Masala Mantra the Indian Bistro
Last inspected: Oct 16, 2025
67
Score
Masala Mantra the Indian Bistro has been inspected 11 times since 2022. The latest inspection on file is from Oct 16, 2025. Diners should read medium risk as a signal that some issues exist but aren't extreme.
Recent visits have produced comparable findings, with counts hovering near four violations per visit.
Looking across the full record, “vacuum breaker missing at hose bibb” is the recurring theme, flagged three times.
The city-wide average sits at 77, which Masala Mantra the Indian Bistro's 67 doesn't quite reach. The inspection history reads as standard for a restaurant of this size.
11
Inspections
2
Critical latest
0
Major latest
2
Minor latest
Inspection History
Oct 16, 2025
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 2 minor violations.
View 4 violations
High Priority - Displayed food not properly protected from contamination. Operator moved foods behind sneeze guard and operator placed lids on food. **Corrected On-Site**
08B-02-4
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. Observed chlorine concentration at 0 ppm. Operator changed and primed sanitizer. Rechecked concentration at 100 ppm.**Corrective Action Taken** **Corrected On-Site**
22-41-4
Basic - In-use utensil not stored with handle above the top of time/temperature control for safety food and rim of the rice container. Operator removed scoop. **Corrected On-Site**
10-06-5
Basic - Wet wiping cloth not stored in sanitizing solution between uses. Dishwash area.
21-12-4
67
Jul 22, 2025
Routine - Food
3 critical violations. 1 major violation. 5 minor violations.
View 9 violations
High Priority - Vacuum breaker missing at hose bibb or on fitting/splitter added to hose bibb behind kitchen exit.
29-34-4
High Priority - Nonfood-grade bags used in direct contact with peppers. Operator switched to food grade container. **Corrected On-Site**
14-31-5
High Priority - Food with mold-like growth on cream cheese. See stop sale. Operator discarded cream cheese. **Corrective Action Taken**
01B-07-4
Intermediate - No probe thermometer provided to measure temperature of food products.
05-08-4
Basic - In-use utensil stored in standing water less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit.
10-07-4
Basic - No conspicuously located ambient air temperature thermometer in holding unit. 2nd reach in cooler at hallway kitchen entrance.
05-09-4
Basic - Carbon dioxide/helium tanks not adequately secured at bar.
51-11-4
Basic - Food not stored at least 6 inches off of the floor. Observed boxes of ginger stored in floor at kitchen hallway entrance. Operator placed box off of floor. **Corrected On-Site**
08B-47-4
Basic - In-use tongs stored on equipment door handle between uses. Educated operator on proper storage of tongs. Operator removed tongs. **Corrected On-Site**
10-20-4
45
Jan 2, 2025
Routine - Food
No violations found.
100
Oct 29, 2024
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 5 major violations. 4 minor violations.
View 10 violations
High Priority - Dishwasher handled soiled dishes or utensils and then touched clean dishes. Educated operator. Operator educated employee. Employee washed hands before leaving inspection. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
12A-02-4
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris. Can opener. Operator cleaned can opener. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
22-02-4
Intermediate - No certified food manager for establishment. A list of accredited food manager certification examination providers can be found at http://www.myfloridalicense.com/DBPR/hotels-restaurants/food-lodging/food-manager/ **Warning**
53A-07-6
Intermediate - No chlorine chemical test kit provided when using sanitizer at three-compartment sink/warewashing machine or wiping cloths. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
16-37-1
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) 866-372-7233. **Warning**
53B-14-5
Intermediate - Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled. **Warning**
41-17-4
Basic - Current Hotel and Restaurant license not displayed. **Warning**
50-09-4
Basic - Grease receptacle/dumpster not on proper pad/nonabsorbent surface. Educated operator on having non absorbent pad underneath grease receptacle. **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
33-23-4
Basic - In-use tongs stored on equipment door handle between uses. **Warning**
10-20-4
Basic - Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Container containing green frozen puree and spice bottles. **Warning**
02D-01-5
43
Sep 24, 2024
Routine - Food
No violations found.
100
Jul 26, 2024
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 1 major violation.
