Dutcher's Diner
Last inspected: Dec 16, 2025
64
Score
Inspectors have visited Dutcher's Diner 10 times, with records going back to 2022. On Dec 16, 2025, the health department conducted the most recent visit. Diners should read medium risk as a signal that some issues exist but aren't extreme.
Things are looking better lately, with recent visits averaging around five violations compared to roughly eight violations earlier on.
When inspectors have written things up, “raw animal food stored over/not properly separated” has been the most frequent reason, cited two times.
By comparison, the average Avon Park facility scores 76, putting Dutcher's Diner on the weaker side. The inspection history reads as standard for a restaurant of this size.
10
Inspections
1
Critical latest
1
Major latest
4
Minor latest
Inspection History
Dec 16, 2025
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 4 minor violations.
View 6 violations
Employee Health Policies Present
FL-03
Proper Eating, Tasting, Drinking, or Tobacco Use
FL-06
Hands Clean and Properly Washed
FL-08
Required Records Available; Shellstock Tags/Labels
FL-14
Equipment, Food and Non-Food Contact Surfaces Approved
FL-35
Lighting Adequate; Required Shields in Place
FL-36
64
Aug 1, 2025
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 2 major violations. 4 minor violations.
View 7 violations
Employee Health Policies Present
FL-03
Hands Clean and Properly Washed
FL-08
Food Received at Proper Temperature
FL-12
Required Records Available; Shellstock Tags/Labels
FL-14
Proper Hot and Cold Holding Temperatures
FL-21
Approved Thawing Methods Used
FL-31
Personal Cleanliness
FL-40
45
Apr 16, 2025
Routine - Food
3 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable. Observed on the cook line cutting board is grooved in several places. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2025-04-16: **Time Extended**
14-09-4
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Equipment in poor repair. Observed the gasket in the reach in cooler and a gasket in the reach in freezer in the kitchen torn. **Repeat Violation** **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2025-04-16: **Time Extended**
14-11-5
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Floor soiled/has accumulation of debris. Observed the floor under fryer and wall next to wall accumulated with grease and food debris. **Repeat Violation** **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2025-04-16: **Time Extended**
36-73-4
86
Apr 15, 2025
Routine - Food
5 critical violations. 9 minor violations.
View 14 violations
High Priority - Nonfood-grade bags used in direct contact with food. Observed a carry out bag of biscuits, explained to operator what correct bags to use, operator voluntarily discarded biscuits. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
14-31-5
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Observed raw sausage over bottle tomato juice in the reach in cooler in the back of kitchen, operator moved to different shelf. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
08A-05-6
High Priority - Roach activity present as evidenced by live roaches found. Observed one roach on the prep table in the kitchen, one roach on baseboard next to prep table in kitchen, operator removed and one live roach under a prep table in the back of the kitchen. **Warning**
35A-05-4
High Priority - Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. Observed 18 whipped butter cups in a pan out on the counter at 74 degrees, operator stated they have been on the counter for awhile, operator discarded. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
01B-02-5
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed 18 whipped butter cups in a pan out on the counter at 74 degrees, operator stated they have been on the counter for awhile, operator discarded. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
03A-02-5
Basic - Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable. Observed on the cook line cutting board is grooved in several places. **Warning**
14-09-4
Basic - Dead roaches on premises. Observed one dead roach between prep table, employee cleaned. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
35A-03-4
Basic - Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Observed a jacket and purse over the soda dispenser boxes, operator moved. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
40-06-5
Basic - Equipment in poor repair. Observed the gasket in the reach in cooler and a gasket in the reach in freezer in the kitchen torn. **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
14-11-5
Basic - Floor soiled/has accumulation of debris. Observed the floor under fryer and wall next to wall accumulated with grease and food debris. **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
36-73-4
Basic - Lights in food preparation, food storage or warewashing area missing the proper shield, sleeve coatings or covers. Observed one of the light shield cover coming down in the back of kitchen. **Warning**
38-07-4
Basic - Stored food not covered. Observed pork chop not covered in reach in freezer, operator put in a bag. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
08B-12-5
Basic - Water draining onto floor surface. Observed the hand washing sink in the kitchen next to the fryer leaking from the pipe under the sink. **Warning**
29-03-4
Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Observed employees drink on the same prep table being used for food prep, operator moved. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
12B-07-4
30
Sep 11, 2024
Routine - Food
5 critical violations. 5 minor violations.
