Polk County — Food Safety Records
Polk County, Florida has 1152 food establishments with 20,041 inspections on record. 17 establishments were shut down this year. The pass rate is 87.3%, above the state average of 85.7%. 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
85.7%
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
2.02
Closures per 100 Facilities
2.02
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 142 | Winter Haven | 4 (2 high) | Inspection Completed - No Further Action | |
| Hungry Howies | Bartow | 3 | Inspection Completed - No Further Action | |
| Checkers #1065 | Lakeland | 2 | Inspection Completed - No Further Action | |
| Subway 7749 | Lakeland | 1 | Inspection Completed - No Further Action | |
| Fancy Q Sushi & Thai | Lakeland | 8 (1 high) | Inspection Completed - No Further Action | |
| Hungry Howies 298 | Frosproof | 2 | Inspection Completed - No Further Action | |
| Brunch Box | Lakeland | 3 | Inspection Completed - No Further Action | |
| Culver's | Lakeland | 4 | Inspection Completed - No Further Action | |
| Taco Bell Lve #204 | Lake Alfred | 3 | Inspection Completed - No Further Action | |
| Chick Fil a I4 and Hwy 27 | Davenport | 3 (1 high) | Warning Issued |
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
Raise the Bar and Grill
4 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 | 592 | 2 |
| Dunkin | 13 | 458 | 0 |
| Hungry Howies | 12 | 688 | 0 |
| Chipotle | 10 | 309 | 0 |
| Kfc | 8 | 695 | 1 |
| Checkers | 7 | 573 | 3 |
Polk County Restaurant Inspections: FAQ
- How many restaurants are in Polk County?
- Polk County, Florida has 1152 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 85.7%.
- 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 1.6 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 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 (1,136)
Detroit Tigers INC 1 closure
2135 N LAKE AVE, Lakeland
27 inspections · 103 violations · Last: Apr 2026Don Criollo Bakery & Restaurant 1 closure
201 E HINSON AVE, Haines City
22 inspections · 100 violations · Last: Jan 2026Sakura Buffet 1 closure
314 HAVENDALE BLVD, Auburndale
30 inspections · 98 violations · Last: Oct 2025Red Lobster #6208 1 closure
3706 US 98 N, Lakeland
29 inspections · 98 violations · Last: Jul 2026Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen Operated by Tice 1 closure
43392 US HWY 27, Davenport
26 inspections · 97 violations · Last: Nov 2025Twin Peaks 1 closure
3901 US HWY 98 N, Lakeland
30 inspections · 95 violations · Last: May 2026Texas Cattle Company 1 closure
735 E MAIN ST, Lakeland
28 inspections · 94 violations · Last: May 2026Lakeland Treats and Trinkets 1 closure
270 E BAY ST #2150, Lakeland
22 inspections · 93 violations · Last: Nov 2025Kpot Korean BBQ & Hotpot 1 closure
1568 TOWN CENTER DR, Lakeland
25 inspections · 93 violations · Last: May 2026Checkers #183 1 closure
2919 S FLORIDA AVE, Lakeland
27 inspections · 92 violations · Last: Feb 2026Plaza Mexico Restaurant Bar Grill 1 closure
3635 S FLORIDA AVE, Lakeland
18 inspections · 87 violations · Last: Mar 2026Outback Steakhouse 1 closure
4208 US 98 N, Lakeland
25 inspections · 83 violations · Last: Aug 2026Huntington Hills Golf Club 1 closure
2626 DUFF RD, Lakeland
26 inspections · 78 violations · Last: Dec 2025Fantasy Island 1 closure
221 MARTIN LUTHER KING BLVD NE, Winter Haven
29 inspections · 77 violations · Last: Jul 2026Willowbrook Snack Bar 1 closure
4200 LUCERNE PARK RD, Winter Haven
23 inspections · 77 violations · Last: May 2026Checkers Haines City 1 closure
36114 N US HWY 27, Haines City
25 inspections · 76 violations · Last: Jul 2026McDonald's Restaurant 1 closure
1470 N BROADWAY AVE, Bartow
23 inspections · 73 violations · Last: Apr 2026Thai Haven 1 closure
309 WEST CENTRAL AVE, Winter Haven
26 inspections · 71 violations · Last: Mar 2026Mi Pueblo Restaurant 1 closure
2701 SWINDELL RD, Lakeland
15 inspections · 68 violations · Last: Mar 2026Global Foody Lovers 1 closure
2143 DAVENPORT BLVD, Davenport
8 inspections · 65 violations · Last: Aug 2026