Rosalita's Cantina
Last inspected: Nov 13, 2025
67
Score
The health department has logged 13 inspections at Rosalita's Cantina, the earliest from 2022. The most recent report on file is from Nov 13, 2025. A medium risk rating points to a few notable findings at the last inspection, though nothing severe.
Recent visits have produced comparable findings, with counts hovering near three violations per visit.
“Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled” accounts for the largest share of issues, appearing six times across the record.
Compared to other Sanibel restaurants (averaging 85), there's room to close the gap. Nothing in the record is alarming, but there's room to improve.
13
Inspections
1
Critical latest
2
Major latest
1
Minor latest
Inspection History
Nov 13, 2025
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 2 major violations. 1 minor violation.
View 4 violations
High Priority - Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. Can off insect repellent stored on shelf with dried peppers. Operator removed chemicals. **Corrected On-Site**
41-10-4
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Soda station nozzles have a mold like substance.
22-02-4
Intermediate - Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled. Behind bar; operator labeled. **Corrected On-Site**
41-17-4
Basic - Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Operator removed. **Corrected On-Site**
14-01-5
67
Jul 17, 2025
Routine - Food
3 critical violations. 2 major violations. 1 minor violation.
View 6 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 (Chlorine 00ppm) Operator repaired issue with machine and achieved Dishwasher (Chlorine 100ppm). **Corrected On-Site**
22-41-4
High Priority - Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. Can of bug repellent stored on dish shelf with clean food containers. Operator discarded. **Corrected On-Site**
41-10-4
High Priority - Dented/rusted cans present. See stop sale. On storage rack, one #10 can of diced tomatoes was observed with a severely dented rim and surface.
01B-01-4
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Bar soda nozzle soiled with a mold like substance.
22-02-4
Intermediate - Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled. Unlabeled spray bottle at dish machine table. This is a repeat violation from previous inspection dated 03-04-2025 operator labeled spray bottle **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
41-17-4
Basic - Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Cell phone on shelf of cooks line. Operator removed phone. **Corrected On-Site**
40-06-5
50
Mar 7, 2025
Routine - Food
No violations found.
100
Mar 4, 2025
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 3 major violations. 3 minor violations.
View 7 violations
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. chicken (53 F - Cold Holding); beef (51 F - Cold Holding); prepared chorizo (52 F - Cold Holding) per operator they just came out of a high volume lunch shift and all food was at 41 F or below prior to lunch. Operator iced down food to rapidly cool. This is a repeat violation from previous inspection dated 09-11-2024 **Corrective Action Taken** **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
03A-02-5
Intermediate - Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled. Unlabeled spray bottle underneath hand sink at the end of cooks line. This is a repeat violation from previous inspection dated 09-11-2024 **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
41-17-4
Intermediate - Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Hand sink next to ice machine not accessible. **Warning**
31A-09-4
Intermediate - No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. No,paper towels at hand sink next to ice machine. **Warning**
31B-02-4
Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Partial bottle,of water stored on shelf with tortillas. Operator removed. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
12B-07-4
Basic - Wall soiled with accumulated grease, food debris, and/or dust. Build ip of dust on wall of kitchen above prep table. **Warning**
36-27-5
Basic - Wet wiping cloth not stored in sanitizing solution between uses. Wet wiping cloth on expo counter. This is a repeat violation from previous inspection dated 09-11-2024 **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
21-12-4
55
Jan 21, 2025
Routine - Food
No violations found.
100
Sep 13, 2024
Routine - Food
1 major violation.
View 1 violation
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Mold like substance inside bar soda nozzle. As a repeat violation, the importance of following proper protocal concerning this violation was reinforced with the operator. Repeat from inspection dated 04-04-2024 **Repeat Violation** - From follow-up inspection 2024-09-13: Soda nozzle next to hand sink has a mold like substance. **Time Extended**
22-02-4
90
Sep 11, 2024
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 2 major violations. 4 minor violations.
View 7 violations
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. beef (51 F - Cold Holding); scallops (54 F - Cold Holding); shrimp (55 F - Cold Holding) per operator food had been taken out of cooler to clean inside less than one hour prior to inspection. Operator put food on ice and in walk in cooler to rapidly cool. **Corrective Action Taken**
03A-02-5
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Mold like substance inside bar soda nozzle. As a repeat violation, the importance of following proper protocal concerning this violation was reinforced with the operator. Repeat from inspection dated 04-04-2024 **Repeat Violation**
22-02-4
Intermediate - Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled. Unlabeled spray bottles at dish machine. Repeat from inspection dated 04-04-2024. As a repeat violation, the importance of following proper protocal in regards to this violation was reinforced with the operator **Repeat Violation**
41-17-4
Basic - No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees. At hand sink behind bar. Repeat from inspection dated 04-04-2024 **Repeat Violation**
31B-04-4
Basic - Single-service articles improperly stored. Single serve to go tins not inverted during storage at bar top. Operator inverted. **Corrected On-Site**
25-05-4
Basic - Stored food not covered. Taco bowls on cooks line shelf uncovered. Operator covered food. **Corrected On-Site**
08B-12-5
Basic - Wet wiping cloth not stored in sanitizing solution between uses. At dish drying rack. Operator removed. **Corrected On-Site**
21-12-4
58
Apr 4, 2024
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 2 major violations. 4 minor violations.
