How many health inspections has SOUTHEAST EATERY had?

SOUTHEAST EATERY has had 27 inspections according to Florida DBPR records.

Has SOUTHEAST EATERY ever been shut down?

Yes, SOUTHEAST EATERY has been shut down 1 time by state inspectors.

What are the most common violations at SOUTHEAST EATERY?

The most frequently cited violations at SOUTHEAST EATERY are: Consumer advisory, Clean multi-use utensils, Food contact surfaces.

What does Florida violation V14 (Food contact surfaces) mean?

CROSS-CONTAMINATION: Improperly cleaned food contact surfaces are a primary vehicle for bacterial transfer. Cutting boards can harbor 200x more fecal bacteria than a toilet seat. Biofilms form on surfaces within 24 hours, protecting Listeria, Salmonella, and E. coli from routine cleaning. One contaminated surface can transfer pathogens to dozens of food items throughout the day. Clean and sanitize ALL food contact surfaces: after each use, between different food types (especially raw meat to ready-to-eat), every 4 hours during continuous use, and when contaminated. Use proper sanitizer concentration: chlorine 50-100 ppm, quaternary ammonium 200-400 ppm. Air dry — do not towel dry. Test sanitizer concentration every 2 hours.

What does Florida violation V21 (Time as control) mean?

TIME ABUSE: When time is used as a public health control (instead of temperature), food is allowed to remain in the temperature danger zone for a limited period. Without proper written procedures, documentation, and disposal protocols, food may be served after unsafe time periods. Bacteria reach dangerous levels after 4 hours at room temperature — causing Staphylococcal intoxication, Salmonellosis, and C. perfringens illness. If using time as a control: develop written procedures, mark food with discard time (4 hours from removal, or 6 hours if starting at 41°F and not exceeding 70°F), monitor and document. Food must be discarded at marked time — no exceptions. Staff must be trained on procedures. Time as control is NOT appropriate for all foods.

What does Florida violation V24 (Toxic substance control) mean?

TOXIC EXPOSURE: Improper identification, storage, or use of toxic substances creates immediate risk of chemical contamination. Unmarked spray bottles cause accidental food contamination. Improper pesticide application contaminates food preparation surfaces. Chemical fumes in food areas are absorbed by uncovered food. Employee exposure risks chemical burns and respiratory injury. All toxic substances must be: clearly and accurately labeled, stored in designated areas away from food, used only according to manufacturer instructions, applied only by certified personnel (pesticides). Never transfer chemicals to unlabeled containers. Keep chemicals in locked storage when not in active use. Maintain chemical inventory and SDS files.

SOUTHEAST EATERY

3378 CYPRESS GARDENS RD, Winter Haven, FL 33884

Polk County · Permanent Food Service · Owner: ALEX OF POLK COUNTY INC · License: SEA6307273

SOUTHEAST EATERY in Winter Haven, FL has 27 inspections on record with 153 total violations (5.7 per inspection) and 1 emergency closure.

27Inspections

153Violations

1Closures

Data current as of March 26, 2025

Emergency Closures (1)

Emergency closure history for SOUTHEAST EATERY
Date	Reason	Reopened
Nov 17, 2016	Roach activity	08:10:00

Inspection History (27)

Mar 26, 2025 — Routine - Food· 3 violations · Inspection Completed - No Further Action

High Priority Violations

V14 Food contact surfaces

V21 Time as control

V24 Toxic substance control

Dec 11, 2024 — Routine - Food· 1 violations · Inspection Completed - No Further Action

High Priority Violations

V12 Shell stock requirements

Feb 22, 2024 — Routine - Food· 2 violations (1 high priority)· Inspection Completed - No Further Action

High Priority Violations

V08 Proper hand/arm washing

Basic Violations

V50 Adequate lighting

Oct 18, 2023 — Routine - Food· 4 violations (1 high priority)· Inspection Completed - No Further Action

Apr 6, 2023 — Routine - Food· 6 violations · Inspection Completed - No Further Action

