Big Nick's BBQ
Last inspected: Nov 3, 2025
67
Score
Going back to 2022, Big Nick's BBQ has 10 inspections in the public record. On Nov 3, 2025, the health department conducted the most recent visit. Medium risk typically reflects a handful of issues that inspectors wrote up but didn't deem critical.
Recent visits have produced comparable findings, with counts hovering near two violations per visit.
The most common issue across all inspections has been “toxic substance/chemical improperly stored”, showing up two times.
The city-wide average sits at 80, which Big Nick's BBQ's 67 doesn't quite reach. Taken together, the history looks like that of a busy facility working through the usual inspection cycle.
10
Inspections
1
Critical latest
2
Major latest
1
Minor latest
Inspection History
Nov 3, 2025
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 2 major violations. 1 minor violation.
View 4 violations
Supervisor/Person in Charge Present
FL-01
Proper Hot and Cold Holding Temperatures
FL-21
Approved Thawing Methods Used
FL-31
Wiping Cloths Properly Used and Stored
FL-41
67
Aug 4, 2025
Routine - Food
No violations found.
100
Aug 1, 2025
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 2 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Supervisor/Person in Charge Present
FL-01
Employee Health Policies Present
FL-03
Food in Good Condition, Safe, and Unadulterated
FL-13
Food Contact Surfaces Clean and Sanitized
FL-22
64
Jan 10, 2025
Routine - Food
No violations found.
100
Jan 9, 2025
Routine - Food
3 critical violations. 1 major violation.
View 4 violations
High Priority - Stop Sale issued due to food not being in a wholesome, sound condition. In walk-in cooler; raw briskets (49F - Cold Holding); raw pork (49F - Cold Holding); cooked beef (48F - Cold Holding); raw turkey (49F) Per operator all items placed in cooler the day before inspection. **Warning**
01B-13-4
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. In walk-in cooler; raw briskets (49F - Cold Holding); raw pork (49F - Cold Holding); cooked beef (48F - Cold Holding); raw turkey (49F) Per operator all items placed in cooler the day before inspection. **Warning**
03A-02-5
High Priority - Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. Chefer wick fuel (sternos) stored over single service food containers. Operator removed sternos to bottom shelf. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
41-10-4
Intermediate - Handwash sink near by walk-in cooler blocked with garbage bins, not accessible for employee use at all times. Operator removed garbage bins. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
31A-09-4
58
Aug 1, 2024
Routine - Food
1 major violation. 2 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Intermediate - Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled at prep area. Operator labeled spray bottle. **Corrected On-Site**
41-17-4
Basic - Single-service coffee filters improperly stored at dry storage. Operator removed and placed filters at proper storage. **Corrected On-Site**
25-05-4
Basic - Missing drain plug at dumpster.
33-11-4
82
Feb 6, 2024
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 2 major violations. 3 minor violations.
View 6 violations
High Priority - Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license. Observed expired license 12/01/23
50-17-3
Intermediate - Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Hand wash sink next to dry storage blocked by garbage container. Operator removed it to correct storage. **Corrected On-Site**
31A-09-4
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. Observed no employee health reporting agreement signed. Provided operator one copy of employee health reporting agreement. Employees started reading and signing at time of inspection. **Corrective Action Taken**
11-26-1
Basic - Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Employee personal items stored with single use items. Operator removed items to correct storage. **Corrected On-Site**
40-06-5
Basic - Employee wearing jewelry other than a plain ring on their hands/arms while preparing food. Observed employee prep wearing bracelet. Employee removed bracelet at time of inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
13-07-4
Basic - Food stored on floor. Observed pickle container stored on floor at walk-in cooler. Operator removed it to correct storage. **Corrected On-Site**
08B-38-4
61
Sep 27, 2023
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 1 major violation.
View 2 violations
High Priority - Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored on shelving near foods items. Operator removed chemical. **Corrected On-Site**
41-10-4
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. Operator completed form before leaving inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
11-26-1
78
Apr 28, 2023
Routine - Food
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Basic - Carbon dioxide/helium tanks not adequately secured. Two small CO2 tanks by hand sink are not secure.
51-11-4
Basic - Time/temperature control for safety food thawed in an improper manner. Observed raw turkey sitting on table. Per operator item was thawing. Discussed with operator the proper thawing methods of under refrigeration or under cold running water. Operator put turkey in sink under running water. **Corrected On-Site**
06-01-5
90
Dec 27, 2022
Routine - Food
2 major violations. 1 minor violation.
View 3 violations
Intermediate - No currently certified food service manager on duty with four or more employees engaged in food preparation/handling. A list of accredited food manager certification examination providers can be found at http://www.myfloridalicense.com/DBPR/hotels-restaurants/food-lodging/food-manager/ Establishment has two certified managers but neither were on site while 4 employees were working.
53A-05-6
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. Two employees have training other two employees hired over 60 days are currently working on training'
53B-13-5
Basic - Cardboard used to line food-contact shelves. Cardboard used as liner under prep tables'
14-05-4
78
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Big Nick's BBQ last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Big Nick's BBQ on file is from Nov 3, 2025. The public record contains 10 inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Big Nick's BBQ?
Across the inspection record, “toxic substance/chemical improperly stored” has been cited two times, more than any other issue at Big Nick's BBQ.
How does Big Nick's BBQ compare to other restaurants in Fort Myers?
Big Nick's BBQ most recently scored 67 out of 100, which is lower than the Fort Myers average of 80.
Has Big Nick's BBQ's inspection record improved over time?
Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at Big Nick's BBQ have averaged around two violations per visit across the recent record.
What does a medium risk rating mean?
A medium risk rating at Big Nick's BBQ 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 Big Nick's BBQ inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Big Nick's BBQ is inspected around four times per year on average.
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