Pepes Cantina I Drive
Last inspected: Dec 11, 2025
33
Score
Public records show nine inspections at Pepes Cantina I Drive stretching back to 2023. On Dec 11, 2025, the health department conducted the most recent visit. High risk usually means inspectors flagged either critical violations or a stack of smaller ones.
Violation counts have been trending down, averaging around eight violations across recent inspections versus roughly 20 violations before.
The most common issue across all inspections has been “food-contact surface soiled with food debris”, showing up four times.
That's lower than the typical Clermont restaurant, which scores around 68. This restaurant has more on its record than most do.
9
Inspections
2
Critical latest
4
Major latest
8
Minor latest
Inspection History
Dec 11, 2025
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 4 major violations. 8 minor violations.
View 14 violations
High Priority - Live, small flying insects found -3 flying insects found in bar area **Repeat Violation**
35A-02-7
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. -raw beef over flan in walk in cooler, operator moved flan to ready to eat section **Corrected On-Site**
08A-05-6
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. -interior of spray hoses in dish area -cutting boards on cook line -walk in cooler shelves have residue buildup **Repeat Violation**
22-02-4
Intermediate - Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. -downstairs server area blocked by high chairs. Operator moved chairs **Corrected On-Site**
31A-09-4
Intermediate - No proof provided that food employees are informed of their responsibility to report to the person in charge information about their health and activities related to foodborne illnesses. -Andy, operator had employee read and sign form. **Corrected On-Site**
11-26-1
Intermediate - Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled. -bottle of pink liquid on cook line
41-17-4
Basic - Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance. -hot water room **Repeat Violation**
36-34-5
Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. -open beverage bottle on bar area, operator removed **Corrected On-Site**
12B-07-4
Basic - Establishment did not report seating change that affects the license fee, Clean Indoor Air Act, sewage system approval or other related requirements. -license states 150 seats, counted 199, provided seating change evaluation to operator.**Repeat Violation** **Repeat Violation**
51-09-4
Basic - Holes in or other damage to wall in downstairs kitchen
36-24-5
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. -lid covers on tortillas across from triple sink
23-03-4
Basic - Stored food not covered. -multiple items in walk in cooler, reach in freezer, and tortilla shells on cook line
08B-12-5
Basic - Time/temperature control for safety food thawed in an improper manner. -cooked shredded chicken was thawing at room temperature. Educated operator
06-01-5
Basic - Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. -sugar and salt containers at bar area **Repeat Violation**
02D-01-5
33
Aug 5, 2025
Routine - Food
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Accumulation of lime scale on the inside of the dishmachine. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2025-06-04: **Time Extended** - From follow-up inspection 2025-08-05: **Time Extended**
16-23-4
95
Jun 4, 2025
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 2 major violations. 5 minor violations.
View 8 violations
High Priority - - From initial inspection : High Priority - Live, small flying insects found -4 in downstairs kitchen, 2 in upstairs server area, 1 in bar **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2025-06-04: 2 flying insects downstairs, 2 upstairs. Operator had new control device installed in downstairs kitchen. **Time Extended** **Corrective Action Taken**
35A-02-7
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. -cutting boards on cook line -interior spray hose **Repeat Violation** **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2025-06-04: -cutting boards on cook line -interior spray hose **Time Extended**
22-02-4
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : Intermediate - No plan review submitted and approved - renovations were made or are in progress. Must submit plans and plan review application to DBPR H and R Plan Review office located at 2601 Blair Stone Rd., Tallahassee, FL 32399-1011. Plans must be submitted AND approved within 60 days. The direct link to the Plan Review page is https://www2.myfloridalicense.com/hotels-restaurants/licensing/plan-review/. Operator has added two ice machines downstairs, downstairs storage rooms, server alley with soda machine and hand sink added downstairs, outdoor seating added to patio. Upstairs private room turned in to server alley. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2025-06-04: **Time Extended**
51-16-7
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Accumulation of lime scale on the inside of the dishmachine. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2025-06-04: **Time Extended**
16-23-4
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance throughout the kitchen. **Repeat Violation** **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2025-06-04: **Time Extended**
36-34-5
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable. -green cutting board in bar area. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2025-06-04: **Time Extended**
14-09-4
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Establishment did not report seating change that affects the license fee, Clean Indoor Air Act, sewage system approval or other related requirements. -license states 150, counted 199 seats. **Repeat Violation** **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2025-06-04: **Time Extended**
51-09-4
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees on cook line and server area downstairs. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2025-06-04: **Time Extended**
31B-04-4
55
Jun 3, 2025
Routine - Food
4 critical violations. 3 major violations. 11 minor violations.
