3204 US 98 N, LAKELAND, FL 33805
DENNY'S has a mixed inspection record — 8 violations in the past year, including 2 high-priority. Not alarming, but worth knowing before you order. The trailing-year record shows 8 violations, including 2 high-priority and 0 Emergency Orders of Closure.
Scores higher than 15% 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.
Hands not washed or gloves not changed when required, or employees eating, drinking, or smoking in food areas.
A sick or symptomatic employee present, or staff unaware of when illness bars them from working with food.
Handwash sink missing, blocked, or used for other purposes, or missing soap, towels, or the handwash sign.
Food-contact or nonfood-contact surfaces improperly designed, constructed, maintained, or located.
Single-use items (cups, straws, to-go containers) stored or handled improperly.
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.
Food held, cooled, cooked, or reheated outside safe temperatures, letting dangerous bacteria multiply.
Dish machine or sinks not set up or working properly, or missing sanitizer test kit and gauges.
Floors, walls, ceilings, or attached equipment dirty, damaged, or poorly vented.
Food held, cooled, cooked, or reheated outside safe temperatures, letting dangerous bacteria multiply.
Cleaning chemicals or other toxic substances unlabeled or stored where they can reach food.
Floors, walls, ceilings, or attached equipment dirty, damaged, or poorly vented.
Shelves, counters, handles, or equipment exteriors soiled with grease, debris, or dust.
Inadequate lighting, or bulbs over food areas not shielded or shatter-protected.
Floors, walls, ceilings, or attached equipment dirty, damaged, or poorly vented.
Raw meat, poultry, or seafood not separated from ready-to-eat food, or food left unprotected during prep, storage, or display.
Handwash sink missing, blocked, or used for other purposes, or missing soap, towels, or the handwash sign.
Missing or expired food manager certification, or employee food-safety training not documented.
Floors, walls, ceilings, or attached equipment dirty, damaged, or poorly vented.
Dirty wiping cloths not stored in sanitizer, or soiled linens handled improperly.
Inadequate lighting, or bulbs over food areas not shielded or shatter-protected.
Food held, cooled, cooked, or reheated outside safe temperatures, letting dangerous bacteria multiply.
Floors, walls, ceilings, or attached equipment dirty, damaged, or poorly vented.
Food held, cooled, cooked, or reheated outside safe temperatures, letting dangerous bacteria multiply.
Hands not washed or gloves not changed when required, or employees eating, drinking, or smoking in food areas.
Missing consumer advisory for raw or undercooked items, ready-to-eat food not date-marked, or food not properly labeled.
A sick or symptomatic employee present, or staff unaware of when illness bars them from working with food.
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.
Scoops and other in-use utensils stored improperly (e.g. handle down in the food).
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. 6302185 — you can read the original documents yourself and compare.