Begonia's Restaurant & Pizzeria
Last inspected: Apr 3, 2026
30
Score
Going back to 2022, Begonia's Restaurant & Pizzeria has nine inspections in the public record. The newest entry in the record is dated Apr 3, 2026. The high risk label is a heads-up that the most recent visit didn't go well.
The trend has not been favorable: recent inspections average around nine violations each, up from closer to five violations before.
Looking across the full record, “ceiling not smooth” is the recurring theme, flagged seven times.
By comparison, the average Fort Myers facility scores 80, putting Begonia's Restaurant & Pizzeria on the weaker side. There are enough flags in the record to merit a second thought.
9
Inspections
4
Critical latest
4
Major latest
4
Minor latest
Inspection History
Apr 3, 2026
Routine - Food
4 critical violations. 4 major violations. 4 minor violations.
View 12 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 wash dishes in 3 compartment sink and begin to prep food. Operator stopped employee and had them wash hands and change gloves. **Corrective Action Taken**
12A-16-4
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over or with ready-to-eat food in a freezer - not all products commercially packaged. Raw chicken stored over plantains in reach in freezer.
08A-02-6
High Priority - Shell eggs not stored at an ambient air temperature of 45 degrees Fahrenheit or less. Observed raw shell eggs at room temperature at cook line. The operator states they were out less than an hour and relocated to reach in cooler. **Corrected On-Site**
03A-03-5
High Priority - Single-use gloves not changed as needed after changing tasks or when damaged or soiled. Observed employee wash dishes in 3 compartment sink and begin to prep food. Operator stopped employee and had them wash hands and change gloves. **Corrective Action Taken**
12A-09-4
Intermediate - Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Observed handwash sink at front counter blocked by prep table.
31A-09-4
Intermediate - No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink at kitchen entrance. **Repeat Violation**
31B-02-4
Intermediate - No soap provided at handwash sink near kitchen entrance, the operator replaced soap. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
31B-03-4
Intermediate - No written procedures available for use of time as a public health control to hold time/temperature control for safety food. Observed beef empanada 94F at front display. The operator states has been in less than 2 hours and he discards them after 4 hours. Provided operator with form during inspection. **Repeat Violation**
03F-10-5
Basic - Ceiling not smooth, nonabsorbent and easily cleanable in food preparation, food storage, or warewashing areas. - above prep area near kitchen entrance. **Repeat Violation**
36-37-5
Basic - Bathroom located inside establishment not completely enclosed with tight-fitting, self-closing doors. **Repeat Violation**
32-04-4
Basic - Hole in or other damage to wall near dry storage.
36-24-5
Basic - Time/temperature control for safety food thawed in an improper manner. Still frozen shrimp thawing in open air, the operator relocated to reach in cooler. **Corrected On-Site**
06-01-5
30
Aug 20, 2025
Routine - Food
3 critical violations. 2 major violations. 6 minor violations.
View 11 violations
High Priority - Dented/rusted cans. Observed 2 cans of sweetened evaporated cream severely dented or dented at seam. Operator had a box separated prior to arrival of same product to be returned. Operator placed 2 cans with other returns. See Stop Sale. **Corrective Action Taken**
01B-01-4
High Priority - Nonfood-grade bags used in direct contact with food. Observed baked bread covered by black garbage bags on rack in storage area.
14-31-5
High Priority - Raw animal foods not properly separated from each other in holding unit based upon minimum required cooking temperature. Observed raw chicken stored over raw beef in reach in cooler on cooks line. Operator moved chicken to bottom shelf. **Corrected On-Site**
08A-20-5
Intermediate - No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. Observed no paper towels near hws across from prep area. Observed no paper towels near hand sink in storage area Operator replaced paper towels while on site. **Corrected On-Site**
31B-02-4
Intermediate - No written procedures available for use of time as a public health control to hold time/temperature control for safety food. Observed butter, eggs, croquettes as time as a public health control but no written plan on site. Provided operator with form and explained how to fill out. Operator stated all 3 items at room temperature for less than 1 hour. **Corrective Action Taken**
03F-10-5
Basic - Bathroom located inside establishment not completely enclosed with tight-fitting, self-closing doors. Observed door to both men's and women's restrooms not able to self close.
