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)
Subway 41071
7776 SW HWY 27, Fort White
13 inspections · 45 violations · Last: Jul 2025Panda Express 2468
2916 US HWY 90 W, Lake City
14 inspections · 41 violations · Last: Oct 2025Fairfield Inn and Suites
538 SW CORPORATE DR, Lake City
12 inspections · 36 violations · Last: Nov 2025Sonic # 3981
1333 SW MAIN BLVD, Lake City
3 inspections · 36 violations · Last: Apr 2026Good Times at the County Line
9634 W US HWY 90, Lake City
9 inspections · 35 violations · Last: Jan 2026Lake City Bowl
347 SW SR 247, Lake City
12 inspections · 31 violations · Last: Nov 2025Days Inn of Lake City
3144 W 90 US HWY, Lake City
16 inspections · 29 violations · Last: Feb 2026Hungry Howie's # 211
7788 SW US HIGHWAY 27, Fort White
7 inspections · 29 violations · Last: Apr 2026Days Inn
3430 US HWY 441, Lake City
12 inspections · 29 violations · Last: Sep 2025La Quinta Inn & Suites Lake City
165 NW CALI DR, Lake City
7 inspections · 26 violations · Last: Aug 2025Burger King #29690
13721 S US HWY 441, Lake City
7 inspections · 24 violations · Last: Oct 2025Skating Palace Family Fun Center
357 NW HALL OF FAME DR, Lake City
11 inspections · 23 violations · Last: Nov 2025Tru by Hilton
284 NW CENTURION CT, Lake City
10 inspections · 23 violations · Last: Jul 2025Adelitas Latin Market and Taqueria
471 SW SR 247 STE 103, Lake City
5 inspections · 23 violations · Last: Jan 2026Best Western Plus
1608 S.W. FL GATEWAY DRIVE, Lake City
11 inspections · 22 violations · Last: Jul 2025Hampton Inn & Suites - Lake City
450 SW FL GATEWAY DR, Lake City
10 inspections · 15 violations · Last: Aug 2025Catering for All Occasions
1445 SW MAIN BLVD STE 150, Lake City
6 inspections · 15 violations · Last: Dec 2025On Cue Billiards
3696 US HWY 441, Lake City
6 inspections · 14 violations · Last: Nov 2025Home 2 Suites by Hilton
414 SW FLORIDA GATEWAY DR, Lake City
10 inspections · 13 violations · Last: Jul 2025Ricardo's Latin Bakery
471 SR 247 STE 115, Lake City
3 inspections · 10 violations · Last: Oct 2025