Happy Chef
Last inspected: Feb 23, 2026
74
Score
Happy Chef has been inspected 13 times since 2022. The latest inspection on file is from Feb 23, 2026. A medium risk score generally means inspectors found things to fix, though most weren't urgent.
Recent inspections have turned up roughly the same number of issues each time, hovering near five violations per visit.
“Wall soiled with accumulated grease” comes up most often, recorded five times in the inspection record.
Compared to other Lake Placid restaurants (averaging 82), there's room to close the gap. Nothing in the record is alarming, but there's room to improve.
13
Inspections
1
Critical latest
1
Major latest
1
Minor latest
Inspection History
Feb 23, 2026
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 1 minor violation.
View 3 violations
Supervisor/Person in Charge Present
FL-01
Procedures for Responding to Vomiting/Diarrheal Events
FL-05
Approved Thawing Methods Used
FL-31
74
Oct 9, 2025
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 1 major violation. 2 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Supervisor/Person in Charge Present
FL-01
Employee Health Policies Present
FL-03
Hands Clean and Properly Washed
FL-08
Food Obtained from Approved Sources
FL-11
Required Records Available; Shellstock Tags/Labels
FL-14
52
Jul 14, 2025
Routine - Food
2 major violations. 4 minor violations.
View 6 violations
Intermediate - Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times: drain cover and to go basket stored in handwashing sink by dishwasher. Operator removed. **Corrected On-Site**
31A-09-4
Intermediate - Commercially processed ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food opened and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked after opening. Milk not date marked. Operator date marked milk. **Corrected On-Site**
02C-03-5
Basic - Silverware/utensils stored upright with the food-contact surface up: spatulas and scoops in kitchen. Operator removed and stored correctly. **Corrected On-Site**
24-18-4
Basic - Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food in bag of rice. Operator removed. **Corrected On-Site**
14-01-5
Basic - Food not stored at least 6 inches off of the floor. Open bags of rice not stored correctly. Operator stored correctly. **Corrected On-Site**
08B-47-4
Basic - Floor not cleaned when the least amount of food is exposed behind line.
36-01-4
67
Mar 24, 2025
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 5 minor violations.
View 7 violations
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Butter patties on wait station at 74 F. Operator removed 20 Butter patties and voluntarily disposed of them. **Corrected On-Site**
03A-02-5
High Priority - Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. Butter patties on wait station at 74 F. Operator removed 20 Butter patties and voluntarily disposed of them. **Corrected On-Site**
01B-02-5
Basic - Establishment using wood (other than a hard, close-grained wood) as a food-contact surface. Wood chop sticks in kitchen stored with other utensils. Operator removed. **Corrected On-Site**
14-25-5
Basic - Old labels stuck to food containers after cleaning at pot rack. Operator removed to be washed. **Corrected On-Site**
16-46-4
Basic - Single-service articles not stored inverted or protected from contamination. Coffee filters not protected. Operator stored correctly. **Corrected On-Site**
25-06-4
Basic - Utensils stored upright with the food-contact surface up : spatulas , operator removed and stored correctly. **Corrected On-Site**
24-18-4
Basic - Wall soiled with accumulated grease, food debris, and/or dust at steam table. **Repeat Violation**
36-27-5
58
Sep 30, 2024
Routine - Food
1 major violation. 3 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Intermediate - No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink at triple sink. Operator placed at location. **Corrected On-Site**
31B-02-4
Basic - Accumulation of debris on exterior of warewashing machine. Operator cleaned. **Corrected On-Site**
16-21-4
Basic - Wall soiled with accumulated grease, food debris, and/or dust at cook line.
36-27-5
Basic - Silverware/utensils stored upright with the food-contact surface up at waiting station. Operator removed. **Corrected On-Site**
24-18-4
78
Apr 12, 2024
Routine - Food
1 major violation. 2 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : Intermediate - No proof of required state approved employee training provided for employee hired more than 60 days ago. To order approved program food safety material, call DBPR contracted provider: Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (SafeStaff) 866-372-7233. J.D. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2024-04-12: **Time Extended**
53B-02-5
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2024-04-12: **Time Extended**
14-09-4
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Equipment in poor repair: reach in chest freezer repaired with duct tape. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2024-04-12: **Time Extended**
14-11-5
82
Apr 11, 2024
Routine - Food
3 critical violations. 2 major violations. 6 minor violations.
View 11 violations
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food identified in the written procedure as a food held using time as a public health control has no time marking and the time removed from temperature control cannot be determined. See stop sale. Two dozen raw shell eggs on prep table. Operator removed from service. Operator was given time as temperature control paper work. **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning**
03F-02-5
High Priority - Container of medicine improperly stored. Sun burn spray stored with soup bowls on line. Operator removed. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
41-07-4
High Priority - Rodent activity present as evidenced by rodent droppings found. 5 rodent droppings found beside stand up refrigerator in storage area. Operator cleaned and sanitized. **Corrected On-Site** **Admin Complaint**
35A-04-4
Intermediate - Employee washed hands in a sink other than an approved handwash sink: in prep sink. Operator educated employee on proper hand washing techniques. **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning**
12A-03-4
Intermediate - No proof of required state approved employee training provided for employee hired more than 60 days ago. To order approved program food safety material, call DBPR contracted provider: Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (SafeStaff) 866-372-7233. J.D. **Warning**
53B-02-5
Basic - Hole in ceiling tile at water heater where plumbing comes into room. Operator will seal area. **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning**
36-36-4
Basic - No conspicuously located ambient air temperature thermometer in holding unit on line. Operator placed at location. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
05-09-4
Basic - Unclean building components, attachments or fixtures: shelves above line soiled. **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
36-50-4
Basic - Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable. **Warning**
14-09-4
Basic - Employee with no beard guard/restraint while engaging in food preparation. **Warning**
13-04-4
Basic - Equipment in poor repair: reach in chest freezer repaired with duct tape. **Warning**
14-11-5
39
Sep 25, 2023
Complaint Full
1 major violation. 7 minor violations.
