Denny's
Last inspected: Mar 20, 2026
74
Score
The health department has logged 10 inspections at Denny's, the earliest from 2022. The most recent report on file is from Mar 20, 2026. A medium risk rating points to a few notable findings at the last inspection, though nothing severe.
Violation counts have held steady across recent visits, averaging around four violations each.
The most common issue across all inspections has been “floor tiles missing and/or in disrepair”, showing up six times.
Restaurants in Lakeland average 86, so Denny's trails the local norm. The record is unremarkable in either direction.
10
Inspections
2
Critical latest
0
Major latest
0
Minor latest
Inspection History
Mar 20, 2026
Routine - Food
2 critical violations.
View 2 violations
High Priority - Employee failed to wash hands before putting on gloves to initiate a task working with food. Server never washed hand before putting on gloves, and then handled toast with gloved hands.
12A-07-5
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Turkey 50f ham 51f operator placed products in walk-in freezer for quick cool down **Corrective Action Taken**
03A-02-5
74
Dec 22, 2025
Routine - Food
2 major violations. 4 minor violations.
View 6 violations
Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Hand sink on expo line by tea urns have coffee and tea stains build up
31A-11-4
Intermediate - No proof provided that some food employees are informed of their responsibility to report to the person in charge information about their health and activities related to foodborne illnesses. Had 1 new hire that didn't complete food handler training.
11-26-1
Basic - Floors not maintained smooth and durable. Observed multiple broken floor tiles, causing standing water and food debris accumulation on cook line.
36-11-4
Basic - Single-service articles improperly stored. Observed case of napkins on floor in storage. Manager got off of floor **Corrected On-Site**
25-05-4
Basic - Standing water observed on corner dump sink in server station. Manager plunged and is flowing **Corrected On-Site**
29-20-5
Basic - Wood food-contact surface not properly sealed. Observed peg board used to hang utensils, made out of particle board across from dish pit
14-06-4
67
May 7, 2025
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 3 minor violations.
View 4 violations
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Diced ham 47F Shredded cheese 46F. The product was put on ice. **Repeat Violation**
03A-02-5
Basic - Accumulation of debris on exterior of warewashing machine. Top of the dishwasher.
16-21-4
Basic - Floor area(s) covered with standing water. Kitchen.
36-22-4
Basic - Floor tiles missing and/or in disrepair. Kitchen Wall in disrepair dry storage area in several area under the shelving. **Repeat Violation**
36-17-5
74
Dec 19, 2024
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 4 minor violations.
View 6 violations
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Cut tomatoes ( 56F - Cold Holding); cooked onions ( 48F - Cold Holding) Cookline, reachin cooler between grills
03A-02-5
Intermediate - Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled. Spray bottle on serviceline.Manager labeled spray bottle **Corrected On-Site**
41-17-4
Basic - Floor tiles missing and/or in disrepair. Floor on Cookline missing tiles and grout. **Repeat Violation**
36-17-5
Basic - Hole in or other damage to wall. Wall under window in dining room **Repeat Violation**
36-24-5
Basic - Lights in food preparation, food storage or warewashing area missing the proper shield, sleeve coatings or covers. Cookline **Repeat Violation**
38-07-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Bottom of soda head on soda machine in serviceline
23-03-4
64
Jan 23, 2024
Complaint Full
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Floor tiles missing and/or in disrepair. Floor tiles cracked and missing on cookline. **Repeat Violation** **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2024-01-23: Floor tiles missing and/or in disrepair. Floor tiles cracked and missing on cookline. **Time Extended**
36-17-5
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Hole in or other damage to wall and window still by right side window, and in entrance area. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2024-01-23: Hole in or other damage to wall and window still by right side window, and in entrance area. **Time Extended**
36-24-5
90
Nov 20, 2023
Complaint Full
2 major violations. 5 minor violations.
