Joe's Cafe
Last inspected: Mar 11, 2026
82
Score
Inspectors have visited Joe's Cafe 10 times, with records going back to 2022. The latest inspection on file is from Mar 11, 2026. Low risk means the most recent visit produced few or no significant findings.
Recent inspections have turned up roughly the same number of issues each time, hovering near six violations per visit.
“Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease” accounts for the largest share of issues, appearing five times across the record.
The city-wide average for Lehigh Acres sits at 78, putting Joe's Cafe on the better side of that line. The record reflects steady performance over time.
10
Inspections
0
Critical latest
1
Major latest
2
Minor latest
Inspection History
Mar 11, 2026
Routine - Food
1 major violation. 2 minor violations.
View 3 violations
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. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2026-03-11: Observed all SafeStaff Food Handler Certificates are Expired. **Admin Complaint**
53B-05-5
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Bathroom located inside establishment not completely enclosed with tight-fitting, self-closing doors. Observed both bathroom doors not tight fitting. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2026-03-11: **Time Extended**
32-04-4
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Duct tape used to repair nonfood-contact surface. Observed black duct tape utilized on door handle on reach-in cooler beside cook line. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2026-03-11: **Time Extended**
14-71-4
82
Jan 8, 2026
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 2 major violations. 5 minor violations.
View 9 violations
Food Received at Proper Temperature
FL-12
Food Obtained from Approved Sources
FL-11
Required Records Available; Shellstock Tags/Labels
FL-14
Food Contact Surfaces Clean and Sanitized
FL-22
Hot and Cold Water Available; Adequate Pressure
FL-25
Toxic Substances Properly Identified, Stored, Used
FL-32
Food and Non-Food Contact Surfaces Designed and Constructed
FL-50
Plumbing Maintained; Sewage Disposal
FL-51
Toilet Rooms Maintained
FL-53
47
Aug 12, 2025
Routine - Food
4 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Basic - Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin. Observed grayish black like substance on the interior of the ice machine bin.
22-20-5
Basic - Grease receptacle/dumpster not on proper pad/nonabsorbent surface. Observed grease receptacle not on pad or solid surface , sitting on grass/ dirt surface behind building.
33-23-4
Basic - Standing water in bottom of reach-in-cooler. Observed water in bottom of cooler on cookline, operator stated they have a repair service coming to repair. **Corrective Action Taken**
29-49-6
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed buildup,of dust like substance on the fan guard in the walk in cooler.
23-03-4
82
Feb 25, 2025
Routine - Food
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Lighting Adequate; Required Shields in Place
FL-36
90
Dec 26, 2024
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 2 major violations. 9 minor violations.
View 13 violations
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 operator touch toast with bare hands, cut and plate. Spoke with operator regarding proper food handling techniques use of gloves or other medium such as tongs or food grade paper. **Warning**
09-01-4
High Priority - Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license. Observed license expired 12-1-24. **Warning**
50-17-3
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Observed slime like substance in the interior bin of the ice machine. **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
22-02-4
Intermediate - No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. observed paper towel dispenser in the men's room with no paper towels. **Warning**
31B-02-4
Basic - Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance. Observed ceiling vent and tile above front counter with build up of dust like substance. **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
36-34-5
Basic - Current Hotel and Restaurant license not displayed. Observed current license not displayed. **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
50-09-4
Basic - Floor soiled/has accumulation of debris. Observed floor soiled along wall where the dish machine and 3 compartment sink are in rear kitchen area, and along walls. **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
36-73-4
Basic - Floor tiles missing and/or in disrepair. Observed floor tiles missing near the stove on the cook line. **Warning**
36-17-5
Basic - Hole in or other damage to wall. Observed wall damaged under 3 compartment sink and dishwasher in the warehouse washing area. **Warning**
36-24-5
Basic - Missing partition and/or door for bathroom with more than 1 toilet facility. Observed door missing between the urinal and the toilet bowl. **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
32-06-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed gaskets soiled on reach in cooler and freezer. **Warning**
23-03-4
Basic - Walk-in cooler/freezer shelves with rust that has pitted the surface. Observed walk in cooler shelves rusting. **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
14-17-4
Basic - Wall soiled with accumulated grease, food debris, and/or dust. Observed wall soiled in kitchen area. **Warning**
36-27-5
39
Jul 30, 2024
Routine - Food
6 minor violations.
