Panda Rest (The)
Last inspected: Oct 28, 2025
37
Score
The health department has logged nine inspections at Panda Rest (The), the earliest from 2022. The latest inspection on file is from Oct 28, 2025. A high risk rating points to multiple serious findings at the most recent inspection.
The picture has improved over the last few visits: recent inspections have averaged around 13 violations, down from roughly 16 violations earlier in the record.
Across the inspection history, “container of medicine improperly stored” is the issue that surfaces most often, recorded three times.
That's lower than the typical Wauchula restaurant, which scores around 70. This restaurant has more on its record than most do.
9
Inspections
1
Critical latest
1
Major latest
8
Minor latest
Inspection History
Oct 28, 2025
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 8 minor violations.
View 10 violations
Certified Food Manager Identification
FL-02
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
Equipment, Food and Non-Food Contact Surfaces Approved
FL-35
Wiping Cloths Properly Used and Stored
FL-41
Washing Fruits and Vegetables
FL-42
Food Temperature Measuring Devices Provided and Accurate
FL-46
37
Jun 27, 2025
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 2 major violations. 9 minor violations.
View 12 violations
High Priority - - From initial inspection : High Priority - Pesticide/insecticide labeled for household use only present in establishment. Observed two cans of raid pesticide on a prep table in the kitchen. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2025-06-27: **Time Extended**
41-05-4
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : Intermediate - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Observed chicken, pork and chow mein noodles in the walk in cooler with no date mark. **Repeat Violation** **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2025-06-27: **Time Extended**
02C-02-5
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : Intermediate - Required employee training expired for all employees. To order approved program food safety material, call DBPR contracted provider: Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (SafeStaff) 866-372-7233. Only one employee R. Liao expired 5/30/2024. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2025-06-27: **Time Extended**
53B-05-5
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin. Observed black like substance on the white guard in the ice machine located in kitchen. **Repeat Violation** **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2025-06-27: **Time Extended**
22-20-5
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Exterior door has a gap at the threshold that opens to the outside. Observed gap on the bottom at back screen door. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2025-06-27: **Time Extended**
35B-01-4
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Food stored on floor. Observed container of soy sauce on the floor in the walk in cooler and bottle juice on the floor in the bar area. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2025-06-27: **Time Extended**
08B-38-4
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Interior of oven/microwave has accumulation of black substance/grease/food debris. Observed both microwaves in the kitchen have old food debris in them. **Repeat Violation** **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2025-06-27: **Time Extended**
22-08-4
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed gaskets in the reach in coolers soiled with food debris and grease buildup on the floor around the fryer in the kitchen. **Repeat Violation** **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2025-06-27: **Time Extended**
23-03-4
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Open dumpster lid. **Repeat Violation** **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2025-06-27: **Time Extended**
33-16-4
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Plumbing system in disrepair. Observed in kitchen, hot water is not working at 2 compartment sink. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2025-06-27: **Time Extended**
29-08-4
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Storage of maintenance equipment/tools in areas that may result in cross contamination of food, equipment, utensils, linens and/or single-service and single-use articles. Maintenance tools and a saw located in kitchen. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2025-06-27: **Time Extended**
42-03-5
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Observed bottles of sauce on the cook line not labeled. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2025-06-27: **Time Extended**
02D-01-5
45
Jun 26, 2025
Routine - Food
3 critical violations. 3 major violations. 11 minor violations.
View 17 violations
High Priority - Container of medicine improperly stored. Observed allergy medicine and vitamins on the cook line, owner moved. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
41-07-4
High Priority - Pesticide/insecticide labeled for household use only present in establishment. Observed two cans of raid pesticide on a prep table in the kitchen. **Warning**
41-05-4
High Priority - Roach activity present as evidenced by live roaches found. Observed two roaches on a shelf in the kitchen. **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
35A-05-4
Intermediate - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Observed chicken, pork and chow mein noodles in the walk in cooler with no date mark. **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
02C-02-5
Intermediate - Required employee training expired for all employees. To order approved program food safety material, call DBPR contracted provider: Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (SafeStaff) 866-372-7233. Only one employee R. Liao expired 5/30/2024. **Warning**
53B-05-5
Intermediate - Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled. Observed spray bottle not labeled at the three compartment sink. **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
41-17-4
Basic - Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin. Observed black like substance on the white guard in the ice machine located in kitchen. **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
22-20-5
Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Observed container of drinks on food prep tables in kitchen, employee moved. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
12B-07-4
Basic - Exterior door has a gap at the threshold that opens to the outside. Observed gap on the bottom at back screen door. **Warning**
35B-01-4
Basic - Food stored on floor. Observed container of soy sauce on the floor in the walk in cooler and bottle juice on the floor in the bar area. **Warning**
08B-38-4
Basic - Interior of oven/microwave has accumulation of black substance/grease/food debris. Observed both microwaves in the kitchen have old food debris in them. **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
22-08-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed gaskets in the reach in coolers soiled with food debris and grease buildup on the floor around the fryer in the kitchen. **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
23-03-4
Basic - Open dumpster lid. **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
33-16-4
Basic - Plumbing system in disrepair. Observed in kitchen, hot water is not working at 2 compartment sink. **Warning**
29-08-4
Basic - Storage of maintenance equipment/tools in areas that may result in cross contamination of food, equipment, utensils, linens and/or single-service and single-use articles. Maintenance tools and a saw located in kitchen. **Warning**
42-03-5
Basic - Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Observed bottles of sauce on the cook line not labeled. **Warning**
02D-01-5
Basic - Dead roaches on premises. Observed two dead roaches in a bucket of water underneath sink. **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
35A-03-4
27
Feb 28, 2025
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 8 minor violations.
