Big Toms Diner
Last inspected: Dec 1, 2025
67
Score
Big Toms Diner has been inspected nine times since 2022. The newest entry in the record is dated Dec 1, 2025. A medium risk rating points to a few notable findings at the last inspection, though nothing severe.
The trend has been favorable: violation counts have eased from around eight violations to closer to five violations per visit over the last few inspections.
“Food-contact surface soiled with food debris” accounts for the largest share of issues, appearing four times across the record.
Big Toms Diner's latest score of 67 falls below the Winter Haven average of 88. The inspection history reads as standard for a restaurant of this size.
9
Inspections
1
Critical latest
1
Major latest
3
Minor latest
Inspection History
Dec 1, 2025
Complaint Full
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 3 minor violations.
View 5 violations
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Observed raw pork stored over cooked potatoes in reach in cooler nearest oven, employee moved potatoes. **Corrected On-Site**
08A-05-6
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Observed on soda nozzles near cook line. **Repeat Violation**
22-02-4
Basic - Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin. Observed on interior white shield. **Repeat Violation**
22-20-5
Basic - Accumulation of debris on exterior of warewashing machine. Observed on top area of unit.
16-21-4
Basic - Floor soiled/has accumulation of debris. Observed under, behind and between kitchen equipment. **Repeat Violation**
36-73-4
67
Aug 14, 2025
Routine - Food
1 major violation. 4 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Observed around soda nozzles.
22-02-4
Basic - Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin. Observed on interior shield.
22-20-5
Basic - Floor soiled/has accumulation of debris. Observed behind kitchen equipment. **Repeat Violation**
36-73-4
Basic - Food stored on floor. Observed box of potatoes on floor on cook line, employee removed potatoes from floor.
08B-38-4
Basic - Water leaking from pipe, observed at hand sink in service station by cook line.
29-11-4
74
May 15, 2025
Routine - Food
3 major violations. 1 minor violation.
View 4 violations
Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Observed utensils in sink at front counter, operator removed utensils. **Corrected On-Site**
31A-11-4
Intermediate - No written procedures available for use of time as a public health control to hold time/temperature control for safety food. Emailed operator form. **Corrective Action Taken**
03F-10-5
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. Emailed operator, for printing. Printed and posted. **Corrected On-Site**
11-27-4
Basic - Floor soiled/has accumulation of debris. Observed behind equipment in kitchen.
36-73-4
70
Sep 10, 2024
Complaint Full
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Equipment in poor repair. Gaskets on both reach in coolers doors on cook line. - From follow-up inspection 2024-09-10: **Time Extended**
14-11-5
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Wall soiled with accumulated grease, food debris, and/or dust. Behind equipment on cook line. - From follow-up inspection 2024-09-10: **Time Extended**
36-27-5
90
Sep 9, 2024
Complaint Full
3 critical violations. 8 major violations. 5 minor violations.
View 16 violations
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. 6lbs of cheese, 1 head of lettuce, 2lbs of ham 1lbs of tomato all 50f left in cooler on cook line overnight per operator.
03A-02-5
High Priority - Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. 6lbs of cheese, 1 head of lettuce, 2lbs of ham 1lbs of tomato all 50f left in cooler on cook line overnight per operator.
01B-02-5
High Priority - Dented/rusted cans present. See stop sale. 6lbs of sweet corn dented. Operator threw can away.
01B-01-4
Intermediate - No soap provided at handwash sink. No hand soap on hand sink on cook line. Employee replaced soap. **Corrected On-Site**
31B-03-4
Intermediate - Probe thermometer not used to ensure proper food temperatures.
05-10-4
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Can opener blade soiled. Employee put opener in dishwasher. Reach in cooler cutting boards stained. **Corrected On-Site**
22-02-4
Intermediate - Handwash sink removed from food preparation/dishwashing area. Must be reinstalled in the same location where removed.
31A-04-4
Intermediate - No handwash sink located in vending machine area where employees service bulk food machines. Hand sink on cook line next to ware washing area.
31A-01-4
Intermediate - No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. At hand sink on cook line and in ware washing area. Employee replaced paper towels. **Corrected On-Site**
31B-02-4
Intermediate - Required employee training expired for all employees. To order approved program food safety material, call DBPR contracted provider: Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (SafeStaff) 866-372-7233.
53B-05-5
Intermediate - Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled. Bottle of surface cleaner at front counter in dining room. Employee put labels on bottles. **Corrected On-Site**
41-17-4
Basic - Wall soiled with accumulated grease, food debris, and/or dust. Behind equipment on cook line.
