Lee's Famous Recipe Chicken
Last inspected: Dec 9, 2025
41
Score
Public records show nine inspections at Lee's Famous Recipe Chicken stretching back to 2022. On Dec 9, 2025, the health department conducted the most recent visit. A high risk tier suggests the facility had a rough recent inspection, with multiple violations on record.
Things have been moving the wrong way, with the rolling count rising from around four violations to closer to nine violations per visit.
“Food-contact surface soiled with food debris” accounts for the largest share of issues, appearing three times across the record.
That's lower than the typical Ocala restaurant, which scores around 78. Diners may want to scan the inspection details before deciding to visit.
9
Inspections
3
Critical latest
3
Major latest
3
Minor latest
Inspection History
Dec 9, 2025
Routine - Food
3 critical violations. 3 major violations. 3 minor violations.
View 9 violations
High Priority - Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. Containers of soap stored above clean pans on shelf above three compartment sink. Manager had employee move containers of soap to another shelf. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
41-10-4
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Items stored in warmer across from office: chicken (125F,133F - Cold Holding). Manager stated chicken placed in warmer thirty minutes prior to temperature being taken. Manager placed chicken in walk-in cooler to cool. **Corrective Action Taken**
03B-01-6
High Priority - Employee failed to wash hands before putting on gloves to initiate a task working with food. Employee handled raw chicken, put on oven mitts and proceeded to handle pan of cooked chicken pot pans without washing hands. Manager had employee remove oven mitts and wash hands. **Corrective Action Taken**
12A-07-5
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Blade of can opener on prep table across from walk-in cooler. Water nozzle for drive thru tea machine. **Repeat Violation**
22-02-4
Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Green scrub pad stored in hand washing sink next to three compartment sink. Manager removed scrub pad during inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
31A-11-4
Intermediate - Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled. Spray bottle of degreaser in cabinet beneath dining room soda machine. Manager placed label on bottle. **Corrected On-Site**
41-17-4
Basic - In-use utensil in non-time/temperature control for safety food not stored with handle above top of food within a closed container. Scoop handle for panko bread crumbs in container across from walk-in cooler. Manager placed scoop in bread crumbs properly. **Corrected On-Site**
10-01-5
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Hood vents above cook line fryers. **Repeat Violation**
23-03-4
Basic - Wet wiping cloth not stored in sanitizing solution between uses. Wet wiping cloth on counter for steam table. Manager placed wiping cloth in sanitizer bucket. **Corrected On-Site**
21-12-4
41
Aug 22, 2025
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 4 major violations. 6 minor violations.
View 11 violations
High Priority - Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. Degreaser stored over containers of flour next to three compartment sink. Manager removed degreaser during inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
41-10-4
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Potato press on wall outside of walk-in cooler. Ice chute on dining room soda machine. **Repeat Violation**
22-02-4
Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Container of soap stored in hand washing sink next to three compartment sink.
31A-11-4
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. One employee reporting agreement available. **Repeat Violation**
11-26-1
Intermediate - Proof of required state approved employee training not available for some employees. To order approved program food safety material, call DBPR contracted provider: Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (SafeStaff) 866-372-7233. One employee certificate available. Manager stated there are twenty employees that work at establishment.
53B-13-5
Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Employee drink on prep table across from cook line fryers. Manager discarded drink during inspection. **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. Umbrellas stored on shelf next honey mustard across from CO2 tank. **Repeat Violation**
40-06-5
Basic - Food stored on floor. Soda box stored on floor next to CO2 tank.
08B-38-4
Basic - Ice scoop handle in contact with ice. Ice scoop stored in ice bin of drive thru soda machine. Employee placed scoop in ice correctly. **Corrected On-Site**
10-08-5
Basic - No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees. No hand washing sign at hand washing sink next to three compartment sink. **Repeat Violation**
31B-04-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Fam on make line dusty. Fan covers in walk-in cooler dusty. Area around soda nozzles of dining room soda machine.
23-03-4
43
Mar 4, 2025
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 2 major violations. 5 minor violations.
View 8 violations
Hands Clean and Properly Washed
FL-08
Food Obtained from Approved Sources
FL-11
Food Received at Proper Temperature
FL-12
Approved Thawing Methods Used
FL-31
Personal Cleanliness
FL-40
Potentially Hazardous Food Held at Proper Temperature
FL-16
Food Contact Surfaces Clean and Sanitized
FL-22
Warewashing Facilities Maintained and Used
FL-24
47
Sep 13, 2024
Complaint Partial
No violations found.
