How many health inspections has EAST LAKE CAFE had?

EAST LAKE CAFE has had 33 inspections according to Florida DBPR records.

Has EAST LAKE CAFE ever been shut down?

Yes, EAST LAKE CAFE has been shut down 1 time by state inspectors.

What are the most common violations at EAST LAKE CAFE?

The most frequently cited violations at EAST LAKE CAFE are: Consumer advisory, Proper hand/arm washing, Proper ventilation.

What does Florida violation V02 (Employee health policy) mean?

DISEASE TRANSMISSION: Without a written employee health policy, sick food workers transmit Norovirus (20 million US cases/year), Hepatitis A (causes liver failure), Salmonella, Shigella, and E. coli O157:H7. CDC estimates 40% of restaurant outbreaks involve ill food workers. A single infected employee can contaminate food for thousands of customers. Maintain written employee health policy addressing: reporting of symptoms (vomiting, diarrhea, jaundice, sore throat with fever), diagnosed illnesses (Norovirus, Hepatitis A, Salmonella, Shigella, E. coli), exclusion and restriction criteria, and return-to-work requirements. Train all employees on policy at hiring and annually.

What does Florida violation V03 (Employee health reporting) mean?

OUTBREAK ENABLER: Food workers who fail to report illness symptoms are the #1 cause of multi-victim outbreaks. Norovirus is shed in billions of viral particles per gram of stool — as few as 18 particles cause infection. One symptomatic worker can infect hundreds of customers before detection. CDC links 70% of Norovirus outbreaks to infected food handlers. Employees must immediately report: vomiting, diarrhea, jaundice, sore throat with fever, infected wounds or boils. Must also report diagnosed illness with Salmonella Typhi, Shigella, E. coli O157:H7, Hepatitis A virus, or Norovirus. Person in charge must exclude or restrict employees per FDA Food Code guidelines.

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.

EAST LAKE CAFE

3430 EAST LAKE RD STE 3, Palm Harbor, FL 34685

Pinellas County · Permanent Food Service · Owner: GOURMET CAFE'S & BISTRO'S UNLIMITED INC · License: SEA6208925

EAST LAKE CAFE in Palm Harbor, FL has 33 inspections on record with 319 total violations (9.7 per inspection) and 1 emergency closure.

33Inspections

319Violations

1Closures

Data current as of February 26, 2025

Emergency Closures (1)

Emergency closure history for EAST LAKE CAFE
Date	Reason	Reopened
Apr 13, 2022	Roach activity	12:48:00

Inspection History (33)

Feb 26, 2025 — Routine - Food· 5 violations (2 high priority)· Inspection Completed - No Further Action

High Priority Violations

V02 Employee health policy

V03 Employee health reporting

V12 Shell stock requirements

Intermediate Violations

V33 Proper cooling equipment

V36 Proper ventilation

Nov 5, 2024 — Complaint Full· 9 violations (1 high priority)· Call Back - Complied

High Priority Violations

V03 Employee health reporting

V08 Proper hand/arm washing

V22 Consumer advisory

V23 Chemical properly stored

Intermediate Violations

V33 Proper cooling equipment

Nov 4, 2024 — Complaint Full· 24 violations (7 high priority)· Warning Issued

High Priority Violations

V02 Employee health policy

V03 Employee health reporting

V08 Proper hand/arm washing

V12 Shell stock requirements

V13 Parasite destruction

V22 Consumer advisory

V23 Chemical properly stored

V24 Toxic substance control

Intermediate Violations

V33 Proper cooling equipment

V40 Wiping cloths usage

V41 Toilet facilities

Mar 26, 2024 — Routine - Food· 5 violations · Call Back - Complied

Jan 25, 2024 — Routine - Food· 7 violations · Call Back - Extension given, pending

High Priority Violations

V08 Proper hand/arm washing

V14 Food contact surfaces

V21 Time as control

Intermediate Violations

V36 Proper ventilation

Basic Violations

V51 Premises clean

V53 Outer openings protected

Jan 24, 2024 — Routine - Food· 24 violations (9 high priority)· Warning Issued

High Priority Violations

V01 Management awareness

V02 Employee health policy

V03 Employee health reporting

V08 Proper hand/arm washing

V09 No contamination

V12 Shell stock requirements

V14 Food contact surfaces

V21 Time as control

V27 Correct procedures

Intermediate Violations

V31 Clean multi-use utensils

V36 Proper ventilation

V41 Toilet facilities

Basic Violations

V51 Premises clean

V53 Outer openings protected

Oct 30, 2023 — Routine - Food· 7 violations (2 high priority)· Inspection Completed - No Further Action

