Hibachi Express
Last inspected: Mar 26, 2026
64
Score
Inspectors have visited Hibachi Express 11 times, with records going back to 2022. The most recent visit was on Mar 26, 2026. A medium risk score generally means inspectors found things to fix, though most weren't urgent.
Things are looking better lately, with recent visits averaging around five violations compared to roughly eight violations earlier on.
When inspectors have written things up, “accumulation of black/green mold-like substance” has been the most frequent reason, cited six times.
By comparison, the average Winter Haven facility scores 88, putting Hibachi Express on the weaker side. The record is unremarkable in either direction.
11
Inspections
1
Critical latest
1
Major latest
4
Minor latest
Inspection History
Mar 26, 2026
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 4 minor violations.
View 6 violations
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over or with unwashed produce. In the walk in cooler raw shrimp over unwashed lettuce. Operator removed raw shrimp from over the unwashed produce in walk in cooler. **Corrected On-Site**
08A-04-5
Intermediate - No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. Next to the walk in cooler, employee replaced paper towels. **Corrected On-Site**
31B-02-4
Basic - Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin. **Repeat Violation**
22-20-5
Basic - Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. To scoop uncooked rice and flour
14-01-5
Basic - Employee with no hair restraint while engaging in food preparation on cook line, cook placed on hair restraint. **Corrected On-Site**
13-03-4
Basic - Light not functioning. Above grill**Repeat Violation** **Repeat Violation**
36-62-4
64
Sep 11, 2025
Routine - Food
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine. Interior sides of the ice machine with mold- like substance. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2025-09-11: Soiled. **Time Extended**
22-20-5
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Light not functioning. Hood system over fryers. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2025-09-11: Light out. **Time Extended**
36-62-4
90
Sep 10, 2025
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 4 minor violations.
View 6 violations
High Priority - Employee touched soiled surface and then engaged in food preparation, handled clean equipment or utensils, or touched unwrapped single-service items without washing hands. Employee used broom and dust pans and engaged in handling clean dishes and didn't change gloves until he was told. Employee removed gloves and washed his hands. **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning**
12A-29-4
High Priority - Nonexempt fish offered raw or undercooked has not undergone proper parasite destruction. Fish must be fully cooked or discarded. **Warning**
01D-01-5
Basic - Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine. Interior sides of the ice machine with mold- like substance. **Warning**
22-20-5
Basic - Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Plastic container in bulk rice on crate next to the back door. Cardboard lining bottom shelf of prep table next to the back door. **Warning**
14-01-5
Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Beverage on the prep table next to the double hot well. The beverage was removed. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
12B-07-4
Basic - Light not functioning. Hood system over fryers. **Warning**
36-62-4
61
Mar 27, 2025
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 1 minor violation.
View 3 violations
High Priority - - From initial inspection : High Priority - Raw animal food stored over or with unwashed produce. Raw beef over vegetables in walk in cooler **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2025-03-27: **Time Extended**
08A-04-5
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. In walk in cooler **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2025-03-27: **Time Extended**
02C-02-5
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Light not functioning. By dish machine **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2025-03-27: **Time Extended**
36-62-4
74
Mar 26, 2025
Routine - Food
4 critical violations. 2 major violations. 8 minor violations.
View 14 violations
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over or with unwashed produce. Raw beef over vegetables in walk in cooler **Warning**
08A-04-5
High Priority - Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. Raw shell eggs ambient air 87F on cooks line from previous day. **Warning**
01B-02-5
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Sushi cooler Salmon 45F, Crab meat 47 , placed on ice Cooks line Ambient air raw shell eggs 87F at room temp from previous day-stop sale issued. **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning**
03A-02-5
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Chicken 127F 120F sushi rice **Warning**
03B-01-6
Intermediate - No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. By ice machine **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
31B-02-4
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 **Warning**
02C-02-5
Basic - Ceiling tile missing. Walk in cooler **Warning**
36-36-4
Basic - Equipment in poor repair. Dish machine currently not in use 0ppm. Verified sanitizer for three compartment sink. **Warning**
14-11-5
Basic - Fly sticky tape hanging over food/food preparation area/food-contact equipment. Over dish machine **Warning**
35B-08-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Hood filters **Warning**
23-03-4
Basic - Light not functioning. By dish machine **Warning**
36-62-4
Basic - Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin. **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
22-20-5
Basic - Ambient air thermometer not located in the coolest part of the hot holding unit. Sushi cooler **Warning**
05-04-4
Basic - Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. On cook line bowel in kitchen **Warning**
14-01-5
30
Oct 22, 2024
Routine - Food
2 major violations. 5 minor violations.
