Hibachi Buffet
Last inspected: Apr 28, 2026
45
Score
Hibachi Buffet has been inspected 15 times since 2022. The latest inspection on file is from Apr 28, 2026. Diners may want to take note: high risk reflects issues that a health inspector considered important.
Recent inspections have turned up more issues than earlier ones, averaging around 10 violations lately compared to roughly three violations before.
The most common issue across all inspections has been “nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease”, showing up eight times.
Hibachi Buffet's latest score of 45 falls below the Lakeland average of 85. This restaurant has more on its record than most do.
15
Inspections
0
Critical latest
5
Major latest
6
Minor latest
Inspection History
Apr 28, 2026
Complaint Partial
5 major violations. 6 minor violations.
View 11 violations
Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Towels and cooling wracking in hand washing sink, operator removed items. **Corrected On-Site**
31A-11-4
Intermediate - No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. At hand washing sink by dishwasher, operator replaced. **Corrected On-Site**
31B-02-4
Intermediate - No soap provided at handwash sink across from the cook line operator replaced soap. **Corrected On-Site**
31B-03-4
Intermediate - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Shrimp, raw beef,raw pork ,dice melons walk in cooler and
02C-02-5
Intermediate - Water with a temperature of least 85 degrees Fahrenheit not provided/shut off at employee handwash sink. No hot water at sushi station operator, operator turned on water. **Corrected On-Site**
27-16-4
Basic - Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin. Location kitchen, operator started process of cleaning **Corrective Action Taken**
22-20-5
Basic - Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Operator removed containers from seasonings and spices **Corrected On-Site**
14-01-5
Basic - Dead roaches on premises. One dead roach closed to the exit of the kitchen., operator discarded,and sanitized area. **Corrected On-Site**
35A-03-4
Basic - Employee with no hair restraint while engaging in food preparation. Cook line cook cooking shrimps and hibachi cook cooking while not wearing , hair restraint
13-03-4
Basic - Food stored on floor. Buckets of soy sauce In walk in cooler
08B-38-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Hood filters
23-03-4
45
Mar 23, 2026
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 4 major violations. 5 minor violations.
View 11 violations
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Raw fish above open jello in walk-in cooler **Repeat Violation**
08A-05-6
High Priority - Certified Food Manager or person in charge does not require employees to report illnesses and symptoms as required.
11-04-5
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Can opener Ice machine in dining room
22-02-4
Intermediate - Establishment advertised crab on menu/menu board but served imitation crab. Baked Crab on buffet. Chef removed label and relabeled. Baked Krab **Corrected On-Site**
52-03-4
Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Storing scrub pad in Hand washing sink in sushi area.
31A-11-4
Intermediate - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Cooked pork, chicken, prepared squid salad and cut melons not date marked in walk-in cooler.
02C-02-5
Basic - Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Quart container used as scoop in bulk items. Chef removed. **Corrected On-Site**
14-01-5
Basic - Food stored on floor. Walk-in freezer **Repeat Violation**
08B-38-4
Basic - Ice buildup in reach-in freezer and/or walk-in freezer. Ice buildup up on floor in walk-in freezer
14-69-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Bottom oh soda heads on both drink machines **Repeat Violation**
23-03-4
Basic - Wet wiping cloth not stored in sanitizing solution between uses. Prep counter
21-12-4
39
Nov 18, 2025
Complaint Full
2 critical violations. 1 major violation. 4 minor violations.
View 7 violations
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Walk-in cooler raw fish over ready to eat jello Walk-in cooler raw pork over ready to eat seafood salad. Operator moved items. **Corrected On-Site**
08A-05-6
High Priority - Raw animal foods not properly separated from each other in holding unit based upon minimum required cooking temperature. Walk-in cooler raw chicken over raw beef. Operator moved items. **Corrected On-Site**
08A-20-5
Intermediate - No soap provided at handwash sink. By the 3 compartment sink
31B-03-4
Basic - Employee preparing food in customer section of dining area. Green beans being prepped in server station in dining room
08B-48-4
Basic - Food stored on floor. Several case of food stored on floor in walk-in freezer.
08B-38-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Bottom of soda head with debris buildup
23-03-4
Basic - Stored food not covered. Frozen whole duck sitting on shelf in walk-in freezer not covered or protected. Walk-in cooler crab legs not covered
08B-12-5
55
Apr 29, 2025
Routine - Food
No violations found.
100
Apr 28, 2025
Routine - Food
3 critical violations. 1 major violation. 4 minor violations.
