Mel's Family Diner in Sanford
Last inspected:
3221 S Orlando Dr, Sanford, FL 32773Mel's Family Diner in Sanford has accumulated 374 violations across 38 inspections since 2017, averaging 9.8 per visit. The facility was shut down once for rodent activity. Fire inspections documented locked exit doors in the dining area. In September 2025, the diner faced an emergency order and required multiple consecutive call-back inspections through January 2026, indicating ongoing compliance failures.
Most recent closure: July 29, 2026 for rodent activity.
Summary generated from Florida DBPR public inspection records. This facility has an active inspection record with the Florida DBPR.
Mel's Family Diner in Sanford: Comparison to Seminole County Averages
This Facility
10.2
violations / inspection
10.2 violations per inspection
Seminole County Avg
5.48
violations / inspection
5.48 county average
This Facility
3
emergency closures
3 closures
Seminole County Avg
0.15
closures / facility
0.15 county average
Mel's Family Diner in Sanford: Emergency Closure History (3)
Mel's Family Diner in Sanford: Fines & Disciplinary Actions (7)
Total fines on record: $3,760.00
| Action Date | Case Number | Fine | Violation Date | Enforcement Office |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4--2026018781 | $800.00 | Jan 20, 2026 | Miami (Doral) | |
| 4--2026001471 | $800.00 | Jul 17, 2025 | Miami (Doral) | |
| 4--2025069811 | $800.00 | Sep 16, 2025 | Miami (Doral) | |
| 4--2025038371 | $240.00 | Apr 10, 2025 | Miami (Doral) | |
| 4--2024072475 | $240.00 | Sep 23, 2024 | Miami (Doral) | |
| 4--2023003969 | $720.00 | Sep 26, 2022 | Fort Lauderdale | |
| 4--2019060425 | $160.00 | Oct 21, 2019 | Miami (Doral) |
Mel's Family Diner in Sanford: Fire Safety & Life Safety Violations (2)
— 2 fire violations
— Routine - Food · 46-04-4 · Call Back - Complied
Inspector Observation: - From inspection on 2017-02-03: Exit door locked. By small booths in dining room. For reporting purposes only. **Corrected On-Site** - From follow-up inspection on 2017-02-07: **Time Extended**
Legal Basis: Reporting: Means of access, including entrances, halls, and stairways, must permit unobstructed travel at all times and shall be clean, ventilated and well-lighted day and night. Hall and stair runners shall be kept in good condition. Railways, as defined in 61C-1.001(23), F.A.C., shall be installed on all stairways and around all porches and steps. For reporting purposes only.
— Routine - Food · 46-04-4 · Warning Issued
Inspector Observation: Exit door locked. By small booths in dining room. For reporting purposes only. **Corrected On-Site**
Legal Basis: Reporting: Means of access, including entrances, halls, and stairways, must permit unobstructed travel at all times and shall be clean, ventilated and well-lighted day and night. Hall and stair runners shall be kept in good condition. Railways, as defined in 61C-1.001(23), F.A.C., shall be installed on all stairways and around all porches and steps. For reporting purposes only.
