Destin, Okaloosa County

PEPPERS MEXICAN GRILL AND CANTINA

14073 EMERALD COAST PKWY, Destin, FL 32541

FoodSeating

Latest violations

1 High Priority

Apr 20, 2026

City

Destin

County

Okaloosa

Status

Current / Active

Inspections

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.

Apr 20, 2026

Routine - Food

Inspection Completed - No Further Action

High Priority: 1Basic: 3Total: 4

14-31-5

Detail 24524331

High Priority - Nonfood-grade bags used in direct contact with food. Observed house made tortillas stored inside T-shirt bag on cook line. Operator placed inside cambro during inspection. Corrected On-Site

22-20-5

Detail 24524332

Basic - Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin. Ceiling of ice bin located near office has accumulation of black substance.

36-01-4

Detail 24524333

Basic - Floor not cleaned when the least amount of food is exposed. Observed buildup of cooking oil on floor under fryers.

08B-38-4

Detail 24524334

Basic - Food stored on floor. Observed two containers of chips stored on floor in kitchen and two containers of red sauce stored on floor in walk-in cooler.

Dec 2, 2025

Routine - Food

Inspection Completed - No Further Action

Intermediate: 3Basic: 14Total: 17

31A-11-4

Detail 24221795

Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Multiple dishes stored in hand wash sink in ware washing location.

16-37-1

Detail 24221794

Intermediate - No chemical test kit provided when using sanitizer at three-compartment sink/warewashing machine or wiping cloths.

53B-13-5

Detail 24221784

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.

22-20-5

Detail 24221786

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

21-05-5

Detail 24221789

Basic - Cloth used as a food-contact surface under foil wrapped tortilla shells at expo. Cloth stored under spatula at grill press.

40-06-5

Detail 24221791

Basic - Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Back pack and speaker stored on top of dish machine.

36-22-4

Detail 24221782

Basic - Floor area(s) covered with standing water in ware washing area.

36-17-5

Detail 24221787

Basic - Floor tiles missing and/or in disrepair. Multiple floor tiles missing/broken in ware wash location.

08B-38-4

Detail 24221788

Basic - Food stored on floor. Oil and butter blend jugs stored on floor near upright cooler. Repeat Violation

10-14-5

Detail 24221793

Basic - Ice bucket/shovel stored on floor between uses. Ice bucket stored on floor next to ice machine.

10-12-5

Detail 24221781

Basic - In-use ice scoop stored on soiled surface between uses. Ice scoop stored on top of ice machine. Repeat Violation

10-01-5

Detail 24221790

Basic - In-use utensil in non-time/temperature control for safety food not stored with handle above top of food within a closed container. Scoop handle stored in sugar, pitcher handle stored in dry rice both in wait station location. Repeat Violation

14-09-4

Detail 24221792

Basic - Multiple Cutting boards have cut marks and are no longer cleanable at make bars. Repeat Violation

05-09-4

Detail 24221797

Basic - No conspicuously located ambient air temperature thermometer in multiple cold holding units and walk in cooler.

36-64-5

Detail 24221785

Basic - Objectionable odors in women's bathroom or other areas of the establishment.

08B-12-5

Detail 24221783

Basic - Stored food not covered. Reach in cooler near office- portioned salsa not covered. Walk in cooler- Raw beef 39F, seasoned lard 38F, green salsa 38F not covered. Reach in cooler at expo- Cojita cheese 39F, mayo not covered. Upright- tomato purée 39F, cooked ground beef 39F, salsa 38F not covered. Cheese sauce stored in warmer not covered. Upright- raw beef 40F, raw shrimp 39F, chicken wings 39F not covered. Upright freezer- octopus, raw shrimp, crabmeat, cooked shrimp not covered.

29-11-4

Detail 24221796

Basic - Water leaking from pipe and/or faucet/handle on cook line at hand wash sink.

Apr 29, 2025

Routine - Food

Call Back - Complied

High Priority: 1Total: 1

03A-02-5

Detail 23741662

High Priority - - From initial inspection : High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Cold hold- expo- reach in cooler- portioned house salsa 45F (9:30-2:30), marinara sauce 45F ( moldy and undetermined). Cold hold- make bar/reach in cooler- Krab 62F, scallops 53F, shredded cheese 60Fm white fish 55F, sliced beef 55F, chorizo 59F, cooked chicken wings 56F, cooked pork 59F. See stop sale Warning - From follow-up inspection 2025-04-23: Observed- reach in cooler near expo- salsa 44F (12:00-2:40). Upright cooler- shell eggs 44F over night see stop sale. Cold hold- make bar/reach in cooler on cook line- scallops 62F, Krab 68F, shredded cheese 63F, raw catfish 62F, sliced beef 61F, cooked pork 55F, cooked chicken wing 59F, raw pork 59F ( ambient 71F )see stop sale. Admin Complaint - From follow-up inspection 2025-04-25: Observed cold holding- portioned raw beef 52F, raw catfish 55F, sliced beef 56F, whole raw tilapia 48F, raw diced beef 46F 1(12:00-12:45). Thermometers calibrated. Inspector ambient temp 52F establishment ambient temp 60F. Admin Complaint - From follow-up inspection 2025-04-29: Observed cold holding- ROP red snapper 36F, raw beef 35F, pork 35F, catfish 36Fm raw chicken 36F. ROP Red snapper 36F ( thawed in bag ) see stop sale. Admin Complaint

