Gateway, Lee County

THE SAUCY MEATBALL

12401 COMMERCE LAKES DR, Gateway, FL 33913

FoodSeating
Latest violations
15
4 High Priority
Mar 9, 2026
City
Gateway
County
Lee
Status
Current / Active
Inspections
13

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 9, 2026

Routine - Food

Inspection Completed - No Further Action

High Priority: 4Intermediate: 2Basic: 9Total: 15

01B-01-4

Detail 24425793

High Priority - Dented/rusted cans present. See stop sale. Observed three 6lb cans of tomato puree dented. Operator separated cans to be returned to distributor and wrote do not use on cans. Corrective Action Taken

08A-05-6

Detail 24425797

High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Observed container of raw chicken wings stored over container of cook meatballs. Operator had employees switch raw chicken to bottom. Corrected On-Site

08A-20-5

Detail 24425787

High Priority - Raw animal foods not properly separated from each other in holding unit based upon minimum required cooking temperature. Observed container of raw chicken stored behind raw shrimp at cook line. Operator switched containers. Corrected On-Site

03A-02-5

Detail 24425784

High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed cut lettuce 54F cold hold more than 4 hours. Stop Sale. Operator discarded lettuce. Observed pasta 50F cold hold less than 4 hours. Operator placed pasta in deeper pan in beneath cooling line. Corrective Action Taken

22-02-4

Detail 24425783

Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris. Can opener. Operator cleaned can opener. Corrected On-Site

31A-11-4

Detail 24425792

Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Observed strainer stored in handwash sink in dishwash area. Educated operator on handwash sink only. Operator removed strainer. Corrected On-Site

50-09-4

Detail 24425796

Basic - Current Hotel and Restaurant license not displayed.

12B-07-4

Detail 24425786

Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Operator removed employee beverage. Corrected On-Site

12B-12-5

Detail 24425791

Basic - Employee drinking from an unenclosed beverage container in a food preparation/clean dishware area and the container does not have a dispensing mechanism to prevent hand contact with lip contact area of drink container. Cook line. Operator removed employee beverage. Corrected On-Site

40-06-5

Detail 24425795

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

24-08-4

Detail 24425790

Basic - Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting.

36-22-4

Detail 24425788

Basic - Floor area in dishwash and cook line area covered with standing water.

33-19-4

Detail 24425789

Basic - Garbage on the ground and/or pad around dumpster.

10-17-4

Detail 24425794

Basic - In-use knife/knives stored in cracks between pieces of equipment. Operator removed knives. Corrected On-Site

21-12-4

Detail 24425785

Basic - Wet wiping cloth not stored in sanitizing solution between uses.

Aug 7, 2025

Routine - Food

Inspection Completed - No Further Action

High Priority: 3Intermediate: 1Basic: 4Total: 8

12A-16-4

Detail 23940474

High Priority - Employee began working with food, handling clean equipment or utensils, or touching unwrapped single-service items without first washing hands. Observed bartender resume making drinks after handling customer credit card. Spoke with employee, employee properly washed hands before resuming work. Corrective Action Taken Repeat Violation

03B-01-6

Detail 23940475

High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. On cook line cream based alfredo (113F - Hot Holding) for 3 hours per operator, operator stirred, temperature reached 135F. Corrected On-Site

41-10-4

Detail 23940472

High Priority - Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. Next to spice by walk-in cooler dry storage . Operator removed. Corrected On-Site

31A-11-4

Detail 23940471

Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. At front line used to store dirty utensils and cup. Operator cleared sink for use. Corrected On-Site

14-09-4

Detail 23940470

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

23-03-4

Detail 23940476

Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Gaskets on front line pizza reach-in cooler.

16-46-4

Detail 23940469

Basic - Old labels stuck to food containers after cleaning.

