California Pizza Kitchen
Last inspected: Mar 13, 2026
95
Score
California Pizza Kitchen appears in inspection records 10 times, starting in 2022. On Mar 13, 2026, the health department conducted the most recent visit. A low risk rating suggests inspectors haven't found much to be concerned about lately.
Violation counts have been trending down, averaging around three violations across recent inspections versus roughly six violations before.
The most common issue across all inspections has been “old labels stuck to food containers after cleaning”, showing up three times.
Among Estero restaurants, the typical score is 82; California Pizza Kitchen is comfortably above that bar. Overall, the inspection record reads well.
10
Inspections
0
Critical latest
0
Major latest
1
Minor latest
Inspection History
Mar 13, 2026
Routine - Food
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Basic - Employee wearing jewelry other than a plain ring on their hands/arms while preparing food. Observed food handlers with multiple bracelets.
13-07-4
95
Sep 16, 2025
Routine - Food
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Basic - Employee with no hair restraint while engaging in food preparation. Observed employee working with food with no hair protection, operator provided employee with cap. **Corrected On-Site**
13-03-4
Basic - In-use utensil stored in standing water less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed utensils on the cook line stored in water of 111F, operator changed water. **Corrected On-Site**
10-07-4
90
Mar 11, 2025
Routine - Food
1 major violation. 4 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Intermediate - No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. Observed paper towels out at hand wash sink at the bar, operator replaced. **Corrected On-Site**
31B-02-4
Basic - Hole in or other damage to wall. Observed corner bead trim missing all wall next to the walk in cooler. **Repeat Violation**
36-24-5
Basic - In-use utensil not stored with handle above the top of time/temperature control for safety food and rim of the container. Observed two measuring scoops with handles touching meatballs and chicken on the cook line, manager removed from service. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
10-06-5
Basic - Old labels stuck to food containers after cleaning. Observed old labels still attached to clean pans in ware washing area. **Repeat Violation**
16-46-4
Basic - Wet wiping cloth not stored in sanitizing solution between uses. Observed wet wiping cloth on counter at pizza station.
21-12-4
74
Dec 4, 2024
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 1 major violation. 5 minor violations.
View 8 violations
Adequate Handwashing Facilities Supplied and Accessible
FL-10
No Bare Hand Contact with Ready-to-Eat Food
FL-09
Food Received at Proper Temperature
FL-12
Potentially Hazardous Food Held at Proper Temperature
FL-16
Non-Food Contact Surfaces Clean
FL-23
Hot and Cold Water Available; Adequate Pressure
FL-25
Lighting Adequate; Required Shields in Place
FL-36
Wiping Cloths Properly Used and Stored
FL-41
47
Jun 26, 2024
Complaint Full
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 3 minor violations.
View 5 violations
High Priority - Food with mold-like growth. See stop sale. Observed mold like substance on dried chili peppers in dry storage. Operator discarded. **Corrected On-Site**
01B-07-4
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Observed build up of food debris in food storage containers in the walk in cooler. operator removed containers for cleaning. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
22-02-4
Basic - Floor soiled/has accumulation of debris. Observed floor soiled with food debris and grease like substance under the cooking equipment and refrigeration units on the main cook line.
36-73-4
Basic - Ice buildup in reach-in freezer and/or walk-in freezer. Observed ice build up around the interior of the walk in freezer door frame. **Repeat Violation**
14-69-4
Basic - Waste line not reaching floor drain at soda gun holster, in the front bar area overflow pouring on the floor.
29-17-4
67
Apr 24, 2024
Complaint Full
4 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Basic - Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin. Observed buildup of black mold like substance on the inside rear of the ice machine.
22-20-5
Basic - Employee with no beard guard/restraint while engaging in food preparation. Observed employee on cook line not wearing a beard guard while preparing food. Operator provided employee with beard net. **Corrected On-Site**
13-04-4
Basic - Old labels stuck to food containers after cleaning. Observed old labels on clean storage containers next to warewashing station. **Repeat Violation**
16-46-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed build up of food debris and mold like substance on reach in door gaskets and cooling rack in the walk in cooler. **Repeat Violation**
23-03-4
82
Nov 21, 2023
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 9 minor violations.
