El Gaucho Inca Ft Myers
Last inspected: Apr 24, 2026
17
Score
Going back to 2023, El Gaucho Inca Ft Myers has eight inspections in the public record. On Apr 24, 2026, the health department conducted the most recent visit. Diners may want to take note: high risk reflects issues that a health inspector considered important.
Recent visits have flagged more than earlier ones: around 13 violations per visit lately, up from roughly three violations before.
The pattern that stands out is “accumulation of black/green mold-like substance”, which has been cited three times.
El Gaucho Inca Ft Myers' latest score of 17 falls below the Fort Myers average of 80. This restaurant has more on its record than most do.
8
Inspections
8
Critical latest
3
Major latest
5
Minor latest
Inspection History
Apr 24, 2026
Routine - Food
8 critical violations. 3 major violations. 5 minor violations.
View 16 violations
High Priority - Employee touched face/hair and then engaged in food preparation, handled clean equipment or utensils, or touched unwrapped single-service items without washing hands. Employee touched their mouth then clean equipment without washing their hands. Employee removed the equipment to be sanitized and washed their hands. **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning**
12A-25-4
High Priority - Employee touching ready-to-eat food with their bare hands - food was not being heated as a sole ingredient to 145 degrees F or immediately added to other ingredients to be cooked/heated to the minimum required temperature to allow bare hand contact. Establishment has no approved Alternative Operating Procedure. Observed employee handling limes with their bare hands while cutting them. Manager stated the limes were intended the be garish on customers plate. Manager discarded the limes. **Warning**
09-01-4
High Priority - Pesticide-emitting strip present in food prep area. Two pest emitting strips hanging over preparation tables in the kitchen. Manager removed the strips. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
41-24-4
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over or with unwashed produce. Raw beef stored over unwashed onions in the walk in cooler. Manager removed the beef. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
08A-04-5
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Raw shell eggs stored over cooked rice in the stand up reach in cooler on the cook line. Manager removed the rice. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
08A-05-6
High Priority - Stop Sale issued due to food not being in a wholesome, sound condition. Observed employee handling limes with their bare hands while cutting them. Manager stated the limes were intended the be garish on customers plate. Manager discarded the limes. **Warning**
01B-13-4
High Priority - Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. Spray bottles containing cleaning fluid stored next to food in the cook line area. Employee removed the bottles. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
41-10-4
High Priority - Wiping cloth sanitizer solution exceeds the maximum concentration allowed. Wiping cloth sanitizer reading +200ppm chlorine. Manager replaced the sanitizer, new reading 100ppm chlorine. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
41-27-4
Intermediate - Menu does not identify which items contain raw or undercooked animal foods covered by the consumer advisory. Raw shrimp and fish ceviche on the menu not identified as raw items. **Warning**
02B-01-5
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Can opener blade soiled. Slicer blade soiled. **Warning**
22-02-4
Intermediate - Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Several items stored in the hand wash sink in the dishwasher area. Employee removed the items. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
31A-09-4
Basic - Unclean building components, attachments or fixtures. Fan guards in the walk in cooler soiled. **Warning**
36-50-4
Basic - Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine. **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
22-20-5
Basic - Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance. Ceilings tiles in the three compartment sink area soiled.. **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
36-34-5
Basic - Floor soiled/has accumulation of debris. Floors in the walk in cooler and the walk in freezer soiled. **Warning**
36-73-4
Basic - No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees. No hand wash sign at the hand wash sink in the bar area. **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
31B-04-4
17
Dec 5, 2025
Routine - Food
5 critical violations. 4 major violations. 8 minor violations.
View 17 violations
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Observed raw shell eggs stored over rice in reach in cooler. Operator switched containers. **Corrected On-Site**
08A-05-6
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed mashed potato 53F cold hold less than 4 hours. Operator placed foods in working reach in cooler. **Corrective Action Taken**
03A-02-5
High Priority - Nonfood-grade bags used in direct contact with tortillas. Operator switched to food grade container. **Corrected On-Site**
14-31-5
High Priority - Vacuum breaker missing at hose bibb or on fitting/splitter added to hose bibb behind establishment.
29-34-4
High Priority - Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license. License expired 12/01/25.
50-17-3
Intermediate - Operator is not properly tracking/marking the number of days ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite was held at refrigeration temperatures prior to freezing in order to properly date mark the food when it is thawed and held at refrigeration temperatures again. Observed precooked meats/foods in date marked in reach in freezer at entrance. Operator date marked. **Corrected On-Site**
02C-04-5
Intermediate - Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled. Operator labeled bottle. **Corrected On-Site**
41-17-4
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris. Can opener. Operator cleaned can opener. **Corrected On-Site**
22-02-4
Intermediate - Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Observed handwash sink in dishwash area blocked by shelving.
