CORTEZ CAFE

High Priority - Food with mold-like growth. See stop sale. Observed tzatziki sauce in back room reach in cooler next to door to dining room with visible mold and dated from 11/29. Operator voluntarily discarded product. Corrected On-Site Warning

High Priority - Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license. Observed establishment operating with an expired DBPR license from 12/01/25. Warning

High Priority - Pesticide/insecticide labeled for household use only present in establishment. Observed household pesticide on shelf below the egg cooking burners holding cleaners. Operator discarded pesticide. Corrected On-Site Warning

High Priority - Quaternary ammonium sanitizer not at proper minimum strength for manual warewashing. Do not use equipment/utensils not properly sanitized. Observed quaternary sanitizer in 3 compartment at 0ppm. Operator changed the water and put in new sanitizer. Quaternary sanitizer now at 200ppm. Corrected On-Site Warning

High Priority - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food marked with a date that exceeds 7 days after opening/preparation. Observed tzatziki sauce in back room reach in cooler next to door to dining room with visible mold and dated from 11/29. Operator voluntarily discarded product. Operator voluntarily discarded product. Warning

High Priority - Rodent activity present as evidenced by rodent droppings found. Observed approximately 5 rodent droppings found on shelf in back corner under electrical box holding slicer. Operator cleaned and sanitized the area. Corrected On-Site Warning

Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Observed a frozen ham and a measuring cup in hand wash sink in kitchen next to dish machine. Employee removed items. Corrected On-Site Warning

Basic - Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Observed bowl being used to dispense hash browns on cook line. Operator removed bowl. Corrected On-Site Repeat Violation Warning

High Priority - Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license. Observed license as expired as of 12/01/23 Warning

High Priority - Warewashing sanitizing solution exceeding the maximum concentration allowed. Observed three compartment sink sanitizer 200ppm. Chlorine. Warning

Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Observed food particles on slicer. Warning

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 employee agreements. Emailed forms to operator. Repeat Violation Warning

Intermediate - Required employee training expired for all employees. To order approved program food safety material, call DBPR contracted provider: Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (SafeStaff) 866-372-7233. Observed all food handlers certificates, expired. Warning

Basic - Ceiling/ceiling tile shows damage or is in disrepair. Observed damage to ceiling in back storage area. Observed damage ceiling tiles in waitstaff area. Warning

Basic - Dead roaches on premises. Observed dead roach in waitstaff area cabinet. Operator cleaned and sanitized area. Corrected On-Site Warning

Basic - Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Observed back scratcher between loafs of bread. Repeat Violation Warning

Basic - Equipment in poor repair. Observed torn gasket on reach in on cookline. Repeat Violation Warning

Basic - Opened employee beverage container in a cold holding unit with food to be served to customers. Observed open employee drinks in cooler near food served to customers. Warning

High Priority - - From initial inspection : 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 handled dirty dishes then clean dishes with out washing hands after touching dirty dishes at three compartment sink. Advised employee to wash hands after handling dirty dishes. Warning - From follow-up inspection 2023-08-09: Observed dish washer handling dirty dishes and then clean dishes without washing his hands. Admin Complaint

High Priority - - From initial inspection : High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed Shredded Cheddar (52F - Cold Holding); Diced Ham (50F - Cold Holding); Egg Wash French Toast (52F - Cold Holding) . Operator stated items had been in cooler since 6:30am. Operator placed items on ice for rapid cooling. Corrective Action Taken Repeat Violation Warning - From follow-up inspection 2023-08-09: Observed yogurt 51F. and turkey 50F. in cook line cooler. Operator iced down products. Admin Complaint Corrective Action Taken

Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Observed employee cell phone, metal water bottle, speaker stored over prep area next to cook line. Warning - From follow-up inspection 2023-08-09: Time Extended

Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting. Observed plastic cups at hostess station wet nesting. Advised employee that cups need to be washed and air dried before placing together. Warning - From follow-up inspection 2023-08-09: Time Extended

Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Equipment in poor repair. Observed torn gaskets on upright cooler on cook line. Warning - From follow-up inspection 2023-08-09: Time Extended

Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Single-service articles improperly stored. Observed at single service take out containers stored above cook line in upright position. Warning - From follow-up inspection 2023-08-09: Time Extended

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 handled dirty dishes then clean dishes with out washing hands after touching dirty dishes at three compartment sink. Advised employee to wash hands after handling dirty dishes. Warning

High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Observed in reach in cooler raw ground beef stored on top of a feta cheese container. Operator moved raw ground beef. Corrected On-Site Warning

