POLK COUNTY, FL. A Lakeland sports bar accumulated five high-severity violations in a single inspection last week, the worst performance among 61 facilities state inspectors visited across Polk County between April 18 and April 24, 2026.
The Week's Worst
Detroit Tigers Inc. on North Lake Avenue in Lakeland drew five high-severity citations, more than any other facility inspected this week. Inspectors found food not cooked to the required minimum temperature and toxic chemicals improperly stored or labeled alongside food preparation areas.
The problems ran deeper than the kitchen. The person in charge was either absent or not performing required duties, and employees were not reporting illness symptoms, a combination inspectors flag as a management failure that multiplies outbreak risk.
The fifth violation involved time as a public health control not being properly used, meaning food was allowed to sit in a temperature danger zone without the written procedures required to make that practice safe.
Four High-Severity Violations: A Crowded Category
Five separate facilities each recorded four high-severity violations during the same week, spanning Lakeland, Davenport, Lake Wales, Haines City, and Winter Haven.
Frankie Farrell's Pub and Grille on Sand Mine Road in Davenport was cited for improper handwashing technique, food contact surfaces not properly cleaned or sanitized, no consumer advisory for raw or undercooked foods, and no allergen awareness demonstrated by staff.
Bob Evans Restaurant on US Highway 98 North in Lakeland had no employee health policy, employees not reporting illness symptoms, food contact surfaces not properly cleaned, and toxic chemicals improperly stored. Inspectors also flagged multi-use utensils not properly cleaned, an intermediate violation.
Cherry Pocket Steak N Seafood Shak on Canal Road in Lake Wales drew citations for improper handwashing technique, food from an unapproved or unknown source, parasite destruction procedures not followed, and required procedures for specialized processes not followed. The combination of unapproved sourcing and no parasite destruction protocol is particularly serious for a seafood operation.
Southern Dunes Golf and Country Club on Southern Dunes Boulevard in Haines City was cited for unsanitized food contact surfaces, improper use of time as a public health control, no consumer advisory for raw or undercooked items, and toxic chemicals stored or labeled incorrectly.
Curry Leaves Lakeland on US Highway 98 North collected four high-severity violations: improper handwashing technique, food from an unapproved or unknown source, food found in poor condition or adulterated, and food contact surfaces not properly cleaned or sanitized.
The Patterns That Repeat
Several violations showed up across multiple facilities this week, pointing to county-wide gaps rather than isolated incidents.
Improper handwashing technique was cited at six of the twelve worst-performing facilities, including Pa Los Chinos Restaurant on Osceola Polk Line Road in Davenport, Floridino's Italian Kitchen on Highway 27 in Lake Hamilton, Sunday's Grill on Sandmine Road in Davenport, and Fire Hot Pot and BBQ on US 98 North in Lakeland.
Unsanitized food contact surfaces appeared at five facilities. No consumer advisory for raw or undercooked foods was cited at five as well, including Fire Hot Pot and BBQ, where the advisory failure accompanied a missing manager and improper handwashing.
Bartow Golf Course on Herbert Dixon Boulevard recorded three high-severity violations: no person in charge present, employees not reporting illness symptoms, and food not cooked to the required minimum temperature. Inadequate ventilation was also cited.
Winter Haven's Breakfast Problem
Royal Breakfast Bar on 6th Street Northwest in Winter Haven closed out the list with two high-severity violations and two intermediate ones. Inspectors found no employee health policy and food contact surfaces not properly cleaned or sanitized. Multi-use utensils were also improperly cleaned, and ventilation was inadequate.
Royal Breakfast Bar was the only facility on the list to record two intermediate violations alongside its high-severity findings.