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 |
| Mar 30, 2026 | El Kiosko 38 Puerto Rican Food | $400 | 3--2026013473 |
| Apr 27, 2026 | Tantrums Flightside Cafe & Catering | $400 | 3--2026022036 |
| Jan 29, 2026 | Global Foody Lovers | $400 | 3--2025090862 |
| Jan 12, 2026 | Applebee's Neighborhood Grill & Bar | $400 | 3--2025088986 |
| Dec 10, 2025 | Buffet City | $400 | 3--2025081155 |
| Dec 15, 2025 | Market Cafe | $400 | 3--2025070984 |
| Mar 19, 2026 | Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen 2600 | $400 | 3--2026007160 |
| Apr 27, 2026 | Lins Asian Bistro | $400 | 3--2026019159 |
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
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 |
| Taco Bell | 19 | 972 | 0 |
| Wendys | 19 | 1,172 | 1 |
| 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
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- 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)
Keke's Breakfast Cafe 1 closure
3615 FLORIDA AVE S STE 110, Lakeland
29 inspections · 172 violations · Last: Jan 2026Cherry Pocket Steak N Seafood Shak 1 closure
3100 CANAL RD LOT 45, Lake Wales
33 inspections · 168 violations · Last: Apr 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 2026Outback Steakhouse 1 closure
5255 S FLORIDA AVE, Lakeland
28 inspections · 165 violations · Last: Jun 2026Southeast Eatery 1 closure
3378 CYPRESS GARDENS RD, Winter Haven
30 inspections · 164 violations · Last: May 2026Cicis Pizza 1 closure
1850 VICTOR POSNER BLVD, Davenport
30 inspections · 163 violations · Last: Oct 2025Miller'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
29 inspections · 158 violations · Last: Feb 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 2026Country Club of Winter Haven 1 closure
4200 COUNTRY CLUB RD, Winter Haven
31 inspections · 144 violations · Last: Apr 2026Harry's Old Place 1 closure
3751 CYPRESS GARDENS RD, Winter Haven
27 inspections · 144 violations · Last: Mar 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 2026Palace Pizza 1 closure
5235 HIGHWAY 98 S, Lakeland
31 inspections · 138 violations · Last: Jun 2026China One 1 closure
2938 LAKELAND HIGHLANDS, Lakeland
25 inspections · 138 violations · Last: Jun 2026