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 |
| Oct 23, 2025 | Checkers Haines City | $400 | 3--2025072071 |
| Jan 5, 2026 | Don Criollo Bakery & Restaurant | $400 | 3--2025085999 |
| Apr 27, 2026 | Strawberry Hut | $400 | 3--2026019157 |
| Oct 13, 2025 | Spice Thai Sushi | $400 | 3--2025067755 |
| Oct 14, 2025 | Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen Operated by Tice | $400 | 3--2025067779 |
| Jan 12, 2026 | Shanghai Chinese Restaurant | $400 | 3--2025089063 |
| Apr 27, 2026 | Tantrums Flightside Cafe & Catering | $400 | 3--2026022036 |
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
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)
Low and Slow Smokehouse 1 closure
1853 E MEMORIAL BLVD STE 105, Lakeland
31 inspections · 173 violations · Last: Mar 2026Cherry Pocket Steak N Seafood Shak 1 closure
3100 CANAL RD LOT 45, Lake Wales
33 inspections · 168 violations · Last: Apr 2026Outback Steakhouse 1 closure
5255 S FLORIDA AVE, Lakeland
29 inspections · 168 violations · Last: Sep 2026Cicis Pizza 1 closure
1850 VICTOR POSNER BLVD, Davenport
32 inspections · 167 violations · Last: Sep 2026Cypresswood Pub 1 closure
1099 CLUBHOUSE RD, Winter Haven
27 inspections · 167 violations · Last: Apr 2026Fat Jacks 1 closure
2940 S FLORIDA AVE, Lakeland
28 inspections · 167 violations · Last: Apr 2026Southeast Eatery 1 closure
3378 CYPRESS GARDENS RD, Winter Haven
30 inspections · 164 violations · Last: May 2026Miller's Lakeland Ale House 1 closure
5650 S FLORIDA AVE, Lakeland
30 inspections · 161 violations · Last: Feb 2026Kfc 1 closure
727 E MEMORIAL BLVD, Lakeland
30 inspections · 159 violations · Last: Aug 2026Brunch Box 1 closure
735 E MEMORIAL BLVD, Lakeland
28 inspections · 155 violations · Last: Aug 2026Denny's 6824 1 closure
4325 S FLORIDA AVE, Lakeland
28 inspections · 154 violations · Last: Jul 2026Hong Kong Restaurant 1 closure
830 N BROADWAY AVE, Bartow
27 inspections · 154 violations · Last: Jul 2026Tortilleria La Mexicana #5 1 closure
701 HINSON AVE, Haines City
30 inspections · 154 violations · Last: Jul 2026Beef O Bradys 1 closure
110 VAN FLEET DR, Bartow
28 inspections · 151 violations · Last: Jan 2026Harry's Old Place 1 closure
3751 CYPRESS GARDENS RD, Winter Haven
28 inspections · 148 violations · Last: Sep 2026International House of Pancakes 36-52 1 closure
3447 S FLORIDA AVE, Lakeland
26 inspections · 148 violations · Last: Sep 2026Country Club of Winter Haven 1 closure
4200 COUNTRY CLUB RD, Winter Haven
31 inspections · 144 violations · Last: Apr 2026Hacienda Mexico 1 closure
195 E MAIN ST, Bartow
27 inspections · 142 violations · Last: Apr 2026Xing Xing Kitchen 1 closure
3131 N HWY 98, Lakeland
25 inspections · 142 violations · Last: May 2026China One 1 closure
2938 LAKELAND HIGHLANDS, Lakeland
26 inspections · 141 violations · Last: Sep 2026