Ole Times Buffet
Last inspected: Feb 10, 2026
52
Score
Across the available record, Ole Times Buffet has 13 inspections on file, the first dated 2022. The most recent report on file is from Feb 10, 2026. High risk indicates the latest inspection turned up problems worth knowing about.
Things have been moving the wrong way, with the rolling count rising from around four violations to closer to nine violations per visit.
When inspectors have written things up, “food-contact surface soiled with food debris” has been the most frequent reason, cited six times.
Ole Times Buffet's latest score of 52 falls below the Lake City average of 80. Diners may want to weigh the inspection history when deciding to visit.
13
Inspections
0
Critical latest
1
Major latest
7
Minor latest
Inspection History
Feb 10, 2026
Routine - Food
1 major violation. 7 minor violations.
View 8 violations
Hands Clean and Properly Washed
FL-08
Food Received at Proper Temperature
FL-12
Required Records Available; Shellstock Tags/Labels
FL-14
Food Contact Surfaces Clean and Sanitized
FL-22
Non-Food Contact Surfaces Clean
FL-23
Warewashing Facilities Maintained and Used
FL-24
Lighting Adequate; Required Shields in Place
FL-36
Insects, Rodents, and Animals Not Present
FL-38
52
Sep 10, 2025
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 7 minor violations.
View 9 violations
Adequate Handwashing Facilities Supplied and Accessible
FL-10
Required Records Available; Shellstock Tags/Labels
FL-14
Food Contact Surfaces Clean and Sanitized
FL-22
Non-Food Contact Surfaces Clean
FL-23
Warewashing Facilities Maintained and Used
FL-24
Equipment Adequate to Maintain Product Temperature
FL-29
Approved Thawing Methods Used
FL-31
Lighting Adequate; Required Shields in Place
FL-36
Insects, Rodents, and Animals Not Present
FL-38
43
Mar 12, 2025
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 2 major violations. 7 minor violations.
View 10 violations
High Priority - Vacuum breaker missing at hose bibb or on fitting/splitter added to hose bibb. No vacuum breaker on hose bibb in meat cutting room.
29-34-4
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Can opener blade soiled with food and mold-like substances. Ice machine interiors soiled with mold- like substances.
22-02-4
Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Pan and grill plate in hand wash sink next to buffet. Manager removed. **Corrected On-Site**
31A-11-4
Basic - Equipment in poor repair. Gaskets torn away on hot holding cabinet. Ice buildup in buffet reach-in cooler. Shelves rusted in produce walk-in cooler. **Repeat Violation**
14-11-5
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Mixer head soiled with old food debris and mold-like substances. Kitchen fan soiled with dust accumulation. Soda machine backsplashes soiled with mold-like substances. Can opener bar and frame soiled with old food debris and mold-like substances. Shelving in walk-in produce cooler soiled with dust, mold, and old food debris accumulations **Repeat Violation**
23-03-4
Basic - Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. No-handle cup used as scoop in croutons. Manager removed. **Corrected On-Site**
14-01-5
Basic - Ceiling tile missing. Kitchen ceiling tile missing.
36-36-4
Basic - Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance. Ceiling tiles, vents, and frames soiled with grease and dust accumulations.
36-34-5
Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Employee drink on prep table. Manager removed. **Corrected On-Site**
12B-07-4
Basic - Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting. Pans wet nesting n storage rack. **Repeat Violation**
24-08-4
50
Oct 17, 2024
Complaint Partial
No violations found.
100
Sep 19, 2024
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 2 major violations. 8 minor violations.
View 11 violations
High Priority - Employee failed to wash hands before putting on gloves to initiate a task working with food. Employee moving large pots of grease from floor to fryer changed gloves without hand wash before then cooking fish.
12A-07-5
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Can opener blade soiled with food and mold-like substances. Ice machine interiors soiled with mold- like substances. **Repeat Violation**
22-02-4
Intermediate - No measuring device available for measuring utensil surface temperature when using hot water as sanitizer in a dishmachine. No thermometer or temperature measuring strips for dish machine. **Repeat Violation**
16-62-1
Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Two employee drinks on prep tables. Employees removed. **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. Employee phone charging on prep table.
40-06-5
Basic - Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting. Food bins wet nesting on storage rack near three compartment sink.
24-08-4
Basic - Equipment in poor repair. Gaskets torn away on hot holding cabinet. Ice buildup in buffet reach-in cooler. Shelves rusted in produce walk-in cooler. **Repeat Violation**
14-11-5
Basic - Floor area(s) covered with standing water. Standing water in kitchen.
36-22-4
Basic - In-use tongs stored on equipment door handle between uses. Tongs hanging on cabinet door handle. Manager removed. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
10-20-4
Basic - Insect control device installed over food preparation area. Bug light over cases of sweet potatoes located between walk in freezer and ice machines. **Repeat Violation**
35B-02-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Soda machine backsplashes soiled with mold-like substances. Hood filters soiled with grease accumulation. Can opener bar and frame soiled with old food debris and mold-like substances. Shelving in walk-in produce cooler soiled with dust, mold, and old food debris accumulations. **Repeat Violation**
23-03-4
47
Apr 10, 2024
Routine - Food
No violations found.
