Abuelo's Mexican Food Embassy
Last inspected: Feb 5, 2026
95
Score
Inspectors have visited Abuelo's Mexican Food Embassy 10 times, with records going back to 2022. On Feb 5, 2026, the health department conducted the most recent visit. A low risk tier reflects an inspection that turned up minimal issues.
Recent inspections have found fewer violations than earlier ones, averaging around three violations lately and about seven violations before that.
“Equipment in poor repair” accounts for the largest share of issues, appearing three times across the record.
Among Lakeland restaurants, the typical score is 86; Abuelo's Mexican Food Embassy is comfortably above that bar. Overall, the inspection record reads well.
10
Inspections
0
Critical latest
0
Major latest
1
Minor latest
Inspection History
Feb 5, 2026
Routine - Food
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Commercially processed reduced oxygen packaged fish bearing a label indicating that it is to remain frozen until time of use no longer frozen and not removed from reduced oxygen package. Observed thawing packs of mahi and sea bass on cook line. Manager fully removed from package and sent handout **Corrected On-Site** **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2026-02-05: Fish thawed in the bags, Thawing fish in package. **Time Extended**
06-09-1
95
Dec 2, 2025
Routine - Food
3 major violations. 4 minor violations.
View 7 violations
Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Hand sink at bar had strainer in it. Manager removed **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
31A-11-4
Intermediate - No proof of required state approved employee training provided for any employees. To order approved program food safety material, call DBPR contracted provider: Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (SafeStaff) 866-372-7233. Only safe staff cards on site were expired. Discussed Corporate program through Abuelos in not on approved list. **Warning**
53B-01-5
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Observed black substance on margarita machine at bar. Manager cleaned **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
22-02-4
Basic - Commercially processed reduced oxygen packaged fish bearing a label indicating that it is to remain frozen until time of use no longer frozen and not removed from reduced oxygen package. Observed thawing packs of mahi and sea bass on cook line. Manager fully removed from package and sent handout **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
06-09-1
Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Observed employee drinks on cook line by soda bibs. Manager removed **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
12B-07-4
Basic - Equipment in poor repair. Cracked full sheet pans by salsa station. Cracked plastic tortilla chip bins by fryers. **Warning**
14-11-5
Basic - No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees. Far hand sink at bar **Warning**
31B-04-4
61
Mar 21, 2025
Routine - Food
1 critical violation.
View 1 violation
High Priority - - From initial inspection : High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Onions 116F the onions was reheated to 165F. Inside the holding cabinet between the grill and stove. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation** **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2025-03-21: Chicken 117F, sautéed peppers 118F, steak 118 F, onions 118F. Inside the holding cabinet located between the grill and the stove. The product was reheated and held on the grill to be reheated to 165F and hit held on the grill instead of the hot holding cabinet. **Admin Complaint** **Corrective Action Taken**
03B-01-6
86
Mar 20, 2025
Routine - Food
4 critical violations. 2 minor violations.
View 6 violations
High Priority - In-use utensil stored in unclean water at or above 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Scoop for rice in water at 101F. Next to the steam table on the expo line. The water was discarded. **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning**
10-05-5
High Priority - Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. Chimichangas 53F Flan 52F Sour cream 51 **Warning**
01B-02-5
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Chimichangas 53F Flan 52F Sour cream 51F **Warning**
03A-02-5
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Onions 116F the onions was reheated to 165F. Inside the holding cabinet between the grill and stove. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
03B-01-6
Basic - In-use utensil not stored with handle above the top of time/temperature control for safety food and rim of the container. Scoop for rice on the expo line. The scoop was removed. Knives between the flip top reach in cooler and the prep table across from the oven and grill. The knives was removed to be washed, rinsed and sanitized. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
10-06-5
Basic - Light not functioning. Under hood system. **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
36-62-4
50
Sep 19, 2024
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 3 major violations. 7 minor violations.
View 12 violations
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Soup 109F Chicken 109F Inside the hot hold cabinet. The product was removed to be heated to 165F.
03B-01-6
High Priority - Employee washed hands with no soap. The manager had the employee to wash his hands with soap. **Corrective Action Taken**
12A-20-4
Intermediate - Employee washed hands in a sink other than an approved handwash sink. Employee washed his hands at the 3 compartment sink. The manager had the employee to wash his hands at a designated hand washing sink. **Corrective Action Taken**
12A-03-4
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Can opener holder is soiled with debris. The manager assigned an employee to clean the holder. Small green cutting board with a build up of mold like substance.. in the bar area. **Corrective Action Taken**
22-02-4
Intermediate - Non-pitting surface rust on food-contact equipment. Dry storage shelf in the prep area.
22-31-4
Basic - Cardboard used to line food-contact shelves. Dry storage shelf in the prep area where Dutch chocolate syrup is stored. Doors on the 1st hot holding cabins not securely closing ; therefore causing heat to escape.
14-05-4
Basic - Current Hotel and Restaurant license not displayed. February 1, 2024 displayed. February 1, 2025 was posted. **Corrected On-Site**
50-09-4
Basic - Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable. Small green cutting board in the bar area.
14-09-4
Basic - Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting. Pans on the shelf across from the dishwasher.
