Don Pancho Restaurant
Last inspected: Apr 2, 2026
30
Score
Across the available record, Don Pancho Restaurant has five inspections on file, the first dated 2024. On Apr 2, 2026, the health department conducted the most recent visit. High risk indicates the latest inspection turned up problems worth knowing about.
Things have been moving the wrong way, with the rolling count rising from around seven violations to closer to 12 violations per visit.
Looking across the full record, “nonfood-grade bags used in direct contact” is the recurring theme, flagged two times.
The city-wide average sits at 79, which Don Pancho Restaurant's 30 doesn't quite reach. The pattern in the record is worth a careful look.
5
Inspections
4
Critical latest
4
Major latest
4
Minor latest
Inspection History
Apr 2, 2026
Routine - Food
4 critical violations. 4 major violations. 4 minor violations.
View 12 violations
High Priority - -Raw animal food ( raw fish) stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. ( cooked beef ) in triple door cooler -Raw animal foods not properly separated from each other in holding unit based upon minimum required cooking temperature. Raw shell eggs over raw seafood in triple door cooler in kitchen Manager directed employee to rearrange food which he did . **Corrected On-Site**
08A-05-6
High Priority - Nonfood-grade bags used in direct contact with food ( bread and pitas ) .
14-31-5
High Priority - Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license.License expired on 02/01/26. License renewed during inspection . **Corrected On-Site**
50-17-3
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Cooked peppers and onions 120 F in warmer above stove . Manager reheated peppers and onions on grill . Recheck onions 172F , peppers 167-183F **Corrected On-Site**
03B-01-6
Intermediate - -No probe thermometer provided to measure temperature of food products. -Probe thermometer not used to ensure proper food temperatures. Reviewed with manager
05-08-4
Intermediate - Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Hand wash sinks must in back kitchen has a trash can in front of it. Reviewed with manager hand wash sinks must be accessible at all times . Trash can relocated **Corrected On-Site**
31A-09-4
Intermediate - No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. Employee placed paper towels in dispenser . Reviewed with manager hand wash sinks must be stocked at all times **Corrected On-Site**
31B-02-4
Intermediate - Spray bottles containing toxic substance not labeled in dishwashing area . Manager labeled spray bottles **Corrected On-Site**
41-17-4
Basic - -In-use knife/knives stored in cracks between pieces of equipment- between steam table and reach in cooler at cook line -In-use tongs stored on equipment door handle between uses. Manager moved knives to triple sink to clean . Tongs relocated **Corrected On-Site**
10-17-4
Basic - Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting- pans stacked with moisture in between on storage shelf in kitchen
24-08-4
Basic - Plumbing system in disrepair in men's room . Service scheduled . One bathroom available for use .
29-08-4
Basic - Wiping cloth chlorine sanitizing solution not at proper minimum strength. 0 ppm chlorine - Manager changed solution recheck 100 ppm chlorine **Corrected On-Site**
21-07-4
30
Nov 19, 2025
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 3 major violations. 9 minor violations.
View 13 violations
High Priority - Nonfood-grade bags used in direct contact with food. Observed non food grade bags used to store cooked tortillas in reach in cooler across from triple sink , employee removed the item and placed them in a food grade bag. **Corrected On-Site**
14-31-5
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Observed soiled cutting boards .
22-02-4
Intermediate - No hot water provided at hand wash sink in cook-line area , Observed hand sink with no running hot water
27-08-4
Intermediate - Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled. Observed multiple spray bottles with Chemicals not labeled, discussed with employee and ha said he will label them. **Repeat Violation**
41-17-4
Basic - Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable. Observed cutting boards on cook line reach in cooler grooved .
