Columbia County — Food Safety Records: DBPR & FDACS
Columbia County, Florida has 134 food establishments with 2,662 inspections on record. 4 establishments were shut down this year. The pass rate is 83.7%, below the state average of 86%. Inspections average 5.1 violations per visit.
Most recent closure: Woods in Lake City, shut down March 24, 2026 for no potable water.
Largest fine: $400 assessed to Holiday Inn Hotel & Suites in Lake City on September 4, 2025.
Data from Florida DBPR (restaurants) and FDACS (retail food). Updated May 2026.
Most-Inspected Facilities
| Business | City | Inspections | Violations | Closures |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| La Fiesta Tacos and Tequila | Lake City | 49 | 344 | 3 |
| Hong Yip Restaurant | Lake City | 31 | 261 | 3 |
| Morton Eg Restaurants LLC | Lake City | 38 | 197 | 3 |
| Suicide Opossum | Ft. White | 22 | 90 | 3 |
| Tavern Brewery and Irish Pub D/b/a Marion Street Deli & Pub LLC | Lake City | 40 | 326 | 2 |
Columbia County Restaurants: Comparison to Florida State Averages
Columbia County Restaurants: Recent Closures (3)
| Date | Business | City | Reason |
|---|---|---|---|
| Woods | Lake City | No potable water | |
| Morton Eg Restaurants LLC | Lake City | Roach activity | |
| Morton Eg Restaurants LLC | Lake City | Roach activity |
Columbia County Restaurants: Recent Inspections (Last 30 Days)
| Date | Business | City | Violations | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Waffle House #2254 | Lake City | 1 | Inspection Completed - No Further Action | |
| Sonny's Real Pit BBQ | Lake City | 4 | Inspection Completed - No Further Action | |
| Longhorn Steakhouse #5451 | Lake City | 1 | Inspection Completed - No Further Action | |
| Salsas Mexican Restaurant | Lake City | 22 (1 high) | Administrative complaint recommended | |
| Chili's | Lake City | 9 (1 high) | Inspection Completed - No Further Action | |
| Zaxby's | Lake City | 5 | Inspection Completed - No Further Action | |
| Maggie's Place Latin Cafe | Lake City | 5 | Inspection Completed - No Further Action | |
| Taco Bell 194 | Lake City | 1 | Inspection Completed - No Further Action | |
| Culver's Lake City | Lake City | 4 (1 high) | Inspection Completed - No Further Action | |
| Columbia Livestock Market Cafe | Lake City | 0 | Inspection Completed - No Further Action |
Columbia County Restaurants: Most Common Health Violations
| Code | Violation | Citations |
|---|---|---|
| 14 | Food contact surfaces | 33,635 |
| 23 | Chemical properly stored | 31,735 |
| 22 | Consumer advisory | 29,367 |
| 36 | Proper ventilation | 17,229 |
| 03 | Employee health reporting | 15,665 |
Columbia County Restaurants: Disciplinary Actions & Fines
Largest Fines (Past 12 Months)
| Date | Business | Fine | Case |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 4, 2025 | Holiday Inn Hotel & Suites | $400 | 5--2025060126 |
| Apr 23, 2026 | U Mi Fl LLC | $400 | 5--2026022113 |
Columbia County Restaurants: Fire Safety Violations
Most Common Fire Safety Issues
| Issue | Citations |
|---|---|
| Fire extinguisher in red zone | 36 |
| Other fire safety violation | 13 |
| Exit blocked or locked | 6 |
| Missing boiler certificate/report | 4 |
| Propane tank stored inside building | 4 |
Columbia County Retail Food: FDACS Inspection Records
In addition to restaurants, Florida's Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) inspects grocery stores, markets, gas station food sections, and other retail food establishments. Columbia County has 6 FDACS-regulated facilities with 23 inspections on record.
Columbia County FDACS: Most Cited Code Violations
Columbia County: Notable Restaurants
La Fiesta Tacos and Tequila
Hong Yip Restaurant
Morton Eg Restaurants LLC
Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen #131
Salsas Mexican Restaurant
Waffle House #2254
Columbia County: Restaurant Chains (DBPR)
| Chain | Locations | Violations | Closures |
|---|---|---|---|
| Subway | 6 | 377 | 0 |
| Wendys | 4 | 508 | 0 |
| Hardees | 3 | 454 | 1 |
| Burger King | 3 | 132 | 0 |
| Waffle House | 3 | 500 | 0 |
| Days Inn | 2 | 58 | 0 |
| Taco Bell | 2 | 219 | 0 |
| Dunkin | 2 | 195 | 0 |
| Little Caesars | 2 | 164 | 2 |
| Hungry Howies | 2 | 98 | 0 |
Columbia County Restaurant Inspections: FAQ
- How many restaurants are in Columbia County?
- Columbia County, Florida has 134 food establishments tracked by the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR).
