The Rib House
Last inspected: Apr 9, 2026
78
Score
The health department has logged 10 inspections at The Rib House, the earliest from 2022. The most recent report on file is from Apr 9, 2026. A low risk rating suggests inspectors haven't found much to be concerned about lately.
There hasn't been much movement either way: counts have stayed near three violations per visit across recent inspections.
When inspectors have written things up, “accumulation of black/green mold-like substance” has been the most frequent reason, cited two times.
The city-wide average sits at 86, which The Rib House's 78 doesn't quite reach. The file should reassure diners considering a visit.
10
Inspections
0
Critical latest
2
Major latest
1
Minor latest
Inspection History
Apr 9, 2026
Routine - Food
2 major violations. 1 minor violation.
View 3 violations
Intermediate - No proof of required state approved employee training provided for any employees. To order approved program food safety material, call DBPR contracted provider: Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (SafeStaff) 866-372-7233. No proof of any employee training. **Warning**
53B-01-5
Intermediate - Food being cooled by nonapproved method as evidenced by inadequate rate of cooling during time of inspection. Cooked rice is bagged and stacked on top of each other. Inside the walk in cooler. **Warning**
03D-15-4
Basic - Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine. Black mold-like substance on the interior ice chute on the ice machine. **Warning**
22-20-5
78
Jan 22, 2026
Routine - Food
No violations found.
100
Dec 4, 2025
Routine - Food
3 major violations. 1 minor violation.
View 4 violations
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : Intermediate - Handwash sink removed from food preparation/dishwashing area. Must be reinstalled in the same location where removed. Observed hand washing sink removed in the beverage station and front counter. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2025-12-04: **Time Extended**
31A-04-4
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/. Observed front counter area moved to area in the ng room off from the entrance to the kitchen and ice machine. The original service station had a hand washing sink according to the plans available on onbase. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2025-12-04: No plans received as of 12-4-2025. Extended until 1-17-2025 **Time Extended**
51-16-7
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : Intermediate - Water with a temperature of least 85 degrees Fahrenheit not provided/shut off at employee handwash sink. Removed . **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2025-12-04: **Time Extended**
27-16-4
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Open dumpster lid. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2025-12-04: Open **Time Extended**
33-16-4
70
Nov 18, 2025
Routine - Food
3 major violations. 1 minor violation.
View 4 violations
Intermediate - Handwash sink removed from food preparation/dishwashing area. Must be reinstalled in the same location where removed. Observed hand washing sink removed in the beverage station and front counter. **Warning**
31A-04-4
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/. Observed front counter area moved to area in the ng room off from the entrance to the kitchen and ice machine. The original service station had a hand washing sink according to the plans available on onbase. **Warning**
51-16-7
Intermediate - Water with a temperature of least 85 degrees Fahrenheit not provided/shut off at employee handwash sink. Removed . **Warning**
27-16-4
Basic - Open dumpster lid. **Warning**
33-16-4
70
Feb 13, 2025
Routine - Food
1 major violation. 5 minor violations.
View 6 violations
Food Received at Proper Temperature
FL-12
Approved Thawing Methods Used
FL-31
Non-Food Contact Surfaces Clean
FL-23
Food Contact Surfaces Clean and Sanitized
FL-22
Food in Good Condition, Safe, and Unadulterated
FL-13
Lighting Adequate; Required Shields in Place
FL-36
58
Aug 23, 2024
Routine - Food
No violations found.
100
Aug 22, 2024
Routine - Food
5 critical violations. 2 minor violations.
View 7 violations
High Priority - Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. Bags of rice didn't cool to 41F within 6 hours. **Warning**
01B-02-5
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. Employee touched her hand then presented food to a customer. I had the 'em to wash her hands. **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning**
12A-25-4
High Priority - Cooked/heated time/temperature control for safety food not cooled from 135 degrees Fahrenheit to 41 degrees Fahrenheit within 6 hours. Bag of rice in plastic bags inside the walk in cooler. **Warning**
03D-02-5
High Priority - Container of medicine improperly stored. Container of Aquaphor ointment for burns stored inside the 3 door reach in cooler on the top shelf. The ointment was removed. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
41-07-4
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Top section of the flip top reach in cooler across from the cook line. Ice was put under the product. pork (50F - Cold Holding); shrimp (47F - Cold Holding); chicken (47F); pasta (47F - Cold Holding) **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning**
03A-02-5
Basic - Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Oyster flavored sauce can used to scoop rice out of a bulk container of rice. **Warning**
14-01-5
Basic - Interior of microwave has accumulation of black substance/grease/food debris. On the second shelf of the table to the right as you enter the kitchen. **Warning**
22-08-4
43
Oct 18, 2023
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 2 major violations. 3 minor violations.
View 6 violations
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. EEL 46 F Krab Styx 46F Inside the reach in cooler at the sushi station. The product was moved to the walk in cooler. **Corrective Action Taken**
03A-02-5
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Can opener blade is soiled. Located at the end of the small prep table acfrom the single door upright freezer.
22-02-4
Intermediate - Required employee training expired for some employees. To order approved program food safety material, call DBPR contracted provider: Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (SafeStaff) 866-372-7233. 8-9-2022
53B-14-5
Basic - Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine.
22-20-5
Basic - Food stored on floor. Bag of potatoes inside the walk in cooler. Case of meat insthe walk in freezer.
08B-38-4
Basic - Light not functioning. Hood system. Wall soiled in the kitchen above the upright reach in coolers at the end of the cook line.
36-62-4
61
Mar 9, 2023
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 3 major violations. 1 minor violation.
View 5 violations
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Observed pan of raw chicken stored over cooked pork in walk in cooler
08A-05-6
Intermediate - Cold water at hand sink shut off. Hot water at hand sink on cook line was reaching 136f. Manager turned on water **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
27-16-4
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
Intermediate - No proof provided that food employees are informed of their responsibility to report to the person in charge information about their health and activities related to foodborne illnesses.
11-26-1
Basic - No Heimlich maneuver/choking sign posted.
51-13-4
61
Dec 16, 2022
Routine - Food
4 major violations. 2 minor violations.
View 6 violations
Intermediate - Cold water shut off at employee handwash sink, causing employees to wash hand with water reaching 153f. Cold water was turned off due to leak. Manager turned on cold water **Corrective Action Taken**
27-16-4
Intermediate - Failure to maintain freezing records on nonexempt fish for 90 days.
01D-02-4
Intermediate - No written procedures available for use of time as a public health control to hold time/temperature control for safety food. Gave manger paperwork to fill out for next inspection
03F-10-5
Intermediate - Proof of required state approved employee training not available for some employees. To order approved program food safety material, call DBPR contracted provider: Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (SafeStaff) 866-372-7233.
53B-13-5
Basic - No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees. At sink by ice machine
31B-04-4
Basic - Duct tape used to repair nonfood-contact surface. Observed tape on prep table, and on door handle of reach in freezer
14-71-4
61
Frequently Asked Questions
When was The Rib House last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at The Rib House on file is from Apr 9, 2026. The public record contains 10 inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at The Rib House?
Across the inspection record, “accumulation of black/green mold-like substance” has been cited two times, more than any other issue at The Rib House.
How does The Rib House compare to other restaurants in Lakeland?
The Rib House most recently scored 78 out of 100, which is lower than the Lakeland average of 86.
Has The Rib House's inspection record improved over time?
Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at The Rib House have averaged around three violations per visit across the recent record.
What does a low risk rating mean?
A low risk rating at The Rib House 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 Rib House inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, The Rib House is inspected around three times per year on average.
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