El Tarasco Mexican Restaurant in Lehigh Acres
Last inspected:
1320 Business Way, Lehigh Acres, FL 33936El Tarasco Mexican Restaurant in Lehigh Acres has accumulated 263 violations across 33 inspections since 2017, averaging 8 per visit. The facility was shut down twice, in 2024 for flies and for rodent activity. Fire safety inspections documented a propane tank stored inside the building in 2018, followed by repeated citations for blocked fire exits in 2022 and 2024. The restaurant has faced 4 disciplinary actions totaling $2,120 in fines, with the largest single penalty at $800.
Most recent closure: November 17, 2022 for rodent activity.
Summary generated from Florida DBPR public inspection records.
El Tarasco Mexican Restaurant in Lehigh Acres: Comparison to Lee County Averages
This Facility
8
violations / inspection
8 violations per inspection
Lee County Avg
4.36
violations / inspection
4.36 county average
This Facility
2
emergency closures
2 closures
Lee County Avg
0.1
closures / facility
0.1 county average
El Tarasco Mexican Restaurant in Lehigh Acres: Emergency Closure History (2)
El Tarasco Mexican Restaurant in Lehigh Acres: Fines & Disciplinary Actions (4)
Total fines on record: $2,120.00
| Action Date | Case Number | Fine | Violation Date | Enforcement Office |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7--2022055635 | $400.00 | Nov 17, 2022 | Miami (Doral) | |
| 7--2019042866 | $800.00 | Jul 15, 2019 | Miami (Doral) | |
| 7--2017021137 | $600.00 | Apr 3, 2017 | Miami (Doral) | |
| 7--2015038505 | $320.00 | Aug 27, 2015 | Fort Lauderdale |
El Tarasco Mexican Restaurant in Lehigh Acres: Fire Safety & Life Safety Violations (4)
— 2 fire violations
— Routine - Food · Inspection Completed - No Further Action
Inspector Observation: Marked exit/path to marked exit blocked. For reporting purposes only. Observed fire exit door blocked in main dining room blocked with restaurant items and bags of towels. **Repeat Violation**
Legal Basis: Reporting: (d) The division, or its agent, shall notify the local firesafety authority or the State Fire Marshal of any readily observable violation of a rule adopted under chapter 633 which relates to public lodging establishments or public food establishments, and the identification of such violation does not require any firesafety inspection certification. For reporting purposes only.
— Routine - Food · Inspection Completed - No Further Action
Inspector Observation: Flammables stored near a source of ignition. For reporting purposes only. Observed 1 can of gasoline store in the front dining room next to the double doors.
Legal Basis: Reporting: (d) The division, or its agent, shall notify the local firesafety authority or the State Fire Marshal of any readily observable violation of a rule adopted under chapter 633 which relates to public lodging establishments or public food establishments, and the identification of such violation does not require any firesafety inspection certification. For reporting purposes only.
— 1 fire violation
— Routine - Food · 46-01-4 · Emergency order recommended
Inspector Observation: Marked exit/path to marked exit blocked. For reporting purposes only.
Legal Basis: Reporting: (d) The division, or its agent, shall notify the local firesafety authority or the State Fire Marshal of any readily observable violation of a rule adopted under chapter 633 which relates to public lodging establishments or public food establishments, and the identification of such violation does not require any firesafety inspection certification. For reporting purposes only.
— 1 fire violation
— Routine - Food · 48-04-4 · Warning Issued
Inspector Observation: Propane tank (larger than 2.7 lb. water capacity/1 lb. gas capacity) located inside of the building. For reporting purposes only.
Legal Basis: Reporting: (d) The division, or its agent, shall notify the local firesafety authority or the State Fire Marshal of any readily observable violation of a rule adopted under chapter 633 which relates to public lodging establishments or public food establishments, and the identification of such violation does not require any firesafety inspection certification. For reporting purposes only.
