Fat Jacks

2940 S Florida Ave, Lakeland, FL 338034044
American
Last inspected: Apr 7, 2026
82
Score
Low Risk

Fat Jacks appears in inspection records nine times, starting in 2022. The most recent visit was on Apr 7, 2026. Diners can read the low risk label as a sign that recent inspections have gone well.

Inspection results have stayed in a similar range over the last few visits, averaging around four violations each.

“Food-contact surface soiled with food debris” comes up most often, recorded three times in the inspection record.

The city-wide average sits at 86, which Fat Jacks' 82 doesn't quite reach. The record reflects steady performance over time.

9
Inspections
1
Critical latest
0
Major latest
1
Minor latest
Inspection History
Apr 7, 2026
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 1 minor violation.
View 2 violations
High Priority - Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license. February 1,2026. **Admin Complaint**
50-17-3
Basic - Employee with no beard guard/restraint while engaging in food preparation. Employee preparing food on the cook line.
13-04-4
82
Feb 11, 2026
Food-Licensing Inspection
No violations found.
100
Nov 4, 2025
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 2 major violations. 3 minor violations.
View 6 violations
High Priority - Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. Spray bottle of all purpose cleanser stored on the beverage syrup rack. The disinfectant was removed. **Corrected On-Site**
41-10-4
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Can good rack across from the stove. In the small kitchen. Beverage nozzles on the beverage machine.
22-02-4
Intermediate - No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. Hand washing sink in the kitchen. The paper towels was replaced. **Corrected On-Site**
31B-02-4
Basic - Ceiling not smooth, nonabsorbent and easily cleanable in food preparation, food storage, or warewashing areas. Inside the walk in cooler.
36-37-5
Basic - Floor soiled/has accumulation of debris. Under the equipment throughout the kitten and prep area.
36-73-4
Basic - Inside/outside of dumpster not clean. Exterior of the dumpster is soiled.
33-10-4
61
Feb 11, 2025
Routine - Food
4 critical violations. 2 major violations. 3 minor violations.
View 9 violations
High Priority - Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. Inside the 3 door reach in cooler. potatoes (47F - Cold Holding); pastrami (47F - Cold Holding); collard greens (48F - Cold Holding); carrots (48F - Cold Holding); **Warning**
01B-02-5
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Inside the 3 door reach in cooler on the cook line. potatoes (47F - Cold Holding); pastrami (47F - Cold Holding); collard greens (48F - Cold Holding); carrots (48F - Cold Holding); **Warning**
03A-02-5
High Priority - Cooked/heated time/temperature control for safety food not cooled from 135 degrees Fahrenheit to 41 degrees Fahrenheit within 6 hours. Potatoes, collard greens inside the 3 door reach in cooler. Cooked the night before. **Warning**
03D-02-5
High Priority - Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license. February 1,2025 February 1, 2026. Operator renewed the licensing fee. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
50-17-3
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Can good rack located across from the stove. Nozzles on the beverage station is soiled. **Warning**
22-02-4
Intermediate - Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Knife inside the hand washing sink located in the kitchen. The knife was removed. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
31A-09-4
Basic - Carbon dioxide tanks not adequately secured. Bar area. The manager secured the tank. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
51-11-4
Basic - Employee with no beard guard/restraint while engaging in food preparation. Employee engaged in food prep and food storage. **Warning**
13-04-4
Basic - Wall soiled with accumulated grease, food debris, and/or dust. Throughout kitchen and prep kitchen. Floor under the cooking equipment. **Warning**
36-27-5
39
Aug 27, 2024
Routine - Food
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Basic - Reach-in cooler interior/shelves have accumulation of soil residues. 3 door reach in cooler across from the steam table.
22-16-4
Basic - Time/temperature control for safety food thawed in an improper manner. Package of sausage Bag of chicken Thawing in standing water at the 2 compartment sink. The product was relocated to the reach in cooler. **Corrective Action Taken**
06-01-5
90
Jan 24, 2024
Routine - Food
2 major violations.
View 2 violations
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Can opener blade soiled. Can opener was removed to be washed, rinsed and sanitized.
22-02-4
Intermediate - No handwash sink located in vending machine area where employees service bulk food machines. Knife inside the hand washing sink in the kitchen. Knife was removed. **Corrected On-Site**
31A-01-4
82
Oct 18, 2023
Routine - Food
3 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Basic - Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Employee used a cup to scoop ice at the beverage station.
14-01-5
Basic - Employee with no hair restraint while engaging in food preparation. Employee preparing food on the cook line.
13-03-4
Basic - Floors not maintained smooth and durable. Floor tile grout missing throughout the kitchen. Wall soiled in the dishwasher area and the fry station area. **Repeat Violation**
36-11-4
86
Apr 11, 2023
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 5 major violations. 3 minor violations.
View 9 violations
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. Tested at 0ppm. Manager will call for service and set up three compartment sink **Corrective Action Taken** **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
22-41-4
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 - Toxic substance/chemical on premise that is not required for the operation of establishment. Observed vaping device on cook line. Manager removed **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
41-04-4
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. **Warning**
11-27-4
Intermediate - No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink or soap at hand sink by dish machine. Manager refilled **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
31B-02-4
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. **Warning**
11-26-1
Basic - Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Observed cellphone and car keys on cook line. Manager removed **Warning**
40-06-5
Basic - Floors not maintained smooth and durable. Observed missing grout throughout kitchen **Warning**
36-11-4
Basic - Wood food-contact surface not properly sealed. Observed wooden shelving starting to come apart and becoming unsealed on cook line **Warning**
14-06-4
45
Dec 16, 2022
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 8 minor violations.
View 9 violations
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. Tested at 10 ppm. Manager changed out and re primed. Tested at 50ppm **Corrected On-Site**
22-41-4
Basic - Ceiling tile missing. In dish area
36-36-4
Basic - Equipment in poor repair. Gaskets torn in reach in cooler and freezer
14-11-5
Basic - Floor tiles missing and/or in disrepair. In back prep area by range
36-17-5
Basic - Floors not maintained smooth and durable. Observed missing grout throughout kitchen
36-11-4
Basic - Ice buildup in reach-in freezer.
14-69-4
Basic - In-use utensil stored in sanitizer between uses. Manager removed knife
10-18-5
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Can rack soiled Inside of reach in coolers and freezer soiled with accumulated food debris
23-03-4
Basic - Wood food-contact surface not properly sealed. On shelving on cook line
14-06-4
58

Frequently Asked Questions

When was Fat Jacks last inspected?

The most recent health inspection at Fat Jacks on file is from Apr 7, 2026. The public record contains nine inspections in total.

What is the most common violation at Fat Jacks?

Across the inspection record, “food-contact surface soiled with food debris” has been cited three times, more than any other issue at Fat Jacks.

How does Fat Jacks compare to other restaurants in Lakeland?

Fat Jacks most recently scored 82 out of 100, which is lower than the Lakeland average of 86.

Has Fat Jacks' inspection record improved over time?

Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at Fat Jacks have averaged around four violations per visit across the recent record.

What does a low risk rating mean?

A low risk rating at Fat Jacks 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 Fat Jacks inspected?

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