Polk County — Food Safety Records
Polk County, Florida has 1218 food establishments with 20,457 inspections on record. 18 establishments were shut down this year. The pass rate is 87%, above the state average of 85.7%. Inspections average 3.3 violations per visit.
Most recent closure: Wendys 595 in Davenport, shut down September 8, 2026 for roach activity.
Largest fine: $800 assessed to Sweet Cup Cafe 1 in Lakeland on November 19, 2025.
Data from Florida DBPR. Updated September 2026.
Polk County Restaurants: Comparison to Florida State Averages
Polk County
87%
Pass Rate
87%
Florida Average
85.7%
Pass Rate
85.7%
Polk County
3.3
Avg Violations / Inspection
3.3
Florida Average
4.7
Avg Violations / Inspection
4.7
Polk County
1.48
Closures per 100 Facilities
1.48
Florida Average
1.96
Closures per 100 Facilities
1.96
Polk County Restaurants: Recent Closures (5)
| Date | Business | City | Reason |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wendys 595 | Davenport | Roach activity | |
| Arabellas Ristorante | Winter Haven | Rodent activity | |
| Neapolitan Italian Eatery | Haines City | Roach activity | |
| Maryland Fried Chicken/rice Bowl | Haines City | Roach & rodent activity | |
| Taqueria Don Gonzalo LLC | Haines City | Roach activity |
Polk County Restaurants: Recent Inspections (Last 30 Days)
| Date | Business | City | Violations | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zaxby's | Haines City | 3 | Inspection Completed - No Further Action | |
| Chile Verde Tex Mex Mexican Restaurant Corp | Winter Haven | 4 | Inspection Completed - No Further Action | |
| Crab Craze LLC | Winter Haven | 2 (1 high) | Inspection Completed - No Further Action | |
| Mi Pueblo Restaurant | Lakeland | 6 | Warning Issued | |
| Tradewinds Restaurant | Davenport | 4 | Call Back - Complied | |
| Huey Magoo's Chicken Tenders | Auburndale | 1 | Inspection Completed - No Further Action | |
| Taco Califast | Winter Heaven | 2 | Inspection Completed - No Further Action | |
| T a Slammers INC | Lakeland | 1 | Inspection Completed - No Further Action | |
| Il Forno Restaurant & Pizzeria | Lakeland | 5 (2 high) | Inspection Completed - No Further Action | |
| Outback Steakhouse | Lakeland | 2 | Call Back - Admin. complaint recommended |
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 |
| Aug 6, 2026 | Antojitos Navidenos LLC | $440 | 3--2026024491 |
| Dec 10, 2025 | Buffet City | $400 | 3--2025081155 |
| Jan 12, 2026 | Applebee's Neighborhood Grill & Bar | $400 | 3--2025088986 |
| Apr 27, 2026 | Lins Asian Bistro | $400 | 3--2026019159 |
| Jun 24, 2026 | Buen Cafe | $400 | 3--2026021984 |
| Mar 19, 2026 | Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen 2600 | $400 | 3--2026007160 |
| Jun 10, 2026 | Lins Asian Bistro | $400 | 3--2026033738 |
| Jun 3, 2026 | Xing Xing Kitchen | $400 | 3--2026033028 |
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 |
| Exit blocked or locked | 18 |
| Missing boiler certificate/report | 18 |
| Propane tank stored inside building | 10 |
Polk County: Notable Restaurants
Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen Operated by Tice
55 inspections
301 violations
6 closures
Grriffins Restaurant Dining Sports Bar-banquet
41 inspections
222 violations
6 closures
Orange Bowl Lanes/ Lucky's
45 inspections
171 violations
6 closures
Havana Cafe Delights INC
48 inspections
294 violations
4 closures
Davenport's Sports Bar & Grill
48 inspections
325 violations
1 closures
Taco Califast
26 inspections
86 violations
Polk County: Restaurant Chains (DBPR)
| Chain | Locations | Violations | Closures |
|---|---|---|---|
| McDonalds | 38 | 1,669 | 2 |
| Subway | 29 | 897 | 0 |
| Wendys | 19 | 1,197 | 2 |
| Taco Bell | 19 | 990 | 0 |
| Burger King | 18 | 597 | 2 |
| Dunkin | 13 | 464 | 0 |
| Hungry Howies | 12 | 693 | 0 |
| Chipotle | 10 | 321 | 0 |
| Kfc | 8 | 708 | 1 |
| Checkers | 7 | 581 | 3 |
Polk County Restaurant Inspections: FAQ
- How many restaurants are in Polk County?