High Priority Violations

V11 Food in good condition

V13 Parasite destruction

V25 Allergen awareness

Intermediate Violations

V31 Clean multi-use utensils

V36 Proper ventilation

Dec 1, 2022 — Routine - Food· 3 violations · Inspection Completed - No Further Action

High Priority Violations

V13 Parasite destruction

Intermediate Violations

V31 Clean multi-use utensils

V32 Proper sanitizing

Jan 26, 2022 — Complaint Full· 6 violations · Inspection Completed - No Further Action

High Priority Violations

V16 Proper cooking temps

V22 Consumer advisory

V25 Allergen awareness

Intermediate Violations

V31 Clean multi-use utensils

V36 Proper ventilation

Sep 22, 2021 — Routine - Food· 4 violations · Inspection Completed - No Further Action

High Priority Violations

V10 Approved food source

V13 Parasite destruction

V25 Allergen awareness

Mar 23, 2021 — Routine - Food· 10 violations (1 high priority)· Inspection Completed - No Further Action

High Priority Violations

V02 Employee health policy

V03 Employee health reporting

V08 Proper hand/arm washing

V14 Food contact surfaces

V22 Consumer advisory

V23 Chemical properly stored

Intermediate Violations

V31 Clean multi-use utensils

V33 Proper cooling equipment

V40 Wiping cloths usage

Basic Violations

V53 Outer openings protected

Nov 18, 2020 — Routine - Food· 7 violations · Inspection Completed - No Further Action

High Priority Violations

V10 Approved food source

V12 Shell stock requirements

V14 Food contact surfaces

V21 Time as control

Intermediate Violations

V31 Clean multi-use utensils

V38 Waste properly disposed

Jun 4, 2020 — Routine - Food· 1 violations · Call Back - Complied

Intermediate Violations

V33 Proper cooling equipment

May 5, 2020 — Routine - Food· 4 violations · Call Back - Extension given, pending

High Priority Violations

V14 Food contact surfaces

Intermediate Violations

V33 Proper cooling equipment

V36 Proper ventilation

Basic Violations

V53 Outer openings protected

Mar 5, 2020 — Routine - Food· 8 violations (1 high priority)· Warning Issued

High Priority Violations

V10 Approved food source

V12 Shell stock requirements

V13 Parasite destruction

V14 Food contact surfaces

Intermediate Violations

V33 Proper cooling equipment

V36 Proper ventilation

Basic Violations

V53 Outer openings protected

Nov 6, 2019 — Routine - Food· 5 violations (1 high priority)· Inspection Completed - No Further Action

High Priority Violations

V03 Employee health reporting

V10 Approved food source

Intermediate Violations

V31 Clean multi-use utensils

V40 Wiping cloths usage

Jan 23, 2019 — Complaint Full· 5 violations · Inspection Completed - No Further Action

High Priority Violations

V03 Employee health reporting

V22 Consumer advisory

V25 Allergen awareness

Intermediate Violations

V31 Clean multi-use utensils

V40 Wiping cloths usage

Nov 15, 2018 — Routine - Food· 5 violations · Call Back - Complied

High Priority Violations

V14 Food contact surfaces

V21 Time as control

V22 Consumer advisory

V24 Toxic substance control

Nov 7, 2018 — Routine - Food· 22 violations (2 high priority)· Warning Issued

High Priority Violations

V02 Employee health policy

V03 Employee health reporting

V06 Handwashing facilities

V08 Proper hand/arm washing

V10 Approved food source

V11 Food in good condition

V14 Food contact surfaces

V21 Time as control

V22 Consumer advisory

V23 Chemical properly stored

V24 Toxic substance control

V25 Allergen awareness

V28 Water supply

Intermediate Violations

V31 Clean multi-use utensils

V40 Wiping cloths usage

V41 Toilet facilities

Basic Violations

V51 Premises clean

V53 Outer openings protected

Oct 24, 2017 — Complaint Full· 7 violations (4 high priority)· Inspection Completed - No Further Action

