PEPPERS MEXICAN GRILL & CANTINA

High Priority - Dishmachine not sanitizing properly. Discontinue use of dishmachine for sanitizing and set up manual sanitization until dishmachine is repaired and sanitizing properly. Dishmachine at 0ppm Chlorine Warning

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. Dish washer wearing gloves washes food off plates that server bring from dining area, then handles clean dishes and when they come out of the dishmachine. Repeat Violation Admin Complaint

High Priority - Employee switched from working with raw food to ready-to-eat food without washing hands. Cook wearing gloves places raw shrimp and beef on grill, then handles cooking utensils, grabs plate then handles lettuce and Cut Tomato to complete order. Without removing gloves, washing hands and putting on clean gloves. Discussed with Manager. Repeat Violation Admin Complaint

High Priority - Employee touched soiled apron/clothes and then engaged in food preparation, handled clean equipment or utensils, or touched unwrapped single-service items without washing hands. Cook wearing gloves wipes soiled gloves on apron, and adjust hair restraint then handles food orders and plates without removing gloves, washing hands and putting on clean gloves. Repeat Violation Admin Complaint

High Priority - Raw animal food stored over or with ready-to-eat food in a freezer - not all products commercially packaged. Individually wrapped Chicken fillets stored over open box of crab in walk-in-freezer.

High Priority - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food marked with a date that exceeds 7 days after opening/preparation. In walk-in-cooler Container of menudo dated 11/9/2025; container of shredded beef date 11/10/2025

High Priority - Stop Sale issued due to adulteration of food product. In walk-in-cooler Container of menudo dated 11/9/2025; container of shredded beef date 11/10/2025

High Priority - Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. Spray bottle with sanitizer stored over gloves used in kitchen. Spray bottle stored on rack with liquor bottles used to prepare drinks for customers

High Priority - Vacuum breaker missing at mop sink faucet or on fitting/splitter added to mop sink faucet. "Y" connector at mop sink is missing vacuum breaker on the non-chemical side of the "Y" connector.

Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Tea machine has white crust accumulated on tip of liquid discharge spout

Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Cook rinsed off shrimp in cookline handwash sink.

Intermediate - No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. No paper towels at handwash sink at handwash sink by dishwash area

Intermediate - Required employee training expired for some employees. To order approved program food safety material, call DBPR contracted provider: Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (SafeStaff) 866-372-7233. Five of fifteen foo handler certificates expired for N Vail, H Lopez, S Lucas, H Marcial, J Lope.

Basic - Cardboard used to line nonfood-contact shelves. Cardboard used to line shelves in dry goods storage area shelves. Cardboard used to balance microwave in kitchen

Basic - Clean in place equipment not washed, rinsed and sanitized using three distinct steps. Metal bins are washed and rinsed at dishmachine but are not sanitized before put them up to dry.

Basic - Cove molding at floor/wall juncture broken/missing. Cove molding broken and missing on wall leading from kitchen to office

Basic - Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Apron stored soft drink syrup boxes. Employee handbags and jackets stored with bottle drinks served to the public

Basic - Employee with no beard guard/restraint while engaging in food preparation. Male employee on server line with beard and no beard guard.

Basic - Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting. Clean stacked ( cups )not properly air-dried, and stored wet on clean ware rack resulting in wet nesting. Repeat Violation

Basic - In-use utensil in non-time/temperature control for safety food not stored with handle above top of food within a closed container. In-use utensil stored with handle touching food product( cinnamon sugar ). Manager removed spoon Corrected On-Site

Basic - Missing drain plug at dumpster. Missing drain plug on dumpster in corner of parking lot. Repeat Violation

Basic - Opened employee beverage container in a cold holding unit with food to be served to customers. Employee drinks in walk-in-cooler above food served to the public.

Basic - Unwashed fruits/vegetables stored with ready-to-eat food. Unwashed produce in shipping box ( uncut lettuce ) stored over ready-to-eat food ( cut tomatoes, onions and peppers ) in walk in cooler.

Basic - Water leaking from pipe and/or faucet/handle. Leaking faucet at mop sink.

