Pinchers Crab Shack
Last inspected: Mar 3, 2026
78
Score
The health department has logged nine inspections at Pinchers Crab Shack, the earliest from 2022. The latest inspection on file is from Mar 3, 2026. When a facility lands in the low risk tier, it usually means nothing alarming showed up at the most recent visit.
Things have been moving in the right direction, with the rolling count dropping from around six violations to closer to three violations per visit.
When inspectors have written things up, “handwash sink not accessible for employee use” has been the most frequent reason, cited three times.
The city-wide average is 77, putting Pinchers Crab Shack squarely in typical territory. The file should reassure diners considering a visit.
9
Inspections
1
Critical latest
1
Major latest
0
Minor latest
Inspection History
Mar 3, 2026
Complaint Full
1 critical violation. 1 major violation.
View 2 violations
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Raw shelled eggs stored directly over ready to eat sauces and containers of milk in walk in cooler. Observed operator correct violations in order to meet inspection standards. **Corrected On-Site**
08A-05-6
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Ice tea dispenser nozzles have a build up. This is a repeat violation from the previous inspection dated 12-04-2025 **Repeat Violation**
22-02-4
78
Dec 4, 2025
Complaint Full
1 critical violation. 2 major violations. 1 minor violation.
View 4 violations
High Priority - Vacuum breaker missing at hose bibb or on fitting/splitter added to hose bibb. Hose Bibb at fish market two compartment sink has no vacuum breaker. This is a repeat violation from the previous inspection dated 10-10-2025 **Repeat Violation**
29-34-4
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Ice tea urn nozzle and soda nozzles in server station have a buildup inside. Operator began cleaning and sanitizing during inspection. **Corrective Action Taken**
22-02-4
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. Melanie R issued on 06-11-2022 and expired on 06-11-2025. Operator stated she is scheduled to retake the exam in Friday. **Corrective Action Taken**
53B-14-5
Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Open bottle of water on shelf with food to be served to the public. Observed operator correct violations in order to meet inspection standards. **Corrected On-Site**
12B-07-4
67
Oct 10, 2025
Routine - Food
3 critical violations. 1 major violation.
View 4 violations
High Priority - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food marked with a date that exceeds 7 days after opening/preparation. In reach in cooler on cooks line, 5 cups of house prepared honey butter with a preparation date of 09-05 that exceeds 7 date marking requirements.
02C-01-5
High Priority - Stop Sale issued due to food not being in a wholesome, sound condition. In reach in cooler on cooks line, 5 cups of house prepared honey butter with a preparation date of 09-05 that exceeds 7 date marking requirements.
01B-13-4
High Priority - Vacuum breaker missing at hose bibb or on fitting/splitter added to hose bibb. No vacuum breaker at hose Bibb at fish market sink.
29-34-4
Intermediate - Menu does not identify which items contain raw or undercooked animal foods covered by the consumer advisory. Seafood tower does not identify raw oyster as an ingredient. Operator marked menus during inspection **Corrected On-Site**
02B-01-5
58
Mar 19, 2025
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 5 minor violations.
View 7 violations
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over or with unwashed produce. Observed raw mahi over asparagus in reach-in cooler on cook line and raw shrimp and raw pollock over ready to eat chicken wings. The manager moved the asparagus to walk-in cooler and ready to eat chicken wings to top shelf above the raw products in stand up res h-in cooler. **Corrected On-Site**
08A-04-5
Intermediate - Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Observed cup in handwashing sink in bar. The manager removed cup from handwashing sink. **Corrected On-Site**
31A-09-4
Basic - Accumulation of lime scale on the inside of the dishmachine.
16-23-4
Basic - Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance in preparation area.
36-34-5
Basic - Equipment in poor repair. Observed stand up reach-in cooler gasket torn.
14-11-5
Basic - Food stored on floor. Observed bottles of water on floor in storage are. The manager moved the bottles of water off floor in storage area. **Corrected On-Site**
08B-38-4
Basic - Single-service articles not stored inverted or protected from contamination. Observed single service plates inverted above prep table on cook line. The manager inverted plastic plates during inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
25-06-4
61
Oct 22, 2024
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 5 minor violations.
View 7 violations
High Priority - Pesticide-emitting strip present in food prep area. Observed pesticide emitting strip above bread rack in kitchen. The chef moved the bread rack from under the emitting strip. **Corrected On-Site**
41-24-4
Intermediate - Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Observed a knife in handwashing sink in prep area. The knives was removed from handwashing sink in prep area. **Corrected On-Site**
31A-09-4
Basic - In-use wet wiping cloth/towel used under cutting board. The wiping cloth was removed from under the cutting board. **Corrected On-Site**
21-04-4
Basic - Light shield damaged/in disrepair in dishwashing area.
