Dena's Place Diner
Last inspected: Feb 12, 2026
47
Score
Inspectors have visited Dena's Place Diner eight times, with records going back to 2022. The most recent report on file is from Feb 12, 2026. Diners may want to take note: high risk reflects issues that a health inspector considered important.
Violation counts have held steady across recent visits, averaging around five violations each.
The pattern that stands out is “food stored on floor”, which has been cited three times.
Compared to other Lakeland restaurants (averaging 85), there's room to close the gap. Diners may want to weigh the inspection history when deciding to visit.
8
Inspections
3
Critical latest
2
Major latest
2
Minor latest
Inspection History
Feb 12, 2026
Routine - Food
3 critical violations. 2 major violations. 2 minor violations.
View 7 violations
High Priority - Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. Noodles 50 F.
01B-02-5
High Priority - Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license. February 1,2026.
50-17-3
High Priority - Cooked/heated time/temperature control for safety food not cooled from 135 degrees Fahrenheit to 41 degrees Fahrenheit within 6 hours. Noodles 50F inside the victory side by side reach in cooler in the dry storage area.
03D-02-5
Intermediate - chemical test kit provided when using sanitizer at three-compartment sink/warewashing machine or wiping cloths. Chlorine chemical test strips expired 2/2022.
16-37-1
Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. A container with strawberries stored in the hand washing sink in the dishwasher area. The containers was removed. **Corrected On-Site**
31A-11-4
Basic - Cardboard used to line food-contact shelves. Cardboard lining the shelves in the upright white freezer inside the dry storage area.
14-05-4
Basic - Food stored on floor. A case of liquid margarine. Dry storage area. Canned vegetables, coffee
08B-38-4
47
Nov 6, 2025
Routine - Food
6 minor violations.
View 6 violations
Basic - Food stored on floor. Beverage syrups under the dry storage shelf.
08B-38-4
Basic - No copy of latest inspection report available.
51-18-6
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Gaskets on the flip top reach in cooler across the cook line.
23-03-4
Basic - Reach-in cooler interior have accumulation of soil residues. White upright freezer in the dry storage area.
22-16-4
Basic - Reach-in cooler shelves with rust that has pitted the surface. In the Victory 2 door cooler in the dry storage area.
14-33-4
Basic - Single-service articles improperly stored. A case of white 16 oz. foam cup. Wrapped cutlery sets. Dry storage Product was removed off the floor..
25-05-4
74
Mar 5, 2025
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 3 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Employee Health Policies Present
FL-03
Adequate Handwashing Facilities Supplied and Accessible
FL-10
Food Obtained from Approved Sources
FL-11
Toxic Substances Properly Identified, Stored, Used
FL-32
Plumbing Maintained; Sewage Disposal
FL-51
67
Nov 15, 2024
Routine - Food
1 major violation. 3 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Hands Clean and Properly Washed
FL-08
Toxic Substances Properly Identified, Stored, Used
FL-32
Plumbing Maintained; Sewage Disposal
FL-51
Food Obtained from Approved Sources
FL-11
78
Jan 12, 2024
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 2 minor violations.
View 4 violations
High Priority - Employee touched face/hair and then engaged in food preparation, handled clean equipment or utensils, or touched unwrapped single-service items without washing hands. Employee touched her face and then engaged in food preparation without changing her gloves. I had the employee to remove the gloves and wash her hands. **Corrective Action Taken**
12A-25-4
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. Provided a copy by email. **Corrected On-Site**
11-27-4
Basic - Food stored on floor. Onions, can vegetables, ketchup etc. in the dry storage area.
08B-38-4
Basic - Single-service articles improperly stored. 20 oz foam cups in the dry storage area.
25-05-4
70
Jul 14, 2023
Routine - Food
2 major violations. 3 minor violations.
View 5 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. Emailed copy to manager **Corrective Action Taken**
11-27-4
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. Manager had employees start signing acknowledgment. **Corrective Action Taken**
11-26-1
Basic - Equipment in poor repair. Observed missing fan guard in reach in freezer
14-11-5
Basic - Carbon dioxide/helium tanks not adequately secured. In server area
51-11-4
Basic - Women's Bathroom door left open other than during cleaning or maintenance. No self closer installed
32-02-4
70
Sep 22, 2022
Complaint Full
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 2 minor violations.
View 4 violations
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over ready-to-eat food. Container of raw chicken stored over rte sausage in cooler. Manager moved to bottom shelf **Corrected On-Site**
08A-05-6
Intermediate - Toxic substance/chemical on premise that is not required for the operation of establishment. Observed packs of cigarettes on cook line. Manager removed **Corrected On-Site**
41-04-4
Basic - Wiping cloth chlorine sanitizing solution not at proper minimum strength. Tested at 0ppm. Manager remade bucket and tested at 50ppm **Corrected On-Site**
21-07-4
Basic - Wet wiping cloths stored in detergent and sanitizer mixed together. Manager remade separate buckets **Corrected On-Site**
21-03-4
70
Aug 18, 2022
Routine - Food
3 critical violations.
View 3 violations
High Priority - Employee cracked raw shell eggs and then handled ready-to-eat food and/or clean equipment or utensils without washing hands. Observed employee crack shelled eggs then continued cooking then handles sliced tomatoes with same gloves. Spoke with manager and discussed proper hand washing techniques.
12A-27-4
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Cook line: flats of shelled eggs (65F - Cold Holding) sitting out on cook line. Manager took out of cooler at 8:30am. Manager filled out time as a public health control and time marked product Make line: diced cooked ham (44F - Cold Holding); shredded cheddar (44F - Cold Holding); diced tomatoes (44F - Cold Holding). Manager iced down product, all retemped at 41f 30 minutes later **Corrected On-Site**
03A-02-5
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Prep area: cooked potatoes (122F - Hot Holding) made at 8:30am. Current time taken 8:50am. Manager filled out time as a public health control paperwork and time marked product. **Corrected On-Site**
03B-01-6
64
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Dena's Place Diner last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Dena's Place Diner on file is from Feb 12, 2026. The public record contains eight inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Dena's Place Diner?
Across the inspection record, “food stored on floor” has been cited three times, more than any other issue at Dena's Place Diner.
How does Dena's Place Diner compare to other restaurants in Lakeland?
Dena's Place Diner most recently scored 47 out of 100, which is lower than the Lakeland average of 85.
Has Dena's Place Diner's inspection record improved over time?
Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at Dena's Place Diner have averaged around five violations per visit across the recent record.
What does a high risk rating mean?
A high risk rating at Dena's Place Diner means the most recent inspection flagged either critical violations or a substantial number of smaller ones. Diners may want to read the violation details before deciding to visit.
How often is Dena's Place Diner inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Dena's Place Diner is inspected around two times per year on average.
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