Papa Joe's Italian Rest

814 Cape Coral Pkwy, Cape Coral, FL 339049010

Italian

Last inspected: Oct 29, 2025

Score

Medium Risk

Public records show seven inspections at Papa Joe's Italian Rest stretching back to 2023. Inspectors last stopped by on Oct 29, 2025. A medium risk rating points to a few notable findings at the last inspection, though nothing severe.

Violation counts have held steady across recent visits, averaging around six violations each.

When inspectors have written things up, “in-use ice scoop stored on top” has been the most frequent reason, cited three times.

Compared to other Cape Coral restaurants (averaging 77), there's room to close the gap. The record is unremarkable in either direction.

Inspections

Critical latest

Major latest

Minor latest

Inspection History

Oct 29, 2025

Routine - Food

2 critical violations. 3 minor violations.

View 5 violations

Certified Food Manager Identification

FL-02

Employee Health Policies Present

FL-03

Required Records Available; Shellstock Tags/Labels

FL-14

Proper Hot and Cold Holding Temperatures

FL-21

Approved Thawing Methods Used

FL-31

Jul 30, 2025

Routine - Food

1 critical violation. 2 major violations. 4 minor violations.

View 7 violations

Certified Food Manager Identification

FL-02

Employee Health Policies Present

FL-03

Food Received at Proper Temperature

FL-12

Approved Thawing Methods Used

FL-31

Required Records Available; Shellstock Tags/Labels

FL-14

Food Contact Surfaces Clean and Sanitized

FL-22

Equipment Adequate to Maintain Product Temperature

FL-29

Nov 1, 2024

Routine - Food

1 critical violation. 2 major violations. 2 minor violations.

View 5 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 chlorine concentration at 50 ppm. **Corrected On-Site**

22-41-4

Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris. Can opener.

22-02-4

Intermediate - Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled.

41-17-4

Basic - Accumulation of debris on exterior of warewashing machine.

16-21-4

Basic - Ice scoop handle in contact with ice.

10-08-5

Aug 8, 2024

Routine - Food

1 major violation. 3 minor violations.

View 4 violations

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 - No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees. Hand wash sink in dishwash area.

31B-04-4

Basic - In-use ice scoop stored on top of outside ice machine between uses. Educated operator on proper storage of ice scoop. Operator placed ice scoop in bucket. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**

10-12-5

Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Observed employee open beverage stored on top of dishmachine.

12B-07-4

Dec 14, 2023

Routine - Food

1 critical violation. 3 major violations. 2 minor violations.

View 6 violations

High Priority - Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license.

50-17-3

Intermediate - Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled. Educated operator on importance of labeling bottles. Operator labeled bottle. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**

41-17-4

Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Observed hand wash sink used to fill container with water.

31A-11-4

Intermediate - No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. Hand wash sink in dishwash area. Operator placed paper towels at hand wash sink. **Corrective Action Taken**

31B-02-4

Basic - Open dumpster lid. Educated operator on importance of keeping dumpster lid closed. **Repeat Violation**

33-16-4

Basic - In-use ice scoop stored on top of outside ice machine between uses. Educated operator on proper storage of ice scoop. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**

10-12-5

Aug 15, 2023

Routine - Food

3 critical violations. 2 major violations. 1 minor violation.

View 6 violations

No Bare Hand Contact with Ready-to-Eat Food

FL-09

Adequate Handwashing Facilities Supplied and Accessible

FL-10

Sewage and Wastewater Properly Disposed

FL-27

Equipment Adequate to Maintain Product Temperature

FL-29

Proper Sanitizer Contact Time and Concentration

FL-33

Wiping Cloths Properly Used and Stored

FL-41

Mar 16, 2023

Routine - Food

1 critical violation. 2 major violations. 5 minor violations.

View 8 violations

High Priority - Vacuum breaker missing at mop sink faucet or on fitting/splitter added to mop sink faucet.

29-42-4

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.

11-27-4

Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Observed employee rinsing cloth at hand wash sink. Observed metal pot stored in front service hand wash sink.

31A-11-4

Basic - Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense chicken base. Operator removed cup. **Corrected On-Site**

14-01-5

Basic - Current Hotel and Restaurant license not displayed.

50-09-4

Basic - In-use ice scoop stored on top of outside ice machine between uses. **Corrected On-Site**

10-12-5

Basic - No conspicuously located ambient air temperature thermometer in holding unit.

05-09-4

Basic - Open dumpster lid.

33-16-4

Show all 7 inspections Show less

Frequently Asked Questions

When was Papa Joe's Italian Rest last inspected?

The most recent health inspection at Papa Joe's Italian Rest on file is from Oct 29, 2025. The public record contains seven inspections in total.

What is the most common violation at Papa Joe's Italian Rest?

Across the inspection record, “in-use ice scoop stored on top” has been cited three times, more than any other issue at Papa Joe's Italian Rest.

How does Papa Joe's Italian Rest compare to other restaurants in Cape Coral?

Papa Joe's Italian Rest most recently scored 61 out of 100, which is lower than the Cape Coral average of 77.

Has Papa Joe's Italian Rest's inspection record improved over time?

Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at Papa Joe's Italian Rest have averaged around six violations per visit across the recent record.

What does a medium risk rating mean?

A medium risk rating at Papa Joe's Italian Rest 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 Papa Joe's Italian Rest inspected?

Based on the inspection history on file, Papa Joe's Italian Rest is inspected around three times per year on average.

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