High Priority Violations

V03 Employee health reporting

V08 Proper hand/arm washing

V12 Shell stock requirements

V22 Consumer advisory

Intermediate Violations

V41 Toilet facilities

Aug 2, 2023 — Routine - Food· 1 violations · Call Back - Complied

High Priority Violations

V22 Consumer advisory

Apr 13, 2023 — Routine - Food· 17 violations (5 high priority)· Warning Issued

High Priority Violations

V01 Management awareness

V02 Employee health policy

V03 Employee health reporting

V08 Proper hand/arm washing

V11 Food in good condition

V12 Shell stock requirements

V14 Food contact surfaces

V21 Time as control

V22 Consumer advisory

V25 Allergen awareness

Intermediate Violations

V31 Clean multi-use utensils

V36 Proper ventilation

V41 Toilet facilities

Basic Violations

V53 Outer openings protected

Dec 5, 2022 — Routine - Food· 6 violations (1 high priority)· Inspection Completed - No Further Action

High Priority Violations

V02 Employee health policy

V08 Proper hand/arm washing

V21 Time as control

V24 Toxic substance control

Intermediate Violations

V36 Proper ventilation

V41 Toilet facilities

Jun 13, 2022 — Routine - Food· 16 violations (5 high priority)· Inspection Completed - No Further Action

High Priority Violations

V03 Employee health reporting

V08 Proper hand/arm washing

V12 Shell stock requirements

V21 Time as control

V23 Chemical properly stored

V24 Toxic substance control

V27 Correct procedures

Intermediate Violations

V29 Proper sewage disposal

V36 Proper ventilation

V41 Toilet facilities

Basic Violations

V45 Floor maintenance

Apr 14, 2022 — Routine - Food· 0 violations · Emergency Order Callback Complied

No violations recorded for this inspection.

Apr 13, 2022 — Routine - Food· 4 violations (2 high priority)· Emergency order recommended

High Priority Violations

V22 Consumer advisory

Intermediate Violations

V35 Single-use items

V41 Toilet facilities

Apr 13, 2022 — Routine - Food· 2 violations (1 high priority)· Call Back - Admin. complaint recommended

Intermediate Violations

V35 Single-use items

Apr 12, 2022 — Routine - Food· 5 violations (2 high priority)· Warning Issued

High Priority Violations

V03 Employee health reporting

V22 Consumer advisory

Intermediate Violations

V31 Clean multi-use utensils

V35 Single-use items

Nov 15, 2021 — Routine - Food· 11 violations (2 high priority)· Inspection Completed - No Further Action

High Priority Violations

V02 Employee health policy

V03 Employee health reporting

V14 Food contact surfaces

V22 Consumer advisory

V24 Toxic substance control

Intermediate Violations

V31 Clean multi-use utensils

V33 Proper cooling equipment

V36 Proper ventilation

V40 Wiping cloths usage

Apr 28, 2021 — Complaint Full· 9 violations (2 high priority)· Inspection Completed - No Further Action

High Priority Violations

V03 Employee health reporting

V06 Handwashing facilities

V08 Proper hand/arm washing

V12 Shell stock requirements

V22 Consumer advisory

Intermediate Violations

V31 Clean multi-use utensils

V36 Proper ventilation

V40 Wiping cloths usage

Feb 15, 2021 — Routine - Food· 1 violations · Call Back - Complied

High Priority Violations

V02 Employee health policy

Feb 12, 2021 — Routine - Food· 10 violations (4 high priority)· Warning Issued

High Priority Violations

V01 Management awareness

V02 Employee health policy

V03 Employee health reporting

V08 Proper hand/arm washing

Intermediate Violations

V29 Proper sewage disposal

V35 Single-use items

V41 Toilet facilities

Basic Violations

V50 Adequate lighting

V53 Outer openings protected

Oct 5, 2020 — Routine - Food· 3 violations · Inspection Completed - No Further Action

High Priority Violations

V02 Employee health policy

V08 Proper hand/arm washing

V22 Consumer advisory

May 26, 2020 — Routine - Food· 8 violations (2 high priority)· Inspection Completed - No Further Action

High Priority Violations

V08 Proper hand/arm washing

V14 Food contact surfaces

V22 Consumer advisory

V25 Allergen awareness

Intermediate Violations

V29 Proper sewage disposal

V33 Proper cooling equipment

Dec 6, 2019 — Routine - Food· 1 violations (1 high priority)· Call Back - Complied

Intermediate Violations

V29 Proper sewage disposal

Dec 5, 2019 — Routine - Food· 11 violations (3 high priority)· Warning Issued

High Priority Violations

V03 Employee health reporting

V08 Proper hand/arm washing

V13 Parasite destruction

V14 Food contact surfaces

V21 Time as control

V22 Consumer advisory

V24 Toxic substance control

Intermediate Violations

V29 Proper sewage disposal

V31 Clean multi-use utensils

V35 Single-use items

V41 Toilet facilities

Mar 20, 2019 — Routine - Food· 11 violations (3 high priority)· Inspection Completed - No Further Action

