Herons Nest Restaurant
Last inspected: Mar 23, 2026
86
Score
The health department has logged 11 inspections at Herons Nest Restaurant, the earliest from 2022. The newest entry in the record is dated Mar 23, 2026. A low risk rating suggests inspectors haven't found much to be concerned about lately.
Violation counts have ticked up lately, averaging around nine violations per visit versus roughly six violations earlier in the record.
“Dented/rusted cans present” accounts for the largest share of issues, appearing three times across the record.
That falls roughly in the middle of the pack for North Fort Myers restaurants. Nothing in the record is alarming, but there's room to improve.
11
Inspections
0
Critical latest
0
Major latest
3
Minor latest
Inspection History
Mar 23, 2026
Routine - Food
3 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Warewashing Facilities Maintained and Used
FL-24
Equipment Adequate to Maintain Product Temperature
FL-29
Plumbing Maintained; Sewage Disposal
FL-51
86
Oct 28, 2025
Routine - Food
6 minor violations.
View 6 violations
Warewashing Facilities Maintained and Used
FL-24
Hands Clean and Properly Washed
FL-08
Proper Eating, Tasting, Drinking, or Tobacco Use
FL-06
Approved Thawing Methods Used
FL-31
Lighting Adequate; Required Shields in Place
FL-36
Insects, Rodents, and Animals Not Present
FL-38
74
Apr 17, 2025
Complaint Full
6 critical violations. 3 major violations. 10 minor violations.
View 19 violations
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Observed raw chicken stored over ready to eat cooked pasta in reach in cooler on cook's line. Operator moved pasta above raw chicken. **Corrected On-Site**
08A-05-6
High Priority - Dented/rusted cans present. See stop sale. Observed 2 - #10 cans of Cherry pie filling and 1-#10 can Quartered artichoke hearts heavily dented on dunnage rack by dry storage. Operator discarded cans.
01B-01-4
High Priority - Vacuum breaker missing at mop sink faucet or on fitting/splitter added to mop sink faucet. Observed black hose connected to splitter with no vacuum breaker at mop sink.
29-42-4
High Priority - Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. Observed sanitizer spray bottles stored next to bottles of honey on wait station. Operator removed chemicals from area. **Corrected On-Site**
41-10-4
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed Sliced tomatoes (62F - Cold Holding); Cut leafy greens (68F - Cold Holding) on wait station on outside expo for over four hours per Operator. Operator discarded items.
03A-02-5
High Priority - Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. Observed Sliced tomatoes (62F - Cold Holding); Cut leafy greens (68F - Cold Holding) on wait station on outside expo for over four hours per Operator. Operator discarded items.
01B-02-5
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Observed slicer in prep kitchen across from dishwasher area with buildup of dried food on slicer blades.
22-02-4
Intermediate - Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Observed cart blocking hand washing sink by pizza station. Operator moved cart. **Corrected On-Site**
31A-09-4
Intermediate - No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. Observed no paper towels at hand washing sink behind bar.
31B-02-4
Basic - Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin. Observed black mold like substance inside ice machine.
22-20-5
Basic - Bathroom located inside establishment not completely enclosed with tight-fitting, self-closing doors. Observed employee bathroom door not self closing.
32-04-4
Basic - Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance. Observed buildup of dust on fan covers in walk in cooler by keg walk in.
36-34-5
Basic - Commercially processed reduced oxygen packaged fish bearing a label indicating that it is to remain frozen until time of use no longer frozen and not removed from reduced oxygen package. Observed snapper in walk in cooler not removed from packaging while thawing. Operator cut open packaging. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
06-09-1
Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Observed employee beverages on prep tables.
12B-07-4
Basic - Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting. Observed metal pans wet nesting on wire shelf across from dishwasher.
24-08-4
Basic - In-use tongs stored on equipment door handle between uses. Observed tongs hanging on oven door handle below waist level on cook's line. Operator removed tongs. **Corrected On-Site**
10-20-4
Basic - In-use utensil stored in standing water less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed in use utensils in cup of standing water at 107F.
10-07-4
Basic - No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees. Observed no sign at hand washing sink at bar. **Repeat Violation**
31B-04-4
Basic - Waste line missing at soda gun holster. Observed waste lines missing at soda gun holsters at main bar. **Repeat Violation**
29-17-4
18
Mar 25, 2025
Routine - Food
4 critical violations. 1 major violation. 5 minor violations.
View 10 violations
High Priority - Raw animal foods not properly separated from each other in holding unit based upon minimum required cooking temperature. Observed raw ground beef over raw fish in walk in cooler. Operator moved beef under and away from raw fish during inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
08A-20-5
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over canned/bottled drinks. Observed raw shell eggs over canned drinks in walk in cooler next to keg cooler. Operator moved eggs away from drinks. **Corrected On-Site**
08A-11-5
High Priority - Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license. Observed license expired 12/01/2024. Operator brought license current during inspection. License is current in system. **Corrected On-Site**
50-17-3
High Priority - Employee failed to wash hands before putting on gloves to initiate a task working with food. Observed employee put on gloves without washing hands on cook's line before working with food. Discussed proper hand washing practices with Operator. **Corrective Action Taken**
12A-07-5
Intermediate - Water with a temperature of least 85 degrees Fahrenheit not provided/shut off at employee handwash sink. Observed hot water at handwashing sinks in prep kitchen at 78F after running water for more than 4 minutes. Observed all other hand washing sinks temperatures were at 89F and above. Operator had maintenance manager come over and he checked and will adjust temperatures for those two sinks. Maintenance adjusted temperature and sinks are now at 87F. **Corrected On-Site**
27-16-4
Basic - Employee wearing jewelry other than a plain ring on their hands/arms while preparing food. Observed cook wearing a watch while preparing food on cook's line.
