The Sanibel Cafe
Last inspected: Dec 10, 2025
78
Score
The Sanibel Cafe appears in inspection records eight times, starting in 2023. The newest entry in the record is dated Dec 10, 2025. A low risk rating suggests inspectors haven't found much to be concerned about lately.
Recent inspections have found fewer violations than earlier ones, averaging around two violations lately and about five violations before that.
The city-wide average sits at 85, which The Sanibel Cafe's 78 doesn't quite reach. Taken together, the history is a positive one.
8
Inspections
1
Critical latest
0
Major latest
2
Minor latest
Inspection History
Dec 10, 2025
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 2 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Hands Clean and Properly Washed
FL-08
Personal Cleanliness
FL-40
Plumbing Maintained; Sewage Disposal
FL-51
78
Jul 10, 2025
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 3 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Hands Clean and Properly Washed
FL-08
Proper Hot and Cold Holding Temperatures
FL-21
Equipment Adequate to Maintain Product Temperature
FL-29
Lighting Adequate; Required Shields in Place
FL-36
74
Feb 27, 2025
Routine - Food
No violations found.
100
Feb 24, 2025
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 2 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Adequate Handwashing Facilities Supplied and Accessible
FL-10
Food Received at Proper Temperature
FL-12
Food Contact Surfaces Clean and Sanitized
FL-22
78
Nov 7, 2024
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 3 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Hands Clean and Properly Washed
FL-08
Food in Good Condition, Safe, and Unadulterated
FL-13
Required Records Available; Shellstock Tags/Labels
FL-14
Lighting Adequate; Required Shields in Place
FL-36
74
May 22, 2024
Routine - Food
4 critical violations. 3 minor violations.
View 7 violations
High Priority - Dented/rusted cans present. See stop sale. On back storage shelf, one # 10 can of Country Sausage Gravy was observed with a large deep dent in the rim
01B-01-4
High Priority - Raw animal foods not properly separated from each other in holding unit based upon minimum required cooking temperature. Raw chicken and ground beef stored above raw fish and gator meat in reach in cooler. Operator moved food to proper storage. **Corrected On-Site**
08A-20-5
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. In front line make table tuna salad (45 F - Cold Holding); chicken salad (45 F - Cold Holding) per operator food was brought to make table from reach in cooler 3 hours prior and was below 41 F. Operator retuned food to large reach in cooler **Corrective Action Taken**
03A-02-5
High Priority - Vacuum breaker missing at hose bibb or on fitting/splitter added to hose bibb. No vacuum breaker present at hose bibb outside storage to mop sink.
29-34-4
Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Employee bottles water on prep table in back kitchen. Operator removed. **Corrected On-Site**
12B-07-4
Basic - Carbon dioxide/helium tanks not adequately secured. Three unsecured CO 2 tanks outside next to mop sink.
51-11-4
Basic - Ceiling/ceiling tile shows damage or is in disrepair. Damaged ceiling tile above shelf for stored ware washed items next to dish machine.
36-32-5
47
Jan 11, 2024
Routine - Food
3 critical violations. 3 minor violations.
View 6 violations
High Priority - Employee failed to wash hands before putting on gloves to initiate a task working with food. Cook cracked raw shelled gags on line and then changed gloves without hand washing. Discussed with operator the need for hand washing during glove change when going form one task to another. **Corrective Action Taken**
12A-07-5
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 on the need for hand washing. **Corrective Action Taken**
12A-13-4
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Raw shelled gags stored above open containers of diced ham and shredded cheese in reach in cooler. Operator moved eggs to proper storage. **Corrected On-Site**
08A-05-6
Basic - Employee with no hair restraint while engaging in food preparation. Employees working with food without hair restraints.
13-03-4
Basic - Label on a food item prepared and packaged onsite for customer self-service does not include product identity/description, date product was packaged and name and address of the establishment that prepared and packaged the food. Jams and Jellies sold on site without the proper labeling.
02D-03-4
Basic - Ventilation inadequate as evidenced by excessive steam or vapors in kitchen. Observed smoke rolling off grill onto cooks line.
36-65-5
55
Jun 21, 2023
Routine - Food
No violations found.
100
Frequently Asked Questions
When was The Sanibel Cafe last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at The Sanibel Cafe on file is from Dec 10, 2025. The public record contains eight inspections in total.
How does The Sanibel Cafe compare to other restaurants in Sanibel?
The Sanibel Cafe most recently scored 78 out of 100, which is lower than the Sanibel average of 85.
Has The Sanibel Cafe's inspection record improved over time?
Yes. Recent inspections at The Sanibel Cafe have averaged around two violations per visit, down from roughly five earlier in the record.
What does a low risk rating mean?
A low risk rating at The Sanibel Cafe means inspectors found minimal or no significant issues at the most recent visit. Most facilities at this tier have a clean recent inspection report.
How often is The Sanibel Cafe inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, The Sanibel Cafe is inspected around three times per year on average.
Nearby Restaurants