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 13, 2025 | Spice Thai Sushi | $400 | 3--2025067755 |
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)
Neapolitan Italian Eatery
645 INGRAHAM AVE, Haines City
28 inspections · 106 violations · Last: Apr 2026Harborside Wh LLC
2435 7 ST SW, Winter Haven
23 inspections · 106 violations · Last: Apr 2026International House of Pancakes - #36-117
3427 US 98 N, Lakeland
23 inspections · 106 violations · Last: Aug 2026Longhorn Steakhouse of Lakeland
3737 LAKESIDE VILLAGE, Lakeland
28 inspections · 106 violations · Last: Apr 2026Smokehouse on the River / Kissimmee River Queen
3200 RIVER RANCH RD, River Ranch
22 inspections · 106 violations · Last: Dec 2025Peking House Restaurant
2411 S FLORIDA AVE, Lakeland
23 inspections · 106 violations · Last: Feb 2026Mega Mercado Restaurant
6645 S FLORIDA AVENUE, Lakeland
22 inspections · 105 violations · Last: Feb 2026Kimber's Bar and Grill, LLC
7000 SR 544, Winter Haven
24 inspections · 105 violations · Last: Apr 2026Taco Express
500 N CHARLESTON AVENUE, Fort Meade
21 inspections · 105 violations · Last: Jul 2026Bonefish Grill
225 W PIPKIN RD, Lakeland
22 inspections · 105 violations · Last: Jul 2026Golden Corral
5722 CYPRESS GARDENS BLVD, Winter Haven
24 inspections · 105 violations · Last: Mar 2026Paleteria Y Taqueria Guerrense
505 S COMBEE ROAD, Lakeland
26 inspections · 105 violations · Last: Aug 2026Craft Smoke House LLC
1480 MLK JR BLVD STE A, Bartow
23 inspections · 104 violations · Last: Mar 2026Bob Evans Restaurant 525
6425 SOUTH FLORIDA AVE, Lakeland
25 inspections · 104 violations · Last: Jul 2026End Zone Lakeland (the)
6206 US HWY 98 N, Lakeland
26 inspections · 104 violations · Last: Apr 2026Los Potosinos Restaurant Y Tienda LLC
19001 US 27, Lake Wales
24 inspections · 103 violations · Last: Mar 2026Jazzy B Grille 2
3009 US HWY 92 STE 6, Winter Haven
24 inspections · 103 violations · Last: Apr 2026Riverside Express Seafood Market
130 E MEMORIAL BLVD, Lakeland
21 inspections · 103 violations · Last: Feb 2026Sonny's Real Pit Bar-b-q
3611 US 98 N, Lakeland
23 inspections · 103 violations · Last: Sep 2025China Garden
35983 US HWY 27 N STE E, Haines City
24 inspections · 103 violations · Last: Mar 2026