24-08-4
Basic - Food stored on floor. A case of shoestring French fries on the floor inside the walk in freezer. The product was removed from off the floor. **Corrected On-Site**
08B-38-4
Basic - Light not functioning. Hood system over the 8 burner stove. Hole in the wall near the back door where the brooms are stored. Over fryers.
36-62-4
Basic - Raw fruits/vegetables not washed prior to preparation. Employee cutting avocados at the prep sink. The manager had the employee to stop the process and wash the avocados. **Corrective Action Taken**
08B-39-4
39
Jan 11, 2024
Routine - Food
1 major violation. 3 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Intermediate - Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Blocked by a colander with ice. The colander was removed. **Corrected On-Site**
31A-09-4
Basic - In-use knife/knives stored in cracks between pieces of equipment. Knives between prep sink and 3 compartment sink. Knives was moved to the dishwasher area to be washed, rinsed and sanitized. **Corrective Action Taken**
10-17-4
Basic - In-use utensil stored in standing water less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Utensils knives, spoons etc in water at 102F on the table next to the stove. Thaw water was discarded. **Corrected On-Site**
10-07-4
Basic - Opened employee beverage container in a cold holding unit with food to be served to customers. 2 bottles of Dasani water in the top section of the small flip top reach in cooler packages of salmon. The beverages was removed. **Corrected On-Site**
12B-13-4
78
Sep 19, 2023
Routine - Food
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Floors not maintained smooth and durable. Observed Observed water coming up through floor tiles in prep area. Observed missing grout throughout kitchen **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2023-09-19: **Time Extended**
36-11-4
95
Jul 21, 2023
Routine - Food
1 major violation. 4 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Intermediate - Operator is doing a special process, conducting reduced oxygen packaging, cooking time/temperature control for safety food to a time and temperature combination lesser than those in the Food Code without a HACCP plan approved by the Division of Hotels and Restaurants. Establishment doing cook chill rop for queso dip, refried beans, shredded beef, chicken tortilla soup, shredded chicken, ground beef. Emailed documentation to manager **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning**
03G-50-1
Basic - Commercially processed reduced oxygen packaged fish bearing a label indicating that it is to remain frozen until time of use no longer frozen and not removed from reduced oxygen package. Observed thawed tilapia in sealed bags in walk in cooler. Manager opened bags **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
06-09-1
Basic - Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable. **Warning**
14-09-4
Basic - Equipment in poor repair. Observed cracked plastic cambros and lids in walk in coolers **Warning**
14-11-5
Basic - Floors not maintained smooth and durable. Observed Observed water coming up through floor tiles in prep area. Observed missing grout throughout kitchen **Warning**
36-11-4
74
Feb 3, 2023
Routine - Food
2 major violations. 1 minor violation.
View 3 violations
Intermediate - Establishment has no written procedures for employees to follow in response to a vomiting or diarrheal event where the vomit or diarrhea is discharged onto surfaces in the establishment.
11-27-4
Intermediate - Basic - Operator is doing a special process, conducting reduced oxygen packaging, cooking time/temperature control for safety food to a time and temperature combination different than those in the Food Code or operating a molluscan shellfish tank for human consumption without a HACCP plan approved by the Division of Hotels and Restaurants. Establishment doing cook chill rop for queso, refried beans, shredded beef, chicken tortilla soup, beans
03G-50-1
Basic - Current Hotel and Restaurant license not displayed. Current copy expired 2-1-2023
50-09-4
78
Aug 15, 2022
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 1 major violation. 3 minor violations.
View 6 violations
High Priority - Air gap between water supply inlet and flood rim of equipment/sink is less than one inch. Observed faucet head at pre wash sink was in the water. Manager lifted faucet head and will call plumber
29-44-4
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Make line: shredded cheddar jack (54F - Cold Holding); sour cream (45F - Cold Holding); guacamole (45F - Cold Holding) manager iced product and re temped at 41° 30 min later **Corrected On-Site**
03A-02-5
Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Observed hand sink at dish area store rags and scrub pads.
31A-11-4
Basic - Equipment in poor repair. Strainer broken on cook line, cutting boards damaged on cook line
14-11-5
Basic - Food storage container/container lid cracked or broken. Observed full pan of cheese that has cracks in it
14-38-4
Basic - Ice buildup in walk-in freezer around condenser
14-69-4
58
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Abuelo's Mexican Food Embassy last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Abuelo's Mexican Food Embassy on file is from Feb 5, 2026. The public record contains 10 inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Abuelo's Mexican Food Embassy?
Across the inspection record, “equipment in poor repair” has been cited three times, more than any other issue at Abuelo's Mexican Food Embassy.
How does Abuelo's Mexican Food Embassy compare to other restaurants in Lakeland?
Abuelo's Mexican Food Embassy most recently scored 95 out of 100, which is higher than the Lakeland average of 86.
Has Abuelo's Mexican Food Embassy's inspection record improved over time?
Yes. Recent inspections at Abuelo's Mexican Food Embassy have averaged around three violations per visit, down from roughly seven earlier in the record.
What does a low risk rating mean?
A low risk rating at Abuelo's Mexican Food Embassy means inspectors found minimal or no significant issues at the most recent visit. Most facilities at this tier have a clean recent inspection report.
How often is Abuelo's Mexican Food Embassy inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Abuelo's Mexican Food Embassy is inspected around three times per year on average.
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