The Olive Garden

2151 E Gulf To Lake Hwy, Inverness, FL 34453

Italian

Last inspected: Oct 6, 2025

Score

Low Risk

Across the available record, The Olive Garden has seven inspections on file, the first dated 2022. The most recent visit was on Oct 6, 2025. Low risk means the most recent visit produced few or no significant findings.

Recent visits have produced comparable findings, with counts hovering near three violations per visit.

“Interior of breadstick oven has accumulation” comes up most often, recorded two times in the inspection record.

The city-wide average sits at 83, which The Olive Garden's 78 doesn't quite reach. The full picture is one of consistent compliance.

Inspections

Critical latest

Major latest

Minor latest

Inspection History

Oct 6, 2025

Complaint Full

1 critical violation. 2 minor violations.

View 3 violations

High Priority - Warewashing sanitizing solution exceeding the maximum concentration allowed. Quaternary sanitizer in 3 compartment sink in bar area 500ppm. Operator added water recheck 400ppm. **Corrected On-Site**

41-18-4

Basic - Interior of breadstick oven has accumulation of black substance/food debris.

22-08-4

Basic - Unwashed fruits/vegetables stored with ready-to-eat food. Unwashed celery stored over washed broccoli in produce cooler. Operator corrected shelves. **Corrected On-Site**

08B-17-4

Jun 24, 2025

Routine - Food

1 critical violation. 1 major violation.

View 2 violations

High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. spinach dip (51F - Cold Holding) in ice well at cook line area. Operator states item was placed in cold well from walk in cooler approximately 1 hour ago. Operator moved dip into reach in freezer to rapidly chill. **Corrective Action Taken**

03A-02-5

Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Soda gun nozzle in bar area

22-02-4

Sep 5, 2024

Routine - Food

1 major violation. 5 minor violations.

View 6 violations

Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Can opener and interior of bread warmer soiled

22-02-4

Basic - No Heimlich maneuver/choking sign posted. Provided choking poster to manager. **Corrected On-Site**

51-13-4

Basic - Stored food not covered. Bag of sliced meat in freezer in plastic bag open with meat exposed. Manager had employee seal up bag. **Corrected On-Site**

08B-12-5

Basic - Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Spray bottle on cook line not labeled. Manager states spray bottle is olive oil and specific color is how they label. Manager did have employee place written label on bottle. **Corrected On-Site**

02D-01-5

Basic - Can opener blade not kept sharp - observed metal shavings.

14-22-4

Basic - Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting. Dish area had stacked containers with noticeable moisture.

24-08-4

Nov 30, 2023

Complaint Full

1 minor violation.

View 1 violation

Basic - Interior of breadstick oven has accumulation of black substance/grease/food debris.

22-08-4

Aug 21, 2023

Routine - Food

1 critical violation. 1 minor violation.

View 2 violations

Food in Good Condition, Safe, and Unadulterated

FL-13

Food Contact Surfaces Clean and Sanitized

FL-22

Jan 6, 2023

Complaint Full

1 major violation. 2 minor violations.

View 3 violations

Food Contact Surfaces Clean and Sanitized

FL-22

Non-Food Contact Surfaces Clean

FL-23

Approved Thawing Methods Used

FL-31

Jul 12, 2022

Complaint Full

2 critical violations. 3 major violations. 3 minor violations.

View 8 violations

High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Mozzarella cheese 48F. Operator added ice in cold well. recheck 41F **Corrected On-Site**

03A-02-5

High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Sausage links 108F, operator placed sausages in oven and reheated to 165F **Corrected On-Site**

03B-01-6

Intermediate - Commercially processed ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food opened and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked after opening. Gallon of milk in bar area, operator dated 7/8 **Corrected On-Site**

02C-03-5

Intermediate - Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Hand wash sink in back prep area blocked with ice bins. Operator relocated ice bins. Pair of pliers in hand wash sink in back prep area. Operator removed. **Corrected On-Site**

31A-09-4

Intermediate - Water with a temperature of at least 100 degrees Fahrenheit not provided/shut off at employee handwash sink. Hand wash sink on the left of the counter in men's restroom 81F after running approximately 2 minutes **Repeat Violation**

27-16-4

Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Exterior area around soda nozzles at beverage machine in front server station.

23-03-4

Basic - Food storage container/container lid cracked or broken. Plastic pans in prep area cracked

14-38-4

Basic - Old labels stuck to food containers after cleaning. Plastic pans in prep area **Repeat Violation**

16-46-4

Show all 7 inspections Show less

Frequently Asked Questions

When was The Olive Garden last inspected?

The most recent health inspection at The Olive Garden on file is from Oct 6, 2025. The public record contains seven inspections in total.

What is the most common violation at The Olive Garden?

Across the inspection record, “interior of breadstick oven has accumulation” has been cited two times, more than any other issue at The Olive Garden.

How does The Olive Garden compare to other restaurants in Inverness?

The Olive Garden most recently scored 78 out of 100, which is lower than the Inverness average of 83.

Has The Olive Garden's inspection record improved over time?

Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at The Olive Garden have averaged around three violations per visit across the recent record.

What does a low risk rating mean?

A low risk rating at The Olive Garden 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 The Olive Garden inspected?

Based on the inspection history on file, The Olive Garden is inspected around two times per year on average.

Nearby Restaurants

Brooklyn Deli Too

3360 E Gulf To Lake Why Un# 7

2235 E Gulf To Lake Hwy

Score: 64 — Medium Risk

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→ All locations in Inverness → Italian restaurants in Florida → Italian restaurants in Inverness