Arias's Pupusas
Last inspected: Jan 10, 2026
67
Score
The health department has logged nine inspections at Arias's Pupusas, the earliest from 2023. Inspectors last stopped by on Jan 10, 2026. A medium risk rating points to a few notable findings at the last inspection, though nothing severe.
Things have been moving the wrong way, with the rolling count rising from around six violations to closer to nine violations per visit.
Across the inspection history, “no plan review submitted” is the issue that surfaces most often, recorded three times.
The city-wide average sits at 80, which Arias's Pupusas' 67 doesn't quite reach. On the whole, the file is mixed but not concerning.
9
Inspections
0
Critical latest
1
Major latest
6
Minor latest
Inspection History
Jan 10, 2026
Routine - Food
1 major violation. 6 minor violations.
View 7 violations
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : Intermediate - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Tamales prepared over 24 hours ago, no date mark in reach in cooler. **Repeat Violation** **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2026-01-10: **Time Extended**
02C-02-5
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Ceiling not smooth, nonabsorbent and easily cleanable in food preparation, food storage, or warewashing areas. Observed ceiling in covered prep area made of plywood **Repeat Violation** **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2026-01-10: **Time Extended**
36-37-5
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Food being prepared in a room that has screening in place of all or part of a wall. **Repeat Violation** **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2026-01-10: **Time Extended**
08B-40-4
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Mobile food dispensing vehicle is not self-propelled or otherwise movable from place to place. Observed shed built around portion of truck and is screwed into part of the truck and caulked to truck making it no longer movable. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2026-01-10: **Time Extended**
51-36-1
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Mobile food dispensing vehicle service opening not kept closed except during food service. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2026-01-10: **Time Extended**
35B-14-4
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Unsealed concrete floor in food preparation, food storage, warewashing area or bathroom. Observed food being prepared in an area alongside truck covered by a shed on unsealed concrete. **Repeat Violation** **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2026-01-10: **Time Extended**
36-02-5
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Outer openings of establishment cannot be properly sealed when not in operation. Observed doors have been removed from truck. **Repeat Violation** **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2026-01-10: **Time Extended**
35B-04-4
67
Dec 6, 2025
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 4 major violations. 6 minor violations.
View 12 violations
High Priority - Employee washed hands with cold water. Observed water temperature 81F at all sinks. **Warning**
12A-19-4
High Priority - Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license. Observed license expired 12/01/2025. **Warning**
50-17-3
Intermediate - Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Observed ladle in hand washing sink. Operator removed. **Corrected On-Site**
31A-09-4
Intermediate - No hot running water at three-compartment sink. Observed running water at 80F at three compartment sink. **Warning**
27-06-4
Intermediate - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Tamales prepared over 24 hours ago, no date mark in reach in cooler. **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
02C-02-5
Intermediate - Water with a temperature of least 85 degrees Fahrenheit not provided/shut off at employee handwash sink. Observed hot water at 81F. **Warning**
27-16-4
Basic - Ceiling not smooth, nonabsorbent and easily cleanable in food preparation, food storage, or warewashing areas. Observed ceiling in covered prep area made of plywood **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
36-37-5
Basic - Food being prepared in a room that has screening in place of all or part of a wall. **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
08B-40-4
Basic - Mobile food dispensing vehicle is not self-propelled or otherwise movable from place to place. Observed shed built around portion of truck and is screwed into part of the truck and caulked to truck making it no longer movable. **Warning**
51-36-1
Basic - Mobile food dispensing vehicle service opening not kept closed except during food service. **Warning**
35B-14-4
Basic - Outer openings of establishment cannot be properly sealed when not in operation. Observed doors have been removed from truck. **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
35B-04-4
Basic - Unsealed concrete floor in food preparation, food storage, warewashing area or bathroom. Observed food being prepared in an area alongside truck covered by a shed on unsealed concrete. **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
36-02-5
37
Apr 26, 2025
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 6 minor violations.
View 8 violations
High Priority - Employee began working with food, handling clean equipment or utensils, or touching unwrapped single-service items without first washing hands. Discussed proper hand washing practices with Operator. **Corrective Action Taken**
12A-16-4
Intermediate - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Tamales prepared over 24 hours ago, no date mark in reach in cooler.
