Polk County — Food Safety Records: DBPR & FDACS
Polk County, Florida has 2755 food establishments with 19,665 inspections on record. 16 establishments were shut down this year. The pass rate is 87.5%, above the state average of 86%. Inspections average 3.3 violations per visit.
Most recent closure: Taqueria Don Gonzalo LLC in Haines City, shut down April 15, 2026 for roach activity.
Largest fine: $800 assessed to Sweet Cup Cafe 1 in Lakeland on November 19, 2025.
Data from Florida DBPR (restaurants) and FDACS (retail food). Updated May 2026.
Most-Inspected Facilities
| Business | City | Inspections | Violations | Closures |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen Operated by Tice | Lakeland | 52 | 295 | 6 |
| Grriffins Restaurant Dining Sports Bar-banquet | Lake Wales | 41 | 222 | 6 |
| Orange Bowl Lanes/ Lucky's | Lakeland | 44 | 167 | 6 |
| Havana Cafe Delights INC | Bartow | 48 | 294 | 4 |
| Beef 'o' Brady's | Lakeland | 41 | 218 | 4 |
Polk County Restaurants: Comparison to Florida State Averages
Polk County
87.5%
Pass Rate
87.5%
Florida Average
86%
Pass Rate
86%
Polk County
3.3
Avg Violations / Inspection
3.3
Florida Average
4.7
Avg Violations / Inspection
4.7
Polk County
0.58
Closures per 100 Facilities
0.58
Florida Average
1.37
Closures per 100 Facilities
1.37
Polk County Restaurants: Recent Closures (5)
| Date | Business | City | Reason |
|---|---|---|---|
| Taqueria Don Gonzalo LLC | Haines City | Roach activity | |
| Buen Cafe | Davenport | Fly activity | |
| Tantrums Flightside Cafe & Catering | Bartow | Roach activity | |
| El Kiosko 38 Puerto Rican Food | Davenport | Roach & rodent activity | |
| El Toque Latin Restaurant | Davenport | Roach activity |
Polk County Restaurants: Recent Inspections (Last 30 Days)
| Date | Business | City | Violations | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Xing Xing Kitchen | Lakeland | 0 | Call Back - Complied | |
| McDonald's 6641 | Auburndale | 2 (1 high) | Warning Issued | |
| Chipotle Mexican Grill of Colorado LLC | Lakeland | 2 (1 high) | Warning Issued | |
| Charlies Family Restaurant by Dee LLC | Lakeland | 2 | Inspection Completed - No Further Action | |
| Wingstop | Lakeland | 0 | Call Back - Complied | |
| Johns Drive in | Fort Meade | 4 (1 high) | Inspection Completed - No Further Action | |
| Camp Margaritaville Auburndale | Auburndale | 1 | Inspection Completed - No Further Action | |
| Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen Operated by Tice | Lakeland | 1 | Inspection Completed - No Further Action | |
| Twin Peaks | Lakeland | 0 | Inspection Completed - No Further Action | |
| Carrabba's Italian Grill | Lakeland | 3 | 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 |
| Jun 23, 2025 | Stonegate Golf Club - the Grill @ Stonegate | $400 | 3--2025040335 |
| Jul 14, 2025 | Fancy Q Sushi & Thai | $400 | 3--2025042948 |
| Aug 7, 2025 | Taco Loco | $400 | 3--2025050984 |
| Aug 14, 2025 | Egg Factory of South Lakeland | $400 | 3--2025054720 |
| Aug 20, 2025 | 2 Ole'dawgs LLC | $400 | 3--2025033061 |
| Sep 10, 2025 | Denny's 6824 | $400 | 3--2025059956 |
| Sep 24, 2025 | Zaxby's | $400 | 3--2025063129 |
| Oct 13, 2025 | Spice Thai Sushi | $400 | 3--2025067755 |
| 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 Retail Food: FDACS Inspection Records
In addition to restaurants, Florida's Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) inspects grocery stores, markets, gas station food sections, and other retail food establishments. Polk County has 1,640 FDACS-regulated facilities with 3,263 inspections on record and 2,210 stop-sale orders issued.
Polk County FDACS: Recent Stop-Sale Orders
A stop-sale order prohibits a retail food establishment from selling specific products found to be unsafe, improperly stored, mislabeled, or non-compliant with Florida food code. Products may be embargoed, destroyed, or returned to the distributor.
