COZY OAKS RESTAURANT
1201 E ORANGE ST, Lakeland FL 33801 · 863.802.8121
Last inspected Aug 7, 2026 · 11 visits since August 2023
MAR 25
SEP 25
JAN 26
FEB 26
AUG 26
≈ ERRATIC
5 inspections, swinging between A and C. Consistency is the problem here, not any single visit.
Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Sausage 125F
★ Spotless◆ Clean streak● Perfect year✓ Never fined
Awarded on the inspection record alone. What they mean →
Disciplinary actions
2 cases · $560
| Case | Violation date | Final order | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3--2023026695 | Apr 4, 2023 | Jun 22, 2023 | $160 |
| 3--2020055695 | Nov 17, 2020 | Jan 13, 2021 | $400 |
Inspection history
11 visits, newest first
Aug 7, 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
What the inspector wrote — 4 findings
Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Sausage 125F
Buildup of food debris/soil residue on equipment door handles. Microwave handles
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Bottom of soda head
Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Sugar bulk. Operator labeled.
Feb 12, 2026Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 3 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
0 High priority1 Intermediate2 Basic
Show 3 findings ▾
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Cutting Board
In-use ice scoop stored on soiled surface between uses. On ice machine
In-use tongs stored on equipment door handle between uses.
Feb 5, 2026□ Call Back - CompliedComplaint Investigation
A return visit. The problems from the previous inspection had been dealt with.
0 High priority3 Intermediate2 Basic
Show 5 findings ▾
Commercially processed ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food opened and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked after opening. Portioned packs of sliced cheeses held in reach in cooler not date marked.
Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Multiple items in reach in coolers not date marked
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. 1 expired certificate.
Equipment in poor repair. Torn gaskets on flip top cooler doors at cookline
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Area under soda fountain heads has buildup of food debris.
Jan 27, 2026Warning IssuedComplaint Investigation
Violations found and a warning issued, with a return visit required. 9 recorded, 2 high priority.
2 High priority3 Intermediate4 Basic
Show 9 findings ▾
Dented/rusted cans present. See stop sale. Dented and rusted can of crushed pineapple. Operator discarded.
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. Tested twice at 0ppm. Operator set up 3 compartment sink for sanitizing, tested at 50ppm.
Commercially processed ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food opened and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked after opening. Portioned packs of sliced cheeses held in reach in cooler not date marked.
Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Multiple items in reach in coolers not date marked
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. 1 expired certificate.
Equipment in poor repair. Torn gaskets on flip top cooler doors at cookline
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Area under soda fountain heads has buildup of food debris.
Stored food not covered. Portioned coffee in filters at wait station not covered. Operator placed lid on container.
Unwashed fruits/vegetables stored with ready-to-eat food. Unwashed tomatoes stored over ready to eat items in reach in cooler under expo window. Operator moved tomatoes to bottom.
Sep 29, 2025Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 5 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
0 High priority2 Intermediate3 Basic
Show 5 findings ▾
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Ice machine
Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled. Employee labeled spray bottle
In-use knife/knives stored in cracks between pieces of equipment. Knives removed.
In-use tongs stored on equipment door handle between uses. Tongs were removed
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Debris buildup on bottom of soda head in dining room
Mar 11, 2025Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 4 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
1 High priority1 Intermediate2 Basic
Show 4 findings ▾
Raw animal foods not properly separated from each other in holding unit based upon minimum required cooking temperature. Raw eggs over raw beef in reachin cooler on cookline.
Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled. Clear liquid
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Debris on bottom of soda head nozzles
Time/temperature control for safety food thawed in an improper manner. Thawing beef on shelf in kitcken, employee moved to reachin cooler.
Sep 19, 2024□ Call Back - CompliedComplaint Investigation
A return visit. The problems from the previous inspection had been dealt with.
0 High priority2 Intermediate0 Basic
Show 2 findings ▾
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Can opener Ice machine
No chemical test kit provided when using sanitizer at three-compartment sink/warewashing machine or wiping cloths.
Jul 19, 2024Warning IssuedComplaint Investigation
Violations found and a warning issued, with a return visit required. 13 recorded, 1 high priority.
1 High priority3 Intermediate9 Basic
Show 13 findings ▾
Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. Can WD40 stored on dishmachine. Operator moved chemical
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Can opener Ice machine
Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Observed employee fill pitcher with water at hand washing sink.
No chemical test kit provided when using sanitizer at three-compartment sink/warewashing machine or wiping cloths.
Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Using plate to scoop to potatoes.
Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting. Cups on serviceline
Food stored on floor. By men restroom, observed bag flour, soda box By office salad dressing
No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees. Women restroom
No mop sink or curbed cleaning facility provided at establishment. Mop sink has no plumbing to drain water.
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Bottom soda head buildup with food debris.
Silverware/utensils dried with a towel/cloth. Observed employee dry clean knife with towel.
Single-service articles improperly stored. To go boxes on floor.
Time/temperature control for safety food thawed in an improper manner. Thawing fish in pan on dish drain. Employee moved reach cooler.
Jan 18, 2024Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 6 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
1 High priority1 Intermediate4 Basic
Show 6 findings ▾
Single-use gloves not changed as needed after changing tasks or when damaged or soiled. Cracked raw eggs with gloves, then touch cooked bacon.
Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Desserts in dessert case.
Food stored on floor. Cases of liquid margarine on floor in stockroom
In-use wet wiping cloth/towel used under cutting board.
Wet wiping cloth not stored in sanitizing solution between uses. Wiping cloth on counter, Operator discarded towel.
Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name.bulk sugar and flour. Both products were labeled.
Oct 23, 2023□ Call Back - CompliedRoutine Inspection
A return visit. The problems from the previous inspection had been dealt with.
0 High priority0 Intermediate1 Basic
Show 1 finding ▾
Employee with no hair restraint while engaging in food preparation. All employees preparing food in kitchen area.
Aug 21, 2023Warning IssuedRoutine Inspection
Violations found and a warning issued, with a return visit required. 6 recorded, 1 high priority.
1 High priority0 Intermediate5 Basic
Show 6 findings ▾
Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Cheesecake 51F in dessert case
Bathroom located inside establishment not completely enclosed with tight-fitting, self-closing doors.
Employee with no hair restraint while engaging in food preparation. All employees preparing food in kitchen area.
No mop sink or curbed cleaning facility provided at establishment. Mop sink not plum with water or drainage.
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Bottom of soda head with old like buildup.
Wet wiping cloth not stored in sanitizing solution between uses. Wet wiping cloth on prep table. Employee removed wet wiping cloth.
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.