View 8 violations
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime: can opener, operator removed and cleaned and sanitized. **Corrected On-Site**
22-02-4
Basic - Ceiling tile where cables come down in office has hole. Operator will cover.
36-36-4
Basic - Employee wearing jewelry other than a plain ring on their hands/arms while preparing food: operator removed bracelet. **Corrected On-Site**
13-07-4
Basic - Equipment or utensils not designed or constructed in a durable manner: spatula melted, and operator removed from service. **Corrected On-Site**
14-10-4
Basic - Food not stored at least 6 inches off of the floor. Oil for cooking not stored properly at six inches off of floor in storage. Operator removed and stored correctly. **Corrected On-Site**
08B-47-4
Basic - Open dumpster lid. Operator closed. **Corrected On-Site**
33-16-4
Basic - Shelves above line soiled. **Repeat Violation**
36-50-4
Basic - Walk-in cooler shelve soiled. Operator cleans every other day.
14-17-4
64
Sep 14, 2023
Routine - Food
No violations found.
100
Sep 7, 2023
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 3 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Certified Food Manager Identification
FL-02
Supervisor/Person in Charge Present
FL-01
Equipment, Food and Non-Food Contact Surfaces Approved
FL-35
Lighting Adequate; Required Shields in Place
FL-36
Wiping Cloths Properly Used and Stored
FL-41
41
May 11, 2023
Food-Licensing Inspection
2 critical violations. 1 major violation. 5 minor violations.
View 8 violations
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Raw turkey over butter. Operator removed and stored correctly. **Corrected On-Site**
08A-05-6
High Priority - Rodent bait not contained in a covered, tamper-resistant bait station. Sticky trap uncovered in dry storage. Operator removed. **Corrected On-Site**
41-23-4
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. Provided Operator with the Food Reporting Agreement. **Corrective Action Taken**
11-26-1
Basic - Wall soiled with accumulated grease, food debris, and/or dust at the dishwasher and in cook line area.
36-27-5
Basic - Unclean building components, attachments or fixtures: lights in cook line soiled.
36-50-4
Basic - Single-service articles improperly stored. Wrapped utensils for customers not protected at part that goes into mouth. Operator will wrap correctly, exposing handles not mouthpiece. **Corrective Action Taken**
25-05-4
Basic - Floor not cleaned when the least amount of food is exposed at side of walk in cooler and behind chest freezer adjacent to walk in cooler.
36-01-4
Basic - Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable on line.
14-09-4
52
Dec 1, 2022
Routine - Food
2 major violations. 8 minor violations.
View 10 violations
Intermediate - Non-pitting surface rust on food-contact equipment: top of reach in freezer and bottom of shelves . **Repeat Violation**
22-31-4
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. J. Martin
53B-14-5
Basic - Accumulation of debris on exterior of warewashing machine.
16-21-4
Basic - Building components, attachments or fixtures in poor repair: shelving at hand washing sink soiled attached to wall..
36-51-4
Basic - Employee eating in a food preparation or other restricted area. Operator educated employee on proper technique. **Corrective Action Taken**
12B-02-4
Basic - Floor not cleaned when the least amount of food is exposed behind walk in cooler.
36-01-4
Basic - Single-service articles improperly stored on floor in storage area. Operator removed and stored correctly. **Corrected On-Site**
25-05-4
Basic - Urinal not flushing/functioning properly in male bathroom.
32-23-4
Basic - Wall soiled with accumulated grease, food debris, and/or dust at hand washing sink in kitchen. **Repeat Violation**
36-27-5
Basic - Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Individual serving of peanut butter and brown sugar not labeled. Operator placed label on containers. **Corrected On-Site**
02D-01-5
55
Aug 15, 2022
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 2 major violations. 3 minor violations.
View 7 violations
High Priority - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food not consumed/sold within 7 days after opening/preparation. See stop sale. House made hard boiled eggs, dated 8/7. Operator removed and voluntarily discarded. **Corrected On-Site**
01B-24-5
High Priority - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food marked with a date that exceeds 7 days after opening/preparation. House made hard boiled eggs, dated 8/7. Operator removed and voluntarily discarded. **Corrective Action Taken**
02C-01-5
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime: can opener. Operator removed and cleaned and sanitized. **Corrected On-Site**
22-02-4
Intermediate - Non-pitting surface rust on food-contact equipment on top of reach in freezer and bottom of shelves.
22-31-4
Basic - Ceiling/ceiling tile shows damage or is in disrepair in dishwasher area.
36-32-5
Basic - Objectionable odors in male bathroom. Operator cleaned area and sanitized. **Corrected On-Site**
36-64-5
Basic - Wall soiled with accumulated grease, food debris, and/or dust at dishwasher. **Repeat Violation**
36-27-5
52
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Happy Chef last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Happy Chef on file is from Feb 23, 2026. The public record contains 13 inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Happy Chef?
Across the inspection record, “wall soiled with accumulated grease” has been cited five times, more than any other issue at Happy Chef.
How does Happy Chef compare to other restaurants in Lake Placid?
Happy Chef most recently scored 74 out of 100, which is lower than the Lake Placid average of 82.
Has Happy Chef's inspection record improved over time?
Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at Happy Chef have averaged around five violations per visit across the recent record.
What does a medium risk rating mean?
A medium risk rating at Happy Chef means the most recent inspection turned up a handful of issues that the health department wrote up but did not classify as critical.
How often is Happy Chef inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Happy Chef is inspected around four times per year on average.
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