Restaurant El Mesquite in Zolfo Springs

Last inspected:

825 Sr 66, Zolfo Springs, FL 33890
Overview

Restaurant El Mesquite in Zolfo Springs has accumulated 107 violations across 17 inspections since 2023, averaging 6.3 violations per inspection — significantly above Florida's statewide average of 5.2. High-priority violations have been cited repeatedly: proper hand and arm washing procedures appeared in 6 inspections, food contact surface violations in 8 inspections, and employee health reporting failures in 4 inspections. The facility also received one $400 disciplinary fine. Fire safety violations documenting blocked exits or exit paths have been documented in three consecutive inspections between October 2025 and March 2026. The most recent inspection on March 16, 2026 documented 24 violations including high-priority issues with employee health reporting, time as a control measure, food contact surfaces, and handwashing procedures, with a disposition of Inspection Completed - No Further Action. A prior inspection on October 8, 2025 resulted in a Warning Issued disposition after 27 violations were found.

Summary generated from Florida DBPR public inspection records.

17Inspections
107Violations
0Closures
3Fire
$400in Fines

Last inspected DBPR:

Restaurant El Mesquite in Zolfo Springs: Comparison to Hardee County Averages

This Facility 6.3 violations / inspection 6.3 violations per inspection
Hardee County Avg 6.63 violations / inspection 6.63 county average
This Facility 0 emergency closures 0 closures
Hardee County Avg 0.39 closures / facility 0.39 county average

Restaurant El Mesquite in Zolfo Springs: Fines & Disciplinary Actions (1)

Total fines on record: $400.00

Disciplinary action history for Restaurant El Mesquite in Zolfo Springs
Action DateCase NumberFineViolation DateEnforcement Office
7--2024072097 $400.00 Nov 5, 2024 Fort Lauderdale

Restaurant El Mesquite in Zolfo Springs: Fire Safety & Life Safety Violations (3)

— 1 fire violation

— Routine - Food · Inspection Completed - No Further Action

Inspector Observation: Marked exit/path to marked exit blocked. For reporting purposes only. Observed exit door in dining room is blocked. **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.
— 2 fire violations

— Routine - Food · Call Back - Complied

Inspector Observation: - From initial inspection : Marked exit/path to marked exit blocked. For reporting purposes only. Observed a table blocking the exit door in the dining room. - From follow-up inspection 2025-12-15: **Time Extended**
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 · Warning Issued

Inspector Observation: Marked exit/path to marked exit blocked. For reporting purposes only. Observed a table blocking the exit door in the dining room.
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.

Restaurant El Mesquite in Zolfo Springs: Full Inspection History — DBPR (17)

— 1 inspection8 violations · 5 high priority
— Routine - Food· 8 violations (5 high priority)· Inspection Completed - No Further Action

High Priority Violations

V03 Employee health reporting
V05 Handwashing procedures
V08 Proper hand/arm washing
V14 Food contact surfaces
V21 Time as control

Intermediate Violations

V31 Clean multi-use utensils
V35 Single-use items

Basic Violations

V46 No smoking signs
— 3 inspections15 violations · 8 high priority
— Routine - Food· 3 violations (1 high priority)· Call Back - Complied

High Priority Violations

V14 Food contact surfaces

Intermediate Violations

V35 Single-use items

Basic Violations

V46 No smoking signs
— Routine - Food· 9 violations (4 high priority)· Warning Issued

High Priority Violations

V08 Proper hand/arm washing
V12 Shell stock requirements
V14 Food contact surfaces
V23 Chemical properly stored

Intermediate Violations

V29 Proper sewage disposal
V31 Clean multi-use utensils
V35 Single-use items

Basic Violations

V46 No smoking signs
V53 Outer openings protected
— Routine - Food· 3 violations (3 high priority)· Inspection Completed - No Further Action

High Priority Violations

V08 Proper hand/arm washing
V14 Food contact surfaces
V22 Consumer advisory
— 3 inspections15 violations · 11 high priority
— Routine - Food· 3 violations (1 high priority)· Call Back - Complied

High Priority Violations

V16 Proper cooking temps

Intermediate Violations

V29 Proper sewage disposal
V31 Clean multi-use utensils
— Routine - Food· 7 violations (5 high priority)· Administrative complaint recommended

High Priority Violations

V01 Management awareness
V03 Employee health reporting
V08 Proper hand/arm washing
V14 Food contact surfaces
V16 Proper cooking temps

Intermediate Violations

V29 Proper sewage disposal
V31 Clean multi-use utensils
— Routine - Food· 5 violations (5 high priority)· Inspection Completed - No Further Action

High Priority Violations

V02 Employee health policy
V08 Proper hand/arm washing
V11 Food in good condition
V14 Food contact surfaces
V23 Chemical properly stored
— 2 inspections11 violations · 9 high priority
— Routine - Food· 7 violations (7 high priority)· Inspection Completed - No Further Action

High Priority Violations

V09 No contamination
V10 Approved food source
V11 Food in good condition
V14 Food contact surfaces
V16 Proper cooking temps
V22 Consumer advisory
V24 Toxic substance control
— Routine - Food· 4 violations (2 high priority)· Inspection Completed - No Further Action

