Fords Garage

879 Lakeland Park Center Dr, Lakeland, FL 33809

American

Last inspected: Sep 17, 2025

Score

Low Risk

Going back to 2022, Fords Garage has eight inspections in the public record. Inspectors last stopped by on Sep 17, 2025. Diners can read the low risk label as a sign that recent inspections have gone well.

Violation counts have held steady across recent visits, averaging around three violations each.

“Nonfood-contact surface soiled with debris” accounts for the largest share of issues, appearing four times across the record.

The city-wide average sits at 86, which Fords Garage's 78 doesn't quite reach. There isn't much in the file that would give a customer pause.

Inspections

Critical latest

Major latest

Minor latest

Inspection History

Sep 17, 2025

Complaint Full

1 critical violation. 2 minor violations.

View 3 violations

High Priority - Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. Observed sanitation bucket on cook line where food is prepared and held, manager moved bucket. **Corrected On-Site**

41-10-4

Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Observed on cook line where food is prepared, manager removed employee beverage. **Corrected On-Site**

12B-07-4

Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with debris. Observed on exterior of flip top u it used for salads. Manager cleaned exterior of flip top. **Corrected On-Site**

23-03-4

Jun 12, 2025

Routine - Food

No violations found.

100

Apr 10, 2025

Routine - Food

3 critical violations. 3 major violations. 2 minor violations.

View 8 violations

High Priority - Single-use gloves not changed as needed after changing tasks or when damaged or soiled. Observed on cook line employee handle raw chicken with gloves and then handled a soup bowl, employee wash hands and changed gloves.

12A-09-4

High Priority - Live, small flying insects found Observed 1 live flying insect in kitchen on pipe attached to ceiling. Manager informed employee to eradicate flying insects. **Corrective Action Taken**

35A-02-7

High Priority - Nonfood-grade containers used for food storage - direct contact with food. Establishment uses fuel funnel to hold onion rings from tractor supply.

14-15-4

Intermediate - Operator is doing a special process, conducting reduced oxygen packaging, cooking time/temperature control for safety food to a time and temperature combination lesser than those in the Food Code or operating a molluscan shellfish tank for human consumption without a HACCP plan approved by the Division of Hotels and Restaurants. Establishment is doing cook chill for several times. Several items such as the jalapeno cream corn dated 4/7 and black angus chili dated 4/6 are being held more than 48hrs.

03G-50-1

Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Observed debris interior of oven in food preparation area.

22-02-4

Intermediate - Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Observed cart in front of hand sink in dish area, manager rolled cart away from sink. **Corrected On-Site**

31A-09-4

Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed dusty fan cover on floor fan, fan cover was cleaned . Also observed debris on pipes on cook line behind fryer station. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**

23-03-4

Basic - Open dumpster lid. Manager closed dumpster lid. **Corrected On-Site**

33-16-4

Dec 11, 2024

Routine - Food

1 major violation. 3 minor violations.

View 4 violations

Intermediate - Paper towel dispenser at handwash sink not working/unable to dispense paper towels. Observed at main bar. Batteries replaced. **Corrected On-Site**

31B-05-4

Basic - Accumulation of debris on exterior of warewashing machine. Observed on top area of unit.

16-21-4

Basic - Clean utensils or equipment stored in dirty drawer or rack. Observed utensils in black container in food preparation area. Employee removed utensils from container. **Corrected On-Site**

24-06-4

Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust.observed on hoses behind fryers.

23-03-4

Jan 22, 2024

Routine - Food

2 minor violations.

View 2 violations

Basic - Accumulation of debris on exterior of warewashing machine. Observed on top area of unit.

16-21-4

Basic - Interior of oven/microwave has accumulation of black substance/grease/food debris. Observed in food preparation area.

22-08-4

Jul 17, 2023

Complaint Full

2 minor violations.

View 2 violations

Basic - Garbage on the ground and/or pad around dumpster. Employee cleaned area. **Corrected On-Site**

33-19-4

Basic - Interior of oven/microwave has accumulation of black substance/grease/food debris. Observed in oven in food preparation area.

22-08-4

Apr 7, 2023

Routine - Food

3 minor violations.

View 3 violations

Basic - Garbage on the ground and/or pad around dumpster.

33-19-4

Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed soiled drain in bar area.

23-03-4

Basic - Open dumpster lid. Manager closed lid. **Corrected On-Site**

33-16-4

Jul 7, 2022

Routine - Food

2 minor violations.

View 2 violations

Basic - Floors not maintained smooth and durable. Observed in service stations.

36-11-4

Basic - Interior of oven/microwave has accumulation of black substance/grease/food debris.

22-08-4

Show all 8 inspections Show less

Frequently Asked Questions

When was Fords Garage last inspected?

The most recent health inspection at Fords Garage on file is from Sep 17, 2025. The public record contains eight inspections in total.

What is the most common violation at Fords Garage?

Across the inspection record, “nonfood-contact surface soiled with debris” has been cited four times, more than any other issue at Fords Garage.

How does Fords Garage compare to other restaurants in Lakeland?

Fords Garage most recently scored 78 out of 100, which is lower than the Lakeland average of 86.

Has Fords Garage's inspection record improved over time?

Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at Fords Garage have averaged around three violations per visit across the recent record.

What does a low risk rating mean?

A low risk rating at Fords Garage 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 Fords Garage inspected?

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

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