View 10 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
Toxic Substances Properly Identified, Stored, Used
FL-32
Proper Sanitizer Contact Time and Concentration
FL-33
Equipment, Food and Non-Food Contact Surfaces Approved
FL-35
Wiping Cloths Properly Used and Stored
FL-41
Washing Fruits and Vegetables
FL-42
43
Feb 26, 2025
Routine - Food
6 critical violations. 6 major violations. 16 minor violations.
View 28 violations
High Priority - Container of medicine improperly stored. Observed several bottles of medicine and vitamins throughout the kitchen, on the cook line and prep area. **Warning**
41-07-4
High Priority - Dented/rusted cans present. See stop sale. Observed three cans of dented peaches in back of kitchen on the shelf, operator removed. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
01B-01-4
High Priority - Employee handled soiled equipment or utensils and then engaged in food preparation, handled clean equipment or utensils, or touched unwrapped single-service items without washing hands. Observed operator removed car keys and medicine went to prepping fish stopped and explained have to wash hands, educated. **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning**
12A-13-4
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Observed raw pork ribs stored over ready to eat washed green beans in the walk in cooler. Observed raw hard shell eggs over cooked noodles in the walk in cooler. **Warning**
08A-05-6
High Priority - Roach activity present as evidenced by live roaches found. One live roach on the floor in front of cook line, one live roach in the paper towels on the prep table in the kitchen. One live roach on shelf in dry storage area. **Admin Complaint**
35A-05-4
High Priority - Roach excrement and/or droppings present. Observed roach droppings on a plastic container on the shelves in dry storage. **Admin Complaint**
35A-23-4
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. **Warning**
11-26-1
Intermediate - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Observed several containers in the walk in cooler of chicken, pork ribs, chow mein noodles, beef not date marked. **Warning**
02C-02-5
Intermediate - Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled. Observed unlabeled spray bottles in the wait station area next to water pitcher and drinking cups, employee removed. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
41-17-4
Intermediate - Toxic substance/chemical on premise that is not required for the operation of establishment. Observed several cans of raid throughout the kitchen. **Warning**
41-04-4
Intermediate - Employee washed hands in a sink other than an approved handwash sink. Observed operator washing hands in a prep sink instead of a handwashing sink, operator washed hands in handwashing sink. **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning**
12A-03-4
Intermediate - Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Observed several buckets of soy sauce blocking the sink, operator removed. **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
31A-09-4
Basic - Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin. Observed ice machine with interior/exterior slime like substance. **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
22-20-5
Basic - Buildup of food debris/soil residue on equipment door handles. Observed food debris on door handles to the reach in cooler, on the cook line. **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
23-24-4
Basic - Covered waste receptacle not provided in women's bathroom. Observed no lids on the woman's waste receptacle in the women's bathroom. **Warning**
32-12-6
Basic - Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable. Observed several cutting boards that are grooved in the kitchen. **Warning**
14-09-4
Basic - Dead roaches on premises. Observed three dead roaches on prep table in kitchen, two dead roaches in between reach in cooler in kitchen. **Admin Complaint**
35A-03-4
Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Observed employees drinks on the cook line, and in the prep area. **Warning**
12B-07-4
Basic - Employee with no hair restraint while engaging in food preparation. Observed operator and employee without hair restraints on. **Warning**
13-03-4
Basic - Food not stored at least 6 inches off of the floor. Observed several containers of soy sauce on the floor in the walk in cooler. **Warning**
08B-47-4
Basic - Ice scoop handle in contact with ice. Observed ice scoop in the ice at the front counter ice machine, employee removed. **Warning**
10-08-5
Basic - Improper storage of maintenance equipment that interferes with cleaning. Observed numerous maintenance equipment throughout the kitchen, obscuring areas from cleaning. **Warning**
42-02-4
Basic - In-use ice scoop stored on soiled surface between uses. Observed ice scoop in a pan that is soiled on top of ice machine. **Warning**
10-12-5
Basic - Interior of oven/microwave has accumulation of black substance/grease/food debris. Observed microwaves have old food debris in them. **Warning**
22-08-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed gaskets in the walk in cooler, reach in coolers in the kitchen are soiled. **Warning**
23-03-4
Basic - Open dumpster lid. **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
33-16-4
Basic - Outer openings not protected during operation and vermin and/or environmental cross contamination present. Observed the back screen door has a gap on the side where it closes. **Warning**
35B-05-4
Basic - Stored food not covered. Observed Rangoon and sweet and sour chicken uncovered in reach in cooler. **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
08B-12-5
10
Mar 27, 2024
Routine - Food
1 major violation. 8 minor violations.