View 7 violations
Intermediate - Manager or person in charge lacking proof of food manager certification. **Warning**
53A-01-7
Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Far end of cookline wet towels in bottom of sink. **Warning**
31A-11-4
Basic - Floor tiles missing and/or in disrepair. Floor tiles cracked and missing on cookline. **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
36-17-5
Basic - Hole in or other damage to wall and window still by right side window, and in entrance area. **Warning**
36-24-5
Basic - Lights in food preparation, food storage or warewashing area missing the proper shield, sleeve coatings or covers. Several lights not covered/ missing end caps. Cookline **Warning**
38-07-4
Basic - Stored food not covered. Choc chips and ice cream in walk-in freezer not covered **Warning**
08B-12-5
Basic - Wet wiping cloth not stored in sanitizing solution between uses. Wet wiping towel on cutting board on cookline. **Warning**
21-12-4
64
Sep 26, 2023
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 1 minor violation.
View 2 violations
High Priority - - From initial inspection : High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food identified in the written procedure as a food held using time as a public health control has no time marking and the time removed from temperature control cannot be determined. Butter serviceline. manager had product time marked. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2023-09-26: No time stamp on butter. **Time Extended**
03F-02-5
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Floor tiles missing and/or in disrepair. Cookline cracked tiles and missing grout. Serviceline missing grout. **Repeat Violation** **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2023-09-26: Floor tiles missing and/or in disrepair. Cookline cracked tiles and missing grout. **Time Extended**
36-17-5
82
Sep 25, 2023
Routine - Food
5 critical violations. 3 major violations. 3 minor violations.
View 11 violations
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food identified in the written procedure as a food held using time as a public health control has no time marking and the time removed from temperature control cannot be determined. Butter serviceline. manager had product time marked. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
03F-02-5
High Priority - Vacuum breaker missing at hose bibb or on fitting/splitter added to hose bibb. Mop sink with y splitter **Warning**
29-34-4
High Priority - Dishmachine chlorine sanitizer not at proper minimum strength. Discontinue use of dishmachine for sanitizing and set up manual sanitization until dishmachine is repaired and sanitizing properly. 0 ppm **Warning**
22-41-4
High Priority - In-use utensil stored in unclean water at or above 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Temp water 82F **Warning**
10-05-5
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Cookline drawers cooked vegetables (62F - Cold Holding); mashed potatoes (64F - Cold Holding) ; beef Pattie's (61F); chicken breast (61F); steak (62F - Cold Holding); sliced ham (62F - Cold Holding); sliced turkey (62F - Cold Holding); slice ham steak (61F - Cold Holding); liquid eggs (64F - Cold Holding) **Warning**
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. Manager had forms signed during inspection. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
11-26-1
Intermediate - No soap provided at handwash sink. Hand washing sink in dish room **Warning**
31B-03-4
Intermediate - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Pancake batter in walk-in cooler Ranch dressing in serviceline. Manager said the products were made the day before. **Warning**
02C-02-5
Basic - Interior of oven/microwave has accumulation of black substance/grease/food debris. serviceline **Warning**
22-08-4
Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Employee green smoothie on serviceline front counter. manager discarded smoothie **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
12B-07-4
Basic - Floor tiles missing and/or in disrepair. Cookline cracked tiles and missing grout. Serviceline missing grout. **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
36-17-5
30
Jun 16, 2023
Routine - Food
3 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Adequate Handwashing Facilities Supplied and Accessible
FL-10
Required Records Available; Shellstock Tags/Labels
FL-14
Lighting Adequate; Required Shields in Place
FL-36
86
Nov 4, 2022
Routine - Food
2 major violations. 2 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Hand washing sink in dishroom being used as dump sink, ice in bottom of hand washing sink.
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.
03F-10-5
Basic - Ice buildup in walk-in freezer floor.
14-69-4
Basic - Wet wiping cloth not stored in sanitizing solution between uses. Wet wiping cloth in dishroom counter.
21-12-4
74
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Denny's last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Denny's on file is from Mar 20, 2026. The public record contains 10 inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Denny's?
Across the inspection record, “floor tiles missing and/or in disrepair” has been cited six times, more than any other issue at Denny's.
How does Denny's compare to other restaurants in Lakeland?
Denny's most recently scored 74 out of 100, which is lower than the Lakeland average of 86.
Has Denny's inspection record improved over time?
Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at Denny's have averaged around four violations per visit across the recent record.
What does a medium risk rating mean?
A medium risk rating at Denny's 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 Denny's inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Denny's is inspected around three times per year on average.
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