Big8 BBQ
Last inspected: Oct 29, 2025
67
Score
The health department has logged eight inspections at Big8 BBQ, the earliest from 2022. The most recent visit was on Oct 29, 2025. When a facility lands in medium risk territory, it usually means a mixed inspection result.
Recent visits have produced comparable findings, with counts hovering near five violations per visit.
When inspectors have written things up, “single-service articles not stored inverted or protected” has been the most frequent reason, cited four times.
That's lower than the typical Cape Coral restaurant, which scores around 77. The full record sits in fairly typical territory for a working restaurant.
8
Inspections
1
Critical latest
0
Major latest
5
Minor latest
Inspection History
Oct 29, 2025
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 Smoked fat 80F less than 4 hours. Operator placed smoked fat in ice bath to cool and placed in working reach in cooler. **Corrective Action Taken**
03A-02-5
Basic - Single-service articles improperly stored. Coffee filters. Operator removed coffee filters. **Corrected On-Site**
25-05-4
Basic - Single-service articles not stored inverted or protected from contamination. Operator inverted containers. **Corrected On-Site**
25-06-4
Basic - Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Salt/sugar container.
02D-01-5
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris underneath microwave oven in kitchen.
23-03-4
Basic - Hole in wall behind oven.
36-24-5
67
Jul 31, 2025
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 4 minor violations.
View 6 violations
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over or with ready-to-eat food in a freezer - not all products commercially packaged. Observed repackaged raw hamburger stored over packaged frozen shrimp. Operator placed raw hamburger on bottom shelf. **Corrected On-Site**
08A-02-6
High Priority - Wiping cloth sanitizer solution exceeds the maximum concentration allowed. Observed chlorine concentration at 200 ppm. Operator redid sanitizer. Rechecked concentration at 100 ppm. **Corrected On-Site**
41-27-4
Basic - Single-service articles not stored inverted or protected from contamination. Educated operator on having containers inverted. Operator inverted containers. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
25-06-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease around electrical outlets in kitchen.
23-03-4
Basic - Exposed studs/joists/rafters present at front food preparation service area. Note: Establishment used to have drop ceiling above front food service area base from previous plan review.
36-58-4
Basic - Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting.
24-08-4
61
Nov 14, 2024
Routine - Food
3 critical violations. 1 major violation. 2 minor violations.
View 6 violations
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed baked potato 128F hot hold less than 4 hours. Operator turned up heat element. **Corrective Action Taken**
03B-01-6
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed chopped tomatoes 44F cold hold, cut cabbage 43F cold hold hold less than 4 hours in reach in cooler near hot holding unit and sandwich press. Operator turned down reach in cooler. **Corrective Action Taken**
03A-02-5
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Observed packaged raw pork roast stored over cooked brisket in reach in cooler in back food prep area.
08A-05-6
Intermediate - Required employee training expired for some employees. To order approved program food safety material, call DBPR contracted provider: Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (SafeStaff) 866-372-7233.
53B-14-5
Basic - In-use knife/knives stored in cracks between pieces of equipment in back food prep area.
10-17-4
Basic - Single-service articles not stored inverted or protected from contamination. Educated operator on having containers inverted. Operator inverted containers. **Repeat Violation**
25-06-4
52
Aug 14, 2024
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 2 major violations. 3 minor violations.
View 7 violations
High Priority - Dented/rusted cans present. See stop sale. Observed three 48oz cans of chicken soup dented. Operator separated cans to be returned to distributor. **Warning**
01B-01-4
High Priority - Wiping cloth sanitizer solution exceeds the maximum concentration allowed. Observed chlorine concentration at 200 ppm. Operator added more water. Rechecked concentration at 50 ppm. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
41-27-4
Intermediate - No certified food manager for establishment. A list of accredited food manager certification examination providers can be found at http://www.myfloridalicense.com/DBPR/hotels-restaurants/food-lodging/food-manager/ **Warning**
53A-07-6
Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Observed items stored in hand wash sink at bar area. Operator removed items. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
31A-11-4
Basic - Single-service articles not stored inverted or protected from contamination. Operator inverted containers. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
25-06-4
Basic - Wall soiled with accumulated grease, food debris in dishwash area. Educated operator on maintaining wall cleaned. **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
36-27-5
Basic - Accumulation of debris on exterior of warewashing machine. **Warning**
16-21-4
52
Nov 30, 2023
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 1 minor violation.
