South Cape Diner
Last inspected: Jan 23, 2026
70
Score
South Cape Diner has been inspected 12 times since 2022. The most recent report on file is from Jan 23, 2026. When a facility lands in medium risk territory, it usually means a mixed inspection result.
Recent inspections have turned up roughly the same number of issues each time, hovering near six violations per visit.
The pattern that stands out is “vacuum breaker missing at hose bibb”, which has been cited three times.
That's lower than the typical Cape Coral restaurant, which scores around 77. On the whole, the file is mixed but not concerning.
12
Inspections
0
Critical latest
2
Major latest
3
Minor latest
Inspection History
Jan 23, 2026
Routine - Food
2 major violations. 3 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Certified Food Manager Identification
FL-02
Sewage and Wastewater Properly Disposed
FL-27
Approved Thawing Methods Used
FL-31
Toxic Substances Properly Identified, Stored, Used
FL-32
Plumbing Maintained; Sewage Disposal
FL-51
70
Oct 13, 2025
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 2 major violations. 2 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Adequate Handwashing Facilities Supplied and Accessible
FL-10
Food Contact Surfaces Clean and Sanitized
FL-22
Sewage and Wastewater Properly Disposed
FL-27
Approved Thawing Methods Used
FL-31
Plumbing Maintained; Sewage Disposal
FL-51
58
May 19, 2025
Complaint Full
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 3 minor violations.
View 5 violations
High Priority - Vacuum breaker missing at hose bibb or on fitting/splitter added to hose bibb in dishwash area. Educated operator on importance of having vacuum breaker. Operator purchased vacuum breaker and just has to install.**Repeat Violation** **Corrective Action Taken** **Repeat Violation**
29-34-4
Intermediate - Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled. Operator labeled bottle. **Corrected On-Site**
41-17-4
Basic - In-use knife/knives stored in cracks between pieces of equipment. Operator removed knives. **Corrected On-Site**
10-17-4
Basic - In-use tongs stored on equipment door handle between uses. Operator removed tongs. **Corrected On-Site**
10-20-4
Basic - Carbon dioxide/helium tanks not adequately secured. Operator secured tanks. **Corrected On-Site**
51-11-4
67
Nov 14, 2024
Routine - Food
3 critical violations. 3 minor violations.
View 6 violations
Employee Health Policies Present
FL-03
Adequate Handwashing Facilities Supplied and Accessible
FL-10
Food Received at Proper Temperature
FL-12
Required Records Available; Shellstock Tags/Labels
FL-14
Equipment Adequate to Maintain Product Temperature
FL-29
Wiping Cloths Properly Used and Stored
FL-41
47
Aug 14, 2024
Complaint Full
4 critical violations. 2 major violations. 6 minor violations.
View 12 violations
High Priority - Nonfood-grade containers used for food storage - direct contact with food. Observed no food grade containers used to store raw shell eggs.
14-15-4
High Priority - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food marked with a date that exceeds 7 days after opening/preparation. Observed mashed potatoes date marked 07/20/24. Stop Sale. Operator discarded mashed potatoes. **Corrective Action Taken**
02C-01-5
High Priority - Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored by clean equipment. Operator removed chemical. **Corrected On-Site**
41-10-4
High Priority - Vacuum breaker missing at hose bibb or on fitting/splitter added to hose bibb in dishwash area. Educated operator on importance of having vacuum breaker. **Repeat Violation**
29-34-4
Intermediate - No chlorine chemical test kit provided when using sanitizer at three-compartment sink/warewashing machine or wiping cloths.
16-37-1
Intermediate - Operator is not properly tracking/marking the number of days ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite was held at refrigeration temperatures prior to freezing in order to properly date mark the food when it is thawed and held at refrigeration temperatures again. Observed precooked frozen beef not date marked. Educated operator on importance of date marking. Operator date marked foods. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
02C-04-5
Basic - Employee drinking from an unenclosed beverage container in a food preparation/clean dishware area and the container does not have a dispensing mechanism to prevent hand contact with lip contact area of drink container. Operator removed employee beverages. **Corrected On-Site**
12B-12-5
Basic - Employee with no hair restraint while engaging in food preparation. Observed food prep employee prepping eggs with no hair restraint. Educated operator on importance of wearing hair restraints. Employee put on hair restraint. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
13-03-4
Basic - In-use knife/knives stored in cracks between pieces of equipment. Educated operator on proper storage of knives. Operator removed knives. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
10-17-4
Basic - In-use tongs stored on equipment door handle between uses. Operator removed tongs. **Corrected On-Site**
10-20-4
Basic - Old labels stuck to food containers after cleaning. **Corrected On-Site**
16-46-4
Basic - Reach-in cooler interior/shelves have accumulation of soil residues. Reach in cooler in hallway in kitchen near hand wash sink.
22-16-4
33
May 28, 2024
Complaint Full
No violations found.
100
Mar 25, 2024
Complaint Full
2 critical violations. 4 major violations. 5 minor violations.
View 11 violations
Certified Food Manager Identification
FL-02
Hands Clean and Properly Washed
FL-08
Food Received at Proper Temperature
FL-12
Adequate Handwashing Facilities Supplied and Accessible
FL-10
Food in Good Condition, Safe, and Unadulterated
FL-13
Food Obtained from Approved Sources
FL-11
Sewage and Wastewater Properly Disposed
FL-27
Equipment Adequate to Maintain Product Temperature
FL-29
Approved Thawing Methods Used
FL-31
Plumbing Maintained; Sewage Disposal
FL-51
Toilet Rooms Maintained
FL-53
32
Dec 7, 2023
Routine - Food
4 critical violations. 3 major violations. 5 minor violations.
