Mel's Way Bistro & Bar in Lake Worth

Last inspected:

3536 Via Poinciana Dr, Lake Worth, FL 33467
Overview

Mel's Way Bistro & Bar in Lake Worth has a significant compliance problem. The 130-seat restaurant was emergency-closed on October 4, 2018 for roach activity. Across 24 inspections from 2016 to April 2026, the facility accumulated 77 violations, averaging 3.2 per inspection—below the statewide average of 5.2 but concentrated heavily in high-priority categories. High-priority violations appeared in 8 of the last 10 inspections, dominated by employee health reporting failures, management awareness gaps, and improper hand washing practices. Employee health reporting was cited in 5 of the last 6 inspections alone. Four formal disciplinary actions resulted in $1,800 in fines. The facility has been recommended for administrative complaint twice in the past 12 months. The April 2, 2026 inspection resulted in an administrative complaint recommendation after 12 violations were found, including two high-priority violations for management awareness, time as a control measure, food condition, and employee health reporting. The March 6, 2025 inspection showed compliance with zero violations, but this was preceded and followed by inspections with multiple high-priority citations, indicating inconsistent food safety management rather than sustained improvement.

Most recent closure: October 4, 2018 for roach activity.

Summary generated from Florida DBPR public inspection records.

24Inspections
77Violations
1Closures
$1,800in Fines

Last inspected DBPR:

Mel's Way Bistro & Bar in Lake Worth: Comparison to Palm Beach County Averages

This Facility 3.2 violations / inspection 3.2 violations per inspection
Palm Beach County Avg 3.77 violations / inspection 3.77 county average
This Facility 1 emergency closures 1 closures
Palm Beach County Avg 0.24 closures / facility 0.24 county average

Mel's Way Bistro & Bar in Lake Worth: Emergency Closure History (1)

Emergency closure history for Mel's Way Bistro & Bar in Lake Worth
DateReasonReopened
Roach activity 09:03:00

Mel's Way Bistro & Bar in Lake Worth: Fines & Disciplinary Actions (4)

Total fines on record: $1,800.00

Disciplinary action history for Mel's Way Bistro & Bar in Lake Worth
Action DateCase NumberFineViolation DateEnforcement Office
2--2025073115 $400.00 Sep 4, 2025 Miami (Doral)
2--2025031054 $200.00 Mar 5, 2025 Miami (Doral)
2--2018052529 $400.00 Oct 5, 2018 Miami (Doral)
2--2015004219 $800.00 Jan 13, 2015 Fort Lauderdale

Mel's Way Bistro & Bar in Lake Worth: Full Inspection History — DBPR (24)

— 1 inspection6 violations · 4 high priority
— Routine - Food· 6 violations (4 high priority)· Administrative complaint recommended
— 3 inspections11 violations · 8 high priority
— Routine - Food· 6 violations (4 high priority)· Administrative complaint recommended
— Routine - Food· 0 violations · Call Back - Complied

No violations recorded for this inspection.

— Routine - Food· 5 violations (4 high priority)· Administrative complaint recommended
— 2 inspections6 violations · 5 high priority
— Routine - Food· 4 violations (3 high priority)· Inspection Completed - No Further Action
— Routine - Food· 2 violations (2 high priority)· Inspection Completed - No Further Action
— 2 inspections6 violations · 4 high priority
— Routine - Food· 2 violations (1 high priority)· Inspection Completed - No Further Action

High Priority Violations

Intermediate Violations

— Routine - Food· 4 violations (3 high priority)· Inspection Completed - No Further Action
— 2 inspections5 violations · 5 high priority
— Routine - Food· 3 violations (3 high priority)· Inspection Completed - No Further Action
— Routine - Food· 2 violations (2 high priority)· Inspection Completed - No Further Action

High Priority Violations

— 2 inspections2 violations · 2 high priority
— Routine - Food· 1 violations (1 high priority)· Inspection Completed - No Further Action

High Priority Violations

— Routine - Food· 1 violations (1 high priority)· Inspection Completed - No Further Action

High Priority Violations

— 1 inspection1 violations · 1 high priority
— Routine - Food· 1 violations (1 high priority)· Inspection Completed - No Further Action

High Priority Violations

— 2 inspections9 violations · 8 high priority
— Routine - Food· 5 violations (4 high priority)· Inspection Completed - No Further Action
— Routine - Food· 4 violations (4 high priority)· Inspection Completed - No Further Action
— 6 inspections15 violations · 13 high priority
— Routine - Food· 0 violations · Admin. Complaint Callback Complied

No violations recorded for this inspection.

