DONA JULIA'S RESTAURANT
5375 S FLORIDA AVE, Lakeland FL 33813 · 8636480858
Last inspected Aug 5, 2026 · 8 visits since August 2023
AUG 24
FEB 25
NOV 25
FEB 26
AUG 26
— STEADY
5 inspections within 22 points of each other. Whatever this kitchen does, it does consistently.
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 →
Disciplinary actions
2 cases · $400
| Case | Violation date | Final order | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3--2018015869 | Mar 15, 2018 | Apr 12, 2018 | — |
| 3--2017022882 | May 4, 2017 | Jun 7, 2017 | $400 |
Inspection history
8 visits, newest first
Aug 5, 2026Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 1 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
0 High priority1 Intermediate0 Basic
What the inspector wrote — 1 finding
Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked rice, green sauce, refried beans. Inside the side by side reach in coolers.
Feb 19, 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
Show 2 findings ▾
Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license. February 1,2026
Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Open can of Bloom Sparklung Energy Zdrink on the cutting board on the flip top reach in cooler across from the cook line. The beverage was removed and the area was cleaned and sanitized.
Nov 18, 2025Administrative complaint recommendedRoutine Inspection
Referred for a formal case, which can lead to a fine. 4 violations recorded, 1 high priority.
1 High priority1 Intermediate2 Basic
Show 4 findings ▾
Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license. February 1,2025. Open and operating serving food to the public.
Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Hand washing sink in the kitchen blocked by a prep table. The table was removed. Grill scraper inside the hand washing sink in the kitchen. The scraper was removed.
In-use knife/knives stored in cracks between pieces of equipment.knives between flip top reach in cooler and prep table.
Single-service articles improperly stored. 2 sleeves of styrofoam foam cups stored on the floor next to the chest style freezer on the front counter the cups was removed from off the floor.
Feb 19, 2025Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 5 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
2 High priority0 Intermediate3 Basic
Show 5 findings ▾
Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license. February 1, 2025
Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Bacon on the cook line. Held at 88F. Not cooked to crisp y. Discussed with the manager to fully cook the bacon to crispy or place the bacon inside the reach in cooler and to finish cooking when ordered. The manager decided to put the bacon inside the reach in cooler.
Accumulation of debris on exterior of warewashing machine. Top of the ice machine has an accumulation of dirt and debris.
Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Cup used to scoop ice from the ice bin at the beverage station on the front counter.
Time/temperature control for safety food thawed in an improper manner. Rice, black beans, sliced cooked corned beef in the kitchen area next to the side by side reach in cooler. The products was put inside the reach in coolers. Sleeves of Hamburger patties thawing in standing water in the 3 compartment sink. The water was drained and the product was put under cold running water.
Aug 22, 2024Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 3 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
0 High priority0 Intermediate3 Basic
Show 3 findings ▾
Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Brown backpack on a case of Coca Cola located on the front counter. The backpack was removed.
Food stored on floor. A case of beverage syrup. Front counter.
Wet wiping cloth not stored in sanitizing solution between uses. On the cutting board on reach in cooler across from the cook line.
Mar 21, 2024□ Call Back - CompliedRoutine Inspection
A return visit. The problems from the previous inspection had been dealt with.
0 High priority0 Intermediate0 Basic
Jan 18, 2024Warning IssuedRoutine Inspection
Violations found and a warning issued, with a return visit required. 4 recorded.
0 High priority4 Intermediate0 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 by email.
No proof of required state approved employee training provided for any employees. To order approved program food safety material, call DBPR contracted provider: Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (SafeStaff) 866-372-7233.
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. Provided a copy by email.
Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Employee marked the dates on the products.
Aug 9, 2023Inspection 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 ▾
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 english and Spanish copy to manager
Food stored on floor. Observed container of tortilla chips stored on the floor. Manager got container off of floor
No Heimlich maneuver/choking sign posted. Emailed copy to manager
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.