Lings Buffet in Lakeland
Last inspected:
4320 S Florida Ave, Lakeland, FL 33813Ling's Buffet in Lakeland has accumulated 208 violations across 34 inspections since 2016, averaging 6.1 per visit. The facility was shut down twice for roach activity. Two disciplinary actions resulted in $1,200 in fines. The most frequently cited violations involve food contact surfaces, consumer advisories, and utensil sanitation.
Most recent closure: June 10, 2019 for roach activity.
Summary generated from Florida DBPR public inspection records.
Lings Buffet in Lakeland: Comparison to Polk County Averages
This Facility
6.1
violations / inspection
6.1 violations per inspection
Polk County Avg
3.26
violations / inspection
3.26 county average
This Facility
2
emergency closures
2 closures
Polk County Avg
0.18
closures / facility
0.18 county average
Lings Buffet in Lakeland: Emergency Closure History (2)
Lings Buffet in Lakeland: Fines & Disciplinary Actions (2)
Total fines on record: $1,200.00
| Action Date | Case Number | Fine | Violation Date | Enforcement Office |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3--2019032070 | $800.00 | Jun 10, 2019 | Miami (Doral) | |
| 3--2017024921 | $400.00 | May 16, 2017 | Fort Lauderdale |
Lings Buffet in Lakeland: Fire Safety & Life Safety Violations (1)
— 1 fire violation
— Complaint Full · 48-01-5 · Inspection Completed - No Further Action
Inspector Observation: No current insurance inspector boiler report or boiler certificate available for boiler. For reporting purposes only.
Legal Basis: Reporting: (9) Heating and ventilation - The heating and ventilation system shall be kept in good repair or be installed to maintain a minimum of 68 degrees Fahrenheit throughout the building. The insurance inspector¿s boiler report is required annually for power boilers and high pressure/high temperature boilers and biannually for low pressure steam or vapor heating boilers and shall be posted in the boiler room. For reporting purposes only.
Lings Buffet in Lakeland: Full Inspection History — DBPR (35)
— 1 inspection6 violations · 4 high priority
— Routine - Food· 6 violations (4 high priority)· Inspection Completed - No Further Action
High Priority Violations
Intermediate Violations
— 4 inspections9 violations · 8 high priority
— Routine - Food· 7 violations (6 high priority)· Inspection Completed - No Further Action
High Priority Violations
Intermediate Violations
— Complaint Partial· 0 violations · Inspection Completed - No Further Action
No violations recorded for this inspection.
— Complaint Partial· 0 violations · Inspection Completed - No Further Action
No violations recorded for this inspection.
— Complaint Full· 2 violations (2 high priority)· Inspection Completed - No Further Action
— 2 inspections10 violations · 8 high priority
— Routine - Food· 6 violations (5 high priority)· Inspection Completed - No Further Action
High Priority Violations
Intermediate Violations
— Routine - Food· 4 violations (3 high priority)· Inspection Completed - No Further Action
High Priority Violations
Basic Violations
— 3 inspections11 violations · 7 high priority
— Routine - Food· 5 violations (3 high priority)· Inspection Completed - No Further Action
High Priority Violations
Intermediate Violations
— Routine - Food· 0 violations · Call Back - Complied
No violations recorded for this inspection.
— Routine - Food· 6 violations (4 high priority)· Warning Issued
High Priority Violations
Intermediate Violations
Basic Violations
— 3 inspections16 violations · 9 high priority
— Routine - Food· 0 violations · Call Back - Complied
No violations recorded for this inspection.
— Routine - Food· 10 violations (6 high priority)· Warning Issued
High Priority Violations
Intermediate Violations
— Routine - Food· 6 violations (3 high priority)· Inspection Completed - No Further Action
High Priority Violations
Intermediate Violations
— 2 inspections18 violations · 12 high priority
— Routine - Food· 8 violations (7 high priority)· Inspection Completed - No Further Action
High Priority Violations
Intermediate Violations
— Routine - Food· 10 violations (5 high priority)· Inspection Completed - No Further Action
High Priority Violations
Intermediate Violations
Basic Violations
— 2 inspections11 violations · 6 high priority
— Routine - Food· 7 violations (3 high priority)· Inspection Completed - No Further Action
High Priority Violations
Intermediate Violations
— Routine - Food· 4 violations (3 high priority)· Inspection Completed - No Further Action
High Priority Violations
Intermediate Violations
— 5 inspections28 violations · 18 high priority
— Routine - Food· 4 violations (2 high priority)· Inspection Completed - No Further Action
High Priority Violations
Intermediate Violations
Basic Violations
— Routine - Food· 0 violations · Admin. Complaint Callback Complied
No violations recorded for this inspection.
