Polk County — Food Safety Records
Polk County, Florida has 1153 food establishments with 20,057 inspections on record. 17 establishments were shut down this year. The pass rate is 87.3%, above the state average of 85.8%. Inspections average 3.3 violations per visit.
Most recent closure: Taqueria Don Gonzalo LLC in Haines City, shut down July 29, 2026 for roach activity.
Largest fine: $800 assessed to Sweet Cup Cafe 1 in Lakeland on November 19, 2025.
Data from Florida DBPR. Updated August 2026.
Polk County Restaurants: Comparison to Florida State Averages
Polk County
87.3%
Pass Rate
87.3%
Florida Average
85.8%
Pass Rate
85.8%
Polk County
3.3
Avg Violations / Inspection
3.3
Florida Average
4.7
Avg Violations / Inspection
4.7
Polk County
1.47
Closures per 100 Facilities
1.47
Florida Average
2
Closures per 100 Facilities
2
Polk County Restaurants: Recent Closures (2)
| Date | Business | City | Reason |
|---|---|---|---|
| Taqueria Don Gonzalo LLC | Haines City | Roach activity | |
| Providence Golf Club | Davenport | Roach & fly activity |
Polk County Restaurants: Recent Inspections (Last 30 Days)
| Date | Business | City | Violations | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Checkers #5790 | Winter Haven | 3 | Inspection Completed - No Further Action | |
| Maryland Fried Chicken/rice Bowl | Haines City | 11 (6 high) | Emergency order recommended | |
| Pho Tan | Lakeland | 2 | Inspection Completed - No Further Action | |
| Zarza Restaurant Latin Food & Grill | Lakeland | 4 | Warning Issued | |
| Burger King #29318 | Lakeland | 1 | Inspection Completed - No Further Action | |
| Brake Burger Garage | Lake Wales | 3 | Inspection Completed - No Further Action | |
| Hibachi Express | Lakeland | 3 | Inspection Completed - No Further Action | |
| Chick Fil a I4 and Hwy 27 | Davenport | 1 | Call Back - Complied | |
| Las Comadres Marisqueria Y Taqueria LLC | Lake Alfred | 0 | Call Back - Complied | |
| Smokin' Dj's | Lake Wales | 1 | Inspection Completed - No Further Action |
Polk County Restaurants: Most Common Health Violations
| Code | Violation | Citations |
|---|---|---|
| 22 | Consumer advisory | 142,959 |
| 14 | Food contact surfaces | 123,005 |
| 08 | Proper hand/arm washing | 102,740 |
| 36 | Proper ventilation | 100,864 |
| 23 | Chemical properly stored | 97,732 |
Polk County Restaurants: Disciplinary Actions & Fines
Largest Fines (Past 12 Months)
| Date | Business | Fine | Case |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 19, 2025 | Sweet Cup Cafe 1 | $800 | 3--2025039296 |
| May 4, 2026 | Nutwood | $560 | 3--2025085932 |
| May 14, 2026 | Taqueria Don Gonzalo LLC | $400 | 3--2026027667 |
| Jan 5, 2026 | Tortilleria La Mexicana #5 | $400 | 3--2025081876 |
| Jul 15, 2026 | Lins Asian Bistro | $400 | 3--2026004951 |
| Oct 15, 2025 | Krazy Greek | $400 | 3--2025066727 |
| Apr 9, 2026 | El Toque Latin Restaurant | $400 | 3--2026013436 |
| Jul 7, 2026 | Providence Golf Club | $400 | 3--2026040564 |
| Nov 6, 2025 | Orange Bowl Lanes/ Lucky's | $400 | 3--2025039807 |
| Oct 23, 2025 | Checkers Haines City | $400 | 3--2025072071 |
Polk County Restaurants: Fire Safety Violations
Most Common Fire Safety Issues
| Issue | Citations |
|---|---|
| Other fire safety violation | 37 |
| Fire extinguisher in red zone | 33 |
| Cooking without hood suppression | 23 |
| Missing boiler certificate/report | 18 |
| Exit blocked or locked | 18 |
| Propane tank stored inside building | 10 |
Polk County: Notable Restaurants
Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen Operated by Tice
54 inspections
298 violations
6 closures
Grriffins Restaurant Dining Sports Bar-banquet
41 inspections
222 violations
6 closures
Orange Bowl Lanes/ Lucky's
44 inspections
167 violations
6 closures
Havana Cafe Delights INC
48 inspections
294 violations
4 closures
Davenport's Sports Bar & Grill
48 inspections
325 violations
1 closures
Einstein Bros Bagels
2 inspections
7 violations
Polk County: Restaurant Chains (DBPR)
| Chain | Locations | Violations | Closures |
|---|---|---|---|
| McDonalds | 38 | 1,656 | 2 |
| Subway | 29 | 892 | 0 |
| Wendys | 19 | 1,172 | 1 |
| Taco Bell | 19 | 972 | 0 |
| Burger King | 18 | 593 | 2 |
| Dunkin | 13 | 458 | 0 |
| Hungry Howies | 12 | 688 | 0 |
| Chipotle | 10 | 309 | 0 |
| Kfc | 8 | 695 | 1 |
| Checkers | 7 | 576 | 3 |
Polk County Restaurant Inspections: FAQ
- How many restaurants are in Polk County?