View 2 violations
High Priority - - From initial inspection : High Priority - Vacuum breaker missing at hose bibb or on fitting/splitter added to hose bibb behind establishment. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2024-07-26: **Time Extended**
29-34-4
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : Intermediate - No currently certified food service manager on duty with four or more employees engaged in food preparation/handling. Observed 8 employees on duty during inspection. A list of accredited food manager certification examination providers can be found at http://www.myfloridalicense.com/DBPR/hotels-restaurants/food-lodging/food-manager/ **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2024-07-26: **Time Extended**
53A-05-6
78
Jul 19, 2024
Routine - Food
5 critical violations. 4 major violations. 7 minor violations.
View 16 violations
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Observed container of raw chicken stored over ready to eat sauce. Educated operator on proper storage of raw animal foods. Operator placed container of raw chicken on bottom shelf. **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
08A-05-6
High Priority - In-use utensil stored in unclean water at or above 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Operator changed out water. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
10-05-5
High Priority - Vacuum breaker missing at hose bibb or on fitting/splitter added to hose bibb behind establishment. **Warning**
29-34-4
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed lentils 129F hot hold less than 4 hours at buffet. **Warning**
03B-01-6
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed lcut melon 50F less than 4 hours at buffet. **Warning**
03A-02-5
Intermediate - Handwash sink missing in food preparation/wait station area. **Warning**
31A-07-4
Intermediate - No currently certified food service manager on duty with four or more employees engaged in food preparation/handling. Observed 8 employees on duty during inspection. A list of accredited food manager certification examination providers can be found at http://www.myfloridalicense.com/DBPR/hotels-restaurants/food-lodging/food-manager/ **Warning**
53A-05-6
Intermediate - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Observed precooked carrot not date marked. Operator date marked. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
02C-02-5
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) 866-372-7233. Educated operator on the importance of updating employee training every 3 years. **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
53B-14-5
Basic - Wet wiping cloth not stored in sanitizing solution between uses. **Warning**
21-12-4
Basic - Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Chickpea flour. Educated operator on labeling containers. Operator labeled containers. **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
02D-01-5
Basic - Cloth used as a food-contact surface. Tandoori oven towel. **Warning**
21-05-5
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. Operator removed. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
12B-12-5
Basic - Grease receptacle/dumpster not on proper pad/nonabsorbent surface. **Warning**
33-23-4
Basic - In-use wet wiping cloth/towel used under cutting board. **Warning**
21-04-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris on outside of equipment. **Warning**
23-03-4
22
Nov 27, 2023
Routine - Food
3 critical violations. 1 major violation. 6 minor violations.
View 10 violations
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Observed container of raw shrimp stored on shelving above cooked vegetables. Operator placed raw shrimp to bottom shelf. **Corrected On-Site**
08A-05-6
High Priority - Displayed food not properly protected from contamination. Observed rice at buffet not protected/covered by lid. Operator placed lid on rice. **Corrected On-Site**
08B-02-4
High Priority - Nonfood-grade bags used in direct contact with dough.
14-31-5
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) 866-372-7233.
53B-14-5
Basic - Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Margarine bottle. Operator labeled bottle. **Corrected On-Site**
02D-01-5
Basic - Open dumpster lid. Educated operator on having dumpster lid closed. **Repeat Violation**
33-16-4
Basic - In-use tongs stored on equipment door handle between uses. Educated operator on proper storage of tongs. Operator removed tongs. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
10-20-4
Basic - In-use knife/knives stored in cracks between pieces of equipment. Cook line. Operator removed knife. **Corrected On-Site**
10-17-4
Basic - Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust-like substance. Kitchen. Educated operator on importance of cleaning vents. **Repeat Violation**
36-34-5
Basic - Ceiling not smooth, nonabsorbent and easily cleanable in food preparation, food storage, or warewashing areas. Observed acoustic ceiling tiles in kitchen. Educated operator on importance of having smooth and easily cleanable ceiling tiles. **Repeat Violation**
36-37-5
43
Aug 3, 2023
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 3 major violations. 4 minor violations.
View 9 violations
Employee Health Policies Present
FL-03
Adequate Handwashing Facilities Supplied and Accessible
FL-10
Food Obtained from Approved Sources
FL-11
Potentially Hazardous Food Held at Proper Temperature
FL-16
Hot and Cold Water Available; Adequate Pressure
FL-25
Approved Thawing Methods Used
FL-31
Proper Sanitizer Contact Time and Concentration
FL-33
Lighting Adequate; Required Shields in Place
FL-36
Equipment Adequate to Maintain Product Temperature
FL-29
43
Dec 8, 2022
Routine - Food
4 critical violations. 4 major violations. 6 minor violations.
