Lighthouse Cafe of Sanibel
Last inspected: Dec 16, 2025
70
Score
Lighthouse Cafe of Sanibel has been inspected nine times since 2022. The newest entry in the record is dated Dec 16, 2025. A medium risk score generally means inspectors found things to fix, though most weren't urgent.
The picture has gotten worse over the last few visits, with the average climbing from around three violations to closer to five violations.
When inspectors have written things up, “raw animal food stored over/not properly separated” has been the most frequent reason, cited two times.
The city-wide average sits at 85, which Lighthouse Cafe of Sanibel's 70 doesn't quite reach. Nothing in the record is alarming, but there's room to improve.
9
Inspections
1
Critical latest
1
Major latest
2
Minor latest
Inspection History
Dec 16, 2025
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 2 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Supervisor/Person in Charge Present
FL-01
Proper Eating, Tasting, Drinking, or Tobacco Use
FL-06
Wiping Cloths Properly Used and Stored
FL-41
Food Received at Proper Temperature
FL-12
70
Jul 17, 2025
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 3 major violations. 1 minor violation.
View 5 violations
Supervisor/Person in Charge Present
FL-01
Certified Food Manager Identification
FL-02
Employee Health Policies Present
FL-03
Approved Thawing Methods Used
FL-31
Personal Cleanliness
FL-40
61
Dec 6, 2024
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 2 major violations. 2 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Employee Health Policies Present
FL-03
Food Received at Proper Temperature
FL-12
Food Contact Surfaces Clean and Sanitized
FL-22
Personal Cleanliness
FL-40
Toilet Rooms Maintained
FL-53
64
Jul 8, 2024
Routine - Food
No violations found.
100
Jul 2, 2024
Routine - Food
6 critical violations. 1 minor violation.
View 7 violations
High Priority - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food marked with a date that exceeds 7 days after opening/preparation. In walk in cooler was 2 quarts of house made scallops sauce dated 06-20 on 07-02, exceeding seven (7) shelf life. **Warning**
02C-01-5
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Raw lobster stored over ready to eat short rib sauce. Operator moved food to proper storage. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
08A-05-6
High Priority - Employee used tobacco, ate, or drank then engaged in food preparation, handled clean equipment or utensils, or touched unwrapped single-service items without washing hands. Observed employee eating at pantry station and then continued to work with food without changing gloves and washing hands. Discussed with operator and observed hand washing and glove change. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
12A-05-4
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. Dish machine (chlorine 00ppm). Operator set up three compartment sink for ware washing. **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning**
22-41-4
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Hollandaise sauce (119 F - Hot Holding). Operator heated Hollandaise sauce (144 F - Hot Holding) **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
03B-01-6
High Priority - Stop Sale issued due to food not being in a wholesome, sound condition. In walk in cooler was 2 quarts of house made scallops sauce dated 06-20 on 07-02, exceeding seven (7) shelf life. **Warning**
01B-13-4
Basic - Employee eating while preparing food. Employee eating in pantry station. **Warning**
12B-01-4
39
May 7, 2024
Food-Licensing Inspection
1 major violation.
View 1 violation
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : Intermediate - No chemical test kit provided when using sanitizer at three-compartment sink/warewashing machine or wiping cloths. No chlorine test kit for dish machine.. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2024-05-07: No test kit available **Time Extended**
16-37-1
90
Apr 9, 2024
Food-Licensing Inspection
3 critical violations. 4 major violations. 7 minor violations.
View 14 violations
Employee Health Policies Present
FL-03
Certified Food Manager Identification
FL-02
Hands Clean and Properly Washed
FL-08
Adequate Handwashing Facilities Supplied and Accessible
FL-10
Food Obtained from Approved Sources
FL-11
Food Received at Proper Temperature
FL-12
Food in Good Condition, Safe, and Unadulterated
FL-13
Potentially Hazardous Food Held at Proper Temperature
FL-16
Proper Hot and Cold Holding Temperatures
FL-21
Approved Thawing Methods Used
FL-31
Lighting Adequate; Required Shields in Place
FL-36
Personal Cleanliness
FL-40
Food and Non-Food Contact Surfaces Designed and Constructed
FL-50
Plumbing Maintained; Sewage Disposal
FL-51
13
Jun 22, 2023
Routine - Food
No violations found.