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 in dish area, 0 ppm. Warning

High Priority - Employee began working with food, handling clean equipment or utensils, or touching unwrapped single-service items without first washing hands. Employee entered kitchen from outside and began working with food in prep area. Manager had employee wash hands. Corrective Action Taken Repeat Violation Admin Complaint

High Priority - Single-use gloves not changed as needed after changing tasks or when damaged or soiled. Employee portioning raw beef and proceeded to handle clean plates without washing hands and changing gloves. Manager had employee wash hands and change gloves. Corrective Action Taken Repeat Violation Admin Complaint

High Priority - Vacuum breaker missing at mop sink faucet or on fitting/splitter added to mop sink faucet. Both sides of splitter missing vacuum breakers. Repeat Violation Admin Complaint

Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Cutting board on reach-in cooler next to warmer at end of cook line. Repeat Violation

Intermediate - Handwash sink removed from food preparation/dishwashing area. Must be reinstalled in the same location where removed. Hand washing sink in wait station. Manager replaced hand washing sink during inspection. Corrected On-Site

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 working with ten employees present. Manager arrived during inspection. Corrected On-Site

Intermediate - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Flan stored in reach-in cooler next to warmer at end of cook line. Employee stated item was prepared on 11/5. Manager had employee place proper date on item. Corrected On-Site

Intermediate - Water with a temperature of least 85 degrees Fahrenheit not provided/shut off at employee handwash sink. No hot water at cook line hand washing sink, 78F.

Basic - Cardboard used to line food-contact shelves. Cardboard lining shelves in dry storage area.

Basic - Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable. Cutting board on reach-in cooler next to warmer at end of cook line.

Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Employee bottle of water stored on kitchen prep table. Employee removed bottle of water. Corrected On-Site

Basic - Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Employees phone stored on kitchen prep table. Employee removed phone during inspection. Corrected On-Site Repeat Violation

Basic - Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting. Cups stored in wait station.

Basic - Equipment in poor repair. Handle for walk-in cooler.

Basic - Food stored on floor. Sour cream stored on floor in front of walk-in cooler. Employee placed sour cream on shelf in walk-in cooler. Corrected On-Site

Basic - In-use utensil not stored with handle above the top of time/temperature control for safety food and rim of the container. Handle for pitcher used to scoop flour from barrel located in kitchen.

Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Fan covers in walk-in cooler. Area around soda nozzles in wait station.

Basic - Stored food not covered. Tamales stored in walk-in freezer. Repeat Violation

Basic - Water leaking from pipe and/or faucet/handle. Pipe beneath cook line hand washing sink. Repeat Violation

Basic - Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Containers of food stored in dry storage room.

High Priority - Employee began working with food, handling clean equipment or utensils, or touching unwrapped single-service items without first washing hands. Employee entered kitchen from dining room and began their shift then handled ice bucket without washing hands. Manager had employee wash hands. Corrective Action Taken Repeat Violation Admin Complaint

High Priority - Employee touched soiled apron/clothes and then engaged in food preparation, handled clean equipment or utensils, or touched unwrapped single-service items without washing hands. Employee touched apron and handled a taco without washing hands. Manager had employee wash hands and change gloves. Corrective Action Taken Repeat Violation Admin Complaint

High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Item stored in warmer on prep table across from grill: beef (105F - Hot Holding). Manager stated item placed in warmer 30 minutes prior to temperature being taken. Manager had employee reheat item. Corrective Action Taken

High Priority - Vacuum breaker missing at mop sink faucet or on fitting/splitter added to mop sink faucet. No vacuum breaker on either side of splitter for hoses. Repeat Violation Admin Complaint

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. No written procedure available. Inspector provided operator with written procedure. Corrective Action Taken Repeat Violation

Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Cutting board on reach-in cooler across from grill. Deflector plate of kitchen ice machine. Water nozzle of wait station tea machine. Repeat Violation

Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Employee dumped container of ice water in wait station hand washing sink.

Intermediate - No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. No towels and soap at hand washing sink at end of cook line.

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. Certificates available for three employees. Manager stated there are 20 employees. Repeat Violation Admin Complaint

Basic - Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance. Vents throughout the kitchen.

Basic - Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable. Cutting board on cook line reach-in cooler across from warmer.

Basic - Employee personal food not properly identified and segregated from food to be served to the public. Employee fruit cup and Gatorade stored on shelf in walk-in cooler. Manager removed items from shelf. Corrected On-Site

Basic - Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting. Cups stored in wait station.

Basic - Food stored on floor. Containers of onions stored on walk-in cooler floor. Cases of tomatoes stored on floor in front of walk-in freezer.

Basic - No mop sink or curbed cleaning facility provided at establishment. Mop sink has been removed. Warning

Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Hood vents above grill greasy. Fan covers in walk-in cooler. Area around soda nozzles of wait station soda machine. Repeat Violation

Basic - Single-service articles not stored inverted or protected from contamination. To go containers stored on shelf next to dis area. Manager turned containers over. Corrected On-Site

High Priority - Employee touched soiled apron/clothes and then engaged in food preparation, handled clean equipment or utensils, or touched unwrapped single-service items without washing hands. Female employee touching towel and apron then continued to work without washing hands. Repeat Violation Admin Complaint

High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. In walk in cooler: raw shell eggs on shelf over peppers. Began moving. Corrective Action Taken

High Priority - Vacuum breaker missing at hose bibb or on fitting/splitter added to hose bibb. Splitter added to hose bibb behind dry storage shelf with two hoses connected.

Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Dish rack with glasses at bar has encrusted food debris. Repeat Violation

Intermediate - Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Sink near back door has no running water. Manager stated they are planning to move sink. Discussed plan review with manager. Sink must be operational. Also, sink at bar has scrub pads inside. Corrective Action Taken 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/ 12-14 employees working with no certified food manager on site. Manager arrived during this inspection. Corrected On-Site

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. Missing for 17 employees.

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. Training provided for seven employees, manager stated there are 24 employee that have been employed more than 60 days. Also, one certificate provided expired in 2022.

Intermediate - Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled. Two large containers of degreaser with no label. Repeat Violation

Basic - Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Bags on shelf over chips.

Basic - Floor area(s) covered with standing water. Standing water in kitchen area.

Basic - Food stored in a prohibited area. Several bins of chips on floor in kitchen area. Fruit on bar not covered. Unwashed avocados on shelf over cheese in walk in cooler. Personal food on shelf over beer in walk in cooler. Repeat Violation

Basic - Open dumpster lid. Two lids on dumpster open. Repeat Violation

Basic - Wet wiping cloth not stored in sanitizing solution between uses. One towel under tea urn in server station. Repeat Violation

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. Observed the dem at 0 ppm for chlorine. The empty jug was replaced. 100 ppm achieved. Corrected On-Site

High Priority - Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. Observed a sanitizer spray stored next to margarita salt at the bar. The spray was moved to the floor. Corrected On-Site

Intermediate - No certified food manager for establishment. 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 no current Certified Food Managers. Warning

Intermediate - Required employee training expired 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 expired certificates.

Basic - Cloth used as a food-contact surface. Observed on the back prep line, dough shells being covered by a cloth towel. Repeat Violation

Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Observed 2 drinks stored on prep tables kitchen and servers area. Both were discarded. Corrected On-Site

Basic - Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Observed an employee purse stored over bottled drinks in the server hallway.

Basic - Lights in food preparation, food storage or warewashing area missing the proper shield, sleeve coatings or covers. Observed some lights in the kitchen lacking light shields. ALSO, 2 light shields have an accumulation of debris, in the kitchen.

Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed the cook line microwave exterior with dried food debris, lower part of the door. ALSO, the shelf and aluminum foil under the mi have an accumulation of debris.

Basic - Unwashed fruits/vegetables stored with ready-to-eat food. Observed avocados with partial stickers still attached, stored on the cook line, first cold hold unit.

Basic - Worn, torn and/or soiled floors/carpeting. Observed the floor in the bar, with an accumulation of debris along the baseboard.

Flammables stored/debris present in meter room. For reporting purposes only. Observed cardboard boxes stored up against the electric panels. These were moved away. Corrected On-Site

High Priority - Nonfood-grade containers used for food storage - direct contact with food. Observed plastic to go bags used as a tortilla container on the cook line.

High Priority - Stop Sale issued due to food not being in a wholesome, sound condition. Observed an onion under the shelving in storage. Sitting in Water on the floor.

High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed queso 83-84F on the prep line. This was moved to the walk-in freezer uncovered to finish cooling. ALSO, chicken 99-92F on the prep line table. This was moved to the walk-in cooler. ALSO,corn dogs 77F, chicken nuggets 76F and cheese sticks 64F. These had been out for about 45 minutes. These were moved to the walk-in freezer. Corrective Action Taken

High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed cooked shrimp on the edge of the stove, 101F. The shrimp was discarded.

Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Observed a cloth in the cook line hand wash sink.

Basic - Cloth used as a food-contact surface. Observed a towel as a tortilla food contact surface, on the cook line.

Basic - Employee personal food not properly identified and segregated from food to be served to the public. Observed undersized fish for employee use, not separated or marked as such, in the walk-in freezer.

Basic - Time/temperature control for safety food thawed in an improper manner. Observed frozen fish and Krab, thawing in standing water, in the prep sink on the prep line. The water was removed and the food refrigerated. Corrective Action Taken

Basic - Waste line missing at soda gun holster. Observed the soda waste line is not under the soda gun at the bar.

Basic - Water leaking from pipe and/or faucet/handle. Observed the mop sink faucet leaks continuously, a bucket is there to capture the water. Corrective Action Taken