El Gaucho Deli Cafe

22905 Lyden Dr, Estero, FL 33928

Café / Breakfast

Last inspected: Mar 20, 2026

Score

Medium Risk

El Gaucho Deli Cafe appears in inspection records nine times, starting in 2022. The latest inspection on file is from Mar 20, 2026. The medium risk tier sits in the middle: not spotless, but not alarming either.

Violation counts have held steady across recent visits, averaging around three violations each.

When inspectors have written things up, “employee wearing jewelry other than a plain ring” has been the most frequent reason, cited two times.

By comparison, the average Estero facility scores 82, putting El Gaucho Deli Cafe on the weaker side. Taken together, the history looks like that of a busy facility working through the usual inspection cycle.

Inspections

Critical latest

Major latest

Minor latest

Inspection History

Mar 20, 2026

Routine - Food

1 critical violation. 4 minor violations.

View 5 violations

High Priority - Raw animal food stored over or with ready-to-eat food in a freezer - not all products commercially packaged. Observed smoked salmon stored above ready to eat lunch meats in standup reach in cooler in the kitchen area. Operator moved salmon. **Corrected On-Site**

08A-02-6

Basic - Employee wearing jewelry other than a plain ring on their hands/arms while preparing food. Observed employee preparing food wearing a watch.

13-07-4

Basic - Clean equipment/dishware/utensils stored next to handwash/food preparation sink exposed to splash. Observed plates next to the espresso machine next to the handwashing sink on the cook line.

24-27-4

Basic - Employee with no hair restraint while engaging in food preparation. Observed employee preparing food with no hair restraint.

13-03-4

Basic - Ice scoop handle in contact with ice. Observed ice handle in the ice in the small cooler on the cook line. operator moved scoop. **Corrected On-Site**

10-08-5

Oct 30, 2025

Routine - Food

1 minor violation.

View 1 violation

Basic - Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable. Observed cut marks in cutting board in the front kitchen area across from the flat top grill. **Repeat Violation**

14-09-4

Jul 22, 2025

Routine - Food

2 minor violations.

View 2 violations

Basic - Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable. Observed cutting board on the front line make table grooved and may need to be replaced.

14-09-4

Basic - Wall soiled with accumulated grease, food debris, and/or dust. Observed wall soiled at 3 compartment sink.

36-27-5

Jan 29, 2025

Routine - Food

2 minor violations.

View 2 violations

Basic - Equipment in poor repair. Observed interior of ice machine plastic chipping. **Repeat Violation**

14-11-5

Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed reach in cooler door gaskets on the cook line soiled with food debris. Operator cleaned while inspection was still open. **Corrected On-Site**

23-03-4

Jul 17, 2024

Routine - Food

1 critical violation. 1 minor violation.

View 2 violations

Hands Clean and Properly Washed

FL-08

Food and Non-Food Contact Surfaces Designed and Constructed

FL-50

Feb 15, 2024

Routine - Food

1 critical violation. 4 minor violations.

View 5 violations

High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Observed raw chicken and beef stored above ready to eat salsa, onions and hot dogs in single glass door reach in cooler next to double door exit to dining room in the kitchen operator moved to lower shelf. **Corrected On-Site**

08A-05-6

Basic - Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Observed cell phone on prep table where employee is preparing food.

40-06-5

Basic - Employee wearing jewelry other than a plain ring on their hands/arms while preparing food. Observed employee engaged in food preparation with multiple bracelets n their wrist.

13-07-4

Basic - Old labels stuck to food containers after cleaning. Observed old labels on plastic containers on storage shelf next to stand up double door teach in freezer.

16-46-4

Basic - Opened employee beverage container in a cold holding unit with food to be served to customers. Observed open bottle of water on shelf in reach in cooler by the back wall where back desserts are kept.

12B-13-4

Sep 21, 2023

Routine - Food

3 critical violations. 1 minor violation.

View 4 violations

Hands Clean and Properly Washed

FL-08

Employee Health Policies Present

FL-03

Supervisor/Person in Charge Present

FL-01

Toxic Substances Properly Identified, Stored, Used

FL-32

Apr 18, 2023

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.org) 866-372-7233. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2023-04-18: Observed No proof of required state approved employee training provided for any employees. **Admin Complaint**

53B-01-5

Jul 15, 2022

Food-Licensing Inspection

1 critical violation. 1 minor violation.

View 2 violations

High Priority - Raw animal food stored over or with unwashed produce. Observed raw beef over produce in reach-in cooler. The manager moved raw beef to another reach-in cooler. **Corrected On-Site**

08A-04-5

Basic - Equipment in poor repair. Observed stand up reach-in cooler gasket torn.

14-11-5

Show all 9 inspections Show less

Frequently Asked Questions

When was El Gaucho Deli Cafe last inspected?

The most recent health inspection at El Gaucho Deli Cafe on file is from Mar 20, 2026. The public record contains nine inspections in total.

What is the most common violation at El Gaucho Deli Cafe?

Across the inspection record, “employee wearing jewelry other than a plain ring” has been cited two times, more than any other issue at El Gaucho Deli Cafe.

How does El Gaucho Deli Cafe compare to other restaurants in Estero?

El Gaucho Deli Cafe most recently scored 70 out of 100, which is lower than the Estero average of 82.

Has El Gaucho Deli Cafe's inspection record improved over time?

Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at El Gaucho Deli Cafe have averaged around three violations per visit across the recent record.

What does a medium risk rating mean?

A medium risk rating at El Gaucho Deli Cafe 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 El Gaucho Deli Cafe inspected?

Based on the inspection history on file, El Gaucho Deli Cafe is inspected around two times per year on average.

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