Lake Wales — Food Safety Records: DBPR & FDACS

Overview

Lake Wales, Florida has 142 food establishments with 1,293 inspections on record. The pass rate is 90.9%, above the state average of 86%. Inspections average 3.4 violations per visit.

Largest fine: $400 assessed to Market Cafe in Lake Wales on December 15, 2025.

Data from Florida DBPR (restaurants) and FDACS (retail food). Updated May 2026.

142Facilities
1,293Total Inspections
0Closures 2026
90.9%Pass Rate
3.4Avg Violations

Most-Inspected Facilities

BusinessInspectionsViolationsClosures
Grriffins Restaurant Dining Sports Bar-banquet 41 222 6
Beef 'o' Brady's 40 330 2
Vinny's Smoke-n-grill 26 130 2
Woodys BBQ 23 171 1
Cherry Pocket Steak N Seafood Shak 33 168 1

Lake Wales Restaurants: Comparison to Florida State Averages

Lake Wales 90.9% Pass Rate 90.9%
Florida Average 86% Pass Rate 86%
Lake Wales 3.4 Avg Violations / Inspection 3.4
Florida Average 4.7 Avg Violations / Inspection 4.7
Lake Wales 0 Closures per 100 Facilities 0
Florida Average 1.37 Closures per 100 Facilities 1.37

Lake Wales Restaurants: Recent Inspections (Last 30 Days)

DateBusinessViolationsResult
Burger King #22451 0 Inspection Completed - No Further Action
Crazy Fish Seafood Shack 5 (1 high) Inspection Completed - No Further Action
Cherry Pocket Steak N Seafood Shak 4 (1 high) Inspection Completed - No Further Action
Kentucky Fried Chicken 3 Inspection Completed - No Further Action
Lake Wales Cheese Shoppe and Deli 1 Call Back - Complied
Holy Cannoli Italian-american Kitchen 0 Call Back - Complied

Lake Wales Restaurants: Most Common Health Violations

Lake Wales Restaurants: Disciplinary Actions & Fines

39Actions on Record
$14,910Total Fines
$403Avg Fine
$1,100Largest Fine
12Facilities Fined

Largest Fines (Past 12 Months)

DateBusinessFineCase
Dec 15, 2025 Market Cafe $400 3--2025070984
Feb 23, 2026 Grriffins Restaurant Dining Sports Bar-banquet $200 3--2025086699
Oct 15, 2025 Ranch Taproom and Coffeehouse $200 3--2025069707
Oct 29, 2025 El Buen Taco LLC $160 3--2025065306

Lake Wales Restaurants: Fire Safety Violations

10Fire Violations
5Facilities Cited

Most Common Fire Safety Issues

IssueCitations
Other fire safety violation 4
Fire extinguisher in red zone 4
Exit blocked or locked 2

Lake Wales 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. Lake Wales has 66 FDACS-regulated facilities with 121 inspections on record and 9 stop-sale orders issued.

66Retail Facilities
121FDACS Inspections
9Stop-Sale Orders

Lake Wales 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.

DateFacilityProductReason
Dunkin-donuts-345745-191167 Brand Name: (Lot #:) FS 500.04; FS 500.10 Adulterated.* Time/Temperature Control for Safety Food: Pro…
Dunkin-donuts-345745-191167 Brand Name: (Lot #:) FS 500.04; FS 500.10 Adulterated.* Time/Temperature Control for Safety Food: Pro…
Terry-vending-services-INC-ven6300129 Brand Name: (Lot #:) FS 500.04; FS 500.10 Adulterated.* Sanitary Operations
Terry-vending-services-INC-ven6300129 Brand Name: (Lot #:) FS 500.04; FS 500.10 Adulterated.* Sanitary Operations
Terry-vending-services-INC-ven6300129 Brand Name: (Lot #:) FS 500.04; FS 500.10 Adulterated.* Sanitary Operations
Terry-vending-services-INC-ven6300129 Brand Name: (Lot #:) FS 500.04; FS 500.10 Adulterated.* Sanitary Operations
Terry-vending-services-INC-ven6300129 Brand Name: (Lot #:) FS 500.04; FS 500.10 Adulterated.* Sanitary Operations
Terry-vending-services-INC-ven6300129 Brand Name: (Lot #:) FS 500.04; FS 500.172 Unsanitary Equipment.* Sanitary Operations
Terry-vending-services-INC-ven6300129 Brand Name: (Lot #:) FS 500.04; FS 500.172 Unsanitary Equipment.* Sanitary Operations

Browse all FDACS stop-sale order categories →

Lake Wales FDACS: Most Cited Code Violations

Browse all FDACS violation codes →

Lake Wales Retail Food Chains (FDACS)

ChainLocationsStop-Sale OrdersCitations
Dollar General 4 57 2,871
Publix 2 30 875
Aldi 2 2 310
Circle K 1 102 1,574
Dunkin 1 13 347
Walgreens 1 1 743
Citgo 1 41 143
Dollar Tree 1 9 1,084

