Estero, Lee County

EL GAUCHO INCA BISTRO

22909 LYDEN DRIVE, Estero, FL 33928

FoodSeating
Latest violations
6
2 Intermediate
Mar 18, 2026
City
Estero
County
Lee
Status
Current / Active
Inspections
3

Violation history

Florida violations grouped by priority level over time.

Inspection history

Florida inspections are violation-priority based, with high priority, intermediate, and basic counts shown separately.

Mar 18, 2026

Routine - Food

Inspection Completed - No Further Action

Intermediate: 2Basic: 4Total: 6

53A-05-6

Detail 24451952

Intermediate - No currently certified food service manager on duty with four or more employees engaged in food preparation/handling. A list of accredited food manager certification examination providers can be found at http://www.myfloridalicense.com/DBPR/hotels-restaurants/food-lodging/food-manager/ no certified food manager currently available at Time of inspection 10 employees working. Current cfm presents certificate expired.

02C-04-5

Detail 24451950

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. Not all food in the freezer in ziploc bags has date and description of the food on the bags, in the stand up freezer to the right of the kitchen entrance door.

10-07-4

Detail 24451955

Basic - In-use utensil stored in standing water less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed utensils in standing water at 78F.

23-03-4

Detail 24451951

Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed gaskets on reach in cooler soiled.

06-01-5

Detail 24451953

Basic - Time/temperature control for safety food thawed in an improper manner. Observed fish thawing in standing water in 3 comp sink.

02D-01-5

Detail 24451954

Basic - Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Observed squirt bottles of oils and sauces on the sauté cook line not labeled.

Oct 1, 2025

Routine - Food

Inspection Completed - No Further Action

Intermediate: 1Basic: 4Total: 5

31A-09-4

Detail 24082603

Intermediate - Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Observed handwashing sink on the back cook line blocked by garbage can and pans.

12B-01-4

Detail 24082606

Basic - Employee eating while preparing food. Observed employee eating food on the cook line.

13-03-4

Detail 24082607

Basic - Employee with no hair restraint while engaging in food preparation. Observed employee with no hair protection preparing food.

14-17-4

Detail 24082604

Basic - Walk-in cooler/freezer shelves with rust that has pitted the surface. Observed walk in cooler shelves with rust. Repeat Violation

02D-01-5

Detail 24082605

Basic - Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Observed liquid squeeze bottles on the cook line not labeled.

Sep 12, 2024

Food-Licensing Inspection

Inspection Completed - No Further Action

Intermediate: 1Basic: 4Total: 5

53B-13-5

Detail 23142551

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. Observed some employee food handler trading was expired.

22-20-5

Detail 23142550

Basic - Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin. Observed black mold like substance on interior of ice machine bin.

31B-04-4

Detail 23142547

Basic - No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees. Handwashing sign missing at dink not pasta station.

23-03-4

Detail 23142549

Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed some food debris on the reach in cooler drawers and gaskets.

14-17-4

Detail 23142548

Basic - Walk-in cooler/freezer shelves with rust that has pitted the surface. Observed rust on the walk in cooler shelves.