View 14 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 primed sanitizer. Rechecked concentration at 100 ppm. **Corrected On-Site**
22-41-4
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Observed container of raw shrimp stored over cooked spinach in reach in cooler. Operator placed raw shrimp on bottom shelf. **Corrected On-Site**
08A-05-6
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed baby corn 48F cold hold, Indian cheese 48F cold hold less than 4 hours. Operator double panned time/temperature control for safety foods with ice and moved to working reach in cooler. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
03A-02-5
High Priority - Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored near food. Operator removed chemical. **Corrected On-Site**
41-10-4
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris. Educated operator on cleaning can opener daily. Operator cleaned can opener. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
22-02-4
Intermediate - Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Observed hand wash sink in prep/dry storage area blocked by rice cookers.
31A-09-4
Intermediate - No soap provided at handwash sink. Hand wash sink at cook line. Operator refilled soap. **Corrected On-Site**
31B-03-4
Intermediate - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Observed cooked foods not date marked. Operator date marked foods. **Corrected On-Site**
02C-02-5
Basic - In-use wet wiping cloth/towel used under cutting board.
21-04-4
Basic - In-use knife/knives stored in cracks between pieces of equipment. Operator removed knife. **Corrected On-Site**
10-17-4
Basic - Food not stored at least 6 inches off of the floor. Observed bag of onions stored on floor in kitchen. **Corrected On-Site**
08B-47-4
Basic - Employee with no hair restraint while engaging in food preparation. Cooks. Educated operator on importance of wearing hair restraints when preparing food. **Repeat Violation**
13-03-4
Basic - No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees. Hand wash sink at cook line.
31B-04-4
Basic - Dead roaches on premises. Observed two dead roaches on floor near ice machine. Operator discarded roaches. **Corrected On-Site**
35A-03-4
27
Aug 22, 2022
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 5 major violations. 4 minor violations.
View 10 violations
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed padneer cheese 50F cold hold, batter 50F cold hold in reach in coolers at cook line less than 4 hours. Operator turned down reach in coolers and double panned time/temperature control for safety foods. **Corrective Action Taken**
03A-02-5
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris. Can opener. Operator cleaned. **Corrected On-Site**
22-02-4
Intermediate - No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. Hand wash sink in dishwash area and hand wash sink at cook line. Operator placed paper towels at hand wash sink. **Corrected On-Site**
31B-02-4
Intermediate - Operator is not properly tracking/marking the number of days ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite was held at refrigeration temperatures prior to freezing in order to properly date mark the food when it is thawed and held at refrigeration temperatures again. Observed precooked frozen sauce not date marked. Educated operator on importance of date marking. **Repeat Violation**
02C-04-5
Intermediate - Soap dispenser at handwash sink not working/unable to dispense soap. Operator fixed. **Corrected On-Site**
31B-06-4
Intermediate - Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled. Operator labeled bottle. **Corrected On-Site**
41-17-4
Basic - Current Hotel and Restaurant license not displayed.
50-09-4
Basic - Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Observed purse stored on counter near clean food equipment.
40-06-5
Basic - Employee with no hair restraint while engaging in food preparation. Cooks.
13-03-4
Basic - Standing water in bottom of reach-in-coolers at cook line.
29-49-6
43
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Masala Mantra the Indian Bistro last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Masala Mantra the Indian Bistro on file is from Oct 16, 2025. The public record contains 11 inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Masala Mantra the Indian Bistro?
Across the inspection record, “vacuum breaker missing at hose bibb” has been cited three times, more than any other issue at Masala Mantra the Indian Bistro.
How does Masala Mantra the Indian Bistro compare to other restaurants in Cape Coral?
Masala Mantra the Indian Bistro most recently scored 67 out of 100, which is lower than the Cape Coral average of 77.
Has Masala Mantra the Indian Bistro's inspection record improved over time?
Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at Masala Mantra the Indian Bistro have averaged around four violations per visit across the recent record.
What does a medium risk rating mean?
A medium risk rating at Masala Mantra the Indian Bistro 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 Masala Mantra the Indian Bistro inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Masala Mantra the Indian Bistro is inspected around three times per year on average.
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