View 6 violations
Food Received at Proper Temperature
FL-12
Required Records Available; Shellstock Tags/Labels
FL-14
Food Contact Surfaces Clean and Sanitized
FL-22
Non-Food Contact Surfaces Clean
FL-23
Lighting Adequate; Required Shields in Place
FL-36
Food and Non-Food Contact Surfaces Designed and Constructed
FL-50
70
Nov 8, 2023
Routine - Food
3 critical violations. 1 major violation. 7 minor violations.
View 11 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 crack she'll eggs then handle spatula without washing hands.
12A-27-4
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 touching cooked toast with bare hands.
09-01-4
High Priority - Nonfood-grade containers used for food storage - direct contact with food. Observed whole cucumbers individually wrapped in grocery store like bags in walk in cooler.
14-15-4
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Observed cutting board on reach in sandwich unit soiled.
22-02-4
Basic - Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin. Observed buildup of black mold like substance inside ice machine bin.
22-20-5
Basic - Buildup of food debris/soil residue on equipment door handles. Observed build up of food debris on walk in cooler door handle.
23-24-4
Basic - Current Hotel and Restaurant license not displayed.
50-09-4
Basic - Floor soiled/has accumulation of debris. I observed floor soiled under dishwasher, storage shelves, around cook-line, and in walk in cooler. **Repeat Violation**
36-73-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact equipment exposed to splash/spillage not constructed of materials that are corrosion resistant, non-absorbent, smooth and easily cleanable. Observed soda machine on top of particle board shelf which is chipping. **Repeat Violation**
14-47-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed build up of food debris in the walk in cooler on wire shelving and on reach in cooler door gaskets.
23-03-4
Basic - Walk-in cooler/freezer shelves with rust that has pitted the surface. Observed walk in cooler shelves rusted. **Repeat Violation**
14-17-4
41
Jul 7, 2023
Routine - Food
1 major violation. 5 minor violations.
View 6 violations
Intermediate - Non-pitting surface rust on food-contact equipment. Observed rusting on shelves in walk in cooler.
22-31-4
Basic - Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance. Observed buildup of grease/dust on ceiling vents in kitchen cooking area. **Repeat Violation**
36-34-5
Basic - Floor area(s) covered with standing water. Observed Standing water on floor in walk in cooler.
36-22-4
Basic - Floor soiled/has accumulation of debris. Observed build up of food debris under cook line equipment, dishwasher and food storage shelves. **Repeat Violation**
36-73-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact equipment exposed to splash/spillage not constructed of materials that are corrosion resistant, non-absorbent, smooth and easily cleanable. Observed particle board under soda machine chipping and peeling. **Repeat Violation**
14-47-4
Basic - Reach-in cooler interior/shelves have accumulation of soil residues. Observed build up of food debris ob wire shelves in walk in cooler. **Repeat Violation**
22-16-4
70
Mar 10, 2023
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 4 major violations. 10 minor violations.
View 15 violations
High Priority - Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license.
50-17-3
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 - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Observed pan stored in hand wash sink next to ice machine.
31A-11-4
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
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.org) 866-372-7233.
53B-14-5
Basic - Accumulation of gray-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin.
22-20-5
Basic - Employee drinking from an unenclosed beverage container in a food preparation/clean dishware area and the container does not have a dispensing mechanism to prevent hand contact with lip contact area of drink container.
12B-12-5
Basic - Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting.
24-08-4
Basic - Floor soiled/has accumulation of debris underneath shelving and kitchen equipment.