Apr 25, 2025

Routine - Food

Call Back - Extension given, pending

High Priority: 1Total: 1

03A-02-5

Detail 23734282

Apr 23, 2025

Routine - Food

Call Back - Admin. complaint recommended

High Priority: 2Basic: 1Total: 3

01B-02-5

Detail 23728907

High Priority - - From initial inspection : High Priority - Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. Cold hold- expo- reach in cooler- portioned house salsa 45F (9:30-2:30), marinara sauce 45F ( undetermined and moldy). - From follow-up inspection 2025-04-23: Upright cooler- shell eggs 44F (over night )see stop sale. Cold hold- make bar/reach in cooler on cook line- scallops 62F, Krab 68F, shredded cheese 63F, raw catfish 62F, sliced beef 61F, cooked pork 55F, cooked chicken wing 59F, raw pork 59F (11:00-3:00)( ambient 71F )see stop sale. 4-22-23 ambient temperature was 65F and same food items were stop sold with temperatures ranging from 45F to 62F,mistakenly did not add to stop sale .

03A-02-5

Detail 23728905

14-74-7

Detail 23728906

Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Cold holding equipment not maintained in good repair. Do not store time/temperature control for safety food in this unit until the unit is repaired. Reach in cooler on cook line ambient 65F. Warning - From follow-up inspection 2025-04-23: Observed- Cold holding equipment not maintained in good repair. Do not store time/temperature control for safety food in this unit until the unit is repaired. Reach in cooler on cook line ambient 71F. Warning

Apr 22, 2025

Routine - Food

Warning Issued

High Priority: 3Intermediate: 3Basic: 10Total: 16

01B-07-4

Detail 23725279

High Priority - Food with mold-like growth. Marinara sauce 45F ( undetermined and moldy).See stop sale. Warning

01B-02-5

Detail 23725283

High Priority - Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. Cold hold- expo- reach in cooler- portioned house salsa 45F (9:30-2:30), marinara sauce 45F ( undetermined and moldy).

03A-02-5

Detail 23725286

High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Cold hold- expo- reach in cooler- portioned house salsa 45F (9:30-2:30), marinara sauce 45F ( moldy and undetermined). Cold hold- make bar/reach in cooler- Krab 62F, scallops 53F, shredded cheese 60Fm white fish 55F, sliced beef 55F, chorizo 59F, cooked chicken wings 56F, cooked pork 59F. See stop sale Warning

02C-03-5

Detail 23725282

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. Marinara sauce stored in reach in cooler near expo 45F and moldy.

31B-02-4

Detail 23725278

Intermediate - No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink on cook line. Manager re stocked paper towels. Corrected On-Site

53B-10-4

Detail 23725277

Intermediate - Records/documents for required employee training do not contain all of the required information. Keneth Moncado's training certificate provides name and birthdate only.

14-01-5

Detail 23725275

Basic - Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Red cup stored in sugar with no handle. Manager removed cup and placed in ware washing area. Corrected On-Site

23-24-4

Detail 23725281

Basic - Buildup of food debris/soil residue on equipment door handles.

14-74-7

Detail 23725276

Basic - Cold holding equipment not maintained in good repair. Do not store time/temperature control for safety food in this unit until the unit is repaired. Reach in cooler on cook line ambient 65F. Warning

14-09-4

Detail 23725288

Basic - Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable.

08B-38-4

Detail 23725274

Basic - Food stored on floor. Raw chicken stored in a tub on floor in walk in Freezer. Multiple buckets of sour cream stored on floor in walk in cooler. Oil jug stored on floor near warmer.

10-08-5

Detail 23725284

Basic - Ice scoop handle in contact with ice. Manager removed scoop and sent to warehouse washing area. Corrected On-Site

10-12-5

Detail 23725280

Basic - In-use ice scoop stored on soiled surface between uses. Ice machine scoop stored on top of ice maker on right side. Manager removed scoop and sent to warehouse wash location.. Corrected On-Site

10-01-5

Detail 23725287

Basic - In-use utensil in non-time/temperature control for safety food not stored with handle above top of food within a closed container. Pitcher handle stored in dry rice. Manager removed scoop from rice and sent to warehouse washing area. Corrected On-Site

05-09-4

Detail 23725285

Basic - No conspicuously located ambient air temperature thermometer in holding unit on cook line.

23-03-4

Detail 23725289

Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Walk in cooler interior door soiled with raw ground beef.

Dec 30, 2024

Food-Licensing Inspection

Inspection Completed - No Further Action

No violations recorded for this inspection.