- Polk County, Florida has 1218 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%. The Florida state average is 85.7%.
- How many restaurants were shut down in Polk County this year?
- 18 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?
- Wendys 595 in Davenport was shut down on September 8, 2026 for roach activity.
- How does Polk County compare to the Florida state average?
- Polk County has a pass rate of 87%, which is 1.3 percentage points above the state average of 85.7%. 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 16.8 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 $141,020 in fines across 359 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 49 stories ↓
Davenport Wendy's Emergency-Closed for Roach Activity, Reopened Same Day
A Wendy's in Davenport was emergency-closed Sept. 8 after inspectors found roach activity, the location's second forced …
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Polk County Restaurants & Food Establishments (1,207)
Winners Circle Sportsbar and Grill 1 closure
4215 S FLORIDA AVE, Lakeland
34 inspections · 236 violations · Last: Aug 2026Honey's BBQ 1 closure
2200 POSNER BLVD, Davenport
30 inspections · 229 violations · Last: Sep 2026Chile Verde Tex Mex Mexican Restaurant Corp 1 closure
1925 NW 8 ST, Winter Haven
35 inspections · 228 violations · Last: Sep 2026China Wok 1 closure
3686 HARDEN BLVD, Lakeland
32 inspections · 225 violations · Last: Sep 2026Chili's Winter Haven Fla #409 1 closure
699 CYPRESS GDNS BLVD, Winter Haven
32 inspections · 207 violations · Last: Mar 2026Schalamar Creek Caddy Shack Restaurant 1 closure
4500 HWY 92 E UNIT 1028, Lakeland
30 inspections · 203 violations · Last: Apr 2026Abuelo's Mexican Food Embassy 1 closure
3700 LAKESIDE VILLAGE BLVD, Lakeland
30 inspections · 203 violations · Last: Apr 2026Grillsmith 1 closure
1569 TOWN CENTER DR, Lakeland
28 inspections · 201 violations · Last: Apr 2026Sakura Japanese Restaurant 1 closure
787 3 ST SW, Winter Haven
26 inspections · 198 violations · Last: Mar 2026Pa' Los Chinos Lakeland LLC 1 closure
2918 S FLORIDA AVE, Lakeland
35 inspections · 195 violations · Last: Sep 2026Catfish Country 1 closure
2400 EF GRIFFIN RD, Bartow
29 inspections · 194 violations · Last: Mar 2026Applebee's Neighborhood Grill & Bar 1 closure
200 AMBERSWEET WAY, Davenport
35 inspections · 191 violations · Last: Jun 2026Glory Days Grill 1 closure
3790 LAKESIDE VILLAGE COURT, Lakeland
31 inspections · 189 violations · Last: Sep 2026Chop Shop 1 closure
118 S KENTUCKY AVE, Lakeland
33 inspections · 187 violations · Last: May 2026Carrabba's Italian Grill 1 closure
4829 S FLORIDA AVE, Lakeland
33 inspections · 187 violations · Last: Jul 2026Golden Corral 1 closure
4705 US HWY 98 N, Lakeland
40 inspections · 187 violations · Last: Sep 2026Dinos Drive in 1 closure
2929 HAVENDALE BLVD, Winter Haven
27 inspections · 182 violations · Last: May 2026Shanghai Chinese Restaurant 1 closure
2070 SHEPHERD RD, Mulberry
27 inspections · 180 violations · Last: Jan 2026Woodys BBQ 1 closure
51 S US HWY 27, Lake Wales
25 inspections · 177 violations · Last: May 2026Keke's Breakfast Cafe 1 closure
3615 FLORIDA AVE S STE 110, Lakeland
30 inspections · 176 violations · Last: Aug 2026