- What is the restaurant inspection pass rate in Columbia County?
- The current pass rate for food establishments in Columbia County is 83.7%. The Florida state average is 86%.
- How many restaurants were shut down in Columbia County this year?
- 4 food establishments in Columbia County have been shut down by health inspectors in 2026.
- What are the most common health violations in Columbia County?
- The most frequently cited violations in Columbia County are: Food contact surfaces, Chemical properly stored, Consumer advisory.
- Which restaurant chain has the most locations in Columbia County?
- Subway has the most locations in Columbia County with 6 establishments.
- What was the most recent restaurant closure in Columbia County?
- Woods in Lake City was shut down on March 24, 2026 for no potable water.
- How does Columbia County compare to the Florida state average?
- Columbia County has a pass rate of 83.7%, which is 2.3 percentage points below the state average of 86%. The average violations per inspection is 5.1 compared to the state average of 4.67.
- How often are restaurants inspected in Columbia County?
- Food establishments in Columbia County have an average of 19.9 inspections on record. Florida DBPR conducts routine inspections based on facility type and risk level.
- How much in fines have restaurants in Columbia County been assessed?
- Food establishments in Columbia County have been assessed $17,960 in fines across 45 disciplinary actions. The average fine is $428 and the largest single fine was $1,600.
- How many fire safety violations have been found in Columbia County restaurants?
- 63 fire safety violations have been documented across 36 food establishments in Columbia County. The most common issue is fire extinguisher in red zone.
- Are grocery stores and retail food stores in Columbia County inspected?
- Yes. The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) inspects retail food establishments — grocery stores, gas station food sections, markets, and convenience stores. Columbia County, Florida has 6 FDACS-regulated retail food facilities with 23 inspections on record.
In the News Columbia County
Lake City Mexican Restaurant Stayed Open After 9 High-Severity Violations in One Visit
Salsas Mexican Restaurant in Lake City logged 9 high-severity violations on May 4, including food from unapproved source…
Columbia County Restaurants & Food Establishments (130)
La Fiesta Tacos and Tequila 3 closures
2260 W US HWY 90, Lake City
49 inspections · 344 violations · Last: Mar 2026Hong Yip Restaurant 3 closures
905 SW MAIN BLVD #110, Lake City
31 inspections · 261 violations · Last: Apr 2026Morton Eg Restaurants LLC 3 closures
14197 S US HWY 441 STE 105, Lake City
38 inspections · 197 violations · Last: Mar 2026Suicide Opossum 3 closures
8725 SW US HWY 27, Ft. White
22 inspections · 90 violations · Last: Mar 2026Tavern Brewery and Irish Pub D/b/a Marion Street Deli & Pub LLC 2 closures
281 N MARION AVE, Lake City
40 inspections · 326 violations · Last: Jan 2026Salsas Mexican Restaurant 1 closure
4578 SW HERITAGE OAKS CIR, Lake City
48 inspections · 462 violations · Last: May 2026Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen #131 1 closure
121 NW MAIN BLVD, Lake City
50 inspections · 363 violations · Last: Mar 2026El Potro Mexican Restaurant 1 closure
2470 W US HWY 90, Lake City
28 inspections · 311 violations · Last: Jan 2026Sakura Buffet 1 closure
2469 W US HWY 90 STE 148, Lake City
29 inspections · 301 violations · Last: Jan 2026Country Club at Lake City 1 closure
717 NW FAIRWAY DR, Lake City
37 inspections · 270 violations · Last: Apr 2026Hardee's 1 closure
2399 SE BAYA DR, Lake City
34 inspections · 196 violations · Last: Feb 2026Holiday Inn Hotel & Suites 1 closure
213 SW COMMERCE DR, Lake City
29 inspections · 189 violations · Last: Feb 2026Ken's B B Q East 1 closure
795 SE SR 100, Lake City
30 inspections · 177 violations · Last: Feb 2026Italian Pizzeria and Restaurant 1 closure
1077 W US HWY 90 STE 40, Lake City
25 inspections · 171 violations · Last: Dec 2025Double Eagle Grill 1 closure
161 SW QUAIL HEIGHTS TERR, Lake City
32 inspections · 162 violations · Last: Feb 2026Two Fat Guys Burgers and Fries 1 closure
135 SW BAYA DR, Lake City
18 inspections · 126 violations · Last: Dec 2025Super 8 Lake City Florida 1 closure
3954 SW STATE ROAD 47, Lake City
24 inspections · 111 violations · Last: Jul 2025Little Caesars Pizza Station 1 closure
3963 SR 47, Lake City
19 inspections · 83 violations · Last: Oct 2025Little Caesars Pizza 1 closure
363 SW BAYA DR STE 101, Lake City
21 inspections · 81 violations · Last: Nov 2025Arby's #5984 1 closure
3289 W US HWY 90, Lake City
16 inspections · 64 violations · Last: Jan 2026