View 9 violations
Certified Food Manager Identification
FL-02
Hands Clean and Properly Washed
FL-08
Food in Good Condition, Safe, and Unadulterated
FL-13
Potentially Hazardous Food Held at Proper Temperature
FL-16
Food Contact Surfaces Clean and Sanitized
FL-22
Non-Food Contact Surfaces Clean
FL-23
Warewashing Facilities Maintained and Used
FL-24
Approved Thawing Methods Used
FL-31
Proper Sanitizer Contact Time and Concentration
FL-33
58
Oct 19, 2023
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 2 major violations. 7 minor violations.
View 11 violations
High Priority - Dishmachine chlorine sanitizer not at proper minimum strength. Discontinue use of dishmachine for sanitizing and set up manual sanitization until dishmachine is repaired and sanitizing properly. Found at 0ppm Manager primed and corrected to 50 ppm during inspection.
22-41-4
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed shrimp (47F - Cold Holding) held in plastic pan and double panned at prep top on cookline. Operator states shrimp have been at this location less than 1 hour and placed shrimp in bottom of cooler to quickly cool to 41F within 4 hours.
03A-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. **Corrected On-Site**
11-26-1
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 printed form during inspection
11-27-4
Basic - Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin. Observed interior and exterior of ice machine soiled. Interior with black substance on drop guard ,exterior with dust and dirt and lime scale.
22-20-5
Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Observed twist off drinks stored in prep top reach in on cookline. Manager removed.
12B-07-4
Basic - In-use ice scoop stored on soiled surface between uses. Observed ice scoop stored on dirty pan on top of ice machine.
10-12-5
Basic - No Heimlich maneuver/choking sign posted. **Corrected On-Site**
51-13-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed prep sink with old buildup on sink and faucet surfaces.
23-03-4
Basic - Open dumpster lid.
33-16-4
Basic - Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Observed several plastic containers reused with no label of current contents of jars. Spices and dried herbs at kitchen.
02D-01-5
43
Feb 14, 2023
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 3 major violations. 6 minor violations.
View 10 violations
High Priority - Container of medicine improperly stored. Observed medicines and artificial tears stored on prep table beside cutting board.
41-07-4
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. Provided handouts to operator via email. **Corrected On-Site**
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 via email. **Corrective Action Taken**
11-26-1
Intermediate - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. No date marks throughput walk-in cooler. Operator states all made yesterday. Added dates. **Corrective Action Taken**
02C-02-5
Basic - Open dumpster lid. **Repeat Violation**
33-16-4
Basic - Salad bar/buffet plates/bowls not properly protected or inverted to prevent contamination. **Repeat Violation**
24-11-4
Basic - Stored food not covered. Observed pasta, raw fish cooked potatoes in walk-in cooler with no overhead protection, not covered. **Repeat Violation**
08B-12-5
Basic - Accumulation of lime scale on the inside and outside of the dishmachine.
16-23-4
Basic - Employee eating while preparing food. Observed open canned drink on prep table beside cutting board.
12B-01-4
Basic - Interior of oven/microwave has accumulation of black substance/grease/food debris.
22-08-4
47
Nov 30, 2022
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 6 minor violations.
View 8 violations
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over or with ready-to-eat food in a freezer - not all products commercially packaged. Observed pan of raw chicken stored over pan of pasta in walk-in cooler. Operator moved pasta to top shelf. **Corrected On-Site**
08A-02-6
Intermediate - Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled.
41-17-4
Basic - Employee with no hair restraint while engaging in food preparation.cook with no hair restraint.
13-03-4
Basic - Floor soiled/has accumulation of debris.Observed floor soiled in walk-in cooler and freezer.
36-73-4
Basic - In-use ice scoop stored on soiled surface between uses. Observed ice scoop in dirty pan on ice machine. Operator removed to dishwash. **Corrected On-Site**
10-12-5
Basic - Interior of oven/microwave has accumulation of black substance/grease/food debris.
22-08-4
Basic - Salad bar/buffet plates/bowls not properly protected or inverted to prevent contamination. Observed plates on buffet not under sneeze guard and not protected at side board area beside buffet.
24-11-4
Basic - Stored food not covered. Observed pan of pasta with no cover in walk-in cooler.
08B-12-5
58
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Panda Rest (The) last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Panda Rest (The) on file is from Oct 28, 2025. The public record contains nine inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Panda Rest (The)?
Across the inspection record, “container of medicine improperly stored” has been cited three times, more than any other issue at Panda Rest (The).
How does Panda Rest (The) compare to other restaurants in Wauchula?
Panda Rest (The) most recently scored 37 out of 100, which is lower than the Wauchula average of 70.
Has Panda Rest (The)'s inspection record improved over time?
Yes. Recent inspections at Panda Rest (The) have averaged around 13 violations per visit, down from roughly 16 earlier in the record.
What does a high risk rating mean?
A high risk rating at Panda Rest (The) 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 Panda Rest (The) inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Panda Rest (The) is inspected around three times per year on average.
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