BEST WESTERN LAKE OKEECHOBEE
3975 S HWY 441, Okeechobee FL 34974 · 941-357-3529
Last inspected Mar 4, 2026 · 7 visits since November 2023
NOV 23
MAY 24
FEB 25
JUN 25
NOV 25
▼ IMPROVING
5 inspections trending up, 31 points better than where it started.
Food with mold-like growth. See stop sale. Two oranges in box of oranges in kitchen. Operator removed.
★ Spotless◆ Clean streak● Perfect year✓ Never fined
Awarded on the inspection record alone. What they mean →
Inspection history
7 visits, newest first
Mar 4, 2026Call Back - Admin. complaint recommendedRoutine Inspection
Referred for a formal case, which can lead to a fine. 1 violations recorded.
0 High priority1 Intermediate0 Basic
What the inspector wrote — 1 finding
Food manager certification expired. A list of accredited food manager certification examination providers can be found at https://www2.myfloridalicense.com/hotels-restaurants/food-lodging/food-manager/ M. Hayes Prometric 10/14/20, who is the only Certified Food Manager.
Jan 30, 2026Call Back - Extension given, pendingRoutine Inspection
A return visit. The problems were not fixed yet and the kitchen was given more time.
0 High priority1 Intermediate0 Basic
Show 1 finding ▾
Food manager certification expired. A list of accredited food manager certification examination providers can be found at https://www2.myfloridalicense.com/hotels-restaurants/food-lodging/food-manager/ M. Hayes Prometric 10/14/20, who is the only Certified Food Manager.
Nov 25, 2025Warning IssuedRoutine Inspection
Violations found and a warning issued, with a return visit required. 3 recorded.
0 High priority2 Intermediate1 Basic
Show 3 findings ▾
Food manager certification expired. A list of accredited food manager certification examination providers can be found at https://www2.myfloridalicense.com/hotels-restaurants/food-lodging/food-manager/ M. Hayes Prometric 10/14/20, who is the only Certified Food Manager.
Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Towels stored in handwashing sink in kitchen. Operator removed.
Dead roaches on premises. One dead roach in storage cabinet. Operator removed and sanitized.
Jun 6, 2025Inspection 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 ▾
Evidence of feeding stray/wild animals - food/water bowls provided outside: food bowl with food and water bowl with water sitting outside by entrance.
Current Hotel and Restaurant license not displayed.
Floor not cleaned when the least amount of food is exposed: at buffet line alongside windows, peanut butter cups, paper, Nutella containers.
Stored food not covered: open bag of oats and honey not closed or otherwise sealed shut in kitchen. Operator sealed bag.
Feb 21, 2025Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 7 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
1 High priority4 Intermediate2 Basic
Show 7 findings ▾
Food with mold-like growth. See stop sale. Two oranges in box of oranges in kitchen. Operator removed.
Employee washed hands in a sink other than an approved handwash sink. Employee rinsed hands off after bringing soiled utensils back to triple sink, in the triple sink. Employee was educated on proper location.
No proof of required state approved employee training provided for employee hired more than 60 days ago. To order approved program food safety material, call DBPR contracted provider: Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (SafeStaff) 866-372-7233. Employee K.P. And K.W.
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. Two employees K.P and K.W, signed form.
Required employee training expired for some employees. To order approved program food safety material, call DBPR contracted provider: Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (SafeStaff) 866-372-7233. Employee M.G.
Employee personal food not properly identified and segregated from food to be served to the public in freezer. Burritos stored with employee food.
Standing water or very slow draining water in handwash sink in kitchen..
May 22, 2024Administrative complaint recommendedRoutine Inspection
Referred for a formal case, which can lead to a fine. 8 violations recorded, 1 high priority.
1 High priority3 Intermediate4 Basic
Show 8 findings ▾
Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license. Please note: Licence renewal was 12/1/23. Visit Myfloridalicense.com to make your payment, if you have not already done so.
Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Jug stored in handwashing sink in kitchen. Operator removed.
No chemical test kit provided when using sanitizer at three-compartment sink/warewashing machine or wiping cloths for chlorine.
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. D.L no form. Operator has form and will have employee sign.
Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance : over danish self service area.
Employee personal food not properly identified and segregated from food to be served to the public. pizza, salsa, and drink stored together with food served to public in reach in cooler containing omelets and other breakfast buffet items. Operator removed all food.
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Top of coffee dispenser soiled.
Opened employee beverage container in a cold holding unit with food to be served to customers. Bottle of Bai water in reach in cooler and McDonald's cup frozen in reach in freezer. Operator removed all items.
Nov 2, 2023Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 9 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
4 High priority3 Intermediate2 Basic
Show 9 findings ▾
Cooked/heated time/temperature control for safety food not cooled from 135 degrees Fahrenheit to 41 degrees Fahrenheit within 6 hours. Sausage gravy from 11/1 60 F in stand up Reach in Cooler. Operator removed and voluntarily discarded.
Pesticide/insecticide labeled for household use only present in establishment on buffet line under juice dispenser, with single serve items. Operator removed.
Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. Sausage gravy from 11/1 60 F in stand up Reach in Cooler. Operator removed and voluntarily discarded.
Toxic substance/chemical improperly: on buffet line under juice dispenser, with single serve items. Operator removed.
Commercially processed ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food opened and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked after opening. Milk not date marked in stand up cooler.
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. Provided operator with the Vomiting and Diarrhea clean up form.
No proof of required state approved employee training provided for employee hired more than 60 days ago. To order approved program food safety material, call DBPR contracted provider: Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (SafeStaff) 866-372-7233.
Employee personal food not properly identified and segregated from food to be served to the public. Pizza stored in stand up reach in cooler with label"No employee food in this fridge".
Single-service articles improperly stored: foam plates stored on floor in corner by chest freezer.
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.