Moe's Southwest Grill
Last inspected: Mar 27, 2026
95
Score
Moe's Southwest Grill appears in inspection records 15 times, starting in 2022. On Mar 27, 2026, the health department conducted the most recent visit. Diners can read the low risk label as a sign that recent inspections have gone well.
There hasn't been much movement either way: counts have stayed near two violations per visit across recent inspections.
“Time/temperature control for safety food” comes up most often, recorded three times in the inspection record.
That puts the facility ahead of the local pack: the average Lakeland restaurant scores 86. The file should reassure diners considering a visit.
15
Inspections
0
Critical latest
0
Major latest
1
Minor latest
Inspection History
Mar 27, 2026
Routine - Food
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Exterior door has a gap at the threshold that opens to the outside. Bottom of side door **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2026-03-27: Exterior door has a gap at the threshold that opens to the outside **Time Extended**
35B-01-4
95
Dec 30, 2025
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 1 minor violation.
View 3 violations
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Pinto beans 81F Grilled onions and peppers 81F The product was removed to be heated to 165F for hot holding of 145F. **Warning**
03B-01-6
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 - Exterior door has a gap at the threshold that opens to the outside. Bottom of side door **Warning**
35B-01-4
74
Jul 24, 2025
Routine - Food
No violations found.
100
Jul 17, 2025
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 1 minor violation.
View 2 violations
High Priority - - From initial inspection : High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Roasted corn salsa (47F-cold holding) sour cream (46F-cold holding) shredded Oaxaca cheese (47F - Cold Holding); shredded lettuce (47F - Cold Holding) inside the reach in cooler in the top and interior section. The product was put on ice in top section and product in the bottom was moved to the walk in cooler. **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint** - From follow-up inspection 2025-07-17: Pico 41F Cut lettuce 41F Shredded cheese 45F Ranch 51F Sour cream 57F In the top section of the reach in cooler on the front line. **Admin Complaint**
03A-02-5
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Floor soiled/has accumulation of debris. Floor drain soiled under the prep sink in the back . Under and between equipment. - From follow-up inspection 2025-07-17: Soiled. **Time Extended**
36-73-4
82
Jul 16, 2025
Routine - Food
3 critical violations. 1 minor violation.
View 4 violations
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. fried rice (104F - Hot Holding); white rice (106 F - Hot Holding front counter steam table.
03B-01-6
High Priority - Raw animal foods not properly separated from each other in holding unit based upon minimum required cooking temperature. Raw chicken over raw steak on the shelf inside the walk in cooler. The product was reversed. **Corrected On-Site**
08A-20-5
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Roasted corn salsa (47F-cold holding) sour cream (46F-cold holding) shredded Oaxaca cheese (47F - Cold Holding); shredded lettuce (47F - Cold Holding) inside the reach in cooler in the top and interior section. The product was put on ice in top section and product in the bottom was moved to the walk in cooler. **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
03A-02-5
Basic - Floor soiled/has accumulation of debris. Floor drain soiled under the prep sink in the back . Under and between equipment.
36-73-4
61
May 16, 2025
Complaint Partial
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Hole in or other damage to wall. Under handwashing sink **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2025-05-16: Disrepair **Time Extended**
36-24-5
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Standing water in bottom of reach-in-cooler. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2025-05-16: Water present. **Time Extended**
29-49-6
90
May 15, 2025
Complaint Partial
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 3 minor violations.
View 5 violations
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Walk in cooler Cold holding raw chicken 44,raw beef steak 46, cut lettuce 47, sour cream 47 Frontline Cold holding : pico 44, cut lettuce 45, shredded cheese 45, Advised manager to place items on ice **Warning**
03A-02-5
Intermediate - Probe thermometer not used to ensure proper food temperatures. **Warning**
05-10-4
Basic - Standing water in bottom of reach-in-cooler. **Warning**
29-49-6
Basic - Floor soiled/has accumulation of debris. Under prep tables, under and between equipment **Warning**
36-73-4
Basic - Hole in or other damage to wall. Under handwashing sink **Warning**
36-24-5
67
Dec 27, 2024
Routine - Food
2 major violations. 4 minor violations.
View 6 violations
Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Evidence of food being dumped in the hand washing sink in the dares.
31A-11-4
Intermediate - Water with a temperature of least 85 degrees Fahrenheit not provided/shut off at employee handwash sink. Dishwasher area.
27-16-4
Basic - Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting. Pans on the shelf next to the 3 compartment sink.
24-08-4
Basic - Light not functioning. Under hood system.
36-62-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Reach in cooler gaskets on the front counter.
23-03-4
Basic - Plumbing system in disrepair. PVC pipe is broken on the hand washing sink in the dishwasher area.
29-08-4
67
Jul 25, 2024
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 1 minor violation.
View 2 violations
Employee Health Policies Present
FL-03
Warewashing Facilities Maintained and Used
FL-24
82
Dec 12, 2023
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 1 minor violation.
View 3 violations
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Queso 132F Front counter.
03B-01-6
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Pico 44F. Front counter.