High Priority Violations

V05 Handwashing procedures

V08 Proper hand/arm washing

V14 Food contact surfaces

V23 Chemical properly stored

Intermediate Violations

V29 Proper sewage disposal

V36 Proper ventilation

V41 Toilet facilities

Basic Violations

V53 Outer openings protected

Sep 4, 2018 — Complaint Full· 2 violations · Call Back - Complied

High Priority Violations

V24 Toxic substance control

Intermediate Violations

V36 Proper ventilation

Aug 27, 2018 — Complaint Full· 18 violations (2 high priority)· Warning Issued

High Priority Violations

V02 Employee health policy

V05 Handwashing procedures

V06 Handwashing facilities

V08 Proper hand/arm washing

V12 Shell stock requirements

V16 Proper cooking temps

V22 Consumer advisory

V23 Chemical properly stored

V24 Toxic substance control

V25 Allergen awareness

Intermediate Violations

V33 Proper cooling equipment

V36 Proper ventilation

V41 Toilet facilities

Jun 26, 2018 — Routine - Food· 3 violations (1 high priority)· Call Back - Complied

High Priority Violations

V23 Chemical properly stored

Intermediate Violations

V29 Proper sewage disposal

V36 Proper ventilation

Jun 25, 2018 — Routine - Food· 18 violations (7 high priority)· Warning Issued

High Priority Violations

V02 Employee health policy

V03 Employee health reporting

V05 Handwashing procedures

V08 Proper hand/arm washing

V12 Shell stock requirements

V16 Proper cooking temps

V21 Time as control

V22 Consumer advisory

V23 Chemical properly stored

Intermediate Violations

V29 Proper sewage disposal

V35 Single-use items

V36 Proper ventilation

V40 Wiping cloths usage

V41 Toilet facilities

Dec 27, 2017 — Routine - Food· 2 violations · Call Back - Complied

High Priority Violations

V24 Toxic substance control

Basic Violations

V53 Outer openings protected

Dec 26, 2017 — Routine - Food· 24 violations (6 high priority)· Warning Issued

High Priority Violations

V02 Employee health policy

V03 Employee health reporting

V08 Proper hand/arm washing

V09 No contamination

V12 Shell stock requirements

V14 Food contact surfaces

V22 Consumer advisory

V24 Toxic substance control

Intermediate Violations

V36 Proper ventilation

V40 Wiping cloths usage

V41 Toilet facilities

Basic Violations

V53 Outer openings protected

Apr 27, 2017 — Routine - Food· 9 violations · Call Back - Complied

High Priority Violations

V14 Food contact surfaces

V22 Consumer advisory

V24 Toxic substance control

Intermediate Violations

V36 Proper ventilation

Basic Violations

V53 Outer openings protected

Apr 25, 2017 — Routine - Food· 32 violations (7 high priority)· Warning Issued

High Priority Violations

V01 Management awareness

V02 Employee health policy

V03 Employee health reporting

V05 Handwashing procedures

V07 No bare hand contact

V12 Shell stock requirements

V14 Food contact surfaces

V22 Consumer advisory

V24 Toxic substance control

V25 Allergen awareness

Intermediate Violations

V36 Proper ventilation

V40 Wiping cloths usage

V41 Toilet facilities

Basic Violations

V53 Outer openings protected

Nov 30, 2016 — Routine - Food· 14 violations (1 high priority)· Inspection Completed - No Further Action

High Priority Violations

V05 Handwashing procedures

V08 Proper hand/arm washing

V12 Shell stock requirements

V14 Food contact surfaces

V16 Proper cooking temps

V21 Time as control

V22 Consumer advisory

V24 Toxic substance control

Intermediate Violations

V36 Proper ventilation

V41 Toilet facilities

How Does This Facility Compare?

EAST LAKE CAFE has had 1 emergency closures, compared to the Pinellas County average of 0.27 closures per facility. It has averaged 9.7 violations per inspection vs. the county average of 4.56.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many health inspections has EAST LAKE CAFE had?: EAST LAKE CAFE has had 33 inspections according to Florida DBPR records.
Has EAST LAKE CAFE ever been shut down?: Yes, EAST LAKE CAFE has been shut down 1 time by state inspectors.
What are the most common violations at EAST LAKE CAFE?: The most frequently cited violations at EAST LAKE CAFE are: Consumer advisory, Proper hand/arm washing, Proper ventilation.

Nearby Establishments

MIXERS BAR AND GRILLE

3430 E LAKE RD STE 1, Palm Harbor

23 inspections · 190 violations · 1 closures

Last inspected: Feb 26, 2025

FIREHOUSE SUBS

3434 E LAKE RD STE 1, Palm Harbor

14 inspections · 75 violations

Last inspected: Aug 1, 2024

FISH BOWL KITCHEN

654 EAST LAKE ROAD, Palm Harbor

9 inspections · 25 violations

Last inspected: Jan 21, 2025

EASTERN CHINA TASTE INC

658 E LAKE RD, Palm Harbor

18 inspections · 188 violations

Last inspected: Mar 31, 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 26, 2025 | Our methodology | Editorial standards | Report an error

This page is maintained by FloridaFoodSafety.org and is not affiliated with EAST LAKE CAFE.