High Priority Violations

V03 Employee health reporting

V12 Shell stock requirements

V25 Allergen awareness

Intermediate Violations

V31 Clean multi-use utensils

V40 Wiping cloths usage

V41 Toilet facilities

Oct 20, 2017 — Complaint Full· 3 violations · Call Back - Complied

High Priority Violations

V10 Approved food source

V22 Consumer advisory

Oct 19, 2017 — Complaint Full· 5 violations (1 high priority)· Warning Issued

High Priority Violations

V03 Employee health reporting

V10 Approved food source

V22 Consumer advisory

Aug 30, 2017 — Complaint Full· 4 violations · Call Back - Complied

High Priority Violations

V14 Food contact surfaces

V22 Consumer advisory

Intermediate Violations

V33 Proper cooling equipment

Aug 29, 2017 — Complaint Full· 17 violations (4 high priority)· Warning Issued

High Priority Violations

V03 Employee health reporting

V10 Approved food source

V12 Shell stock requirements

V14 Food contact surfaces

V21 Time as control

V22 Consumer advisory

V23 Chemical properly stored

Intermediate Violations

V31 Clean multi-use utensils

V33 Proper cooling equipment

V35 Single-use items

V41 Toilet facilities

Basic Violations

V51 Premises clean

Feb 23, 2017 — Complaint Full· 2 violations · Call Back - Complied

High Priority Violations

V22 Consumer advisory

Intermediate Violations

V36 Proper ventilation

Feb 22, 2017 — Complaint Full· 6 violations (1 high priority)· Warning Issued

High Priority Violations

V22 Consumer advisory

V23 Chemical properly stored

Intermediate Violations

V35 Single-use items

V36 Proper ventilation

Dec 7, 2016 — Routine - Food· 5 violations (1 high priority)· Inspection Completed - No Further Action

High Priority Violations

V02 Employee health policy

V10 Approved food source

V22 Consumer advisory

V23 Chemical properly stored

Intermediate Violations

V35 Single-use items

Nov 18, 2016 — Complaint Full· 2 violations · Call Back - Complied

Intermediate Violations

V33 Proper cooling equipment

Nov 17, 2016 — Complaint Full· 6 violations (1 high priority)· Emergency order recommended

High Priority Violations

V22 Consumer advisory

V23 Chemical properly stored

Intermediate Violations

V33 Proper cooling equipment

V35 Single-use items

How Does This Facility Compare?

SOUTHEAST EATERY has had 1 emergency closures, compared to the Polk County average of 0.11 closures per facility. It has averaged 5.7 violations per inspection vs. the county average of 1.93.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many health inspections has SOUTHEAST EATERY had?: SOUTHEAST EATERY has had 27 inspections according to Florida DBPR records.
Has SOUTHEAST EATERY ever been shut down?: Yes, SOUTHEAST EATERY has been shut down 1 time by state inspectors.
What are the most common violations at SOUTHEAST EATERY?: The most frequently cited violations at SOUTHEAST EATERY are: Consumer advisory, Clean multi-use utensils, Food contact surfaces.

Nearby Establishments

BIG DADDY'S BARBEQUE

3290 CYPRESS GARDENS RD, Winter Haven

7 inspections · 12 violations

Last inspected: Feb 5, 2025

LITTLE JOHNS DINER

3080 CYPRESS GARDENS ROAD, Winter Haven

13 inspections · 65 violations

Last inspected: Aug 15, 2024

DELI BASKET

3078 CYPRESS GARDENS RD, Winter Haven

20 inspections · 51 violations

Last inspected: Aug 15, 2024

HARRY'S OLD PLACE

3751 CYPRESS GARDENS RD, Winter Haven

25 inspections · 134 violations · 1 closures

Last inspected: Apr 18, 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: March 26, 2025 | Our methodology | Editorial standards | Report an error

This page is maintained by FloridaFoodSafety.org and is not affiliated with SOUTHEAST EATERY.