Mel's Family Diner in Sanford: Full Inspection History — DBPR (42)
— 5 inspections36 violations · 14 high priority
— Complaint Partial· 2 violations · Emergency Order Callback Complied
— Complaint Partial· 3 violations · Emergency order recommended
Intermediate Violations
Basic Violations
— Routine - Food· 13 violations (6 high priority)· Emergency Order Callback Time Extension
High Priority Violations
Intermediate Violations
Basic Violations
— Routine - Food· 14 violations (7 high priority)· Emergency order recommended
High Priority Violations
Intermediate Violations
Basic Violations
— Routine - Food· 4 violations (1 high priority)· Call Back - Admin. complaint recommended
High Priority Violations
Intermediate Violations
Basic Violations
— 11 inspections70 violations · 27 high priority
— Routine - Food· 4 violations (1 high priority)· Call Back - Extension given, pending
High Priority Violations
Intermediate Violations
Basic Violations
— Routine - Food· 5 violations (1 high priority)· Call Back - Extension given, pending
High Priority Violations
Intermediate Violations
Basic Violations
— Routine - Food· 7 violations (2 high priority)· Call Back - Extension given, pending
High Priority Violations
Intermediate Violations
Basic Violations
— Routine - Food· 10 violations (5 high priority)· Warning Issued
High Priority Violations
Intermediate Violations
Basic Violations
— Complaint Partial· 3 violations · Emergency Order Callback Complied
— Complaint Partial· 3 violations · Emergency Order Callback Not Complied
— Complaint Partial· 4 violations · Emergency order recommended
Intermediate Violations
Basic Violations
— Routine - Food· 7 violations (3 high priority)· Call Back - Admin. complaint recommended
High Priority Violations
Intermediate Violations
Basic Violations
— Routine - Food· 9 violations (5 high priority)· Administrative complaint recommended
High Priority Violations
Intermediate Violations
Basic Violations
— Routine - Food· 8 violations (4 high priority)· Call Back - Admin. complaint recommended
High Priority Violations
Intermediate Violations
— Routine - Food· 10 violations (6 high priority)· Warning Issued
High Priority Violations
Intermediate Violations
— 3 inspections26 violations · 15 high priority
— Routine - Food· 5 violations (3 high priority)· Call Back - Admin. complaint recommended
High Priority Violations
Intermediate Violations
— Routine - Food· 6 violations (4 high priority)· Call Back - Admin. complaint recommended
High Priority Violations
Intermediate Violations
— Routine - Food· 15 violations (8 high priority)· Administrative complaint recommended
High Priority Violations
Intermediate Violations
Basic Violations
— 4 inspections21 violations · 5 high priority
— Food-Licensing Inspection· 1 violations · Call Back - Complied
Intermediate Violations
— Food-Licensing Inspection· 5 violations (1 high priority)· Warning Issued
High Priority Violations
Intermediate Violations
— Routine - Food· 11 violations (3 high priority)· Warning Issued
High Priority Violations
Intermediate Violations
Basic Violations
— Routine - Food· 4 violations (1 high priority)· Inspection Completed - No Further Action
High Priority Violations
Intermediate Violations
Basic Violations
— 3 inspections20 violations · 9 high priority
— Routine - Food· 5 violations (2 high priority)· Call Back - Admin. complaint recommended
High Priority Violations
Intermediate Violations
Basic Violations
— Routine - Food· 8 violations (4 high priority)· Warning Issued
High Priority Violations
Intermediate Violations
Basic Violations
— Routine - Food· 7 violations (3 high priority)· Inspection Completed - No Further Action
High Priority Violations
Intermediate Violations
— 2 inspections21 violations · 14 high priority
— Routine - Food· 10 violations (6 high priority)· Inspection Completed - No Further Action
High Priority Violations
Intermediate Violations
Basic Violations
— Routine - Food· 11 violations (8 high priority)· Inspection Completed - No Further Action
High Priority Violations
Intermediate Violations
— 3 inspections19 violations · 13 high priority
— Routine - Food· 8 violations (6 high priority)· Inspection Completed - No Further Action
High Priority Violations
Intermediate Violations
— Routine - Food· 11 violations (7 high priority)· Inspection Completed - No Further Action
High Priority Violations
Intermediate Violations
Basic Violations
— Routine - Food· 0 violations · Admin. Complaint Callback Complied
No violations recorded for this inspection.