High Priority Violations

V08 Proper hand/arm washing
V14 Food contact surfaces

Intermediate Violations

V31 Clean multi-use utensils
V38 Waste properly disposed
— 3 inspections18 violations · 14 high priority
— Routine - Food· 5 violations (4 high priority)· Inspection Completed - No Further Action

High Priority Violations

V14 Food contact surfaces
V16 Proper cooking temps
V21 Time as control
V24 Toxic substance control

Intermediate Violations

V31 Clean multi-use utensils
— Routine - Food· 6 violations (4 high priority)· Inspection Completed - No Further Action

High Priority Violations

V03 Employee health reporting
V12 Shell stock requirements
V14 Food contact surfaces
V25 Allergen awareness

Intermediate Violations

V31 Clean multi-use utensils
V40 Wiping cloths usage
— Routine - Food· 7 violations (6 high priority)· Inspection Completed - No Further Action

High Priority Violations

V05 Handwashing procedures
V08 Proper hand/arm washing
V14 Food contact surfaces
V21 Time as control
V22 Consumer advisory
V24 Toxic substance control

Intermediate Violations

V29 Proper sewage disposal
— 2 inspections11 violations · 8 high priority
— Routine - Food· 11 violations (8 high priority)· Inspection Completed - No Further Action

High Priority Violations

V02 Employee health policy
V03 Employee health reporting
V05 Handwashing procedures
V08 Proper hand/arm washing
V10 Approved food source
V14 Food contact surfaces
V16 Proper cooking temps
V22 Consumer advisory

Intermediate Violations

V31 Clean multi-use utensils

Basic Violations

V51 Premises clean
V53 Outer openings protected
— Routine - Food· 0 violations · Call Back - Complied

No violations recorded for this inspection.

— 3 inspections16 violations · 11 high priority
— Routine - Food· 5 violations (3 high priority)· Warning Issued

High Priority Violations

V02 Employee health policy
V14 Food contact surfaces
V21 Time as control

Intermediate Violations

V31 Clean multi-use utensils

Basic Violations

V53 Outer openings protected
— Routine - Food· 9 violations (7 high priority)· Inspection Completed - No Further Action

High Priority Violations

V02 Employee health policy
V03 Employee health reporting
V08 Proper hand/arm washing
V22 Consumer advisory
V23 Chemical properly stored
V24 Toxic substance control
V28 Water supply

Intermediate Violations

V31 Clean multi-use utensils
V40 Wiping cloths usage
— Food-Licensing Inspection· 2 violations (1 high priority)· Inspection Completed - No Further Action

High Priority Violations

V16 Proper cooking temps

Intermediate Violations

V29 Proper sewage disposal

Restaurant El Mesquite in Zolfo Springs: Frequently Asked Questions

When was Restaurant El Mesquite in Zolfo Springs last inspected?
Restaurant El Mesquite in Zolfo Springs was last inspected by Florida DBPR on March 16, 2026. The result was: Inspection Completed - No Further Action.
What are the most common violations at Restaurant El Mesquite in Zolfo Springs?
The most frequently cited violations at Restaurant El Mesquite in Zolfo Springs are: Food contact surfaces, Clean multi-use utensils, Proper hand/arm washing.
How many health inspections has Restaurant El Mesquite in Zolfo Springs had?
Restaurant El Mesquite in Zolfo Springs has had 17 inspections on record with Florida DBPR, averaging 6.3 violations per inspection, above the statewide average of 5.2.
What did the most recent inspection of Restaurant El Mesquite in Zolfo Springs find?
Restaurant El Mesquite in Zolfo Springs was most recently inspected on March 16, 2026 with 9 violation(s), including 1 high-priority violation(s). Disposition: Inspection Completed - No Further Action.
Has Restaurant El Mesquite in Zolfo Springs ever been shut down?
No, Restaurant El Mesquite in Zolfo Springs has no emergency closures on record with Florida DBPR.
What does Florida violation V03 (Employee health reporting) mean?
Violation 03 (Employee health reporting) is classified as a high priority violation under Florida DBPR food safety regulations. See the full explanation at floridafoodsafety.org/violation/03.
What does Florida violation V05 (Handwashing procedures) mean?
Violation 05 (Handwashing procedures) is classified as a high priority violation under Florida DBPR food safety regulations. See the full explanation at floridafoodsafety.org/violation/05.
What does Florida violation V08 (Proper hand/arm washing) mean?
Violation 08 (Proper hand/arm washing) is classified as a high priority violation under Florida DBPR food safety regulations. See the full explanation at floridafoodsafety.org/violation/08.
Has Restaurant El Mesquite in Zolfo Springs had any fire safety violations?
Yes, Restaurant El Mesquite in Zolfo Springs has 3 fire safety violation(s) on record from Florida state fire inspections.
Has Restaurant El Mesquite in Zolfo Springs faced any disciplinary actions?
Yes, Restaurant El Mesquite in Zolfo Springs has 1 disciplinary action(s) on record with Florida DBPR totaling $400.00 in fines.
How much has Restaurant El Mesquite in Zolfo Springs been fined?
Restaurant El Mesquite in Zolfo Springs has been fined a total of $400.00 across 1 disciplinary action(s) on record with Florida DBPR.

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This page is maintained by FloridaFoodSafety.org and is not affiliated with Restaurant El Mesquite. How we collect and verify this data.