Smith's American Tavern
Last inspected: Mar 26, 2026
70
Score
Across the available record, Smith's American Tavern has 12 inspections on file, the first dated 2022. The newest entry in the record is dated Mar 26, 2026. When a facility lands in medium risk territory, it usually means a mixed inspection result.
Violation counts have been trending down, averaging around three violations across recent inspections versus roughly six violations before.
“Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease” comes up most often, recorded three times in the inspection record.
Restaurants in Lakeland average 86, so Smith's American Tavern trails the local norm. The inspection history reads as standard for a restaurant of this size.
12
Inspections
1
Critical latest
1
Major latest
2
Minor latest
Inspection History
Mar 26, 2026
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 2 minor violations.
View 4 violations
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Boiled 68F
03A-02-5
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Cutting board Can opener Soda nozzle in bars
22-02-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Hand washing sink with debris bar area
23-03-4
Basic - No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees. Bar area.
31B-04-4
70
Jan 7, 2026
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/. Front bar area. Handwashing sink relocated across bar, the three compartment sink removed and dish machine was added. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2026-01-07: Hq support received plans and all information as of 1-1-2026. Called plan review and verified they are currently working on assigning to plan reviewer. **Time Extended**
51-16-7
90
Nov 3, 2025
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 3 major violations. 1 minor violation.
View 5 violations
High Priority - Raw animal foods not properly separated from each other in holding unit based upon minimum required cooking temperature. raw beef stored over raw pork in walk-in coolers. Employee moved beef. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
08A-20-5
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/. Front bar area. Handwashing sink relocated across bar, the three compartment sink removed and dish machine was added. **Warning**
51-16-7
Intermediate - No soap provided at handwash sink. Back bar **Warning**
31B-03-4
Intermediate - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Cole slaw make on 11/2 not date marked. **Warning**
02C-02-5
Basic - Single-service articles not stored inverted or protected from contamination. Tin foil pans on top of back cabinet **Warning**
25-06-4
61
Apr 25, 2025
Routine - Food
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Lights in food preparation, food storage or warewashing area missing the proper shield, sleeve coatings or covers. On cooks line **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2025-04-25: Lights in food preparation, food storage or warewashing area missing the proper shield, sleeve coatings or covers. On cooks line **Time Extended**
38-07-4
95
Apr 15, 2025
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 4 major violations. 6 minor violations.
View 12 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. 0ppm **Warning**
22-41-4
High Priority - Vacuum breaker missing at hose bibb or on fitting/splitter added to hose bibb. **Warning**
29-34-4
Intermediate - Equipment drain line draining into handwash sink. Soap dispenser stored in back bar handwashing sink. Moved out of hand wash sink **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
31A-10-4
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Cutting board soiled on cooks line Microwave on cooks line soiled Ice machine in at back bar **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
22-02-4
Intermediate - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Walk in cooler cooked pasta. Employee dated at time of inspection **Warning**
02C-02-5
Intermediate - Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled. Above dish machine spray bottles Mop closed pink liquid in spray bottle **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
41-17-4
Basic - Ice buildup in reach-in freezer on cooks line . **Warning**
14-69-4
Basic - In-use wet wiping cloth/towel used under cutting board. On cooks line **Warning**
21-04-4
Basic - Lights in food preparation, food storage or warewashing area missing the proper shield, sleeve coatings or covers. On cooks line **Warning**
38-07-4
Basic - No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees. Back bar handwashing sink **Warning**
31B-04-4
Basic - Waste line at soda gun holster not draining standing water. At front bar **Warning**
29-17-4
Basic - Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Homemade Syrup bottles at bar **Warning**
02D-01-5
37
Nov 19, 2024
Routine - Food
3 major violations. 2 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Proper Eating, Tasting, Drinking, or Tobacco Use
FL-06
Food Contact Surfaces Clean and Sanitized
FL-22
Non-Food Contact Surfaces Clean
FL-23
Approved Thawing Methods Used
FL-31
Wiping Cloths Properly Used and Stored
FL-41
67
Mar 8, 2024
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 3 major violations. 2 minor violations.
View 6 violations
High Priority - Spray hose at dish sink lower than flood rim of sink. 3-compartment sink
29-37-4
Intermediate - Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled. In front bar
41-17-4
Intermediate - No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. Both bars
31B-02-4
Intermediate - No soap provided at handwash sink. Both bars
31B-03-4
Basic - Food stored on floor. Case of short ending on floor
08B-38-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Mop sink will mold like substance buildup
23-03-4
58
Aug 24, 2023
Complaint Full
No violations found.
100
Aug 17, 2023
Complaint Full
1 critical violation. 3 minor violations.
View 4 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. Observed Dishwasher (Chlorine 0ppm) **Warning**
22-41-4
Basic - Food stored on floor. Observed container of fryer shortening on floor in bar area, operator removed shortening from floor. **Corrected On-Site**
08B-38-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with food debris. Observed on gaskets in cold hold drawers on cookline.
23-03-4
Basic - Single-service articles improperly stored. Observed case of single service items in back bar area floor, operator removed case of items from floor. **Corrected On-Site**
25-05-4
74
Jun 19, 2023
Routine - Food
No violations found.
100
May 19, 2023
Routine - Food
No violations found.
100
Aug 9, 2022
Routine - Food
1 major violation.
View 1 violation
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : Intermediate - Manager or person in charge lacking proof of food manager certification. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2022-08-09: No proof food manager certificate. **Admin Complaint**
53A-01-7
90
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Smith's American Tavern last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Smith's American Tavern on file is from Mar 26, 2026. The public record contains 12 inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Smith's American Tavern?
Across the inspection record, “nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease” has been cited three times, more than any other issue at Smith's American Tavern.
How does Smith's American Tavern compare to other restaurants in Lakeland?
Smith's American Tavern most recently scored 70 out of 100, which is lower than the Lakeland average of 86.
Has Smith's American Tavern's inspection record improved over time?
Yes. Recent inspections at Smith's American Tavern have averaged around three violations per visit, down from roughly six earlier in the record.
What does a medium risk rating mean?
A medium risk rating at Smith's American Tavern 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 Smith's American Tavern inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Smith's American Tavern is inspected around three times per year on average.
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