Hgi Lakeland Great American Grill

3839 Don Emerson Dr, Lakeland, FL 33811
American
Last inspected: Mar 3, 2026
82
Score
Low Risk

The health department has logged 12 inspections at Hgi Lakeland Great American Grill, the earliest from 2022. The most recent visit was on Mar 3, 2026. Low risk indicates the latest report didn't flag anything that would worry the average customer.

Performance has remained roughly level over recent inspections, averaging near five violations each time.

When inspectors have written things up, “nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease” has been the most frequent reason, cited six times.

Restaurants in Lakeland average 86, so Hgi Lakeland Great American Grill trails the local norm. The record reflects steady performance over time.

12
Inspections
0
Critical latest
0
Major latest
4
Minor latest
Inspection History
Mar 3, 2026
Routine - Food
4 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Basic - Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting. Pans on the shelf next to the walk in cooler.
24-08-4
Basic - Handle missing at plumbing fixture. Handle missing for the cold water faucet at the 3 compartment sink.
29-09-4
Basic - Interior of microwave has accumulation of black substance/grease/food debris. On the prep ramble next to the flip top reach in cooler. Employee was assigned to clean the microwave. **Corrective Action Taken**
22-08-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Gasket on the flip top reach in cooler door. Across from the cook line. Employee cleaned the gaskets. **Corrected On-Site**
23-03-4
82
Oct 24, 2025
Routine - Food
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Accumulation of debris on exterior of warewashing machine. Top of the dishwasher. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2025-10-24: Soiled. **Time Extended**
16-21-4
95
Oct 16, 2025
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 3 major violations. 7 minor violations.
View 12 violations
High Priority - Raw animal foods not properly separated from each other in holding unit based upon minimum required cooking temperature. Raw chicken over hamburger patties inside the side by side reach in cooler across from the cook line. The chicken was relocated below the ground beef. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
08A-20-5
High Priority - Live, small flying insects found Observed 6 flying insects inside a case of white potatoes at the end of the prep sink across from the walk in freezer. The case of potatoes was discarded. Observed 6 flying insects on the potato dicer on the wall across from the walk in freezer. The potato dicer was removed to the dishwasher area and was washed, rinsed and sanitized. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
35A-02-7
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Blade on the can opener on the end of the prep table near the dishwasher. Potato dicer on the wall across the from the walk in freezer. The potato dicer was removed to the dishwasher area to be washed, rinsed and sanitized. **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
22-02-4
Intermediate - No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. In the bar area. Paper towels was replaced. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
31B-02-4
Intermediate - Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled. Spray bottle with blue liquid inside the spray bottle on the hand washing sink in the large bar that's used at night. **Warning**
41-17-4
Basic - Food stored on floor. A can of Housin Sauce on the floor under a shelf in the dry storage area. **Warning**
08B-38-4
Basic - Hole in or other damage to wall. Holes in the wall next to the potato dicer across from the walk in freezer. **Warning**
36-24-5
Basic - No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees. Hand washing sink in the bar area. **Warning**
31B-04-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Gaskets on the flip top reach in cooler across from the cook line. **Warning**
23-03-4
Basic - Single-service articles improperly stored. Coffee filters stored on top of the juice dispenser in the service area unprotected. The filters was removed. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
25-05-4
Basic - Standing water or very slow draining water in handwash sink. In the dishwasher area near the 3 compartment sink. **Warning**
29-20-5
Basic - Accumulation of debris on exterior of warewashing machine. Top of the dishwasher. **Warning**
16-21-4
39
May 22, 2025
Routine - Food
2 major violations.
View 2 violations
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Potato diver on the wall across from the walk in freezer. Can opener blade at the end of the table in the dishwasher area. **Repeat Violation** **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2025-05-22: Soiled **Time Extended**
22-02-4
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : Intermediate - No measuring device available for measuring utensil surface temperature when using hot water as sanitizer in a dishmachine. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2025-05-22: No device is available **Time Extended**
16-62-1
82
Mar 20, 2025
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 3 major violations. 3 minor violations.
View 7 violations
High Priority - Self-service salad bar/buffet lacking adequate sneezeguards or other proper protection from contamination. Cut melons on the breakfast buffet in the lobby. **Warning**
08B-01-4
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Potato diver on the wall across from the walk in freezer. Can opener blade at the end of the table in the dishwasher area. **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
22-02-4
Intermediate - Manager or person in charge lacking proof of food manager certification. Certificate provided the person is no longer employed. Deborah Cruz 7-11-2922 **Warning**
