El Patron Mexican Restaurant & Bar
Last inspected: Jan 23, 2026
70
Score
Across the available record, El Patron Mexican Restaurant & Bar has nine inspections on file, the first dated 2023. On Jan 23, 2026, the health department conducted the most recent visit. Diners should read medium risk as a signal that some issues exist but aren't extreme.
There hasn't been much movement either way: counts have stayed near seven violations per visit across recent inspections.
Across the inspection history, “ready-to-eat” is the issue that surfaces most often, recorded four times.
By comparison, the average Fort Myers facility scores 80, putting El Patron Mexican Restaurant & Bar on the weaker side. Nothing in the record is alarming, but there's room to improve.
9
Inspections
0
Critical latest
2
Major latest
3
Minor latest
Inspection History
Jan 23, 2026
Routine - Food
2 major violations. 3 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : Intermediate - Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Handwashing sink blocked with ice machine and ladder near triple sink. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2026-01-23: Handwashing sink blocked with ice machine. **Time Extended**
31A-09-4
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : Intermediate - No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink at bar. Operator provided paper towels. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2026-01-23: No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink at prep area. **Time Extended**
31B-02-4
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Interior of the hood soiled with grease. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2026-01-23: **Time Extended**
23-03-4
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Multiple ceiling tile shows damage throughout dining and kitchen area. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2026-01-23: **Time Extended**
36-32-5
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees at bar. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2026-01-23: **Time Extended**
31B-04-4
70
Nov 14, 2025
Routine - Food
6 major violations. 5 minor violations.
View 11 violations
Intermediate - Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Handwashing sink blocked with ice machine and ladder near triple sink. **Warning**
31A-09-4
Intermediate - No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink at bar. Operator provided paper towels. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
31B-02-4
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. **Warning**
53B-01-5
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. Provided operator Employee Health Reporting Agreement. **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning**
11-26-1
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 provided sanitizer chlorine. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
22-38-5
Intermediate - No soap provided at handwash sink at bar. Operator provided soap. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
31B-03-4
Basic - Multiple ceiling tile shows damage throughout dining and kitchen area. **Warning**
36-32-5
Basic - No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees at bar. **Warning**
31B-04-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Interior of the hood soiled with grease. **Warning**
23-03-4
Basic - Food stored on floor. Plastic water bottle cases stored on floor. **Warning**
08B-38-4
Basic - Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine. **Warning**
22-20-5
43
May 30, 2025
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 4 major violations. 2 minor violations.
View 7 violations
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over or with unwashed produce. Observed raw chicken stored over unwashed limes in reach in cooler in kitchen. Operator moved limes from out under chicken. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
08A-04-5
Intermediate - Food manager certification expired. A list of accredited food manager certification examination providers can be found at https://www2.myfloridalicense.com/hotels-restaurants/food-lodging/food-manager/ **Warning**
53A-03-7
Intermediate - No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. Observed no paper towels at hand washing sink in men's bathroom. **Warning**
31B-02-4
Intermediate - No soap provided at handwash sink. Observed no soap at hand washing sink in men's bathroom. **Warning**
31B-03-4
Intermediate - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Observed cooked shrimp prepared yesterday with no date mark in reach in cooler in kitchen. **Warning**
02C-02-5
Basic - Covered waste receptacle not provided in women's bathroom. **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
32-12-6
Basic - No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees. Observed no hand washing sign in men's bathroom at hand washing sink. **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
31B-04-4
52
Feb 28, 2025
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 4 minor violations.
View 6 violations
Approved Thawing Methods Used
FL-31
Toxic Substances Properly Identified, Stored, Used
FL-32
Lighting Adequate; Required Shields in Place
FL-36
Insects, Rodents, and Animals Not Present
FL-38
Food and Non-Food Contact Surfaces Designed and Constructed
FL-50
Toilet Rooms Maintained
FL-53
64
Jun 14, 2024
Routine - Food
1 major violation. 5 minor violations.
View 6 violations
Intermediate - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Observed pulled chicken prepared yesterday with no date mark in reach in cooler inside kitchen. **Repeat Violation**
02C-02-5
Basic - No Heimlich maneuver/choking sign posted. **Repeat Violation**
51-13-4
Basic - Light shield damaged/in disrepair. Observed light shield missing in kitchen area.
38-01-4
Basic - Covered waste receptacle not provided in women's bathroom. **Repeat Violation**
32-12-5
Basic - Ceiling/ceiling tile shows damage or is in disrepair. Observed ceiling tile damaged in kitchen over beverage reach in cooler. **Repeat Violation**
36-32-5
Basic - No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees. Observed no hand washing sign in mens bathroom. **Repeat Violation**
31B-04-4
70
Mar 29, 2024
Routine - Food
4 major violations. 4 minor violations.
