Carmelo's Italian Ristorante
Last inspected: Feb 9, 2026
78
Score
The health department has logged eight inspections at Carmelo's Italian Ristorante, the earliest from 2022. Carmelo's Italian Ristorante was last inspected on Feb 9, 2026. When a facility lands in the low risk tier, it usually means nothing alarming showed up at the most recent visit.
Recent inspections have turned up roughly the same number of issues each time, hovering near four violations per visit.
Looking across the full record, “clean glasses” is the recurring theme, flagged two times.
Carmelo's Italian Ristorante's latest score of 78 falls below the Punta Gorda average of 82. Overall, the inspection record reads well.
8
Inspections
0
Critical latest
2
Major latest
1
Minor latest
Inspection History
Feb 9, 2026
Routine - Food
2 major violations. 1 minor violation.
View 3 violations
Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Observed multiple ice cubes at bar handwash sink. Informed operator of the handwash strictly for handwashing.
31A-11-4
Intermediate - Required employee training provided by a third-party employee training program and operator unable to provide original certificate for employees trained. Observed photocopy of foodhandler training certificate. Educated the operator.
53B-09-4
Basic - Clean glasses, cups, bowls, plates, pots and pans not stored inverted or in a protected manner. Observed multiple plates not inverted at dish shelf. Operator inverted the plates. **Corrected On-Site**
24-05-4
78
Aug 26, 2025
Routine - Food
2 major violations. 3 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Intermediate - Commercially processed ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food opened and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked after opening. Observed open gallon of milk not date marked at reach in cooler. Operator date marked the food item. **Corrected On-Site**
02C-03-5
Intermediate - No proof of required state approved employee training provided for employee hired more than 60 days ago. To order approved program food safety material, call DBPR contracted provider: Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (SafeStaff) 866-372-7233.
53B-02-5
Basic - Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting. Observed wet multiple container stacked with no airflow at dish shelf. Operator placed the containers on the side to allow airflow. **Corrected On-Site**
24-08-4
Basic - Reach-in cooler interior/shelves have accumulation of soil residues. Observed excessive food debris inside the Reach in Cooler. Operator cleaned the interior of Reach in Cooler. **Corrected On-Site**
22-16-4
Basic - Wet wiping cloth not stored in sanitizing solution between uses. Observed wet wiping cloth at make table. Operator placed the wet wiping cloth back in sanitizer solution. **Corrected On-Site**
21-12-4
70
Feb 17, 2025
Routine - Food
1 major violation. 2 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Proper Hot and Cold Holding Temperatures
FL-21
Food Contact Surfaces Clean and Sanitized
FL-22
Toilet Rooms Maintained
FL-53
78
Oct 2, 2024
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 1 minor violation.
View 3 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 sanitizer 0ppm on test strip at bar dish machine due to empty sanitizer container. Operator replaced the empty sanitizer container with a full container of sanitizer. Observed chlorine sanitizer 100ppm after priming the sanitizer. **Corrected On-Site**
22-41-4
Intermediate - No quaternary chemical test kit provided when using sanitizer at three-compartment sink/warewashing machine or wiping cloths. Operator able to provide by the end of inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
16-37-1
Basic - Ice scoop handle in contact with ice. Observed ice scoop handle touching the ice at bar ice bin. Operator removed the handle touching the ice. **Corrected On-Site**
10-08-5
74
Jan 25, 2024
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 2 minor violations.
View 4 violations
High Priority - Raw animal foods not properly separated from each other in holding unit based upon minimum required cooking temperature. Observed raw chicken over raw scallops at Reach in Drawers. Operator switched the food items. **Corrected On-Site**
08A-20-5
Intermediate - Multiuse food-contact surface not smooth, free of breaks/cracks/chips/pits/crevices. Observed lids at ware washing area shelf. Operator discarded the chip lids. **Corrected On-Site**
14-16-4
Basic - Stored food not covered. **Corrected On-Site**
08B-12-5
Basic - Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Observed mini-bowl with no handle in shredded cheese container at Make Table. Operator removed the mini-bowl. **Corrected On-Site**
14-01-5
70
Aug 25, 2023
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 2 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Certified Food Manager Identification
FL-02
Hands Clean and Properly Washed
FL-08
Food Contact Surfaces Clean and Sanitized
FL-22
74
May 2, 2023
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 2 major violations. 1 minor violation.
View 4 violations
High Priority - Employee touched soiled apron/clothes and then engaged in food preparation, handled clean equipment or utensils, or touched unwrapped single-service items without washing hands. Observed employee at cookline. Educated the employee to compliance by washing hands. **Corrected On-Site**
12A-28-4
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.
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.
11-26-1
Basic - Accumulation of debris on exterior of warewashing machine. Operator cleaned the exterior. **Corrected On-Site**
16-21-4
67
Sep 7, 2022
Routine - Food
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Basic - Wet wiping cloth not stored in sanitizing solution between uses. Observed at Make Table. Operator placed in sanitizer solution. **Corrected On-Site**
21-12-4
Basic - Utensils not stored inverted or in a protected manner. Observed at dish shelf. Operator inverted the utensils. **Corrected On-Site**
24-05-4
90
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Carmelo's Italian Ristorante last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Carmelo's Italian Ristorante on file is from Feb 9, 2026. The public record contains eight inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Carmelo's Italian Ristorante?
Across the inspection record, “clean glasses” has been cited two times, more than any other issue at Carmelo's Italian Ristorante.
How does Carmelo's Italian Ristorante compare to other restaurants in Punta Gorda?
Carmelo's Italian Ristorante most recently scored 78 out of 100, which is lower than the Punta Gorda average of 82.
Has Carmelo's Italian Ristorante's inspection record improved over time?
Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at Carmelo's Italian Ristorante have averaged around four violations per visit across the recent record.
What does a low risk rating mean?
A low risk rating at Carmelo's Italian Ristorante 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 Carmelo's Italian Ristorante inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Carmelo's Italian Ristorante is inspected around two times per year on average.
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