31A-09-4
Basic - Carbon dioxide/helium tanks not adequately secured.
51-11-4
Basic - Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust above three compartment sink. Educated operator on cleaning ceiling above three compartment sink. **Repeat Violation**
36-34-5
Basic - Covered waste receptacle not provided in women's bathroom.
32-12-6
Basic - In-use knife/knives stored in cracks between pieces of equipment. Operator removed knife. **Corrected On-Site**
10-17-4
Basic - No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees. Bar.
31B-04-4
Basic - Wall soiled with accumulated gray-like substance underneath spray table in dishwash area.
36-27-5
Basic - Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Flour/sugar/salt containers.
02D-01-5
Basic - Accumulation of gray-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin. Operator cleaned ice machine. **Corrected On-Site**
22-20-5
21
Apr 15, 2025
Routine - Food
1 major violation. 5 minor violations.
View 6 violations
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.
53B-14-5
Basic - Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance over 3 compartment sink.
36-34-5
Basic - Cove molding at floor/wall juncture broken/missing. Observed cove molding missing on wall between dish washing area and dry storage.
36-03-4
Basic - Ice scoop handle in contact with ice in bar area soda machine and ice bin.
10-08-5
Basic - In-use utensil stored in standing water less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed scoop in standing water at 84F.
10-07-4
Basic - Opened employee beverage container in a cold holding unit with food to be served to customers, observed open bottle of water in reach in cooler on prep line.
12B-13-4
70
Feb 20, 2025
Routine - Food
1 major violation. 3 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Adequate Handwashing Facilities Supplied and Accessible
FL-10
Required Records Available; Shellstock Tags/Labels
FL-14
Food Contact Surfaces Clean and Sanitized
FL-22
Wiping Cloths Properly Used and Stored
FL-41
74
Apr 3, 2024
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 2 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Employee Health Policies Present
FL-03
Adequate Handwashing Facilities Supplied and Accessible
FL-10
Required Records Available; Shellstock Tags/Labels
FL-14
74
Dec 27, 2023
Food-Licensing Inspection
2 critical violations. 1 minor violation.
View 3 violations
Required Records Available; Shellstock Tags/Labels
FL-14
Hands Clean and Properly Washed
FL-08
Potentially Hazardous Food Held at Proper Temperature
FL-16
70
Jun 28, 2023
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 3 minor violations.
View 4 violations
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed in reach in cooler on cook line : sliced tomatoes (64F - Cold Holding); raw shrimp (65F - Cold Holding); cooked pasta (66F - Cold Holding). Operator states that all items were freshly made today and have only been in the cooler for 1.5 hours. Operator instructed employees to keep lid closed for rapid cooling. Observed same items after 15 minutes: sliced tomatoes (59F - Cold Holding); raw shrimp (60F - Cold Holding); cooked pasta (59F - Cold Holding). **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning**
03A-02-5
Basic - Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin. Observed interior of ice machine as soiled. **Warning**
22-20-5
Basic - Floor soiled/has accumulation of debris. Observed buildup of grease/oil behind fryers and shelves by fryers. **Warning**
36-73-4
Basic - Food stored on floor. Observed multiple cases of raw animal proteins stored on floor of walk in cooler. **Warning**
08B-38-4
74
Jan 6, 2023
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 2 major violations. 3 minor violations.
View 6 violations
Certified Food Manager Identification
FL-02
Employee Health Policies Present
FL-03
Hands Clean and Properly Washed
FL-08
Personal Cleanliness
FL-40
Required Records Available; Shellstock Tags/Labels
FL-14
Approved Thawing Methods Used
FL-31
58
Frequently Asked Questions
When was El Gaucho Inca Ft Myers last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at El Gaucho Inca Ft Myers on file is from Apr 24, 2026. The public record contains eight inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at El Gaucho Inca Ft Myers?
Across the inspection record, “accumulation of black/green mold-like substance” has been cited three times, more than any other issue at El Gaucho Inca Ft Myers.
How does El Gaucho Inca Ft Myers compare to other restaurants in Fort Myers?
El Gaucho Inca Ft Myers most recently scored 17 out of 100, which is lower than the Fort Myers average of 80.
Has El Gaucho Inca Ft Myers' inspection record improved over time?
No. Recent inspections at El Gaucho Inca Ft Myers have averaged around 13 violations per visit, up from roughly three earlier in the record.
What does a high risk rating mean?
A high risk rating at El Gaucho Inca Ft Myers 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 El Gaucho Inca Ft Myers inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, El Gaucho Inca Ft Myers is inspected around two times per year on average.
Nearby Restaurants