View 10 violations
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over or with ready-to-eat food in a freezer - not all products commercially packaged. Re-packaged raw liver stored over macaroni and cheese in reach in freezer.
08A-02-6
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Raw bacon and sausage stored over spinach and potatoes in reach in cooler.
08A-05-6
High Priority - Wiping cloth sanitizer solution exceeds the maximum concentration allowed. Observed chlorine over 200ppm in cook line bucket. Operator diluted to 50ppm. **Corrected On-Site**
41-27-4
High Priority - Container of medicine improperly stored. Pain reliever stored with food on cook line. Operator removed. **Corrected On-Site**
41-07-4
High Priority - Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license. Expired 12/01/2023. Operator made a payment over the phone during inspection but the system has not updated it yet. **Admin Complaint**
50-17-3
Basic - Equipment in poor repair. Can opener blade with rust.
14-11-5
Basic - Floor soiled/has accumulation of grease. Under fryer.
36-73-4
Basic - Food stored on floor. Soda box on floor in store room.
08B-38-4
Basic - Interior of oven/microwave has accumulation of black substance/grease/food debris. Cook line microwave soiled.
22-08-4
Basic - Storage of maintenance equipment/tools in areas that may result in cross contamination of food, equipment, utensils, linens and/or single-service and single-use articles. Container of screws on food prep table. Operator removed. **Corrected On-Site**
42-03-5
37
Sep 5, 2024
Routine - Food
No violations found.
100
Nov 7, 2023
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 4 minor violations.
View 5 violations
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over or with ready-to-eat food in a freezer - not all products commercially packaged. Observed raw ground beef in tube beside bagged potatoes and onions on cooler. Operator put beef in container. **Corrected On-Site**
08A-02-6
Basic - Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Observed employee glasses stored on top of raw shell eggs at cookline. Employee removed and washed hands changed gloves. **Corrective Action Taken**
40-06-5
Basic - Employee with no beard guard/restraint while engaging in food preparation. Cook has full beard no beard guard.
13-04-4
Basic - Old labels stuck to food containers after cleaning. Operator sent back through dishwash. **Corrective Action Taken**
16-46-4
Basic - Wet wiping cloth not stored in sanitizing solution between uses. Operator put on bucket. **Corrected On-Site**
21-12-4
70
Aug 24, 2023
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 4 minor violations.
View 6 violations
Food Obtained from Approved Sources
FL-11
Warewashing Facilities Maintained and Used
FL-24
Hot and Cold Water Available; Adequate Pressure
FL-25
Equipment Adequate to Maintain Product Temperature
FL-29
Lighting Adequate; Required Shields in Place
FL-36
Plumbing Maintained; Sewage Disposal
FL-51
64
Oct 18, 2022
Routine - Food
2 major violations. 5 minor violations.
View 7 violations
Procedures for Responding to Vomiting/Diarrheal Events
FL-05
Proper Eating, Tasting, Drinking, or Tobacco Use
FL-06
Adequate Handwashing Facilities Supplied and Accessible
FL-10
Food Contact Surfaces Clean and Sanitized
FL-22
Warewashing Facilities Maintained and Used
FL-24
Sewage and Wastewater Properly Disposed
FL-27
Approved Thawing Methods Used
FL-31
61
Jul 6, 2022
Routine - Food
3 critical violations. 2 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Employee Health Policies Present
FL-03
Adequate Handwashing Facilities Supplied and Accessible
FL-10
Food Contact Surfaces Clean and Sanitized
FL-22
Equipment Adequate to Maintain Product Temperature
FL-29
Plumbing Maintained; Sewage Disposal
FL-51
58
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Dutcher's Diner last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Dutcher's Diner on file is from Dec 16, 2025. The public record contains 10 inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Dutcher's Diner?
Across the inspection record, “raw animal food stored over/not properly separated” has been cited two times, more than any other issue at Dutcher's Diner.
How does Dutcher's Diner compare to other restaurants in Avon Park?
Dutcher's Diner most recently scored 64 out of 100, which is lower than the Avon Park average of 76.
Has Dutcher's Diner's inspection record improved over time?
Yes. Recent inspections at Dutcher's 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 Dutcher's 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 Dutcher's Diner inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Dutcher's Diner is inspected around three times per year on average.
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