View 18 violations
High Priority - Live, small flying insects found -4 in downstairs kitchen, 2 in upstairs server area, 1 in bar **Warning**
35A-02-7
High Priority - Quaternary ammonium sanitizer not at proper minimum strength for manual warewashing. Do not use equipment/utensils not properly sanitized. -0 ppm, operator changed, 200 ppm. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
22-43-4
High Priority - Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. -housemade avocado cream (47F - Cold Holding); sour cream (61F - Cold Holding) cut lettuce (51F - Cold Holding), cook line, all held more than four hours per operator. **Warning**
01B-02-5
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. -housemade avocado cream (47F - Cold Holding); sour cream (61F - Cold Holding) cut lettuce (51F - Cold Holding), cook line, all held more than four hours per operator. **Warning**
03A-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. -Elehoe **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
53B-14-5
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. -cutting boards on cook line -interior spray hose **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
22-02-4
Intermediate - No plan review submitted and approved - renovations were made or are in progress. Must submit plans and plan review application to DBPR H and R Plan Review office located at 2601 Blair Stone Rd., Tallahassee, FL 32399-1011. Plans must be submitted AND approved within 60 days. The direct link to the Plan Review page is https://www2.myfloridalicense.com/hotels-restaurants/licensing/plan-review/. Operator has added two ice machines downstairs, downstairs storage rooms, server alley with soda machine and hand sink added downstairs, outdoor seating added to patio. Upstairs private room turned in to server alley. **Warning**
51-16-7
Basic - Accumulation of lime scale on the inside of the dishmachine. **Warning**
16-23-4
Basic - Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. -vegetables on cook line **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
14-01-5
Basic - Cardboard used to line nonfood-contact shelves. -under microwave on cook line **Warning**
14-45-4
Basic - Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance throughout the kitchen. **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
36-34-5
Basic - Establishment did not report seating change that affects the license fee, Clean Indoor Air Act, sewage system approval or other related requirements. -license states 150, counted 199 seats. **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
51-09-4
Basic - No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees on cook line and server area downstairs. **Warning**
31B-04-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. -gaskets on reach in cooler by triple sink **Warning**
23-03-4
Basic - Storage of maintenance equipment/tools in areas that may result in cross contamination of food, equipment, utensils, linens and/or single-service and single-use articles. -insect device over ice buckets in upstairs server area. **Warning**
42-03-5
Basic - Wiping cloth quaternary ammonium compound sanitizing solution not at proper minimum strength. -0 ppm, operator changed, 150 ppm. **Warning**
21-08-4
Basic - Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. -container of oil on make table in kitchen, operator labeled. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
02D-01-5
Basic - Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable. -green cutting board in bar area. **Warning**
14-09-4
23
Nov 21, 2024
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 2 major violations. 9 minor violations.
View 12 violations
Hands Clean and Properly Washed
FL-08
Adequate Handwashing Facilities Supplied and Accessible
FL-10
Food Received at Proper Temperature
FL-12
Food in Good Condition, Safe, and Unadulterated
FL-13
Required Records Available; Shellstock Tags/Labels
FL-14
Food Contact Surfaces Clean and Sanitized
FL-22
Non-Food Contact Surfaces Clean
FL-23
Warewashing Facilities Maintained and Used
FL-24
Approved Thawing Methods Used
FL-31
Lighting Adequate; Required Shields in Place
FL-36
Plumbing Maintained; Sewage Disposal
FL-51
Toilet Rooms Maintained
FL-53
41
Apr 22, 2024
Routine - Food
3 critical violations. 3 major violations. 23 minor violations.
View 29 violations
High Priority - Live, small flying insects in kitchen, food preparation area, food storage area and/or bar area. -1 fly in kitchen area.
35A-02-6
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. -raw mahi over cooked octopus in reach in freezer -raw shrimp over french fries in reach in freezer. -raw beef over veggies in reach in freezer -raw pork over cooked chicken in walk in cooler. **Corrected On-Site**
08A-05-6
High Priority - Raw animal foods not properly separated from each other in holding unit based upon minimum required cooking temperature. -raw chicken over raw beef in walk in cooler **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
08A-20-5
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. -white cutting boards on cook line -interior of fryers
22-02-4
Intermediate - Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. -handwash sink at bar -handwash sink in kitchen by soda boxes
31A-09-4
Intermediate - Menu does not identify which items contain raw or undercooked animal foods covered by the consumer advisory. -ceviche trio. Operator marked menus with an asterisk to connect to the consumer advisory. **Corrected On-Site**
02B-01-5
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. -top back of fryers -backsplash of stove -exterior sides of fryers and stove on cook line
23-03-4
Basic - Old labels stuck to food containers after cleaning. -in dish storage area
16-46-4
Basic - Sanitizer bucket stored with food, equipment, utensils, linens, single-service, or single-use articles. -stored by cutting boards, soda boxes and water bottles in kitchen. **Corrected On-Site**
21-44-1
Basic - Stored food not covered. -refried beans, black beans and queso in walk in cooler.
08B-12-5
Basic - Time/temperature control for safety food thawed in an improper manner. -frozen veggies thawing at room temperature. Operator moved to walk in cooler. **Corrected On-Site**
06-01-5
Basic - Unwashed fruits/vegetables stored with ready-to-eat food. -unwashed lettuce and cilantro over cheese and prepped peppers in walk in cooler. **Corrected On-Site**
08B-17-4
Basic - Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. -beans in dry storage **Corrected On-Site**
02D-01-5
Basic - -back door open at time of inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
35B-01-4
Basic - Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin.
