Tavern at Cheval
Last inspected: Mar 18, 2026
86
Score
Inspectors have visited Tavern at Cheval 10 times, with records going back to 2023. The newest entry in the record is dated Mar 18, 2026. When a facility lands in the low risk tier, it usually means nothing alarming showed up at the most recent visit.
Recent inspections have found fewer violations than earlier ones, averaging around four violations lately and about six violations before that.
Restaurants in Lutz average 79, so Tavern at Cheval is doing better than most peers. Overall, the inspection record reads well.
10
Inspections
0
Critical latest
0
Major latest
3
Minor latest
Inspection History
Mar 18, 2026
Routine - Food
3 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Current Hotel and Restaurant license not displayed. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2026-03-18: **Time Extended**
50-09-4
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Interior of oven/microwave has accumulation of black substance/grease/food debris. Oven interior soiled and food debris buildup at bottom **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2026-03-18: **Time Extended**
22-08-4
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - No Heimlich maneuver/choking sign posted. Emailed soft copy to operator - From follow-up inspection 2026-03-18: **Time Extended**
51-13-4
86
Mar 17, 2026
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 1 major violation. 5 minor violations.
View 8 violations
High Priority - Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. Sanitary bucket stored on shelf with clean utensils in kitchen, operator removed the bucket **Warning**
41-10-4
High Priority - Live, small flying insects found 10 small flies at drainage of dish area in kitchen, 5 small flies at plant pots area in dining room. **Warning**
35A-02-7
Intermediate - Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Prep table blocked hand sink in cook line. **Warning**
31A-09-4
Basic - Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Bowl with no handle used for scoop flour, operator removed it **Warning**
14-01-5
Basic - Current Hotel and Restaurant license not displayed. **Warning**
50-09-4
Basic - Employee with no beard guard/restraint while engaging in food preparation. Employee no beard guard while engaging food preparation, manager asked him to put it on **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
13-04-4
Basic - Interior of oven/microwave has accumulation of black substance/grease/food debris. Oven interior soiled and food debris buildup at bottom **Warning**
22-08-4
Basic - No Heimlich maneuver/choking sign posted. Emailed soft copy to operator
51-13-4
52
Jul 10, 2025
Food-Licensing Inspection
1 critical violation.
View 1 violation
High Priority - - From initial inspection : 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. Employees put beard guards on then touched dishes without washing hands **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2025-05-15: **Time Extended** - From follow-up inspection 2025-07-10: **Time Extended**
12A-25-4
86
May 15, 2025
Food-Licensing Inspection
2 critical violations. 2 major violations. 1 minor violation.
View 5 violations
High Priority - - From initial inspection : 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. Employees put beard guards on then touched dishes without washing hands **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2025-05-15: **Time Extended**
12A-25-4
High Priority - - From initial inspection : High Priority - Establishment operating without a license from the Division of Hotels and Restaurants. Operator must obtain a public food service license from the Division of Hotels and Restaurants within 60 days. Submit a license application and payment to DBPR/Bureau of Central Intake Unit, 2601 Blair Stone Rd., Tallahassee, FL 32399-0783. To apply online or obtain an application for license visit https://www2.myfloridalicense.com/hotels-restaurants/ **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2025-05-15: **Time Extended**
50-08-7
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : Intermediate - No chemical test kit provided when using sanitizer at three-compartment sink/warewashing machine or wiping cloths. No quaternary test kit **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2025-05-15: **Time Extended**
16-37-1
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/. Plans on file do not match, bar on plans shows a round sharp bar inside of establishment is square. Pizza oven, pizza prep table added. Hand wash sink was removed by cook line **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2025-05-15: **Time Extended**
51-16-7
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Walk-in cooler/freezer shelves with rust that has pitted the surface. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2025-05-15: **Time Extended**
14-17-4
58
May 1, 2025
Food-Licensing Inspection
2 critical violations. 3 major violations. 1 minor violation.