View 8 violations
High Priority - Stop Sale issued due to adulteration of food product. Stuffed oysters being cooked on reused oyster shell. **Warning**
01B-03-5
High Priority - Raw animal foods not properly separated from each other in holding unit based upon minimum required cooking temperature. Raw chicken behind raw beef on hibachi buffet. Operator moved behind chicken. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
08A-20-5
High Priority - Live, small flying insects found 20 live flies under shelving in stockroom 10 live flies in stockroom with single service items **Warning**
35A-02-7
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Ice machine **Warning**
22-02-4
Basic - Shells of oysters/clams/mussels/crabs shucked onsite used to serve food more than once. Server stated they wash oyster shells in dish machine before stuffing with oyster stuffing. **Warning**
25-39-4
Basic - Fly sticky tape hanging over food/food preparation area/food-contact equipment. Kitchen area **Warning**
35B-08-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Bottom of soda heads on soda machine in dining room **Warning**
23-03-4
Basic - Open dumpster lid. **Warning**
33-16-4
47
Jan 23, 2025
Routine - Food
1 major violation.
View 1 violation
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : Intermediate - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Several foods in walk-in cooler **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2025-01-23: **Time Extended**
02C-02-5
90
Nov 21, 2024
Routine - Food
4 critical violations. 7 major violations. 6 minor violations.
View 17 violations
High Priority - Hot time/temperature control for safety food received at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Egg foo young. On buffet 121 F , chef removed for buffet and discarded. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
03B-15-5
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over or with unwashed produce. Raw chicken over cut vegetables in walk-in cooler. Chef moved chicken **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
08A-04-5
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Raw chicken stored over octopus salad in walk-in cooler. Chef moved chicken **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
08A-05-6
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 in walk-in cooler. Chef moved chicken **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
08A-20-5
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Can opener **Warning**
22-02-4
Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. By 3-compartment sink storing gloves By dishroom stored silverware. Manager removed items **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
31A-11-4
Intermediate - No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. Sushi area. Employee replaced towels **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
31B-02-4
Intermediate - No written procedures available for use of time as a public health control to hold time/temperature control for safety food. **Warning**
03F-10-5
Intermediate - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Several foods in walk-in cooler **Warning**
02C-02-5
Intermediate - Required employee training expired for all employees. To order approved program food safety material, call DBPR contracted provider: Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (SafeStaff) 866-372-7233. **Warning**
53B-05-5
Intermediate - Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled. Spray bottle with oven cleaner not label. **Warning**
41-17-4
Basic - Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Bulk potato starch labeled as rice. **Warning**
02D-01-5
Basic - Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Using plastic quart container as scooping in bulk in bulk sugar. Chef removed container **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
14-01-5
Basic - Buildup of food debris/soil residue on equipment door handles. Reachin cooler doors on cookline. **Warning**
23-24-4
Basic - Food stored on floor. Several cases of foods stored on floor in walk-in freezer. Chef placed on shelving **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
08B-38-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Bottom of soda head in dining room. Operator had employees wash, rinsed and sanitized. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
23-03-4
Basic - Unclean building components, attachments or fixtures. Soak sink in dishroom with black debris buildup Dishmachine tables with black debris buildup **Warning**
36-50-4
20
Apr 18, 2024
Complaint Partial
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 3 minor violations.
View 5 violations
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food.raw pork stored over ready to eat vegetables in walk-in cooler. operator moved pork. **Corrected On-Site**
08A-05-6
Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Hand washing sink by 3-compartment sink storing cleaning items, Operator moved items. **Corrected On-Site**
31A-11-4
Basic - Bathroom facility not clean. Ladies handicap stall toilets
32-07-4
Basic - Floor area(s) covered with standing water. Serviceline operator cleaning it up. **Corrective Action Taken**
36-22-4
Basic - Time/temperature control for safety food thawed in an improper manner. Standing water in prep sink with thawing chicken
06-01-5
67
Mar 5, 2024
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 5 minor violations.
View 7 violations
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food.raw chicken stored over cooked pork in walk-in cooler . Operator moved raw chicken to bottom shelf **Corrected On-Site**
08A-05-6
Intermediate - Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Rubber gloves stored in hand washing sink by 3 compartment sink, Operator moved. Cups and silverware rack stored in hand washing sink. operator removed items. **Corrected On-Site**
31A-09-4
Basic - Ceiling tile missing. Above 3 compartment sink
36-36-4
Basic - In-use knife/knives stored in cracks between pieces of equipment. Operator removed knife. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
10-17-4
Basic - In-use wet wiping cloth/towel used under cutting board. Prep area
21-04-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Salt bulk container soiled
23-03-4
Basic - Stored food not covered. Salt bulk container Chicken in walk-in cooler. Operator covered containers. **Corrected On-Site**
08B-12-5
61
Oct 5, 2023
Routine - Food
No violations found.
