How many health inspections has COWBOY CAFE 98 had?

COWBOY CAFE 98 has had 22 inspections according to Florida DBPR records.

Has COWBOY CAFE 98 ever been shut down?

No, COWBOY CAFE 98 has no emergency closures on record.

What are the most common violations at COWBOY CAFE 98?

The most frequently cited violations at COWBOY CAFE 98 are: Proper ventilation, Employee health policy, Food contact surfaces.

What does Florida violation V01 (Management awareness) mean?

MANAGEMENT FAILURE: CDC data shows establishments without active managerial control have 3x more critical violations. The person in charge must demonstrate knowledge of foodborne illness prevention, HACCP principles, and Florida food safety law. Without oversight, violations go uncorrected, creating compounding risk of multi-pathogen outbreaks. Person in charge must be present during ALL hours of operation and must demonstrate knowledge of: foodborne illness risk factors, proper cooking temperatures, handwashing procedures, allergen management, and employee health policy. Must hold a valid Food Manager Certification per Florida Statute 509.039.

What does Florida violation V08 (Proper hand/arm washing) mean?

TECHNIQUE FAILURE: Improper handwashing technique leaves pathogens on hands even when a handwashing attempt is made. Studies show 95% of people wash hands incorrectly — most don't scrub for 20 seconds or miss fingertips, thumbs, and between fingers. Incomplete washing creates a false sense of security while still transferring E. coli, Norovirus, and Salmonella to food. Correct technique requires: wet hands with clean warm water, apply soap, lather and scrub for 20+ seconds covering all surfaces including fingertips/nails/between fingers/back of hands, rinse thoroughly, dry with single-use towel. Use towel to turn off faucet. Do NOT use hand sanitizer as substitute for handwashing.

What does Florida violation V10 (Approved food source) mean?

UNSAFE FOOD SOURCE: Food from unapproved sources bypasses USDA/FDA safety inspections, potentially harboring Listeria, Salmonella, E. coli O157:H7, parasites, or chemical contaminants. Uninspected meat may contain antibiotics, hormones, or prions (mad cow disease). Home-canned foods risk deadly Clostridium botulinum toxin. Wild-harvested shellfish may contain paralytic toxins. All food must come from approved, inspected sources. Maintain supplier documentation and invoices. Shellfish must have proper tags retained for 90 days. No home-prepared, home-canned, or uninspected foods. Wild game must be commercially processed. Verify supplier licenses and inspection status.

COWBOY CAFE 98

12906 HWY 98, Sebring, FL 33876

Highlands County · Permanent Food Service · Owner: COWBOY CAFE 98 LLC · License: SEA3801081

COWBOY CAFE 98 in Sebring, FL has 22 inspections on record with 148 total violations (6.7 per inspection) and 0 emergency closures.

22Inspections

148Violations

0Closures

Data current as of June 5, 2025

Inspection History (22)

Jun 5, 2025 — Routine - Food· 6 violations (3 high priority)· Inspection Completed - No Further Action

High Priority Violations

V01 Management awareness

V08 Proper hand/arm washing

V10 Approved food source

V14 Food contact surfaces

V25 Allergen awareness

Intermediate Violations

V41 Toilet facilities

Mar 25, 2025 — Routine - Food· 7 violations (2 high priority)· Inspection Completed - No Further Action

High Priority Violations

V01 Management awareness

V02 Employee health policy

V10 Approved food source

V11 Food in good condition

V12 Shell stock requirements

V23 Chemical properly stored

Intermediate Violations

V29 Proper sewage disposal

Aug 21, 2024 — Routine - Food· 9 violations (2 high priority)· Inspection Completed - No Further Action

Jan 31, 2024 — Routine - Food· 11 violations (2 high priority)· Inspection Completed - No Further Action

High Priority Violations

V02 Employee health policy

V05 Handwashing procedures

V08 Proper hand/arm washing

V25 Allergen awareness

Intermediate Violations

V33 Proper cooling equipment

V36 Proper ventilation

Basic Violations

V53 Outer openings protected

Jul 13, 2023 — Routine - Food· 7 violations · Inspection Completed - No Further Action

High Priority Violations

V02 Employee health policy

V05 Handwashing procedures

V11 Food in good condition

V22 Consumer advisory

Intermediate Violations

V29 Proper sewage disposal

V36 Proper ventilation

Basic Violations

V53 Outer openings protected

Feb 15, 2023 — Routine - Food· 4 violations · Inspection Completed - No Further Action

High Priority Violations

V11 Food in good condition

V14 Food contact surfaces

Intermediate Violations

V36 Proper ventilation

Oct 27, 2022 — Routine - Food· 6 violations (1 high priority)· Inspection Completed - No Further Action

High Priority Violations

V08 Proper hand/arm washing

V14 Food contact surfaces

V22 Consumer advisory

Intermediate Violations

V29 Proper sewage disposal

V36 Proper ventilation

Basic Violations

V53 Outer openings protected

Jul 13, 2022 — Routine - Food· 4 violations · Inspection Completed - No Further Action

High Priority Violations

V22 Consumer advisory

Intermediate Violations

V36 Proper ventilation

V40 Wiping cloths usage

Basic Violations

V53 Outer openings protected

Mar 3, 2022 — Routine - Food· 5 violations · Inspection Completed - No Further Action