— Routine - Food· 1 violations (1 high priority)· Inspection Completed - No Further Action

High Priority Violations

— Routine - Food· 2 violations (1 high priority)· Emergency Order Callback Complied

High Priority Violations

Intermediate Violations

— Routine - Food· 6 violations (5 high priority)· Emergency order recommended
— Routine - Food· 3 violations (3 high priority)· Inspection Completed - No Further Action
— Routine - Food· 3 violations (3 high priority)· Inspection Completed - No Further Action
— 2 inspections3 violations · 1 high priority
— Routine - Food· 0 violations · Call Back - Complied

No violations recorded for this inspection.

— Routine - Food· 3 violations (1 high priority)· Warning Issued

High Priority Violations

Intermediate Violations

— 1 inspection1 violations
— Food-Licensing Inspection· 1 violations · Inspection Completed - No Further Action

Intermediate Violations

Mel's Way Bistro & Bar in Lake Worth: Frequently Asked Questions

When was Mel's Way Bistro & Bar in Lake Worth last inspected?
Mel's Way Bistro & Bar in Lake Worth was last inspected by Florida DBPR on April 2, 2026. The result was: Administrative complaint recommended.
When was Mel's Way Bistro & Bar in Lake Worth last shut down?
Mel's Way Bistro & Bar in Lake Worth was last shut down on October 4, 2018 for roach activity. This data reflects state records at time of publication. The facility may have since resolved these issues.
What are the most common violations at Mel's Way Bistro & Bar in Lake Worth?
The most frequently cited violations at Mel's Way Bistro & Bar in Lake Worth are: Employee health reporting, Proper hand/arm washing, Consumer advisory.
How many health inspections has Mel's Way Bistro & Bar in Lake Worth had?
Mel's Way Bistro & Bar in Lake Worth has had 24 inspections on record with Florida DBPR, averaging 3.2 violations per inspection, below the statewide average of 5.2.
What did the most recent inspection of Mel's Way Bistro & Bar in Lake Worth find?
Mel's Way Bistro & Bar in Lake Worth was most recently inspected on April 2, 2026 with 6 violation(s), including 2 high-priority violation(s). Disposition: Administrative complaint recommended.
Has Mel's Way Bistro & Bar in Lake Worth ever been shut down?
Yes, Mel's Way Bistro & Bar in Lake Worth has been emergency-closed 1 time by Florida DBPR inspectors.
What does Florida violation V01 (Management awareness) mean?
Violation 01 (Management awareness) is classified as a high priority violation under Florida DBPR food safety regulations. See the full explanation at floridafoodsafety.org/violation/01.
What does Florida violation V03 (Employee health reporting) mean?
Violation 03 (Employee health reporting) is classified as a high priority violation under Florida DBPR food safety regulations. See the full explanation at floridafoodsafety.org/violation/03.
What does Florida violation V11 (Food in good condition) mean?
Violation 11 (Food in good condition) is classified as a high priority violation under Florida DBPR food safety regulations. See the full explanation at floridafoodsafety.org/violation/11.
Has Mel's Way Bistro & Bar in Lake Worth faced any disciplinary actions?
Yes, Mel's Way Bistro & Bar in Lake Worth has 4 disciplinary action(s) on record with Florida DBPR totaling $1,800.00 in fines.
How much has Mel's Way Bistro & Bar in Lake Worth been fined?
Mel's Way Bistro & Bar in Lake Worth has been fined a total of $1,800.00 across 4 disciplinary action(s) on record with Florida DBPR.

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This page is maintained by FloridaFoodSafety.org and is not affiliated with Mel's Way Bistro & Bar. How we collect and verify this data.