Tom's Chicken Shack

901 E Main Street, Bartow, FL 33830

American

Last inspected: Apr 22, 2026

Score

Low Risk

Tom's Chicken Shack appears in inspection records eight times, starting in 2022. The most recent report on file is from Apr 22, 2026. Low risk indicates the latest report didn't flag anything that would worry the average customer.

Inspection results have stayed in a similar range over the last few visits, averaging around two violations each.

Looking across the full record, “nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease” is the recurring theme, flagged two times.

Compared to the broader Bartow restaurant scene, where the average is 87, this is a stronger showing. There isn't much in the file that would give a customer pause.

Inspections

Critical latest

Major latest

Minor latest

Inspection History

Apr 22, 2026

Routine - Food

1 minor violation.

View 1 violation

Basic - Ice scoop handle in contact with ice. Inside the ice bin at the beverage station. The scoop was removed. **Corrected On-Site**

10-08-5

Nov 21, 2025

Routine - Food

6 minor violations.

View 6 violations

Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Employee drink on table by drive through. Operator removed. **Corrected On-Site**

12B-07-4

Basic - Employee drinking from an unenclosed beverage container in a food preparation/clean dishware area and the container does not have a dispensing mechanism to prevent hand contact with lip contact area of drink container. Open can of energy drink.

12B-12-5

Basic - Equipment in poor repair. Gaskets torn on reach in freezer door.

14-11-5

Basic - In-use ice scoop stored on soiled surface between uses. Observed stored on soda fountain grate. Operator removed. **Corrected On-Site**

10-12-5

Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Hood filters soiled.

23-03-4

Basic - Wall soiled with accumulated grease, food debris, and/or dust. Dust buildup on walls surrounding ice machine.

36-27-5

Apr 1, 2025

Routine - Food

1 minor violation.

View 1 violation

Basic - Floor soiled/has accumulation of debris. Walk in freezer.

36-73-4

Nov 20, 2024

Routine - Food

1 critical violation.

View 1 violation

Food and Non-Food Contact Surfaces Designed and Constructed

FL-50

Jan 5, 2024

Routine - Food

1 minor violation.

View 1 violation

Basic - Bathroom door left open other than during cleaning or maintenance. Employees bathroom in the office area.

32-02-4

Jul 17, 2023

Routine - Food

1 critical violation. 3 minor violations.

View 4 violations

High Priority - Employee began working with food, handling clean equipment or utensils, or touching unwrapped single-service items without first washing hands. Observed employee come into restaurant and handled money. He then put on gloves and started working with food without washing hands by the front counter and register area. Manager spoke with employee and had them wash their hands **Corrective Action Taken**

12A-16-4

Basic - Floors not maintained smooth and durable. Observed missing grout and exposed cracked concrete

36-11-4

Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Hood system has buildup of grease

23-03-4

Basic - Stored food not covered. Observed cooked fried chicken uncovered in walk in cooler

08B-12-5

Feb 1, 2023

Routine - Food

2 major violations. 1 minor violation.

View 3 violations

Intermediate - Required employee training expired for all employees. To order approved program food safety material, call DBPR contracted provider: Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (SafeStaff) 866-372-7233. **Warning**

53B-05-5

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. **Warning**

51-13-4

Jul 6, 2022

Routine - Food

1 critical violation.

View 1 violation

Equipment, Food and Non-Food Contact Surfaces Approved

FL-35

Show all 8 inspections Show less

Frequently Asked Questions

When was Tom's Chicken Shack last inspected?

The most recent health inspection at Tom's Chicken Shack on file is from Apr 22, 2026. The public record contains eight inspections in total.

What is the most common violation at Tom's Chicken Shack?

Across the inspection record, “nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease” has been cited two times, more than any other issue at Tom's Chicken Shack.

How does Tom's Chicken Shack compare to other restaurants in Bartow?

Tom's Chicken Shack most recently scored 95 out of 100, which is higher than the Bartow average of 87.

Has Tom's Chicken Shack's inspection record improved over time?

Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at Tom's Chicken Shack have averaged around two violations per visit across the recent record.

What does a low risk rating mean?

A low risk rating at Tom's Chicken Shack 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 Tom's Chicken Shack inspected?

Based on the inspection history on file, Tom's Chicken Shack is inspected around two times per year on average.

Nearby Restaurants

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Score: 95 — Low Risk

Two Brothers One Grill Mexican Restaurant

Score: 61 — Medium Risk

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→ All locations in Bartow → American restaurants in Florida → American restaurants in Bartow