The Launch

303 Old Cr 78, LaBelle, FL 33935
Bar / Pub
Last inspected: Feb 25, 2026
64
Score
Medium Risk

Going back to 2023, The Launch has 10 inspections in the public record. The most recent report on file is from Feb 25, 2026. The medium risk tier sits in the middle: not spotless, but not alarming either.

The picture has gotten worse over the last few visits, with the average climbing from around three violations to closer to six violations.

“Employee with no hair restraint while engaging” accounts for the largest share of issues, appearing four times across the record.

The city-wide average sits at 88, which The Launch's 64 doesn't quite reach. On the whole, the file is mixed but not concerning.

10
Inspections
1
Critical latest
1
Major latest
3
Minor latest
Inspection History
Feb 25, 2026
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 3 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Employee Health Policies Present
FL-03
Adequate Handwashing Facilities Supplied and Accessible
FL-10
Required Records Available; Shellstock Tags/Labels
FL-14
Potentially Hazardous Food Held at Proper Temperature
FL-16
Proper Hot and Cold Holding Temperatures
FL-21
64
Sep 26, 2025
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 2 major violations. 1 minor violation.
View 5 violations
Employee Health Policies Present
FL-03
Supervisor/Person in Charge Present
FL-01
Required Records Available; Shellstock Tags/Labels
FL-14
Food Contact Surfaces Clean and Sanitized
FL-22
Approved Thawing Methods Used
FL-31
55
Mar 24, 2025
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 3 major violations. 5 minor violations.
View 9 violations
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Observed raw eggs stored above ready to eat coleslaw.
08A-05-6
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. Observed no signed copies of employee reporting agreements. Emailed form Employee reporting agreement DBPR FORM HR 5030-103 **Corrective Action Taken**
11-26-1
Intermediate - No soap provided at handwash sink. Observed no soap at hand wash sink at the launch bar.
31B-03-4
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Observed build up of food debris on can opener blade.
22-02-4
Basic - Employee with no hair restraint while engaging in food preparation. Observed employee preparing food with no hair restraint.
13-03-4
Basic - Equipment in poor repair. Observed reach in refrigerator on cook line not functional.
14-11-5
Basic - Floor soiled/has accumulation of debris. Observed floor soiled in kitchen around perimeter of kitchen floor.
36-73-4
Basic - No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees. Observed no handwashing sign at bar hand wash sink. Emailed hand washing sign.
31B-04-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed gaskets on reach in coolers and low boy refrigerator under the grilled soiled with food debris.
23-03-4
50
Oct 17, 2024
Routine - Food
1 major violation. 5 minor violations.
View 6 violations
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Observed building up of food debris on can opener blade.
22-02-4
Basic - Carbon dioxide/helium tanks not adequately secured. Co2 Tanks are dock bar not secured or chained.
51-11-4
Basic - Employee with no hair restraint while engaging in food preparation. Observed employee preparing food with no hair protection.
13-03-4
Basic - Equipment in poor repair. Observed door on reach in cooler not properly closing without lifting door.
14-11-5
Basic - Inaccurate/damaged temperature and/or pressure gauge(s) on dishmachine. Observed gauges not functioning on dishwasher.
16-38-5
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed gaskets on reach in cooler and freezers soiled with food debris.
23-03-4
70
May 7, 2024
Complaint Full
1 major violation. 2 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Intermediate - No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. Observed no paper towels at hand wash sink in deck bar area.
31B-02-4
Basic - Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. No handle bowl used to portion flour, operator discarded bowl. **Corrected On-Site**
14-01-5
Basic - Employee with no hair restraint while engaging in food preparation. Observed employee on cook line no hair restraint. Employee put cap on. **Corrected On-Site**
13-03-4
82
Jan 30, 2024
Routine - Food
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Ice scoop handle in contact with ice. Observed ice scoop handle in contact with ice in ice machine. Operator removed ice scoop. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2024-01-30: Observed ice scoop handle In contact with ice in ice machine. **Time Extended**
10-08-5
95
Jan 26, 2024
Routine - Food
4 critical violations. 1 major violation. 4 minor violations.
View 9 violations
