First Watch Restaurant #253
Last inspected: Feb 27, 2026
90
Score
Across the available record, First Watch Restaurant #253 has eight inspections on file, the first dated 2022. The newest entry in the record is dated Feb 27, 2026. A low risk tier reflects an inspection that turned up minimal issues.
Performance has remained roughly level over recent inspections, averaging near three violations each time.
“Floor soiled/has accumulation of debris” accounts for the largest share of issues, appearing three times across the record.
Compared to the broader Winter Haven restaurant scene, this is about average. Taken together, the history is a positive one.
8
Inspections
0
Critical latest
0
Major latest
2
Minor latest
Inspection History
Feb 27, 2026
Routine - Food
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Basic - Clean utensils or equipment stored in dirty drawer or rack. Operator removed all equipment to the dish machine area to be washed. **Corrected On-Site**
24-06-4
Basic - Open dumpster lid. Shared Operator closed lid **Corrected On-Site**
33-16-4
90
Jul 11, 2025
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 5 minor violations.
View 6 violations
High Priority - Dented/rusted cans present. See stop sale. Evaporated milk
01B-01-4
Basic - Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable. Cooks line manager discarded and placed new cutting boards out **Corrected On-Site**
14-09-4
Basic - Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting.
24-08-4
Basic - Floor soiled/has accumulation of debris. Under servers station equipment , employee began cleaning during inspection **Corrective Action Taken**
36-73-4
Basic - In-use lids for pots stored on equipment door handle between uses. Employee removed **Corrected On-Site**
10-20-4
Basic - In-use utensil stored in standing water less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Spoon at servers station in 59°, employee removed water **Corrected On-Site**
10-07-4
67
Feb 24, 2025
Routine - Food
1 major violation. 2 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Hands Clean and Properly Washed
FL-08
Warewashing Facilities Maintained and Used
FL-24
Approved Thawing Methods Used
FL-31
82
Aug 30, 2024
Routine - Food
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Basic - Floor soiled/has accumulation of debris. In walk in cooler.
36-73-4
Basic - Single-service articles improperly stored on floor. Operator removed from the floor. **Corrected On-Site**
25-05-4
90
Jan 31, 2024
Routine - Food
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Basic - Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Employee jackets and purses on the top drink mix packet's storage shelf. Operator removed items and placed in bin. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
40-06-5
95
Sep 25, 2023
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 4 minor violations.
View 6 violations
High Priority - Live, small flying insects in kitchen, food preparation area, food storage area and/or bar area.
35A-02-6
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Dirty Waffle machine stored on rack with clean dishes.
22-02-4
Basic - Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Operator removed dirty apron and dicer to appropriate areas for cleaning. **Corrected On-Site**
40-06-5
Basic - Equipment in poor repair. Bottom part of the oven metal piece hanging to the floor on the cook line.
14-11-5
Basic - Ice buildup in walk-in freezer around the door. Door will not close properly.
14-69-4
Basic - Interior of oven has accumulation of black substance grease/food debris on the cook line.
22-08-4
64
Mar 30, 2023
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 2 major violations. 2 minor violations.
View 5 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. First test- 0 ppm. Second test 100 ppm. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
22-41-4
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Oven on cook line by the grill.
22-02-4
Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Fork and knifes in hand washing sink next to the front counter. Operator removed silverware. **Corrected On-Site**
31A-11-4
Basic - Floor soiled/has accumulation of debris. In walk freezer Employee swept up the blue berries. **Corrected On-Site**
36-73-4
Basic - Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable. On prep area on cook line.
14-09-4
64
Aug 15, 2022
Routine - Food
4 critical violations. 1 major violation. 2 minor violations.
View 7 violations
High Priority - Live, small flying insects in kitchen, food preparation area, food storage area and/or bar area. 1 live fly in prep area 1 live fly above mop sink 1 live fly wall by back door 1 live fly by hand sink in serviceline
35A-02-6
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Pancake batter 68F cookline
03A-02-5
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
22-41-4
High Priority - Employee touched bare body part and then engaged in food preparation, handled clean equipment or utensils, or touched unwrapped single-service items without washing hands. Employee touch nose, Operator had employee to change gloves and wash hands. **Corrected On-Site**
12A-10-4
Intermediate - Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Serviceline block by lid for sink. manager removed lid. **Corrected On-Site**
31A-09-4
Basic - Employee with ineffective hair restraint while engaging in food preparation. Long ponytail server.
13-02-4
Basic - Food not stored at least 6 inches off of the floor. Walk-in cooler floor. Case of chicken stored on floor. manager moved chicken to shelf. **Corrected On-Site**
08B-47-4
45
Frequently Asked Questions
When was First Watch Restaurant #253 last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at First Watch Restaurant #253 on file is from Feb 27, 2026. The public record contains eight inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at First Watch Restaurant #253?
Across the inspection record, “floor soiled/has accumulation of debris” has been cited three times, more than any other issue at First Watch Restaurant #253.
How does First Watch Restaurant #253 compare to other restaurants in Winter Haven?
First Watch Restaurant #253 most recently scored 90 out of 100, which is about the same as the Winter Haven average of 88.
Has First Watch Restaurant #253's inspection record improved over time?
Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at First Watch Restaurant #253 have averaged around three violations per visit across the recent record.
What does a low risk rating mean?
A low risk rating at First Watch Restaurant #253 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 First Watch Restaurant #253 inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, First Watch Restaurant #253 is inspected around two times per year on average.
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