Hardee County — Food Safety Records
Hardee County, Florida has 38 food establishments with 809 inspections on record. 1 establishments were shut down this year. The pass rate is 71.1%, below the state average of 85.8%. Inspections average 6.6 violations per visit.
Most recent closure: McDonald's Restaurants of Florida INC in Wauchula, shut down July 8, 2026 for rodent activity.
Largest fine: $800 assessed to Paleteria Mis Tesoros in Wauchula on October 29, 2025.
Data from Florida DBPR. Updated August 2026.
Hardee County Restaurants: Comparison to Florida State Averages
Hardee County
71.1%
Pass Rate
71.1%
Florida Average
85.8%
Pass Rate
85.8%
Hardee County
6.6
Avg Violations / Inspection
6.6
Florida Average
4.7
Avg Violations / Inspection
4.7
Hardee County
2.63
Closures per 100 Facilities
2.63
Florida Average
2
Closures per 100 Facilities
2
Hardee County Restaurants: Recent Closures (1)
| Date | Business | City | Reason |
|---|---|---|---|
| McDonald's Restaurants of Florida INC | Wauchula | Rodent activity |
Hardee County Restaurants: Recent Inspections (Last 30 Days)
| Date | Business | City | Violations | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Smokin Joes BBQ | Bowling Green | 12 (1 high) | Inspection Completed - No Further Action | |
| Glorias Restaurant I | Bowling Green | 16 (3 high) | Inspection Completed - No Further Action | |
| Kings Fries | Bowling Green | 12 (2 high) | Emergency order recommended | |
| Kings Fries | Bowling Green | 4 | Emergency Order Callback Complied | |
| Sonic Drive-in #5092 | Wauchula | 5 | Inspection Completed - No Further Action | |
| Wauchula Family Restaurant | Wauchula | 9 (1 high) | Inspection Completed - No Further Action | |
| Taco Bell | Wauchula | 2 | Inspection Completed - No Further Action | |
| Garcia's Taco Express INC | Wauchula | 10 (1 high) | Inspection Completed - No Further Action | |
| Panda Rest (the) | Wauchula | 10 (2 high) | Call Back - Complied | |
| Main Plaza Sports Bar/ Catrina Cantina Bar/ Terra Mexican Restau | Wauchula | 3 | Call Back - Admin. complaint recommended |
Hardee County Restaurants: Most Common Health Violations
| Code | Violation | Citations |
|---|---|---|
| 14 | Food contact surfaces | 13,459 |
| 08 | Proper hand/arm washing | 7,587 |
| 31 | Clean multi-use utensils | 7,580 |
| 33 | Proper cooling equipment | 7,358 |
| 23 | Chemical properly stored | 6,352 |
Hardee County Restaurants: Disciplinary Actions & Fines
Largest Fines (Past 12 Months)
| Date | Business | Fine | Case |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 29, 2025 | Paleteria Mis Tesoros | $800 | 7--2025045551 |
| Mar 25, 2026 | Smokin Joes BBQ | $200 | 7--2026014891 |
| Jan 12, 2026 | La Michoacana Ice Cream 2 | $160 | 7--2025089657 |
Hardee County Restaurants: Fire Safety Violations
Most Common Fire Safety Issues
| Issue | Citations |
|---|---|
| Exit blocked or locked | 9 |
| Fire extinguisher in red zone | 6 |
| Other fire safety violation | 3 |
| Propane tank stored inside building | 1 |
Hardee County: Notable Restaurants
Smokin Joes BBQ
38 inspections
309 violations
4 closures
Pioneer Restaurant
36 inspections
334 violations
2 closures
Subway #27732
29 inspections
137 violations
2 closures
Nicholas Family Restaurant
32 inspections
338 violations
1 closures
Kings Fries
26 inspections
196 violations
1 closures
Glorias Restaurant I
26 inspections
220 violations
Hardee County: Restaurant Chains (DBPR)
| Chain | Locations | Violations | Closures |
|---|---|---|---|
| Burger King | 1 | 116 | 0 |
| Pizza Hut | 1 | 91 | 0 |
| Wendys | 1 | 108 | 0 |
| McDonalds | 1 | 106 | 1 |
| Taco Bell | 1 | 49 | 0 |
| Hungry Howies | 1 | 134 | 0 |
| Subway | 1 | 137 | 2 |
| Dunkin | 1 | 169 | 0 |
| Sonic Drive-in | 1 | 181 | 0 |
Hardee County Restaurant Inspections: FAQ
- How many restaurants are in Hardee County?