— 4 inspections25 violations · 9 high priority
— Routine - Food· 5 violations (1 high priority)· Call Back - Admin. complaint recommended
High Priority Violations
Intermediate Violations
Basic Violations
— Routine - Food· 5 violations (1 high priority)· Call Back - Extension given, pending
High Priority Violations
Intermediate Violations
Basic Violations
— Routine - Food· 8 violations (4 high priority)· Warning Issued
High Priority Violations
Intermediate Violations
Basic Violations
— Routine - Food· 7 violations (3 high priority)· Inspection Completed - No Further Action
High Priority Violations
Intermediate Violations
Basic Violations
— 5 inspections25 violations · 10 high priority
— Routine - Food· 4 violations (1 high priority)· Call Back - Complied
High Priority Violations
Intermediate Violations
Basic Violations
— Routine - Food· 6 violations (2 high priority)· Call Back - Extension given, pending
High Priority Violations
Intermediate Violations
Basic Violations
— Routine - Food· 7 violations (3 high priority)· Warning Issued
High Priority Violations
Intermediate Violations
Basic Violations
— Routine - Food· 2 violations (1 high priority)· Call Back - Complied
— Routine - Food· 6 violations (3 high priority)· Warning Issued
High Priority Violations
Intermediate Violations
— 2 inspections20 violations · 11 high priority
— Routine - Food· 8 violations (4 high priority)· Call Back - Complied
High Priority Violations
Intermediate Violations
Basic Violations
— Routine - Food· 12 violations (7 high priority)· Warning Issued
High Priority Violations
Intermediate Violations
Basic Violations
Mel's Family Diner in Sanford: Frequently Asked Questions
- When was Mel's Family Diner in Sanford last inspected?
- Mel's Family Diner in Sanford was last inspected by Florida DBPR on July 30, 2026. The result was: Emergency Order Callback Complied.
- When was Mel's Family Diner in Sanford last shut down?
- Mel's Family Diner in Sanford was last shut down on July 29, 2026 for rodent activity. This data reflects state records at time of publication. The facility may have since resolved these issues.
- What are the most common violations at Mel's Family Diner in Sanford?
- The most frequently cited violations at Mel's Family Diner in Sanford are: Proper ventilation, Proper sewage disposal, Clean multi-use utensils.
- How many health inspections has Mel's Family Diner in Sanford had?
- Mel's Family Diner in Sanford has had 42 inspections on record with Florida DBPR, averaging 10.2 violations per inspection, above the statewide average of 5.2.
- What did the most recent inspection of Mel's Family Diner in Sanford find?
- Mel's Family Diner in Sanford was most recently inspected on July 30, 2026 with 2 violation(s), including 1 high-priority violation(s). Disposition: Emergency Order Callback Complied.
- Has Mel's Family Diner in Sanford ever been shut down?
- Yes, Mel's Family Diner in Sanford has been emergency-closed 3 times by Florida DBPR inspectors.
- What does Florida violation V50 (Adequate lighting) mean?
- Violation 50 (Adequate lighting) is classified as a basic priority violation under Florida DBPR food safety regulations. See the full explanation at floridafoodsafety.org/violation/50.
- What does Florida violation V51 (Premises clean) mean?
- Violation 51 (Premises clean) is classified as a basic priority violation under Florida DBPR food safety regulations. See the full explanation at floridafoodsafety.org/violation/51.
- Has Mel's Family Diner in Sanford had any fire safety violations?
- Yes, Mel's Family Diner in Sanford has 2 fire safety violation(s) on record from Florida state fire inspections.
- Has Mel's Family Diner in Sanford faced any disciplinary actions?
- Yes, Mel's Family Diner in Sanford has 7 disciplinary action(s) on record with Florida DBPR totaling $3,760.00 in fines.
- How much has Mel's Family Diner in Sanford been fined?
- Mel's Family Diner in Sanford has been fined a total of $3,760.00 across 7 disciplinary action(s) on record with Florida DBPR.
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Mel's Family Diner in Sanford was emergency-closed July 29 for rodent activity, its third such shutdown, after 429 viola…
Editorial Standards & Data Oversight
Data Source: This report is based on official public inspection records from the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) and the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS).
Editorial Process: Content generated using AI to synthesize complex regulatory data, then reviewed and verified for accuracy by our editorial team.
Disclaimer: All data reflects official state records at time of publication. Facilities may have since corrected cited violations, resolved enforcement actions, or changed ownership.
Editor: All content reviewed and verified by Christopher F. Nesbitt, Sr., Nationally Registered EMT & BU-trained Paralegal.
This page is maintained by FloridaFoodSafety.org and is not affiliated with Mel's Family Diner. How we collect and verify this data.