Highlands County — Food Safety Records: DBPR & FDACS
Highlands County, Florida has 311 food establishments with 3,547 inspections on record. 14 establishments were shut down this year. The pass rate is 81.9%, below the state average of 86%. Inspections average 5.6 violations per visit.
Most recent closure: Cang Tong in Sebring, shut down April 30, 2026 for rodent, roach & fly activity.
Largest fine: $800 assessed to Family Taste in Avon Park on August 7, 2025.
Data from Florida DBPR (restaurants) and FDACS (retail food). Updated May 2026.
Most-Inspected Facilities
| Business | City | Inspections | Violations | Closures |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cang Tong | Sebring | 56 | 616 | 6 |
| Dimitri's Family Restaurant | Sebring | 49 | 409 | 3 |
| Lake Jackson Landing | Sebring | 31 | 337 | 2 |
| Oscar's Family Restaurant | Sebring | 32 | 215 | 2 |
| Charlie Faye's Depot | Avon Park | 27 | 195 | 2 |
Highlands County Restaurants: Comparison to Florida State Averages
Highlands County
81.9%
Pass Rate
81.9%
Florida Average
86%
Pass Rate
86%
Highlands County
5.6
Avg Violations / Inspection
5.6
Florida Average
4.7
Avg Violations / Inspection
4.7
Highlands County
4.5
Closures per 100 Facilities
4.5
Florida Average
1.37
Closures per 100 Facilities
1.37
Highlands County Restaurants: Recent Closures (6)
Highlands County Restaurants: Recent Inspections (Last 30 Days)
| Date | Business | City | Violations | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cody's Original Roadhouse | Sebring | 8 (1 high) | Inspection Completed - No Further Action | |
| Sebring Subs | Sebring | 3 | Inspection Completed - No Further Action | |
| Denny's #7808 | Sebring | 2 | Inspection Completed - No Further Action | |
| Cang Tong | Sebring | 4 | Call Back - Complied | |
| Holiday Inn Express | Lake Placid | 1 | Inspection Completed - No Further Action | |
| Cang Tong | Sebring | 7 (2 high) | Emergency Order Callback Not Complied | |
| Cang Tong | Sebring | 5 (1 high) | Emergency Order Callback Time Extension | |
| Cang Tong | Sebring | 7 (2 high) | Emergency Order Callback Not Complied | |
| Chick-fil-a | Sebring | 3 | Inspection Completed - No Further Action | |
| Cang Tong | Sebring | 10 (3 high) | Emergency Order Callback Not Complied |
Highlands County Restaurants: Most Common Health Violations
| Code | Violation | Citations |
|---|---|---|
| 14 | Food contact surfaces | 53,036 |
| 31 | Clean multi-use utensils | 30,290 |
| 08 | Proper hand/arm washing | 28,636 |
| 36 | Proper ventilation | 24,962 |
| 22 | Consumer advisory | 22,967 |
Highlands County Restaurants: Disciplinary Actions & Fines
Largest Fines (Past 12 Months)
| Date | Business | Fine | Case |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 7, 2025 | Family Taste | $800 | 7--2025038757 |
| Jan 12, 2026 | Jimmy's Greek American Grill | $800 | 7--2025067727 |
| Dec 29, 2025 | Jimmy's Greek American Grill | $800 | 7--2025083762 |
| Dec 4, 2025 | Cang Tong | $800 | 7--2025076667 |
| Jan 26, 2026 | Oscar's Family Restaurant | $400 | 7--2025092137 |
| Dec 10, 2025 | Solorzanos Pizzeria Sebring | $400 | 7--2025068028 |
| Dec 1, 2025 | Avon Park Diner | $400 | 7--2025081615 |
| Mar 19, 2026 | Solorzanos Pizzeria Sebring | $400 | 7--2025083737 |
| Oct 14, 2025 | Sophie's Cafe | $400 | 7--2025052987 |
| Jul 17, 2025 | Jaxson's | $400 | 7--2025035184 |
Highlands County Restaurants: Fire Safety Violations
Most Common Fire Safety Issues
| Issue | Citations |
|---|---|
| Fire extinguisher in red zone | 31 |
| Other fire safety violation | 22 |
| Exit blocked or locked | 19 |
| Cooking without hood suppression | 4 |
| Propane tank stored inside building | 3 |
| Missing boiler certificate/report | 3 |
Highlands 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. Highlands County has 134 FDACS-regulated facilities with 242 inspections on record and 319 stop-sale orders issued.
