Little Johns Diner
Last inspected: Mar 31, 2026
55
Score
The health department has logged eight inspections at Little Johns Diner, the earliest from 2022. Inspectors last stopped by on Mar 31, 2026. A medium risk rating points to a few notable findings at the last inspection, though nothing severe.
The picture has gotten worse over the last few visits, with the average climbing from around three violations to closer to eight violations.
“Operating with an expired division of hotels” accounts for the largest share of issues, appearing four times across the record.
Compared to other Winter Haven restaurants (averaging 89), there's room to close the gap. The record is unremarkable in either direction.
8
Inspections
1
Critical latest
3
Major latest
3
Minor latest
Inspection History
Mar 31, 2026
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 3 major violations. 3 minor violations.
View 7 violations
High Priority - - From initial inspection : High Priority - Dishmachine not sanitizing properly. Discontinue use of dishmachine for sanitizing and set up manual sanitization until dishmachine is repaired and sanitizing properly. Dishmachine sanitizer at 00ppm. Operator discontinued using the dishmachine. I had the operator to setup the 3 compartment sink. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2026-03-31: Dishmachine not sanitizing properly. Discontinue use of dishmachine for sanitizing and set up manual sanitization until dishmachine is repaired and sanitizing properly. Dishmachine sanitizer at 00ppm. Operator discontinued using the dishmachine. I had the operator to setup the 3 compartment sink. Run dishwasher 3 times 0ppm **Admin Complaint**
22-49-4
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : Intermediate - No chemical test kit provided when using sanitizer at three-compartment sink/warewashing machine or wiping cloths. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2026-03-31: No chemical test kit provided when using sanitizer at three-compartment sink/warewashing machine or wiping cloths. **Admin Complaint**
16-37-1
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : 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. **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint** - From follow-up inspection 2026-03-31: 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 **Admin Complaint**
53B-01-5
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : Intermediate - Manager or person in charge lacking proof of food manager certification and no other certified food service manager employed at this location. The only Certified Food Manager in the establishment certificate is expired. Paul Houvardas 11-11-2020. National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation - ServSafe **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2026-03-31: Manager or person in charge lacking proof of food manager certification and no other certified food service manager employed at this location. The only Certified Food Manager in the establishment certificate is expired. Paul Houvardas 11-11-2020. National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation - ServSafe **Time Extended**
53A-02-7
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Employee with no hair restraint while engaging in food preparation. Operator preparing food on the cook line. **Repeat Violation** **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2026-03-31: Employee with no hair restraint while engaging in food preparation. Operator preparing food on the cook line. **Admin Complaint**
13-03-4
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Gaskets on the flip top reach in cooler. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2026-03-31: Gaskets on the flip top reach in cooler. **Admin Complaint**
23-03-4
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Water leaking from faucet/handle. 3 compartment sink. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2026-03-31: Water leaking from faucet/handle. 3 compartment sink. **Admin Complaint**
29-11-4
55
Mar 20, 2026
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 5 major violations. 3 minor violations.
View 10 violations
High Priority - Dishmachine not sanitizing properly. Discontinue use of dishmachine for sanitizing and set up manual sanitization until dishmachine is repaired and sanitizing properly. Dishmachine sanitizer at 00ppm. Operator discontinued using the dishmachine. I had the operator to setup the 3 compartment sink. **Warning**
22-49-4
High Priority - Establishment using a sanitizer solution that does not meet the requirements specified in 40 CFR 180. Only use single-service items to serve food to customers until approved sanitizer is available for warewashing. Sanitizer available not approved for Food contact surface. The operator sent an employee to buy the correct chlorine bleach that's approved for food contact surface. Chlorine sanitizer is at 100 ppm. **Warning**
22-48-5
Intermediate - Manager or person in charge lacking proof of food manager certification and no other certified food service manager employed at this location. The only Certified Food Manager in the establishment certificate is expired. Paul Houvardas 11-11-2020. National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation - ServSafe **Warning**
53A-02-7
Intermediate - No chemical test kit provided when using sanitizer at three-compartment sink/warewashing machine or wiping cloths. **Warning**
16-37-1
Intermediate - No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. Hand washing sink in the kitchen and dishwasher area. **Warning**
31B-02-4
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. **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
53B-01-5
Intermediate - No soap provided at handwash sink. Hand washing sink in the kitchen. **Warning**
31B-03-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Gaskets on the flip top reach in cooler. **Warning**
23-03-4
Basic - Employee with no hair restraint while engaging in food preparation. Operator preparing food on the cook line. **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
13-03-4
Basic - Water leaking from faucet/handle. 3 compartment sink. **Warning**
29-11-4
39
Sep 11, 2025
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 4 minor violations.
