Wooden Spoon of Lakeland
Last inspected: Sep 17, 2025
74
Score
Across the available record, Wooden Spoon of Lakeland has 10 inspections on file, the first dated 2022. The most recent visit was on Sep 17, 2025. Diners should read medium risk as a signal that some issues exist but aren't extreme.
The trend has not been favorable: recent inspections average around nine violations each, up from closer to four violations before.
Across the inspection history, “nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease” is the issue that surfaces most often, recorded four times.
That's lower than the typical Lakeland restaurant, which scores around 85. Nothing in the record is alarming, but there's room to improve.
10
Inspections
1
Critical latest
0
Major latest
3
Minor latest
Inspection History
Sep 17, 2025
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 3 minor violations.
View 4 violations
High Priority - Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. A bottle of Clorox disinfectant stored on the beverage syrup rack next to lemonade. Dry storage area. The Clorox was removed. **Corrected On-Site**
41-10-4
Basic - Bathroom door left open other than during cleaning or maintenance. Employee bathroom door was opened. The door was closed. **Corrected On-Site**
32-02-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Exterior of the cooking equipment.
23-03-4
Basic - Outer openings of establishment cannot be properly sealed when not in operation. Top left corner of the back door has a gap on the top side.
35B-04-4
74
Jul 11, 2025
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 3 major violations. 4 minor violations.
View 8 violations
High Priority - - From initial inspection : High Priority - Roach activity present as evidenced by live roaches found. 2 live roaches in sticky trap by prep sink Approximately 15 live roaches under crates holding boxes of potatoes **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2025-07-11: 5 live roaches observed on the casing on the gas pipe line behind the cook line. **Time Extended**
35A-05-4
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : 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. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2025-07-11: No proof of employee training. **Time Extended**
53B-01-5
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : 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. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2025-07-11: No proof. **Time Extended**
11-26-1
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : Intermediate - No running water at mop sink. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2025-07-11: No running water at the mop sink. **Time Extended**
27-11-4
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Floors not maintained smooth and durable. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2025-07-11: Not smooth. **Time Extended**
36-11-4
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Accumulation of debris on exterior of warewashing machine. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2025-07-11: Soiled **Time Extended**
16-21-4
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Floor soiled/has accumulation of debris. Behind cooking equipment food debris In between cooking equipment **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2025-07-11: Cooking equipment soiled. **Time Extended**
36-73-4
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Equipment door handles of reach in cooler Gaskets of reach in coolers on cooks line **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2025-07-11: Reach in cooler gasket across from the cook line next to the prep sink across from the flat grill on the left door is soiled. **Time Extended**
23-03-4
52
Jul 10, 2025
Routine - Food
4 critical violations. 4 major violations. 7 minor violations.
View 15 violations
High Priority - Roach activity present as evidenced by live roaches found. 2 live roaches in sticky trap by prep sink Approximately 15 live roaches under crates holding boxes of potatoes **Warning**
35A-05-4
High Priority - Rodent activity present as evidenced by rodent droppings found. Approximately 20 rodent droppings under counter / servers area in dining room **Warning**
35A-04-4
High Priority - Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. Butter 82 on counter for more than 4 hours **Warning**
01B-02-5
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Pullout drawer cooks line Cold holding sliced ham 47, Manager placed in walk-in cooler Butter 82 on counter stop sale issued **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning**
03A-02-5
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Interior ice machine Interior ovens **Warning**
22-02-4
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. **Warning**
53B-01-5
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. **Warning**
11-26-1
Intermediate - No running water at mop sink. **Warning**
27-11-4
Basic - In-use wet wiping cloth/towel used under cutting board. **Warning**
21-04-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Equipment door handles of reach in cooler Gaskets of reach in coolers on cooks line **Warning**
23-03-4
Basic - Unwashed fruits/vegetables stored with ready-to-eat food. Unwashed tomatoes over juices in walk in cooler **Warning**
08B-17-4
Basic - Accumulation of debris on exterior of warewashing machine. **Warning**
16-21-4
Basic - Dead roaches on premises. 2 dead on floor by back handwashing sink 5 dead in sticky trap by prep table 7 dead on floor by employee restroom 4 dead on wall by employee restroom 3 dead on floor behind cooking equipment 2 dead on floor in front of walk in cooler 5 roach casings on floor by non working warmer **Warning**
35A-03-4
Basic - Floor soiled/has accumulation of debris. Behind cooking equipment food debris In between cooking equipment **Warning**
36-73-4
Basic - Floors not maintained smooth and durable. **Warning**
36-11-4
26
Feb 5, 2025
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 2 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Food Received at Proper Temperature
FL-12
Warewashing Facilities Maintained and Used
FL-24
Toxic Substances Properly Identified, Stored, Used
FL-32
78
Aug 20, 2024
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 3 minor violations.
