Sitar Indian Cuisine

233 Ave O Sw, Winter Haven, FL 33880

Indian

Last inspected: Mar 5, 2026

Score

Medium Risk

Across the available record, Sitar Indian Cuisine has 11 inspections on file, the first dated 2022. The newest entry in the record is dated Mar 5, 2026. Medium risk typically reflects a handful of issues that inspectors wrote up but didn't deem critical.

The trend has been favorable: violation counts have eased from around four violations to closer to one violation per visit over the last few inspections.

The pattern that stands out is “handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing”, which has been cited three times.

The city-wide average sits at 88, which Sitar Indian Cuisine's 74 doesn't quite reach. Taken together, the history looks like that of a busy facility working through the usual inspection cycle.

Inspections

Critical latest

Major latest

Minor latest

Inspection History

Mar 5, 2026

Routine - Food

1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 1 minor violation.

View 3 violations

High Priority - Raw animal food stored over or with unwashed produce. Raw chicken over carrots and zucchini during preparation on prep station. Operator removed raw chicken from off the top vegetables. **Corrected On-Site**

08A-04-5

Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Red colander in hand washing sink , employee removed colander. **Corrected On-Site**

31A-11-4

Basic - Outer openings not protected with self-closing doors. Door at the back of the kitchen open, operator closed door. **Corrected On-Site**

35B-03-4

Oct 24, 2025

Food-Licensing Inspection

No violations found.

100

Jul 15, 2025

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/. Buffet area added to dining room area. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2025-07-15: Buffet in dining room Spoke with Plan review Ms.Cindy no updated plans submitted as of 7/15/25**Admin Complaint** **Admin Complaint**

51-16-7

May 15, 2025

Complaint Full

1 critical violation. 2 major violations. 3 minor violations.

View 6 violations

High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. In reach in cooler raw shell eggs over ready to eat sauces. Operator moved raw shelled eggs to lower shelf in reach in cooler. **Corrected On-Site**

08A-05-6

Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Soda dispenser nozzle for the Dr. pepper across from the front counter.

22-02-4

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/. Buffet line in dining room. Plan review issued on 5/7/25 Repeat Violation** **Repeat Violation**

51-16-7

Basic - Dead beatle on premises. In kitchen by exit door. Operator swept up and sanitize area. **Corrected On-Site**

35A-03-4

Basic - Employee with no hair restraint while engaging in food preparation. Cook prepping raw chicken

13-03-4

Basic - Hole in or other damage to wall. By dish machine area

36-24-5

May 7, 2025

Routine - Food

2 major violations. 1 minor violation.

View 3 violations

51-16-7

Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Cook line serving spoon in hand washing sink. Operator removed item. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**

31A-11-4

Basic - In-use tongs stored on equipment door handle between uses. Cook line operator removed. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**

10-20-4

Jan 30, 2025

Routine - Food

3 minor violations.

View 3 violations

Basic - Open dumpster lid. Operator closed dumpster lid. **Corrected On-Site**

33-16-4

Basic - Employee with no hair restraint while engaging in food preparation.

13-03-4

Basic - In-use tongs stored on equipment door handle between uses. Cook line. Operator removed tongs. **Corrected On-Site**

10-20-4

Aug 22, 2024

Routine - Food

1 major violation. 1 minor violation.

View 2 violations

Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Food container in hand washing sink. Operator removed container. **Corrected On-Site**

31A-11-4

Basic - Unclean building components, attachments or fixtures. Hood vents . Proof of scheduled maintenance for the week.* **Corrective Action Taken**

36-50-4

Feb 16, 2024

Routine - Food

1 critical violation. 1 minor violation.

View 2 violations

High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Chicken and beef at 54F degrees on cook line first make table. Placed in cooler. **Corrective Action Taken**

03A-02-5

Basic - Accumulation of substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin. Ice chute at the at drink dispenser at server station. Operator cleaned and sanitized area with sanitizer. **Corrected On-Site**

22-20-5

Nov 7, 2023

Routine - Food

No violations found.

100

Jan 13, 2023

Complaint Full

2 major violations. 2 minor violations.

View 4 violations

Hands Clean and Properly Washed

FL-08

Food Obtained from Approved Sources

FL-11

Non-Food Contact Surfaces Clean

FL-23

Approved Thawing Methods Used

FL-31

Oct 3, 2022

Food-Licensing Inspection

2 major violations. 1 minor violation.

View 3 violations

Procedures for Responding to Vomiting/Diarrheal Events

FL-05

Potentially Hazardous Food Held at Proper Temperature

FL-16

Toxic Substances Properly Identified, Stored, Used

FL-32

Show all 11 inspections Show less

Frequently Asked Questions

When was Sitar Indian Cuisine last inspected?

The most recent health inspection at Sitar Indian Cuisine on file is from Mar 5, 2026. The public record contains 11 inspections in total.

What is the most common violation at Sitar Indian Cuisine?

Across the inspection record, “handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing” has been cited three times, more than any other issue at Sitar Indian Cuisine.

How does Sitar Indian Cuisine compare to other restaurants in Winter Haven?

Sitar Indian Cuisine most recently scored 74 out of 100, which is lower than the Winter Haven average of 88.

Has Sitar Indian Cuisine's inspection record improved over time?

Yes. Recent inspections at Sitar Indian Cuisine have averaged around one violation per visit, down from roughly four earlier in the record.

What does a medium risk rating mean?

A medium risk rating at Sitar Indian Cuisine 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 Sitar Indian Cuisine inspected?

Based on the inspection history on file, Sitar Indian Cuisine is inspected around three times per year on average.

Nearby Restaurants

Applebees Neighborhood Grill & Bar

201 Cypress Gardens Blvd

Score: 78 — Low Risk

Explore More

→ All locations in Winter Haven → Indian restaurants in Florida → Indian restaurants in Winter Haven