Highlands County FDACS: Recent Stop-Sale Orders
A stop-sale order prohibits a retail food establishment from selling specific products found to be unsafe, improperly stored, mislabeled, or non-compliant with Florida food code. Products may be embargoed, destroyed, or returned to the distributor.
| Date | Facility | City | Product | Reason |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lake Placid Mobil | Lake Placid | Brand Name: (Lot #:) | FS 500.04; FS 500.11 Misbranded.* Labeling | |
| Lake Placid Mobil | Lake Placid | Brand Name: (Lot #:) | FS 500.04; FS 500.11 Misbranded.* Labeling | |
| Lake Placid Mobil | Lake Placid | Brand Name: (Lot #:) | FS 500; FAC 5K-4 Violation of Florida Food Law.* Container Requirements | |
| Lake Placid Mobil | Lake Placid | Brand Name: (Lot #:) | FS 500; FAC 5K-4 Violation of Florida Food Law.* Container Requirements | |
| Lake Placid Mobil | Lake Placid | Brand Name: (Lot #:) | FS 500.04; FS 500.172 Unsanitary Equipment.* Physical Facilities: Plumbing insta… | |
| Lake Placid Mobil | Lake Placid | Brand Name: (Lot #:) | FS 500.04; FS 500.172 Unsanitary Equipment.* Preventing Contamination By Hands: … | |
| Frontage-sunoco-421897 | Sebring | Brand Name: (Lot #:) | FS 500.04; FS 500.172 Unsanitary Equipment.* Physical Facilities: Plumbing insta… | |
| Frontage-sunoco-421897 | Sebring | Brand Name: (Lot #:) | FS 500.04; FS 500.10 Adulterated.* Time/Temperature Control for Safety Food: Pro… | |
| Frontage-sunoco-421897 | Sebring | Brand Name: (Lot #:) | FS 500.04; FS 500.172 Unsanitary Equipment.* Physical Facilities: Plumbing insta… | |
| Legendary Vapes | Sebring | Brand Name: (Lot #:) | FS 500; FAC 5K-4 Violation of Florida Food Law.* Container Requirements Comments… |
Browse all FDACS stop-sale order categories →
Highlands County FDACS: Most Cited Code Violations
Browse all FDACS violation codes →
Highlands County Retail Food Chains (FDACS)
| Chain | Locations | Stop-Sale Orders | Citations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dollar General | 9 | 57 | 2,871 |
| Wawa | 3 | 14 | 430 |
| Family Dollar | 3 | 316 | 950 |
| Publix | 3 | 30 | 875 |
| Winn-Dixie | 2 | 170 | 584 |
| Subway | 1 | 27 | 304 |
| Walgreens | 1 | 1 | 743 |
| Circle K | 1 | 102 | 1,574 |
Highlands County: Notable Restaurants
Cang Tong
56 inspections
616 violations
6 closures
Dimitri's Family Restaurant
49 inspections
409 violations
3 closures
Lake Jackson Landing
31 inspections
337 violations
2 closures
Broken Egg Diner
43 inspections
266 violations
1 closures
Sebring Subs
8 inspections
35 violations
Cody's Original Roadhouse
21 inspections
155 violations
Highlands County: Restaurant Chains (DBPR)
| Chain | Locations | Violations | Closures |
|---|---|---|---|
| Subway | 7 | 578 | 0 |
| Dunkin | 5 | 623 | 1 |
| McDonalds | 4 | 461 | 0 |
| Burger King | 4 | 321 | 0 |
| Wendys | 3 | 319 | 0 |
| Taco Bell | 3 | 245 | 0 |
| Dairy Queen | 2 | 267 | 0 |
| Culvers | 2 | 34 | 0 |
| Hungry Howies | 2 | 192 | 0 |
| Pizza Hut | 2 | 143 | 0 |
Highlands County Restaurant Inspections: FAQ
- How many restaurants are in Highlands County?
- Highlands County, Florida has 311 food establishments tracked by the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR).
- What is the restaurant inspection pass rate in Highlands County?
- The current pass rate for food establishments in Highlands County is 81.9%. The Florida state average is 86%.
- How many restaurants were shut down in Highlands County this year?
- 14 food establishments in Highlands County have been shut down by health inspectors in 2026.
- What are the most common health violations in Highlands County?
- The most frequently cited violations in Highlands County are: Food contact surfaces, Clean multi-use utensils, Proper hand/arm washing.
- Which restaurant chain has the most locations in Highlands County?
- Subway has the most locations in Highlands County with 7 establishments.
- What was the most recent restaurant closure in Highlands County?
- Cang Tong in Sebring was shut down on April 30, 2026 for rodent, roach & fly activity.
- How does Highlands County compare to the Florida state average?
- Highlands County has a pass rate of 81.9%, which is 4.1 percentage points below the state average of 86%. The average violations per inspection is 5.6 compared to the state average of 4.67.
- How often are restaurants inspected in Highlands County?
- Food establishments in Highlands County have an average of 11.4 inspections on record. Florida DBPR conducts routine inspections based on facility type and risk level.