14-09-4
Basic - Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting. Observed pans in ware washing area stacked together wet , discussed with employee the importance of drying pans before stacking . **Repeat Violation**
24-08-4
Basic - Faucet/handle at plumbing fixture. Hot water handle not working at hand sink on the cook line
29-09-4
Basic - Fly sticky tape hanging over food/food preparation area/food-contact equipment. Observed fly trap hung in kitchen over plates by server window. Employee removed and discarded the fly trap. **Corrected On-Site**
35B-08-4
Basic - Food stored on floor. Observed two containers of cooking oil stored on floor , employee raised containers off the floor. **Corrected On-Site**
08B-38-4
Basic - In-use tongs stored on equipment door handle between uses. Observed a pair of tongs in use hanging on the oven handle on the cooks line , employee removed the tongs. **Corrected On-Site**
10-20-4
Basic - Missing drain plug at dumpster. Discussed with operator the importance of keeping the lids closed and the dumpster needing a drain plug. **Corrected On-Site**
33-11-4
Basic - Single-service articles improperly stored. Observed coffee filters on counter in the bar area unprotected. Employee covered the coffee filters. **Corrected On-Site**
25-05-4
Basic - Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. -Observed squeeze bottles on cook line used for cooking not properly labeled .
02D-01-5
41
Apr 23, 2025
Routine - Food
1 major violation.
View 1 violation
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : Intermediate - No proof of required state approved employee training provided for any employees. To order approved program food safety material, call DBPR contracted provider: Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (SafeStaff) 866-372-7233. - From follow-up inspection 2025-04-23: Person in charge is unable to access the office where the employee certificates are located per call with manager . At time of inspection no proof of employee training provided **Admin Complaint**
53B-01-5
90
Feb 21, 2025
Routine - Food
4 critical violations. 4 major violations. 1 minor violation.
View 9 violations
Hands Clean and Properly Washed
FL-08
Adequate Handwashing Facilities Supplied and Accessible
FL-10
Food Obtained from Approved Sources
FL-11
Required Records Available; Shellstock Tags/Labels
FL-14
Food Contact Surfaces Clean and Sanitized
FL-22
Warewashing Facilities Maintained and Used
FL-24
Equipment Adequate to Maintain Product Temperature
FL-29
Wiping Cloths Properly Used and Stored
FL-41
Toilet Rooms Maintained
FL-53
33
Aug 30, 2024
Food-Licensing Inspection
2 major violations. 1 minor violation.
View 3 violations
Intermediate - No chemical test kit provided when using sanitizer at three-compartment sink/warewashing machine or wiping cloths. Operator went to store next door and came back with the proper test kit **Corrected On-Site**
16-37-1
Intermediate - No sanitizer of any kind available for warewashing. Only use single-service items to serve food to customers until sanitizer is available for warewashing. Operator went to store next door and came back with the proper sanitizer for food contact surfaces, assisted operator on setting up sanitizer sink and the proper PPM for chlorine sanitizer **Corrected On-Site**
22-38-5
Basic - No Heimlich maneuver/choking sign posted. Provide operator with printed copy of from 5030-105 and he posted in kitchen **Corrected On-Site**
51-13-4
78
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Don Pancho Restaurant last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Don Pancho Restaurant on file is from Apr 2, 2026. The public record contains five inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Don Pancho Restaurant?
Across the inspection record, “nonfood-grade bags used in direct contact” has been cited two times, more than any other issue at Don Pancho Restaurant.
How does Don Pancho Restaurant compare to other restaurants in Clearwater?
Don Pancho Restaurant most recently scored 30 out of 100, which is lower than the Clearwater average of 79.
Has Don Pancho Restaurant's inspection record improved over time?
No. Recent inspections at Don Pancho Restaurant have averaged around 12 violations per visit, up from roughly seven earlier in the record.
What does a high risk rating mean?
A high risk rating at Don Pancho Restaurant means the most recent inspection flagged either critical violations or a substantial number of smaller ones. Diners may want to read the violation details before deciding to visit.
How often is Don Pancho Restaurant inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Don Pancho Restaurant is inspected around three times per year on average.
Nearby Restaurants