22-20-5
Basic - Accumulation of debris on exterior of warewashing machine. **Repeat Violation**
16-21-4
Basic - Accumulation of lime scale on the inside of the dishmachine.
16-23-4
Basic - Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. -bowl in cooked rice on cook line. **Corrected On-Site**
14-01-5
Basic - Ceiling tile missing. -in kitchen area.
36-36-4
Basic - Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance. -throughout the kitchen
36-34-5
Basic - Clean glasses, cups, bowls, plates, pots and pans not stored inverted or in a protected manner. -clean silverware in server wait station **Corrected On-Site**
24-05-4
Basic - Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable. -green cutting board in bar.
14-09-4
Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. -bottle water on prep table by clean utensils in server wait area -personal drink in server side station by water pitchers
12B-07-4
Basic - Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. -backpack over chipotle peppers in dry storage area. **Corrected On-Site**
40-06-5
Basic - Equipment in poor repair. -gaskets in reach in freezer
14-11-5
Basic - Floor soiled/has accumulation of debris. -underneath fryers on cook line.
36-73-4
Basic - Floor tiles missing and/or in disrepair. -on cook line.
36-17-5
Basic - In-use tongs stored on equipment door handle between uses. -on stove on cook line. **Corrected On-Site**
10-20-4
Basic - Interior of oven/microwave has accumulation of black substance/grease/food debris. -on cook line. **Corrected On-Site**
22-08-4
15
Dec 6, 2023
Routine - Food
6 critical violations. 3 minor violations.
View 9 violations
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Rice and refried beans approximately 120F, on top of oven. Returned to oven to reheat **Corrective Action Taken** **Repeat Violation**
03B-01-6
High Priority - Cooked/heated time/temperature control for safety food not cooled from 135 degrees Fahrenheit to 41 degrees Fahrenheit within 6 hours. Cheese sauce in large covered bus tub 47F in the middle cooling from previous day. See stop sale
03D-02-5
High Priority - Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse.
01B-02-5
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. - Crumble cheese 50-52F sour cream 46-53F, front of cookline double cooler - cut tomatoes improperly iced in wait station 49F Less than 4 hours **Repeat Violation**
03A-02-5
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Raw beef and seafood over corn salsa **Corrected On-Site**
08A-05-6
High Priority - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food not consumed/sold within 7 days after opening/preparation. See stop sale. Cooked wings 11/26, cooked chicken 11/29, vegan beans 11/19
01B-24-5
Basic - Accumulation of debris on exterior of warewashing machine. Top of machine
16-21-4
Basic - Carbon dioxide/helium tanks not adequately secured. Next to bag in the box soda **Corrected On-Site**
51-11-4
Basic - Ice scoop handle in contact with ice. In ice bins upstairs **Corrected On-Site**
10-08-5
35
Jun 7, 2023
Routine - Food
6 critical violations. 1 major violation. 4 minor violations.
View 11 violations
Supervisor/Person in Charge Present
FL-01
Certified Food Manager Identification
FL-02
Employee Health Policies Present
FL-03
Hands Clean and Properly Washed
FL-08
Adequate Handwashing Facilities Supplied and Accessible
FL-10
Food Contact Surfaces Clean and Sanitized
FL-22
Hot and Cold Water Available; Adequate Pressure
FL-25
Equipment Adequate to Maintain Product Temperature
FL-29
Approved Thawing Methods Used
FL-31
Equipment, Food and Non-Food Contact Surfaces Approved
FL-35
Lighting Adequate; Required Shields in Place
FL-36
29
Jan 3, 2023
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 2 major violations. 4 minor violations.
View 7 violations
Hands Clean and Properly Washed
FL-08
Food Received at Proper Temperature
FL-12
Food Contact Surfaces Clean and Sanitized
FL-22
Non-Food Contact Surfaces Clean
FL-23
Warewashing Facilities Maintained and Used
FL-24
Lighting Adequate; Required Shields in Place
FL-36
Wiping Cloths Properly Used and Stored
FL-41
52
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Pepes Cantina I Drive last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Pepes Cantina I Drive on file is from Dec 11, 2025. The public record contains nine inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Pepes Cantina I Drive?
Across the inspection record, “food-contact surface soiled with food debris” has been cited four times, more than any other issue at Pepes Cantina I Drive.
How does Pepes Cantina I Drive compare to other restaurants in Clermont?
Pepes Cantina I Drive most recently scored 33 out of 100, which is lower than the Clermont average of 68.
Has Pepes Cantina I Drive's inspection record improved over time?
Yes. Recent inspections at Pepes Cantina I Drive have averaged around eight violations per visit, down from roughly 20 earlier in the record.
What does a high risk rating mean?
A high risk rating at Pepes Cantina I Drive 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 Pepes Cantina I Drive inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Pepes Cantina I Drive is inspected around three times per year on average.
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