View 6 violations
High Priority - Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license. February 1,2025. **Admin Complaint**
50-17-3
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
Basic - Current Hotel and Restaurant license not displayed. February 1,2021 **Warning**
50-09-4
Basic - Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Eyeglasses on the cutting board on the reach in cooler across from the cook line. **Warning**
40-06-5
Basic - Employee with no hair restraint while engaging in food preparation. Operator cooking food on the cook line. **Warning**
13-03-4
Basic - Wet mop not stored in a manner to allow the mop to dry. In the dry storage area. **Warning**
42-01-4
64
Aug 15, 2024
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 1 minor violation.
View 3 violations
High Priority - Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license. **Admin Complaint**
50-17-3
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Can opener soiled with food debris.
22-02-4
Basic - Employee with no hair restraint while engaging in food preparation. Cook with no hair net.
13-03-4
74
Feb 20, 2024
Routine - Food
1 critical violation.
View 1 violation
High Priority - Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license.
50-17-3
86
Sep 22, 2023
Routine - Food
1 major violation. 3 minor violations.
View 4 violations
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
Basic - Accumulation of lime scale on the inside of the dishmachine. **Warning**
16-23-4
Basic - Employee with no hair restraint while engaging in food preparation. Employee preparing food. **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
13-03-4
Basic - Equipment in poor repair. Door on the flat top reach in cooler across from the fryers. **Warning**
14-11-5
78
Feb 3, 2023
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 2 major violations. 2 minor violations.
View 6 violations
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Grits 125F. The operator turned the burner on to reheat the grits to 165F. **Corrective Action Taken**
03B-01-6
High Priority - Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license. February 1,2023.
50-17-3
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.
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.
11-26-1
Basic - Employee with no hair restraint while engaging in food preparation. Operator preparing food on the cook line.
13-03-4
Basic - Wall soiled with accumulated grease, food debris, and/or dust. Wall in the behind the dishwasher is soiled with black-mold like substance.
36-27-5
55
Aug 9, 2022
Routine - Food
4 major violations. 6 minor violations.
View 10 violations
Intermediate - Certified Food Manager or person in charge lacks knowledge of foodborne illnesses and symptoms of illness that would prevent an employee from working with food, clean equipment and utensils, and single-service items. Gave the operator a copy of the Big "6"Food Borne Illness. **Corrective Action Taken**
11-07-5
Intermediate - No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. Kitchen
31B-02-4
Intermediate - Employee washed hands in a sink other than an approved handwash sink. At the 3 compartment sink.
12A-03-4
Intermediate - No soap provided at handwash sink. Employee provided soap. kitchen **Corrected On-Site**
31B-03-4
Basic - Carbon dioxide tanks not adequately secured. Inside the dry storage area and next to the beverage syrup rack.
51-11-4
Basic - Employee eating in a food preparation or other restricted area. Employee eating pancakes and sausage on top of the flattop reach in cooler in the kitchen. Employee went to the dining area to eat his food. **Corrected On-Site**
12B-02-4
Basic - Employee with no hair restraint while engaging in food preparation. Operator on the cook line.
13-03-4
Basic - In-use utensil stored in standing water less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Ice cream scoops in water at 78F. On the table next to the milkshake mixer.
10-07-4
Basic - Interior of microwave has accumulation of black substance/grease/food debris. Red microwave on the table across from the stove.
22-08-4
Basic - Stored food not covered. Ham inside the walk in cooler.
08B-12-5
50
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Little Johns Diner last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Little Johns Diner on file is from Mar 31, 2026. The public record contains eight inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Little Johns Diner?
Across the inspection record, “operating with an expired division of hotels” has been cited four times, more than any other issue at Little Johns Diner.
How does Little Johns Diner compare to other restaurants in Winter Haven?
Little Johns Diner most recently scored 55 out of 100, which is lower than the Winter Haven average of 89.
Has Little Johns Diner's inspection record improved over time?
No. Recent inspections at Little Johns Diner have averaged around eight violations per visit, up from roughly three earlier in the record.
What does a medium risk rating mean?
A medium risk rating at Little Johns Diner 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 Little Johns Diner inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Little Johns Diner is inspected around two times per year on average.
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