Collier County Restaurant Inspections: What the Last 30 Days Show in Naples and Marco Island

Staff Report | Marco Island Naples News

Florida restaurant inspectors have been busy across Collier County over the past month, checking everything from neighborhood restaurants and fast-food locations to private clubs and hotel kitchens.

A review of Florida Division of Hotels and Restaurants inspection records from roughly mid-July through August 14 shows a familiar Southwest Florida summer pattern: most restaurants passed without violations, while a smaller number received warnings, follow-up inspections or fines.

Marco Island: A Mixed Report Card

Marco Island had several notable inspection results during the period.

Sami’s, the longtime Greek and American restaurant at 227 N. Collier Blvd., failed a routine inspection on July 24 after inspectors found five violations, including one high-priority violation serious enough to require a follow-up.

When inspectors returned July 27, the restaurant had made significant improvements. Only one minor violation was recorded, and Sami’s passed its callback inspection.

Hideaway Beach Club, the private oceanfront club at 250 S. Beach Drive, had a more complicated inspection history.

An April 23 inspection found five violations, including three high-priority violations, resulting in a warning. A May 1 follow-up still found three violations, two of them high-priority, leading to an administrative complaint.

That complaint ultimately resulted in a $200 fine assessed July 27. While the violations themselves occurred earlier in the year, the fine fell within the most recent 30-day period.

Meanwhile, Snook Inn passed its July 15 routine inspection with no violations recorded.

Naples and Immokalee See Warnings and Follow-Ups

Several mainland restaurants also drew attention from inspectors.

Ridgway Bar and Grill on Third Street South in Naples received a warning after an August 13 inspection found four violations, including two classified as high-priority.

At Mela’s Cafe on Thomasson Drive, inspectors found two violations during an August 14 inspection, including one high-priority violation. The restaurant nevertheless met the state’s overall inspection standard.

That result represented an improvement from a December inspection, when four violations were recorded and a follow-up was required.

In Immokalee, Burger King #13849 on North 15th Street received a warning after seven violations were documented August 14. None were classified as high-priority.

Nearby, Taqueria Miranda recorded four violations during its August 14 inspection, including one high-priority violation. The restaurant was ordered to undergo a follow-up inspection.

Taqueria Miranda has also had previous inspection issues, with inspections in July and November of last year each recording two violations, including one high-priority violation.

Several Restaurants Receive Fines

A handful of Collier County establishments received fines rather than warnings during the period reviewed.

They included:

• Mango Thai in Naples: $600 fine following a July 27 inspection.

• Papa Johns Pizza in Immokalee: $160 fine following a July 27 inspection.

• Spanish Wells’ main kitchen in Bonita Springs: $200 fine following a July 22 inspection.

• Naples Courtyard hotel’s breakfast area: $300 fine for a violation found July 22.

The Clean List

Despite the violations found at some establishments, the overwhelming majority of restaurants inspected during the period had clean results.

Naples establishments recorded with no violations included:

Beefstro’s, Lake Park Diner, Riverwalk, Mr. Beef of Naples, Mercato Italiano, Rosedale Brick Oven Pizzeria, The Roast & Rush Society, Shake Shack, Nat Nat, Caiman Cantina, Grand Place Vynes and 105 Second Floor, the 19th Hole at Glades Country Club, Latin Family Bakery, Boathouse, Tulia Italian Steak, Tiburon Golf Club’s dining room and Sydney’s Bar, Amber Cove, Just Salad, and Garner Candlewood Suites.

In Immokalee, clean inspections included:

Slab BBQ and More, Raynor’s Seafood, Wendy’s #14851, Alegria Latin Kitchen, and Oil Well Craft Beer.

The concession stand at North Collier Regional Park also passed without violations.

What the Inspection Results Mean

Florida’s Division of Hotels and Restaurants conducts inspections of licensed food establishments on a regular basis, with additional inspections possible following complaints, violations or previous failed inspections.

Violations can be classified as basic or high-priority. High-priority violations generally involve conditions that present a more direct potential risk to food safety, including problems involving food temperatures, contamination or other immediate safety concerns.

Restaurants that fail to correct violations or accumulate significant problems can face additional inspections, administrative complaints, fines or, in serious circumstances, temporary closure.

No Collier County restaurant was temporarily closed by the state during the 30-day period reviewed for this report.

For diners, an inspection report is only a snapshot of a restaurant’s operation on the day inspectors arrive. A violation does not necessarily mean a restaurant is unsafe today, particularly when the establishment successfully corrects the problem during a follow-up inspection.

Consumers can review inspection histories and individual violation descriptions through Florida’s public restaurant inspection records.

Compiled from Florida Division of Hotels and Restaurants public inspection records as reflected in the Collier County restaurant inspection tracker maintained by Naples Day.

Sources

• Collier County Restaurant Inspections | Naples Day

• No Violations | Collier County Restaurant Inspections

• Sami’s Inspection History

• Hideaway Beach Club Inspection History

• Ridgway Bar and Grill Inspection History

• Mela’s Cafe Inspection History

• Burger King #13849 Inspection History

• Taqueria Miranda Inspection History