El Tarasco Mexican Restaurant in Lehigh Acres: Full Inspection History — DBPR (33)
— 1 inspection7 violations · 4 high priority
— Routine - Food· 7 violations (4 high priority)· Inspection Completed - No Further Action
High Priority Violations
Intermediate Violations
Basic Violations
— 3 inspections12 violations · 9 high priority
— Routine - Food· 4 violations (4 high priority)· Inspection Completed - No Further Action
High Priority Violations
— Routine - Food· 2 violations (2 high priority)· Call Back - Complied
— Routine - Food· 6 violations (3 high priority)· Warning Issued
High Priority Violations
Intermediate Violations
Basic Violations
— 1 inspection8 violations · 4 high priority
— Routine - Food· 8 violations (4 high priority)· Inspection Completed - No Further Action
High Priority Violations
Intermediate Violations
Basic Violations
— 3 inspections16 violations · 12 high priority
— Routine - Food· 6 violations (4 high priority)· Inspection Completed - No Further Action
High Priority Violations
Intermediate Violations
— Routine - Food· 7 violations (5 high priority)· Inspection Completed - No Further Action
High Priority Violations
Intermediate Violations
Basic Violations
— Routine - Food· 3 violations (3 high priority)· Inspection Completed - No Further Action
High Priority Violations
— 2 inspections12 violations · 9 high priority
— Routine - Food· 2 violations (2 high priority)· Emergency Order Callback Complied
— Routine - Food· 10 violations (7 high priority)· Emergency order recommended
High Priority Violations
Intermediate Violations
Basic Violations
— 3 inspections22 violations · 15 high priority
— Routine - Food· 5 violations (4 high priority)· Inspection Completed - No Further Action
High Priority Violations
Intermediate Violations
— Routine - Food· 9 violations (5 high priority)· Inspection Completed - No Further Action
High Priority Violations
Intermediate Violations
Basic Violations
— Routine - Food· 8 violations (6 high priority)· Inspection Completed - No Further Action
High Priority Violations
Intermediate Violations
— 7 inspections35 violations · 22 high priority
— Routine - Food· 7 violations (4 high priority)· Inspection Completed - No Further Action
High Priority Violations
Intermediate Violations
— Routine - Food· 6 violations (3 high priority)· Inspection Completed - No Further Action
High Priority Violations
Intermediate Violations
— Routine - Food· 1 violations (1 high priority)· Call Back - Complied
High Priority Violations
— Routine - Food· 8 violations (5 high priority)· Warning Issued
High Priority Violations
Intermediate Violations
— Routine - Food· 4 violations (3 high priority)· Inspection Completed - No Further Action
High Priority Violations
Intermediate Violations
— Routine - Food· 0 violations · Emergency Order Callback Complied
No violations recorded for this inspection.
— Routine - Food· 9 violations (6 high priority)· Emergency order recommended
High Priority Violations
Intermediate Violations
— 5 inspections34 violations · 16 high priority
— Complaint Full· 2 violations · Call Back - Admin. complaint recommended
— Complaint Full· 3 violations · Call Back - Extension given, pending
Intermediate Violations
Basic Violations
— Complaint Full· 12 violations (5 high priority)· Administrative complaint recommended
High Priority Violations
Intermediate Violations
Basic Violations
— Routine - Food· 5 violations (4 high priority)· Call Back - Admin. complaint recommended
High Priority Violations
Intermediate Violations
— Routine - Food· 12 violations (7 high priority)· Warning Issued
High Priority Violations
Intermediate Violations
— 5 inspections35 violations · 17 high priority
— Routine - Food· 4 violations (1 high priority)· Call Back - Complied
High Priority Violations
Intermediate Violations
— Routine - Food· 14 violations (7 high priority)· Warning Issued
High Priority Violations
Intermediate Violations
Basic Violations
— Routine - Food· 0 violations · Admin. Complaint Callback Complied
No violations recorded for this inspection.
— Routine - Food· 5 violations (2 high priority)· Call Back - Admin. complaint recommended
High Priority Violations
Intermediate Violations
— Routine - Food· 12 violations (7 high priority)· Warning Issued
High Priority Violations
Intermediate Violations
Basic Violations
— 3 inspections20 violations · 15 high priority
— Routine - Food· 5 violations (4 high priority)· Inspection Completed - No Further Action
High Priority Violations
Intermediate Violations
— Routine - Food· 5 violations (4 high priority)· Call Back - Admin. complaint recommended
High Priority Violations
Intermediate Violations
— Routine - Food· 10 violations (7 high priority)· Warning Issued
High Priority Violations
Intermediate Violations
El Tarasco Mexican Restaurant in Lehigh Acres: FDACS Inspection History (2)
Inspections conducted by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS), which oversees grocery stores, convenience stores, bakeries, food manufacturers, mobile vendors, and vending machines.
— 2 inspections
— Met Inspection Requirements· Met Requirements
Comments: A copy of this report has been provided to the person in charge of the food establishment and will be available online at
https://foodpermit.fdacs.gov/Reports/SearchFoodEntity.aspx .
JAMES BELL, OWNER
PAMELA FREDERICKSON, ENVIRONMENTAL SPECIALIST III
No violations or enforcement actions recorded for this inspection.
