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 |
| Jan 12, 2026 | Shanghai Chinese Restaurant | $400 | 3--2025089063 |
| Apr 27, 2026 | Tantrums Flightside Cafe & Catering | $400 | 3--2026022036 |
| Mar 30, 2026 | El Kiosko 38 Puerto Rican Food | $400 | 3--2026013473 |
| Jan 29, 2026 | Global Foody Lovers | $400 | 3--2025090862 |
| Dec 15, 2025 | Market Cafe | $400 | 3--2025070984 |
| Jan 12, 2026 | Applebee's Neighborhood Grill & Bar | $400 | 3--2025088986 |
| Dec 10, 2025 | Buffet City | $400 | 3--2025081155 |
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 |
| Taco Bell | 19 | 990 | 0 |
| Wendys | 19 | 1,197 | 2 |
| 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)
Curry Leaves Lakeland 1 closure
3260 US HWY 98 N, Lakeland
18 inspections · 46 violations · Last: Jun 2026Baymont Inn 1 closure
4375 LAKELAND PARK DR, Lakeland
21 inspections · 46 violations · Last: Aug 2026Joyful Chinese Restaurant 1 closure
7360 KATHLEEN RD, Lakeland
15 inspections · 45 violations · Last: Sep 2026El Kiosko 38 Puerto Rican Food 1 closure
43418 HWY 27 UNIT 2, Davenport
12 inspections · 42 violations · Last: Apr 2026Wendy's 598 1 closure
1910 W. MEMORIAL BLVD, Lakeland
22 inspections · 41 violations · Last: Aug 2026Bedrock Wings 1 closure
127 KENTUCKY AVE S, Lakeland
15 inspections · 41 violations · Last: Sep 2026Cookie Jar Bakeshop and Eatery 1 closure
305 E MAIN ST, Bartow
13 inspections · 40 violations · Last: Apr 2026Watson Clinic Rest 1 closure
1600 LAKELAND HILLS BLVD, Lakeland
23 inspections · 36 violations · Last: Mar 2026Sky Zone Lakeland 1 closure
6220 US 98, Lakeland
13 inspections · 23 violations · Last: Oct 2025Tantrums Flightside Cafe & Catering 1 closure
5995 AIRPORT BLVD, Bartow
7 inspections · 22 violations · Last: Sep 2026Bamboo Wok
2432 SAND MINE RD, Davenport
32 inspections · 276 violations · Last: Aug 2026Andys Drive Inn Rest
703 3 ST SW, Winter Haven
33 inspections · 245 violations · Last: Mar 2026Blue Ridge Grill
1037 N BROADWAY, Bartow
34 inspections · 241 violations · Last: Jul 2026Andrea's Family Restaurant
1498 HAVENDALE BLVD, Winter Haven
26 inspections · 239 violations · Last: Jul 2026Sundays Grill
2414 SANDMINE RD, Davenport
36 inspections · 227 violations · Last: Apr 2026Mannys Chophouse
1100 3RD ST SW, Winter Haven
28 inspections · 225 violations · Last: Apr 2026Fortuna Bakery and Cafe
4812 GRANDVIEW PKWY, Davenport
25 inspections · 217 violations · Last: Sep 2026Broadway Diner
1380 N BROADWAY AVE, Bartow
24 inspections · 217 violations · Last: Apr 2026China Wok
617 US HWY 17 92 W STE 523, Haines City
29 inspections · 213 violations · Last: Jul 2026Steak N Shake
819 E MEMORIAL BLVD, Lakeland
32 inspections · 208 violations · Last: Sep 2026