High Priority Violations

V22 Consumer advisory

Intermediate Violations

V36 Proper ventilation

Nov 9, 2021 — Routine - Food· 6 violations · Inspection Completed - No Further Action

High Priority Violations

V02 Employee health policy

V05 Handwashing procedures

Intermediate Violations

V29 Proper sewage disposal

V36 Proper ventilation

Apr 1, 2021 — Routine - Food· 10 violations (3 high priority)· Inspection Completed - No Further Action

High Priority Violations

V01 Management awareness

V02 Employee health policy

V05 Handwashing procedures

V09 No contamination

V12 Shell stock requirements

V16 Proper cooking temps

V22 Consumer advisory

Intermediate Violations

V29 Proper sewage disposal

V41 Toilet facilities

Basic Violations

V53 Outer openings protected

Oct 22, 2020 — Routine - Food· 9 violations · Inspection Completed - No Further Action

High Priority Violations

V05 Handwashing procedures

V08 Proper hand/arm washing

V12 Shell stock requirements

V24 Toxic substance control

Intermediate Violations

V29 Proper sewage disposal

V36 Proper ventilation

V42 Equipment condition

Basic Violations

V51 Premises clean

Aug 5, 2020 — Routine - Food· 9 violations (2 high priority)· Inspection Completed - No Further Action

High Priority Violations

V01 Management awareness

V02 Employee health policy

V12 Shell stock requirements

V13 Parasite destruction

Intermediate Violations

V29 Proper sewage disposal

V31 Clean multi-use utensils

V36 Proper ventilation

V41 Toilet facilities

Apr 27, 2020 — Routine - Food· 11 violations (1 high priority)· Inspection Completed - No Further Action

High Priority Violations

V02 Employee health policy

V14 Food contact surfaces

V23 Chemical properly stored

V24 Toxic substance control

Intermediate Violations

V36 Proper ventilation

V41 Toilet facilities

Feb 4, 2020 — Routine - Food· 12 violations (1 high priority)· Inspection Completed - No Further Action

High Priority Violations

V08 Proper hand/arm washing

V16 Proper cooking temps

V21 Time as control

V22 Consumer advisory

Intermediate Violations

V32 Proper sanitizing

V36 Proper ventilation

V40 Wiping cloths usage

V41 Toilet facilities

Oct 3, 2019 — Routine - Food· 12 violations · Inspection Completed - No Further Action

High Priority Violations

V02 Employee health policy

V14 Food contact surfaces

V16 Proper cooking temps

V22 Consumer advisory

Intermediate Violations

V32 Proper sanitizing

V36 Proper ventilation

Nov 16, 2018 — Food-Licensing Inspection· 1 violations · Inspection Completed - No Further Action

Intermediate Violations

V31 Clean multi-use utensils

Dec 12, 2017 — Food-Licensing Inspection· 3 violations · Inspection Completed - No Further Action

Intermediate Violations

V31 Clean multi-use utensils

V32 Proper sanitizing

Aug 21, 2017 — Routine - Food· 6 violations (1 high priority)· Warning Issued

High Priority Violations

V16 Proper cooking temps

V22 Consumer advisory

V24 Toxic substance control

Basic Violations

V53 Outer openings protected

Apr 14, 2017 — Routine - Food· 3 violations (1 high priority)· Inspection Completed - No Further Action

High Priority Violations

V03 Employee health reporting

V14 Food contact surfaces

Intermediate Violations

V33 Proper cooling equipment

Nov 14, 2016 — Routine - Food· 1 violations · Call Back - Complied

High Priority Violations

V14 Food contact surfaces

Sep 12, 2016 — Routine - Food· 6 violations (1 high priority)· Warning Issued

High Priority Violations

V02 Employee health policy

V03 Employee health reporting

V05 Handwashing procedures

V14 Food contact surfaces

V25 Allergen awareness

Basic Violations

V53 Outer openings protected

How Does This Facility Compare?

COWBOY CAFE 98 has had 0 emergency closures, compared to the Highlands County average of 0.18 closures per facility. It has averaged 6.7 violations per inspection vs. the county average of 3.95.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many health inspections has COWBOY CAFE 98 had?: COWBOY CAFE 98 has had 22 inspections according to Florida DBPR records.
Has COWBOY CAFE 98 ever been shut down?: No, COWBOY CAFE 98 has no emergency closures on record.
What are the most common violations at COWBOY CAFE 98?: The most frequently cited violations at COWBOY CAFE 98 are: Proper ventilation, Employee health policy, Food contact surfaces.

Nearby Establishments

COWPOKE'S WATERING HOLE

6813 US HWY 27 S, Sebring

19 inspections · 181 violations

Last inspected: Mar 25, 2025

ZACKS BBQ & PIZZA SEBRING

5367 US 27 S STE C, Sebring

26 inspections · 146 violations

Last inspected: Apr 17, 2025

SEBRING DINER

4040 US HWY 27 S, Sebring

26 inspections · 214 violations

Last inspected: Apr 24, 2025

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.

Professional Review: All content undergoes standards and compliance oversight by Christopher F. Nesbitt, Sr., Nationally Registered EMT & BU-trained Paralegal, using professional regulatory data auditing protocols.

Last verified: June 5, 2025 | Our methodology | Editorial standards | Report an error

This page is maintained by FloridaFoodSafety.org and is not affiliated with COWBOY CAFE 98.