View 3 violations
High Priority - Employee touching ready-to-eat food with their bare hands - food was not being heated as a sole ingredient to 145 degrees F or immediately added to other ingredients to be cooked/heated to the minimum required temperature to allow bare hand contact. Establishment has no approved Alternative Operating Procedure. Observed barehand contact with ready to eat lemons. Educated operator. Operator educated employee. Employee washed hands and put on gloves. **Corrected On-Site**
09-01-4
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Observed container of raw bacon stored on shelving above cooked meat. Operator placed raw bacon on bottom shelf. **Corrected On-Site**
08A-05-6
Basic - Wall soiled with accumulated gray-like substance in dishwash area. Educated operator on maintaining clean easily cleanable surfaces. **Repeat Violation**
36-27-5
70
Aug 10, 2023
Routine - Food
2 major violations. 2 minor violations.
View 4 violations
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 forms before leaving inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
11-26-1
Intermediate - Soap dispenser at handwash sink not working/unable to dispense soap. Operator replaced batteries. Operatorplaced soap at hand wash sink.**Corrective Action Taken** **Corrective Action Taken**
31B-06-4
Basic - Ceiling/ceiling tile shows damage or is in disrepair. Observed ceiling tile bulging above hand wash sink near back exit.
36-32-5
Basic - Wall soiled with accumulated gray-like substance underneath spray table in dishwash area.
36-27-5
74
Dec 7, 2022
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 2 major violations. 2 minor violations.
View 6 violations
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed cooked beef tips 130F hot hold less than 4 hours. Operator reheated time/temperature control for safety foods in oven to 165F and hot held at 135F or above. Rechecked temperature at 188F. **Corrected On-Site**
03B-01-6
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Observed container of raw hamburger stored over container of mac n cheese in reach in cooler in back kitchen. Operator switched raw hamburger to bottom shelf. **Corrected On-Site**
08A-05-6
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris/grease on sandwich press and can opener. Educated operator on importance of cleaning can opener daily. **Repeat Violation**
22-02-4
Intermediate - Water with a temperature of at least 100 degrees Fahrenheit not provided/shut off at employee handwash sink. Front service hand wash sink. Operator in the process of fixing. **Corrective Action Taken**
27-16-4
Basic - Ceiling tiles missing in dining room.
36-36-4
Basic - Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Sugar/salt container in kitchen. Operator labeled container. **Corrected On-Site**
02D-01-5
55
Aug 25, 2022
Routine - Food
3 critical violations. 1 major violation. 5 minor violations.
View 9 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 chlorine concentration at 0 ppm. Operator primed sanitizer. Rechecked concentration at 100 ppm. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
22-41-4
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over or with ready-to-eat food in a freezer - not all products commercially packaged. Observed repackaged raw frozen chicken stored over ready to eat foods in reach in freezer.
08A-02-6
High Priority - Wiping cloth sanitizer solution exceeds the maximum concentration allowed. Observed chlorine concentration at 200ppm. Educated operator about having too high of concentration and toxicity. Operator redid sanitizer. Rechecked concentration at 50ppm. **Corrected On-Site**
41-27-4
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris. Can opener. Operator cleaned. **Corrected On-Site**
22-02-4
Basic - In-use spatulas stored in cracks between pieces of equipment. Operator removed. **Corrected On-Site**
10-17-4
Basic - Carbon dioxide/helium tanks not adequately secured. Bar.
51-11-4
Basic - Wall soiled with accumulated grease, food debris, gra-like substance. **Repeat Violation**
36-27-5
Basic - Opened employee beverage container in a cold holding unit with food to be served to customers. Operator placed employee beverage on bottom shelf. **Corrected On-Site**
12B-13-4
Basic - Accumulation of debris on exterior of warewashing machine. **Repeat Violation**
16-21-4
45
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Big8 BBQ last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Big8 BBQ on file is from Oct 29, 2025. The public record contains eight inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Big8 BBQ?
Across the inspection record, “single-service articles not stored inverted or protected” has been cited four times, more than any other issue at Big8 BBQ.
How does Big8 BBQ compare to other restaurants in Cape Coral?
Big8 BBQ most recently scored 67 out of 100, which is lower than the Cape Coral average of 77.
Has Big8 BBQ's inspection record improved over time?
Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at Big8 BBQ have averaged around five violations per visit across the recent record.
What does a medium risk rating mean?
A medium risk rating at Big8 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 Big8 BBQ inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Big8 BBQ is inspected around three times per year on average.
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