View 5 violations
High Priority - Raw animal foods not properly separated from each other in holding unit based upon minimum required cooking temperature. Raw chicken over Philly steak in the top drawer on the cook line. The product was reversed. **Corrected On-Site**
08A-20-5
Intermediate - Incorrect chemical test kit provided for measuring the concentration of the sanitizer solution used in the three-compartment sink and/or dishmachine. Test kit expired 6/ 2022.
16-32-5
Basic - Bathroom door left open other than during cleaning or maintenance. Employee bathroom door in the kitchen. Door was closed. Not self closing. **Corrected On-Site**
32-02-4
Basic - Current Hotel and Restaurant license not displayed. February 1,2024 The opera pulled it online. **Corrective Action Taken**
50-09-4
Basic - Old labels stuck to food containers after cleaning. Containers on the top shelf in the dishwasher area.
16-46-4
67
Feb 22, 2024
Complaint Full
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 1 minor violation.
View 3 violations
High Priority - Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license. License expired February 1,2024.
50-17-3
Intermediate - Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled. Spray bottle at the bar with green liquid inside the bottle. The manager labeled the bottle as Mr. Clean disinfectant. **Corrected On-Site**
41-17-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Gaskets on flip top reach in cooler.
23-03-4
74
Nov 29, 2023
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 2 major violations. 4 minor violations.
View 7 violations
High Priority - Dishmachine chlorine sanitizer not at proper minimum strength. Discontinue use of dishmachine for sanitizing and set up manual sanitization until dishmachine is repaired and sanitizing properly. 00ppm. The establishment has been instructed to use the 3 compartment sink in place of the dish machine. The manager called for a service repair. **Corrective Action Taken**
22-41-4
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. Provided a copy by email. **Corrected On-Site**
11-27-4
Intermediate - Paper towel dispenser at handwash sink not working/unable to dispense paper towels. Next to the single prep sink in the back prep area. The manager fixed the paper towel dispenser. **Corrected On-Site**
31B-05-4
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 beverage on the cutting board on the large flip top reach in cooler across from the cook line. The beverage was removed. **Corrected On-Site**
12B-12-5
Basic - Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Cell phone on the cutting board on the large flip top reach in cooking across from the cook line. The cell phone was removed and the cutting board was washed, rinsed and sanitized. **Corrected On-Site**
40-06-5
Basic - Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting. Pans on the shelf above the 3 compartment sink.
24-08-4
Basic - Interior of microwave has accumulation of black substance/grease/food debris. White microwave on shelf acfrom the ice machine.
22-08-4
58
Jul 21, 2023
Routine - Food
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Drain cover(s) missing. On floor in prep area **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2023-07-21: **Time Extended**
29-18-4
95
Jan 27, 2023
Routine - Food
2 major violations. 5 minor violations.
View 7 violations
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 - 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 - Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Observed 1/6 pan in bin-of flour
14-01-5
Basic - Employee Bathroom door left open other than during cleaning or maintenance. Self closer in disrepair as well
32-02-4
Basic - Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Car keys on expo line. Manager removed **Corrected On-Site**
40-06-5
Basic - Lights in food preparation, food storage or warewashing area missing the proper shield, sleeve coatings or covers. **Repeat Violation**
38-07-4
Basic - Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Bins of flours
02D-01-5
64
Jul 5, 2022
Routine - Food
3 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Exterior door has a gap at the threshold that opens to the outside. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2022-07-05: **Time Extended**
35B-01-4
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Holes in or other damage to wall. 1 **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2022-07-05: **Time Extended**
36-24-5
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Lights in food preparation, food storage or warewashing area missing the proper shield, sleeve coatings or covers. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2022-07-05: **Time Extended**
38-07-4
86
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Wooden Spoon of Lakeland last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Wooden Spoon of Lakeland on file is from Sep 17, 2025. The public record contains 10 inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Wooden Spoon of Lakeland?
Across the inspection record, “nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease” has been cited four times, more than any other issue at Wooden Spoon of Lakeland.
How does Wooden Spoon of Lakeland compare to other restaurants in Lakeland?
Wooden Spoon of Lakeland most recently scored 74 out of 100, which is lower than the Lakeland average of 85.
Has Wooden Spoon of Lakeland's inspection record improved over time?
No. Recent inspections at Wooden Spoon of Lakeland have averaged around nine violations per visit, up from roughly four earlier in the record.
What does a medium risk rating mean?
A medium risk rating at Wooden Spoon of Lakeland 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 Wooden Spoon of Lakeland inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Wooden Spoon of Lakeland is inspected around three times per year on average.
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