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 |
| Oct 23, 2025 | Checkers Haines City | $400 | 3--2025072071 |
| Sep 10, 2025 | Denny's 6824 | $400 | 3--2025059956 |
| Aug 14, 2025 | Egg Factory of South Lakeland | $400 | 3--2025054720 |
| Sep 24, 2025 | Zaxby's | $400 | 3--2025063129 |
| Jan 5, 2026 | Don Criollo Bakery & Restaurant | $400 | 3--2025085999 |
| Apr 27, 2026 | Strawberry Hut | $400 | 3--2026019157 |
| Jan 12, 2026 | Shanghai Chinese Restaurant | $400 | 3--2025089063 |
| Oct 14, 2025 | Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen Operated by Tice | $400 | 3--2025067779 |
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.
In the News Polk County
See all 27 stories ↓
Haines City Taqueria Shut Down for Roaches, Third Time Since Records Begin
Taqueria Don Gonzalo in Haines City was emergency-closed July 29 for roach activity, its third such closure, with 99 vio…
Stories You May Have Missed
- Haines City Taqueria Shut Down for Roaches, Third Time Since Records Begin
- Clermont Sweet Shop Racked Up 6 High-Severity Violations, Stayed Open
- Davenport Restaurant Racked Up 6 High-Severity Violations, Stayed Open
- Polk County Restaurant Inspections: Six Violations at Lake Wales Wing and Ramen Shop
- Polk County Inspections: Lake Wales Spot Hits 6 High-Severity Violations in One Week
- Lake Wales Wing Shop Racked Up 6 High-Severity Violations, Stayed Open
- Polk County Inspection Week: Lake Wales Spot Draws 6 High-Severity Violations
- Polk County Restaurant Inspections: Lake Wales Wing Shop Racks Up 6 High-Severity Violations
- Polk County Restaurant Inspections: 8 Facilities Flagged for High-Severity Violations, June 25-July 1
- Polk County's Worst Week: 8 Restaurants Flagged for High-Risk Violations, June 25-July 1
- Davenport Latin Restaurant Emergency-Closed for Roach Activity in February 2026
- Davenport Puerto Rican Restaurant Emergency-Closed for Roaches and Rodents in February
- Providence Golf Club Emergency-Closed in Davenport for Roach and Fly Activity
- Roach Activity Shut Down Bartow Airport Café in March 2026
- Davenport Café Shut Down for Fly Activity, Reopened Same Day After 28 Inspections
Polk County Restaurants & Food Establishments (1,138)
Ovation Bistro & Bar
42605 US 27, Davenport
32 inspections · 126 violations · Last: Apr 2026Hungry Howie's
1101 S FLORIDA AVE, Lakeland
22 inspections · 126 violations · Last: Dec 2025Duke's Brewhouse
4960 S FLORIDA AVE, Lakeland
26 inspections · 125 violations · Last: Jul 2026May Flower
4676 E CR 540A UNIT 8, Lakeland
23 inspections · 125 violations · Last: May 2026Denny's
35649 US HWY 27 N, Haines City
26 inspections · 125 violations · Last: Oct 2025China Garden
2008 SR 60 E, Lake Wales
23 inspections · 123 violations · Last: Jul 2026Mellow Mushroom Lakeland
3555 LAKELAND HIGHLANDS RD, Lakeland
27 inspections · 123 violations · Last: Jan 2026Waffle House #831
4210 LAKELAND HILLS BLVD, Lakeland
34 inspections · 123 violations · Last: Mar 2026Kumo Japanese Restaurant
207 AMBERSWEET WAY, Davenport
23 inspections · 122 violations · Last: Mar 2026Charm City
330 OLD BARTOW EAGLE LAKE RD, Bartow
30 inspections · 122 violations · Last: Mar 2026New Moon Sushi Japanese Restaurant
4231 S FLORIDA AVE, Lakeland
28 inspections · 122 violations · Last: Jul 2026Diromio's Pizza & Grill
101 DIVINE DR SUITE 2, Davenport
28 inspections · 122 violations · Last: Apr 2026Jay- Bee's Restaurant
8625 HWY 60 E, Lake Wales
26 inspections · 122 violations · Last: Mar 2026Peach House Lakeland
733 E PALMETTO ST, Lakeland
23 inspections · 121 violations · Last: Jul 2026Waffle House # 2242
2312 S FLORIDA AVE, Lakeland
27 inspections · 121 violations · Last: Feb 2026Hardees
28199 U.S-27 N, Dundee
26 inspections · 121 violations · Last: Feb 2026Outback Steakhouse
170 CYPRESS GARDENS BLVD, Winter Haven
25 inspections · 121 violations · Last: Apr 2026Harry's Seafood Bar & Grille
101 N KENTUCKY AVE, Lakeland
22 inspections · 121 violations · Last: Jan 2026Mannino Pizzeria
43362 US HWY 27 SUI, Davenport
25 inspections · 120 violations · Last: Feb 20261916 Irish Pub Lakeland / Second Plate Catering II
2900 BUCKINGHAM AVE, Lakeland
21 inspections · 119 violations · Last: Mar 2026