Ava Restaurant
Last inspected: Mar 19, 2026
74
Score
Inspectors have visited Ava Restaurant eight times, with records going back to 2023. The most recent visit was on Mar 19, 2026. Medium risk typically reflects a handful of issues that inspectors wrote up but didn't deem critical.
Performance has remained roughly level over recent inspections, averaging near seven violations each time.
“Employee with no hair restraint while engaging” accounts for the largest share of issues, appearing three times across the record.
The city-wide average sits at 85, which Ava Restaurant's 74 doesn't quite reach. The full record sits in fairly typical territory for a working restaurant.
8
Inspections
0
Critical latest
2
Major latest
2
Minor latest
Inspection History
Mar 19, 2026
Routine - Food
2 major violations. 2 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Can opener. Operator cleaned opener **Corrected On-Site**
22-02-4
Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Storing towel sanitizer in hand washing sink. Employee removed bucket. **Corrected On-Site**
31A-11-4
Basic - Employee with no hair restraint while engaging in food preparation. Employee cutting lettuce without hair restraint.
13-03-4
Basic - Stored food not covered. Dough in walk cooler.
08B-12-5
74
Dec 30, 2025
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 6 major violations. 4 minor violations.
View 12 violations
High Priority - Live, small flying insects found 2 flies flying around
35A-02-7
High Priority - Wiping cloth sanitizer solution exceeds the maximum concentration allowed. Sani Quaternary Ammonium bucket exceeded 400 ppm. Advised employee to remake sani buckets Employee remade sani buckets 200ppm **Corrected On-Site**
41-27-4
Intermediate - Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Ice wand and bottle of bleach stored in back shared kitchen handwash sink. Employee removed **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
31A-09-4
Intermediate - No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. Back handwash sink in shared area
31B-02-4
Intermediate - No proof provided that food employees are informed of their responsibility to report to the person in charge information about their health and activities related to foodborne illnesses. Some employees missing agreement
11-26-1
Intermediate - No written procedures available for use of time as a public health control to hold time/temperature control for safety food. For pizza sauce
03F-10-5
Intermediate - Proof of required state approved employee training not available for some employees. To order approved program food safety material, call DBPR contracted provider: Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (SafeStaff) 866-372-7233.
53B-13-5
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Interior upright reach in cooler soiled in the back
22-02-4
Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Employee drink on prep table
12B-07-4
Basic - Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Employee bag on flour bag
40-06-5
Basic - Employee with no hair restraint while engaging in food preparation. Cook
13-03-4
Basic - Floor soiled/has accumulation of debris. Under racks and three compartment sink **Repeat Violation**
36-73-4
33
Jul 31, 2025
Complaint Full
1 major violation. 2 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Intermediate - Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Cup in Hand washing sink. Manager removed cup **Corrected On-Site**
31A-09-4
Basic - Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance. Cookline
36-34-5
Basic - Floor soiled/has accumulation of debris. Under equipment
36-73-4
82
Apr 30, 2025
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 5 minor violations.
View 7 violations
High Priority - Single-use gloves not changed as needed after changing tasks or when damaged or soiled. Employee touched exit door handle with gloves on. The employee changed gloves.
12A-09-4
Intermediate - Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled. Spray bottle with blue liquid inside the bottle. The bottle was labeled as sanitizer. **Corrected On-Site**
41-17-4
Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Bottled Cola drink on the prep table where dough is prepared. The beverage was removed. The area was not sanitized. I informed the manager to sanitize. **Corrective Action Taken**
12B-07-4
Basic - Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting. Pans on the shelf next to the 3 compartment sink. **Repeat Violation**
24-08-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Reach in cooler gasket soiled. Front counter.
23-03-4
Basic - Reach-in cooler interior/shelves have accumulation of soil residues. 3 door reach in cooler in the common shared area.
22-16-4
Basic - Water leaking from pipe and/or faucet. At the 3 compartment sink.
29-11-4
61
Jul 19, 2024
Routine - Food
2 major violations. 9 minor violations.
View 11 violations
Hands Clean and Properly Washed
FL-08
Certified Food Manager Identification
FL-02
Food in Good Condition, Safe, and Unadulterated
FL-13
Required Records Available; Shellstock Tags/Labels
FL-14
Proper Hot and Cold Holding Temperatures
FL-21
Warewashing Facilities Maintained and Used
FL-24
Hot and Cold Water Available; Adequate Pressure
FL-25
Approved Thawing Methods Used
FL-31
Washing Fruits and Vegetables
FL-42
Food and Non-Food Contact Surfaces Designed and Constructed
FL-50
Toilet Rooms Maintained
FL-53
50
Nov 13, 2023
Complaint Full
1 critical violation. 3 minor violations.
View 4 violations
High Priority - Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. Hand soap stored above canned pineapple in stockroom.
41-10-4
Basic - Floor soiled/has accumulation of debris. Debris buildup under shelving in kitcken
36-73-4
Basic - Ice buildup in walk-in freezer. Common area walk-in freezer
14-69-4
Basic - Employee with no hair restraint while engaging in food preparation. Employee preparing pizza.
13-03-4
74
Aug 18, 2023
Routine - Food
2 major violations. 1 minor violation.
View 3 violations
Certified Food Manager Identification
FL-02
Hands Clean and Properly Washed
FL-08
Food Contact Surfaces Clean and Sanitized
FL-22
78
Mar 21, 2023
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 3 major violations. 1 minor violation.
View 6 violations
High Priority - Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license. Expired 2/1/23
50-17-3
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Sausage 46F, vegan cheese 50F. manager placed in walk-in freezer for quick cool down. **Corrective Action Taken**
03A-02-5
Intermediate - No proof provided that food employees are informed of their responsibility to report to the person in charge information about their health and activities related to foodborne illnesses.
11-26-1
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 - No chemical test kit provided when using sanitizer at three-compartment sink/warewashing machine or wiping cloths.
16-37-1
Basic - Clean utensils or equipment stored in dirty drawer or rack. Stored clean portion cups and lids in dirty black rack.
24-06-4
52
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Ava Restaurant last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Ava Restaurant on file is from Mar 19, 2026. The public record contains eight inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Ava Restaurant?
Across the inspection record, “employee with no hair restraint while engaging” has been cited three times, more than any other issue at Ava Restaurant.
How does Ava Restaurant compare to other restaurants in Lakeland?
Ava Restaurant most recently scored 74 out of 100, which is lower than the Lakeland average of 85.
Has Ava Restaurant's inspection record improved over time?
Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at Ava Restaurant have averaged around seven violations per visit across the recent record.
What does a medium risk rating mean?
A medium risk rating at Ava Restaurant means the most recent inspection turned up a handful of issues that the health department wrote up but did not classify as critical.
How often is Ava Restaurant inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Ava Restaurant is inspected around three times per year on average.
Nearby Restaurants