Blue Dog Craft Barbecue
Last inspected: Mar 16, 2026
90
Score
Going back to 2022, Blue Dog Craft Barbecue has 13 inspections in the public record. The newest entry in the record is dated Mar 16, 2026. Low risk indicates the latest report didn't flag anything that would worry the average customer.
Violation counts have ticked up lately, averaging around three violations per visit versus roughly one violation earlier in the record.
The pattern that stands out is “operator is doing a special process”, which has been cited three times.
Compared to the broader Lakeland restaurant scene, where the average is 86, this is a stronger showing. Taken together, the history looks like that of a busy facility working through the usual inspection cycle.
13
Inspections
0
Critical latest
1
Major latest
0
Minor latest
Inspection History
Mar 16, 2026
Routine - Food
1 major violation.
View 1 violation
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : Intermediate - Establishment packaging time/temperature control for safety food using a reduced oxygen method that does not control the growth of and toxin formation of C. botulinum and the growth of Listeria monocytogenes. Establishment does not have an approved Process Waiver from the Division of Hotels and Restaurants. Operator vacuum packaging cooked bbq beans and cooked Mac n cheese. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2026-03-16: HACCP plan has not been submitted. **Admin Complaint**
03G-43-2
90
Jan 14, 2026
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 6 major violations. 1 minor violation.
View 8 violations
High Priority - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food not consumed/sold within 7 days after preparation, and within 48 hours of vacuum sealing bags. See stop sale. Observed 1- 5 pound bag of cooked barbecue beans dated January 6, 2026 6-3lb bags of prepared macaroni and cheese dated January 6, 2026 1 lb block white cheddar that was vaccum packaged dated 11-25 **Warning**
01B-24-5
Intermediate - Cheese packaged in the establishment using a reduced packaging method and held for more than 48 hours not labeled or with a label lacking the 'use by' date, or labeled with a 'use by' date that exceeds 30 days from its packaging or the original manufacturer's 'sell by' or 'use by' date, whichever occurs first 1 block of cheddar Cheese dated 11-25. **Warning**
03G-35-5
Intermediate - Establishment packaging time/temperature control for safety food using a reduced oxygen method that does not control the growth of and toxin formation of C. botulinum and the growth of Listeria monocytogenes. Establishment does not have an approved Process Waiver from the Division of Hotels and Restaurants. Operator vacuum packaging cooked bbq beans and cooked Mac n cheese. **Warning**
03G-43-2
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. **Warning**
11-26-1
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 or operating a molluscan shellfish tank for human consumption without a HACCP plan approved by the Division of Hotels and Restaurants. Operator vacuum packaging cooked bbq beans and cooked Mac n cheese. Also vacuum packaging raw pork and raw beef. **Warning**
03G-50-1
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. **Warning**
53B-13-5
Intermediate - Water with a temperature of least 85 degrees Fahrenheit shut off at employee handwash sink. By front counter due to leak. Manager turned on water **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
27-16-4
Basic - Time/temperature control for safety food packaged using a reduced oxygen method without a HACCP plan not removed from its package within 48 hours after packaging. Observed 1- 5 pound bag of cooked barbecue beans dated January 6, 2026 6-3lb bags of prepared macaroni and cheese dated January 6, 2026 Stop sale issued. **Warning**
03G-54-1
45
Jul 1, 2025
Complaint Full
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Basic - Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Bulk sugar
02D-01-5
95
Apr 2, 2025
Routine - Food
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Basic - Food stored on floor. In walk in cooler meat on the floor. Operator removed from the floor. **Corrected On-Site**
08B-38-4
95
Dec 6, 2024
Routine - Food
No violations found.
100
Sep 30, 2024
Routine - Food
2 major violations. 1 minor violation.
View 3 violations
Intermediate - Food manager certification expired. A list of accredited food manager certification examination providers can be found at http://www.myfloridalicense.com/DBPR/hotels-restaurants/food-lodging/food-manager/ max Miller ex 11/3/23 **Warning**
53A-03-7
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 or operating a molluscan shellfish tank for human consumption without a HACCP plan approved by the Division of Hotels and Restaurants. ROP meats for storage and ROP mac n cheese for cook/ chill **Warning**
03G-50-1
Basic - Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Using pint container as scoop in bulk seasoning. **Warning**
14-01-5
78
Apr 29, 2024
Routine - Food
No violations found.
100
Feb 27, 2024
Routine - Food
1 major violation. 1 minor violation.
View 2 violations
Intermediate - Food manager certification expired. A list of accredited food manager certification examination providers can be found at http://www.myfloridalicense.com/DBPR/hotels-restaurants/food-lodging/food-manager/
53A-03-7
Basic - Cloth used as a food-contact surface. Blue and white towels on top meat.
21-05-5
86
Jan 3, 2024
Routine - Food
No violations found.
100
Oct 30, 2023
Routine - Food
1 major violation. 2 minor violations.
View 3 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 or operating a molluscan shellfish tank for human consumption without a HACCP plan approved by the Division of Hotels and Restaurants. Operator doing ROP zone raw meats. **Warning**
03G-50-1
Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Open drink next food items seasoning in hallway.Manger removed. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
12B-07-4
Basic - Ice buildup in walk-in freezer. **Warning**
14-69-4
82
Jul 20, 2023
Routine - Food
No violations found.
100
May 19, 2023
Routine - Food
3 major violations. 3 minor violations.
View 6 violations
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Can opener **Warning**
22-02-4
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. **Warning**
53B-01-5
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. **Warning**
11-26-1
Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Open employee drink above seasoning. Manager removed drink. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
12B-07-4
Basic - Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Apron on top of water bottles **Warning**
40-06-5
Basic - Food stored in a prohibited area. Case of vinegar on floor. **Warning**
08B-37-4
64
Sep 15, 2022
Food-Licensing Inspection
No violations found.
100
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Blue Dog Craft Barbecue last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Blue Dog Craft Barbecue on file is from Mar 16, 2026. The public record contains 13 inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Blue Dog Craft Barbecue?
Across the inspection record, “operator is doing a special process” has been cited three times, more than any other issue at Blue Dog Craft Barbecue.
How does Blue Dog Craft Barbecue compare to other restaurants in Lakeland?
Blue Dog Craft Barbecue most recently scored 90 out of 100, which is higher than the Lakeland average of 86.
Has Blue Dog Craft Barbecue's inspection record improved over time?
No. Recent inspections at Blue Dog Craft Barbecue have averaged around three violations per visit, up from roughly one earlier in the record.
What does a low risk rating mean?
A low risk rating at Blue Dog Craft Barbecue 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 Blue Dog Craft Barbecue inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Blue Dog Craft Barbecue is inspected around four times per year on average.
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