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 Jimmy's Greek American Grill in Sebring on January 12, 2026.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| Aug 7, 2025 | Family Taste | $800 | 7--2025038757 |
| Jun 25, 2025 | Chicanes | $400 | 7--2025042045 |
| Sep 10, 2025 | Yums Chinese Food | $400 | 7--2025064078 |
| Jun 12, 2025 | Highlands Irish Pub | $400 | 7--2025029030 |
| Jun 25, 2025 | Tienda & Restaurante Lamalquerida LLC | $400 | 7--2025041917 |
| Jan 26, 2026 | Oscar's Family Restaurant | $400 | 7--2025092137 |
| Dec 10, 2025 | Solorzanos Pizzeria Sebring | $400 | 7--2025068028 |
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 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 |
| Aldi | 1 | 2 | 310 |
| CVS | 1 | 9 | 882 |
| Dollar Tree | 1 | 9 | 1,084 |
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 |
| Taco Bell | 3 | 245 | 0 |
| Wendys | 3 | 319 | 0 |
| Arbys | 2 | 228 | 0 |
| Dominos | 2 | 89 | 0 |
| Holiday Inn | 2 | 104 | 1 |
| Dairy Queen | 2 | 267 | 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…
Stories You May Have Missed
- 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
- Sebring Restaurant Kept Serving With 6 High-Severity Violations, Including Toxic Chemicals Near Food
- 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)
Jalapeno's
2451 US HIGHWAY 27 SOUTH, Avon Park
18 inspections · 137 violations · Last: Nov 2025Chili's Southwest Grill & Bar
821 N US HWY 27, Sebring
21 inspections · 136 violations · Last: Jan 2026Gc Grill House by Golden Corral
322 US 27 S, Lake Placid
20 inspections · 135 violations · Last: Nov 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 2026Dunkin Donuts
3525 US HWY 27 N, Sebring
20 inspections · 125 violations · Last: Sep 2025Oscar's Kitchen
1979 PLACID LAKES BLVD, Lake Placid
22 inspections · 122 violations · Last: Dec 2025McDonalds 6879
321 US 27 S, Lake Placid
21 inspections · 118 violations · Last: Nov 2025Little Italy Pizza
825 W MAIN ST, Avon Park
24 inspections · 117 violations · Last: Jan 2026Outback Steakhouse
921 US 27 N, Sebring
22 inspections · 116 violations · Last: Mar 2026Mae Lees Deli
445 N RIDGEWOOD DR, Sebring
19 inspections · 111 violations · Last: Dec 2025McDonald's Restaurants of Florida INC
3115 HWY 27 S, Sebring
23 inspections · 111 violations · Last: Sep 2025Subway
3212 US HWY 27 S, Sebring
25 inspections · 107 violations · Last: Sep 2025Glenda Jeans Country Kitchen
204 N MAIN AVE, Lake Placid
20 inspections · 107 violations · Last: Apr 2026International House of Pancakes # 36-128
600 N US HWY 27, Sebring
21 inspections · 106 violations · Last: Dec 2025Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen Operated by Tice
2709 US HWY 27 S, Sebring
24 inspections · 104 violations · Last: Mar 2026Butlers 18 East
18 E MAIN ST, Avon Park
18 inspections · 103 violations · Last: Mar 2026