100
Mar 28, 2024
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 3 major violations. 7 minor violations.
View 12 violations
Employee Health Policies Present
FL-03
Adequate Handwashing Facilities Supplied and Accessible
FL-10
Required Records Available; Shellstock Tags/Labels
FL-14
Food Obtained from Approved Sources
FL-11
Food Received at Proper Temperature
FL-12
Potentially Hazardous Food Held at Proper Temperature
FL-16
Food Contact Surfaces Clean and Sanitized
FL-22
Non-Food Contact Surfaces Clean
FL-23
Approved Thawing Methods Used
FL-31
Equipment, Food and Non-Food Contact Surfaces Approved
FL-35
Lighting Adequate; Required Shields in Place
FL-36
Wiping Cloths Properly Used and Stored
FL-41
29
Nov 14, 2023
Routine - Food
1 critical violation.
View 1 violation
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. Observed high temperature dishwasher sanitize at 154F **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2023-11-14: Observed high temperature dishmachine registering 156F **Admin Complaint**
22-49-4
86
Nov 3, 2023
Routine - Food
4 critical violations. 2 major violations. 6 minor violations.
View 12 violations
High Priority - Container of medicine improperly stored. Observed burn gel stored above hot box in kitchen. Manager removed burn gel and stored with first aid items. **Corrected On-Site**
41-07-4
High Priority - Dishmachine not sanitizing properly. Discontinue use of dishmachine for sanitizing and set up manual sanitization until dishmachine is repaired and sanitizing properly. Observed high temperature dishwasher sanitize at 154F **Warning**
22-49-4
High Priority - Employee dried hands on clothes/apron/soiled towel after washing. Observed employee portioning food, pull up his pants, grab trash can, leave and return to his workstation and not wash hands and put on new gloves before return to handling clean trays and portioning food. Manager discussed with employee. **Corrective Action Taken**
12A-18-4
High Priority - Vacuum breaker missing at hose bibb or on fitting/splitter added to hose bibb. Observed missing vacuum breaker on hose bibb with attached hose under sink in meatlocker room
29-34-4
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Observed food-contact surface of commercial can opener soiled with food debris, mold-like substance. Manager removed and placed in dishwash area **Corrected On-Site**
22-02-4
Intermediate - No measuring device available for measuring utensil surface temperature when using hot water as sanitizer in a dishmachine. Observed no measuring device available for measuring utensil surface temperature when using hot water as sanitizer in a dishmachine.
16-62-1
Basic - Clean glasses, cups, bowls, plates, pots and pans not stored inverted or in a protected manner.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 ice buckets **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
24-05-4
Basic - Employee personal food not properly identified and segregated from food to be served to the public. Observed employee drink stored on the middle rack above food (bananas) served to the public. Manager discarded coffee cup. **Corrected On-Site**
08B-49-4
Basic - Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting. Observed equipment (Pans) not properly air-dried, and stored wet on clean ware rack resulting in wet nesting.
24-08-4
Basic - Ice buildup in reach-in freezer and/or walk-in freezer. Observed ice build up in walk-in-freezer on racks and floor.
14-69-4
Basic - Single-service articles not stored inverted or protected from contamination. Observed tooth picks in a bowel by the cash register that are not individually wrapped or protected. The toothpicks are available to the public to pick and choose toothpicks.
25-06-4
Basic - Stored food not covered. Observed noodles in walk-in-freezer not covered. **Repeat Violation**
08B-12-5
33
Sep 12, 2023
Complaint Full
1 major violation.
View 1 violation
Toilet Rooms Maintained
FL-53
90
Jun 21, 2023
Complaint Full
2 major violations. 6 minor violations.
View 8 violations
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Can opener blade soiled with food debris. Ice machines soiled with slimy black mold-like substance.
22-02-4
Intermediate - No proof of required state approved employee training provided for employee hired more than 60 days ago. To order approved program food safety material, call DBPR contracted provider: Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (SafeStaff) 866-372-7233. Some employees hired over 60 days with no food handler certification. **Warning**
53B-02-5
Basic - Clean glasses, cups, bowls, plates, pots and pans not stored inverted or in a protected manner. Ice buckets no inverted or protected. Manager removed for cleaning. **Corrective Action Taken**
24-05-4
Basic - Equipment in poor repair. Gaskets loose and out of place on hot holding box.
14-11-5
Basic - Food stored on floor. Boxes of oil on floor in office.
08B-38-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Reach-in cooler gaskets soiled with food debris. Upper plates around nozzles of soda dispenser soiled with mold-like substance.
23-03-4
Basic - Stored food not covered. Prepped meatballs in walk-in cooler not covered.