View 7 violations
Intermediate - Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Cutting boards on top of the hand sink in ware washing area. Operator removed cutting boards.**Corrected On-Site**
31A-09-4
Intermediate - No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. Hand sink at end of cook line. Operator replaced towels. **Corrected On-Site**
31B-02-4
Basic - Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin. Top of the inside of the ice machine not touching ice.
22-20-5
Basic - Cardboard used to line food-contact shelves. In walk in cooler **Repeat Violation**
14-05-4
Basic - In-use knife/knives stored in cracks between pieces of equipment. Employee removed knife in between reach in cooler on cook line. **Corrected On-Site**
10-17-4
Basic - In-use tongs stored on equipment door handle between uses. Employee removed tongs on gas pipe on cook line. **Corrected On-Site**
10-20-4
Basic - Single-service articles not stored inverted or protected from contamination. On cook line. Operator turned face down. **Corrected On-Site**
25-06-4
64
May 14, 2024
Routine - Food
No violations found.
100
Mar 15, 2024
Routine - Food
4 major violations. 2 minor violations.
View 6 violations
Hands Clean and Properly Washed
FL-08
Adequate Handwashing Facilities Supplied and Accessible
FL-10
Food Obtained from Approved Sources
FL-11
Required Records Available; Shellstock Tags/Labels
FL-14
Approved Thawing Methods Used
FL-31
Toilet Rooms Maintained
FL-53
52
Dec 1, 2023
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 2 major violations. 2 minor violations.
View 5 violations
High Priority - Dishmachine chlorine sanitizer not at proper minimum strength. Discontinue use of dishmachine for sanitizing and set up manual sanitization until dishmachine is repaired and sanitizing properly. Observed Dishwasher (Chlorine 0ppm); Dishwasher (Chlorine 50ppm), operator primed chlorine to comply. **Corrected On-Site**
22-41-4
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. Provided form to operator. **Corrected On-Site**
11-27-4
Intermediate - No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. Observed on cookline, employee provided paper towels.
31B-02-4
Basic - Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin. Observed on interior shield and right side.
22-20-5
Basic - Uncovered food stored near sink exposed to splash. Observed cut cucumbers next to hand sink in sushi area. Employee moved cut cucumbers. **Corrected On-Site**
08B-54-4
64
Jun 8, 2023
Food-Licensing Inspection
1 critical violation. 2 major violations.
View 3 violations
Hands Clean and Properly Washed
FL-08
Potentially Hazardous Food Held at Proper Temperature
FL-16
Approved Thawing Methods Used
FL-31
67
Aug 19, 2022
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 3 minor violations.
View 5 violations
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over or with washed produce. Inside the walk in cooler. Pork over cut vegetables. Operator relocated the pork. **Corrected On-Site**
08A-04-5
Intermediate - Employee washed hands in a sink other than an approved handwash sink. Employee rinsed his hand at the 3 compartment sink. The employee washed his hands with soap at a designated hand washing sink. **Corrective Action Taken**
12A-03-4
Basic - Accumulation of debris on exterior of warewashing machine. Top of the dishwasher soiled.
16-21-4
Basic - Employee with no hair restraint while engaging in food preparation. Employee preparing sushi.
13-03-4
Basic - In-use utensil stored in standing water less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Spatulas in water at 125F. In the kitchen near the flat top grill. The manager discarded the water. **Corrected On-Site**
10-07-4
67
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Hibachi Express last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Hibachi Express on file is from Mar 26, 2026. The public record contains 11 inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Hibachi Express?
Across the inspection record, “accumulation of black/green mold-like substance” has been cited six times, more than any other issue at Hibachi Express.
How does Hibachi Express compare to other restaurants in Winter Haven?
Hibachi Express most recently scored 64 out of 100, which is lower than the Winter Haven average of 88.
Has Hibachi Express' inspection record improved over time?
Yes. Recent inspections at Hibachi Express have averaged around five violations per visit, down from roughly eight earlier in the record.
What does a medium risk rating mean?
A medium risk rating at Hibachi Express 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 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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