223 E MAIN ST, TAVARES, FL 32778
DESPERADOS SALOON has a mixed inspection record — 8 violations in the past year, including 1 high-priority. Not alarming, but worth knowing before you order. The trailing-year record shows 8 violations, including 1 high-priority and 0 Emergency Orders of Closure.
Scores higher than 62% of the 47 inspected restaurants in TAVARES on the trailing-year record.
1 high-priority violation on the trailing-year record — below the Lake County average of 2.6.
Full available history. The score uses only the most recent 365 days — older visits are shown for context, not counted.
This visit closed with no further action required.
Raw meat, poultry, or seafood not separated from ready-to-eat food, or food left unprotected during prep, storage, or display.
Cleaning chemicals or other toxic substances unlabeled or stored where they can reach food.
Handwash sink missing, blocked, or used for other purposes, or missing soap, towels, or the handwash sign.
Surfaces that touch food — cutting boards, ice bins, dish racks — soiled or not sanitized.
Shelves, counters, handles, or equipment exteriors soiled with grease, debris, or dust.
Single-use items (cups, straws, to-go containers) stored or handled improperly.
Floors, walls, ceilings, or attached equipment dirty, damaged, or poorly vented.
Roaches, rodents, flies, or other pests present — or doors and openings that let them in not protected.
Surfaces that touch food — cutting boards, ice bins, dish racks — soiled or not sanitized.
Restrooms not clean, stocked, or maintained as required.
Mops, brooms, and other cleaning and maintenance equipment stored or maintained improperly.
Fire suppression or extinguishing equipment issue (referred to the fire authority).
Surfaces that touch food — cutting boards, ice bins, dish racks — soiled or not sanitized.
Shelves, counters, handles, or equipment exteriors soiled with grease, debris, or dust.
The establishment's license expired, not obtained, or not properly displayed.
Other conditions related to sanitary and safe operation.
Every violation on this record falls into one of the state's standardized categories. Here is what each category covers and why inspectors check for it — in plain English, with the trailing-year count for this kitchen.
Raw meat, poultry, and seafood must be kept away from ready-to-eat food, and all food must be protected during prep, storage, and display. Inspectors treat separation seriously because raw-food drips and splashes carry pathogens onto food that will not be cooked again.
On this record, the category appears in 1 of the 2 trailing-year inspections. The written details for each entry are in the state inspection documents linked above.
Dirty Dish List is built from public inspection data published by the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation. The inspection dates, dispositions, and violations on this report card mirror what the state has on file for License No. 4508835 — you can read the original documents yourself and compare.