| Date | Facility | City | Product | Reason |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7-eleven Store #32706c Ssb Huss Enterprise INC. | Clermont | Brand Name: (Lot #:) | FS 500.04; FS 500.10 Adulterated.* Time/Temperature Control for Safety Food: Pro… | |
| 7-eleven Store #32706c Ssb Huss Enterprise INC. | Clermont | Brand Name: (Lot #:) | FS 500.04; FS 500.10 Adulterated.* Time/Temperature Control for Safety Food: Pro… | |
| 7-eleven Store #32706c Ssb Huss Enterprise INC. | Clermont | Brand Name: (Lot #:) | FS 500.04; FS 500.10 Adulterated.* Time/Temperature Control for Safety Food: Pro… | |
| Seven-brothers-foodmart-09932 | Lakeland | Brand Name: (Lot #:) | FS 500.04; FS 500.10 Adulterated.* Time/Temperature Control for Safety Food: Pro… | |
| Seven-brothers-foodmart-09932 | Lakeland | Brand Name: (Lot #:) | FS 500; FAC 5K-4 Violation of Florida Food Law.* Utensils, Equipment and Vending… | |
| Dutch-bros-coffee-419335 | Davenport | Brand Name: (Lot #:) | FS 500.04; FS 500.172 Unsanitary Equipment.* Chapter 5K-4: Food deemed adulterat… | |
| 3 Plus Smoke Shop | Haines City | Brand Name: (Lot #:) | 500.10(1)(a), 581.217(3)(e), F.S., 893.03(1)(c)190.a., F.S.* Controlled Substanc… | |
| 3 Plus Smoke Shop | Haines City | Brand Name: (Lot #:) | 500.10(1)(a), 581.217(3)(e), F.S., 893.03(1)(c)190.a., F.S.* Controlled Substanc… | |
| 3 Plus Smoke Shop | Haines City | Brand Name: (Lot #:) | FS 500; FAC 5K-4 Violation of Florida Food Law.* Approved Source: Food obtained … | |
| 3 Plus Smoke Shop | Haines City | Brand Name: (Lot #:) | FS 500; FAC 5K-4 Violation of Florida Food Law.* Approved Source: Food obtained … |
Browse all FDACS stop-sale order categories →
Polk County FDACS: Most Cited Code Violations
Browse all FDACS violation codes →
Polk County Retail Food Chains (FDACS)
| Chain | Locations | Stop-Sale Orders | Citations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dollar General | 52 | 57 | 2,871 |
| 7-Eleven | 36 | 84 | 2,422 |
| Walgreens | 26 | 1 | 743 |
| Publix | 24 | 30 | 875 |
| Circle K | 22 | 102 | 1,574 |
| Starbucks | 21 | 77 | 1,170 |
| Dollar Tree | 21 | 9 | 1,084 |
| Aldi | 17 | 2 | 310 |
Polk County: Notable Restaurants
Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen Operated by Tice
53 inspections
296 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
Twin Peaks
30 inspections
95 violations
1 closures
Polk County: Restaurant Chains (DBPR)
| Chain | Locations | Violations | Closures |
|---|---|---|---|
| McDonalds | 38 | 1,634 | 2 |
| Subway | 29 | 877 | 0 |
| Wendys | 19 | 1,167 | 1 |
| Taco Bell | 19 | 959 | 0 |
| Burger King | 18 | 590 | 2 |
| Dunkin | 13 | 456 | 0 |
| Hungry Howies | 12 | 679 | 0 |
| Chipotle | 9 | 303 | 0 |
| Kfc | 8 | 692 | 1 |
| Checkers | 7 | 566 | 3 |
Polk County Restaurant Inspections: FAQ
- How many restaurants are in Polk County?
- Polk County, Florida has 2755 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 87.5%. The Florida state average is 86%.
- How many restaurants were shut down in Polk County this year?
- 16 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 April 15, 2026 for roach activity.
- How does Polk County compare to the Florida state average?
- Polk County has a pass rate of 87.5%, which is 1.5 percentage points above the state average of 86%. The average violations per inspection is 3.3 compared to the state average of 4.67.
- How often are restaurants inspected in Polk County?
- Food establishments in Polk County have an average of 7.1 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 $154,740 in fines across 403 disciplinary actions. The average fine is $405 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.
- Are grocery stores and retail food stores in Polk County inspected?
- Yes. The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) inspects retail food establishments — grocery stores, gas station food sections, markets, and convenience stores. Polk County, Florida has 1,640 FDACS-regulated retail food facilities with 3,263 inspections on record.
- How many FDACS stop-sale orders have been issued in Polk County?
- FDACS has issued 2,210 stop-sale orders at retail food establishments in Polk County, including 133 in 2026. A stop-sale order prohibits a facility from selling specific products found to be unsafe, mislabeled, or non-compliant with Florida food code.
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Polk County Restaurants & Food Establishments (2,725)
Chile Verde Tex Mex Mexican Restaurant Corp 1 closure
1925 NW 8 ST, Winter Haven
33 inspections · 224 violations · Last: Apr 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 2026China Wok 1 closure
3686 HARDEN BLVD, Lakeland
30 inspections · 201 violations · Last: Mar 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 2026Catfish Country 1 closure
2400 EF GRIFFIN RD, Bartow
29 inspections · 194 violations · Last: Mar 2026Chop Shop 1 closure
118 S KENTUCKY AVE, Lakeland
33 inspections · 187 violations · Last: May 2026Applebees Neighborhood Grill & Bar 1 closure
200 AMBERSWEET WAY, Davenport
34 inspections · 186 violations · Last: Jan 2026Carrabba's Italian Grill 1 closure
4829 S FLORIDA AVE, Lakeland
32 inspections · 185 violations · Last: May 2026Golden Corral 1 closure
4705 US HWY 98 N, Lakeland
38 inspections · 182 violations · Last: Sep 2025Dinos Drive in 1 closure
2929 HAVENDALE BLVD, Winter Haven
26 inspections · 182 violations · Last: Mar 2026Pa' Los Chinos Lakeland LLC 1 closure
2918 S FLORIDA AVE, Lakeland
32 inspections · 180 violations · Last: Apr 2026Shanghai Chinese Restaurant 1 closure
2070 SHEPHERD RD, Mulberry
27 inspections · 180 violations · Last: Jan 2026Glory Days Grill 1 closure
3790 LAKESIDE VILLAGE COURT, Lakeland
29 inspections · 177 violations · Last: Apr 2026Low and Slow Smokehouse 1 closure
1853 E MEMORIAL BLVD STE 105, Lakeland
31 inspections · 173 violations · Last: Mar 2026Keke's Breakfast Cafe 1 closure
3615 FLORIDA AVE S STE 110, Lakeland
29 inspections · 172 violations · Last: Jan 2026Woodys BBQ 1 closure
51 S US HWY 27, Lake Wales
23 inspections · 171 violations · Last: Jan 2026Cherry Pocket Steak N Seafood Shak 1 closure
3100 CANAL RD LOT 45, Lake Wales
33 inspections · 168 violations · Last: Apr 2026