How many health inspections has ELENA'S RESTAURANT had?

ELENA'S RESTAURANT has had 20 inspections according to Florida DBPR records.

Has ELENA'S RESTAURANT ever been shut down?

No, ELENA'S RESTAURANT has no emergency closures on record.

What are the most common violations at ELENA'S RESTAURANT?

The most frequently cited violations at ELENA'S RESTAURANT are: Consumer advisory, Employee health reporting, Proper hand/arm washing.

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 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 V16 (Proper cooking temps) mean?

PATHOGEN SURVIVAL: Undercooking is a leading cause of foodborne illness. Salmonella in poultry survives below 165°F — causes 1.35 million US infections annually. E. coli O157:H7 in ground beef survives below 155°F — causes bloody diarrhea and kidney failure. Trichinella in pork survives below 145°F. Proper cooking is the critical kill step that destroys these pathogens. Cook to minimum internal temperatures: Poultry/stuffing/reheated foods: 165°F for 15 seconds. Ground meats: 155°F for 15 seconds. Pork/beef/fish/eggs (immediate service): 145°F for 15 seconds. Whole roasts: 145°F for 4 minutes. Verify with calibrated probe thermometer in thickest part. Microwave cooking: 165°F, rotate, stand 2 minutes.

ELENA'S RESTAURANT

615 CROSS ST #1101, Punta Gorda, FL 33950

Charlotte County · Permanent Food Service · Owner: CLC RESTAURANT INC · License: SEA1801372

ELENA'S RESTAURANT in Punta Gorda, FL has 20 inspections on record with 133 total violations (6.7 per inspection) and 0 emergency closures.

20Inspections

133Violations

0Closures

Data current as of December 16, 2024

Inspection History (20)

Dec 16, 2024 — Routine - Food· 5 violations (1 high priority)· Inspection Completed - No Further Action

High Priority Violations

V02 Employee health policy

V08 Proper hand/arm washing

V16 Proper cooking temps

V24 Toxic substance control

Intermediate Violations

V29 Proper sewage disposal

Jul 9, 2024 — Routine - Food· 5 violations (1 high priority)· Inspection Completed - No Further Action

High Priority Violations

V08 Proper hand/arm washing

V16 Proper cooking temps

V22 Consumer advisory

Basic Violations

V53 Outer openings protected

Nov 15, 2023 — Routine - Food· 6 violations (3 high priority)· Inspection Completed - No Further Action

High Priority Violations

V03 Employee health reporting

V08 Proper hand/arm washing

V12 Shell stock requirements

Basic Violations

V53 Outer openings protected

Jul 13, 2023 — Routine - Food· 8 violations (1 high priority)· Inspection Completed - No Further Action

Jan 10, 2023 — Routine - Food· 6 violations (1 high priority)· Inspection Completed - No Further Action

High Priority Violations

V02 Employee health policy

V03 Employee health reporting

V11 Food in good condition

V13 Parasite destruction

Basic Violations

V53 Outer openings protected

Jul 8, 2022 — Food-Licensing Inspection· 3 violations (2 high priority)· Inspection Completed - No Further Action

High Priority Violations

V02 Employee health policy

V12 Shell stock requirements

V22 Consumer advisory

Feb 2, 2022 — Routine - Food· 2 violations (1 high priority)· Inspection Completed - No Further Action

High Priority Violations

V03 Employee health reporting

V22 Consumer advisory

Sep 1, 2021 — Routine - Food· 8 violations (2 high priority)· Inspection Completed - No Further Action

High Priority Violations

V02 Employee health policy

V07 No bare hand contact

V08 Proper hand/arm washing

V22 Consumer advisory

V24 Toxic substance control

V25 Allergen awareness

Intermediate Violations

V36 Proper ventilation

Apr 1, 2021 — Routine - Food· 6 violations (1 high priority)· Inspection Completed - No Further Action

High Priority Violations

V10 Approved food source

V12 Shell stock requirements

V22 Consumer advisory

Basic Violations

V51 Premises clean

V53 Outer openings protected

Nov 23, 2020 — Routine - Food· 7 violations (2 high priority)· Inspection Completed - No Further Action