21-08-4

Detail 23940473

Basic - Wiping cloth quaternary ammonium compound sanitizing solution not at proper minimum strength. Sanitizer Bucket (Quaternary 100ppm) on cook line, prep line. Operator replaced buckets, 200ppm quaternary. Corrected On-Site

Jan 29, 2025

Routine - Food

Inspection Completed - No Further Action

High Priority: 3Intermediate: 2Basic: 5Total: 10

12A-13-4

Detail 23513643

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 dishwasher switch from washing dirty plates to stacking clean plates, no glove change or handwash. Spoke with operator regarding proper, operator had employee remove gloves and properly wash hands before returning to work. Corrective Action Taken

09-01-4

Detail 23513641

High Priority - Employee touching ready-to-eat food with their bare hands - food was not being heated as a sole ingredient to 145 degrees F or immediately added to other ingredients to be cooked/heated to the minimum required temperature to allow bare hand contact. Establishment has no approved Alternative Operating Procedure. Observed employee touch fully cooked pizza for service with bare hands. Spoke with operator regarding proper glove use. Operator donned glove to continue serving cooked pizza. Corrective Action Taken

41-27-4

Detail 23513638

High Priority - Wiping cloth sanitizer solution exceeds the maximum concentration allowed. sanitizer bucket (Quaternary 500+ppm) on cook line. Operator discarded bucket. Corrected On-Site

31A-11-4

Detail 23513646

Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Dishes in handwash sink by offices. Operator cleared the sink. Corrected On-Site Repeat Violation

03F-10-5

Detail 23513637

Intermediate - No written procedures available for use of time as a public health control to hold time/temperature control for safety food. Time mark on pizza slices for discarded after 4 hours, no written plan. Provided operator with time as a public health control plan, operator filled out at time of inspection. Corrected On-Site

36-34-5

Detail 23513644

Basic - Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance. Dust on ceiling near cookmlone in kitchen.

14-09-4

Detail 23513639

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

23-03-4

Detail 23513642

Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Gaskets on both reach-in coolers by pizza oven soiled.

08B-12-5

Detail 23513645

Basic - Stored food not covered. In walk-in cooler uncover tomatoes sauce, soups. Operator covered the foods. Corrected On-Site

22-16-4

Detail 23513640

Basic - Walk-in cooler interior/shelves have accumulation of soil residues.

Sep 18, 2024

Routine - Food

Call Back - Complied

Intermediate: 1Total: 1

22-02-4

Detail 23158852

Intermediate - - From initial inspection : Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Large cutting boards on cook line heavily soiled. Warning - From follow-up inspection 2024-09-18: Time Extended

Sep 16, 2024

Routine - Food

Administrative complaint recommended

High Priority: 8Intermediate: 2Basic: 5Total: 15

03D-02-5

Detail 23150176

High Priority - Cooked/heated time/temperature control for safety food not cooled from 135 degrees Fahrenheit to 41 degrees Fahrenheit within 6 hours. In walk-in cooler housemade tomato sauce (68F - Cooling) for 8 hours per operator. Warning

01B-01-4

Detail 23150181

High Priority - Dented/rusted cans present. See stop sale. Cans artichokes and olives heavily dented in dry storage shed. Warning

22-41-4

Detail 23150179

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. Dishwasher (Chlorine 0ppm) in main kitchen and bar after running and priming three times. Operator set up manual sanitation in triple sink, chlorine 100ppm. Corrective Action Taken Warning

14-31-5

Detail 23150178

High Priority - Nonfood-grade bags used in direct contact with food. On cook line observed bread rolls in plastic garbage bag. Warning

08A-20-5

Detail 23150187

High Priority - Raw animal foods not properly separated from each other in holding unit based upon minimum required cooking temperature. In walk-in cooler raw chicken over raw beef meatballs. Operator rearranged foods for proper storage. Corrected On-Site Repeat Violation Admin Complaint