53A-01-7
Intermediate - No measuring device available for measuring utensil surface temperature when using hot water as sanitizer in a dishmachine. **Warning**
16-62-1
Basic - Food stored on floor. A bag of onions on the floor inside the walk in cooler. Several products on the floor inside the walk in freezer. **Warning**
08B-38-4
Basic - Label on a food item prepared and packaged onsite for customer self-service does not include product identity/description, date product was packaged and name and address of the establishment that prepared and packaged the food. Inside the display case in the lobby. Baked chicken and mashed potatoes Egg salad sandwiches Crispy chicken wrap etc. **Warning**
02D-03-4
Basic - Water leaking from faucet. 2 compartment prep sink. **Warning**
29-11-4
55
Jan 15, 2025
Routine - Food
2 major violations. 2 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : Observed: Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Potato slicer on the wall across from the walk in cooler. **Warning** Priority: Intermediate - From follow-up inspection 2025-01-15: Soiled **Time Extended**
22-02-4
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : Observed: Manager or person in charge lacking proof of food manager certification. **Warning** Priority: Intermediate - From follow-up inspection 2025-01-15: No proof of certified managers certification. **Admin Complaint**
53A-01-7
Basic - - From initial inspection : Observed: Light not functioning. Hood system. **Warning** Priority: Basic - From follow-up inspection 2025-01-15: Light burned out. **Time Extended**
36-62-4
Basic - - From initial inspection : Observed: Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Gaskets on the flip top reach in cooler. **Warning** Priority: Basic - From follow-up inspection 2025-01-15: Soiled. **Time Extended**
23-03-4
74
Nov 6, 2024
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 3 major violations. 3 minor violations.
View 8 violations
High Priority - Observed: Self-service salad bar/buffet lacking adequate sneezeguards or other proper protection from contamination. Cut watermelons at the breakfast bar. The watermelon was covered with Saran Wrap. **Warning** Priority: High Priority
08B-01-4
High Priority - Observed: Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Shelled eggs over cooked pasta is the side by side reach in cooler. Front kitchen. The eggs was relocated. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning** Priority: High Priority
08A-05-6
Intermediate - Observed: Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Potato slicer on the wall across from the walk in cooler. **Warning** Priority: Intermediate
22-02-4
Intermediate - Observed: Manager or person in charge lacking proof of food manager certification. **Warning** Priority: Intermediate
53A-01-7
Intermediate - Observed: No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. Front Counter and dishwasher area. Paper towels was replaced. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning** Priority: Intermediate
31B-02-4
Basic - Observed: Interior of microwave has accumulation of black substance/grease/food debris. On the table next to the flip top reach in cooler. **Warning** Priority: Basic
22-08-4
Basic - Observed: Light not functioning. Hood system. **Warning** Priority: Basic
36-62-4
Basic - Observed: Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Gaskets on the flip top reach in cooler. **Warning** Priority: Basic
23-03-4
47
Mar 26, 2024
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 1 minor violation.
View 3 violations
Certified Food Manager Identification
FL-02
Employee Health Policies Present
FL-03
Lighting Adequate; Required Shields in Place
FL-36
74
Jan 4, 2024
Routine - Food
1 major violation. 4 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : Intermediate - Manager or person in charge lacking proof of food manager certification. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2024-01-04: No proof of certified food manager. **Admin Complaint**
53A-01-7
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Exterior of the sides of the cooking equipment. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2024-01-04: Side of grill soiled on the front line. **Time Extended**
23-03-4
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Single-service articles improperly stored. Case of dinner napkins stored on the floor in the dry storage area. The napkins were removed from off the floor. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2024-01-04: A case of carry out containers on the floor at the entrance into the dry storage area. **Time Extended**
25-05-4
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Accumulation of debris on exterior of warewashing machine. Top of the dishwasher. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2024-01-04: Soiled. **Time Extended**
16-21-4
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Lights in food preparation, food storage or warewashing area missing the proper shield, sleeve coatings or covers. Walk in freezer. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2024-01-04: Light not shielded. **Time Extended**
38-07-4
74
Oct 30, 2023
Routine - Food
3 critical violations. 5 major violations. 7 minor violations.
View 15 violations
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Liquid eggs 53F inside the flip top reach in cooler on the front line. The product was moved to a working cooler. **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning**
03A-02-5
High Priority - Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. Spray bottle of comet cleanser on the side ledge of the ice machine. **Warning**
41-10-4
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Unpasteurized shelled eggs above milk and yogurt containers inside the walk in cooler. The eggs was relocated beneath other products. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