View 6 violations
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. Employees put beard guards on then touched dishes without washing hands **Warning**
12A-25-4
High Priority - Establishment operating without a license from the Division of Hotels and Restaurants. Operator must obtain a public food service license from the Division of Hotels and Restaurants within 60 days. Submit a license application and payment to DBPR/Bureau of Central Intake Unit, 2601 Blair Stone Rd., Tallahassee, FL 32399-0783. To apply online or obtain an application for license visit https://www2.myfloridalicense.com/hotels-restaurants/ **Warning**
50-08-7
Intermediate - Handwash sink removed from food preparation/dishwashing area. Must be reinstalled in the same location where removed. Hand wash sink was removed on cook line **Warning**
31A-04-4
Intermediate - No chemical test kit provided when using sanitizer at three-compartment sink/warewashing machine or wiping cloths. No quaternary test kit **Warning**
16-37-1
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/. Plans on file do not match, bar on plans shows a round sharp bar inside of establishment is square. Pizza oven, pizza prep table added. Hand wash sink was removed by cook line **Warning**
51-16-7
Basic - Walk-in cooler/freezer shelves with rust that has pitted the surface. **Warning**
14-17-4
52
Feb 7, 2025
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 2 major violations. 3 minor violations.
View 7 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. Employee put away dirty dishes and then touched clean Togo container no hand washing observed discussed with manager
12A-13-4
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Reach in cooler on cooks line above the rim Butter 52 f
03A-02-5
Intermediate - Menu does not identify which items contain raw or undercooked animal foods covered by the consumer advisory. Ahi tuna not identified in the menu.
02B-01-5
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.
11-27-4
Basic - Food stored on floor. Boxes of food stored in walk in freezer
08B-38-4
Basic - Time/temperature control for safety food thawed in an improper manner. Alfredo sauce sitting under no running water in the sink employee moved sauce to reach in cooler **Corrected On-Site**
06-01-5
Basic - Unwashed fruits/vegetables stored with ready-to-eat food. Unwashed peppers over ready to eat celery in walk in cooler
08B-17-4
52
Jun 5, 2024
Routine - Food
1 major violation.
View 1 violation
Intermediate - No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. Observed in bar area, employee replenished paper towels.
31B-02-4
90
Dec 28, 2023
Routine - Food
1 major violation. 1 minor violation.
View 2 violations
Food Contact Surfaces Clean and Sanitized
FL-22
Wiping Cloths Properly Used and Stored
FL-41
86
Jun 23, 2023
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 3 major violations. 2 minor violations.
View 6 violations
Certified Food Manager Identification
FL-02
Employee Health Policies Present
FL-03
Food Obtained from Approved Sources
FL-11
Food Received at Proper Temperature
FL-12
Non-Food Contact Surfaces Clean
FL-23
Approved Thawing Methods Used
FL-31
55
Jan 18, 2023
Routine - Food
6 minor violations.
View 6 violations
Hot and Cold Water Available; Adequate Pressure
FL-25
Food in Good Condition, Safe, and Unadulterated
FL-13
Proper Hot and Cold Holding Temperatures
FL-21
Food Contact Surfaces Clean and Sanitized
FL-22
Non-Food Contact Surfaces Clean
FL-23
Lighting Adequate; Required Shields in Place
FL-36
74
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Tavern at Cheval last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Tavern at Cheval on file is from Mar 18, 2026. The public record contains 10 inspections in total.
How does Tavern at Cheval compare to other restaurants in Lutz?
Tavern at Cheval most recently scored 86 out of 100, which is higher than the Lutz average of 79.
Has Tavern at Cheval's inspection record improved over time?
Yes. Recent inspections at Tavern at Cheval have averaged around four violations per visit, down from roughly six earlier in the record.
What does a low risk rating mean?
A low risk rating at Tavern at Cheval means inspectors found minimal or no significant issues at the most recent visit. Most facilities at this tier have a clean recent inspection report.
How often is Tavern at Cheval inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Tavern at Cheval is inspected around three times per year on average.
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