3906 SOUTH FLORIDA AVE, LAKELAND, FL 33813
STEAK N SHAKE has a mixed inspection record — 11 violations in the past year, including 2 high-priority. Not alarming, but worth knowing before you order. The trailing-year record shows 11 violations, including 2 high-priority and 0 Emergency Orders of Closure.
Scores higher than 13% of the 493 inspected restaurants in LAKELAND on the trailing-year record.
2 high-priority violations on the trailing-year record — above the Polk County average of 0.8.
Full available history. The score uses only the most recent 365 days — older visits are shown for context, not counted.
Food held, cooled, cooked, or reheated outside safe temperatures, letting dangerous bacteria multiply.
Garbage overflowing or uncovered, or the premises not maintained.
Floors, walls, ceilings, or attached equipment dirty, damaged, or poorly vented.
Dish machine or sinks not set up or working properly, or missing sanitizer test kit and gauges.
Missing or expired food manager certification, or employee food-safety training not documented.
Surfaces that touch food — cutting boards, ice bins, dish racks — soiled or not sanitized.
Clean equipment and utensils stored improperly or not air-dried.
Food held, cooled, cooked, or reheated outside safe temperatures, letting dangerous bacteria multiply.
Surfaces that touch food — cutting boards, ice bins, dish racks — soiled or not sanitized.
Single-use items (cups, straws, to-go containers) stored or handled improperly.
Floors, walls, ceilings, or attached equipment dirty, damaged, or poorly vented.
Missing hair or beard restraint, dirty work clothes, jewelry, or painted/artificial fingernails during food prep.
Surfaces that touch food — cutting boards, ice bins, dish racks — soiled or not sanitized.
Shelves, counters, handles, or equipment exteriors soiled with grease, debris, or dust.
Clean equipment and utensils stored improperly or not air-dried.
Employee jackets, phones, drinks, or other personal items stored where they can contaminate food.
Food held, cooled, cooked, or reheated outside safe temperatures, letting dangerous bacteria multiply.
Clean equipment and utensils stored improperly or not air-dried.
Other conditions related to sanitary and safe operation.
Raw meat, poultry, or seafood not separated from ready-to-eat food, or food left unprotected during prep, storage, or display.
Missing or expired food manager certification, or employee food-safety training not documented.
Clean equipment and utensils stored improperly or not air-dried.
Dish machine or sinks not set up or working properly, or missing sanitizer test kit and gauges.
Plumbing not installed or maintained properly — leaks, mop sink issues, unserviced water filters, or missing backflow prevention.
Floors, walls, ceilings, or attached equipment dirty, damaged, or poorly vented.
Dish machine or sinks not set up or working properly, or missing sanitizer test kit and gauges.
Handwash sink missing, blocked, or used for other purposes, or missing soap, towels, or the handwash sign.
Surfaces that touch food — cutting boards, ice bins, dish racks — soiled or not sanitized.
Shelves, counters, handles, or equipment exteriors soiled with grease, debris, or dust.
Plumbing not installed or maintained properly — leaks, mop sink issues, unserviced water filters, or missing backflow prevention.
Floors, walls, ceilings, or attached equipment dirty, damaged, or poorly vented.
Every violation on this record falls into one of the state's standardized categories. Here is what each category covers and why inspectors check for it — in plain English, with the trailing-year count for this kitchen.
Cold food must stay at 41°F or below and hot food at 135°F or above, through receiving, holding, cooking, cooling, and reheating. The range in between is where bacteria multiply fastest, which is why temperature control is checked on nearly every visit.
On this record, the category appears in 1 of the 2 trailing-year inspections. The written details for each entry are in the state inspection documents linked above.
Dirty Dish List is built from public inspection data published by the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation. The inspection dates, dispositions, and violations on this report card mirror what the state has on file for License No. 6306050 — you can read the original documents yourself and compare.