Highlands County — Food Safety Records
Highlands County, Florida has 188 food establishments with 3,750 inspections on record. 11 establishments were shut down this year. The pass rate is 81.1%, below the state average of 85.7%. Inspections average 5.6 violations per visit.
Most recent closure: Legacy 1912 in Sebring, shut down July 17, 2026 for roach activity.
Largest fine: $800 assessed to China Max in Sebring on August 11, 2026.
Data from Florida DBPR. Updated September 2026.
Highlands County Restaurants: Comparison to Florida State Averages
Highlands County
81.1%
Pass Rate
81.1%
Florida Average
85.7%
Pass Rate
85.7%
Highlands County
5.6
Avg Violations / Inspection
5.6
Florida Average
4.7
Avg Violations / Inspection
4.7
Highlands County
5.85
Closures per 100 Facilities
5.85
Florida Average
1.96
Closures per 100 Facilities
1.96
Highlands County Restaurants: Recent Closures (2)
| Date | Business | City | Reason |
|---|---|---|---|
| Legacy 1912 | Sebring | Roach activity | |
| Compass Bar and Grill | Lake Placid | Rodent activity |
Highlands County Restaurants: Recent Inspections (Last 30 Days)
| Date | Business | City | Violations | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jaxson's | Lake Placid | 5 (1 high) | Inspection Completed - No Further Action | |
| Dock 633 | Lake Placid | 6 | Inspection Completed - No Further Action | |
| Lake Jackson Landing | Sebring | 2 | Call Back - Complied | |
| Gavaghan's Irish Pub | Sebring | 7 (3 high) | Inspection Completed - No Further Action | |
| Liams Soda and Ice Cream Works LLC | Sebring | 3 (1 high) | Inspection Completed - No Further Action | |
| Lykes Kitchen | Okeechobee | 2 (2 high) | Inspection Completed - No Further Action | |
| McDonald's Corporation 009-1358 | Sebring | 3 | Inspection Completed - No Further Action | |
| Seven Sebring Raceway Hotel | Sebring | 2 | Call Back - Complied | |
| Dairy Queen Grill and Chill | Sebring | 0 | Call Back - Complied | |
| Dunkin Donuts | Sebring | 1 | Call Back - 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 11, 2026 | China Max | $800 | 7--2026052187 |
| Dec 4, 2025 | Cang Tong | $800 | 7--2025076667 |
| May 14, 2026 | Solorzanos Pizzeria Sebring | $800 | 7--2026010700 |
| Jul 27, 2026 | Jaxson's | $400 | 7--2026046138 |
| Jan 13, 2026 | La Michoacana of Lake Placid INC | $400 | 7--2025082271 |
| Aug 6, 2026 | Little Caesars 638 | $400 | 7--2026030488 |
| Jan 26, 2026 | Oscar's Family Restaurant | $400 | 7--2025092137 |
| Dec 1, 2025 | Avon Park Diner | $400 | 7--2025081615 |
| Oct 14, 2025 | Sophie's Cafe | $400 | 7--2025052987 |
| Aug 28, 2026 | Compass Bar and Grill | $400 | 7--2026050771 |
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 |
| Missing boiler certificate/report | 3 |
| Propane tank stored inside building | 3 |
Highlands County: Notable Restaurants
Cang Tong
59 inspections
643 violations
6 closures
Dimitri's Family Restaurant
49 inspections
409 violations
3 closures
Lake Jackson Landing
33 inspections
348 violations
2 closures
Broken Egg Diner
44 inspections
273 violations
1 closures
Dock 633
25 inspections
221 violations
1 closures
Jaxson's
30 inspections
307 violations
1 closures
Highlands County: Restaurant Chains (DBPR)
| Chain | Locations | Violations | Closures |
|---|---|---|---|
| Subway | 7 | 637 | 0 |
| Dunkin | 5 | 662 | 1 |
| McDonalds | 4 | 471 | 0 |
| Burger King | 4 | 333 | 0 |
| Wendys | 3 | 325 | 0 |
| Taco Bell | 3 | 255 | 0 |
| Dairy Queen | 2 | 281 | 0 |
| Culvers | 2 | 43 | 0 |
| Hungry Howies | 2 | 197 | 0 |
| Pizza Hut | 2 | 148 | 0 |
Highlands County Restaurant Inspections: FAQ
- How many restaurants are in Highlands County?
- Highlands County, Florida has 188 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 81.1%. The Florida state average is 85.7%.
- How many restaurants were shut down in Highlands County this year?
- 11 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?
- Legacy 1912 in Sebring was shut down on July 17, 2026 for roach activity.
- How does Highlands County compare to the Florida state average?
- Highlands County has a pass rate of 81.1%, which is 4.6 percentage points below the state average of 85.7%. The average violations per inspection is 5.6 compared to the state average of 4.68.
- How often are restaurants inspected in Highlands County?
- Food establishments in Highlands 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 Highlands County been assessed?
- Food establishments in Highlands County have been assessed $32,040 in fines across 96 disciplinary actions. The average fine is $373 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.
In the News Highlands County
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Highlands County Restaurants & Food Establishments (187)
Runway Cafe
130 AUTHORITY LN, Sebring
30 inspections · 162 violations · Last: Aug 2026Market 27
2951 US HWY 27 N, Avon Park
24 inspections · 162 violations · Last: Sep 2026Cowboy Cafe 98
12906 HWY 98, Sebring
26 inspections · 161 violations · Last: Sep 2026Zacks BBQ & Pizza Sebring
5367 US 27 S STE C, Sebring
28 inspections · 160 violations · Last: Mar 2026Dunkin Donuts
3504 US 27 S, Sebring
22 inspections · 160 violations · Last: Sep 2026Tabby's Bar and Grill
800 US 27 S, Lake Placid
21 inspections · 159 violations · Last: Apr 2026Dunkin Donuts
201 US HWY 27 N, Avon Park
23 inspections · 159 violations · Last: Aug 2026Cowboy Taco
150 PLAZA AVE, Lake Placid
20 inspections · 154 violations · Last: Jul 2026Island Choice
1005 W PEEL ST, Avon Park
23 inspections · 154 violations · Last: Aug 2026Sandhill Grill at Pinecrest Golf Club
2401 S LITTLE LK BONNETT RD, Avon Park
25 inspections · 151 violations · Last: Aug 2026Red Lobster #0611
721 US 27 N, Sebring
25 inspections · 150 violations · Last: Sep 2026Taco Bell #125
401 US HWY 27 S, Avon Park
26 inspections · 149 violations · Last: Jul 2026Wendy's 3838
411 US HWY 27 S, Avon Park
30 inspections · 144 violations · Last: Aug 2026Dee's Place
138 N. RIDGEWOOD DR, Sebring
25 inspections · 144 violations · Last: Jul 2026Noble Pursuit Florida, LLC
960 N HWY 27, Sebring
26 inspections · 143 violations · Last: May 2026Jalapeno's
2451 US HIGHWAY 27 SOUTH, Avon Park
19 inspections · 143 violations · Last: May 2026Ranchero Cafe & Restaurant
344 N RIDGEWOOD DR, Sebring
23 inspections · 142 violations · Last: Jan 2026Gc Grill House by Golden Corral
322 US 27 S, Lake Placid
21 inspections · 141 violations · Last: Jul 2026Arbys 1695
3440 US 27 S, Sebring
26 inspections · 141 violations · Last: Jul 2026Grill at Lake Jackson
751 US HWY 27 S, Sebring
28 inspections · 141 violations · Last: Sep 2026