02C-02-5
Basic - Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Observed blue plastic bowl used as scoop in dry rice bin. Operator removed bowl. **Corrected On-Site**
14-01-5
Basic - Ceiling not smooth, nonabsorbent and easily cleanable in food preparation, food storage, or warewashing areas. Observed ceiling in covered prep area made of plywood. **Repeat Violation**
36-37-5
Basic - Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Observed cell phone stored on container with dried rice stored inside. Operator removed phone. **Corrected On-Site**
40-06-5
Basic - Food being prepared in a room that has screening in place of all or part of a wall. **Repeat Violation**
08B-40-4
Basic - Outer openings of establishment cannot be properly sealed when not in operation. Observed doors have been removed from truck. **Repeat Violation**
35B-04-4
Basic - Unsealed concrete floor in food preparation, food storage, warewashing area or bathroom.
36-02-5
58
Jan 25, 2025
Routine - Food
2 major violations. 4 minor violations.
View 6 violations
Intermediate - No plan review submitted and approved - renovations were made or are in progress. Must submit plans and plan review application to DBPR H and R Plan Review office located at 2601 Blair Stone Rd., Tallahassee, FL 32399-1011. Plans must be submitted AND approved within 60 days. The direct link to the Plan Review page is https://www2.myfloridalicense.com/hotels-restaurants/licensing/plan-review/. **Repeat Violation**
51-16-7
Intermediate - Packaged food not labeled as specified by law. Bulk flour unlabeled.
02D-02-4
Basic - Ceiling not smooth, nonabsorbent and easily cleanable in food preparation, food storage, or warewashing areas. Observed ceiling in prep area made of plywood. **Repeat Violation**
36-37-5
Basic - Food being prepared in a room that has screening in place of all or part of a wall. Observed food prepared in back hall area next to unscreened lattice wood covered door. Floor is concrete, walls are aluminum, ceiling is plywood. **Repeat Violation**
08B-40-4
Basic - Outer openings of establishment cannot be properly sealed when not in operation. Observed doors removed from MFDV and not reattached.
35B-04-4
Basic - Time/temperature control for safety food thawed in an improper manner. Observed beef and beans thawing on counter at room temperature.
06-01-5
67
Jun 8, 2024
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 4 minor violations.
View 6 violations
High Priority - Employee began working with food, handling clean equipment or utensils, or touching unwrapped single-service items without first washing hands. Observed employee begin work with clean utensils without washing hands.
12A-16-4
Intermediate - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Observed pork tamales prepared yesterday per operator with no date marking in reach in cooler.
02C-02-5
Basic - Ceiling not smooth, nonabsorbent and easily cleanable in food preparation, food storage, or warewashing areas. **Repeat Violation**
36-37-5
Basic - Food being prepared in a room that has screening in place of all or part of a wall. Observed food being prepared in back of truck in partially covered hall. **Repeat Violation**
08B-40-4
Basic - Mobile food dispensing vehicle is not vehicle mounted. Doors not attached to truck. **Repeat Violation**
51-35-1
Basic - Time/temperature control for safety food thawed in an improper manner. Observed frozen beans and frozen bags of cheese thawing at room temperature.
06-01-5
64
Mar 23, 2024
Routine - Food
3 major violations. 3 minor violations.
View 6 violations
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : Intermediate - No plan review submitted and approved - renovations were made or are in progress. Must submit plans and plan review application to DBPR H and R Plan Review office located at 2601 Blair Stone Rd., Tallahassee, FL 32399-1011. Plans must be submitted AND approved within 60 days. The direct link to the Plan Review page is https://www2.myfloridalicense.com/hotels-restaurants/licensing/plan-review/. Observed truck removed a wall, is raised up on blocks and is no longer movable. Placed a large shed around truck. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2024-03-23: **Time Extended**
51-16-7
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : Intermediate - No proof of required state approved employee training provided for any employees. To order approved program food safety material, call DBPR contracted provider: Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (SafeStaff) 866-372-7233. Operator cannot provide proof of employee food handler training. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2024-03-23: Operator has Safe Staff books just purchased. Not completed at this time. **Time Extended**
53B-01-5
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : Intermediate - No proof provided that food employees are informed of their responsibility to report to the person in charge information about their health and activities related to foodborne illnesses. Provided Operator with Employee Reporting Agreement DBPR Form HR 5030-103 via email. **Corrective Action Taken** **Repeat Violation** **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2024-03-23: Operator has form hanging in truck, but, not completed. **Time Extended**
11-26-1
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Ceiling not smooth, nonabsorbent and easily cleanable in food preparation, food storage, or warewashing areas. Observed ceiling in prep area made of plywood. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2024-03-23: **Time Extended**
36-37-5
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Food being prepared in a room that has screening in place of all or part of a wall. Observed food prepared in back hall area next to unscreened lattice wood covered door. Floor is concrete, walls are aluminum, ceiling is plywood. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2024-03-23: Observed room still has lattice door with openings to outside. **Time Extended**
08B-40-4
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Mobile food dispensing vehicle is not vehicle mounted. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2024-03-23: Doors not reattached to vehicle. **Time Extended**
51-35-1
64
Mar 9, 2024
Routine - Food
4 major violations. 8 minor violations.
