Kandela Tacos & Tequila
Last inspected: Dec 1, 2025
45
Score
Across the available record, Kandela Tacos & Tequila has 11 inspections on file, the first dated 2022. The latest inspection on file is from Dec 1, 2025. A high risk tier suggests the facility had a rough recent inspection, with multiple violations on record.
Things are looking better lately, with recent visits averaging around five violations compared to roughly eight violations earlier on.
“Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance” comes up most often, recorded three times in the inspection record.
By comparison, the average Naples facility scores 81, putting Kandela Tacos & Tequila on the weaker side. There are enough flags in the record to merit a second thought.
11
Inspections
2
Critical latest
2
Major latest
3
Minor latest
Inspection History
Dec 1, 2025
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 2 major violations. 3 minor violations.
View 7 violations
Supervisor/Person in Charge Present
FL-01
Proper Eating, Tasting, Drinking, or Tobacco Use
FL-06
Adequate Handwashing Facilities Supplied and Accessible
FL-10
Required Records Available; Shellstock Tags/Labels
FL-14
Approved Thawing Methods Used
FL-31
Plumbing Maintained; Sewage Disposal
FL-51
Toilet Rooms Maintained
FL-53
45
Sep 29, 2025
Routine - Food
1 major violation. 1 minor violation.
View 2 violations
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Can opener has accumulated debris. Operator moved can opener to dishwasher area to be cleaned and sanitized **Corrective Action Taken** Two cutting boards on front line have accumulated mold like substance. **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2025-09-29: **Time Extended**
22-02-4
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting. Observed glasses in storage wet nesting. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2025-09-29: **Time Extended**
24-08-4
86
Jul 23, 2025
Routine - Food
3 major violations. 3 minor violations.
View 6 violations
Food Contact Surfaces Clean and Sanitized
FL-22
Food Obtained from Approved Sources
FL-11
Warewashing Facilities Maintained and Used
FL-24
Equipment Adequate to Maintain Product Temperature
FL-29
Approved Thawing Methods Used
FL-31
Toilet Rooms Maintained
FL-53
58
Apr 3, 2025
Routine - Food
3 critical violations. 2 major violations. 10 minor violations.
View 15 violations
High Priority - Nonfood-grade bags used in direct contact with tortillas on the cook line.
14-31-5
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Observed raw bacon wrapped shrimp stored over cut tomatoes in the reach in cooler. The operator properly stored the raw food. **Corrected On-Site**
08A-05-6
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed cooked pork (60F - Cold Holding) on a shelf near the grill. The operator stated the pork had been held for approximately 2 hours. The operator placed the cooked pork in a reach in cooler. **Corrective Action Taken**
03A-02-5
Intermediate - No chemical test kit provided when using sanitizer at three-compartment sink/warewashing machine or wiping cloths. Observed no quaternary test kit available.
16-37-1
Intermediate - No currently certified food service manager on duty with four or more employees engaged in food preparation/handling. A list of accredited food manager certification examination providers can be found at http://www.myfloridalicense.com/DBPR/hotels-restaurants/food-lodging/food-manager/
53A-05-6
Basic - Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Observed a plastic container with no handle used as a scoop for uncooked beans. The operator removed the container. **Corrected On-Site**
14-01-5
Basic - Cardboard used to line nonfood-contact shelves. Observed soiled cardboard used to line shelves with kitchen equipment near the walk in cooler.
14-45-4
Basic - Clean equipment/dishware/utensils stored below soap or paper towel dispenser exposing the items to drips from people's hands. Observed clean bowls stored underneath a paper towel dispenser at the hand sink near the walk in cooler.
24-28-4
Basic - Duct tape used to repair a lid for a container with uncooked beans.
14-71-4
Basic - Employee beverage containers in multiple cold holding units with food to be served to customers.
12B-13-4
Basic - Floor area covered with standing water near the ice machine.
