DENA'S PLACE DINER
4525 S FLORIDA AVE STE 28, Lakeland FL 33813 · 863-937-4514
Last inspected Aug 4, 2026 · 7 visits since July 2023
NOV 24
MAR 25
NOV 25
FEB 26
AUG 26
≈ ERRATIC
5 inspections, swinging between A and C. Consistency is the problem here, not any single visit.
Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license. February 1,2026.
★ Spotless◆ Clean streak● Perfect year✓ Never fined
Awarded on the inspection record alone. What they mean →
Inspection history
7 visits, newest first
Aug 4, 2026Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 2 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
1 High priority0 Intermediate1 Basic
What the inspector wrote — 2 findings
Self-service salad bar/buffet lacking adequate sneezeguards or other proper protection from contamination. Cases of beverage syrup on the floor under the dry storage shelf. 2 buckets with butterball turkeys thawing on the floor in the room with the upright refrigerators.
Water leaking from faucet. At the 3 compartment sink.
Feb 12, 2026Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 7 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
3 High priority2 Intermediate2 Basic
Show 7 findings ▾
Cooked/heated time/temperature control for safety food not cooled from 135 degrees Fahrenheit to 41 degrees Fahrenheit within 6 hours. Noodles 50F inside the victory side by side reach in cooler in the dry storage area.
Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license. February 1,2026.
Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. Noodles 50 F.
Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. A container with strawberries stored in the hand washing sink in the dishwasher area. The containers was removed.
chemical test kit provided when using sanitizer at three-compartment sink/warewashing machine or wiping cloths. Chlorine chemical test strips expired 2/2022.
Cardboard used to line food-contact shelves. Cardboard lining the shelves in the upright white freezer inside the dry storage area.
Food stored on floor. A case of liquid margarine. Dry storage area. Canned vegetables, coffee
Nov 6, 2025Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 6 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
0 High priority0 Intermediate6 Basic
Show 6 findings ▾
Food stored on floor. Beverage syrups under the dry storage shelf.
No copy of latest inspection report available.
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Gaskets on the flip top reach in cooler across the cook line.
Reach-in cooler interior have accumulation of soil residues. White upright freezer in the dry storage area.
Reach-in cooler shelves with rust that has pitted the surface. In the Victory 2 door cooler in the dry storage area.
Single-service articles improperly stored. A case of white 16 oz. foam cup. Wrapped cutlery sets. Dry storage Product was removed off the floor..
Mar 5, 2025Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 5 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
1 High priority1 Intermediate3 Basic
Show 5 findings ▾
Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Sausage 46F in the top section of the flip top reach in cooler. Ice was put on the product.
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.
Bathroom door left open other than during cleaning or maintenance. Both men and women. Doors are not self closing.
Carbon dioxide tanks not adequately secured. Front counter near the beverage station.
In-use tongs stored on equipment door handle between uses. Tongs on oven door handle.
Nov 15, 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 ▾
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 a copy to the email provided.
Bathroom door left open other than during cleaning or maintenance. Operator closed the door.
Carbon dioxide tanks not adequately secured. Next to beverage station at the front counter.
Food stored on floor. Cans of green beans and beverage syrups under the dry storage shelf in the hallway.
Jan 12, 2024Inspection 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 ▾
Employee touched face/hair and then engaged in food preparation, handled clean equipment or utensils, or touched unwrapped single-service items without washing hands. Employee touched her face and then engaged in food preparation without changing her gloves. I had the employee to remove the gloves and wash her hands.
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 a copy by email.
Food stored on floor. Onions, can vegetables, ketchup etc. in the dry storage area.
Single-service articles improperly stored. 20 oz foam cups in the dry storage area.
Jul 14, 2023Inspection 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 ▾
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. Emailed copy to manager
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. Manager had employees start signing acknowledgment.
Carbon dioxide/helium tanks not adequately secured. In server area
Equipment in poor repair. Observed missing fan guard in reach in freezer
Women's Bathroom door left open other than during cleaning or maintenance. No self closer installed
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.