Taco Works Cape Coral
Last inspected: Jan 12, 2026
50
Score
Going back to 2022, Taco Works Cape Coral has 12 inspections in the public record. The most recent visit was on Jan 12, 2026. Diners may want to take note: high risk reflects issues that a health inspector considered important.
Recent visits have flagged more than earlier ones: around six violations per visit lately, up from roughly three violations before.
Looking across the full record, “dishmachine chlorine sanitizer not” is the recurring theme, flagged four times.
Taco Works Cape Coral's latest score of 50 falls below the Cape Coral average of 77. There are enough flags in the record to merit a second thought.
12
Inspections
3
Critical latest
1
Major latest
3
Minor latest
Inspection History
Jan 12, 2026
Routine - Food
3 critical violations. 1 major violation. 3 minor violations.
View 7 violations
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed cooked chicken 46F cold hold more than 4 hours. Stop Sale. Operator discarded foods. **Corrective Action Taken**
03A-02-5
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. Observed chlorine concentration at 0 ppm. Educated operator on checking concentration daily. Operator changed and primed sanitizer. Rechecked concentration at 100 ppm. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
22-41-4
High Priority - Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license. License expired 12/01/25.
50-17-3
Intermediate - No chlorine chemical test kit provided when using sanitizer at three-compartment sink/warewashing machine or wiping cloths.
16-37-1
Basic - Reach-in cooler interior/shelves have accumulation of soil residues. Reach in cooler in kitchen and front storage beverage reach in cooler.
22-16-4
Basic - Ceiling/ceiling tile shows damage or is in disrepair. Observed water damage on ceiling tile in kitchen. Educated operator on replacing ceiling tile. **Repeat Violation**
36-32-5
Basic - Accumulation of debris on exterior of warewashing machine. Educated operator on keeping dish machine clean. **Repeat Violation**
16-21-4
50
Oct 9, 2025
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 1 major violation.
View 2 violations
High Priority - - From initial inspection : 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. Observed chlorine concentration at 0 ppm. Educated operator on importance of maintaining proper concentration. Operator changed and primed sanitizer. Rechecked concentration at 50 ppm. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation** **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2025-10-09: Observed chlorine concentration at 0 ppm. Operator changed and primed sanitizer. **Admin Complaint** **Corrective Action Taken**
22-41-4
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : Intermediate - No certified food manager for establishment. A list of accredited food manager certification examination providers can be found at http://www.myfloridalicense.com/DBPR/hotels-restaurants/food-lodging/food-manager/ **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2025-10-09: Observed No certified food manager for establishment. **Admin Complaint**
53A-07-6
78
Aug 8, 2025
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 2 major violations. 6 minor violations.
View 9 violations
Adequate Handwashing Facilities Supplied and Accessible
FL-10
Potentially Hazardous Food Held at Proper Temperature
FL-16
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
Plumbing Maintained; Sewage Disposal
FL-51
Toilet Rooms Maintained
FL-53
47
Nov 18, 2024
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 2 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Adequate Handwashing Facilities Supplied and Accessible
FL-10
Food Contact Surfaces Clean and Sanitized
FL-22
Equipment Adequate to Maintain Product Temperature
FL-29
Approved Thawing Methods Used
FL-31
70
Sep 4, 2024
Routine - Food
No violations found.
100
Aug 23, 2024
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 1 major violation. 1 minor violation.
View 4 violations
High Priority - Observed water/wastewater coming up through floor drain in dishwash area. Operator cleaned and vacuumed drain. **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning**
28-26-5
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. Observed chlorine concentration at 0ppm. Educated operator on having proper sanitizing concentration. Operator changed sanitizer. **Corrective Action Taken** **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
22-41-4
Intermediate - Commercially processed ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food opened and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked after opening. Observed shredded jack frozen cheese not date marked. **Warning**
02C-03-5
Basic - In-use knife/knives and spatulas stored in cracks between pieces of equipment. Operator removed knives and spatulas. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
10-17-4
64
Jan 3, 2024
Routine - Food
No violations found.
100
Dec 21, 2023
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 4 major violations. 3 minor violations.
View 8 violations
Food Obtained from Approved Sources
FL-11
Proper Hot and Cold Holding Temperatures
FL-21
Food Contact Surfaces Clean and Sanitized
FL-22
Approved Thawing Methods Used
FL-31
Toxic Substances Properly Identified, Stored, Used
FL-32
Food and Non-Food Contact Surfaces Designed and Constructed
FL-50
Plumbing Maintained; Sewage Disposal
FL-51
Toilet Rooms Maintained
FL-53
35
Sep 1, 2023
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 4 minor violations.
View 6 violations
Adequate Handwashing Facilities Supplied and Accessible
FL-10
Food Obtained from Approved Sources
FL-11
Plumbing Maintained; Sewage Disposal
FL-51
Food Received at Proper Temperature
FL-12
Food Contact Surfaces Clean and Sanitized
FL-22
Food and Non-Food Contact Surfaces Designed and Constructed
FL-50
64
Jul 12, 2023
Routine - Food
1 major violation.