36-22-4
Basic - Food stored on floor. Observed a box of pork belly stored on the floor in the walk in freezer.
08B-38-4
Basic - Ice bucket stored on floor between uses. The operator properly stored the ice bucket. **Corrected On-Site**
10-14-5
Basic - In-use knife stored in cracks between a reach in cooler and a food preparation table. The operator removed the knife from in between the equipment. **Corrected On-Site**
10-17-4
Basic - In-use utensil stored in standing water less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed in-use bar utensils stored in 67F standing water behind the bar. The operator removed the utensils from the water. **Corrected On-Site**
10-07-4
32
Dec 2, 2024
Routine - Food
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Lighting Adequate; Required Shields in Place
FL-36
95
Nov 22, 2024
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 1 major violation. 5 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. Machine tested at 0ppm for 3 cycles. Operator advised to not use machine for sanitizing and advised to set up manual sanitization. Operator acknowledged and set up 3 compartment sink. **Warning**
22-41-4
High Priority - Employee failed to wash hands before putting on gloves to initiate a task working with food. Server observed serving food with gloved hands with no hand washing prior to applying gloves. Operator advised of need for proper handwashing. **Warning**
12A-07-5
Intermediate - No soap provided at handwash sink. Located behind bar, 2 hand wash sinks, no soap. Operator supplied soap for both sinks. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
31B-03-4
Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Found in kitchen, next to front line. Operator removed. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
12B-07-4
Basic - Floor tiles missing and/or in disrepair. Located in back part of kitchen floor. Operator is aware of missing tiles. Unknown repair status. **Warning**
36-17-5
Basic - Ice scoop handle in contact with ice. Located in ice bin under soda dispenser in kitchen. **Warning**
10-08-5
Basic - Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin. Located in kitchen, under soda dispenser. Interior and lid of ice bin slimy and moldy, with build up of debris. Operator advised and states he will clean. **Warning**
22-20-5
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. Found on front line in kitchen. Advised operator to remove fish from reduced oxygen package before continuing the thawing process. Operator acknowledged and removed from packaging. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
06-09-1
52
Mar 19, 2024
Routine - Food
3 critical violations. 1 major violation. 7 minor violations.
View 11 violations
Adequate Handwashing Facilities Supplied and Accessible
FL-10
Employee Health Policies Present
FL-03
Hands Clean and Properly Washed
FL-08
Food Obtained from Approved Sources
FL-11
Food Received at Proper Temperature
FL-12
Required Records Available; Shellstock Tags/Labels
FL-14
Proper Hot and Cold Holding Temperatures
FL-21
Food Contact Surfaces Clean and Sanitized
FL-22
Approved Thawing Methods Used
FL-31
Equipment, Food and Non-Food Contact Surfaces Approved
FL-35
Lighting Adequate; Required Shields in Place
FL-36
37
Oct 19, 2023
Routine - Food
2 critical violations.
View 2 violations
High Priority - - From initial inspection : High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Observed raw eggs stored over cheese in walk in cooler. Operator moved for proper storage. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2023-10-19: Observed raw eggs over cheese in walk in cooler. Operator moved for proper storage. **Time Extended** **Corrected On-Site**
08A-05-6
High Priority - - From initial inspection : High Priority - Raw animal foods not properly separated from each other in holding unit based upon minimum required cooking temperature. Observed raw chicken over raw fish, shrimp and pork in drawer on cook line. Operator moved for proper storage.. Repeat 2/22/2023. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint** - From follow-up inspection 2023-10-19: Observed raw chicken over raw fish in drawers of cook line. Operator moved for proper storage. **Time Extended** **Corrected On-Site**
08A-20-5
74
Aug 16, 2023
Routine - Food
3 critical violations. 1 major violation. 1 minor violation.
View 5 violations
Supervisor/Person in Charge Present
FL-01
Employee Health Policies Present
FL-03
Hands Clean and Properly Washed
FL-08
Adequate Handwashing Facilities Supplied and Accessible
FL-10
Food Obtained from Approved Sources
FL-11
47
Feb 22, 2023
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 3 major violations. 4 minor violations.