32-04-4
Basic - Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Observed bowl sitting in salt and rice used as scoop. Operator removed bowls from salt and rice. **Corrected On-Site**
14-01-5
Basic - Ceiling not smooth, nonabsorbent and easily cleanable in food preparation, food storage, or warewashing areas. Observed non smooth ceiling tiles not easily cleanable above prep area at entrance of kitchen.
36-37-5
Basic - No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees. Observed hand washing sink in storage area and men's restroom with no designated sign.
31B-04-4
Basic - Single-service articles not stored inverted or protected from contamination. Observed styrofoam containers not inverted at front counter. Operator inverted containers. **Corrected On-Site**
25-06-4
Basic - Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Observed flour in metal container with lid, no label.
02D-01-5
39
Apr 1, 2025
Routine - Food
1 major violation. 4 minor violations.
View 5 violations
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. The Manager has experienced a family emergency and is working on correcting the violation. **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
53B-01-5
Basic - Water draining onto floor surface. Observed water draining on to wall then floor behind 3 compartment sink. **Warning**
29-03-4
Basic - Ceiling not smooth, nonabsorbent and easily cleanable in food preparation, food storage, or warewashing areas. **Warning**
36-37-5
Basic - Equipment in poor repair. Observed torn gasket on reach in freezer in back room. **Warning**
14-11-5
Basic - Ice buildup in reach-in freezer and/or walk-in freezer. Observed ice buildup in 2 reach in freezer units. **Warning**
14-69-4
74
Feb 17, 2025
Routine - Food
1 major violation. 2 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Required Records Available; Shellstock Tags/Labels
FL-14
Lighting Adequate; Required Shields in Place
FL-36
Toilet Rooms Maintained
FL-53
82
Dec 16, 2024
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 2 major violations. 2 minor violations.
View 5 violations
High Priority - Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license. Observed license as expired as of 12-01-2024.
50-17-3
Intermediate - Manager or person in charge lacking proof of food manager certification. **Warning**
53A-01-7
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. **Warning**
53B-01-5
Basic - Ceiling/ceiling tile shows damage or is in disrepair. Observed damaged ceiling tiles in kitchen above 3 compartment sink.
36-32-5
Basic - Ice buildup in reach-in freezer and/or walk-in freezer. Observed ice buildup in reach in freezer chest by hand wash sink in prep room.
14-69-4
64
Mar 13, 2024
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 4 minor violations.
View 6 violations
High Priority - Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license. Observed license as expired as of 12-1-2023. **Admin Complaint**
50-17-3
Intermediate - No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. Observed no paper towels at hand wash sink in kitchen and in storage area.
31B-02-4
Basic - Ceiling not smooth, nonabsorbent and easily cleanable in food preparation, food storage, or warewashing areas. Observed acoustic style ceiling tiles in kitchen and storage areas.
36-37-5
Basic - Ceiling tile missing. Observed missing ceiling tiles in kitchen and storage area. Operator states roof is undergoing repairs.
36-36-4
Basic - Ice buildup in reach-in freezer and/or walk-in freezer. Observed ice buildup in white chest style reach in freezer units.
14-69-4
Basic - In-use utensil in non-time/temperature control for safety food not stored with handle above top of food within a closed container. Observed scoop handle touching sugar in bulk container by espresso machine.
10-01-5
64
Nov 14, 2023
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 4 major violations. 3 minor violations.
View 8 violations
High Priority - Employee switched from working with raw food to ready-to-eat food without washing hands. Observed employee handle raw beef then handle utensils and ready to eat foods.
