Applebee's
Last inspected: Feb 5, 2026
82
Score
Applebee's appears in inspection records 10 times, starting in 2022. The most recent visit was on Feb 5, 2026. A low risk rating suggests inspectors haven't found much to be concerned about lately.
Violation counts have held steady across recent visits, averaging around three violations each.
“Vacuum breaker in the incorrect location” comes up most often, recorded four times in the inspection record.
Applebee's scores about where you'd expect for a Punta Gorda restaurant. Overall, the inspection record reads well.
10
Inspections
1
Critical latest
0
Major latest
1
Minor latest
Inspection History
Feb 5, 2026
Complaint Full
1 critical violation. 1 minor violation.
View 2 violations
High Priority - Vacuum breaker in the incorrect location at mop sink faucet or on fitting/splitter added to mop sink faucet. Observed vacuum breaker on the closed side (incorrect location) of the hose connected to the chemicals on the splitter. Operator placed on the open side of hose between splitter and hose. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
29-42-4
Basic - Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting. Observed wet nesting of cups at bar due to being stacked with no airflow. Operator removed from being stacked by separating to allow airflow. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
24-08-4
82
Nov 14, 2025
Routine - Food
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Basic - Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting. Observed multiple wet glass cups stacked at wait station.
24-08-4
Basic - In-use utensil stored in standing water less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed multiple utensils in water 86F at dipper well across the cookline. Operator replaced with water at/or above 135F. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
10-07-4
90
Aug 19, 2025
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 1 minor violation.
View 2 violations
High Priority - Dishmachine chlorine sanitizer not at proper minimum strength. Discontinue use of dishmachine for sanitizing and set up manual sanitization until dishmachine is repaired and sanitizing properly. Observed 0ppm on test strip. Operator corrected to 50ppm by replacing the empty sanitizer container. **Corrected On-Site**
22-41-4
Basic - In-use utensil stored in standing water less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed utensils in water 122F at dipper well. Operator removed the utensils from water. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
10-07-4
82
Feb 6, 2025
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 2 minor violations.
View 3 violations
High Priority - Vacuum breaker missing at mop sink faucet or on fitting/splitter added to mop sink faucet. Observed missing vacuum breaker on splitter at interior mop sink. Operator placed vacuum breaker on the splitter at mop sink. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
29-42-4
Basic - Buildup of food debris/soil residue on equipment door handles. Observed residue buildup on the interior of walk in cooler and freezer handles. Operator sanitized the handles. **Corrected On-Site**
23-24-4
Basic - In-use utensil stored in standing water less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed multiple utensils in standing water 132F. Operator removed the utensils from the water. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
10-07-4
78
Sep 18, 2024
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 2 minor violations.
View 4 violations
High Priority - Vacuum breaker missing at mop sink faucet or on fitting/splitter added to mop sink faucet.
29-42-4
Intermediate - No chlorine chemical test kit provided when using sanitizer at three-compartment sink/warewashing machine or wiping cloths. The ecolab technician has changed the dish machine to chemical sanitization due to heat sanitization inoperable.The establishment has no chlorine test strips to measure the sanitization.
16-37-1
Basic - Employee with no hair restraint while engaging in food preparation. Observed employee with no hair restraint at cookline. The employee placed hair restraint on their head. **Corrected On-Site**
13-03-4
Basic - Carbon dioxide/helium tanks not adequately secured. Observed multiple tanks not secured next to Walk in Cooler. Operator secured the tanks. **Corrected On-Site**
51-11-4
70
Apr 23, 2024
Routine - Food
3 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Basic - Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance. Observed ceiling tiles soiled at the end of cookline.
36-34-5
Basic - In-use utensil stored in standing water less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed utensils in water 130F at frontline. Operator corrected to a minimum of 135F by increasing the temperature. **Corrected On-Site**
10-07-4
Basic - Utensils not stored inverted or in a protected manner. Observed forks not inverted at bar counter. Operator inverted the forks. **Corrected On-Site**
24-05-4
86
Oct 6, 2023
Routine - Food
1 major violation. 2 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Intermediate - Commercially processed ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food opened and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked after opening. Observed milk at Display Cooler Unit. Operator date marked the food items. **Corrected On-Site**
02C-03-5
Basic - Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting. Observed multiple cups stacked at soda fountain machine. Operator removed from stacking to allow air flow to air dry. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
24-08-4
Basic - Old labels stuck to food containers after cleaning. Observed container at shelf near ware washing area. Operator removed the old label and sanitized the container. **Corrected On-Site**
16-46-4
82
Jul 7, 2023
Complaint Full
1 critical violation. 1 major violation.
View 2 violations
High Priority - Observed: Vacuum breaker in the wrong location at mop sink faucet or on fitting/splitter added to mop sink faucet. Operator placed in the correct location. **Corrected On-Site** Priority: High Priority
29-42-4
Intermediate - Observed: Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Observed blender at bar area handwash sink. Operator removed the blender. **Corrected On-Site** Priority: Intermediate
31A-09-4
78
Jan 3, 2023
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 1 minor violation.
View 2 violations
Food Received at Proper Temperature
FL-12
Warewashing Facilities Maintained and Used
FL-24
82
Sep 1, 2022
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 2 minor violations.
View 3 violations
High Priority - Food stored in ice used for drinks. Observed juice containers at bar ice bin due to ice over flowing with the juice containers at divider. Operator discarded the ice and created the divide. **Corrected On-Site**
08B-56-4
Basic - Carbon dioxide/helium tanks not adequately secured. Operator secured the tank. **Corrected On-Site**
51-11-4
Basic - Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled. Observed at various locations at kitchen. Operator cleaned the ceiling tiles. **Corrected On-Site**
36-34-5
78
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Applebee's last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Applebee's on file is from Feb 5, 2026. The public record contains 10 inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Applebee's?
Across the inspection record, “vacuum breaker in the incorrect location” has been cited four times, more than any other issue at Applebee's.
How does Applebee's compare to other restaurants in Punta Gorda?
Applebee's most recently scored 82 out of 100, which is about the same as the Punta Gorda average of 82.
Has Applebee's inspection record improved over time?
Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at Applebee's have averaged around three violations per visit across the recent record.
What does a low risk rating mean?
A low risk rating at Applebee's means inspectors found minimal or no significant issues at the most recent visit. Most facilities at this tier have a clean recent inspection report.
How often is Applebee's inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Applebee's is inspected around three times per year on average.
Nearby Restaurants