Plaza Mexico Restaurant Bar Grill
Last inspected: Mar 17, 2026
64
Score
Plaza Mexico Restaurant Bar Grill has been inspected 13 times since 2022. Inspectors last stopped by on Mar 17, 2026. A medium risk score generally means inspectors found things to fix, though most weren't urgent.
The trend has been favorable: violation counts have eased from around six violations to closer to four violations per visit over the last few inspections.
“Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting” comes up most often, recorded three times in the inspection record.
Plaza Mexico Restaurant Bar Grill's latest score of 64 falls below the Lakeland average of 85. The full record sits in fairly typical territory for a working restaurant.
13
Inspections
2
Critical latest
1
Major latest
1
Minor latest
Inspection History
Mar 17, 2026
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 1 major violation. 1 minor violation.
View 4 violations
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Octopus 46F Inside the large flip top reach in cooler across from the cook line. The product was put on ice. **Corrective Action Taken**
03A-02-5
High Priority - Dented/rusted cans present. See stop sale. Dented can of pineapple juice. Dented on the rim located on the can good rack near the back door.
01B-01-4
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Can opener blade soiled at the end of the prep table across from the dishwasher area.
22-02-4
Basic - Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting. Pans on the shelf next to the ice machine.
24-08-4
64
Nov 18, 2025
Routine - Food
1 major violation. 4 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Container inside the hand washing sink in the kitchen across from the cook line. The container was removed. **Corrected On-Site**
31A-11-4
Basic - Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting. Pans on the shelf next to the ice machine.
24-08-4
Basic - Food stored on floor. A bulk container if dry seasoning on the floor in the dry storage area. The product was removed from off the floor. **Corrected On-Site**
08B-38-4
Basic - Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine. Around the ice chute.
22-20-5
Basic - Cardboard used to line food-contact shelves. Cardboard lining dry storage shelf.
14-05-4
74
Feb 19, 2025
Complaint Full
2 critical violations. 1 minor violation.
View 3 violations
Supervisor/Person in Charge Present
FL-01
Employee Health Policies Present
FL-03
Hands Clean and Properly Washed
FL-08
61
Feb 12, 2025
Routine - Food
6 minor violations.
View 6 violations
Required Records Available; Shellstock Tags/Labels
FL-14
Plumbing Maintained; Sewage Disposal
FL-51
Food in Good Condition, Safe, and Unadulterated
FL-13
Hands Clean and Properly Washed
FL-08
Equipment Adequate to Maintain Product Temperature
FL-29
Warewashing Facilities Maintained and Used
FL-24
74
Aug 7, 2024
Routine - Food
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - No conspicuously located ambient air temperature thermometer in holding unit. In all of the reach in coolers. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2024-08-07: No thermometers . **Time Extended**
05-09-4
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Open dumpster lid. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2024-08-07: Lid missing **Time Extended**
33-16-4
90
Aug 6, 2024
Routine - Food
3 critical violations. 2 major violations. 6 minor violations.
View 11 violations
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Product in both of the flip top reach in cooler across from the cook line. The product was put on ice and everything was removed from the bottom of the reach in coolers and was placed into the walk in cooler. octopus (47F - Cold Holding); shrimp (48F - Cold Holding); chicken 48 (48F - Cold Holding); pico (48F - Cold Holding); shredded Mexican cheese (47F - Cold Holding); shredded lettuce (47F - Cold Holding); shrimp (39F - Cold Holding) Inside the drawers on the cook line. The product was put into smaller pans divided and put on ice and the extra portions was placed inside the walk in cooler. scallops (47F - Cold Holding); tilapia (47F - Cold Holding); shrimp (47F - Cold Holding); chicken (46F - Cold Holding); steak (47F - Cold Holding) **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning**
03A-02-5
High Priority - Raw animal food not separated from ready-to-eat food during preparation. Chicken over vegetables inside the drawer on the cook line. The vegetables was relocated. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
08A-14-5
High Priority - Dented/rusted cans present. See stop sale. Dented can of Sliced jalapeño peppers on the can good rack. **Warning**
01B-01-4
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Can opener blade and holder at the end of the prep table across from the hand washing sink as you enter the kitchen. **Warning**
22-02-4
Intermediate - Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Stainless pan stored in the hand washing sink across from the cook line. The pan was removed to be washed, rinsed and sanitized. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
31A-09-4
Basic - Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting. Pans on the shelf next to the ice machine. The pans was separated to air dry. **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning**
24-08-4
Basic - Ice scoop handle in contact with ice. Ice bin in the bar. The handle was removed out of the ice. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
10-08-5
Basic - In-use knife/knives stored in cracks between pieces of equipment. Knives and spatula between wall and stainless panel in the kitchen next to the hand washing sink across from the cook line. They was removed to the dishwasher area to be washed, rinsed and sanitized. **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning**
10-17-4
Basic - In-use utensil stored in standing water less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Knives in the bar area in a container of water at 74F. The water was discarded and the utensils was washed, rinsed and sanitized. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
10-07-4
Basic - No conspicuously located ambient air temperature thermometer in holding unit. In all of the reach in coolers. **Warning**
05-09-4
Basic - Open dumpster lid. **Warning**
33-16-4
39
Jan 26, 2024
Routine - Food
1 major violation. 3 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Intermediate - Water with a temperature of at least 100 degrees Fahrenheit not provided/shut off at employee handwash sink. Hand washing sink in the kitchen. The manager turned on the hot water valve to the hand washing sink. **Corrected On-Site**
27-16-4
Basic - Employee drinking from an unenclosed beverage container in a food preparation/clean dishware area and the container does not have a dispensing mechanism to prevent hand contact with lip contact area of drink container. Beverage on top ledge of the large flip top reach in cooler across from the flat grill. The beverage was discarded. **Corrected On-Site**
12B-12-5
Basic - Food stored on floor. Bulk container of red sauce Stock pot of pork. Kitchen floor. The items were removed. **Corrected On-Site**
08B-38-4
Basic - In-use utensil stored in standing water less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Spatulas in water at 81F in a container on the side of the flat grill. The water was discarded. **Corrective Action Taken**
10-07-4
78
Oct 13, 2023
Routine - Food
1 major violation.
