Elena's Restaurant
Last inspected: Dec 8, 2025
90
Score
Inspectors have visited Elena's Restaurant 10 times, with records going back to 2022. The most recent visit was on Dec 8, 2025. A low risk tier reflects an inspection that turned up minimal issues.
Recent inspections have turned up roughly the same number of issues each time, hovering near five violations per visit.
Across the inspection history, “commercially processed ready-to-eat” is the issue that surfaces most often, recorded three times.
Compared to the broader Punta Gorda restaurant scene, where the average is 82, this is a stronger showing. The file should reassure diners considering a visit.
10
Inspections
0
Critical latest
0
Major latest
2
Minor latest
Inspection History
Dec 8, 2025
Complaint Full
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Floor tiles missing and/or in disrepair. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2025-12-08: **Time Extended**
36-17-5
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Cove molding at floor/wall juncture broken/missing throughout kitchen. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2025-12-08: **Time Extended**
36-03-4
90
Dec 3, 2025
Complaint Full
4 critical violations. 6 minor violations.
View 10 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. Educated operator in proper handwashing and not to touch cloths or aprons while preparing food. **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning**
12A-28-4
High Priority - Pesticide/insecticide labeled for household use only present in establishment. Observed a can of raid under handwashing sink in prep area. The owner removed the can of raid. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
41-05-4
High Priority - Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. Observed grilled onions (48F - Cold Holding); grilled peppers (48F - Cold Holding); stuffing (47F - Cold Holding) in stand up reach-in cooler across from cook line. **Warning**
01B-02-5
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed raw hamburgers (48F - Cold Holding); raw pork chops (49F - Cold Holding) in stand up reach-in cooler across from cook line. The owner moved all raw products into walk-in cooler. Observed raw beef (45F - Cold Holding) in walk-in cooler. The owner moved raw beef into walk-in freezer. Observed grilled onions (48F - Cold Holding); grilled peppers (48F - Cold Holding); stuffing (47F - Cold Holding) in stand up reach-in cooler across from cook line. See Stop Sale. **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning**
03A-02-5
Basic - Cove molding at floor/wall juncture broken/missing throughout kitchen. **Warning**
36-03-4
Basic - Floor tiles missing and/or in disrepair. **Warning**
36-17-5
Basic - Ice scoop handle in contact with ice. **Warning**
10-08-5
Basic - In-use wet wiping cloth/towel used under cutting board. **Warning**
21-04-4
Basic - Cold holding equipment not maintained in good repair. Do not store time/temperature control for safety food in this unit until the unit is repaired. Observed stand up reach-in cooler across from cook line ambient temperature 46F. **Warning**
14-74-7
Basic - Opened employee beverage container in a cold holding unit with food to be served to customers. Observed open drinks in walk-in cooler. The owner discarded open drinks. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
12B-13-4
41
Oct 8, 2025
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 4 minor violations.
View 6 violations
High Priority - Employee cracked raw shell eggs and then handled ready-to-eat food and/or clean equipment or utensils without washing hands. Observed employee cracking raw shell eggs and then touching clean utensils at cookline. Educated the employee to compliance by washing hands and putting on new gloves. **Corrected On-Site**
12A-27-4
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. Operator date marked the food item. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
02C-03-5
Basic - Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin. Observed residue buildup in the interior of ice machine.
22-20-5
Basic - Accumulation of debris on exterior of warewashing machine. Observed debris on top of Dish Machine. Operator cleaned the exterior of Dish Machine. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
16-21-4
Basic - Food stored on floor. Observed multiple food items on the floor at Walk in Freezer. Operator removed the food items off the floor. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
08B-38-4
Basic - Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Observed flour container not labeled at kitchen. Operator labeled the food item. **Corrected On-Site**
02D-01-5
64
Jul 10, 2025
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 3 minor violations.
View 5 violations
High Priority - Vacuum breaker missing at hose bibb or on fitting/splitter added to hose bibb. Observed no vacuum breaker on hose bibb at steam table. **Repeat Violation**
29-34-4
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Observed residue buildup inside slicer blade guard. Operator cleaned the guard. **Corrected On-Site**
22-02-4
Basic - Buildup of food debris/soil residue on equipment door handles. Observed soiled handles at Walk in Cooler and Freezer.
