Highlands County — Food Safety Records
Highlands County, Florida has 184 food establishments with 3,674 inspections on record. 12 establishments were shut down this year. The pass rate is 81%, below the state average of 85.8%. 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 Solorzanos Pizzeria Sebring in Sebring on May 14, 2026.
Data from Florida DBPR. Updated August 2026.
Highlands County Restaurants: Comparison to Florida State Averages
Highlands County
81%
Pass Rate
81%
Florida Average
85.8%
Pass Rate
85.8%
Highlands County
5.6
Avg Violations / Inspection
5.6
Florida Average
4.7
Avg Violations / Inspection
4.7
Highlands County
6.52
Closures per 100 Facilities
6.52
Florida Average
2
Closures per 100 Facilities
2
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dunkin Donuts | Avon Park | 6 | Inspection Completed - No Further Action | |
| Papa John's | Sebring | 4 | Inspection Completed - No Further Action | |
| Village Inn Restaurant #26 | Sebring | 15 (3 high) | Inspection Completed - No Further Action | |
| Subway | Sebring | 5 | Inspection Completed - No Further Action | |
| Pour House on Main | Avon Park | 1 | Inspection Completed - No Further Action | |
| Dairy Queen | Sebring | 7 | Inspection Completed - No Further Action | |
| Subway | Sebring | 11 (3 high) | Warning Issued | |
| Jersey Mike's Subs | Sebring | 2 | Inspection Completed - No Further Action | |
| Owl & Otter Espresso Co/local Yocal General Store | Lake Placid | 2 | Inspection Completed - No Further Action | |
| Ramada | Lake Placid | 1 | Inspection Completed - No Further Action |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 14, 2026 | Solorzanos Pizzeria Sebring | $800 | 7--2026010700 |
| Dec 4, 2025 | Cang Tong | $800 | 7--2025076667 |
| 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 |
| May 4, 2026 | Bori-bowls | $400 | 7--2025084793 |
| Jul 27, 2026 | Jaxson's | $400 | 7--2026046138 |
| Jan 13, 2026 | La Michoacana of Lake Placid INC | $400 | 7--2025082271 |
| Sep 10, 2025 | Yums Chinese Food | $400 | 7--2025064078 |
| Jul 22, 2026 | Azul Tequila Mexican Cuisine | $200 | 7--2026046151 |
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: Notable Restaurants
Cang Tong
59 inspections
643 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
44 inspections
273 violations
1 closures
Dunkin Donuts
23 inspections
159 violations
Dairy Queen
25 inspections
95 violations
Highlands County: Restaurant Chains (DBPR)
| Chain | Locations | Violations | Closures |
|---|---|---|---|
| Subway | 7 | 604 | 0 |
| Dunkin | 5 | 650 | 1 |
| McDonalds | 4 | 467 | 0 |
| Burger King | 4 | 333 | 0 |
| Wendys | 3 | 324 | 0 |
| Taco Bell | 3 | 254 | 0 |
| Dairy Queen | 2 | 281 | 0 |
| Culvers | 2 | 43 | 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 184 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%. The Florida state average is 85.8%.
- How many restaurants were shut down in Highlands County this year?
- 12 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%, which is 4.8 percentage points below the state average of 85.8%. 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 20 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 $30,440 in fines across 93 disciplinary actions. The average fine is $367 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 (182)
Chili's Southwest Grill & Bar
821 N US HWY 27, Sebring
22 inspections · 141 violations · Last: Jul 2026Jacaranda Restaurant
19 E MAIN ST, Avon Park
22 inspections · 139 violations · Last: Feb 2026China Wok
1575 US HIGHWAY 27 N, Avon Park
20 inspections · 138 violations · Last: Jun 2026McDonald's Restaurants of Florida INC
339 S HWY 27, Avon Park
25 inspections · 138 violations · Last: Aug 2025Grill at Lake Jackson
751 US HWY 27 S, Sebring
27 inspections · 133 violations · Last: Mar 2026Thai House
3750 N US HWY 27 UNIT 40, Sebring
23 inspections · 133 violations · Last: Mar 2026Wild Turkey Tavern
2751 US 27 S, Avon Park
22 inspections · 131 violations · Last: Feb 2026Captain Ds #3784
3400 US HWY 27 SOUTH, Sebring
21 inspections · 130 violations · Last: Jan 2026Nutmeg's Cafe
3953 US 27 S, Sebring
19 inspections · 128 violations · Last: Mar 2026Oscar's Kitchen
1979 PLACID LAKES BLVD, Lake Placid
24 inspections · 127 violations · Last: Aug 2026Dunkin Donuts
3525 US HWY 27 N, Sebring
20 inspections · 125 violations · Last: Sep 2025McDonald's #6879
321 US 27 S, Lake Placid
22 inspections · 121 violations · Last: Jul 2026Outback Steakhouse
921 US 27 N, Sebring
23 inspections · 120 violations · Last: Jul 2026Little Italy Pizza
825 W MAIN ST, Avon Park
25 inspections · 118 violations · Last: Jul 2026Mae Lees Deli
445 N RIDGEWOOD DR, Sebring
20 inspections · 116 violations · Last: Jul 2026Subway
3212 US HWY 27 S, Sebring
26 inspections · 114 violations · Last: Jul 2026McDonald's Restaurants of Florida INC
3115 HWY 27 S, Sebring
24 inspections · 114 violations · Last: Jul 2026Subway
6126 US HWY 98, Sebring
24 inspections · 113 violations · Last: Aug 2026International House of Pancakes # 36-128
600 N US HWY 27, Sebring
22 inspections · 110 violations · Last: Jul 2026Checkers Avon Park
382 S US HWY 27, Avon Park
21 inspections · 108 violations · Last: Aug 2026