Mel's Diner
Last inspected: Sep 2, 2025
29
Score
Inspectors have visited Mel's Diner nine times, with records going back to 2022. Mel's Diner was last inspected on Sep 2, 2025. Diners may want to take note: high risk reflects issues that a health inspector considered important.
The trend has not been favorable: recent inspections average around eight violations each, up from closer to six violations before.
The pattern that stands out is “raw animal food stored over/not properly separated”, which has been cited four times.
Mel's Diner's latest score of 29 falls below the Bonita Springs average of 80. Taken together, the history suggests a facility that has struggled with consistency.
9
Inspections
5
Critical latest
2
Major latest
6
Minor latest
Inspection History
Sep 2, 2025
Complaint Full
5 critical violations. 2 major violations. 6 minor violations.
View 13 violations
High Priority - Warewashing sanitizing solution exceeding the maximum concentration allowed. Triple sink Quaternary over 440ppm; Sanitizer Bucket Quaternary over 440ppm. Operator adjusted the levels of the sanitizer chemicals. Ware washing and sanitizer buckets 220ppm. **Corrected On-Site**
41-18-4
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. In an pan on the flat top grill cooked potatoes 119F. Operator increased the temperature under the potatoes **Corrective Action Taken**
03B-01-6
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. In the walk in cooler raw shell eggs stored over prepared pancake batter. Operator moved items to proper storage order. **Corrected On-Site**
08A-05-6
High Priority - Employee cracked raw shell eggs and then handled ready-to-eat food and/or clean equipment or utensils without washing hands. Remove glove then handle clean plate without washing hands. Educated the operator and employee on proper handwashing procedures. **Corrective Action Taken**
12A-27-4
High Priority - Dented/rusted cans present. See stop sale. Damaged/spoiled/recalled food not properly segregated. On a shelf in dry storage not seperated from other product there are one number 10 can of sliced apples and 4 number 10 cans of cranberry sauce all with dented rims. See stop sale.
01B-01-4
Intermediate - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. In the walk in cooler pot roast and pot roast gravy prepared in house more than 24 hours ago per operator. No date marking. Operator date marked pot roast and gravy. **Corrected On-Site**
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. All employee training is expired except Jessica Giametta.
53B-14-5
Basic - Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. In a make table cooler there is a plastic ramekin in a container of feta cheese. Operator removed ramekin. **Corrected On-Site**
14-01-5
Basic - Cardboard used to line food-contact shelves. There is cardboard lining shelves in walk in cooler. Operator removed cardboard. **Corrected On-Site**
14-05-4
Basic - Damaged/spoiled/recalled food not properly segregated. On a shelf in dry storage not seperated from other product there are one number 10 can of sliced apples and 4 number 10 cans of cranberry sauce all with dented rims. See stop sale.
08B-20-4
Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Employee drink on prep table. Employee removed drink. **Corrected On-Site**
12B-07-4
Basic - Single-service articles not stored inverted or protected from contamination. Coffee and iced tea filters in the servers side station not protected.
25-06-4
Basic - Standing water in bottom of reach-in-cooler on bottom of make table cooler across from the reach in freezer.
29-49-6
29
Jul 22, 2025
Complaint Full
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 6 minor violations.
View 8 violations
High Priority - Vacuum breaker missing at outside hose bibb to the left of the front door. Educated Operator on the requirement for backflow devices.
29-34-4
Intermediate - Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Handwashing sink on the cook line was blocked by a pan of bacon in front of the basin. Employee moved the pan away from the sink. **Corrected On-Site**
31A-09-4
Basic - Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Personal bags and backpacks were stored on a dry storage shelf with biscuit mix boxes and above bags of onions. Reviewed requirements for personal item storage with the Operator.
40-06-5
Basic - Employee wearing jewelry other than a plain ring on their hands/arms while preparing food. Observed employee preparing eggs on the cook line wearing a wristwatch and an employee preparing food in the prep area wearing a beaded bracelet.
13-07-4
Basic - Employee with no beard guard/restraint while engaging in food preparation on the cook line.
13-04-4
Basic - In-use utensil in non-time/temperature control for safety food not stored with handle above top of food within a closed container. Observed scoop in bin of cinnamon sugar in the prep area stored with the handle touching the product. Operator removed the scoop. **Corrected On-Site**
10-01-5
Basic - In-use utensil used with moist food stored in running water with insufficient velocity to flush food particles away at the ice cream freezer. Operator increased velocity to proper strength. **Corrected On-Site**
10-03-4
Basic - Stored food not covered. Two buckets of ice cream were stored uncovered in the reach-in freezer at the bar.
08B-12-5
58
Dec 4, 2024
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 1 minor violation.
View 2 violations
Hands Clean and Properly Washed
FL-08
Food Contact Surfaces Clean and Sanitized
FL-22
82
Jul 31, 2024
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 4 minor violations.
View 6 violations
Hands Clean and Properly Washed
FL-08
Food Received at Proper Temperature
FL-12
Proper Hot and Cold Holding Temperatures
FL-21
Non-Food Contact Surfaces Clean
FL-23
Personal Cleanliness
FL-40
Wiping Cloths Properly Used and Stored
FL-41
64
Feb 14, 2024
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 2 minor violations.
View 4 violations
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. On the cook line, raw chicken was above cooked ribs in the cooling drawer and raw ground beef was over cooked pasta. In the walk-in cooler, raw pork was directly above cooked chicken. Operator had all products moved to proper positions for food protection. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
08A-05-6
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety, commercially processed food reheating for hot holding not heated to a minimum temperature of 135 degrees Fahrenheit in all parts. Mac and cheese and chili bags were in the hot holding box and both measured 91F. Bags were placed in the box less than 2 hours prior. Food handler removed all bags to boiling water kettle for rapid heating. mac and cheese (91F - Hot Holding)
03E-03-5
Basic - No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees. Printed sign for Operator. **Corrected On-Site**
31B-04-4
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. **Repeat Violation**
06-09-1
67
Aug 4, 2023
Complaint Full
1 critical violation. 6 minor violations.