- Polk County, Florida has 1153 food establishments tracked by the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR).
- What is the restaurant inspection pass rate in Polk County?
- The current pass rate for food establishments in Polk County is 87.3%. The Florida state average is 85.8%.
- How many restaurants were shut down in Polk County this year?
- 17 food establishments in Polk County have been shut down by health inspectors in 2026.
- What are the most common health violations in Polk County?
- The most frequently cited violations in Polk County are: Consumer advisory, Food contact surfaces, Proper hand/arm washing.
- Which restaurant chain has the most locations in Polk County?
- McDonalds has the most locations in Polk County with 38 establishments.
- What was the most recent restaurant closure in Polk County?
- Taqueria Don Gonzalo LLC in Haines City was shut down on July 29, 2026 for roach activity.
- How does Polk County compare to the Florida state average?
- Polk County has a pass rate of 87.3%, which is 1.5 percentage points above the state average of 85.8%. The average violations per inspection is 3.3 compared to the state average of 4.68.
- How often are restaurants inspected in Polk County?
- Food establishments in Polk County have an average of 17.4 inspections on record. Florida DBPR conducts routine inspections based on facility type and risk level.
- How much in fines have restaurants in Polk County been assessed?
- Food establishments in Polk County have been assessed $139,980 in fines across 356 disciplinary actions. The average fine is $414 and the largest single fine was $3,000.
- How many fire safety violations have been found in Polk County restaurants?
- 139 fire safety violations have been documented across 89 food establishments in Polk County. The most common issue is other fire safety violation.
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Polk County Restaurants & Food Establishments (1,138)
Chili's Grill & Bar
3750 LAKESIDE VILLAGE CT, Lakeland
26 inspections · 151 violations · Last: Jun 2026Sonny's Real Pit Bar-b-q
5910 S FLORIDA AVE, Lakeland
30 inspections · 150 violations · Last: May 2026Pho Tan
2920 S COMBEE RD, Lakeland
36 inspections · 149 violations · Last: Aug 2026Cheddar's Casual Cafe
3411 S FL AVE, Lakeland
29 inspections · 147 violations · Last: Apr 2026Rainforest Cafe
505 N RAINFOREST ROAD, Bay Lake
26 inspections · 146 violations · Last: Apr 2026Beijing
149 N WABASH AVE, Lakeland
22 inspections · 145 violations · Last: Jul 2026La Fiesta Mexicana
94 MAXCY PLAZA CIR, Haines City
26 inspections · 145 violations · Last: Jan 2026Fred's Market Lakeland LLC
2120 HARDEN BLVD, Lakeland
24 inspections · 145 violations · Last: Mar 2026Diana's Palms & Pours
124 KENNY BLVD, Haines City
28 inspections · 143 violations · Last: Aug 2026Hurricane Grill and Wings
6370 CYPRESS GARDENS BLVD, Winter Haven
30 inspections · 143 violations · Last: Mar 2026China House
23 W BROADWAY ST, Fort Meade
27 inspections · 143 violations · Last: Jul 2026Palace Pizza
2054 SHEPERD RD, Mulberry
28 inspections · 142 violations · Last: Apr 2026Applebee's Neighborhood Grill & Bar
4835 FLORIDA AVE S, Lakeland
25 inspections · 141 violations · Last: Jul 2026Route 60 Diner
7448 HWY 60, Lake Wales
31 inspections · 140 violations · Last: Feb 2026Frankie Farrells Pub and Grille
2700 SAND MINE RD, Davenport
27 inspections · 138 violations · Last: May 2026Louis Pappas Market Cafe
1318 TOWNCENTER DR, Lakeland
29 inspections · 137 violations · Last: Aug 2026Anf Gyro Location 1
1050 6 ST NW, Winter Haven
24 inspections · 136 violations · Last: Mar 2026Twisted Prop Bar & Grille
615 7 ST SW, Winter Haven
29 inspections · 135 violations · Last: Mar 2026China Taste Take-out Restaurant
7880 LAKE WILSON RD, Davenport
28 inspections · 135 violations · Last: Jan 2026Golden Wok
1366 NW 6 ST, Winter Haven
23 inspections · 134 violations · Last: Apr 2026