Hibachi Express
Last inspected: Oct 30, 2025
90
Score
The health department has logged 10 inspections at Hibachi Express, the earliest from 2022. On Oct 30, 2025, the health department conducted the most recent visit. A low risk tier reflects an inspection that turned up minimal issues.
Recent visits have produced comparable findings, with counts hovering near four violations per visit.
The pattern that stands out is “food stored on floor”, which has been cited four times.
Hibachi Express scores about where you'd expect for a Lake Wales restaurant. Overall, the inspection record reads well.
10
Inspections
0
Critical latest
1
Major latest
0
Minor latest
Inspection History
Oct 30, 2025
Complaint Full
1 major violation.
View 1 violation
Intermediate - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. In walk in cooler raw chicken, raw beef and shrimp.
02C-02-5
90
Oct 16, 2025
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 3 minor violations.
View 4 violations
High Priority - Live, small flying insects found One fly around three compartment sink. Operator disposed of the fly. **Corrected On-Site**
35A-02-7
Basic - Buildup of food debris/soil residue on equipment door handles. Soda dispenser back panel of the soda orange crush
23-24-4
Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Employee removed up to lower level. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
12B-07-4
Basic - Stored food not covered. In reach in freezer across from cook line. Operator covered food. (Krab Ragoons) **Corrected On-Site**
08B-12-5
74
May 29, 2025
Complaint Full
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 3 minor violations.
View 5 violations
High Priority - Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. In dry storage chemical nozzle pointed in the direction of the ketchup. Operator removed the chemicals. **Corrected On-Site**
41-10-4
Intermediate - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Items in reach cooler **Repeat Violation**
02C-02-5
Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Cook line on top of reach in cooler top. Operator removed beverage **Corrected On-Site**
12B-07-4
Basic - Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. In dry storage sweater and towel on top of roasted seaweed. Operator removed items. **Corrected On-Site**
40-06-5
Basic - Food stored on floor. Oil boxes on floor in dry storage Operator removed from the floor **Corrected On-Site**
08B-38-4
67
Feb 17, 2025
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 2 major violations. 3 minor violations.
View 6 violations
Certified Food Manager Identification
FL-02
Hands Clean and Properly Washed
FL-08
Food Received at Proper Temperature
FL-12
Required Records Available; Shellstock Tags/Labels
FL-14
Food Contact Surfaces Clean and Sanitized
FL-22
Toilet Rooms Maintained
FL-53
61
Oct 22, 2024
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 3 major violations. 2 minor violations.
View 7 violations
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Salmon -50F Tuna-56F Operator turned temperature dial up on the reach cooler. **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning**
03A-02-5
High Priority - Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored next to the canned foods in dry storage. Operator removed chemicals from next to the can. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
41-10-4
Intermediate - No proof of required state approved employee training provided for any employees. To order approved program food safety material, call DBPR contracted provider: Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (SafeStaff) 866-372-7233. **Warning**
53B-01-5
Intermediate - Nonfood-grade food drill used to mix food on the cook line. **Warning**
14-14-4
Intermediate - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Entire walk in cooler **Warning**
02C-02-5
Basic - Stored food not covered. Cheesecake in reach in freezer by sushi bar. Operator covered cheesecake. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
08B-12-5
Basic - Food stored on floor. In walk in freezer. **Warning**
08B-38-4
50
May 15, 2024
Complaint Partial
1 critical violation.
View 1 violation
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over or with unwashed produce. Raw shell eggs over unwashed vegetables in walk-in cooler. Operator removed eggs to the correct location. **Corrected On-Site**
08A-04-5
86
Dec 27, 2023
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 1 major violation.
View 2 violations
Approved Thawing Methods Used
FL-31
Wiping Cloths Properly Used and Stored
FL-41
78
Aug 16, 2023
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 1 minor violation.
View 2 violations
Hands Clean and Properly Washed
FL-08
Wiping Cloths Properly Used and Stored
FL-41
82
Mar 7, 2023
Food-Licensing Inspection
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 2 minor violations.
View 4 violations
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over or with unwashed produce. Raw shrimp over lettuce. Operator placed lettuce over raw shrimp. **Corrected On-Site**
08A-04-5
Intermediate - Nonfood-grade drill attachment to mix food on cook line.
14-14-4
Basic - Food stored on floor. NY Beef on the floor in walk-in cooler. Employee placed food off the floor. **Corrected On-Site**
08B-38-4
Basic - Stored food not covered. Employee covered egg rolls. **Corrected On-Site**
08B-12-5
70
Jul 12, 2022
Complaint Full
2 critical violations. 3 major violations. 2 minor violations.
View 7 violations
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Pasta 72F Operator placed in cooler for quick cool down. **Corrective Action Taken**
03A-02-5
High Priority - Raw animal foods not properly separated from each other in holding unit based upon minimum required cooking temperature. Cases of eggs stored above open cur beef and open cut shrimp in walk-in cooler.
08A-20-5
Intermediate - Employee washed hands in a sink other than an approved handwash sink. Observed manager washed hands in 3-compartment sink.
12A-03-4
Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Hand washing sink by 3-compartment sink stored pan in sink.
31A-11-4
Intermediate - Soap dispenser at handwash sink not working/unable to dispense soap. By3-compartment sink.
31B-06-4
Basic - Food stored on floor. Cases of food on walk-in freezer floor. **Repeat Violation**
08B-38-4
Basic - No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees. Both bathrooms
31B-04-4
50
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Hibachi Express last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Hibachi Express on file is from Oct 30, 2025. The public record contains 10 inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Hibachi Express?
Across the inspection record, “food stored on floor” has been cited four times, more than any other issue at Hibachi Express.
How does Hibachi Express compare to other restaurants in Lake Wales?
Hibachi Express most recently scored 90 out of 100, which is about the same as the Lake Wales average of 90.
Has Hibachi Express' inspection record improved over time?
Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at Hibachi Express have averaged around four violations per visit across the recent record.
What does a low risk rating mean?
A low risk rating at Hibachi Express 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 Hibachi Express inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Hibachi Express is inspected around three times per year on average.
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