03A-02-5
Basic - No copy of latest inspection report available.
51-18-6
70
Sep 18, 2023
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 2 major violations. 3 minor violations.
View 6 violations
High Priority - - From initial inspection : High Priority - Quaternary ammonium sanitizer not at proper minimum strength for manual warewashing. Do not use equipment/utensils not properly sanitized. Tested at 0ppm **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2023-09-18: tested at 10ppm **Time Extended**
22-43-4
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : 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. Emailed copy to manager **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2023-09-18: **Time Extended**
11-27-4
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : Intermediate - Non-pitting surface rust on food-contact equipment. On can opener blade **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2023-09-18: **Time Extended**
22-31-4
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Drain cover(s) missing. In kitchen **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2023-09-18: **Time Extended**
29-18-4
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Light not functioning. In walk in cooler **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2023-09-18: **Time Extended**
36-62-4
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Exterior of tortilla chip containers and lids soiled, Fryers soiled as well. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2023-09-18: **Time Extended**
23-03-4
61
May 24, 2023
Complaint Partial
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 3 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Employee Health Policies Present
FL-03
Hands Clean and Properly Washed
FL-08
Approved Thawing Methods Used
FL-31
Equipment, Food and Non-Food Contact Surfaces Approved
FL-35
Lighting Adequate; Required Shields in Place
FL-36
61
Mar 27, 2023
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 6 major violations. 3 minor violations.
View 10 violations
High Priority - Food-contact surfaces not sanitized after cleaning, before use. Do not use equipment/utensils not properly sanitized. Observed employee take soiled immersion blender head then rinse it then used it to blend a sauce mixture without sanitizing it. Manager educated employee and had them properly wash rinse and sanitize it. **Corrective Action Taken**
22-45-4
Intermediate - No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. None at hand sink next to warmer. Manager refilled **Corrected On-Site**
31B-02-4
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
Intermediate - No soap provided at handwash sink. At hand sink next to fryer or at hand sink next to three compartment sink
31B-03-4
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.
53B-13-5
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 - Food service manager not certified within 30 days of employment. A list of accredited food manager certification examination providers can be found at http://www.myfloridalicense.com/DBPR/hotels-restaurants/food-lodging/food-manager/ James Rosa- no certification was employed October of 2022, no other cfm employed at location. **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
53A-04-6
Basic - Cove molding at floor/wall juncture broken/missing. Observed cove molding broken by front door across from mens restroom
36-03-4
Basic - Drain covers missing at mop sink, three compartment sink and prep sink
29-18-4
Basic - Employee with no hair restraint while engaging in food preparation. Observed 2 employees with no hair restraints
13-03-4
41
Dec 16, 2022
Routine - Food
3 major violations. 6 minor violations.
View 9 violations
Intermediate - Food service manager not certified within 30 days of employment. A list of accredited food manager certification examination providers can be found at http://www.myfloridalicense.com/DBPR/hotels-restaurants/food-lodging/food-manager/ James Rosa employed as a manager in beginning of October **Warning**
53A-04-6
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 - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Observed accumulated grease buildup in chip containers **Warning**
22-02-4
Basic - Cove molding at floor/wall juncture broken/missing. Throughout kitchen **Warning**
36-03-4
Basic - Floor not cleaned when the least amount of food is exposed. Observed accumulated grease buildup and food debris under cook line equipment **Warning**
36-01-4
Basic - Floors not maintained smooth and durable. Observed standing water, grease and food debris in dish and cook line **Warning**
36-11-4
Basic - Light not functioning. Observed several lights out in back prep area **Warning**
36-62-4
Basic - Light shield damaged/in disrepair. In back prep area **Warning**
38-01-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed exterior of chip containers soiled with grease and food debris. Sides and underneath cooking equipment has accumulated food debris. Observed excessive grease build up on taco holder shelf. Fan covers soiled in walk in cooler **Warning**
23-03-4
55
Jul 5, 2022
Routine - Food
1 major violation. 2 minor violations.
View 3 violations
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. **Repeat Violation**
53B-13-5
Basic - Bowl with no handle used to dispense diced tomatoes in walk in cooler. Manager removed bowl. **Corrected On-Site**
14-01-5
Basic - Exterior door has a gap at the threshold that opens to the outside. **Repeat Violation**
35B-01-4
82
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Moe's Southwest Grill last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Moe's Southwest Grill on file is from Mar 27, 2026. The public record contains 15 inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Moe's Southwest Grill?
Across the inspection record, “time/temperature control for safety food” has been cited three times, more than any other issue at Moe's Southwest Grill.
How does Moe's Southwest Grill compare to other restaurants in Lakeland?
Moe's Southwest Grill most recently scored 95 out of 100, which is higher than the Lakeland average of 86.
Has Moe's Southwest Grill's inspection record improved over time?
Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at Moe's Southwest Grill have averaged around two violations per visit across the recent record.
What does a low risk rating mean?
A low risk rating at Moe's Southwest Grill 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 Moe's Southwest Grill inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Moe's Southwest Grill is inspected around four times per year on average.
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