12A-12-4
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 printed copy. **Corrected On-Site**
11-27-4
Intermediate - Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Observed hand wash sink in storage room as blocked. Operator moved items so sink is now accessible. **Corrected On-Site**
31A-09-4
Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Observed employee rinse blender in hand was sink.
31A-11-4
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 printed copies and all staff on duty signed. **Corrected On-Site**
11-26-1
Basic - Ceiling not smooth, nonabsorbent and easily cleanable in food preparation, food storage, or warewashing areas.
36-37-5
Basic - Ceiling/ceiling tile shows damage or is in disrepair. Observed water damage to multiple ceiling tiles in establishment.
36-32-5
Basic - Ice buildup in reach-in freezer and/or walk-in freezer. Observed ice buildup in two reach in freezer units.
14-69-4
50
Apr 10, 2023
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 3 major violations. 3 minor violations.
View 7 violations
High Priority - Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license. Observed license as expired as of 12-01-2022. **Admin Complaint**
50-17-3
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. Emailed to operator. **Corrective Action Taken**
11-27-4
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. Emailed to operator. **Corrective Action Taken**
11-26-1
Intermediate - Proof of required state approved employee training not available for some employees. To order approved program food safety material, call DBPR contracted provider: Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (SafeStaff) 866-372-7233. Observed only one employee food handler certificate and 3 total employees working at time of inspection.
53B-13-5
Basic - Ceiling not smooth, nonabsorbent and easily cleanable in food preparation, food storage, or warewashing areas.
36-37-5
Basic - Ceiling/ceiling tile shows damage or is in disrepair. Observed damaged ceiling tiles in kitchen.
36-32-5
Basic - Ice buildup in reach-in freezer and/or walk-in freezer. Observed ice buildup in white reach in freezer with black handle.
14-69-4
55
Nov 15, 2022
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 5 minor violations.
View 6 violations
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed in kitchen on counter: ground beef (87F - Cold Holding); cooked chicken (56F - Cold Holding). Operator states that items have been out for less than 1 hour and that they are going to be reheated within the next 0.5 hour.
03A-02-5
Basic - Ceiling/ceiling tile shows damage or is in disrepair. Observed damaged ceiling tiles above 3 compartment sink.
36-32-5
Basic - Label on a food item prepared and packaged onsite for customer self-service does not include product identity/description, date product was packaged and name and address of the establishment that prepared and packaged the food. Observed packaged macaroni salad lacking label.
02D-03-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed soiled gaskets on multiple reach in cooler units.
23-03-4
Basic - Single-service articles improperly stored. Observed sleeves of styrofoam containers stored on floor in prep room. Operator moved item for proper storage. **Corrected On-Site**
25-05-4
Basic - Ceiling not smooth, nonabsorbent and easily cleanable in food preparation, food storage, or warewashing areas. Observed ceiling as not smooth and easily cleanable in prep room.
36-37-5
67
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Begonia's Restaurant & Pizzeria last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Begonia's Restaurant & Pizzeria on file is from Apr 3, 2026. The public record contains nine inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Begonia's Restaurant & Pizzeria?
Across the inspection record, “ceiling not smooth” has been cited seven times, more than any other issue at Begonia's Restaurant & Pizzeria.
How does Begonia's Restaurant & Pizzeria compare to other restaurants in Fort Myers?
Begonia's Restaurant & Pizzeria most recently scored 30 out of 100, which is lower than the Fort Myers average of 80.
Has Begonia's Restaurant & Pizzeria's inspection record improved over time?
No. Recent inspections at Begonia's Restaurant & Pizzeria have averaged around nine violations per visit, up from roughly five earlier in the record.
What does a high risk rating mean?
A high risk rating at Begonia's Restaurant & Pizzeria means the most recent inspection flagged either critical violations or a substantial number of smaller ones. Diners may want to read the violation details before deciding to visit.
How often is Begonia's Restaurant & Pizzeria inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Begonia's Restaurant & Pizzeria is inspected around three times per year on average.
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