Golden Corral

5722 Cypress Gardens Blvd, Winter Haven, FL 33884

American

Last inspected: Mar 31, 2026

Score

Low Risk

Across the available record, Golden Corral has nine inspections on file, the first dated 2022. Inspectors last stopped by on Mar 31, 2026. Diners can read the low risk label as a sign that recent inspections have gone well.

Recent inspections have found fewer violations than earlier ones, averaging around one violation lately and about five violations before that.

Looking across the full record, “equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting” is the recurring theme, flagged two times.

Golden Corral scores about where you'd expect for a Winter Haven restaurant. The record reflects steady performance over time.

Inspections

Critical latest

Major latest

Minor latest

Inspection History

Mar 31, 2026

Routine - Food

1 critical violation.

View 1 violation

High Priority - Raw animal foods not properly separated from each other in holding unit based upon minimum required cooking temperature. Raw chicken over raw beef. The chicken was removed. **Corrected On-Site**

08A-20-5

Dec 9, 2025

Routine - Food

1 major violation. 1 minor violation.

View 2 violations

Intermediate - Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled. uUnlabeled spray bottle with blue liquid observed on chemical rack near ice machine. Operator placed labels. **Corrected On-Site**

41-17-4

Basic - Lights in food preparation, food storage or warewashing area missing the proper shield, sleeve coatings or covers. Observed at light fixture at breading station

38-07-4

Apr 17, 2025

Routine - Food

1 minor violation.

View 1 violation

Basic - Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting. Pans on the shelf entering the dry storage area.

24-08-4

Sep 9, 2024

Complaint Full

1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 7 minor violations.

View 9 violations

High Priority - Presence of insects, rodents, or other pests. Around bottom of walk in cooler outside of established no flies were found inside.

35A-09-4

Intermediate - No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. Operator replaced towels at hand sink next to fryers. **Corrected On-Site**

31B-02-4

Basic - Buildup of food debris/soil residue on equipment door handles. Throughout kitchen area.

23-24-4

Basic - Clean utensils stored between equipment and wall. Spatulas in between wall and triple sink in ware washing area. Operator removed spatulas. **Corrected On-Site**

24-14-4

Basic - Old labels stuck to food containers after cleaning. In ware washing area.

16-46-4

Basic - Time/temperature control for safety food thawed in an improper manner. Pork in standing water in prep sink in meat cutting room. Operator turned water on continuous flow. **Corrected On-Site**

06-01-5

Basic - Wall soiled with accumulated grease, food debris, and/or dust. Wall soiled with food debris behind equipment at fryer station. Wall soiled with black mold like substance in behind dish washer.

36-27-5

Basic - Wet wiping cloth not stored in sanitizing solution between uses. Employee put clothes in bucket with solution. **Corrected On-Site**

21-12-4

Basic - Work clothes and/or linens laundered on premises without a washer and dryer. Operator washing clothes in triple sink and hanging them to dry on fence around dumpster area. Operator took rags of fence and placed in laundry basket.

21-40-4

Apr 8, 2024

Complaint Partial

3 minor violations.

View 3 violations

Required Records Available; Shellstock Tags/Labels

FL-14

Potentially Hazardous Food Held at Proper Temperature

FL-16

Plumbing Maintained; Sewage Disposal

FL-51

Feb 22, 2024

Routine - Food

1 critical violation. 2 minor violations.

View 3 violations

High Priority - Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license.

50-17-3

Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Cup of drink inside ice make table with food for the buffet line. Operator removed cup. **Corrected On-Site**

12B-07-4

Basic - Single-service articles improperly stored. Lids on floor removed. **Corrected On-Site**

25-05-4

Aug 3, 2023

Routine - Food

2 minor violations.

View 2 violations

Hands Clean and Properly Washed

FL-08

Warewashing Facilities Maintained and Used

FL-24

May 18, 2023

Routine - Food

2 minor violations.

View 2 violations

Food Contact Surfaces Clean and Sanitized

FL-22

Lighting Adequate; Required Shields in Place

FL-36

Sep 23, 2022

Routine - Food

1 critical violation. 4 minor violations.

View 5 violations

High Priority - Quaternary ammonium sanitizer not at proper minimum strength for manual warewashing. 00 ppm. The manager made new sanitizer 200 pp, **Corrected On-Site**

22-43-4

Basic - Employee personal food not properly identified and segregated from food to be served to the public. Welch's juice beverage inside the single door reach in cooler across from the fryers. The manager removed the beverage. **Corrected On-Site**

08B-49-4

Basic - Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Black apron on the prep table at the salad station. The manager removed the apron. **Corrected On-Site**

40-06-5

Basic - Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting. Pans on the shelf next to the hand washing sink in the dishwasher area. The manager separated the dishes. **Corrective Action Taken**

24-08-4

Basic - Reach-in cooler shelves with rust that has pitted the surface. Inside the single door across from the fryers.

14-33-4

Show all 9 inspections Show less

Frequently Asked Questions

When was Golden Corral last inspected?

The most recent health inspection at Golden Corral on file is from Mar 31, 2026. The public record contains nine inspections in total.

What is the most common violation at Golden Corral?

Across the inspection record, “equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting” has been cited two times, more than any other issue at Golden Corral.

How does Golden Corral compare to other restaurants in Winter Haven?

Golden Corral most recently scored 86 out of 100, which is about the same as the Winter Haven average of 88.

Has Golden Corral's inspection record improved over time?

Yes. Recent inspections at Golden Corral have averaged around one violation per visit, down from roughly five earlier in the record.

What does a low risk rating mean?

A low risk rating at Golden Corral 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 Golden Corral inspected?

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

Nearby Restaurants

Lake Roy Beach Inn

1823 Cypress Garden Blvd

5535 Cypress Garden Blvd Ste 100

Score: 82 — Low Risk

Explore More

→ All locations in Winter Haven → American restaurants in Florida → American restaurants in Winter Haven