Paul's Kitchen
Last inspected: Apr 8, 2026
47
Score
Paul's Kitchen appears in inspection records seven times, starting in 2022. Paul's Kitchen was last inspected on Apr 8, 2026. The high risk label is a heads-up that the most recent visit didn't go well.
Recent inspections have turned up more issues than earlier ones, averaging around 10 violations lately compared to roughly five violations before.
The most common issue across all inspections has been “equipment in poor repair”, showing up three times.
Compared to other Wauchula restaurants (averaging 70), there's room to close the gap. The pattern in the record is worth a careful look.
7
Inspections
3
Critical latest
1
Major latest
4
Minor latest
Inspection History
Apr 8, 2026
Routine - Food
3 critical violations. 1 major violation. 4 minor violations.
View 8 violations
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 employee handling dirty dishes then handled clean dishes, educated on proper handwashing. **Corrective Action Taken**
12A-13-4
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Observed raw sausage over a pan of mix shredded cheese in the reach in cooler on cook line, owner moved sausage to bottom shelve. **Corrected On-Site**
08A-05-6
High Priority - Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. Observed oven cleaner and a wipe spray next to pan of flour in the kitchen, owner moved. **Corrected On-Site**
41-10-4
Intermediate - No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. Observed no towels at hand washing sink in kitchen, owner replaced. **Corrected On-Site**
31B-02-4
Basic - Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Observed cell phone in food preparation in kitchen, owner moved. **Corrected On-Site**
40-06-5
Basic - Equipment in poor repair. Observed walk in freezer door is not shutting close creating ice build up.
14-11-5
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed hoods soiled with grease.
23-03-4
Basic - Screen in door torn/in poor repair - vermin present. Observed screen torn at side entrance door. **Repeat Violation**
35B-09-4
47
Dec 17, 2025
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 2 major violations. 3 minor violations.
View 6 violations
Supervisor/Person in Charge Present
FL-01
Proper Eating, Tasting, Drinking, or Tobacco Use
FL-06
Approved Thawing Methods Used
FL-31
Proper Sanitizer Contact Time and Concentration
FL-33
Equipment, Food and Non-Food Contact Surfaces Approved
FL-35
Toilet Rooms Maintained
FL-53
58
Sep 16, 2024
Routine - Food
4 critical violations. 4 major violations. 7 minor violations.
View 15 violations
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Raw shell egg stored over a container of marinara in the walk in cooler. Owner removed the eggs. **Corrected On-Site**
08A-05-6
High Priority - Stop Sale issued due to food not being in a wholesome, sound condition. Commercially processed reduced oxygen packaged salmon bearing a label indicating that it is to remain frozen until time of use no longer frozen and not removed from reduced oxygen package. Owner discarded the salmon.
01B-13-4
High Priority - Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. Bleach and sanitizer bucket stored next to clean pans on a shelf under a a preparation table in the kitchen. Operator moved to proper area separating the chemical from the pans. **Corrected On-Site**
41-10-4
High Priority - Employee touched face/hair and then engaged in food preparation, handled clean equipment or utensils, or touched unwrapped single-service items without washing hands. Employee touched their face then a clean cutting board without washing their hands. Employee sanitized the cutting board and washed their hands. **Corrected On-Site**
12A-25-4
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. Emailed handouts to the operator
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 the operator. Operator filled out one form before the end of the inspection. **Corrective Action Taken**
11-26-1
Intermediate - No written procedures available for use of time as a public health control to hold time/temperature control for safety food. Raw shell eggs stored at room temperature on the cook line with a time mark on time as a public health control. Establishment has no written procedures for time as a public health control. Emailed and reviewed time a a public health control form. **Corrective Action Taken**
03F-10-5
Intermediate - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Cooked potatoes stored in the walk in cooler with no date mark. Owner stated the potatoes were cooked on 9/14. Cooked beef stored in the walk in cooler with no date mark. Owner stated the beef was cooked on 9/11. Owner placed a date on the items. **Corrected On-Site**
02C-02-5
Basic - Wall soiled with accumulated grease, food debris, and/or dust. Walls in the cook line area soiled.
36-27-5
Basic - Walk-in cooler shelves with rust that has pitted the surface.
14-17-4
Basic - Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin. Ice bin on the soda machine in the wait station area soiled.
