Waco Kitchen
Last inspected: Mar 4, 2026
58
Score
Inspectors have visited Waco Kitchen eight times, with records going back to 2022. The most recent report on file is from Mar 4, 2026. The medium risk tier sits in the middle: not spotless, but not alarming either.
Inspection results have stayed in a similar range over the last few visits, averaging around five violations each.
When inspectors have written things up, “toxic substance/chemical improperly stored” has been the most frequent reason, cited three times.
Compared to other Lakeland restaurants (averaging 86), there's room to close the gap. The record is unremarkable in either direction.
8
Inspections
2
Critical latest
2
Major latest
0
Minor latest
Inspection History
Mar 4, 2026
Complaint Full
2 critical violations. 2 major violations.
View 4 violations
Employee Health Policies Present
FL-03
No Bare Hand Contact with Ready-to-Eat Food
FL-09
Required Records Available; Shellstock Tags/Labels
FL-14
Toilet Rooms Maintained
FL-53
58
Aug 29, 2025
Complaint Full
3 critical violations. 2 major violations. 1 minor violation.
View 6 violations
High Priority - Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. Window cleanser stored next to clean cutting boards on the bottom shelf of the prep table at the prep sink. The spray bottle was removed. **Corrected On-Site**
41-10-4
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Whipped butter 72F. Located on the dry storage shelf.
03A-02-5
High Priority - Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. Whipped butter pats 72F.
01B-02-5
Intermediate - Raw/undercooked animal food offered and establishment has no written consumer advisory. Raw animal foods must be fully cooked prior to service. Provided a printed copy to the operator and the consumer advisory was posted. **Corrected On-Site**
02B-02-5
Intermediate - Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled. Spray bottle with blue liquid without a label. The spray bottle was labeled as glass cleanser. **Corrected On-Site**
41-17-4
Basic - Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Cup used inside the bulk rice container.
14-01-5
50
Jan 17, 2025
Food-Licensing Inspection
2 major violations. 2 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Intermediate - No chemical test kit provided when using sanitizer at three-compartment sink/warewashing machine or wiping cloths. No quaternary test strips for the 3 compartment
16-37-1
Intermediate - No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. In the service area. The paper towels was replaced. **Corrected On-Site**
31B-02-4
Basic - Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine. Pink substance on the interior white panel inside the ice machine.
22-20-5
Basic - No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees. Across from the fryers.
31B-04-4
74
Feb 27, 2024
Routine - Food
1 critical violation.
View 1 violation
High Priority - Raw animal food not separated from ready-to-eat food during preparation. Raw salmon over cauliflower in the reach in drawer on the cook line. I had the 'em to move the salmon to the front of the drawer. **Corrected On-Site**
08A-14-5
86
Oct 27, 2023
Routine - Food
7 critical violations. 1 major violation. 5 minor violations.
View 13 violations
High Priority - Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. Spray bottle stored next to clean cutting boards under prep table. Employee moved spray bottle **Corrected On-Site**
41-10-4
High Priority - Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. pasta 56f prepared 10/26 at 10am covered when cooling
01B-02-5
High Priority - Spray hose at dish sink lower than flood rim of sink. At three compartment sink **Corrected On-Site**
29-37-4
High Priority - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food not consumed/sold within 7 days after opening/preparation. See stop sale. Cooked duck 10/17
01B-24-5
High Priority - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food marked with a date that exceeds 7 days after opening/preparation. Cooked duck dated 10/17
02C-01-5
High Priority - Cooked/heated time/temperature control for safety food not cooled from 135 degrees Fahrenheit to 41 degrees Fahrenheit within 6 hours. pasta 56f prepared 10/26 at 10am covered
03D-02-5
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Walk in cooler raw shell eggs over sliced cheese. Employee moved eggs **Corrected On-Site**
08A-05-6
Intermediate - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Pulled pork in walk in cooler
02C-02-5
Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Employee drink above prep table **Corrected On-Site**
12B-07-4
Basic - Buildup of food debris/soil residue on equipment door handles. Gaskets cooks line on reach in freezer
23-24-4
Basic - Wet wiping cloth not stored in sanitizing solution between uses. Above pull out drawers. Employee moved to sani bucket **Corrected On-Site**
21-12-4
Basic - Employee with no hair restraint while engaging in food preparation. **Corrected On-Site**
13-03-4
Basic - Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Cell phone above pull out drawers on cooks line **Corrected On-Site**
40-06-5
25
Mar 23, 2023
Complaint Full
2 major violations.
View 2 violations
Intermediate - No measuring device available for measuring utensil surface temperature when using hot water as sanitizer in a dishmachine.
16-62-1
Intermediate - No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. On cook line. Manager replaced **Corrected On-Site**
31B-02-4
82
Feb 1, 2023
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 6 major violations. 1 minor violation.
View 8 violations
High Priority - Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. Observed bottle of peroxide cleaner on prep table next to cutting board with leeks. Manager removed **Corrected On-Site**
41-10-4
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 - Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Hand sink on cook line is blocked with cutting board. Manager removed **Corrected On-Site**
31A-09-4
Intermediate - No measuring device available for measuring utensil surface temperature when using hot water as sanitizer in a dishmachine.
16-62-1
Intermediate - No paper towels, soap, sign provided at handwash sink. On cook line. Manager put soap and paper towels **Corrective Action Taken**
31B-02-4
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
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 - Employee beverage containers on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Observed employee bottled water, coffee and open water cup on prep table next to cutting board with leeks
12B-07-4
45
Jul 12, 2022
Food-Licensing Inspection
No violations found.
100
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Waco Kitchen last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Waco Kitchen on file is from Mar 4, 2026. The public record contains eight inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Waco Kitchen?
Across the inspection record, “toxic substance/chemical improperly stored” has been cited three times, more than any other issue at Waco Kitchen.
How does Waco Kitchen compare to other restaurants in Lakeland?
Waco Kitchen most recently scored 58 out of 100, which is lower than the Lakeland average of 86.
Has Waco Kitchen's inspection record improved over time?
Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at Waco Kitchen have averaged around five violations per visit across the recent record.
What does a medium risk rating mean?
A medium risk rating at Waco Kitchen 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 Waco Kitchen inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Waco Kitchen is inspected around two times per year on average.
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