Stefano's Italian Cuisine
Last inspected: Nov 19, 2025
67
Score
Inspectors have visited Stefano's Italian Cuisine seven times, with records going back to 2023. The most recent visit was on Nov 19, 2025. A medium risk score generally means inspectors found things to fix, though most weren't urgent.
The trend has been favorable: violation counts have eased from around eight violations to closer to six violations per visit over the last few inspections.
The most common issue across all inspections has been “cardboard used to line nonfood-contact shelves”, showing up three times.
By comparison, the average Seminole facility scores 71, putting Stefano's Italian Cuisine on the weaker side. The full record sits in fairly typical territory for a working restaurant.
7
Inspections
1
Critical latest
1
Major latest
3
Minor latest
Inspection History
Nov 19, 2025
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 3 minor violations.
View 5 violations
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. egg wash (52F - Cold Holding) on counter for breading, discussed using time as a public health control, provided operator with written procedures
03A-02-5
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. Emailed to operator
11-26-1
Basic - Cardboard used to line nonfood-contact shelves. On shelf next to fryers
14-45-4
Basic - Uncovered food stored near sink exposed to splash. Uncovered food next to hand sink in kitchen
08B-54-4
Basic - Walk-in cooler/freezer shelves with rust that has pitted the surface.
14-17-4
67
Mar 25, 2025
Routine - Food
1 major violation. 4 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Intermediate - Proof of required state approved employee training not available for some employees. To order approved program food safety material, call DBPR contracted provider: Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (SafeStaff) 866-372-7233. One employee with no proof training
53B-13-5
Basic - Food stored on floor. Multiple items in walk in cooler
08B-38-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Accumulation of dust on top shelf over clean equipment storage rack
23-03-4
Basic - Walk-in cooler/freezer shelves with rust that has pitted the surface. **Repeat Violation**
14-17-4
Basic - Cardboard used to line nonfood-contact shelves. Metal shelves next to fryers **Repeat Violation**
14-45-4
74
Sep 24, 2024
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 1 major violation. 5 minor violations.
View 8 violations
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. From reach-in cooler on cooks line at 6:10pm. Employee placed items in ice bath. Re temp at 5:35pm a. butter (52f - Cold Holding); 46f b. cooked pasta (48F - Cold Holding); 43f c. cooked sausage (51F - Cold Holding) 46f **Corrective Action Taken**
03A-02-5
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over or with ready-to-eat food in a freezer - not all products commercially packaged. Raw chicken stored above shredded cheese in reach-in freezer in kitchen. Employee placed raw chicken on bottom shelf. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
08A-02-6
Intermediate - Squeeze bottle containing toxic dish soap substance not labeled. Located in warewashing area. Operator labeled bottle dawn soap. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
41-17-4
Basic - Food stored on floor. Five gallons of cooking oil stored on floor near fat-fryers. Container of lettuce stored on floor in walk-in cooler. Operator placed items on the shelf. **Corrected On-Site**
08B-38-4
Basic - Reach-in cooler across from gas stove interior have accumulation of soil residues.
22-16-4
Basic - Stored food not covered. Pans of cooked meatballs and marinara sauce not covered in walk-in cooler. Employee covered items. **Corrected On-Site**
08B-12-5
Basic - Walk-in cooler shelves with rust that has pitted the surface.
14-17-4
Basic - Cardboard used to line shelves next to fat-fryers and walk-in cooler.
14-45-4
52
May 30, 2024
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 4 major violations. 3 minor violations.
View 8 violations
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over or with ready-to-eat food in a freezer - not all products commercially packaged.. Manager rearranged food in freezer **Corrected On-Site**
08A-02-6
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. Anthony, Evelyn expired in 2022. Reviewed with manager
53B-14-5
Intermediate - Spray and squeeze bottles containing toxic substance not labeled on shelf in dishwashing area . Reviewed with manager . Manager labeled bottles **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
41-17-4
Intermediate - Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Trash can in front of kitchen hand wash sink and in front counter hand wash sink . Reviewed with manager hand wash sinks must be accessible at all times . Manager relocated trash can **Corrected On-Site**
31A-09-4
Intermediate - No proof provided that some food employees are informed of their responsibility to report to the person in charge information about their health and activities related to foodborne illnesses. Reviewed with manager
11-26-1
Basic - -Food ( containers of lettuce ) stored on floor in walk in cooler - container of oil and cans of tomato on floor in dry storage room . Reviewed with manager . Manager relocated food **Corrected On-Site**
08B-38-4
Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Employee drink stored on shelf above reach in cooler . Reviewed with manager . Employee drink removed . **Corrected On-Site**
12B-07-4
Basic - No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees in front counter area . Reviewed with manager .
31B-04-4
50
Nov 28, 2023
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 2 major violations. 4 minor violations.
View 7 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. Dishmachine chlorine sanitizer reading 0ppm. Operator primed sanitizer re checked reading 50ppm **Corrected On-Site**
22-41-4
Intermediate - Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled. In warewashing area spray bottles not labeled. a. Spray bottle containing degreaser b. Squeeze bottle containing soap c. Spray bottle containing blocker.
41-17-4
Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Container of raw shrimp stored in bowl of hand wash sink near front counter. Operator removed raw shrimp. **Corrected On-Site**
31A-11-4
Basic - Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Employee phone on open door of reach-in cooler on cook line. Employee removed phone. **Corrected On-Site**
40-06-5
Basic - Interior of oven/microwave has accumulation of black substance/grease/food debris. Microwave above reach-in cooler on cook line used more than 24 hours ago.
22-08-4
Basic - Reach-in cooler interior on cook line soiled.
22-16-4
Basic - Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Italian bread crumbs and flour stored on shelf on cook line removed from original packaging not labeled. Operator labeled container. **Corrected On-Site**
02D-01-5
58
Jun 27, 2023
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 2 major violations. 6 minor violations.
View 10 violations
Certified Food Manager Identification
FL-02
Employee Health Policies Present
FL-03
Hands Clean and Properly Washed
FL-08
Food Received at Proper Temperature
FL-12
Required Records Available; Shellstock Tags/Labels
FL-14
Proper Hot and Cold Holding Temperatures
FL-21
Food Contact Surfaces Clean and Sanitized
FL-22
Approved Thawing Methods Used
FL-31
Lighting Adequate; Required Shields in Place
FL-36
Food and Non-Food Contact Surfaces Designed and Constructed
FL-50
35
Jan 24, 2023
Routine - Food
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Required Records Available; Shellstock Tags/Labels
FL-14
Potentially Hazardous Food Held at Proper Temperature
FL-16
90
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Stefano's Italian Cuisine last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Stefano's Italian Cuisine on file is from Nov 19, 2025. The public record contains seven inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Stefano's Italian Cuisine?
Across the inspection record, “cardboard used to line nonfood-contact shelves” has been cited three times, more than any other issue at Stefano's Italian Cuisine.
How does Stefano's Italian Cuisine compare to other restaurants in Seminole?
Stefano's Italian Cuisine most recently scored 67 out of 100, which is lower than the Seminole average of 71.
Has Stefano's Italian Cuisine's inspection record improved over time?
Yes. Recent inspections at Stefano's Italian Cuisine have averaged around six violations per visit, down from roughly eight earlier in the record.
What does a medium risk rating mean?
A medium risk rating at Stefano's Italian Cuisine 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 Stefano's Italian Cuisine inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Stefano's Italian Cuisine is inspected around two times per year on average.
Nearby Restaurants