— Focused Inspection· Focused Inspection
Comments: Consultation remote visit with food establishment management regarding setting up a routine inspection while processing. Owner
agreed to get back to the inspector for a time the week of August 15th 2022.
No violations or enforcement actions recorded for this inspection.
El Tarasco Mexican Restaurant in Lehigh Acres: Frequently Asked Questions
- When was El Tarasco Mexican Restaurant in Lehigh Acres last inspected?
- El Tarasco Mexican Restaurant in Lehigh Acres was last inspected by Florida DBPR on February 3, 2026. The result was: Inspection Completed - No Further Action.
- When was El Tarasco Mexican Restaurant in Lehigh Acres last shut down?
- El Tarasco Mexican Restaurant in Lehigh Acres was last shut down on November 17, 2022 for rodent activity. This data reflects state records at time of publication. The facility may have since resolved these issues.
- What are the most common violations at El Tarasco Mexican Restaurant in Lehigh Acres?
- The most frequently cited violations at El Tarasco Mexican Restaurant in Lehigh Acres are: Proper hand/arm washing, Food contact surfaces, Toilet facilities.
- How many health inspections has El Tarasco Mexican Restaurant in Lehigh Acres had?
- El Tarasco Mexican Restaurant in Lehigh Acres has had 33 inspections on record with Florida DBPR, averaging 8 violations per inspection, above the statewide average of 5.2.
- What did the most recent inspection of El Tarasco Mexican Restaurant in Lehigh Acres find?
- El Tarasco Mexican Restaurant in Lehigh Acres was most recently inspected on February 3, 2026 with 9 violation(s). Disposition: Inspection Completed - No Further Action.
- Has El Tarasco Mexican Restaurant in Lehigh Acres ever been shut down?
- Yes, El Tarasco Mexican Restaurant in Lehigh Acres has been emergency-closed 2 times by Florida DBPR inspectors.
- What does Florida violation V10 (Approved food source) mean?
- Violation 10 (Approved food source) is classified as a high priority violation under Florida DBPR food safety regulations. See the full explanation at floridafoodsafety.org/violation/10.
- What does Florida violation V13 (Parasite destruction) mean?
- Violation 13 (Parasite destruction) is classified as a high priority violation under Florida DBPR food safety regulations. See the full explanation at floridafoodsafety.org/violation/13.
- What does Florida violation V14 (Food contact surfaces) mean?
- Violation 14 (Food contact surfaces) is classified as a high priority violation under Florida DBPR food safety regulations. See the full explanation at floridafoodsafety.org/violation/14.
- Has El Tarasco Mexican Restaurant in Lehigh Acres had any fire safety violations?
- Yes, El Tarasco Mexican Restaurant in Lehigh Acres has 4 fire safety violation(s) on record from Florida state fire inspections.
- Has El Tarasco Mexican Restaurant in Lehigh Acres faced any disciplinary actions?
- Yes, El Tarasco Mexican Restaurant in Lehigh Acres has 4 disciplinary action(s) on record with Florida DBPR totaling $2,120.00 in fines.
- How much has El Tarasco Mexican Restaurant in Lehigh Acres been fined?
- El Tarasco Mexican Restaurant in Lehigh Acres has been fined a total of $2,120.00 across 4 disciplinary action(s) on record with Florida DBPR.
- When was El Tarasco Mexican Restaurant in Lehigh Acres last inspected?
- El Tarasco Mexican Restaurant in Lehigh Acres was last inspected by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) on December 7, 2022. Inspection type: Met Inspection Requirements.
- How many inspections has El Tarasco Mexican Restaurant in Lehigh Acres had?
- El Tarasco Mexican Restaurant in Lehigh Acres has 2 FDACS food safety inspection(s) on record from January 2022 to present.
- What did the most recent FDACS inspection of El Tarasco Mexican Restaurant in Lehigh Acres find?
- El Tarasco Mexican Restaurant in Lehigh Acres was most recently inspected by FDACS on December 7, 2022 (Met Inspection Requirements).
- Has El Tarasco Mexican Restaurant in Lehigh Acres had any stop-sale or stop-use orders?
- No, El Tarasco Mexican Restaurant in Lehigh Acres has no stop-sale or stop-use orders on record with Florida FDACS.
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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.
Disclaimer: All data reflects official state records at time of publication. Facilities may have since corrected cited violations, resolved enforcement actions, or changed ownership.
Editor: All content reviewed and verified by Christopher F. Nesbitt, Sr., Nationally Registered EMT & BU-trained Paralegal.
This page is maintained by FloridaFoodSafety.org and is not affiliated with El Tarasco Mexican Restaurant. How we collect and verify this data.