22-20-5
Basic - Ceiling/ceiling tile shows damage or is in disrepair. Ceiling in the dry storage area showing water damage and leaking a small amount of water. Waters only leaking on the the floor not on food or food contact areas.
36-32-5
Basic - Commercially processed reduced oxygen packaged salmon bearing a label indicating that it is to remain frozen until time of use no longer frozen and not removed from reduced oxygen package. Owner discarded the salmon.
06-09-1
Basic - Exterior door has a gap at the threshold that opens to the outside. Both exit doors in the dry storage area.
35B-01-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Exhaust fan next to the cook line soiled. Top of the reach in freezer next to the cook line soiled.
23-03-4
26
Oct 31, 2023
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 3 minor violations.
View 5 violations
High Priority - Raw animal foods not properly separated from each other in holding unit based upon minimum required cooking temperature. Observed raw ground beef over raw pork in walk-in cooler. Operator rearranged items. **Corrected On-Site**
08A-20-5
Intermediate - Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled. Operator labeled. **Corrected On-Site**
41-17-4
Basic - Single-service articles improperly stored. Observed tea filters stored open in dirty shelf. Employee threw away filters touching surfaces and placed others on container. **Corrected On-Site**
25-05-4
Basic - Single-service articles not stored inverted or protected from contamination. Observed aluminum pans not inverted at back storage area. Operator inverted. **Corrected On-Site**
25-06-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed exterior of ice bin with black slimy growth around door closure area. Observed old food debris on can opener holder, attached to prep table with old food debris around area attached to table.
23-03-4
67
Jul 25, 2023
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 3 minor violations.
View 4 violations
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed glass front small cooler at kitchen prep area not holding foods at 41F or colder sausage (52F - Cold Holding); link sausage (54F - Cold Holding) prep cook states items on cooler less than 2.5 hours removed to walk-in freezer to rapidly cool to 41F within 1 hour.
03A-02-5
Basic - Employee eating while preparing food. Observed open cup of coffee no lid on cutting board in back prep area. Manager removed and sanitized cutting board. **Corrected On-Site**
12B-01-4
Basic - Equipment in poor repair. Observed small glass front cooler at kitchen prep unable to hold foods at 41F or colder. Ambient temperature found at 72F. May not use to hold temperature sensitive /TCS foods until able to maintain foods at 41F or colder. **Corrective Action Taken**
14-11-5
Basic - No Heimlich maneuver/choking sign posted. Inspector provided via email. **Corrected On-Site**
51-13-4
74
Nov 3, 2022
Routine - Food
2 major violations. 5 minor violations.
View 7 violations
Intermediate - Employee with artificial nails/nail polish working with exposed food without wearing intact gloves. Observed employee wrapping potatoes for later cooking. Added gloves.**Corrected On-Site** **Corrected On-Site**
13-06-4
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Observed can opener with old food debris on blade area.
22-02-4
Basic - Equipment in poor repair.walk-in freezer door not tight fitting, causing ice buildup.
14-11-5
Basic - Interior of microwave has accumulation of food debris.
22-08-4
Basic - Employee eating in a food preparation or other restricted area. Observed open drink cup sitting on cutting board at back prep.employee removed and placed lid on drink. **Corrected On-Site**
12B-02-4
Basic - Employee wearing jewelry other than a plain ring on their hands/arms while preparing food. Observed employee with jewels on fake nails, ornate rings,bracelets, working with food prep. Employee added gloves removed jewelry. **Corrected On-Site**
13-07-4
Basic - Old food stuck to clean dishware/utensils. Observed old food stuck to pan at clean dish storage area. Operator moved to dishwash. **Corrected On-Site**
16-48-4
64
Jul 27, 2022
Routine - Food
No violations found.
100
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Paul's Kitchen last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Paul's Kitchen on file is from Apr 8, 2026. The public record contains seven inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Paul's Kitchen?
Across the inspection record, “equipment in poor repair” has been cited three times, more than any other issue at Paul's Kitchen.
How does Paul's Kitchen compare to other restaurants in Wauchula?
Paul's Kitchen most recently scored 47 out of 100, which is lower than the Wauchula average of 70.
Has Paul's Kitchen's inspection record improved over time?
No. Recent inspections at Paul's Kitchen have averaged around 10 violations per visit, up from roughly five earlier in the record.
What does a high risk rating mean?
A high risk rating at Paul's Kitchen 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 Paul's Kitchen inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Paul's Kitchen is inspected around two times per year on average.
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