4525 S FLORIDA AVE STE 28, LAKELAND, FL 33813
DENA'S PLACE DINER has a mixed inspection record — 15 violations in the past year, including 4 high-priority. Not alarming, but worth knowing before you order. The trailing-year record shows 15 violations, including 4 high-priority and 0 Emergency Orders of Closure.
Scores higher than 8% of the 493 inspected restaurants in LAKELAND on the trailing-year record.
4 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.
Raw meat, poultry, or seafood not separated from ready-to-eat food, or food left unprotected during prep, storage, or display.
Plumbing not installed or maintained properly — leaks, mop sink issues, unserviced water filters, or missing backflow prevention.
Food from an unapproved supplier, unsafe or spoiled food, missing shellfish harvest tags, or raw fish without required parasite destruction.
Food held, cooled, cooked, or reheated outside safe temperatures, letting dangerous bacteria multiply.
Raw meat, poultry, or seafood not separated from ready-to-eat food, or food left unprotected during prep, storage, or display.
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.
Food-contact or nonfood-contact surfaces improperly designed, constructed, maintained, or located.
The establishment's license expired, not obtained, or not properly displayed.
Raw meat, poultry, or seafood not separated from ready-to-eat food, or food left unprotected during prep, storage, or display.
Food-contact or nonfood-contact surfaces improperly designed, constructed, maintained, or located.
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.
Single-use items (cups, straws, to-go containers) stored or handled improperly.
Other conditions related to sanitary and safe operation.
Food held, cooled, cooked, or reheated outside safe temperatures, letting dangerous bacteria multiply.
A sick or symptomatic employee present, or staff unaware of when illness bars them from working with food.
Scoops and other in-use utensils stored improperly (e.g. handle down in the food).
Restrooms not clean, stocked, or maintained as required.
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.
A sick or symptomatic employee present, or staff unaware of when illness bars them from working with food.
Restrooms not clean, stocked, or maintained as required.
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.
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.
Single-use items (cups, straws, to-go containers) stored or handled improperly.
A sick or symptomatic employee present, or staff unaware of when illness bars them from working with food.
Food-contact or nonfood-contact surfaces improperly designed, constructed, maintained, or located.
Restrooms not clean, stocked, or maintained as required.
Other conditions related to sanitary and safe operation.
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.
Raw meat, poultry, and seafood must be kept away from ready-to-eat food, and all food must be protected during prep, storage, and display. Inspectors treat separation seriously because raw-food drips and splashes carry pathogens onto food that will not be cooked again.
On this record, the category appears in 3 of the 3 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. 6308674 — you can read the original documents yourself and compare.