Mel's Way Bistro & Bar
Last inspected: Apr 2, 2026
58
Score
The health department has logged nine inspections at Mel's Way Bistro & Bar, the earliest from 2022. On Apr 2, 2026, the health department conducted the most recent visit. Medium risk typically reflects a handful of issues that inspectors wrote up but didn't deem critical.
Performance has remained roughly level over recent inspections, averaging near four violations each time.
When inspectors have written things up, “time/temperature control for safety food cold held” has been the most frequent reason, cited three times.
By comparison, the average Lake Worth facility scores 77, putting Mel's Way Bistro & Bar on the weaker side. The record is unremarkable in either direction.
9
Inspections
2
Critical latest
1
Major latest
3
Minor latest
Inspection History
Apr 2, 2026
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 1 major violation. 3 minor violations.
View 6 violations
High Priority - Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. Eggplant Lasagna (77F - Cold Holding); stored in True reach in cooler. Per operator, food not prepped or portioned today, food prepared yesterday and held in reach in cooler. Manager discarded food. See Stop Sale.
01B-02-5
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. 1). Cooked Penne Pasta (48F - Cold Holding),stored in flip top cooker on cook line today. Per operator, food not prepped or portioned today. Food prepared yesterday and stored in reach in cooler, and moved to flip top cooler on cook line, and held for approximately 2 hours. Food was placed in freezer to quick chill. ** Corrective Action Taken.** 2). Eggplant Lasagna (77F - Cold Holding); stored in True reach in cooler. Per operator, food not prepped or portioned today, food prepared yesterday and held in reach in cooler. Manager discarded food. See Stop Sale. **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
03A-02-5
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. Emailed poster to operator.
11-27-4
Basic - In-use wet wiping cloth/towel used under cutting board. Wet wiping cloths stored under 2 cutting boards. Employee removed wiping cloths from under cutting boards. **Corrected On-Site**
21-04-4
Basic - No Heimlich maneuver/choking sign posted. Emailed poster to operator.
51-13-4
Basic - No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees. No handwashing signs in both gender bathrooms.
31B-04-4
58
Sep 4, 2025
Routine - Food
3 critical violations. 3 minor violations.
View 6 violations
High Priority - Employee touched face/hair and then engaged in food preparation, handled clean equipment or utensils, or touched unwrapped single-service items without washing hands. Employee wiped face with hand and after without washing hands handled multiple containers of various food products, discussed with employee who washed hands. **Corrected On-Site**
12A-25-4
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. In reach in cooler butter (53F - Cold Holding) per operator product not portioned or prepared today and left out of cooler for approximately 30 minutes, discussed with operator who placed product into freezer to chill. **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
03A-02-5
High Priority - Vacuum breaker missing at hose bibb or on fitting/splitter added to hose bibb. Exterior hose Bibb at mop sink has no vacuum breaker installed, discussed with operator to install.
29-34-4
Basic - Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin. Ice machine interior has Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin, discussed with operator to clean and sanitize.
22-20-5
Basic - Floor soiled/has accumulation of debris. Floors throughout kitchen soiled with grease and food debris, discussed with operator to clean and sanitize floors.
36-73-4
Basic - Reach-in cooler shelves with rust that has pitted the surface. Reach in cooler at server expo station interior shelves rusted and pitted, discussed with operator to replace or repair.
14-33-4
55
Mar 6, 2025
Routine - Food
No violations found.
100
Mar 5, 2025
Routine - Food
5 critical violations.
View 5 violations
High Priority - Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. Spray cleaner with red wine vinegar in dry storage Removed **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
41-10-4
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. Chef eating while handling food containers on cook line Hands not washing prior to food preparation **Warning**
12A-05-4
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Raw fish over cooked chicken Raw carne asada over ready to eat turkey Reach in coolers near double bay sink Removed **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
08A-05-6
High Priority - Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. chicken (50F - Cold Holding); calamari (50F - Cold Holding); hard boil egg (50F - Cold Holding); in salad station cooler. Not prepped or portioned today. In unit over four hours. **Warning**
01B-02-5
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. chicken (50F - Cold Holding); calamari (50F - Cold Holding); hard boil egg (50F - Cold Holding); in salad station cooler. Not prepped or portioned today. In unit over four hours. **Warning**
03A-02-5
47
Nov 13, 2024
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 1 major violation. 1 minor violation.
View 4 violations
Supervisor/Person in Charge Present
FL-01
Certified Food Manager Identification
FL-02
Hands Clean and Properly Washed
FL-08
Toilet Rooms Maintained
FL-53
55
Mar 15, 2024
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 1 minor violation.
View 2 violations
Employee Health Policies Present
FL-03
Hands Clean and Properly Washed
FL-08
82
Sep 1, 2023
Routine - Food
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Food Contact Surfaces Clean and Sanitized
FL-22
Equipment Adequate to Maintain Product Temperature
FL-29
90
Mar 30, 2023
Routine - Food
1 major violation. 3 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Intermediate - Food-contact surface (ice machine) soiled w mold-like substance. **Repeat Violation**
22-02-4
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 in bulk flour and bread crumbs, scoop handles in food. Operator removed, cleaned and sanitized. **Corrective Action Taken**
10-01-5
Basic - Waste line clogged with mold like buildup at soda gun holster.
29-17-4
Basic - Buildup of food debris/soil residue on equipment door handles.
23-24-4
78
Nov 16, 2022
Routine - Food
1 major violation. 2 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Intermediate - Food-contact surface, can opener, soiled with food debris. Operator sent to dishroom for cleaning and sanitization. Ice machine soiled with mold like build up. **Corrective Action Taken**
22-02-4
Basic - Bag of rice stored on floor. Operator placed on shelf. **Corrected On-Site**
08B-38-4
Basic - Employee eating in a food preparation or other restricted area. Observed drink on top of counter. Operator removed. **Corrected On-Site**
12B-02-4
82
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Mel's Way Bistro & Bar last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Mel's Way Bistro & Bar on file is from Apr 2, 2026. The public record contains nine inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Mel's Way Bistro & Bar?
Across the inspection record, “time/temperature control for safety food cold held” has been cited three times, more than any other issue at Mel's Way Bistro & Bar.
How does Mel's Way Bistro & Bar compare to other restaurants in Lake Worth?
Mel's Way Bistro & Bar most recently scored 58 out of 100, which is lower than the Lake Worth average of 77.
Has Mel's Way Bistro & Bar's inspection record improved over time?
Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at Mel's Way Bistro & Bar have averaged around four violations per visit across the recent record.
What does a medium risk rating mean?
A medium risk rating at Mel's Way Bistro & Bar 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 Mel's Way Bistro & Bar inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Mel's Way Bistro & Bar is inspected around three times per year on average.
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