01B-02-5

Detail 23150175

High Priority - Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Pizza reach-in cooler: mozzarella (47F - Cold Holding); cooked chicken (49F - Cold Holding); cooked meatballs (49F - Cold Holding); ricotta (46F - Cold Holding); ham (50F - Cold Holding); cooked peppers (49F - Cold Holding); cut tomatoes (51F - Cold Holding); mozzarella (47F - Cold Holding) stored overnight per operator. Also Cooked/heated time/temperature control for safety food not cooled from 135 degrees Fahrenheit to 41 degrees Fahrenheit within 6 hours. In walk-in cooler housemade tomato sauce (68F - Cooling) for 8 hours per operator. Warning

03A-02-5

Detail 23150185

High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Pizza reach-in cooler: mozzarella (47F - Cold Holding); cooked chicken (49F - Cold Holding); cooked meatballs (49F - Cold Holding); ricotta (46F - Cold Holding); ham (50F - Cold Holding); cooked peppers (49F - Cold Holding); cut tomatoes (51F - Cold Holding); mozzarella (47F - Cold Holding) stored overnight per operator. Repeat Violation Admin Complaint

41-10-4

Detail 23150180

High Priority - Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. Bottle chemicals in glass door reach-in cooler by office with food. 2 bottles on prep table over food by pizza oven. Operator moved all items. Corrected On-Site Warning

22-02-4

Detail 23150174

Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Large cutting boards on cook line heavily soiled. Warning

31A-11-4

Detail 23150182

Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. At bar used to dump ice. Pot in handwash sink on cook line. Operator cleared sinks for proper use. Corrected On-Site Warning

22-20-5

Detail 23150183

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

16-21-4

Detail 23150186

Basic - Accumulation of debris on top of warewashing machine. Repeat Violation Warning

08B-49-4

Detail 23150173

Basic - Employee personal food not properly identified and segregated from food to be served to the public. In pizza prep station and coolers, employee food mixed with food for customers. Warning

10-02-4

Detail 23150184

Basic - In-use utensil not stored on a clean portion of food preparation or cooking equipment. Pizza paddles stored on soiled top of pizza oven. Warning

23-03-4

Detail 23150177

Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Back of soda machine and gaskets to salad cooler soiled. Warning

Feb 27, 2024

Routine - Food

Call Back - Complied

High Priority: 1Basic: 1Total: 2

29-34-4

Detail 22677520

High Priority - - From initial inspection : High Priority - Vacuum breaker missing at hose bibb or on fitting/splitter added to hose bibb. By handwash sink by salad station. Warning - From follow-up inspection 2024-02-27: Time Extended

36-34-5

Detail 22677519

Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance. Dust on vents and surrounding tiles near cook line. Warning - From follow-up inspection 2024-02-27: Time Extended

Feb 26, 2024

Routine - Food

Warning Issued

High Priority: 6Intermediate: 1Basic: 4Total: 11

50-17-3

Detail 22672110

High Priority - Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license. License expired on 12/1/2023. Operator renewed license at time of inspection. Corrected On-Site Warning

08A-05-6

Detail 22672108

High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Raw shell eggs over ready-to-eat fruit and vegetables in boxes in walk-in cooler. Operator moved eggs to bottom shelf for proper storage. Corrected On-Site Warning

01B-02-5

Detail 22672102

High Priority - Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. Reach-in cooler glass door by office cooked peppers (48F - Cold Holding); cut tomatoes (47F - Cold Holding); soft cheese (47F - Cold Holding); cooked beef meatballs (49F - Cold Holding); cooked pork sausage links (48F - Cold Holding); cooked chicken (49F - Cold Holding); ham (48F - Cold Holding); ham (49F - Cold Holding) stored overnight per operator. Warning

03A-02-5

Detail 22672105

High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Reach-in cooler glass door by office cooked peppers (48F - Cold Holding); cut tomatoes (47F - Cold Holding); soft cheese (47F - Cold Holding); cooked beef meatballs (49F - Cold Holding); cooked pork sausage links (48F - Cold Holding); cooked chicken (49F - Cold Holding); ham (48F - Cold Holding); ham (49F - Cold Holding) stored overnight per operator. Warning

