Golden Corral
Last inspected: Mar 9, 2026
45
Score
Across the available record, Golden Corral has eight inspections on file, the first dated 2023. On Mar 9, 2026, the health department conducted the most recent visit. A high risk rating points to multiple serious findings at the most recent inspection.
Performance has remained roughly level over recent inspections, averaging near four violations each time.
When inspectors have written things up, “operating with an expired division of hotels” has been the most frequent reason, cited two times.
The city-wide average sits at 79, which Golden Corral's 45 doesn't quite reach. Diners may want to weigh the inspection history when deciding to visit.
8
Inspections
3
Critical latest
3
Major latest
1
Minor latest
Inspection History
Mar 9, 2026
Routine - Food
3 critical violations. 3 major violations. 1 minor violation.
View 7 violations
High Priority - Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license. License expired on February 1, 2026.
50-17-3
High Priority - Employee failed to wash hands before putting on gloves to initiate a task working with food. Observed employee wear new gloves without first washing hands. Discuss proper hand washing with employee. Employee removed gloves washed hands, then worn new gloves at time of inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
12A-07-5
High Priority - Employee touched soiled surface and then engaged in food preparation, handled clean equipment or utensils, or touched unwrapped single-service items without washing hands. Observed employee pick up a piece of fried chicken on the floor, then handled a hotel pan full of fried chicken for service. Discussed with employee to wash hands after touching soiled surfaces. Employee wash hands at time of inspection. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
12A-29-4
Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Barbecue seasoning stored inside hand washing sink next to back kitchen prep area. Manager removed spice at time of inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
31A-11-4
Intermediate - No soap provided at handwash sink. Located at hand washing sink at refrigerated prep area. Located at handwashing sink at dish pit area. Manager provided soap to all sinks at time of inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
31B-03-4
Intermediate - Required employee training expired for some employees. To order approved program food safety material, call DBPR contracted provider: Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (SafeStaff) 866-372-7233. Expired for Jonathan.
53B-14-5
Basic - Time/temperature control for safety food thawed in an improper manner. Frozen sausage thawing inside prep sink next to fryers. Manager relocated sausage into a cooler for proper thawing. Discussed the proper thawing methods with manager. **Corrected On-Site**
06-01-5
45
Sep 13, 2024
Complaint Full
No violations found.
100
Sep 12, 2024
Complaint Full
4 critical violations.
View 4 violations
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. 2 pans of cooked broccoli 106-112 F stored in hot box at grill station. Operator reheated in steamer, temped 168F. Full basket of fried chicken (115F - Hot Holding) stored above fryers in kitchen. Operator refried chicken, temped 180F. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
03B-01-6
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Walk-in cooler - Cold Holding: cut melon 47 F, shredded cheese 50 F, raw steak 49 F, raw chicken 48 F. Ambient temperature 45 F, the fans stopped during inspection. Operator contacted the refrigerator repair company at time of inspection. **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning**
03A-02-5
High Priority - Employee touched soiled surface and then engaged in food preparation, handled clean equipment or utensils, or touched unwrapped single-service items without washing hands. Employee cleaned counter top with wiping cloth, rinsed wiping cloth in three-compartments sink, then handled a tray of pizza slices without wash hands and change gloves. Discussed with operator, operator coached employee and employee washed hands and changed gloves at time of inspection. **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning**
12A-29-4
High Priority - Dented/rusted cans present. See stop sale. **Warning**
01B-01-4
55
Jul 23, 2024
Complaint Full
1 critical violation. 2 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Food Received at Proper Temperature
FL-12
Potentially Hazardous Food Held at Proper Temperature
FL-16
Warewashing Facilities Maintained and Used
FL-24
74
Mar 15, 2024
Complaint Full
1 critical violation.
View 1 violation
Food Received at Proper Temperature
FL-12
86
Mar 14, 2024
Complaint Full
4 critical violations. 2 major violations. 3 minor violations.
View 9 violations
High Priority - Single-use gloves not changed as needed after changing tasks or when damaged or soiled. Observed employee used her personal phone, then handled food items at pizza station without change gloves and wash hands. Observed employee manually washed and rinsed soiled food containers, then picked up cleaned food containers from sanitizing solution in three compartment sink with the same gloves. **Warning**
12A-09-4
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Observed a large container of raw chicken stored behind an opened container of sliced cheese in the same ice well at grill station. Operator moved sliced cheese to a separate ice well to prevent cross contamination at time of inspection. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
08A-05-6
High Priority - Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license. Expired on 02/01/2024. **Warning**
50-17-3
High Priority - Employee failed to wash hands before putting on gloves to initiate a task working with food. Observed employee used her personal cellphone, then placed on gloves to handled cut vegetables at sautéed station. **Warning**
12A-07-5
Intermediate - No written procedures available for use of time as a public health control to hold time/temperature control for safety food. Time marks properly displayed for all hot and cold food items on buffet lines, but operator couldn't provided written procedures from Gold Corral. Inspector provided a copy of DBPR written procedures to operator by email. **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning**
03F-10-5
Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Observed employee rinsed wiping cloth in handwash sink at wait station. Discussed with operator about handwash sink is for handwash only. **Warning**
31A-11-4
Basic - Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine. **Warning**
22-20-5
Basic - Inaccurate/damaged temperature and/or pressure gauge(s) on dishmachine. Final rinse gauge error and could not provide final sense temperature. **Warning**
16-38-5
Basic - Wet wiping cloth not stored in sanitizing solution between uses. Observed multiple in-used wet wiping cloths folded and stored on prep table at back kitchen. Operator placed in sani buckets at time of inspection. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
21-12-4
39
Dec 11, 2023
Routine - Food
4 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Washing Fruits and Vegetables
FL-42
Proper Hot and Cold Holding Temperatures
FL-21
Food Received at Proper Temperature
FL-12
Proper Eating, Tasting, Drinking, or Tobacco Use
FL-06
74
Jul 25, 2023
Food-Licensing Inspection
1 critical violation. 2 major violations. 2 minor violations.
View 5 violations
High Priority - Single-use gloves not changed as needed after changing tasks or when damaged or soiled. Employee handled dirty dishes then handled clean dishes at dish machine with the same gloves. Discussed proper handwash and gloves changing procedures.
12A-09-4
Intermediate - Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Handwash sink blocked by trash can at dessert station. Operator relocated trash can. **Corrected On-Site**
31A-09-4
Intermediate - No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. Handwash sink at ice machines room. Operator provided. **Corrected On-Site**
31B-02-4
Basic - Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Employee eyeglasses and thermal bottle stored on reach-in cooler.operator removed.
40-06-5
Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Multiple employee drinks stored on prep tables, clean food containers storage shelves and reach-in coolers. Operator removing employee drinks. **Corrective Action Taken**
12B-07-4
64
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Golden Corral last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Golden Corral on file is from Mar 9, 2026. The public record contains eight inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Golden Corral?
Across the inspection record, “operating with an expired division of hotels” has been cited two times, more than any other issue at Golden Corral.
How does Golden Corral compare to other restaurants in Tampa?
Golden Corral most recently scored 45 out of 100, which is lower than the Tampa average of 79.
Has Golden Corral's inspection record improved over time?
Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at Golden Corral have averaged around four violations per visit across the recent record.
What does a high risk rating mean?
A high risk rating at Golden Corral means the most recent inspection flagged either critical violations or a substantial number of smaller ones. Diners may want to read the violation details before deciding to visit.
How often is Golden Corral inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Golden Corral is inspected around three times per year on average.
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