View 7 violations
High Priority - Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. Bucket of sanitizer on cook line next to food, on cut board. Sanitizer spray bottle over pass thru window on cook line. Operator moved chemicals to lower shelf for proper storage. **Corrected On-Site**
41-10-4
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. Packaged fish with label in main walk-in cooler, thawed, bags sealed. Operator opened the bag. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
06-09-1
Basic - Accumulation of debris on top of both warewashing machines.
16-21-4
Basic - In-use utensil stored in standing water less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. On cook line, stored in water 109F. Operator turned up heat on grill to heat water. Repeat 5/17/2023 **Corrective Action Taken** **Repeat Violation**
10-07-4
Basic - Old labels stuck to food containers after cleaning. Repeat 5/17/2023 **Repeat Violation**
16-46-4
Basic - Floor area(s) covered with standing water in dish washing area and ice machines.
36-22-4
Basic - Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable on cook line.
14-09-4
64
May 18, 2023
Routine - Food
No violations found.
100
May 17, 2023
Routine - Food
3 critical violations. 1 major violation. 4 minor violations.
View 8 violations
High Priority - Live, small flying insects in kitchen, food preparation area, food storage area and/or bar area. 12 small flying insects in back left dry storage area. 5 small flying insects in back dishwasher area. **Warning**
35A-02-6
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. Dishwasher (Chlorine 0ppm) after running three times on front line. Also Dishwasher chlorine 25ppm and temperature 117F after running three times in main dishwasher area. Operator called technician and set up manual sanitation in triple sink 300ppm quaternary. This is a repeat violation from 12/27/2022. **Corrective Action Taken** **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
22-41-4
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Tall reach-in cooler on cook line near fryer, raw fish and raw pork over ready-to-eat cooked chicken. In mail wic raw beef over cooked chicken. On cook line middle reach-in cooler across from flat top grill, raw shell eggs over ready-to-eat cheese. Operator rearranged all coolers for proper food storage. This is a repeat violation from 12/27/2022. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
08A-05-6
Intermediate - Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled. 2 in back dishwashing area. **Warning**
41-17-4
Basic - In-use utensil stored in standing water less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. On cook line utensils in standing water 101F, operator moved to hot part of grill for rapid heating. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
10-07-4
Basic - Old labels stuck to food containers after cleaning. **Warning**
16-46-4
Basic - Single-service articles improperly stored. Coffee filters stored uncovered at both coffee service stations. This is a repeat violation from 12/27/2022. **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
25-05-4
Basic - Stored food not covered. In walk-in freezer 5 trays uncovered shrimp. In attached produce walk-in cooler, 2 contain uncovered prepped lettuce. Operator covered all foods. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
08B-12-5
47
Dec 27, 2022
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 1 major violation. 7 minor violations.
View 10 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. Dishwasher Front (Chlorine 0ppm) after running and priming three times. Operator instructed staff to send dishes to back kitchen dishwasher for proper sanitation, chlorine 50ppm . **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning**
22-41-4
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Raw pork over ready-to-eat soup in main walk-in cooler in center of kitchen. This is a repeat violation from 5/26/2022. Discussed with operator proper storage , operator moved raw items to proper storage, provided operator with safe refrigeration handouts in English and Spanish. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
08A-05-6
Intermediate - Menu does not identify which items contain raw or undercooked animal foods covered by the consumer advisory. On breakfast specials menu, asterisk is used to denote raw items, all items marked with asterisk - smoked salmon per operator served raw no properly designed as raw due to all items, raw and cooked, marked with asterisk. **Warning**
02B-01-5
Basic - Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance. Dust on ceiling vents and surrounding tiles in front of kitchen, cook line. **Warning**
36-34-5
Basic - Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin in back of kitchen near dishwashing area, left side. **Warning**
22-20-5
Basic - Single-service articles improperly stored. Near dishwashing area storage area, boxes napkins and to go containers stored on floor. **Warning**
25-05-4
Basic - Plumbing system in disrepair. Handwash sink on front line hot water tap cannot turn. **Warning**
29-08-4
Basic - No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees. Front line handwash sink, middle prep kitchen handwash sink. Printed sign for operator, operator hung signs. **Warning**
31B-04-4
Basic - Floor tiles missing and/or in disrepair. Observed broken floor tiles on cook line, service line, dish machine area, expediting area. This is a repeat violation from 05/06/2021 and 7/20/2021, 5/26/2022. **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
36-17-5
Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Two open employee beverages over prep tables in middle of kitchen. Operator moved both drinks. This is a repeat violation from 5/26/2022 **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
12B-07-4
47
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Mel's Diner last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Mel's Diner on file is from Sep 2, 2025. The public record contains nine inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Mel's Diner?
Across the inspection record, “raw animal food stored over/not properly separated” has been cited four times, more than any other issue at Mel's Diner.
How does Mel's Diner compare to other restaurants in Bonita Springs?
Mel's Diner most recently scored 29 out of 100, which is lower than the Bonita Springs average of 80.
Has Mel's Diner's inspection record improved over time?
No. Recent inspections at Mel's Diner have averaged around eight violations per visit, up from roughly six earlier in the record.
What does a high risk rating mean?
A high risk rating at Mel's Diner 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 Mel's Diner inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Mel's Diner is inspected around three times per year on average.
Nearby Restaurants