— Complaint Full· 7 violations (4 high priority)· Inspection Completed - No Further Action
High Priority Violations
Intermediate Violations
— Routine - Food· 3 violations (2 high priority)· Emergency Order Callback Complied
High Priority Violations
Intermediate Violations
— Routine - Food· 14 violations (10 high priority)· Emergency order recommended
High Priority Violations
Intermediate Violations
Basic Violations
— 3 inspections18 violations · 12 high priority
— Complaint Full· 5 violations (2 high priority)· Inspection Completed - No Further Action
High Priority Violations
Intermediate Violations
Basic Violations
— Complaint Full· 6 violations (5 high priority)· Inspection Completed - No Further Action
High Priority Violations
Intermediate Violations
— Complaint Full· 7 violations (5 high priority)· Inspection Completed - No Further Action
High Priority Violations
Intermediate Violations
— 8 inspections30 violations · 19 high priority
— Complaint Full· 2 violations (1 high priority)· Inspection Completed - No Further Action
— Routine - Food· 4 violations (4 high priority)· Inspection Completed - No Further Action
High Priority Violations
— Complaint Full· 0 violations · Emergency Order Callback Complied
No violations recorded for this inspection.
— Complaint Full· 3 violations (1 high priority)· Emergency order recommended
High Priority Violations
Intermediate Violations
— Routine - Food· 1 violations · Call Back - Complied
Intermediate Violations
— Routine - Food· 3 violations (2 high priority)· Call Back - Admin. complaint recommended
High Priority Violations
Intermediate Violations
— Routine - Food· 5 violations (3 high priority)· Call Back - Admin. complaint recommended
High Priority Violations
Intermediate Violations
— Routine - Food· 12 violations (8 high priority)· Warning Issued
High Priority Violations
Intermediate Violations
Basic Violations
— 2 inspections14 violations · 11 high priority
— Routine - Food· 3 violations (3 high priority)· Call Back - Complied
— Routine - Food· 11 violations (8 high priority)· Warning Issued
High Priority Violations
Intermediate Violations
Basic Violations
Lings Buffet in Lakeland: Frequently Asked Questions
- When was Lings Buffet in Lakeland last inspected?
- Lings Buffet in Lakeland was last inspected by Florida DBPR on April 28, 2026. The result was: Inspection Completed - No Further Action.
- When was Lings Buffet in Lakeland last shut down?
- Lings Buffet in Lakeland was last shut down on June 10, 2019 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 Lings Buffet in Lakeland?
- The most frequently cited violations at Lings Buffet in Lakeland are: Food contact surfaces, Consumer advisory, Clean multi-use utensils.
- How many health inspections has Lings Buffet in Lakeland had?
- Lings Buffet in Lakeland has had 35 inspections on record with Florida DBPR, averaging 6.1 violations per inspection, above the statewide average of 5.2.
- What did the most recent inspection of Lings Buffet in Lakeland find?
- Lings Buffet in Lakeland was most recently inspected on April 28, 2026 with 7 violation(s). Disposition: Inspection Completed - No Further Action.
- Has Lings Buffet in Lakeland ever been shut down?
- Yes, Lings Buffet in Lakeland has been emergency-closed 2 times by Florida DBPR inspectors.
- What does Florida violation V08 (Proper hand/arm washing) mean?
- Violation 08 (Proper hand/arm washing) is classified as a high priority violation under Florida DBPR food safety regulations. See the full explanation at floridafoodsafety.org/violation/08.
- What does Florida violation V10 (Approved food source) mean?
- Violation 10 (Approved food source) is classified as a high priority violation under Florida DBPR food safety regulations. See the full explanation at floridafoodsafety.org/violation/10.
- What does Florida violation V14 (Food contact surfaces) mean?
- Violation 14 (Food contact surfaces) is classified as a high priority violation under Florida DBPR food safety regulations. See the full explanation at floridafoodsafety.org/violation/14.
- Has Lings Buffet in Lakeland had any fire safety violations?
- Yes, Lings Buffet in Lakeland has 1 fire safety violation(s) on record from Florida state fire inspections.
- Has Lings Buffet in Lakeland faced any disciplinary actions?
- Yes, Lings Buffet in Lakeland has 2 disciplinary action(s) on record with Florida DBPR totaling $1,200.00 in fines.
- How much has Lings Buffet in Lakeland been fined?
- Lings Buffet in Lakeland has been fined a total of $1,200.00 across 2 disciplinary action(s) on record with Florida DBPR.
- Has Lings Buffet in Lakeland operated under other names?
- Yes, this location previously operated as: Ling's Buffet (2018).
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Editorial Standards & Data Oversight
Data Source: This report is based on official public inspection records from the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) and the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS).
Editorial Process: Content generated using AI to synthesize complex regulatory data, then reviewed and verified for accuracy by our editorial team.
Disclaimer: All data reflects official state records at time of publication. Facilities may have since corrected cited violations, resolved enforcement actions, or changed ownership.
Editor: All content reviewed and verified by Christopher F. Nesbitt, Sr., Nationally Registered EMT & BU-trained Paralegal.
This page is maintained by FloridaFoodSafety.org and is not affiliated with Lings Buffet. How we collect and verify this data.