100
Aug 30, 2022
Routine - Food
4 critical violations. 3 major violations. 8 minor violations.
View 15 violations
High Priority - Dented/rusted cans present. See stop sale. On can rack in prep area was a can of tomatoes with a deeply dented rim and 4 cans of white potatoes with rust on the rims.
01B-01-4
High Priority - Employee handled soiled equipment or utensils and then engaged in food preparation, handled clean equipment or utensils, or touched unwrapped single-service items without washing hands. Observed dish machine operator load soiled dishes into machine with bare hands and then without hand washing, removed the clean and sanitized dishes with bare hands. Discussed proper hand washing with operator. . Repeat from 05-09-2022 **Corrective Action Taken** **Admin Complaint**
12A-13-4
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Raw beef stored above ready to eat sliced tomatoes in the walk in cooler. Operator moved food to proper storage **Corrected On-Site**
08A-05-6
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. sausage (79 F - Hot Holding); marinara (99 F - Hot Holding) in steam table. Operator stated food items were just placed in the steam table 30 minutes ago. Operator put in stove to heat thoroughly.. Repeat from 05-09-2022 **Corrective Action Taken** **Admin Complaint**
03B-01-6
Intermediate - Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled. Two spray bottles by hand sink not labeled. Repeat from 05-07-2022
41-17-4
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Ceiling of walk in cooler has a mold like substance.
22-02-4
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. All training expired. Case # 2022030519 clerked on 07-07-2022 for violation 53B-05-5. Repeat from 05-09-2022 **Admin Complaint**
53B-05-5
Basic - Ceiling not smooth, nonabsorbent and easily cleanable in food preparation, food storage, or warewashing areas. In back storage area and dish machine area. Repeat from 05-09-2022 **Repeat Violation**
36-37-5
Basic - Stored food not covered. Granola, nuts, raisins almonds not covered on shelf at end of cooks line.
08B-12-5
Basic - Carbon dioxide/helium tanks not adequately secured. Tanks stored outside not secured. Repeat from 05-09-2022 **Repeat Violation**
51-11-4
Basic - Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Ramekin used as scoop in brown sugar on expo line.
14-01-5
Basic - Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. On shelf of cooks line, granola, raisins, nuts, almonds not labeled. Repeat from 05-09-2022 **Repeat Violation**
02D-01-5
Basic - No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees. At back hand washing sink.
31B-04-4
Basic - Food stored on floor. Case of cabbage heads on floor near walk in cooler. Operator moved food to proper storage. **Corrected On-Site**
08B-38-4
Basic - Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Clew phones on cooks line shelf and on shelf with clean utensils in the prep kitchen.
40-06-5
27
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Lighthouse Cafe of Sanibel last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Lighthouse Cafe of Sanibel on file is from Dec 16, 2025. The public record contains nine inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Lighthouse Cafe of Sanibel?
Across the inspection record, “raw animal food stored over/not properly separated” has been cited two times, more than any other issue at Lighthouse Cafe of Sanibel.
How does Lighthouse Cafe of Sanibel compare to other restaurants in Sanibel?
Lighthouse Cafe of Sanibel most recently scored 70 out of 100, which is lower than the Sanibel average of 85.
Has Lighthouse Cafe of Sanibel's inspection record improved over time?
No. Recent inspections at Lighthouse Cafe of Sanibel have averaged around five violations per visit, up from roughly three earlier in the record.
What does a medium risk rating mean?
A medium risk rating at Lighthouse Cafe of Sanibel means the most recent inspection turned up a handful of issues that the health department wrote up but did not classify as critical.
How often is Lighthouse Cafe of Sanibel inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Lighthouse Cafe of Sanibel is inspected around three times per year on average.
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