23-24-4
Basic - Clean glasses, cups, bowls, plates, pots and pans not stored inverted or in a protected manner. Observed multiple utensils not inverted on top of Reach in Freezer. Operator inverted the utensils. **Corrected On-Site**
24-05-4
Basic - Wiping cloth sanitizing solution stored on the floor. Observed wiping cloth chlorine sanitizer bucket on the floor at frontline prep area. Operator replaced with a clean bucket and placed it on shelf. **Corrected On-Site**
21-38-4
67
Dec 16, 2024
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 3 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Certified Food Manager Identification
FL-02
Hands Clean and Properly Washed
FL-08
Potentially Hazardous Food Held at Proper Temperature
FL-16
Warewashing Facilities Maintained and Used
FL-24
Equipment Adequate to Maintain Product Temperature
FL-29
67
Jul 9, 2024
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 2 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Hands Clean and Properly Washed
FL-08
Potentially Hazardous Food Held at Proper Temperature
FL-16
Food Contact Surfaces Clean and Sanitized
FL-22
Toilet Rooms Maintained
FL-53
67
Nov 15, 2023
Routine - Food
3 critical violations. 2 major violations. 1 minor violation.
View 6 violations
High Priority - Raw animal foods not properly separated from one another based upon minimum required cooking temperature when stored in a freezer - not all products commercially packaged. Observe raw veal over raw potatoes at Reach in Freezer. Operator switched the food items. **Corrected On-Site**
08A-17-6
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food identified in the written procedure as a food held using time as a public health control has no time marking. Observed raw shell eggs next to steam table not time marked. Operator time marked the eggs. **Corrected On-Site**
03F-02-5
High Priority - Employee cracked raw shell eggs and then handled ready-to-eat food and/or clean equipment or utensils without washing hands. Observed employee at cookline. Educated the employee to compliance by washing hands. **Corrected On-Site**
12A-27-4
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. **Repeat Violation**
53B-02-5
Intermediate - No written procedures available for use of time as a public health control to hold time/temperature control for safety food. Observed incomplete written procedure. Operator completed the document during inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
03F-10-5
Basic - Stored food not covered. Observed refried beans at Walk in Cooler. Operator placed lid on the container of refried beans. **Corrected On-Site**
08B-12-5
50
Jul 13, 2023
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 4 major violations. 3 minor violations.
View 8 violations
High Priority - Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. Observed propane cylinder at Salad Station. Operator removed to a proper and safe location. **Corrected On-Site**
41-10-4
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
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 milk at Salad Station. Operator date marked the food item. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
02C-03-5
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. **Repeat Violation**
11-26-1
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Observed can opener blade at prep table across Dish Machine. Operator cleaned and sanitized the blade. **Corrected On-Site**
22-02-4
Basic - Accumulation of lime scale on the inside of the dishmachine.
16-23-4
Basic - Employee with no hair restraint while engaging in food preparation. Observed employee at cookline. Operator provided hair restraint for employee. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
13-03-4
Basic - Accumulation of debris on exterior of warewashing machine.
16-21-4
50
Jan 10, 2023
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 3 major violations. 1 minor violation.
View 5 violations
Certified Food Manager Identification
FL-02
Employee Health Policies Present
FL-03
Food Obtained from Approved Sources
FL-11
Food in Good Condition, Safe, and Unadulterated
FL-13
Toilet Rooms Maintained
FL-53
55
Jul 8, 2022
Food-Licensing Inspection
2 critical violations. 1 major 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 rinse aid container connected to Dish Machine and 0ppm on test strip. Operator set up 3 compartment sink with chlorine sanitizer. **Corrected On-Site**
22-41-4
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 her/his hands. **Corrected On-Site**
12A-28-4
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 container of milk at frontline Reach in Cooler. Operator date marked the food item. **Corrected On-Site**
02C-03-5
67
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Elena's Restaurant last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Elena's Restaurant on file is from Dec 8, 2025. The public record contains 10 inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Elena's Restaurant?
Across the inspection record, “commercially processed ready-to-eat” has been cited three times, more than any other issue at Elena's Restaurant.
How does Elena's Restaurant compare to other restaurants in Punta Gorda?
Elena's Restaurant most recently scored 90 out of 100, which is higher than the Punta Gorda average of 82.
Has Elena's Restaurant's inspection record improved over time?
Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at Elena's Restaurant have averaged around five violations per visit across the recent record.
What does a low risk rating mean?
A low risk rating at Elena's Restaurant 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 Elena's Restaurant inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Elena's Restaurant is inspected around three times per year on average.
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