100
Jul 24, 2024
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 4 minor violations.
View 6 violations
Food Received at Proper Temperature
FL-12
Adequate Handwashing Facilities Supplied and Accessible
FL-10
Required Records Available; Shellstock Tags/Labels
FL-14
Proper Hot and Cold Holding Temperatures
FL-21
Approved Thawing Methods Used
FL-31
Wiping Cloths Properly Used and Stored
FL-41
58
Nov 21, 2023
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 1 major violation. 3 minor violations.
View 6 violations
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food removed from cold holding for necessary preparation rose above 41 degrees Fahrenheit during the preparation process and was not cooled back down to 41 degrees Fahrenheit within 4 hours. Observed container of Cole slaw at 51F. Cole slaw had been made the day before and kept in the reach in cooler.
03D-07-5
High Priority - Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. Observed container of Cole slaw at 51F. Cole slaw had been made the day before and kept in the reach in cooler. Ambient temperature of reach in cooler 57F
01B-02-5
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. Observed person in charge cannot provide verifiable proof for 3 employees that employees are informed of their responsibility to report to the person in charge information about their health and activities related to foodborne illnesses. Employee Health responsibility form provided
11-26-1
Basic - Hole in or other damage to wall. Observed two holes in wall on each side of the mop sink in the back area of kitchen.
36-24-5
Basic - Bathroom facility in disrepair. Observed men's room is out of service
32-05-4
Basic - In-use utensil in non-time/temperature control for safety food not stored with handle above top of food within a closed container. Observed In-use utensil in non-time/temperature control for safety food not stored with handle above top of food ( sugar and ice )
10-01-5
58
Jul 17, 2023
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 5 minor violations.
View 6 violations
High Priority - Employee began working with food, handling clean equipment or utensils, or touching unwrapped single-service items without first washing hands. Observed employee wearing gloves come out of walk-in-cooler and went directly to breading Chicken Wooster washing hands or changing gloves. Manager discussed with employee to wash hands and change gloves. **Corrective Action Taken**
12A-16-4
Basic - Wet mop not stored in a manner to allow the mop to dry. Observed wet mop stored in a manner not allowed to dry.
42-01-4
Basic - Stored food not covered. Observed container of potato wedges stored in walk-in-cooler not covered. Manager covered the container **Corrected On-Site**
08B-12-5
Basic - Single-service articles improperly stored. Observed box of single serve cups stored on floor near bathroom doors.
25-05-4
Basic - Ice bucket not stored inverted or in a protected mannerbetween uses. Observed ice bucket used to transport ice not stored inverted or in a protected manner by ice machine. Manager inverted bucket **Corrected On-Site**
10-14-5
Basic - Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Observed employee keys and food items stored on top of soda syrup boxes.
40-06-5
67
Mar 6, 2023
Routine - Food
2 major violations. 2 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Observed the soda diffusers with buildup at the drive thru and dining area.
22-02-4
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. Observed a plan was not available for review. One was emailed.
11-27-4
Basic - Carbon dioxide/helium tanks not adequately secured. Observed the bulk co2 in the kitchen is not secured.
51-11-4
Basic - Wet wiping cloth not stored in sanitizing solution between uses. Observed 2 wet cloths not in solution, in the kitchen.
21-12-4
74
Nov 16, 2022
Routine - Food
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Basic - Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin. Ice machine soiled, mama cleaned during inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
22-20-5
95
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Lee's Famous Recipe Chicken last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Lee's Famous Recipe Chicken on file is from Dec 9, 2025. The public record contains nine inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Lee's Famous Recipe Chicken?
Across the inspection record, “food-contact surface soiled with food debris” has been cited three times, more than any other issue at Lee's Famous Recipe Chicken.
How does Lee's Famous Recipe Chicken compare to other restaurants in Ocala?
Lee's Famous Recipe Chicken most recently scored 41 out of 100, which is lower than the Ocala average of 78.
Has Lee's Famous Recipe Chicken's inspection record improved over time?
No. Recent inspections at Lee's Famous Recipe Chicken have averaged around nine violations per visit, up from roughly four earlier in the record.
What does a high risk rating mean?
A high risk rating at Lee's Famous Recipe Chicken 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 Lee's Famous Recipe Chicken inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Lee's Famous Recipe Chicken is inspected around three times per year on average.
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