36-73-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact equipment exposed to splash/spillage not constructed of materials that are corrosion resistant, non-absorbent, smooth and easily cleanable. Particle board underneath soda machine peeling/chipping.
14-47-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris on outside of cooking equipment.
23-03-4
Basic - Reach-in cooler interior/shelves have accumulation of soil residues.
22-16-4
Basic - Single-service articles not stored inverted or protected from contamination.
25-06-4
Basic - Time/temperature control for safety food thawed in an improper manner. Observed frozen hamburger patties thawing at room temperature.
06-01-5
Basic - Wall ac vent soiled with accumulated dust.
36-27-5
35
Sep 14, 2022
Routine - Food
4 critical violations. 1 major violation. 13 minor violations.
View 18 violations
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 pick up toast from toaster with bare hands and plate for a customer. Discussed proper bare hand contact with operator. Operator spoke to employee who then picked up toast with wax paper during inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
09-01-4
High Priority - Employee washed hands with cold water. Observed employee wash hands with only soap and cold water at hand washing sink. Discussed proper hand washing practices with operator. **Corrective Action Taken**
12A-19-4
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Observed uncooked corned beef hash over deli meat in reach in cooler. Operator moved to bottom shelf. **Corrected On-Site**
08A-05-6
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 and the time removed from temperature control cannot be determined. No time mark for butter, shell eggs, or cheese.
03F-02-5
Intermediate - Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled. Observed unlabeled spray bottle with yellow liquid by three compartment sink.
41-17-4
Basic - Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Observed unlabeled plastic container of cinnamon sugar in prep area across from three compartment sink. Operator labeled during inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
02D-01-5
Basic - Carbon dioxide/helium tanks not adequately secured. Observed CO2 tank by beverage dispenser not secured.
51-11-4
Basic - Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance. Observed buildup of dust on ceiling vent above dishwasher table.
36-34-5
Basic - Current Hotel and Restaurant license not displayed. Operator contacted owner who said will post by next inspection. **Corrective Action Taken**
50-09-4
Basic - Employee drinking from an unenclosed beverage container in a food preparation/clean dishware area and the container does not have a dispensing mechanism to prevent hand contact with lip contact area of drink container. Observed employee drinking from an open beverage container while washing dishes. Employee removed beverage during inspection. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
12B-12-5
Basic - Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Observed cooling towels hanging on shelf above unwashed produce in walk-in cooler .
40-06-5
Basic - Equipment in poor repair. Observed torn gaskets on reach in cooler on cooks line. **Repeat Violation**
14-11-5
Basic - Food stored on floor. Observed fryer oil stored on floor by fryer.
08B-38-4
Basic - In-use tongs stored on equipment door handle between uses. Observed tongs hanging on wire shelf next to fryer.
10-20-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed floor grease buildup on cooks line. **Repeat Violation**
23-03-4
Basic - Silverware/utensils stored upright with the food-contact surface up. Observed silverware basket with silverware stored upright by register.
24-18-4
Basic - Standing water in bottom of reach-in-cooler. Observed standing in reach in cooler on cook's line.
29-49-6
Basic - Wet wiping cloth not stored in sanitizing solution between uses. Observed wet wiping cloths on cutting board of reach in cooler. **Repeat Violation**
21-12-4
26
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Joe's Cafe last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Joe's Cafe on file is from Mar 11, 2026. The public record contains 10 inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Joe's Cafe?
Across the inspection record, “nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease” has been cited five times, more than any other issue at Joe's Cafe.
How does Joe's Cafe compare to other restaurants in Lehigh Acres?
Joe's Cafe most recently scored 82 out of 100, which is higher than the Lehigh Acres average of 78.
Has Joe's Cafe's inspection record improved over time?
Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at Joe's Cafe have averaged around six violations per visit across the recent record.
What does a low risk rating mean?
A low risk rating at Joe's Cafe 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 Joe's Cafe inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Joe's Cafe is inspected around three times per year on average.
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