 33 establishments.
- What was the most recent restaurant closure in Lee County?
- Jalapeno's in Fort Myers was shut down on April 22, 2026 for roach activity.
- How does Lee County compare to the Florida state average?
- Lee County has a pass rate of 91.8%, which is 5.9 percentage points above the state average of 85.9%. The average violations per inspection is 4.4 compared to the state average of 4.66.
- How often are restaurants inspected in Lee County?
- Food establishments in Lee County have an average of 14.2 inspections on record. Florida DBPR conducts routine inspections based on facility type and risk level.
- How much in fines have restaurants in Lee County been assessed?
- Food establishments in Lee County have been assessed $475,940 in fines across 1,331 disciplinary actions. The average fine is $364 and the largest single fine was $3,200.
- How many fire safety violations have been found in Lee County restaurants?
- 544 fire safety violations have been documented across 338 food establishments in Lee County. The most common issue is exit blocked or locked.
- Are grocery stores and retail food stores in Lee County inspected?
- Yes. The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) inspects retail food establishments — grocery stores, gas station food sections, markets, and convenience stores. Lee County, Florida has 801 FDACS-regulated retail food facilities with 1,591 inspections on record.
- How many FDACS stop-sale orders have been issued in Lee County?
- FDACS has issued 652 stop-sale orders at retail food establishments in Lee County, including 182 in 2026. A stop-sale order prohibits a facility from selling specific products found to be unsafe, mislabeled, or non-compliant with Florida food code.
In the News Lee County
See all 107 stories ↓
Fort Myers Buffet Cited for Unapproved Food Source, 5 High-Risk Violations in One Week
Wanfu Buffet on Colonial Blvd. drew five high-severity violations this week, including food from unapproved sources and …
Stories You May Have Missed
- Fort Myers Buffet Cited for Unapproved Food Source, 5 High-Risk Violations in One Week
- Fort Myers Exotic Food Shop Was Operating Without a Valid Permit in December 2025
- Fort Myers Buffet Cited for Unapproved Food Sources, 5 Restaurants Flag High-Risk Violations
- Fort Myers Buffets, Subs Shop Hit With 19 High-Severity Violations in One Week
- Golden Corral in Fort Myers Racked Up 8 High-Severity Violations, Stayed Open
- First Watch in Fort Myers Logged 6 High-Severity Violations in April 2026, Stayed Open
- Fort Myers Banh Mi Shop Logged 9 High-Severity Violations in April, Stayed Open
- Fort Myers Buffets, Subs Shop Hit With 19 High-Severity Violations in One Week
- Eight Fort Myers Restaurants Cited for High-Severity Violations, June 11-17
- FedEx Ground Punta Gorda Food Market Ran Without Valid Permit, Water Docs
- Fort Myers Inspections: 8 Restaurants Cited for High-Severity Violations, June 2026
- Fort Myers Restaurant Inspections: 5 High-Severity Violations at Airport Bistro, One Closure
- Fort Myers Restaurant Had No Health Policy, No Sick-Worker Rules, and No Manager on Duty
- Le Goute Led Fort Myers' Worst Week, With 7 High-Severity Violations
- Kava Bar in Bonita Springs Hit With Repeat Violations, Sanitizer Running at 5x Safe Strength
Lee County Restaurants & Food Establishments (2,482)
China Express II
2522 SANTA BARBARA BLVD, Cape Coral
28 inspections · 238 violations · Last: Mar 2026Fathoms Restaurant & Bar
5785 CAPE HARBOUR DR # 108, Cape Coral
25 inspections · 237 violations · Last: Nov 2025Lighthouse Restaurant
14301 PORT COMFORT RD, Fort Myers
30 inspections · 237 violations · Last: Dec 2025Sanibel Harbour Resort & Spa - Tarpon House
17260 HARBOUR POINTE DR, Ft Myers
25 inspections · 235 violations · Last: Feb 2026Italian 2 Go LLC
6314 CORPORATE CT, Fort Myers
37 inspections · 234 violations · Last: Jan 2026Mario's Sports Bar & Grill
20301 GRANDE OAK SHOPPES BLVD #108, Estero
28 inspections · 233 violations · Last: Mar 2026Sidelines Sports Bar & Grill
4451 VERONICA SHOEMAKER BLVD, Fort Myers
32 inspections · 233 violations · Last: Jan 2026Artichoke Catering
11920 SARADRIENNE LANE, Bonita Springs
33 inspections · 233 violations · Last: Jun 2026Amantia Wood Fire Pizzeria
15245 S TAMIAMI TRL STE 1 & 2, Fort Myers
27 inspections · 231 violations · Last: Apr 2026El Caribe Latin Flavor Restaurant
3917 PALM BEACH BLVD, Fort Myers
32 inspections · 230 violations · Last: Jan 2026Buon Appetito Italian Restaurant & Bar
2384 SURFSIDE BLVD A-113, Cape Coral
29 inspections · 230 violations · Last: May 2026Suji Japanese Steakhouse & Sushi Lounge
10801 CORKSCREW RD STE 51, Estero
27 inspections · 228 violations · Last: May 2026Masala Mantra the Indian Bistro
4518 DEL PRADO BLVD S UNIT 1-2, Cape Coral
34 inspections · 227 violations · Last: Oct 2025No 1 Wok
15880 SUMMERLIN RD STE 302, Fort Myers
26 inspections · 227 violations · Last: Oct 2025Saigon Paris Bistro
12995 S CLEVELAND AVE #118, Fort Myers
33 inspections · 227 violations · Last: Nov 2025China King
26831 S TAMIAMI TRL UNIT 50, Bonita Springs
28 inspections · 226 violations · Last: May 2026Coco Bakery
1480 NE PINE ISLAND RD UNIT 2E, Cape Coral
44 inspections · 226 violations · Last: May 2026Mytho's Authentic Greek Cuisine
15271 MCGREGOR BLVD UNIT 27, Fort Myers
24 inspections · 226 violations · Last: Oct 2025Traders Sanibel LLC
1551 PERWINKLE WAY, Sanibel
29 inspections · 226 violations · Last: Dec 2025Tween Waters Inn (main Kitchen)
15951 CAPTIVA DR, Captiva
26 inspections · 226 violations · Last: Jun 2026