View 12 violations
Intermediate - Establishment has no written procedures for employees to follow in response to a vomiting or diarrheal event where the vomit or diarrhea is discharged onto surfaces in the establishment. Provided Operator with Clean up Form DBPR HR 5030-104 via email. **Corrective Action Taken** **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
11-27-4
Intermediate - No plan review submitted and approved - renovations were made or are in progress. Must submit plans and plan review application to DBPR H and R Plan Review office located at 2601 Blair Stone Rd., Tallahassee, FL 32399-1011. Plans must be submitted AND approved within 60 days. The direct link to the Plan Review page is https://www2.myfloridalicense.com/hotels-restaurants/licensing/plan-review/. Observed truck removed a wall, is raised up on blocks and is no longer movable. Placed a large shed around truck. **Warning**
51-16-7
Intermediate - No proof of required state approved employee training provided for any employees. To order approved program food safety material, call DBPR contracted provider: Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (SafeStaff) 866-372-7233. Operator cannot provide proof of employee food handler training. **Warning**
53B-01-5
Intermediate - No proof provided that food employees are informed of their responsibility to report to the person in charge information about their health and activities related to foodborne illnesses. Provided Operator with Employee Reporting Agreement DBPR Form HR 5030-103 via email. **Corrective Action Taken** **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
11-26-1
Basic - Ceiling not smooth, nonabsorbent and easily cleanable in food preparation, food storage, or warewashing areas. Observed ceiling in prep area made of plywood. **Warning**
36-37-5
Basic - Food being prepared in a room that has screening in place of all or part of a wall. Observed food prepared in back hall area next to unscreened lattice wood covered door. Floor is concrete, walls are aluminum, ceiling is plywood. **Warning**
08B-40-4
Basic - Hole in or other damage to wall. Observed side wall of MFDV removed. Covered with a large shed around food truck. **Warning**
36-24-5
Basic - Mobile food dispensing vehicle connected to utilities on more than a temporary basis. Observed electrical connection is fixed in rear of structure. **Warning**
51-06-4
Basic - Mobile food dispensing vehicle is not self-propelled or otherwise movable from place to place. Observed vehicle is mounted on blocks and fully enclosed in a large shed like structure. **Warning**
51-36-1
Basic - Mobile food dispensing vehicle is not vehicle mounted. **Warning**
51-35-1
Basic - No Heimlich maneuver/choking sign posted. **Warning**
51-13-4
Basic - Time/temperature control for safety food thawed in an improper manner. Observed frozen beef thawing at room temperature. **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
06-01-5
45
May 6, 2023
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 3 major violations. 2 minor violations.
View 6 violations
Employee Health Policies Present
FL-03
Proper Eating, Tasting, Drinking, or Tobacco Use
FL-06
Adequate Handwashing Facilities Supplied and Accessible
FL-10
Food Obtained from Approved Sources
FL-11
Approved Thawing Methods Used
FL-31
Food and Non-Food Contact Surfaces Designed and Constructed
FL-50
55
Jan 21, 2023
Routine - Food
2 major violations. 2 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Hands Clean and Properly Washed
FL-08
Adequate Handwashing Facilities Supplied and Accessible
FL-10
Food Obtained from Approved Sources
FL-11
Food and Non-Food Contact Surfaces Designed and Constructed
FL-50
70
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Arias's Pupusas last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Arias's Pupusas on file is from Jan 10, 2026. The public record contains nine inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Arias's Pupusas?
Across the inspection record, “no plan review submitted” has been cited three times, more than any other issue at Arias's Pupusas.
How does Arias's Pupusas compare to other restaurants in Fort Myers?
Arias's Pupusas most recently scored 67 out of 100, which is lower than the Fort Myers average of 80.
Has Arias's Pupusas' inspection record improved over time?
No. Recent inspections at Arias's Pupusas have averaged around nine violations per visit, up from roughly six earlier in the record.
What does a medium risk rating mean?
A medium risk rating at Arias's Pupusas means the most recent inspection turned up a handful of issues that the health department wrote up but did not classify as critical.
How often is Arias's Pupusas inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Arias's Pupusas is inspected around three times per year on average.
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