Hardee County — Food Safety Records
Hardee County, Florida has 39 food establishments with 821 inspections on record. 2 establishments were shut down this year. The pass rate is 71.8%, below the state average of 85.7%. Inspections average 6.6 violations per visit.
Most recent closure: Kings Fries in Bowling Green, shut down August 10, 2026 for no warewashing facilities.
Largest fine: $800 assessed to Paleteria Mis Tesoros in Wauchula on October 29, 2025.
Data from Florida DBPR. Updated September 2026.
Hardee County Restaurants: Comparison to Florida State Averages
Hardee County
71.8%
Pass Rate
71.8%
Florida Average
85.7%
Pass Rate
85.7%
Hardee County
6.6
Avg Violations / Inspection
6.6
Florida Average
4.7
Avg Violations / Inspection
4.7
Hardee County
5.13
Closures per 100 Facilities
5.13
Florida Average
1.96
Closures per 100 Facilities
1.96
Hardee County Restaurants: Recent Closures (2)
| Date | Business | City | Reason |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kings Fries | Bowling Green | No warewashing facilities | |
| McDonald's Restaurants of Florida INC | Wauchula | Rodent activity |
Hardee County Restaurants: Recent Inspections (Last 30 Days)
| Date | Business | City | Violations | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Restaurant El Mesquite | Zolfo Springs | 9 (4 high) | Inspection Completed - No Further Action | |
| Taquitos Mi Mexico | Wauchula | 5 | Inspection Completed - No Further Action | |
| Kathy's Kitchen INC | Wauchula | 12 (4 high) | Warning Issued | |
| La Michoacana Ice Cream 2 | Wauchula | 5 (1 high) | 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 |
| Aug 25, 2026 | Main Plaza Sports Bar/ Catrina Cantina Bar/ Terra Mexican Restau | $160 | 7--2026056623 |
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
Kings Fries
26 inspections
196 violations
2 closures
Nicholas Family Restaurant
32 inspections
338 violations
1 closures
Restaurant El Mesquite
18 inspections
116 violations
Kathy's Kitchen INC
2 inspections
12 violations
Hardee County: Restaurant Chains (DBPR)
| Chain | Locations | Violations | Closures |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hungry Howies | 1 | 134 | 0 |
| Subway | 1 | 141 | 2 |
| Dunkin | 1 | 169 | 0 |
| Sonic Drive-in | 1 | 181 | 0 |
| Burger King | 1 | 116 | 0 |
| Pizza Hut | 1 | 91 | 0 |
| Wendys | 1 | 117 | 0 |
| McDonalds | 1 | 106 | 1 |
| Taco Bell | 1 | 49 | 0 |
Hardee County Restaurant Inspections: FAQ
- How many restaurants are in Hardee County?
- Hardee County, Florida has 39 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 71.8%. The Florida state average is 85.7%.
- How many restaurants were shut down in Hardee County this year?
- 2 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?
- Hungry Howies has the most locations in Hardee County with 1 establishments.
- What was the most recent restaurant closure in Hardee County?
- Kings Fries in Bowling Green was shut down on August 10, 2026 for no warewashing facilities.
- How does Hardee County compare to the Florida state average?
- Hardee County has a pass rate of 71.8%, which is 13.9 percentage points below the state average of 85.7%. 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 21.1 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 $13,640 in fines across 30 disciplinary actions. The average fine is $455 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
See all 13 stories ↓
Wauchula Wendy's Had 6 High-Severity Violations in August and Stayed Open
A Wauchula Wendy's was cited for food from unapproved sources, undercooked food, and toxic chemical storage in August 20…
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- Wauchula Wendy's Had 6 High-Severity Violations in August and Stayed Open
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- Hardee County's 3 Inspected Restaurants All Drew Multiple High-Severity Violations
- Hardee County's 3 Inspected Restaurants All Logged Multiple High-Severity Violations in August
- Kings Fries in Bowling Green Shut Down for No Warewashing Facilities
- Hardee County Inspections: Wendy's Led 6 High-Severity Violations in One Week
- Smokin Joes BBQ in Bowling Green Racked Up 8 High-Severity Violations and Stayed Open
- Kings Fries in Bowling Green Racked Up 7 High-Severity Violations and Stayed Open
- Gloria's Restaurant in Bowling Green Racked Up 7 High-Severity Violations and Stayed Open
- Wauchula Family Restaurant Stays Open Despite 7 High-Severity Violations
- Wauchula McDonald's Emergency-Closed for Rodent Activity, Reopened Same Day
- Wauchula Restaurant Racked Up 6 High-Severity Violations and Stayed Open
Hardee County Restaurants & Food Establishments (39)
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 2026Wendys 8590
1440 N US 17, Wauchula
23 inspections · 117 violations · Last: Aug 2026Restaurant El Mesquite
825 SR 66, Zolfo Springs
18 inspections · 116 violations · Last: Sep 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 2026La Michoacana Ice Cream 2
1460 HIGHWAY 17 NORTH, Wauchula
10 inspections · 99 violations · Last: Aug 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
19 inspections · 90 violations · Last: Aug 2026Taquitos Mi Mexico
1075 HIGHWAY 17 S, Wauchula
23 inspections · 86 violations · Last: Sep 2026Hmong Pho House & Deli Asian Cuisine
1012 S 6 AVE, Wauchula
16 inspections · 82 violations · Last: Jun 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
7 inspections · 43 violations · Last: Aug 2026Woody'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 2025Kathy's Kitchen INC
1341 HWY 17 S, Wauchula
2 inspections · 12 violations · Last: Sep 2026La Tortuga Verde
4938 US HIGHWAY 17 N, Bowling Green
2 inspections · 10 violations · Last: May 2025
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