38-01-4
Basic - Single-service articles not stored inverted or protected from contamination. Observed coffee filters unprotected beside coffee machine. The coffee filters were placed in covered container. **Corrected On-Site**
25-06-4
Basic - Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance.
36-34-5
Basic - Duct tape used to repair nonfood-contact surface. Observed blue duct tape in prep area. The manager removed the blue duct tape. **Corrected On-Site**
14-71-4
61
Jan 30, 2024
Routine - Food
2 major violations. 3 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Intermediate - Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Observed empty container in hand washing sink in prep area. The operator removed empty container from hand washing sink. **Corrected On-Site**
31A-09-4
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 - Employee wearing jewelry other than a plain ring on their hands/arms while preparing food.
13-07-4
Basic - In-use wet wiping cloth/towel used under cutting board. The manager removed wiping cloth from under cutting board. **Corrected On-Site**
21-04-4
Basic - Cove molding at floor/wall juncture broken/missing.
36-03-4
70
Aug 24, 2023
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 5 minor violations.
View 7 violations
Proper Eating, Tasting, Drinking, or Tobacco Use
FL-06
Hands Clean and Properly Washed
FL-08
Proper Hot and Cold Holding Temperatures
FL-21
Food Contact Surfaces Clean and Sanitized
FL-22
Hot and Cold Water Available; Adequate Pressure
FL-25
Approved Thawing Methods Used
FL-31
Lighting Adequate; Required Shields in Place
FL-36
61
Mar 17, 2023
Routine - Food
7 minor violations.
View 7 violations
Basic - Ceiling/ceiling tile shows damage or is in disrepair in prep area.
36-32-5
Basic - Cove molding at floor/wall juncture broken/missing in kitchen area by walk-in cooler.
36-03-4
Basic - In-use knife/knives stored in cracks between pieces of equipment. The manager removed knife from between equipment. **Corrected On-Site**
10-17-4
Basic - In-use wet wiping cloth/towel used under cutting board across from cook line. The manager removed wiping cloth from under cutting board.
21-04-4
Basic - Interior of oven/microwave has accumulation of black substance/grease/food debris. Observed interior of microwave soiled. **Repeat Violation**
22-08-4
Basic - Single-service articles not stored inverted or protected from contamination. Observed coffee filters unprotected. The manager placed coffee filters in container. **Corrected On-Site**
25-06-4
Basic - Wiping cloth sanitizing solution stored on the floor. Observed sanitizer bucket on floor on cook line. The manager double bucketed sanitizer bucket. **Corrected On-Site**
21-38-4
70
Aug 31, 2022
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 5 minor violations.
View 7 violations
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Observed raw tuna over ready to eat hotdogs in walk-in cooler. The manager moved hotdogs to another cooler. **Corrected On-Site**
08A-05-6
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed raw salmon (46F - Cold Holding); raw shrimp (47F - Cold Holding); raw grouper (47F - Cold Holding) in reach-in cooler under cook line. The cook is placing ice on all raw products. Observed Cole Saw 47F in reach-in cooler in salad station. The manager moved Cole Slaw to walk-in cooler. **Corrective Action Taken**
03A-02-5
Basic - Light shield soiled in kitchen area.
38-01-4
Basic - Interior of oven/microwave has accumulation of black substance/grease/food debris. Observed interior of microwave soiled above steam table. The manager cleaned microwave during inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
22-08-4
Basic - Equipment in poor repair. Observed reach-in cooler gasket torn across from potatoes. **Repeat Violation**
14-11-5
Basic - Employee personal food not properly identified and segregated from food to be served to the public in salad station reach-in cooler. The manager discarded personal food. **Corrected On-Site**
08B-49-4
Basic - Standing water in bottom of reach-in-cooler in way station.
29-49-6
58
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Pinchers Crab Shack last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Pinchers Crab Shack on file is from Mar 3, 2026. The public record contains nine inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Pinchers Crab Shack?
Across the inspection record, “handwash sink not accessible for employee use” has been cited three times, more than any other issue at Pinchers Crab Shack.
How does Pinchers Crab Shack compare to other restaurants in Cape Coral?
Pinchers Crab Shack most recently scored 78 out of 100, which is about the same as the Cape Coral average of 77.
Has Pinchers Crab Shack's inspection record improved over time?
Yes. Recent inspections at Pinchers Crab Shack have averaged around three violations per visit, down from roughly six earlier in the record.
What does a low risk rating mean?
A low risk rating at Pinchers Crab Shack means inspectors found minimal or no significant issues at the most recent visit. Most facilities at this tier have a clean recent inspection report.
How often is Pinchers Crab Shack inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Pinchers Crab Shack is inspected around three times per year on average.
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