08A-05-6
Intermediate - Establishment has no written procedures for employees to follow in response to a vomiting or diarrheal event where the vomit or diarrhea is discharged onto surfaces in the establishment. **Warning**
11-27-4
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Blade on the slicer is encrusted with old food. Located on the r prep table across from the walk in freezer. Nozzles around the Harvest Valley Juice machine is soiled at the beverage station in the service area. **Warning**
22-02-4
Intermediate - Manager or person in charge lacking proof of food manager certification. **Warning**
53A-01-7
Intermediate - No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. Hand washing sink on the front line next to the kitchen entrance. **Warning**
31B-02-4
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. **Warning**
11-26-1
Basic - Single-service articles improperly stored. Case of dinner napkins stored on the floor in the dry storage area. The napkins were removed from off the floor. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
25-05-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Exterior of the sides of the cooking equipment. **Warning**
23-03-4
Basic - Employee drinking from an unenclosed beverage container in a food preparation/clean dishware area and the container does not have a dispensing mechanism to prevent hand contact with lip contact area of drink container. Open bottle of purAqua purified water on the shelf with dry storage. Beverage was discarded. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
12B-12-5
Basic - Accumulation of debris on exterior of warewashing machine. Top of the dishwasher. **Warning**
16-21-4
Basic - Lights in food preparation, food storage or warewashing area missing the proper shield, sleeve coatings or covers. Walk in freezer. **Warning**
38-07-4
Basic - Interior of microwave has accumulation of black substance/grease/food debris. On the table across from the steam table on the front line. **Warning**
22-08-4
Basic - Standing water in bottom of reach-in-cooler. Water inside the reach in cooler on the front line. **Warning**
29-49-6
27
May 1, 2023
Routine - Food
4 major violations. 4 minor violations.
View 8 violations
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : 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. Observed multiple packs of open cheeses not dated **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2023-05-01: **Time Extended**
02C-03-5
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : Intermediate - Establishment has no written procedures for employees to follow in response to a vomiting or diarrheal event where the vomit or diarrhea is discharged onto surfaces in the establishment. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2023-05-01: **Time Extended**
11-27-4
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : Intermediate - No paper towels provided at handwash sinks on cook line and by dish machine, and by back prep area **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2023-05-01: **Time Extended**
31B-02-4
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : 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. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2023-05-01: **Time Extended**
11-26-1
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Floor not cleaned when the least amount of food is exposed. Observed excessive grease and food buildup under cooking equipment **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2023-05-01: **Time Extended**
36-01-4
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - No Heimlich maneuver/choking sign posted. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2023-05-01: **Time Extended**
51-13-4
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Observed No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees. At any hand sinks in kitchen **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2023-05-01: **Time Extended**
31B-04-4
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Observed several Lights not functioning on cook line and back kitchen area **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2023-05-01: **Time Extended**
36-62-4
55
Aug 9, 2022
Routine - Food
1 major violation.
View 1 violation
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : Intermediate - Required employee training provided by a third-party employee training program and operator unable to provide original certificate for employees trained. Observed photocopies of Safe staff certificates **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2022-08-09: **Time Extended**
53B-09-4
90

Frequently Asked Questions

When was Hgi Lakeland Great American Grill last inspected?

The most recent health inspection at Hgi Lakeland Great American Grill on file is from Mar 3, 2026. The public record contains 12 inspections in total.

What is the most common violation at Hgi Lakeland Great American Grill?

Across the inspection record, “nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease” has been cited six times, more than any other issue at Hgi Lakeland Great American Grill.

How does Hgi Lakeland Great American Grill compare to other restaurants in Lakeland?

Hgi Lakeland Great American Grill most recently scored 82 out of 100, which is lower than the Lakeland average of 86.

Has Hgi Lakeland Great American Grill's inspection record improved over time?

Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at Hgi Lakeland Great American Grill have averaged around five violations per visit across the recent record.

What does a low risk rating mean?

A low risk rating at Hgi Lakeland Great American Grill 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 Hgi Lakeland Great American Grill inspected?

Based on the inspection history on file, Hgi Lakeland Great American Grill is inspected around three times per year on average.