100
Oct 3, 2023
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 1 major violation.
View 2 violations
High Priority - - From initial inspection : High Priority - Live, small flying insects in kitchen, food preparation area, food storage area and/or bar area. 40 live flies observed in dry storage area 12 live flies observed in back storage for single use items. No prepping of food in this area of kitchen - From follow-up inspection 2023-10-03: Live, small flying insects in kitchen, food preparation area, food storage area and/or bar area. 4 live flies in dry storage area by cans 2 live flies in hallway 2 live flies in storage area for single use items. **Admin Complaint**
35A-02-6
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : Intermediate - Clam/mussel/oyster tags not marked with last date served. For oysters **Repeat Violation** - From follow-up inspection 2023-10-03: Oyster tags not dated. **Admin Complaint**
01C-03-4
78
Oct 2, 2023
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 3 major violations. 7 minor violations.
View 12 violations
High Priority - Live, small flying insects in kitchen, food preparation area, food storage area and/or bar area. 40 live flies observed in dry storage area 12 live flies observed in back storage for single use items. No prepping of food in this area of kitchen
35A-02-6
High Priority - Raw animal foods not properly separated from each other in holding unit based upon minimum required cooking temperature. Buffet observed raw chicken behind raw beef. operator moved **Corrected On-Site**
08A-20-5
Intermediate - Clam/mussel/oyster tags not marked with last date served. For oysters **Repeat Violation**
01C-03-4
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Ice machine in serviceline
22-02-4
Intermediate - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Cooked products, noodles and salad mix in walk-in cooler.
02C-02-5
Basic - Dead roaches on premises. Two dead roaches by back door behind hot water heater. **Repeat Violation**
35A-03-4
Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Employee drink stored over the top of prep table. operator moved drink. **Corrected On-Site**
12B-07-4
Basic - Floor area(s) covered with standing water. By walk-in cooler
36-22-4
Basic - Food stored on floor. Several buckets of sauces stored on floor in walk-in cooler. **Repeat Violation**
08B-38-4
Basic - In-use knife/knives stored in cracks between pieces of equipment. Knife being stored in between reachin cooler and table. Operator removed knife. **Corrected On-Site**
10-17-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Bottom of soda heads on bottom soda machines.
23-03-4
Basic - Time/temperature control for safety food thawed in an improper manner. Frozen mussels in pans thawing in standing water. operator moved to walk-in cooler. **Corrected On-Site**
06-01-5
39
Jan 6, 2023
Complaint Full
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Proper Sanitizer Contact Time and Concentration
FL-33
95
Nov 14, 2022
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 5 major violations. 2 minor violations.
View 8 violations
High Priority - Raw animal foods not properly separated from each other in holding unit based upon minimum required cooking temperature. Raw beef behind raw shrimp on buffet line. Employee moved shrimp to back. Raw chicken stored above raw beef in walk-in cooler. Employee moved raw shrimp. **Corrected On-Site**
08A-20-5
Intermediate - Clam/mussel/oyster tags not marked with last date served. Oyster tags
01C-03-4
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Both ice machines
22-02-4
Intermediate - No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. Employee replaced paper towels. **Corrected On-Site**
31B-02-4
Intermediate - No soap provided at handwash sink. Employee replaced soap. **Corrected On-Site**
31B-03-4
Intermediate - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Egg rolls in walk-in cooler. Employee stated made on 11/13
02C-02-5
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Bottom of soda head on soda machine
23-03-4
Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Open employee drink on shelf above the cookline. Employee discarded drink. **Corrected On-Site**
12B-07-4
47
Jul 5, 2022
Complaint Full
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Wet wiping cloth not stored in sanitizing solution between uses. Prep area **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2022-07-05: Wet wiping cloth not stored in sanitizing solution between uses. Prep area **Time Extended**
21-12-4
95
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Hibachi Buffet last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Hibachi Buffet on file is from Apr 28, 2026. The public record contains 15 inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Hibachi Buffet?
Across the inspection record, “nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease” has been cited eight times, more than any other issue at Hibachi Buffet.
How does Hibachi Buffet compare to other restaurants in Lakeland?
Hibachi Buffet most recently scored 45 out of 100, which is lower than the Lakeland average of 85.
Has Hibachi Buffet's inspection record improved over time?
No. Recent inspections at Hibachi Buffet have averaged around 10 violations per visit, up from roughly three earlier in the record.
What does a high risk rating mean?
A high risk rating at Hibachi Buffet 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 Hibachi Buffet inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Hibachi Buffet is inspected around four times per year on average.
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