29-34-4

Detail 22672101

High Priority - Vacuum breaker missing at hose bibb or on fitting/splitter added to hose bibb. By handwash sink by salad station. Warning

41-27-4

Detail 22672109

High Priority - Wiping cloth sanitizer solution exceeds the maximum concentration allowed. Sanitizer Bucket (Chlorine 200+ppm) in salad station. Operator diluted the bucket. Corrected On-Site Warning

01C-03-4

Detail 22672107

Intermediate - Clam/mussel/oyster tags not marked with last date served. Approximately 20 unmarked tags. Warning

22-20-5

Detail 22672103

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

16-21-4

Detail 22672106

Basic - Accumulation of debris on top of warewashing machine. Warning

36-34-5

Detail 22672100

Basic - Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance. Dust on vents and surrounding tiles near cook line. Warning

25-06-4

Detail 22672104

Basic - Single-service articles not stored inverted or protected from contamination. At front of house plating cooler, to go boxes not inverted, Warning

Nov 6, 2023

Routine - Food

Call Back - Complied

No violations recorded for this inspection.

Sep 5, 2023

Routine - Food

Warning Issued

High Priority: 4Intermediate: 3Basic: 5Total: 12

12A-13-4

Detail 22261758

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 loading dishes into the dish machine with bare hands and then remove clean dishes form machine without hand washing. Discussed with operator then need for proper hand washing. Corrective Action Taken

12A-10-4

Detail 22261754

High Priority - Employee touched bare body part and then engaged in food preparation, handled clean equipment or utensils, or touched unwrapped single-service items without washing hands. Observed food employee touch face and nose and failed to wash hands. Discussed with operator and observed proper hand washing. Corrective Action Taken

09-01-4

Detail 22261762

High Priority - Employee touching ready-to-eat food with their bare hands - food was not being heated as a sole ingredient to 145 degrees F or immediately added to other ingredients to be cooked/heated to the minimum required temperature to allow bare hand contact. Establishment has no approved Alternative Operating Procedure. Observed employee making cold cut sandwich with bare hands. Discussed with operator and employee washed hands and place gloves on. Corrected On-Site

03A-02-5

Detail 22261756

High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. ground beef (64 F - Cold Holding) in three compartment sink. Per operator beef just completed thawing and was moved to walk in cooler to rapidly chill Corrective Action Taken

31A-11-4

Detail 22261760

Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Hand sink at bar used as a dump sink.

11-26-1

Detail 22261757

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. Recent employee's hired have not completed the reporting agreement. Provided operator with DBPR Form HR 5030-103 in English and Spanish. Corrective Action Taken

53B-05-5

Detail 22261753

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.

14-01-5

Detail 22261752

Basic - Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Container with no handle used to scoop breadcrumb mix in container in walk in cooler. Operator removed. Corrected On-Site

13-03-4

Detail 22261761

Basic - Employee with no hair restraint while engaging in food preparation. Employee preparing food without a hair restraint. Employee put on hat. . Repeat from 03-20-2023. As a repeat violation the importance of following proper protocol with this violation was reinforced with the operator. Corrected On-Site Repeat Violation

05-09-4

Detail 22261751

Basic - No conspicuously located ambient air temperature thermometer in holding unit. In large Pepsi cooler used to store food.

21-10-4

Detail 22261755

Basic - Soiled dry wiping cloth in use. On cooks line. Operator discarded.

06-01-5

Detail 22261759

Basic - Time/temperature control for safety food thawed in an improper manner.ground beef thawing in standing water at three compartment sink. Operator moved food to walk in cooler. Corrected On-Site

Mar 20, 2023

Routine - Food

Inspection Completed - No Further Action

Intermediate: 2Basic: 3Total: 5

11-27-4

Detail 21869375

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.

11-26-1

Detail 21869378

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.