High Priority - Employee touching ready-to-eat food with their bare hands - food was not being heated as a sole ingredient to 145 degrees F or immediately added to other ingredients to be cooked/heated to the minimum required temperature to allow bare hand contact. Establishment has no approved Alternative Operating Procedure. Observed employee touch a lemon with bare hands as a garnish for a Marguerita. Explained to employee they needed to use tongs or wear gloves when handling ready to eat food. Beverage was discarded. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
09-01-4
High Priority - Food contaminated by employees/consumers and operator continued to serve food. See stop sale.Observed server handle-dirty dish ware then make a a marguerita and touch a lemon with bare hands to place on rim of beverage. Explained to server that they needed to wash hands and use tongs/utensil or gloves to place ready to food on drinks. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
01B-12-4
High Priority - Food stored in ice used for drinks. See stop sale. Observed bottles of drinks stored in ice producing machine at dock bar. Informed Restaurant manager that all ice must be melted and the ice machine needs to be cleaned thoroughly and ice for drinks is not allowed to have bottled beverages stored inside machine. **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning**
08B-56-4
High Priority - Server handled soiled dishes or utensils and then picked up plated food, served food, or prepared a beverage without washing hands. Observed server at bar at dock, handle dirty dishes then make a drink. Informed server they must wash their hands after handling dirty dish ware. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
12A-02-4
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Observed build up of food debris on can opener blade. Operator moved can opener for cleaning. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
22-02-4
Basic - Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin. Observed black mold like substance inside ice machine. **Warning**
22-20-5
Basic - Food not stored at least 6 inches off of the floor. Observed water bottles at front counter not stored at least 6 inches off the floor, operator moved bottles. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
08B-47-4
Basic - No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees. No handwashing sign at dock bar handwashing sink. **Warning**
31B-04-4
Basic - Ice scoop handle in contact with ice. Observed ice scoop handle in contact with ice in ice machine. Operator removed ice scoop. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
10-08-5
41
Sep 25, 2023
Routine - Food
1 major violation. 4 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Intermediate - No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. Observed no paper towels at hand wash sink in kitchen across from reach in unit.
31B-02-4
Basic - Buildup of food debris/soil residue on equipment door handles. Observed buildup of food debris on reach in refrigerator door handles.
23-24-4
Basic - Current Hotel and Restaurant license not displayed. Observed license not displayed at time of inspection.
50-09-4
Basic - Equipment in poor repair. Observed bottom right hand drawer oil under counter pull out refrigerator, stainless steel is separating from foam insulation.
14-11-5
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed build up of food debris on walk in cooler door.
23-03-4
74
May 18, 2023
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 1 major violation.
View 3 violations
Hands Clean and Properly Washed
FL-08
Employee Health Policies Present
FL-03
Approved Thawing Methods Used
FL-31
55
Mar 3, 2023
Routine - Food
1 major violation. 3 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Intermediate - No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. Observed no towels at hand wash sink at the bar.
31B-02-4
Basic - Food stored on floor. Observed bucket of shrimp on floor in kitchen area. Operator moved to walk in cooler. **Corrected On-Site**
08B-38-4
Basic - Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Observed bowl in bag of flour. Operator removed bowl. **Corrected On-Site**
14-01-5
Basic - Employee with no hair restraint while engaging in food preparation. Observed employee preparing food with no hair restraint.
13-03-4
78

Frequently Asked Questions

When was The Launch last inspected?

The most recent health inspection at The Launch on file is from Feb 25, 2026. The public record contains 10 inspections in total.

What is the most common violation at The Launch?

Across the inspection record, “employee with no hair restraint while engaging” has been cited four times, more than any other issue at The Launch.

How does The Launch compare to other restaurants in LaBelle?

The Launch most recently scored 64 out of 100, which is lower than the LaBelle average of 88.

Has The Launch's inspection record improved over time?

No. Recent inspections at The Launch have averaged around six violations per visit, up from roughly three earlier in the record.

What does a medium risk rating mean?

A medium risk rating at The Launch 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 The Launch inspected?

Based on the inspection history on file, The Launch is inspected around three times per year on average.