View 1 violation
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : Intermediate - No plan review submitted and approved - renovations were made or are in progress. Operator bought new Mobile Food Dispensing Vehicle (MFDV). Note: Previous MFDV was damaged by Hurricane Ian. 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/. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2023-07-12: Observed No plan review submitted and approved - renovations were made or are in progress. Operator bought new Mobile Food Dispensing Vehicle (MFDV). Note: Previous MFDV was damaged by Hurricane Ian. **Admin Complaint**
51-16-7
90
Feb 7, 2023
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 9 major violations. 4 minor violations.
View 14 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. Observed chlorine concentration at 0 ppm. Operator called technician. **Corrective Action Taken**
22-41-4
Intermediate - Establishment has no written procedures for employees to follow in response to a vomiting or diarrheal event where the vomit or diarrhea is discharged onto surfaces in the establishment.
11-27-4
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris. Can opener. Operator cleaned can opener. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
22-02-4
Intermediate - Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Observed front service hand wash sink blocked by trash container. Operator removed trash container. **Corrected On-Site**
31A-09-4
Intermediate - No chlorine chemical test kit provided when using sanitizer at three-compartment sink/warewashing machine or wiping cloths.
16-37-1
Intermediate - No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. Observed no paper towels at hand wash sink in dishwash area. Educated operator on importance of having paper at hand wash sink. Operator placed paper towels at hand wash sink. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
31B-02-4
Intermediate - No proof of required state approved employee training provided for any employees. To order approved program food safety material, call DBPR contracted provider: Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (SafeStaff) 866-372-7233. Note: violation being addressed on previous inspection conducted on 12/27/22.
53B-01-5
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.
11-26-1
Intermediate - No soap provided at handwash sink. Hand wash sink at front service area. Operator placed soap at hand wash sink. **Corrected On-Site**
31B-03-4
Intermediate - Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled. Educated operator on importance of labeling bottles. Operator labeled bottle. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
41-17-4
Basic - Accumulation of debris on exterior of warewashing machine.
16-21-4
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. Operator placed lids on employee drinks. **Corrected On-Site**
12B-12-5
Basic - Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Observed eyeglasses stored on top of reach in cooler.
40-06-5
Basic - Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Flour/salt/sugar container.
02D-01-5
29
Oct 28, 2022
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 6 major violations. 7 minor violations.
View 15 violations
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed Cut cabbage 44F cold hold, salsa 45F cold hold less than 4 hours. Operator turned down reach in cooler. **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning**
03A-02-5
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed cooked corn 120F hot hold, precooked ground beef 117 hot hold less than 4 hours. Operator turned up hot hold unit and reheat food items to 165F. **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning**
03B-01-6
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris. Can opener. Operator cleaned. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
22-02-4
Intermediate - Handwash sink does not have enough water pressure to properly wash hands. Restroom. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
27-19-4
Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Observed plastic container stored in hand wash sink. Operator removed container. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
31A-11-4
Intermediate - No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. Hand wash sink in dishwash area. Operator placed paper towels at hand wash sink. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
31B-02-4
Intermediate - No proof of required state approved employee training provided for any employees. To order approved program food safety material, call DBPR contracted provider: Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (SafeStaff) 866-372-7233. **Warning**
53B-01-5
Intermediate - Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled. Operator labeled bottle. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
41-17-4
Basic - Wet mop not stored in a manner to allow the mop to dry. Educated operator on importance of having mops to dry. **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
42-01-4
Basic - Floor soiled/has accumulation of debris/grease underneath cooking equipment at cook line. **Warning**
36-73-4
Basic - Time/temperature control for safety food thawed in an improper manner. Observed packaged cheese sauce thawing in standing water. Operator turned on cool running water. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
06-01-5
Basic - Single-service articles not stored inverted or protected from contamination. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
25-06-4
Basic - In-use utensil stored in standing water less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. **Warning**
10-07-4
Basic - Wet wiping cloth not stored in sanitizing solution between uses. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
21-12-4
Basic - Carbon dioxide/helium tanks not adequately secured. **Warning**
51-11-4
29
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Taco Works Cape Coral last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Taco Works Cape Coral on file is from Jan 12, 2026. The public record contains 12 inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Taco Works Cape Coral?
Across the inspection record, “dishmachine chlorine sanitizer not” has been cited four times, more than any other issue at Taco Works Cape Coral.
How does Taco Works Cape Coral compare to other restaurants in Cape Coral?
Taco Works Cape Coral most recently scored 50 out of 100, which is lower than the Cape Coral average of 77.
Has Taco Works Cape Coral's inspection record improved over time?
No. Recent inspections at Taco Works Cape Coral have averaged around six violations per visit, up from roughly three earlier in the record.
What does a high risk rating mean?
A high risk rating at Taco Works Cape Coral 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 Taco Works Cape Coral inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Taco Works Cape Coral is inspected around four times per year on average.
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