High Priority Violations

V03 Employee health reporting

V08 Proper hand/arm washing

V10 Approved food source

V22 Consumer advisory

Basic Violations

V53 Outer openings protected

Aug 19, 2020 — Routine - Food· 5 violations (2 high priority)· Administrative complaint recommended

High Priority Violations

V08 Proper hand/arm washing

V22 Consumer advisory

V24 Toxic substance control

Basic Violations

V50 Adequate lighting

V53 Outer openings protected

Mar 13, 2020 — Routine - Food· 6 violations (2 high priority)· Administrative complaint recommended

High Priority Violations

V22 Consumer advisory

V24 Toxic substance control

Intermediate Violations

V29 Proper sewage disposal

V31 Clean multi-use utensils

Basic Violations

V50 Adequate lighting

Nov 20, 2019 — Routine - Food· 8 violations · Inspection Completed - No Further Action

High Priority Violations

V02 Employee health policy

V06 Handwashing facilities

V12 Shell stock requirements

V14 Food contact surfaces

V21 Time as control

V23 Chemical properly stored

Intermediate Violations

V29 Proper sewage disposal

V41 Toilet facilities

Feb 19, 2019 — Routine - Food· 12 violations (3 high priority)· Inspection Completed - No Further Action

High Priority Violations

V08 Proper hand/arm washing

V09 No contamination

V10 Approved food source

V22 Consumer advisory

V23 Chemical properly stored

Intermediate Violations

V29 Proper sewage disposal

V31 Clean multi-use utensils

V36 Proper ventilation

Sep 13, 2018 — Routine - Food· 2 violations · Call Back - Complied

Intermediate Violations

V36 Proper ventilation

Sep 5, 2018 — Routine - Food· 12 violations (2 high priority)· Warning Issued

High Priority Violations

V03 Employee health reporting

V10 Approved food source

V12 Shell stock requirements

V22 Consumer advisory

V23 Chemical properly stored

V24 Toxic substance control

Intermediate Violations

V36 Proper ventilation

Basic Violations

V51 Premises clean

V53 Outer openings protected

Jan 23, 2018 — Routine - Food· 9 violations · Inspection Completed - No Further Action

High Priority Violations

V03 Employee health reporting

V08 Proper hand/arm washing

V10 Approved food source

V14 Food contact surfaces

V23 Chemical properly stored

V24 Toxic substance control

Intermediate Violations

V31 Clean multi-use utensils

V36 Proper ventilation

Sep 5, 2017 — Routine - Food· 6 violations (2 high priority)· Inspection Completed - No Further Action

High Priority Violations

V03 Employee health reporting

V22 Consumer advisory

Intermediate Violations

V33 Proper cooling equipment

V41 Toilet facilities

May 19, 2017 — Routine - Food· 9 violations (1 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

V23 Chemical properly stored

Intermediate Violations

V31 Clean multi-use utensils

V32 Proper sanitizing

V33 Proper cooling equipment

V40 Wiping cloths usage

Nov 18, 2016 — Routine - Food· 8 violations (1 high priority)· Inspection Completed - No Further Action

High Priority Violations

V03 Employee health reporting

V05 Handwashing procedures

V13 Parasite destruction

V22 Consumer advisory

V25 Allergen awareness

Intermediate Violations

V33 Proper cooling equipment

V40 Wiping cloths usage

How Does This Facility Compare?

ELENA'S RESTAURANT has had 0 emergency closures, compared to the Charlotte County average of 0.06 closures per facility. It has averaged 6.7 violations per inspection vs. the county average of 2.97.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many health inspections has ELENA'S RESTAURANT had?: ELENA'S RESTAURANT has had 20 inspections according to Florida DBPR records.
Has ELENA'S RESTAURANT ever been shut down?: No, ELENA'S RESTAURANT has no emergency closures on record.
What are the most common violations at ELENA'S RESTAURANT?: The most frequently cited violations at ELENA'S RESTAURANT are: Consumer advisory, Employee health reporting, Proper hand/arm washing.

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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.

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: December 16, 2024 | Our methodology | Editorial standards | Report an error

This page is maintained by FloridaFoodSafety.org and is not affiliated with ELENA'S RESTAURANT.