Delicious Mex

2069 Highland St, Lakeland, FL 33815

Mexican / Latin

Last inspected: Feb 23, 2026

Score

Medium Risk

Across the available record, Delicious Mex has nine inspections on file, the first dated 2022. The most recent visit was on Feb 23, 2026. A medium risk score generally means inspectors found things to fix, though most weren't urgent.

Recent inspections have turned up roughly the same number of issues each time, hovering near three violations per visit.

Across the inspection history, “wet wiping cloth not stored” is the issue that surfaces most often, recorded two times.

Compared to other Lakeland restaurants (averaging 86), there's room to close the gap. Taken together, the history looks like that of a busy facility working through the usual inspection cycle.

Inspections

Critical latest

Major latest

Minor latest

Inspection History

Feb 23, 2026

Routine - Food

1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 3 minor violations.

View 5 violations

High Priority - Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license. Expired 02/01/26

50-17-3

Intermediate - Required employee training provided by an unapproved provider. To order approved program food safety material, call DBPR contracted provider: Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (SafeStaff) 866-372-7233.

53B-03-5

Basic - Silverware/utensils stored upright with the food-contact surface up. Silverware on table in back kitchen by door.

24-18-4

Basic - Wet wiping cloth not stored in sanitizing solution between uses. On cutting board

21-12-4

Basic - Dead roaches on premises. 4 dead roaches in glue trap. Operator discarded, wash, rinsed and sanitized area. **Corrected On-Site**

35A-03-4

Aug 5, 2025

Routine - Food

1 major violation. 1 minor violation.

View 2 violations

Intermediate - No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink.

31B-02-4

Basic - Interior of oven/microwave has accumulation of black substance/grease/food debris.

22-08-4

Feb 21, 2025

Routine - Food

2 major violations.

View 2 violations

Food Contact Surfaces Clean and Sanitized

FL-22

Approved Thawing Methods Used

FL-31

Jan 31, 2025

Routine - Food

No violations found.

100

Dec 2, 2024

Routine - Food

5 major violations.

View 5 violations

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. **Warning**

53B-05-5

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/ Felipe Banda expired 9/16/24 **Warning**

53A-03-7

Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Storing cilantro in hand washing sink. Operator moved. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**

31A-11-4

Intermediate - No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. Bathroom **Warning**

31B-02-4

Intermediate - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Rice and beans, and beef in reach in cooler **Warning**

02C-02-5

Feb 23, 2024

Routine - Food

1 major violation. 1 minor violation.

View 2 violations

Intermediate - No chemical test kit provided when using sanitizer at three-compartment sink/warewashing machine or wiping cloths. **Repeat Violation**

16-37-1

Basic - Stored food not covered. Washed vegetables in reachin cooler

08B-12-5

Aug 21, 2023

Routine - Food

3 major violations. 1 minor violation.

View 4 violations

Hands Clean and Properly Washed

FL-08

Potentially Hazardous Food Held at Proper Temperature

FL-16

Approved Thawing Methods Used

FL-31

Wiping Cloths Properly Used and Stored

FL-41

Mar 27, 2023

Routine - Food

1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 2 minor violations.

View 4 violations

High Priority - Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. Bleach stored above peppers in stockroom. Operator moved bleach. **Corrected On-Site**

41-10-4

Intermediate - Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled. Spray bottle under front counter.

41-17-4

Basic - Wet wiping cloth not stored in sanitizing solution between uses. Cloth on cutting board

21-12-4

Basic - Food stored on floor. Bag of masa and flour on floor. Operator moved to shelf. **Corrected On-Site**

08B-38-4

Dec 5, 2022

Routine - Food

1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 1 minor violation.

View 3 violations

High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Reachin cooler raw chicken over raw broccoli. Operator moved chicken. **Corrected On-Site**

08A-05-6

Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Mixer head on prep table

22-02-4

Basic - Time/temperature control for safety food thawed in an improper manner. Beef being thawed in standing water by sink area

06-01-5

Show all 9 inspections Show less

Frequently Asked Questions

When was Delicious Mex last inspected?

The most recent health inspection at Delicious Mex on file is from Feb 23, 2026. The public record contains nine inspections in total.

What is the most common violation at Delicious Mex?

Across the inspection record, “wet wiping cloth not stored” has been cited two times, more than any other issue at Delicious Mex.

How does Delicious Mex compare to other restaurants in Lakeland?

Delicious Mex most recently scored 67 out of 100, which is lower than the Lakeland average of 86.

Has Delicious Mex's inspection record improved over time?

Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at Delicious Mex have averaged around three violations per visit across the recent record.

What does a medium risk rating mean?

A medium risk rating at Delicious Mex 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 Delicious Mex inspected?

Based on the inspection history on file, Delicious Mex is inspected around three times per year on average.

Nearby Restaurants

Best Western Plus Lakeland

4225 New Tampa Hwy

Score: 90 — Low Risk

Explore More

→ All locations in Lakeland → Mexican / Latin restaurants in Florida → Mexican / Latin restaurants in Lakeland