View 1 violation
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : Intermediate - No plan review submitted and approved - renovations were made or are in progress. Must submit plans and plan review application to DBPR H and R Plan Review office located at 2601 Blair Stone Rd., Tallahassee, FL 32399-1011. Plans must be submitted AND approved within 60 days. The direct link to the Plan Review page is https://www2.myfloridalicense.com/hotels-restaurants/licensing/plan-review/. Establishment added a dish washing machine, and ice well at the bar. Also added storage shed outside which stores chemicals and single service items. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2023-08-10: **Time Extended** - From follow-up inspection 2023-10-13: No plans has been submitted. I verified with plan review. **Admin Complaint**
51-16-7
90
Aug 10, 2023
Routine - Food
1 major violation.
View 1 violation
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : Intermediate - No plan review submitted and approved - renovations were made or are in progress. Must submit plans and plan review application to DBPR H and R Plan Review office located at 2601 Blair Stone Rd., Tallahassee, FL 32399-1011. Plans must be submitted AND approved within 60 days. The direct link to the Plan Review page is https://www2.myfloridalicense.com/hotels-restaurants/licensing/plan-review/. Establishment added a dish washing machine, and ice well at the bar. Also added storage shed outside which stores chemicals and single service items. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2023-08-10: **Time Extended**
51-16-7
90
Aug 9, 2023
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 1 major violation. 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. Steam well on cook line: queso (91F - Hot Holding); cooked beef (112F - Hot Holding); cooked pork (115F - Hot Holding). Manager got product on stove to reheat. Pork retemp at 201f, beef at 205f 15 minutes later. Queso 165f 20 minutes later. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
03B-01-6
High Priority - Live, small flying insects in kitchen, food preparation area, food storage area and/or bar area. Observed 5 live flies in mop sink area on chemical dispensers. Manager eradicated and cleaned and sanitized areas **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning**
35A-02-6
Intermediate - No plan review submitted and approved - renovations were made or are in progress. Must submit plans and plan review application to DBPR H and R Plan Review office located at 2601 Blair Stone Rd., Tallahassee, FL 32399-1011. Plans must be submitted AND approved within 60 days. The direct link to the Plan Review page is https://www2.myfloridalicense.com/hotels-restaurants/licensing/plan-review/. Establishment added a dish washing machine, and ice well at the bar. Also added storage shed outside which stores chemicals and single service items. **Warning**
51-16-7
Basic - Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Container of sugar in server station. Manager Labeled **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
02D-01-5
64
Jan 18, 2023
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 3 major violations. 4 minor violations.
View 8 violations
Hands Clean and Properly Washed
FL-08
Food Obtained from Approved Sources
FL-11
Required Records Available; Shellstock Tags/Labels
FL-14
Potentially Hazardous Food Held at Proper Temperature
FL-16
Food Contact Surfaces Clean and Sanitized
FL-22
Equipment Adequate to Maintain Product Temperature
FL-29
Lighting Adequate; Required Shields in Place
FL-36
Plumbing Maintained; Sewage Disposal
FL-51
50
Aug 9, 2022
Routine - Food
1 major violation. 1 minor violation.
View 2 violations
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : Intermediate - No written procedures available for use of time as a public health control to hold time/temperature control for safety food. Fresh salsa by chip warmer. Emailed paperwork to manager **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2022-08-09: **Time Extended**
03F-10-5
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Cove molding at floor/wall juncture broken/missing. By walk in cooler **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2022-08-09: **Time Extended**
36-03-4
86
Aug 8, 2022
Complaint Full
No violations found.
100
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Plaza Mexico Restaurant Bar Grill last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Plaza Mexico Restaurant Bar Grill on file is from Mar 17, 2026. The public record contains 13 inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Plaza Mexico Restaurant Bar Grill?
Across the inspection record, “equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting” has been cited three times, more than any other issue at Plaza Mexico Restaurant Bar Grill.
How does Plaza Mexico Restaurant Bar Grill compare to other restaurants in Lakeland?
Plaza Mexico Restaurant Bar Grill most recently scored 64 out of 100, which is lower than the Lakeland average of 85.
Has Plaza Mexico Restaurant Bar Grill's inspection record improved over time?
Yes. Recent inspections at Plaza Mexico Restaurant Bar Grill have averaged around four violations per visit, down from roughly six earlier in the record.
What does a medium risk rating mean?
A medium risk rating at Plaza Mexico Restaurant Bar Grill 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 Plaza Mexico Restaurant Bar Grill inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Plaza Mexico Restaurant Bar Grill is inspected around four times per year on average.
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