Cafe Tropical
Last inspected: Jan 20, 2026
78
Score
Going back to 2022, Cafe Tropical has nine inspections in the public record. The most recent visit was on Jan 20, 2026. When a facility lands in the low risk tier, it usually means nothing alarming showed up at the most recent visit.
Violation counts have been trending down, averaging around three violations across recent inspections versus roughly six violations before.
Looking across the full record, “accumulation of black/green mold-like substance” is the recurring theme, flagged three times.
The city-wide average is 76, putting Cafe Tropical squarely in typical territory. The file should reassure diners considering a visit.
9
Inspections
0
Critical latest
1
Major latest
3
Minor latest
Inspection History
Jan 20, 2026
Routine - Food
1 major violation. 3 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Food in Good Condition, Safe, and Unadulterated
FL-13
Food Contact Surfaces Clean and Sanitized
FL-22
Food and Non-Food Contact Surfaces Designed and Constructed
FL-50
Toilet Rooms Maintained
FL-53
78
Aug 11, 2025
Routine - Food
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Proper Eating, Tasting, Drinking, or Tobacco Use
FL-06
Warewashing Facilities Maintained and Used
FL-24
90
Mar 31, 2025
Routine - Food
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Basic - Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin. Operator cleaned and sanitized. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
22-20-5
Basic - Wall at slicer not painted. Operator will paint. **Corrective Action Taken**
36-30-4
90
Aug 7, 2024
Routine - Food
4 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Basic - Ceiling at hood soiled.
36-34-5
Basic - In-use utensil used with moist food stored in running water with insufficient velocity to flush food particles away. Operator turned on. **Corrected On-Site**
10-03-4
Basic - Time/temperature control for safety food thawed in an improper manner. Raw frozen chicken in prep sink at 27 with no water running. Operator turned water on. **Corrected On-Site**
06-01-5
Basic - Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin. Operator cleaned and sanitized. **Corrected On-Site**
22-20-5
82
Dec 6, 2023
Routine - Food
No violations found.
100
Dec 4, 2023
Routine - Food
5 critical violations. 1 major violation. 9 minor violations.
View 15 violations
High Priority - Pesticide/insecticide labeled for household use only present in establishment and in storage area, Raid roach killer. **Warning**
41-05-4
High Priority - Cooked/heated time/temperature control for safety food not cooled from 135 degrees Fahrenheit to 41 degrees Fahrenheit within 6 hours. Rice made 12/3 per date mark temperature at 50F. Operator removed. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
03D-02-5
High Priority - Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license. Please note: Licence renewal was 12/1/23. Visit Myfloridalicense.com to make your payment, if you have not already done so.
50-17-3
High Priority - Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. Rice made 12/3 per date mark temperature at 50F. Operator removed. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
01B-02-5
High Priority - Roach activity present as evidenced by live roaches found. Two live roaches at pipes by ice machine. **Warning**
35A-05-4
Intermediate - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Cooked chicken in reach in cooler no date mark. Taco meat no date mark. **Warning**
02C-02-5
Basic - Buildup of food debris/soil residue on equipment door handles. Top f reach in soda cooler soiled. **Warning**
23-24-4
Basic - Covered waste receptacle not provided in unisex bathroom. **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
32-12-5
Basic - Dead roaches on premises. One dead behind reach in soda cooler. One dead under soda area in cabinet. One dead under sink in dry storage. One dead roach at rice bulk rice. Eight dead roaches at back door reach in cooler. **Warning**
35A-03-4
Basic - Floor not cleaned when the least amount of food is exposed in dry storage. **Warning**
36-01-4
Basic - Ice scoop handle in contact with ice. Operator removed. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
10-08-5
Basic - No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees in bathroom. **Warning**
31B-04-4
Basic - No waste receptacle installed at handwash sink provided with disposable towels. **Warning**
33-38-4
Basic - Time/temperature control for safety food thawed under water that was barely running/dripping for raw chicken at 35 F. **Warning**
06-08-5
Basic - Single-service articles improperly stored : styrofoam cups on floor in storage **Warning**
25-05-4
27
Jul 20, 2023
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 5 minor violations.
View 7 violations
High Priority - Dented/rusted cans present. See stop sale. Dented can of spaghetti sauce. Operator removed from service. **Corrected On-Site**
01B-01-4
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. A. Cardet
53B-14-5
Basic - Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin. Operator cleaned and sanitized area. **Corrected On-Site**
22-20-5
Basic - Covered waste receptacle not provided in women's bathroom.
32-12-5
Basic - Ice buildup in reach-in freezer.
14-69-4
Basic - No conspicuously located ambient air temperature thermometer in holding unit at cash out area. Operator placed thermometer at location. **Corrected On-Site**
05-09-4
Basic - Reach-in cooler shelves with rust that has pitted the surface. **Repeat Violation**
14-33-4
61
Jan 10, 2023
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 1 major violation. 2 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Hands Clean and Properly Washed
FL-08
Food Obtained from Approved Sources
FL-11
Required Records Available; Shellstock Tags/Labels
FL-14
Approved Thawing Methods Used
FL-31
Wiping Cloths Properly Used and Stored
FL-41
61
Aug 30, 2022
Routine - Food
2 major violations. 1 minor violation.
View 3 violations
Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than hand washing, employees ringing out and rinsed off towels.
31A-11-4
Intermediate - Employee washed hands in a sink other than an approved handwash sink. Employee washed hands in triple sink, operator corrected her and she washed in correct location. **Corrected On-Site**
12A-03-4
Basic - Reach-in cooler shelves with rust that has pitted the surface. **Repeat Violation**
14-33-4
78
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Cafe Tropical last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Cafe Tropical on file is from Jan 20, 2026. The public record contains nine inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Cafe Tropical?
Across the inspection record, “accumulation of black/green mold-like substance” has been cited three times, more than any other issue at Cafe Tropical.
How does Cafe Tropical compare to other restaurants in Clewiston?
Cafe Tropical most recently scored 78 out of 100, which is about the same as the Clewiston average of 76.
Has Cafe Tropical's inspection record improved over time?
Yes. Recent inspections at Cafe Tropical have averaged around three violations per visit, down from roughly six earlier in the record.
What does a low risk rating mean?
A low risk rating at Cafe Tropical 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 Cafe Tropical inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Cafe Tropical is inspected around three times per year on average.
Nearby Restaurants