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ARABELLAS RISTORANTE

346 W CENTRAL AVE, Winter Haven FL 33880 · 863-293-1797

Last inspected Aug 26, 2026 · 7 visits since November 2023

■ Ordered shut AUG 26, 2026

The state ordered this kitchen closed. No return visit has cleared it to reopen, so it may not be trading.

Licence typeRestaurant
Seats230
Risk levelRisk Level 2
LicenceSEA6306102
Grade history
DEC 24
APR 25
NOV 25
APR 26
AUG 26
▲ GETTING WORSE

5 inspections, one direction. The current grade is the worst on record.

Worst finding on record
Rodent activity present as evidenced by rodent droppings found. 40 rodent droppings under dry storage area. Operator cleaned and sanitized area with sanitizing solution.
High priority/35A-04-4/Corrective Action Taken/Warning
Badges — 1 earned
★ Spotless◆ Clean streak● Perfect year✓ Never fined

Awarded on the inspection record alone. What they mean →

Inspection history

7 visits, newest first

Aug 26, 2026■ Emergency order recommendedComplaint Investigation

Ordered shut on the spot. 4 violations recorded, 1 of them the tier the state says can make you ill. A reinspection is required before this kitchen may reopen.

1 High priority0 Intermediate3 Basic
What the inspector wrote — 4 findings
Rodent activity present as evidenced by rodent droppings found. 40 rodent droppings under dry storage area. Operator cleaned and sanitized area with sanitizing solution.
High priority/35A-04-4/Corrective Action Taken/Warning
Carbon dioxide/helium tanks not adequately secured. Operator secured tanks
Basic/51-11-4/Corrected On-Site/Warning
Silverware/utensils stored upright with the food-contact surface up. Operator inverted items
Basic/24-18-4/Corrected On-Site/Warning
Single-service articles improperly stored. Pizza boxes on the floor operator removed from floor.
Basic/25-05-4/Corrected On-Site/Warning
Apr 2, 2026Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection

Met inspection standards. 4 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.

1 High priority0 Intermediate3 Basic
Show 4 findings ▾
Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Salad prep cooler Tiramisu 55F Operator voluntarily discarded.
High priority/03A-02-5
Cold holding equipment not maintained in good repair. Do not store time/temperature control for safety food in this unit until the unit is repaired. Maintenance placed on to repair 53F
Basic/14-74-7/Corrective Action Taken
Ice scoop handle in contact with ice. At bar operator removed handle from ice
Basic/10-08-5/Corrected On-Site
Reach-in cooler interior/shelves have accumulation of soil residues. At the bar, operator cleaned and sanitized area.
Basic/22-16-4/Corrected On-Site
Nov 20, 2025Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection

Met inspection standards. 5 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.

0 High priority0 Intermediate5 Basic
Show 5 findings ▾
Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin.-Employee clean and sanitize ice shield
Basic/22-20-5/Corrected On-Site/Repeat Violation
Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. At salad station employee had cell phone and glasses on cutting board employee removed items from cutting board and then wash your hands and sanitize the cutting board.
Basic/40-06-5/Corrected On-Site/Repeat Violation
Employee with no hair restraint while engaging in food preparation. Pizza station, employee placed on hat
Basic/13-03-4/Corrected On-Site
Silverware/utensils stored upright with the food-contact surface up. Spoons in kitchen for pizza station.
Basic/24-18-4/Corrected On-Site/Repeat Violation
Tongs stored on equipment door handle between uses on cook line, chef removed tongs.
Basic/10-20-4/Corrected On-Site/Repeat Violation
Apr 15, 2025Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection

Met inspection standards. 5 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.

1 High priority0 Intermediate4 Basic
Show 5 findings ▾
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. Operator replaced sanitizer then primed the machine. 0 ppm then 100 ppm.
High priority/22-41-4/Corrected On-Site
Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin. Operator cleaned and sanitized area ice machine panel.
Basic/22-20-5/Corrected On-Site
Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. At server station, purse stored on coffee liners at main kitchen entrance. Employee removed purse.
Basic/40-06-5/Corrected On-Site
In-use tongs stored on equipment door handle between uses. Cook line operator removed tongs
Basic/10-20-4/Corrected On-Site
Silverware/utensils stored upright with the food-contact surface up. Across from dish machine Employee inverted items.
Basic/24-18-4/Corrected On-Site
Dec 12, 2024Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection

Met inspection standards. 4 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.

0 High priority1 Intermediate3 Basic
Show 4 findings ▾
Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Dishes and pans on top of hand washing sink. Operator removed items
Intermediate/31A-11-4/Corrected On-Site
Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin. Operator cleaned and sanitized area.
Basic/22-20-5/Corrected On-Site
Clean silverware glasses, cups, bowls, plates, pots and pans not stored inverted or in a protected manner. Silver ware at dish storage. Operator inverted silver ware.
Basic/24-05-4/Corrected On-Site
Food stored on floor. Oil on the floor in dry storage. Operator removed from the floor.
Basic/08B-38-4/Corrected On-Site
Mar 8, 2024Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection

Nothing was found. The inspector recorded no violations at all.

0 High priority0 Intermediate0 Basic
Nov 17, 2023Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection

Met inspection standards. 3 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.

1 High priority2 Intermediate0 Basic
Show 3 findings ▾
Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. Air freshener next to croutons on salad prep area. Operator removed air freshener.
High priority/41-10-4/Corrected On-Site
Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Ice in hand wash sink near pizza station. Operator removed ice out of and washing sink.
Intermediate/31A-11-4/Corrected On-Site
Non-pitting surface rust on food-contact equipment. On racks in reach in cooler on salad area.
Intermediate/22-31-4

This record follows the licence, not the owner. Restaurants change hands and the licence history normally does not, so an older entry may describe people who no longer run the place. Every inspection above links to the state's own report. Something wrong? Tell us.