Zarza Restaurant
Last inspected: Mar 24, 2026
78
Score
Going back to 2022, Zarza Restaurant has 11 inspections in the public record. The most recent report on file is from Mar 24, 2026. Diners can read the low risk label as a sign that recent inspections have gone well.
Recent visits have produced comparable findings, with counts hovering near two violations per visit.
The most common issue across all inspections has been “no proof provided that food employees are informed”, showing up three times.
The city-wide average sits at 85, which Zarza Restaurant's 78 doesn't quite reach. The record reflects steady performance over time.
11
Inspections
1
Critical latest
0
Major latest
2
Minor latest
Inspection History
Mar 24, 2026
Complaint Partial
1 critical violation. 2 minor violations.
View 3 violations
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over or with produce. Raw shrimp in reach in cooler over yucca, operator removed raw shrimp to the other side over raw chicken. **Corrected On-Site**
08A-04-5
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Soda dispenser- outside panel, operator cleaned and sanitized area. **Corrected On-Site**
23-03-4
Basic - Food not stored at least 6 inches off of the floor. In walk in freezer containers of raw chicken, operator removed from the floor. **Corrected On-Site**
08B-47-4
78
Jan 28, 2026
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 2 major violations. 2 minor violations.
View 6 violations
High Priority - Nonfood-grade bags used in direct contact with food. Thank you bag holding corn
14-31-5
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Hot holding cooks line whole chickens 115-121, manager placed to reheat **Corrective Action Taken**
03B-01-6
Intermediate - No currently certified food service manager on duty with four or more employees engaged in food preparation/handling. A list of accredited food manager certification examination providers can be found at http://www.myfloridalicense.com/DBPR/hotels-restaurants/food-lodging/food-manager/ Currently 4 food handlers no CFM present. Manager Richard Avelino 6/10/21 Servsafe arrived during the inspection **Corrected On-Site**
53A-05-6
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime.
22-02-4
Basic - Equipment in poor repair. Gasket torn walk in cooler
14-11-5
Basic - Food stored on floor. In walk in freezer. Employee picked items up **Corrected On-Site**
08B-38-4
55
Sep 5, 2025
Routine - Food
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Basic - Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting. Clear pans on the table in the dishwasher area.
24-08-4
95
Jan 3, 2025
Routine - Food
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Basic - Silverware/utensils dried with a towel/cloth. Employee dried equipment with a yellow towel. I informed the employee to let the utensils air dry. **Corrective Action Taken**
24-17-4
95
Aug 20, 2024
Routine - Food
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Nonfood-contact equipment exposed to splash/spillage not constructed of materials that are corrosion resistant, non-absorbent, smooth and easily cleanable. Bottom shelf of the table in the dishwasher area is pitted and rusty. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2024-08-20: Bottom shelf of the long prep table against the wall in the dishwasher area. **Time Extended**
14-47-4
95
Aug 16, 2024
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 1 minor violation.
View 3 violations
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Product in the top and bottom section of the flip top reach in cooler. The product was moved into the walk in cooler. cheese (46F - Cold Holding); pork (45F - Cold Holding); beef (45F - Cold Holding); chicken (46F - Cold Holding) **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning**
03A-02-5
High Priority - Warewashing sanitizing solution exceeding the maximum concentration allowed. Chlorine 200 ppm. The operator made new sanitizer at 100 ppm **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
41-18-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact equipment exposed to splash/spillage not constructed of materials that are corrosion resistant, non-absorbent, smooth and easily cleanable. Bottom shelf of the table in the dishwasher area is pitted and rusty. **Warning**
14-47-4
70
Mar 21, 2024
Complaint Full
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Hands Clean and Properly Washed
FL-08
95
Jan 5, 2024
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 1 major violation. 5 minor violations.
View 8 violations
High Priority - Chlorine sanitizer not at proper minimum strength for manual warewashing. Do not use equipment/utensils not properly sanitized. 200 ppm. Operator made fresh sanitizer solution at the correct ppm.
22-42-4
High Priority - Food-contact surfaces in contact with time/temperature control for safety food not cleaned at least every four hours. Container with flour and eggs for battering meat. The operator removed the container to the dishwasher area to be washed, rinsed and sa. **Corrective Action Taken**
22-11-5
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. Operator had the employees to read and sign the forms. **Corrective Action Taken**
11-26-1
Basic - Carbon dioxide tanks not adequately secured. Next to the beverage syrup rack in the hallway across from the bathrooms.
51-11-4
Basic - Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Black backpack on a bag of long grain brown white rice in the dishwasher area. The backpack was removed. **Corrected On-Site**
40-06-5
Basic - In-use knife/knives stored in cracks between pieces of equipment. Knives between large flip top reach in cooler and small table across from the cook line. The knives was removed to be washed, rinsed and sanitized. **Corrected On-Site**
10-17-4
Basic - Light not functioning. Hood system. Epoxy on kitchen and prep area floors damaged.
36-62-4
Basic - No copy of latest inspection report available.
51-18-6
52
Sep 23, 2023
Routine - Food
2 major violations. 4 minor violations.
View 6 violations
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. Emailed copy to manager **Corrective Action Taken**
11-27-4
Intermediate - No proof provided that some food employees are informed of their responsibility to report to the person in charge information about their health and activities related to foodborne illnesses. Some employees have not acknowledged. Emailed Spanish and english copies to owner **Corrective Action Taken**
11-26-1
Basic - Equipment in poor repair. Observed missing warmer door on cook line
14-11-5
Basic - Floors not maintained smooth and durable. Observed damaged epoxy on cook line and prep area
36-11-4
Basic - No Heimlich maneuver/choking sign posted. Emailed copy to owner **Corrective Action Taken**
51-13-4
Basic - Observed cracked squeeze bottle lid on cook line. Manager discarded **Corrected On-Site**
14-12-4
67
Apr 7, 2023
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 2 major violations.
View 3 violations
High Priority - Wiping cloth sanitizer solution exceeds the maximum concentration allowed. Tested 200+ppm chlorine, manager remade and tested at 50ppm **Corrected On-Site**
41-27-4
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
70
Dec 21, 2022
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 1 minor violation.
View 3 violations
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Observed raw chicken over cilantro in walk in cooler. Manager moved **Corrected On-Site**
08A-05-6
Intermediate - No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. In dish area. Manager put paper towels **Corrected On-Site**
31B-02-4
Basic - Unprotected ice machine in a customer area. Observed lock off of ice machine in dining area. Manager locked ice machine **Corrected On-Site**
08B-62-4
74
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Zarza Restaurant last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Zarza Restaurant on file is from Mar 24, 2026. The public record contains 11 inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Zarza Restaurant?
Across the inspection record, “no proof provided that food employees are informed” has been cited three times, more than any other issue at Zarza Restaurant.
How does Zarza Restaurant compare to other restaurants in Lakeland?
Zarza Restaurant most recently scored 78 out of 100, which is lower than the Lakeland average of 85.
Has Zarza Restaurant's inspection record improved over time?
Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at Zarza Restaurant have averaged around two violations per visit across the recent record.
What does a low risk rating mean?
A low risk rating at Zarza Restaurant 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 Zarza Restaurant inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Zarza Restaurant is inspected around three times per year on average.
Nearby Restaurants