View 12 violations
High Priority - Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored near food. Educated operator on importance of proper storage of chemicals. Operator removed chemical. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
41-10-4
High Priority - Vacuum breaker missing at hose bibb or on fitting/splitter added to hose bibb in dishwash area.
29-34-4
High Priority - Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license.
50-17-3
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed Cut melon 49F cold hold, coleslaw 45F cold hold less than 4 hours. Operator turned down reach in cooler at end of cook line. **Corrective Action Taken**
03A-02-5
Intermediate - Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled. Educated operator on labeling bottles. Operator labeled bottle. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
41-17-4
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris. Can opener. Operator cleaned can opener. **Corrected On-Site**
22-02-4
Intermediate - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Precooked sauce not date marked.
02C-02-5
Basic - Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Observed vitamins stored on shelving above clean plated. Operator removed vitamins. **Corrected On-Site**
40-06-5
Basic - Employee with no hair restraint while engaging in food preparation. Cook. Employee put on hat. **Corrected On-Site**
13-03-4
Basic - In-use tongs stored on equipment door handle between uses. **Corrected On-Site**
10-20-4
Basic - No conspicuously located ambient air temperature thermometer in holding unit. Operator placed thermometer in reach in cooler. **Corrected On-Site**
05-09-4
Basic - No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees. Restrooms.
31B-04-4
32
Sep 1, 2023
Routine - Food
1 critical violation.
View 1 violation
Food and Non-Food Contact Surfaces Designed and Constructed
FL-50
86
Aug 31, 2023
Routine - Food
4 critical violations. 1 major violation. 8 minor violations.
View 13 violations
High Priority - Dented/rusted cans present. See stop sale. Observed one 6 lb can of corn hash dented. Educated operator on importance of going through cans. Operator discarded can. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
01B-01-4
High Priority - Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license. License expired 12/01/22. **Admin Complaint**
50-17-3
High Priority - Roach activity present as evidenced by live roaches found. Observed 1 live roach crawling on floor under reach in cooler between cook line and dish wash area. **Warning**
35A-05-4
High Priority - Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. Observed chemical stored on shelving near food. Operator removed chemical. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
41-10-4
Intermediate - No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. Hand wash sink in middle of kitchen. Educated operator on having paper towels. Operator placed paper towels at hand wash sink. Corrected On-Site** **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
31B-02-4
Basic - Employee drinking from an unenclosed beverage container in a food preparation/clean dishware area and the container does not have a dispensing mechanism to prevent hand contact with lip contact area of drink container. **Warning**
12B-12-5
Basic - Carbon dioxide/helium tanks not adequately secured. **Warning**
51-11-4
Basic - Dead roaches on premises. Observed 4 dead roaches on floor next co2 tanks at kitchen entrance. **Warning**
35A-03-4
Basic - Ice scoop handle in contact with ice. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
10-08-5
Basic - In-use knife/knives stored in cracks between pieces of equipment. Cook line. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
10-17-4
Basic - No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees. Hand wash sink at middle of kitchen and hand wash sink at beverage/Wait station. Educated operator on having hand wash sign. **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
31B-04-4
Basic - Opened employee beverage container in a cold holding unit with food to be served to customers. Cook line. Operator place employee beverage on bottom shelf. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
12B-13-4
Basic - Single-service articles not stored inverted or protected from contamination. Educated operator on inverting containers. Operator inverted containers. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
25-06-4
33
Jan 11, 2023
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 3 major violations. 3 minor violations.
View 7 violations
Supervisor/Person in Charge Present
FL-01
Food Received at Proper Temperature
FL-12
Hot and Cold Water Available; Adequate Pressure
FL-25
Approved Thawing Methods Used
FL-31
Wiping Cloths Properly Used and Stored
FL-41
Washing Fruits and Vegetables
FL-42
Food and Non-Food Contact Surfaces Designed and Constructed
FL-50
35
Sep 22, 2022
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 3 major violations. 5 minor violations.
View 9 violations
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed Egg batter 63F cold hold less than 4 hours. Operator added more ice. Rechecked temperature at 43F before leaving inspection. **Corrective Action Taken**
03A-02-5
Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Observed hand wash sink at beverage/wait station used to rinse wiping cloth.
31A-11-4
Intermediate - No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. Hand wash sink in kitchen. Operator placed paper towels at hand wash sink. **Corrected On-Site**
31B-02-4
Intermediate - Water pressure lacking at fixtures that require the use of water. Observed low hot water pressure at right side hand wash sink in women's restroom.
27-17-4
Basic - Current Hotel and Restaurant license not displayed.
50-09-4
Basic - Employee drinking from an unenclosed beverage container in a food preparation/clean dishware area and the container does not have a dispensing mechanism to prevent hand contact with lip contact area of drink container. **Repeat Violation**
12B-12-5
Basic - Floor soiled/has accumulation of debris underneath dishmachine. **Corrected On-Site**
36-73-4
Basic - Single-service articles not stored inverted or protected from contamination. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
25-06-4
Basic - Wet mop not stored in a manner to allow the mop to dry.
42-01-4
50
Frequently Asked Questions
When was South Cape Diner last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at South Cape Diner on file is from Jan 23, 2026. The public record contains 12 inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at South Cape Diner?
Across the inspection record, “vacuum breaker missing at hose bibb” has been cited three times, more than any other issue at South Cape Diner.
How does South Cape Diner compare to other restaurants in Cape Coral?
South Cape Diner most recently scored 70 out of 100, which is lower than the Cape Coral average of 77.
Has South Cape Diner's inspection record improved over time?
Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at South Cape Diner have averaged around six violations per visit across the recent record.
What does a medium risk rating mean?
A medium risk rating at South Cape Diner 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 South Cape Diner inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, South Cape Diner is inspected around four times per year on average.
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