13-07-4
Basic - Lights in food preparation, food storage or warewashing area missing the proper shield, sleeve coatings or covers. Observed no light shield for bulbs in two walk in cooler's by employee restroom.
38-07-4
Basic - No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees. Observed no hand washing sign at hand washing sink behind bar.
31B-04-4
Basic - Waste line missing at soda gun holster. Observed waste line missing at soda gun behind bar.
29-17-4
Basic - Commercially processed reduced oxygen packaged fish bearing a label indicating that it is to remain frozen until time of use no longer frozen and not removed from reduced oxygen package. Observed frozen fish commercially packaged thawing in walk in cooler not removed from packaging. Operator cut open bags during inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
06-09-1
39
Oct 23, 2024
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 1 major violation.
View 2 violations
High Priority - Dented/rusted cans present. Observed 1-5lb can of Hoisin sauce dented in dry storage. Operator removed from circulation. See stop sale.
01B-01-4
Intermediate - Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Observed pan of carrots sitting on hand washing sink by produce walk in cooler. Operator moved pan. **Corrected On-Site**
31A-09-4
78
May 10, 2024
Routine - Food
2 major violations. 3 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Intermediate - No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. Observed no paper towels at hand washing sink in prep area across from dishwasher. Refilled towels. **Corrected On-Site**
31B-02-4
Intermediate - Soap dispenser at handwash sink not working/unable to dispense soap. Employee bathroom soap dispenser not dispensing soap. Notified Operator. Replacing batteries to dispenser. **Corrective Action Taken**
31B-06-4
Basic - Food stored on floor. Observed case of waffles stored on floor of walk-in freezer next to produce walk-in cooler. Operator moved to shelf. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
08B-38-4
Basic - In-use tongs stored on equipment door handle between uses. Observed tongs hanging on oven handle on cook's line. Operator moved. **Corrected On-Site**
10-20-4
Basic - Wet mop not stored in a manner to allow the mop to dry. Observed wet mop stored in mop sink.
42-01-4
70
Mar 8, 2024
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 5 minor violations.
View 7 violations
High Priority - Dented/rusted cans present. See stop sale. Observed 2-50 oz cans of Cream of Mushroom with dents and damaged rims. Operator voluntarily discarded during inspection. **Corrective Action Taken**
01B-01-4
Intermediate - No chemical test kit provided when using sanitizer at three-compartment sink/warewashing machine or wiping cloths.
16-37-1
Basic - Food stored on floor. Observed case of bread rolls stored on floor of walk-in freezer.
08B-38-4
Basic - Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting. Observed metal pans wet nesting on shelf adjacent to three compartment sink.
24-08-4
Basic - Employee wearing jewelry other than a plain ring on their hands/arms while preparing food. Observed employee preparing food on cook's line wearing a watch.
13-07-4
Basic - Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Observed plastic ramekin used as a scoop in blue cheese crumbles on salad station.
14-01-5
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed buildup of dust on hood filters over fryers and pizza oven.
23-03-4
61
Oct 12, 2023
Routine - Food
No violations found.
100
Jun 8, 2023
Routine - Food
1 major violation.
View 1 violation
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : Intermediate - Required employee training expired for all employees. To order approved program food safety material, call DBPR contracted provider: Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (SafeStaff) 866-372-7233. Operator stated new chef intends to get all employees renewed food safety training. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2023-06-08: Operator is in process of scheduling food handler training for all employees. **Time Extended**
53B-05-5
90
May 26, 2023
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 5 major violations. 4 minor violations.
View 11 violations
Supervisor/Person in Charge Present
FL-01
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
Food Contact Surfaces Clean and Sanitized
FL-22
Non-Food Contact Surfaces Clean
FL-23
Toilet Rooms Maintained
FL-53
Personal Cleanliness
FL-40
Hot and Cold Water Available; Adequate Pressure
FL-25
Warewashing Facilities Maintained and Used
FL-24
35
Nov 30, 2022
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 3 minor violations.
View 5 violations
High Priority - Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. Observed stainless steel cleaner next to steak knives on expo counter. Operator moved to chemical storage. **Corrected On-Site**
41-10-4
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Observed can opener blade with buildup of food debris.
22-02-4
Basic - Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin. Observed black mold like substance inside ice bin. **Repeat Violation**
22-20-5
Basic - Wet mop not stored in a manner to allow the mop to dry. Observed wet mop sitting on floor by mop sink. Operator hung mop to dry. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
42-01-4
Basic - Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Observed bulk bins of flour unlabeled by pizza station.
02D-01-5
67
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Herons Nest Restaurant last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Herons Nest Restaurant on file is from Mar 23, 2026. The public record contains 11 inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Herons Nest Restaurant?
Across the inspection record, “dented/rusted cans present” has been cited three times, more than any other issue at Herons Nest Restaurant.
How does Herons Nest Restaurant compare to other restaurants in North Fort Myers?
Herons Nest Restaurant most recently scored 86 out of 100, which is about the same as the North Fort Myers average of 89.
Has Herons Nest Restaurant's inspection record improved over time?
No. Recent inspections at Herons Nest Restaurant have averaged around nine violations per visit, up from roughly six earlier in the record.
What does a low risk rating mean?
A low risk rating at Herons Nest 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 Herons Nest Restaurant inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Herons Nest Restaurant is inspected around three times per year on average.
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