All Florida retail food chains →

About FDACS Retail Food Inspections →

Lake Wales: Notable Restaurants

Lake Wales: Restaurant Chains (DBPR)

ChainLocationsViolationsClosures
McDonalds 3 155 0
Subway 2 59 0
Wendys 2 203 0
Taco Bell 2 139 0
Kfc 1 133 0
Chilis 1 115 0
Hampton Inn 1 23 0
Ihop 1 88 0
Pizza Hut 1 81 0
Burger King 1 26 0

Lake Wales Restaurant Inspections: FAQ

How many restaurants are in Lake Wales?
Lake Wales, Florida has 142 food establishments tracked by the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR).
What is the restaurant inspection pass rate in Lake Wales?
The current pass rate for food establishments in Lake Wales is 90.9%. The Florida state average is 86%.
What are the most common health violations in Lake Wales?
The most frequently cited violations in Lake Wales are: Consumer advisory, Proper hand/arm washing, Food contact surfaces.
Which restaurant chain has the most locations in Lake Wales?
McDonalds has the most locations in Lake Wales with 3 establishments.
How does Lake Wales compare to the Florida state average?
Lake Wales has a pass rate of 90.9%, which is 4.9 percentage points above the state average of 86%. The average violations per inspection is 3.4 compared to the state average of 4.67.
How often are restaurants inspected in Lake Wales?
Food establishments in Lake Wales have an average of 9.1 inspections on record. Florida DBPR conducts routine inspections based on facility type and risk level.
How much in fines have restaurants in Lake Wales been assessed?
Food establishments in Lake Wales have been assessed $14,910 in fines across 39 disciplinary actions. The average fine is $403 and the largest single fine was $1,100.
How many fire safety violations have been found in Lake Wales restaurants?
10 fire safety violations have been documented across 5 food establishments in Lake Wales. The most common issue is other fire safety violation.
Are grocery stores and retail food stores in Lake Wales 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. Lake Wales, Florida has 66 FDACS-regulated retail food facilities with 121 inspections on record.
How many FDACS stop-sale orders have been issued in Lake Wales?
FDACS has issued 9 stop-sale orders at retail food establishments in Lake Wales. 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 Lake Wales

Lake Wales Restaurants & Food Establishments (140)

Grriffins Restaurant Dining Sports Bar-banquet 6 closures

2925 HWY 60 E, Lake Wales

41 inspections · 222 violations · Last: Mar 2026

Beef 'o' Brady's 2 closures

540 W CENTRAL AVE, Lake Wales

40 inspections · 330 violations · Last: Jan 2026

Vinny's Smoke-n-grill 2 closures

3155 CANAL RD, Lake Wales

26 inspections · 130 violations · Last: Mar 2026

Woodys BBQ 1 closure

51 S US HWY 27, Lake Wales

23 inspections · 171 violations · Last: Jan 2026

Cherry Pocket Steak N Seafood Shak 1 closure

3100 CANAL RD LOT 45, Lake Wales

33 inspections · 168 violations · Last: Apr 2026

Crazy Fish Seafood Shack 1 closure

802 HENRY ST, Lake Wales

31 inspections · 137 violations · Last: May 2026

Kua Lao 1 closure

114 W CENTRAL AVE, Lake Wales

20 inspections · 61 violations · Last: Feb 2026

Sizzling Grill

21400 US HWY 27, Lake Wales

25 inspections · 169 violations · Last: Mar 2026

Lake Wales Family Restaurant

109 SR 60 W, Lake Wales

23 inspections · 167 violations · Last: Feb 2026

All Star Grill

2019 SR 60 E, Lake Wales

21 inspections · 163 violations · Last: Feb 2026

Azul Tequila Mexican Cuisine 2

4541 MACEY LN, Lake Wales

24 inspections · 157 violations · Last: Mar 2026

China Wok

116 STATE RD 60 E, Lake Wales

23 inspections · 147 violations · Last: Feb 2026

Route 60 Diner

7448 HWY 60, Lake Wales

31 inspections · 140 violations · Last: Feb 2026

Wendy's 7918

2002 HWY 60 E, Lake Wales

24 inspections · 133 violations · Last: Dec 2025

Kentucky Fried Chicken

885 US HWY 60 W, Lake Wales

27 inspections · 133 violations · Last: Apr 2026

Bob Evans Restaurant 544

23269 HWY 27, Lake Wales

24 inspections · 131 violations · Last: Jan 2026

Jay- Bee's Restaurant

8625 HWY 60 E, Lake Wales

26 inspections · 122 violations · Last: Mar 2026

China Garden

2008 SR 60 E, Lake Wales

22 inspections · 121 violations · Last: Feb 2026

Chili's Grill & Bar

23535 HWY 27 & THOMPSON NURSERY RD, Lake Wales

22 inspections · 115 violations · Last: Mar 2026

Los Potosinos Restaurant Y Tienda LLC

19001 US 27, Lake Wales

24 inspections · 103 violations · Last: Mar 2026