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 |
| McDonalds | 2 | 226 | 0 |
| Days Inn | 2 | 58 | 0 |
| Dunkin | 2 | 195 | 0 |
| Little Caesars | 2 | 164 | 2 |
| Taco Bell | 2 | 219 | 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)
Ruby Tuesday
245 SW COMMERCE DR, Lake City
29 inspections · 179 violations · Last: Jan 2026Denny's #9226
176 NW CENTURION CT, Lake City
27 inspections · 175 violations · Last: Jan 2026Kentucky Fried Chicken
313 SW BAYA AVE, Lake City
29 inspections · 172 violations · Last: Jan 2026Dairyqueen of Lake City
2984 W US HIGHWAY 90, Lake City
26 inspections · 170 violations · Last: Jul 2025Shirley's Restaurant
746 E DUVAL ST, Lake City
24 inspections · 170 violations · Last: Apr 2026Yum's Chinese Restaurant
295 NW COMMONS LOOP STE 109, Lake City
24 inspections · 165 violations · Last: Dec 2025Waffle House #2254
348 SW BAYA DR, Lake City
29 inspections · 161 violations · Last: May 2026Captain Crab
2329 US W HIGHWAY 90, Lake City
15 inspections · 160 violations · Last: Aug 2025Ihop #36-244
3322 WEST US HIGHWAY 90, Lake City
25 inspections · 159 violations · Last: Dec 2025Zaxby's
2640 W US HWY 90, Lake City
26 inspections · 155 violations · Last: Apr 2026China One
4556 SW HERITAGE CIR STE 107, Lake City
21 inspections · 154 violations · Last: Dec 2025Waffle House #719
3639 W US HWY 90, Lake City
24 inspections · 153 violations · Last: Feb 2026China Wok
471 SW SR 247 #113, Lake City
22 inspections · 148 violations · Last: Dec 2025Wendys 376
180 SW MAIN BLVD, Lake City
32 inspections · 141 violations · Last: Nov 2025Sonny's Real Pit BBQ
3177 HWY 90 W, Lake City
23 inspections · 138 violations · Last: May 2026Wendy's 375
3081 W US HWY 90, Lake City
28 inspections · 136 violations · Last: Mar 2026Chili's
2893 WEST US HWY 90, Lake City
19 inspections · 136 violations · Last: May 2026Hardee's
279 W DUVAL ST, Lake City
22 inspections · 135 violations · Last: Dec 2025McDonalds
3133 W US HWY 90, Lake City
22 inspections · 131 violations · Last: Feb 2026Pizza Boy Pizza
618 S MARION AVE STE 101, Lake City
23 inspections · 126 violations · Last: Dec 2025