View 8 violations
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : Intermediate - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Observed cooked chicken in reach in cooler prep yesterday no date mark. **Repeat Violation** **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2024-03-29: **Time Extended**
02C-02-5
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : Intermediate - Employee washed hands in a sink other than an approved handwash sink. Observed employee wash hands in three compartment sink. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2024-03-29: **Time Extended**
12A-03-4
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : 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. Provided Operator with Clean up Form DBPR HR 5030-104 via email. **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2024-03-29: **Time Extended**
11-27-4
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : 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. Provided Operator with Employee Reporting Agreement DBPR Form HR 5030-103 via email. **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2024-03-29: **Time Extended**
11-26-1
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees. Observed no hand washing sign in men's restroom. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2024-03-29: **Time Extended**
31B-04-4
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Ceiling/ceiling tile shows damage or is in disrepair. Observed ceiling tiles damaged in kitchen above reach in cooler with beer. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2024-03-29: **Time Extended**
36-32-5
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Covered waste receptacle not provided in women's bathroom. **Repeat Violation** **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2024-03-29: **Time Extended**
32-12-5
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - No Heimlich maneuver/choking sign posted. **Repeat Violation** **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2024-03-29: **Time Extended**
51-13-4
55
Mar 21, 2024
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 5 major violations. 3 minor violations.
View 9 violations
Certified Food Manager Identification
FL-02
Food Obtained from Approved Sources
FL-11
Food Received at Proper Temperature
FL-12
Approved Thawing Methods Used
FL-31
Toxic Substances Properly Identified, Stored, Used
FL-32
Lighting Adequate; Required Shields in Place
FL-36
Food Temperature Measuring Devices Provided and Accurate
FL-46
Food and Non-Food Contact Surfaces Designed and Constructed
FL-50
Plumbing Maintained; Sewage Disposal
FL-51
39
Jun 9, 2023
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 3 major violations. 3 minor violations.
View 7 violations
Certified Food Manager Identification
FL-02
Hands Clean and Properly Washed
FL-08
Required Records Available; Shellstock Tags/Labels
FL-14
Approved Thawing Methods Used
FL-31
Toxic Substances Properly Identified, Stored, Used
FL-32
Food Temperature Measuring Devices Provided and Accurate
FL-46
Plumbing Maintained; Sewage Disposal
FL-51
55
Mar 9, 2023
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 5 major violations. 3 minor violations.
View 10 violations
High Priority - Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license. Observed license expired on 12/01/2022.
50-17-3
High Priority - Pesticide/insecticide labeled for household use only present in establishment. Observed can of Raid behind bar counter next to glassware.
41-05-4
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. Provided Operator with Clean up Form DBPR HR 5030-104 via email. **Corrective Action Taken**
11-27-4
Intermediate - Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Observed towels stored in hand washing sink in kitchen.
31A-09-4
Intermediate - No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. Observed no paper towels at hand washing sink in kitchen area.
31B-02-4
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. Provided Operator with Employee Reporting Agreement DBPR Form HR 5030-103 via email. **Corrective Action Taken**
11-26-1
Intermediate - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Observed chicken prepared yesterday with no date mark in reach in cooler in kitchen area.
02C-02-5
Basic - Covered waste receptacle not provided in women's bathroom. Observed no covered receptacles in women's bathroom. **Repeat Violation**
32-12-5
Basic - In-use tongs stored on equipment door handle between uses. Observed tongs hanging from oven handle on cooks line.
10-20-4
Basic - Light shield damaged/in disrepair. Observed damaged light shield for fluorescent lights over prep table in kitchen. **Repeat Violation**
38-01-4
39
Frequently Asked Questions
When was El Patron Mexican Restaurant & Bar last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at El Patron Mexican Restaurant & Bar on file is from Jan 23, 2026. The public record contains nine inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at El Patron Mexican Restaurant & Bar?
Across the inspection record, “ready-to-eat” has been cited four times, more than any other issue at El Patron Mexican Restaurant & Bar.
How does El Patron Mexican Restaurant & Bar compare to other restaurants in Fort Myers?
El Patron Mexican Restaurant & Bar most recently scored 70 out of 100, which is lower than the Fort Myers average of 80.
Has El Patron Mexican Restaurant & Bar's inspection record improved over time?
Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at El Patron Mexican Restaurant & Bar have averaged around seven violations per visit across the recent record.
What does a medium risk rating mean?
A medium risk rating at El Patron Mexican Restaurant & Bar 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 Patron Mexican Restaurant & Bar inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, El Patron Mexican Restaurant & Bar is inspected around three times per year on average.
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