View 8 violations
High Priority - Raw animal foods not properly separated from each other in holding unit based upon minimum required cooking temperature. Observed raw chicken over raw shrimp and fish in drawers on cook line. Operator moved for proper storage. **Corrected On-Site**
08A-20-5
Intermediate - No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. Observed no paper towel at hand wash sinks in women's restroom and mens restroom. Operator provided paper towel.. Repeat 8/5/2022 **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
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. Observed no proof of employee reporting agreement. Provided operator with employee agreement.
11-26-1
Intermediate - Soap dispenser at handwash sink not working/unable to dispense soap. Observed soap not dispensing at hand wash sink near soda machine in back area. Operator fixed and soap will dispense now. **Corrected On-Site**
31B-06-4
Basic - Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin. Observed ice machine with a black/green mold-like substance inside. Repeat 1/20/2022, 8/5/2022. **Repeat Violation**
22-20-5
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 salmon thawed and still in packaging labeled to remove from packaging before thawing. Operator removed product from packaging. **Corrected On-Site**
06-09-1
Basic - Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting. Observed wet nesting of pans in dish wash area.
24-08-4
Basic - Sanitizer bucket stored with food, equipment, utensils, linens, single-service, or single-use articles. Observed sanitizer buckets on stored on floor not double bucketed. Educated operator on proper storage. Replaced with new and on shelf. **Corrected On-Site**
21-44-1
52
Aug 5, 2022
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 4 major violations. 3 minor violations.
View 9 violations
High Priority - Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. Observed black beans (57F - Cold Holding) in walk in cooler from yesterday afternoon. Operator discarded black beans.
01B-02-5
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed black beans (57F - Cold Holding) in walk in cooler from yesterday afternoon. Operator discarded black beans.
03A-02-5
Intermediate - Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Observed hand wash sink blocked with gloves and dirty dishes in it. Operator moved to allow access. **Corrected On-Site**
31A-09-4
Intermediate - No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. Observed no paper towel at hand wash sinks in back area. Operator provided paper towels at hand wash sinks. **Corrected On-Site**
31B-02-4
Intermediate - No soap provided at handwash sink. Observed no soap at hand wash sink in back area next to beverage station. Operator provided soap. **Corrected On-Site**
31B-03-4
Intermediate - Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled. Observed chemical spray bottle not labeled.
41-17-4
Basic - Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin. Observed ice machine with black/green mold-like substance. Repeat 1/20/2022. **Repeat Violation**
22-20-5
Basic - Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Observed employee personal belongings stored above food and clean equipment. Operator moved for proper storage. **Corrected On-Site**
40-06-5
Basic - In-use tongs stored on equipment door handle between uses. Observed tongs stored on handle of fryer. Operator moved tongs for proper storage. Repeat 1/20/2022. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
10-20-4
43
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Kandela Tacos & Tequila last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Kandela Tacos & Tequila on file is from Dec 1, 2025. The public record contains 11 inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Kandela Tacos & Tequila?
Across the inspection record, “accumulation of black/green mold-like substance” has been cited three times, more than any other issue at Kandela Tacos & Tequila.
How does Kandela Tacos & Tequila compare to other restaurants in Naples?
Kandela Tacos & Tequila most recently scored 45 out of 100, which is lower than the Naples average of 81.
Has Kandela Tacos & Tequila's inspection record improved over time?
Yes. Recent inspections at Kandela Tacos & Tequila have averaged around five violations per visit, down from roughly eight earlier in the record.
What does a high risk rating mean?
A high risk rating at Kandela Tacos & Tequila means the most recent inspection flagged either critical violations or a substantial number of smaller ones. Diners may want to read the violation details before deciding to visit.
How often is Kandela Tacos & Tequila inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Kandela Tacos & Tequila is inspected around three times per year on average.
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