View 8 violations
Required Records Available; Shellstock Tags/Labels
FL-14
Hands Clean and Properly Washed
FL-08
Proper Hot and Cold Holding Temperatures
FL-21
Food Contact Surfaces Clean and Sanitized
FL-22
Wiping Cloths Properly Used and Stored
FL-41
Toilet Rooms Maintained
FL-53
Approved Thawing Methods Used
FL-31
Personal Cleanliness
FL-40
43
Dec 18, 2023
Routine - Food
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Plumbing Maintained; Sewage Disposal
FL-51
95
Jul 25, 2023
Routine - Food
4 critical violations. 5 major violations. 2 minor violations.
View 11 violations
High Priority - Dented/rusted cans present. See stop sale. Two number 10 cans of mandarin orange segments on can rack with deeply dented rims.
01B-01-4
High Priority - Employee handled soiled equipment or utensils and then engaged in food preparation, handled clean equipment or utensils, or touched unwrapped single-service items without washing hands. Observed employee loading dishes into the dish machine with bare hands and then without hand washing, unloaded the clean and sanitized dishes from the machine. Educated operator and observed proper hand washing. Discussed with operator the importance of hand washing between loading and unloading the dish machine **Corrective Action Taken**
12A-13-4
High Priority - Non-food grade paper/paper towel used as liner for food container. Non food grade bag used to hold tamales in steam table. Operator removed tamales from bag. **Corrected On-Site**
14-86-1
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. On cooks line reach in prepared stuffed chili peppers (63 F - Cold Holding), per operator food was taken out of refrigerator for service during lunch and was not used, operator stated food had been out for 90 minutes. Operator moved to cooler to rapidly cool. **Corrective Action Taken**
03A-02-5
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Mold like substance inside soda gun behind bar.
22-02-4
Intermediate - No proof of required state approved employee training provided for employee hired more than 60 days ago. To order approved program food safety material, call DBPR contracted provider: Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (SafeStaff) 866-372-7233. Some employees hired more than 60 days prior have no proof of training.
53B-02-5
Intermediate - No soap provided at handwash sink. No soap at hand sink next to sodas fountain. Operator provided soap **Corrected On-Site**
31B-03-4
Intermediate - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Chili peppers stuffed with cheese cooked 24 hour prior, cooled and held for service not date marked with date prepared
02C-02-5
Intermediate - Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled. Two bottles unlabeled at dish machine area. As a repeat violation the importance of following proper protocol with this violation was reinforced with the operator. Repeat form 02-27-2023 **Repeat Violation**
41-17-4
Basic - Carbon dioxide/helium tanks not adequately secured. Large helium tank unspecified by entrance to kitchen.
51-11-4
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. Salmon in walk in cooler with label stating "remove from packaging prior to thawing" still under reduced oxygen packaging. Operator pierced holes in packaging. **Corrected On-Site**
06-09-1
30
Mar 1, 2023
Food-Licensing Inspection
No violations found.
100
Feb 27, 2023
Food-Licensing Inspection
2 major violations. 1 minor violation.
View 3 violations
Intermediate - Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Soda gun mounted in front of hand sink. Operator to move holster away from hand sink.
31A-09-4
Intermediate - Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled. Spray bottles located near dish machine not labeled operator labeled spray bottles **Corrected On-Site**
41-17-4
Basic - No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees. At hand sink behind bar
31B-04-4
78
Sep 22, 2022
Routine - Food
4 critical violations. 2 major violations. 3 minor violations.
View 9 violations
Supervisor/Person in Charge Present
FL-01
Certified Food Manager Identification
FL-02
Hands Clean and Properly Washed
FL-08
Food Received at Proper Temperature
FL-12
Required Records Available; Shellstock Tags/Labels
FL-14
Food Contact Surfaces Clean and Sanitized
FL-22
Wiping Cloths Properly Used and Stored
FL-41
Food Temperature Measuring Devices Provided and Accurate
FL-46
Equipment Adequate to Maintain Product Temperature
FL-29
39
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Rosalita's Cantina last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Rosalita's Cantina on file is from Nov 13, 2025. The public record contains 13 inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Rosalita's Cantina?
Across the inspection record, “spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled” has been cited six times, more than any other issue at Rosalita's Cantina.
How does Rosalita's Cantina compare to other restaurants in Sanibel?
Rosalita's Cantina most recently scored 67 out of 100, which is lower than the Sanibel average of 85.
Has Rosalita's Cantina's inspection record improved over time?
Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at Rosalita's Cantina have averaged around three violations per visit across the recent record.
What does a medium risk rating mean?
A medium risk rating at Rosalita's Cantina 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 Rosalita's Cantina inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Rosalita's Cantina is inspected around four times per year on average.
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