Fords Garage
Last inspected: Mar 10, 2026
78
Score
Going back to 2023, Fords Garage has 11 inspections in the public record. The most recent report on file is from Mar 10, 2026. 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 three violations per visit.
When inspectors have written things up, “equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting” has been the most frequent reason, cited three times.
Restaurants in Estero average 82, so Fords Garage trails the local norm. There isn't much in the file that would give a customer pause.
11
Inspections
0
Critical latest
0
Major latest
5
Minor latest
Inspection History
Mar 10, 2026
Routine - Food
5 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Basic - Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting. Observed pans in ware washing area not dry before stacking.
24-08-4
Basic - Employee wearing jewelry other than a plain ring on their hands/arms while preparing food. Observed bracelets on serving staff.
13-07-4
Basic - Walk-in cooler/freezer shelves with rust that has pitted the surface. Observed rust on walk in freezer shelves.
14-17-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed reach in gaskets at the bar soiled with food debris.
23-03-4
Basic - Employee eating in a food preparation or other restricted area. Observed employee beverage on prep table on fryer side of the cook line.
12B-02-4
78
Sep 2, 2025
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 1 minor violation.
View 2 violations
High Priority - Employee failed to wash hands before putting on gloves to initiate a task working with food. Observed employee on the cook line change gloves without washing their hands.
12A-07-5
Basic - Floor area(s) covered with standing water. Observed standing water on the floor in the bar area next to the 3 compartment sink.
36-22-4
82
Mar 10, 2025
Complaint Full
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Lighting Adequate; Required Shields in Place
FL-36
90
Nov 14, 2024
Complaint Full
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Food Received at Proper Temperature
FL-12
95
Oct 16, 2024
Routine - Food
No violations found.
100
Aug 15, 2024
Routine - Food
3 critical violations. 2 major violations. 2 minor violations.
View 7 violations
High Priority - Stop Sale issued due to food not being in a wholesome, sound condition. Observed employee touch ready to eat fruit and place on rim of cocktail glass with bare hand, not using utensil or wearing gloves. **Warning**
01B-13-4
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 touch ready to eat fruit and place on rim of cocktail glass with bare hand, not using utensil or wearing gloves. **Warning**
09-01-4
High Priority - Employee failed to wash hands before putting on gloves to initiate a task working with food. Observed employee handle raw salmon then change gloves without washing hands and then handle clean utensils. **Warning**
12A-07-5
Intermediate - Operator is doing a special process, conducting reduced oxygen packaging, cooking time/temperature control for safety food to a time and temperature combination lesser than those in the Food Code or operating a molluscan shellfish tank for human consumption without a HACCP plan approved by the Division of Hotels and Restaurants. Operator is using a cook chill process for onions soup, no temperature log no approved HAACP plan. Observed machine and bags available at time of inspection. **Warning**
03G-50-1
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Observed ice machine with build up of black mold like debris on ice chute on inside top of ice maker. **Warning**
22-02-4
Basic - Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting. Observed metal pans in storage area no properly air dried before stacking. **Warning**
24-08-4
Basic - Old labels stuck to food containers after cleaning. Observed old labels on clean containers coming out of ware washing unit. **Warning**
16-46-4
47
Mar 7, 2024
Routine - Food
No violations found.
100
Oct 4, 2023
Complaint Full
2 major violations. 1 minor violation.
View 3 violations
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Observed can opener blade soiled with food debris. **Repeat Violation**
22-02-4
Intermediate - Paper towel dispenser at handwash sink not working/unable to dispense paper towels. Paper towel dispenser in bar area next to 3 compartment sink is not working properly.
31B-05-4
Basic - Employee with no hair restraint while engaging in food preparation. Observed employee preparing food with no hair restraint.
13-03-4
78
Aug 2, 2023
Routine - Food
1 major violation. 3 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Observed can opener blade soiled with food debris, operator moved to ware washing area. **Corrective Action Taken**
22-02-4
Basic - Ceiling not smooth, nonabsorbent and easily cleanable in food preparation, food storage, or warewashing areas. Observed operator in the process of replacing ceiling tile, tile in the prep area and on part of the line still porous and not easily cleanable. **Repeat Violation**
36-37-5
Basic - Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Observed employee preparing food on back kitchen prep area with cell phone next to him while bagging pasta.
40-06-5
Basic - In-use utensil in non-time/temperature control for safety food not stored with handle above top of food within a closed container. Observed scoop in flour and sugar bin handle in contact with food, operator removed scoops to dish station. **Corrected On-Site**
10-01-5
78
Mar 20, 2023
Routine - Food
3 critical violations. 2 major violations. 3 minor violations.
View 8 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 chlorine concentration at 0 ppm. Operator called technician. **Corrective Action Taken**
22-41-4
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed cheese sauce 109F hot hold less than 4 hours. Operator removed double pan and reheated cheese sauce in oven to 165F. **Corrective Action Taken**
03B-01-6
High Priority - Server handled soiled dishes or utensils and then picked up plated food, served food, or prepared a beverage without washing hands.
12A-02-4
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.
11-27-4
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.
11-26-1
Basic - Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting. Operator separated containers. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
24-08-4
Basic - Floor area(s) covered with standing water in dry storage/liquor room. **Corrected On-Site**
36-22-4
Basic - Food not stored at least 6 inches off of the floor. Observed boxes of oranges stored on floor in beer walk in cooler. Operator placed boxes off floor. **Corrected On-Site**
08B-47-4
45
Jan 4, 2023
Complaint Full
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Lighting Adequate; Required Shields in Place
FL-36
95
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Fords Garage last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Fords Garage on file is from Mar 10, 2026. The public record contains 11 inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Fords Garage?
Across the inspection record, “equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting” has been cited three times, more than any other issue at Fords Garage.
How does Fords Garage compare to other restaurants in Estero?
Fords Garage most recently scored 78 out of 100, which is lower than the Estero average of 82.
Has Fords Garage's inspection record improved over time?
Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at Fords Garage have averaged around three violations per visit across the recent record.
What does a low risk rating mean?
A low risk rating at Fords Garage 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 Fords Garage inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Fords Garage is inspected around three times per year on average.
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