08B-12-5
Basic - Time/temperature control for safety food thawed in an improper manner. Pork thawing in sink in standing warm water. Manager started water running over it. **Corrective Action Taken**
06-01-5
61
Feb 7, 2023
Routine - Food
3 major violations. 8 minor violations.
View 11 violations
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Mixer upper plate and guards soiled with food and mold-like debris. Can-opener blade soiled with unknown substance. Interior of kitchen ice machine. **Repeat Violation**
22-02-4
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. No documentation available for employee health status reporting.
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. **Repeat Violation**
53B-13-5
Basic - Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance. Air vents and tiles throughout kitchen. **Repeat Violation**
36-34-5
Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Employee drink on prep table next to hotbox. Employee moved. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
12B-07-4
Basic - Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Backpack and personal speakers on utensil shelves next to hotbox. **Repeat Violation**
40-06-5
Basic - Hole in or other damage to wall. Outside of walk-in freezer. Behind/under dishwash machine. **Repeat Violation**
36-24-5
Basic - Hood filter missing from automatic fire suppression/exhaust system. Over mixer in center cook-line.
14-42-4
Basic - Insect control device installed over food preparation area. Over prep/sink table next to ice machines. **Repeat Violation**
35B-02-4
Basic - Stored food not covered. Several items (pies, meatballs, butts, etc) on racks stored uncovered in walk-in coolers. **Repeat Violation**
08B-12-5
Basic - Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Bulk container of cracker crumbs unlabeled in bakery area. **Repeat Violation**
02D-01-5
50
Aug 1, 2022
Routine - Food
4 critical violations. 3 major violations. 14 minor violations.
View 21 violations
High Priority - Self-service salad bar/buffet lacking adequate sneezeguards or other proper protection from contamination. New pie bar with no sneeze guards, manager had employees wrap pies with plastic wrap. **Corrected On-Site**
08B-01-4
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Salad bar: cottage cheese (41-47F - Cold Holding) manager said all other items are on time but cottage cheese is on temperature. **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
03A-02-5
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Buffet line: pork (112F - Hot Holding) pizza (83F - Hot Holding) the pizza warmer was not turned on and the pork they reheated to get it back up to temperature. **Corrective Action Taken** **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
03B-01-6
High Priority - Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. Soap in box with seasonings at prep area. Chemical spray on top of ice machine.
41-10-4
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Interior top of both ice machines in back kitchen.
22-02-4
Intermediate - Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Bucket in Handwash sink at buffet line and sanitizer bucket in Handwash sink at server station by the back door.
31A-09-4
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
Basic - Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance. Around the air vents throughout the kitchen. Wall soiled outside of walk in freezer. **Repeat Violation**
36-34-5
Basic - Clean utensils stored between equipment and wall. Knife at prep area next to fryers area. Employee moved. **Corrected On-Site**
24-14-4
Basic - Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Phone on shelf above seasonings at salad prep area. Employee moved. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
40-06-5
Basic - Hole in or other damage to wall. At the dish machine.
36-24-5
Basic - Ice scoop handle in contact with ice. Inside ice machine at server station by outside door. **Repeat Violation**
10-08-5
Basic - In-use utensil not stored with handle above the top of time/temperature control for safety food and rim of the container. Spoons with handles in pasta salad and coleslaw in salad walk in cooler. Employee removed utensils. **Corrected On-Site**
10-06-5
Basic - In-use utensil stored in standing water less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. 119F in pitcher with spoons at prep area.
10-07-4
Basic - Insect control device installed over food preparation area. Over prep sink/table next to ice machines. **Repeat Violation**
35B-02-4
Basic - No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees. Sink at dish machine and Three compartment sink area. **Repeat Violation**
31B-04-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Exterior bulk containers. **Repeat Violation**
23-03-4
Basic - Sanitizing solution for wiping cloths not free of food debris and visible soil. Sanitizer bucket at prep area with black pepper floating in it. Employee discarded. **Corrected On-Site**
21-11-4
Basic - Stored food not covered. Multiple items on cooling racks made previous days cold holding.
08B-12-5
Basic - Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Bulk containers at baking area not labeled. **Repeat Violation**
02D-01-5
Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Employee beverage on table next to clean utensils on buffet line. Drink on rack above Three compartment sink next to clean bowls. Drink on top of hot box by pass through window. **Repeat Violation**
12B-07-4
20
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Ole Times Buffet last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Ole Times Buffet on file is from Feb 10, 2026. The public record contains 13 inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Ole Times Buffet?
Across the inspection record, “food-contact surface soiled with food debris” has been cited six times, more than any other issue at Ole Times Buffet.
How does Ole Times Buffet compare to other restaurants in Lake City?
Ole Times Buffet most recently scored 52 out of 100, which is lower than the Lake City average of 80.
Has Ole Times Buffet's inspection record improved over time?
No. Recent inspections at Ole Times Buffet 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 Ole Times Buffet 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 Ole Times Buffet inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Ole Times Buffet is inspected around four times per year on average.
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