High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed Shredded Cheddar (52F - Cold Holding); Diced Ham (50F - Cold Holding); Egg Wash French Toast (52F - Cold Holding) . Operator stated items had been in cooler since 6:30am. Operator placed items on ice for rapid cooling. Corrective Action Taken Repeat Violation Warning

High Priority - Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. Observed cleaning wipes stored on shelf above prep area next to bread. Warning

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. Emailed plan to operator. Warning

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 form to operator. Warning

Basic - Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Observed employee cell phone, metal water bottle, speaker stored over prep area next to cook line. Warning

Basic - Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting. Observed plastic cups at hostess station wet nesting. Advised employee that cups need to be washed and air dried before placing together. Warning

Basic - Equipment in poor repair. Observed torn gaskets on upright cooler on cook line. Warning

Basic - Single-service articles improperly stored. Observed at single service take out containers stored above cook line in upright position. Warning

Basic - Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Observed sugar and oatmeal removed from original container not labeled. Operator labeled items. Corrected On-Site Warning

High Priority - Rodent activity present as evidenced by rodent droppings found. Observed 5 rodent droppings underneath the hand washing sink in the kitchen. Operator swept the area. Corrected On-Site Warning

High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. The following items were stored in the reach in cooler at the cook line.cut tomatoes (44F - Cold Holding); cut ham (50F - Cold Holding). Per operator the items were stored in from morning approximately 2 and a half hour. Operator placed the ice on items. Corrective Action Taken Warning

High Priority - Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. Observed stainless steel cleaner stored next to food over frying oil case, on dry storage shelf. Operator removed from shelf Corrected On-Site Warning

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 sliced deli meats in freezer not date marked. Warning

Intermediate - Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Observed plastic container stored in hand washing sink in the kitchen. Employee removed the container. Corrected On-Site Warning

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/ manager arrived during the inspection. Corrected On-Site Warning

Basic - Current Hotel and Restaurant license not displayed. Warning

Basic - Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Observed keys stored on slicer. Operator removed the keys. Corrected On-Site Warning

Basic - Floor soiled/has accumulation of debris. Observed underneath three compartment sink, and utility sink. Underneath equipment and prep tables. Warning

Basic - Time/temperature control for safety food thawed in an improper manner. Observed container with chilli thawing on counter. Operator placed the chilli in cooler. Corrected On-Site Warning

High Priority - Dented/rusted cans present. See stop sale. Observed can of cream beef dented on seam. Employee discarded the can. Warning

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. Dish machine chlorine reading 00 ppm. Operator called technician and set up a sanitizer bay in the three compartment sink. Corrective Action Taken Warning

High Priority - Employee cracked raw shell eggs and then handled ready-to-eat food and/or clean equipment or utensils without washing hands. Employee cracked raw shell eggs, then handled clean utensils without washing hands. Instructed employee and manager on proper hand washing protocol. Warning

High Priority - Spray hose at dish sink lower than flood rim of sink. Employee hooked up the hose above flood rim of sink. Corrected On-Site Warning

High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. All the following items were stored in the top section of the reach in cooler on the right side of the cook line cut melon (52F - Cold Holding); cut tomatoes (47F - Cold Holding); ham (50F - Cold Holding); feta cheese (48F - Cold Holding); cheddar cheese (52F - Cold Holding) Employee stated all items has been in the reach in cooler for 1.5 hours. Employee placed bags of ice on all items. Pooled eggs 61F stored on ice on the cook line. Employee stated that eggs had been out for 2 hours. Employee placed the pooled eggs in the reach in cooler. As a repeat violation the importance of following proper protocol with this violation was reinforced with the employee. Corrective Action Taken Repeat Violation Admin Complaint

High Priority - Vacuum breaker missing at hose bibb or on fitting/splitter added to hose bibb. Hose bibb outside the back exit missing vacuum breaker. As a repeat violation the importance of following proper protocol with this violation was reinforced with the employee. Repeat Violation Admin Complaint

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/ Observed 6 employee present. Warning

Basic - Exterior door has a gap at the threshold that opens to the outside. Observed on both exterior back doors of the establishment. Warning

Basic - No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees across reach in cooler in the kitchen. Warning

Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed exterior door and handles of reach in cooler across the dishwasher solid. As a repeat violation the importance of following proper protocol with this violation was reinforced with the employee. Repeat Violation Warning

Basic - Time/temperature control for safety food thawed in an improper manner. Observed chicken thawing at room temperature. Operator placed the chicken in reach in cooler. Corrected On-Site Warning

Basic - Unprotected ice machine in a customer/nonsecure area. Observed ice machine located outside the back of the building not secured by lock. Warning