View 11 violations
High Priority - Dented/rusted cans present. See stop sale. Observed 1 dented can of Goya brand black beans in dry storage. Operator moved can off shelf to return for credit. **Corrected On-Site**
01B-01-4
High Priority - Food placed in soiled container/equipment. Observed peppers, apples, cucumber, and cabbage storage pans in walk in cooler not cleaned between uses as evidenced by build up of food debris and mold like substance in containers.
08B-27-4
Basic - Floor soiled/has accumulation of debris. Observed build up of food debris in walk in cooler on the floor and under plastic storage shelves.
36-73-4
Basic - Food storage container/container lid cracked or broken and missing pieces of plastic. Operator discarded and replaced lid. **Corrected On-Site**
14-38-4
Basic - Ice buildup in reach-in freezer and/or walk-in freezer. Observed ice buildup around walk in freezer door on the inside of the walk in freezer.
14-69-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed buildup of food debris on reach on cooler gaskets on cook line. And build up of food debris on plastic shelves in walk in cooler.
23-03-4
Basic - Old labels stuck to food containers after cleaning. Observed old labels on clean plastic food storage pans on container storage shelf next to dishwasher.
16-46-4
Basic - Single-service articles not stored inverted or protected from contamination. Observed coffee filters in beverage station not protected or inverted. Operator inverted filters. **Corrected On-Site**
25-06-4
Basic - Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Observed plastic drink type cup in bulk sugar bin used as a scoop. Operator removed cup from bin. **Corrected On-Site**
14-01-5
Basic - Carbon dioxide/helium tanks not adequately secured. Observed c02 tank in dry storage not secured. Operator chained tank to shelf. **Corrected On-Site**
51-11-4
Basic - Equipment in poor repair. Observed door handle on reach in cooler next to stove top on cook-line loose and difficult to open.
14-11-5
47
Jul 17, 2023
Routine - Food
No violations found.
100
Feb 16, 2023
Routine - Food
4 major violations.
View 4 violations
Intermediate - No measuring device available for measuring utensil surface temperature when using hot water as sanitizer in a dishmachine.
16-62-1
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.
11-26-1
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.
11-27-4
Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Observed container stored in hand wash sink at bar. Operator removed container. **Corrected On-Site**
31A-11-4
67
Nov 1, 2022
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 4 minor violations.
View 5 violations
High Priority - Employee failed to wash hands before putting on gloves to initiate a task working with food. Observed cook on front line not washing hands after removing gloves before putting on clean gloves. Educated operator on proper hand washing. **Corrective Action Taken**
12A-07-5
Basic - Employee eating in a food preparation or other restricted area. Observed cook on front line eating while cooking food.
12B-02-4
Basic - In-use utensil used with moist food stored in running water with insufficient velocity to flush food particles away. Observed utensils stored in dipper well, water not running of force to flush well sufficiently, operator corrected on site. **Corrective Action Taken**
10-03-4
Basic - In-use wet wiping cloth/towel used under cutting board. Observed wet towels under cutting board when prep cook was making eggs rolls. Operator corrected on site by removing towels. **Corrected On-Site**
21-04-4
Basic - Time/temperature control for safety food thawed in an improper manner. Observed raw chicken thawing in sink with no water running. Operator corrected by removing chicken for proper thawing. **Corrective Action Taken**
06-01-5
70
Frequently Asked Questions
When was California Pizza Kitchen last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at California Pizza Kitchen on file is from Mar 13, 2026. The public record contains 10 inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at California Pizza Kitchen?
Across the inspection record, “old labels stuck to food containers after cleaning” has been cited three times, more than any other issue at California Pizza Kitchen.
How does California Pizza Kitchen compare to other restaurants in Estero?
California Pizza Kitchen most recently scored 95 out of 100, which is higher than the Estero average of 82.
Has California Pizza Kitchen's inspection record improved over time?
Yes. Recent inspections at California Pizza Kitchen 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 California Pizza Kitchen 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 California Pizza Kitchen inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, California Pizza Kitchen is inspected around three times per year on average.
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