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 |
| Propane tank stored inside building | 4 |
| Missing boiler certificate/report | 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
Zaxby's
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 |
| McDonalds | 2 | 226 | 0 |
| Days Inn | 2 | 58 | 0 |
| Taco Bell | 2 | 219 | 0 |
| Dunkin | 2 | 195 | 0 |
| Little Caesars | 2 | 164 | 2 |
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
Chili's in Lake City Racked Up 7 High-Severity Violations and Stayed Open
A May 2026 inspection found employees not reporting illness symptoms and food from unapproved sources at a Lake City Chi…
Columbia County Restaurants & Food Establishments (130)
Woods 1 closure
149 SW WOOLSEY GLN, Lake City
6 inspections · 16 violations · Last: Mar 2026Ole Times Buffet
2469 US HWY 90 W STE 106, Lake City
43 inspections · 325 violations · Last: Feb 2026Phish Tales
1445 SW MAIN BLVD #170, Lake City
34 inspections · 287 violations · Last: Apr 2026Krystal Restaurant
2383 W US HWY 90, Lake City
36 inspections · 273 violations · Last: Dec 2025Huddle House
3320 N US HWY 441, Lake City
30 inspections · 235 violations · Last: Feb 2026Kountry Korner Restaurant
1084 N MARION AVE, Lake City
32 inspections · 232 violations · Last: Feb 2026Beef O Brady's
857 SW MAIN BLVD STE 100, Lake City
38 inspections · 224 violations · Last: Dec 2025Red Ginger
2143 W US HWY 90 STE 101, Lake City
26 inspections · 222 violations · Last: Feb 2026Gator's Dockside Lake City
313 NW COMMONS LOOP, Lake City
30 inspections · 211 violations · Last: Dec 2025Bw Blacksmith
419 SW FL 247 STE 101, Lake City
28 inspections · 209 violations · Last: Jan 2026Ken's Bar-b-que
387 SW ST MARGARET ST, Lake City
32 inspections · 203 violations · Last: Apr 2026Fu King Chinese Restaurant
649 SW MAIN BLVD, Lake City
20 inspections · 199 violations · Last: Dec 2025Jersey Mike's Subs
2888 W US 90 #105, Lake City
33 inspections · 196 violations · Last: Dec 2025Maggie's Place Latin Cafe
132 SE HERNANDO AVE, Lake City
23 inspections · 194 violations · Last: Apr 2026Waffle House 388
2963 W US HWY 90, Lake City
28 inspections · 186 violations · Last: Jan 2026Country Skillit #2
3445 E US HWY 90, Lake City
28 inspections · 185 violations · Last: Feb 2026Steak N Shake
170 SW COMMERCE DR, Lake City
31 inspections · 184 violations · Last: Dec 2025Cedar River Seafood
1592 W US HWY 90, Lake City
21 inspections · 182 violations · Last: Feb 2026Our Place Pizzeria and Ristorante
297 N MARION AVE, Lake City
27 inspections · 181 violations · Last: Apr 2026Bob Evans 228
3628 W HWY 90, Lake City
24 inspections · 180 violations · Last: Jan 2026