Joyful Chinese Restaurant

7360 Kathleen Rd, Lakeland, FL 33810

Chinese

Last inspected: Jan 29, 2026

Score

Low Risk

Across the available record, Joyful Chinese Restaurant has nine inspections on file, the first dated 2022. The most recent report on file is from Jan 29, 2026. Low risk means the most recent visit produced few or no significant findings.

Recent visits have produced comparable findings, with counts hovering near three violations per visit.

The pattern that stands out is “food stored on floor”, which has been cited four times.

Compared to other Lakeland restaurants (averaging 85), there's room to close the gap. Taken together, the history is a positive one.

Inspections

Critical latest

Major latest

Minor latest

Inspection History

Jan 29, 2026

Routine - Food

1 critical violation. 1 minor violation.

View 2 violations

High Priority - Nonfood-grade bags used in direct contact with food. Observed in upright freezer.

14-31-5

Basic - Food stored on floor. Observed bucket of sauce on floor in walk in cooler.

08B-38-4

Aug 15, 2025

Routine - Food

1 critical violation. 3 minor violations.

View 4 violations

High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Observed large bowl of raw chicken stored over sauce, operator removed raw chicken. **Corrected On-Site**

08A-05-6

Basic - Food stored on floor. Observed 3 buckets of sauce on floor, operator removed buckets of sauce from floor. **Corrected On-Site**

08B-38-4

Basic - Single-service articles not stored inverted or protected from contamination. Observed plastic lids at front counter, employee inverted to comply. **Corrected On-Site**

25-06-4

Basic - Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Observed bowl in raw chicken container, employee removed bowl. **Corrected On-Site**

14-01-5

Mar 27, 2025

Routine - Food

2 minor violations.

View 2 violations

Basic - Accumulation of debris in the interior of the ice machine/bin. Observed on interior side wall of unit, operator leaned interior wall. **Corrected On-Site**

22-20-5

Basic - Wet wiping cloth not stored in sanitizing solution between uses. Observed on cook line.

21-12-4

Nov 7, 2024

Routine - Food

2 major violations. 1 minor violation.

View 3 violations

Required Records Available; Shellstock Tags/Labels

FL-14

Hands Clean and Properly Washed

FL-08

Approved Thawing Methods Used

FL-31

Feb 21, 2024

Routine - Food

1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 1 minor violation.

View 3 violations

High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Observed raw meat stored over peeled onions in walk in cooler.

08A-05-6

Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Observed utensils in sink next to prep sink.

31A-11-4

Basic - Floor soiled/has accumulation of debris. Observed in walk in freezer.

36-73-4

Oct 11, 2023

Routine - Food

1 major violation. 2 minor violations.

View 3 violations

Intermediate - No soap provided at handwash sink. Observed at front counter, operator replenished soap. **Corrected On-Site**

31B-03-4

Basic - Food stored on floor. Observed bucket of sauce on floor in walk in cooler.

08B-38-4

Basic - In-use knife/knives stored in cracks between pieces of equipment. Observed between table and flip top unit, employee removed knife from between equipment. **Corrected On-Site**

10-17-4

Apr 7, 2023

Routine - Food

2 major violations. 3 minor violations.

View 5 violations

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. **Corrective Action Taken**

11-27-4

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 form to operator. **Corrective Action Taken**

11-26-1

Basic - Food stored on floor. Observed fryer shortening on floor in kitchen.

08B-38-4

Basic - Reach-in freezer interior/shelves have accumulation of soil residues. Observed in upright white unit.

22-16-4

Basic - Employee with no hair restraint while engaging in food preparation. Observed on male employee during food preparation, employee put on hair restraint. **Corrected On-Site**

13-03-4

Dec 1, 2022

Routine - Food

1 critical violation. 3 minor violations.

View 4 violations

High Priority - Raw animal food stored over or with unwashed produce. Observed raw chicken stored over produce in walk-in cooler. Employee moved raw chicken to bottom shelf. **Corrected On-Site**

08A-04-5

Basic - Accumulation of debris in the interior of the ice bin. Observed on interior side walls of bin, employee cleaned interior walls. **Corrected On-Site**

22-20-5

Basic - Employee with no hair restraint while engaging in food preparation. Observed on male employee during food preparation, employee placed on hair restraint. **Corrected On-Site**

13-03-4

Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed food debris on gaskets in flip top unit, employee cleaned gaskets. **Corrected On-Site**

23-03-4

Aug 15, 2022

Routine - Food

No violations found.

100

Show all 9 inspections Show less

Frequently Asked Questions

When was Joyful Chinese Restaurant last inspected?

The most recent health inspection at Joyful Chinese Restaurant on file is from Jan 29, 2026. The public record contains nine inspections in total.

What is the most common violation at Joyful Chinese Restaurant?

Across the inspection record, “food stored on floor” has been cited four times, more than any other issue at Joyful Chinese Restaurant.

How does Joyful Chinese Restaurant compare to other restaurants in Lakeland?

Joyful Chinese Restaurant most recently scored 82 out of 100, which is lower than the Lakeland average of 85.

Has Joyful Chinese Restaurant's inspection record improved over time?

Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at Joyful Chinese Restaurant have averaged around three violations per visit across the recent record.

What does a low risk rating mean?

A low risk rating at Joyful Chinese Restaurant 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 Joyful Chinese Restaurant inspected?

Based on the inspection history on file, Joyful Chinese Restaurant is inspected around three times per year on average.

Nearby Restaurants

Spudsmash

1379 Marcum Rd

Score: 100 — Low Risk

Spontaneous Consumption

7997 Kaitlin Cir

Score: 86 — Low Risk

Family Grill and Food Mart

6411 Kathleen Rd

Score: 95 — Low Risk

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