- Hardee County, Florida has 38 food establishments tracked by the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR).
- What is the restaurant inspection pass rate in Hardee County?
- The current pass rate for food establishments in Hardee County is 71.1%. The Florida state average is 85.8%.
- How many restaurants were shut down in Hardee County this year?
- 1 food establishments in Hardee County have been shut down by health inspectors in 2026.
- What are the most common health violations in Hardee County?
- The most frequently cited violations in Hardee County are: Food contact surfaces, Proper hand/arm washing, Clean multi-use utensils.
- Which restaurant chain has the most locations in Hardee County?
- Burger King has the most locations in Hardee County with 1 establishments.
- What was the most recent restaurant closure in Hardee County?
- McDonald's Restaurants of Florida INC in Wauchula was shut down on July 8, 2026 for rodent activity.
- How does Hardee County compare to the Florida state average?
- Hardee County has a pass rate of 71.1%, which is 14.8 percentage points below the state average of 85.8%. The average violations per inspection is 6.6 compared to the state average of 4.68.
- How often are restaurants inspected in Hardee County?
- Food establishments in Hardee County have an average of 21.3 inspections on record. Florida DBPR conducts routine inspections based on facility type and risk level.
- How much in fines have restaurants in Hardee County been assessed?
- Food establishments in Hardee County have been assessed $13,480 in fines across 29 disciplinary actions. The average fine is $465 and the largest single fine was $1,040.
- How many fire safety violations have been found in Hardee County restaurants?
- 19 fire safety violations have been documented across 11 food establishments in Hardee County. The most common issue is exit blocked or locked.
In the News Hardee County
Wauchula Family Restaurant Stays Open Despite 7 High-Severity Violations
State inspectors cited Wauchula Family Restaurant for food from unapproved sources and improper handwashing on July 29, …
Hardee County Restaurants & Food Establishments (38)
Hungry Howies #224
1038 6 AVE S, Wauchula
18 inspections · 134 violations · Last: Oct 2025Taco Express #2
330 FL-66, Zolfo Springs
20 inspections · 130 violations · Last: May 2026Burger King #100
415 S 6 AVE, Wauchula
21 inspections · 116 violations · Last: Jul 2025Acapulco Cafe
3410 S HWY 17, Zolfo Springs
22 inspections · 112 violations · Last: May 2026Wendys 8590
1440 N US 17, Wauchula
22 inspections · 108 violations · Last: Dec 2025Restaurant El Mesquite
825 SR 66, Zolfo Springs
17 inspections · 107 violations · Last: Mar 2026Pizza Hut #4675
1498 US HWY 17 NO, Wauchula
19 inspections · 91 violations · Last: Jul 2025Bowl of Fun Lanes, LLC
943 SOUTH 6TH AVENUE, Wauchula
18 inspections · 84 violations · Last: Dec 2025La Michoacana Ice Cream 2
1460 HIGHWAY 17 NORTH, Wauchula
8 inspections · 84 violations · Last: Nov 2025Hmong Pho House & Deli Asian Cuisine
1012 S 6 AVE, Wauchula
16 inspections · 82 violations · Last: Jun 2026Taquitos Mi Mexico
1075 HIGHWAY 17 S, Wauchula
22 inspections · 81 violations · Last: Apr 2026Bertha's Kitchen
103 E MAIN ST, Wauchula
15 inspections · 78 violations · Last: Apr 2026Boat in the Moat
4533 SOLOMON RD, Ona
18 inspections · 71 violations · Last: Mar 2026Taco Bell
116 W. REA RD, Wauchula
14 inspections · 49 violations · Last: Jul 2026Tacos Isabel
104 HANCOCK RD, Wauchula
6 inspections · 37 violations · Last: Dec 2025Woody's Bar-b-q Wauchula
902 S 6 AVE, Wauchula
5 inspections · 26 violations · Last: Mar 2026Amazing Grace Tea House
106 S 4 AVE, Wauchula
14 inspections · 24 violations · Last: Nov 2025La Tortuga Verde
4938 US HIGHWAY 17 N, Bowling Green
2 inspections · 10 violations · Last: May 2025
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