13-03-4

Detail 21869377

Basic - Employee with no hair restraint while engaging in food preparation. Employee put cap on. Corrected On-Site

10-17-4

Detail 21869376

Basic - In-use knife stored in cracks between reach-in coolers in pre table in kitchen line. Operator removed knife. Corrected On-Site

21-12-4

Detail 21869379

Basic - Wet wiping cloth not stored in sanitizing solution between uses in kitchen counter top. Operator removed wet cloth. Corrected On-Site

Oct 28, 2022

Routine - Food

Inspection Completed - No Further Action

Intermediate: 1Basic: 2Total: 3

53B-14-5

Detail 21535186

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 2 out of 10 food handlers certification expired.

13-03-4

Detail 21535187

Basic - Employee with no hair restraint while engaging in food preparation. Observed employee wearing no hair restraint while handling food. Operator put cap on. Corrected On-Site

21-12-4

Detail 21535185

Basic - Wet wiping cloth not stored in sanitizing solution between uses. Observed wet cloth in pizza station counter. Operator removed wet cloth. Corrected On-Site

May 12, 2022

Routine - Food

Inspection Completed - No Further Action

High Priority: 2Intermediate: 1Basic: 4Total: 7

08A-20-5

Detail 21083042

High Priority - Raw animal foods not properly separated from each other in holding unit based upon minimum required cooking temperature. Observed raw eggs over beef in walk in cooler. Operator removed eggs under beef. Corrected On-Site

03A-02-5

Detail 21083047

High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed sausage (48F - Cold Holding) and diced tomatoes (50F - Cold Holding) in reach in cooler by pizza station for 2 hours per operator. Educated operator on time as a public health control and emailed forms. Operator added ice to unit. Corrective Action Taken

27-16-4

Detail 21083046

Intermediate - Water with a temperature of at least 100 degrees Fahrenheit not provided/shut off at employee handwash sink. Observed hand washing sink by pizza station at 80F for 5 minutes. Repeat Violation

36-34-5

Detail 21083041

Basic - Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance. Observed ceiling vents dust and rust accumulation in kitchen line.

12B-12-5

Detail 21083043

Basic - Employee drinking from an unenclosed beverage container in a food preparation/clean dishware area and the container does not have a dispensing mechanism to prevent hand contact with lip contact area of drink container. Observed drink with open container. Operator put lid on beverage container. Corrected On-Site

10-17-4

Detail 21083045

Basic - In-use knife/knives stored in cracks between pieces of equipment. Observed knife between cracks between reach in cooler in front of grill kitchen line. Operator removed knife. Corrected On-Site

22-16-4

Detail 21083044

Basic - Reach-in cooler interior/shelves have accumulation of soil residues. Observed walk in cooler shelves with accumulation of food residue. Repeat Violation

Feb 1, 2022

Routine - Food

Inspection Completed - No Further Action

High Priority: 2Intermediate: 1Basic: 5Total: 8

08A-05-6

Detail 20828296

High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Observed in the walk in cooler raw chicken over cooked meatballs. Operator removed raw chicken and placed it under cooked meatballs. Corrected On-Site

03B-01-6

Detail 20828294

High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed meat sauce at 126F hot holding. Operator put meat sauce to reheat . Corrective Action Taken

27-16-4

Detail 20828289

Intermediate - Water with a temperature of at least 100 degrees Fahrenheit not provided/shut off at employee handwash sink. Observed hand washing sink in front of pizza station at 80F over 3 minutes.

36-34-5

Detail 20828291

Basic - Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance. Observed walk in cooler fan covers with dust accumulation.

13-03-4

Detail 20828293

Basic - Employee with no hair restraint while engaging in food preparation. Observe employee with no hair restraint . Employees wore caps. Corrected On-Site

33-11-4

Detail 20828292

Basic - Missing drain plug at dumpster.

22-16-4

Detail 20828295

Basic - Walk in cooler interior/shelves have accumulation of soil residues. Observed walk in cooler with accumulation of food residue.

21-09-4

Detail 20828290

Basic - Wet wiping cloths used for occasional spills on equipment food- and nonfood-contact surfaces not clean. Observed wet cloths in bar area. Operator removed wet cloths. Corrected On-Site