36-27-5
Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Employee cups on expo counter above plates. Employee removed cups. **Corrected On-Site**
12B-07-4
Basic - Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Hat on expo window shelf. Purses on shelf with single service items at front counter. Operator removed all personal items. **Corrected On-Site**
40-06-5
Basic - Equipment in poor repair. Gaskets on both reach in coolers doors on cook line.
14-11-5
Basic - Open dumpster lid. Employee closed lid during inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
33-16-4
22
Mar 7, 2024
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 3 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Hands Clean and Properly Washed
FL-08
Food Contact Surfaces Clean and Sanitized
FL-22
Hot and Cold Water Available; Adequate Pressure
FL-25
Proper Sanitizer Contact Time and Concentration
FL-33
Lighting Adequate; Required Shields in Place
FL-36
67
Aug 10, 2023
Routine - Food
3 critical violations. 2 major violations. 2 minor violations.
View 7 violations
Supervisor/Person in Charge Present
FL-01
Employee Health Policies Present
FL-03
Hands Clean and Properly Washed
FL-08
Adequate Handwashing Facilities Supplied and Accessible
FL-10
Food Contact Surfaces Clean and Sanitized
FL-22
Equipment Adequate to Maintain Product Temperature
FL-29
Approved Thawing Methods Used
FL-31
45
Feb 28, 2023
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 3 major violations. 5 minor violations.
View 9 violations
High Priority - Employee failed to wash hands before putting on gloves to initiate a task working with food. Employee put on a pair of gloves with out washing his hands after using his cell phone. The operator had the employee to remove his gloves and wash his hands. **Corrected On-Site**
12A-07-5
Intermediate - No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. Both hand washing sinks in the kitchen. Paper towels was provided. **Corrected On-Site**
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. Provided the operator a copy. **Corrective Action Taken**
11-26-1
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Small green cutting board in the food prep area at the 3 compartment sink.
22-02-4
Basic - Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine. Interior sides.
22-20-5
Basic - Can opener with rust that has pitted the surface. At the end of the prep table next to the ice machine.
14-33-4
Basic - Floor soiled/has accumulation of debris. In the kitchen around the baseboards.
36-73-4
Basic - Food stored on floor. Bucket of potatoes on the floor in the kitchen under the Blodgett oven. French fries in the walk in freezer.
08B-38-4
Basic - Light not functioning. Hood system.
36-62-4
50
Sep 1, 2022
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 7 minor violations.
View 9 violations
High Priority - Employee touching ready-to-eat food with their bare hands - food was not being heated as a sole ingredient to 145 degrees F or immediately added to other ingredients to be cooked/heated to the minimum required temperature to allow bare hand contact. Establishment has no approved Alternative Operating Procedure. Employee garnished a beverage with a lemon using her bare hands. I had the employee to discard the beverage and put a fork with the container of lemons. **Corrective Action Taken**
09-01-4
Intermediate - Employee washed hands in a sink other than an approved handwash sink. Employee washed her hands at the 3 compartment sink. I had the employee to wash, rinse and sanitize the 3 compartment sink and wash her hands at a designated hand washing sink. **Corrective Action Taken**
12A-03-4
Basic - Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine. **Repeat Violation**
22-20-5
Basic - Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Employee used a cup to scoop the ice at the beverage station.
14-01-5
Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table. Beverage on the top shelf above the flip top reach in cooler across from the flat grill. I had the employee to relocate the beverage. **Corrected On-Site**
12B-07-4
Basic - Floor area(s) covered with standing water. Dishwasher area.
36-22-4
Basic - Floor tiles missing and/or in disrepair. Dishwasher area.
36-17-5
Basic - Food stored on floor. Abu key of potatoes stored on the floor under the Blodgett oven. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
08B-38-4
Basic - Single-service articles improperly stored. Case of choice portion cups in the dry storage area near the walk in freezer.
25-05-4
55
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Big Toms Diner last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Big Toms Diner on file is from Dec 1, 2025. The public record contains nine inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Big Toms Diner?
Across the inspection record, “food-contact surface soiled with food debris” has been cited four times, more than any other issue at Big Toms Diner.
How does Big Toms Diner compare to other restaurants in Winter Haven?
Big Toms Diner most recently scored 67 out of 100, which is lower than the Winter Haven average of 88.
Has Big Toms Diner's inspection record improved over time?
Yes. Recent inspections at Big Toms Diner have averaged around five violations per visit, down from roughly eight earlier in the record.
What does a medium risk rating mean?
A medium risk rating at Big Toms Diner 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 Big Toms Diner inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Big Toms Diner is inspected around three times per year on average.
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