- How much in fines have restaurants in Highlands County been assessed?
- Food establishments in Highlands County have been assessed $32,280 in fines across 90 disciplinary actions. The average fine is $380 and the largest single fine was $800.
- How many fire safety violations have been found in Highlands County restaurants?
- 82 fire safety violations have been documented across 42 food establishments in Highlands County. The most common issue is fire extinguisher in red zone.
- Are grocery stores and retail food stores in Highlands 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. Highlands County, Florida has 134 FDACS-regulated retail food facilities with 242 inspections on record.
- How many FDACS stop-sale orders have been issued in Highlands County?
- FDACS has issued 319 stop-sale orders at retail food establishments in Highlands County, including 7 in 2026. A stop-sale order prohibits a facility from selling specific products found to be unsafe, mislabeled, or non-compliant with Florida food code.
In the News Highlands County
See all 8 stories ↓
Sebring's Cang Tong Shut Down for Rodents, Roaches and Flies, Its 7th Closure in 7 Months
Cang Tong in Sebring was emergency-closed April 30 for rodent, roach and fly activity, its seventh shutdown since Octobe…
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- Sebring's Cang Tong Shut Down for Rodents, Roaches and Flies, Its 7th Closure in 7 Months
- Sebring Restaurant With 6 Prior Closures Shut Again for Roach Activity in April
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- Sebring Restaurant Stayed Open After 7 High-Severity Violations in One Visit
- Sebring Health Food Store Cited for Missing Manager Cert, No Illness Policy
- Sebring Mobile Vendor Cited Again for Missing Illness Cleanup Plan
- Sebring Aldi Cited for Dented Cans on Shelves, Damaged Dumpster in April Inspection
- Market 27 in Avon Park Racked Up 6 High-Severity Violations, Stayed Open
Highlands County Restaurants & Food Establishments (307)
Nunn Better Health & Wellness FDACS Retail
180 E Interlake Blvd, Lake Placid
FDACS Retail Food · Health Food StoreParker Island Gator Farm and Processing FDACS Retail
1775 County Road 29, Lake Placid
FDACS Retail Food · Alligator ProcessorSave-a-lot of Greater Tampa FDACS Retail
1544 Lakeview DR, Sebring
FDACS Retail Food · SupermarketBernie Little Distributors INC FDACS Retail
2100 Scenic Highway, Sebring
FDACS Retail Food · Dry StorageMarshalls # 1019 FDACS Retail
1724 US Highway 27 N, Sebring
FDACS Retail Food · Minor Outlet/Prepackaged/No PHFBean Cattle Company FDACS Retail
2005 County Road 29, Lake Placid
FDACS Retail Food · Limited Poultry and EggRaceway Datta C-store FDACS Retail
781 US 27 N, Lake Placid
FDACS Retail Food · Convenience Store Limited FSRoss Dress for Less # 1161 FDACS Retail
1744 US Highway 27 N, Sebring
FDACS Retail Food · Minor Outlet/Prepackaged/No PHFVw Winn Dixie 0687 FDACS Retail
600 Sebring SQ, Sebring
FDACS Retail Food · Vended WaterStarbucks # 13239 FDACS Retail
1768 US Highway 27 N, Sebring
FDACS Retail Food · Specialty Food ShopsWawa #5370 FDACS Retail
3838 US Hwy 27 S, Sebring
FDACS Retail Food · Convenience Store Significant FS AND/OR Packaged IceVw Winn Dixie 2465 FDACS Retail
3250 US Highway 27 S, Sebring
FDACS Retail Food · Vended WaterRk Smoke FDACS Retail
273 US Highway 27 N, Sebring
FDACS Retail Food · 140/Specialty Shop - HempThe Fume Factory FDACS Retail
211 US Highway 27 S Ste 101, Sebring
FDACS Retail Food · Specialty Shop - HempOffice Depot # 2362 FDACS Retail
2537 US Highway 27 N, Sebring
FDACS Retail Food · Minor Outlet/Prepackaged/No PHFSugar Blossoms Bakery FDACS Retail
110 N Ridgewood DR, Sebring
FDACS Retail Food · Retail BakerySunshine Food Mart 571 FDACS Retail
134 US Hwy 27 N, Lake Placid
FDACS Retail Food · Convenience Store Limited FSCircle K # 7451 FDACS Retail
2742 US 27 S, Lake Placid
FDACS Retail Food · Convenience Store Significant FS AND/OR Packaged IceKeystone Bear Hollow LLC FDACS Retail
200 Turner RD, Lake Placid
FDACS Retail Food · Bulk Water SourcePetco #276 FDACS Retail
1704 US 27 N, Sebring
FDACS Retail Food · Minor Outlet/Prepackaged/No PHF