ESSENTIAL CATERING SOLUTIONS LLC
255 N BROADWAY AVE, Bartow FL 33830 · 8633337100
Last inspected Feb 18, 2026 · 8 visits since September 2023
OCT 23
NOV 24
APR 25
OCT 25
FEB 26
— STEADY
5 inspections within 14 points of each other. Whatever this kitchen does, it does consistently.
Live, small flying insects in kitchen, food preparation area, food storage area and/or bar area. Observed 1 fly in cinnamon raisin bagel bag landing on bagels. Stop sale issued.
★ Spotless◆ Clean streak● Perfect year✓ Never fined
Awarded on the inspection record alone. What they mean →
Inspection history
8 visits, newest first
Feb 18, 2026Inspection Completed - No Further ActionLicensing 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
Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Eggs over a container of Sweet Baby Ray's BBQ Sauce. Inside the side by side reach in cooler. The eggs was relocated.
No Heimlich maneuver/choking sign posted.
Dec 18, 2025Call Back - Admin. complaint recommendedRoutine Inspection
Referred for a formal case, which can lead to a fine. 2 violations recorded.
0 High priority2 Intermediate0 Basic
Show 2 findings ▾
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Can opener blade on the can opener located on the prep table next to the upright reach in freezer.
Required employee training provided by an unapproved provider. To order approved program food safety material, call DBPR contracted provider: Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (SafeStaff) 866-372-7233. DHC A subsidiary of Essential Catering. Not approved Provider..
Oct 14, 2025Warning IssuedRoutine Inspection
Violations found and a warning issued, with a return visit required. 4 recorded.
0 High priority2 Intermediate2 Basic
Show 4 findings ▾
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Can opener blade on the can opener located on the prep table next to the upright reach in freezer.
Required employee training provided by an unapproved provider. To order approved program food safety material, call DBPR contracted provider: Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (SafeStaff) 866-372-7233. DHC A subsidiary of Essential Catering. Not approved Provider..
Interior of microwave has accumulation of black substance/grease/food debris. On the shelf above the turbo chef oven.
No copy of latest inspection report available. 11-20-2024 posted. Should be 04/29/2025
Apr 29, 2025Inspection 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 ▾
No chemical test kit provided when using sanitizer at three-compartment sink/warewashing machine or wiping cloths.
Ice scoop handle in contact with ice. Inside a Coleman cooler on the front counter. The handle was removed out of the ice.
Wet wiping cloth not stored in sanitizing solution between uses. Near the steam table. The towel was removed
Jan 24, 2025□ Call Back - CompliedRoutine Inspection
A return visit. The problems from the previous inspection had been dealt with.
0 High priority0 Intermediate0 Basic
Nov 20, 2024Warning IssuedRoutine Inspection
Violations found and a warning issued, with a return visit required. 4 recorded, 1 high priority.
1 High priority1 Intermediate2 Basic
Show 4 findings ▾
Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Raw chicken over a case of hot dogs. The chicken was relocated to the bottom shelf of the reach in cooler.
Manager or person in charge lacking proof of food manager certification.
Single-service articles improperly stored. A case of 12oz foam cups stored on the floor in the dry storage area.
Standing water in bottom of reach-in-cooler. Side by side stainless steel reach in cooler on the front line.
Oct 3, 2023Inspection Completed - No Further ActionComplaint Investigation
Met inspection standards. 2 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
0 High priority1 Intermediate1 Basic
Show 2 findings ▾
Whole fruit displayed for self-service not wrapped and no utensils provided. Apples on the front counter. The apples was removed. I explained to the person in charge to wash and wrap the apples or placeba sign stating the apples are not washed.
Unwrapped single-service utensils not presented so that only the handles are touched. Plastic knives, forks and spoons on the front counter. The utensils was stored with the handles presented first.
Sep 22, 2023Inspection Completed - No Further ActionComplaint Investigation
Met inspection standards. 8 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
5 High priority3 Intermediate0 Basic
Show 8 findings ▾
Employee began working with food, handling clean equipment or utensils, or touching unwrapped single-service items without first washing hands. Observed employee come from register area and put on gloves to work with food. Educated employee to wash hands when changing tasks and and putting on gloves.
Employee touched soiled surface and then engaged in food preparation, handled clean equipment or utensils, or touched unwrapped single-service items without washing hands. Observed manager on phone and holding with gloved hand, and then started working with food. Educated employee and had them change their gloves and wash their hands
Live, small flying insects in kitchen, food preparation area, food storage area and/or bar area. Observed 1 fly in cinnamon raisin bagel bag landing on bagels. Stop sale issued.
Stop Sale issued due to food not being in a wholesome, sound condition. Observed fly landing on 2 cinnamon raisin bagels.
Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Cook line: shredded cheddar (63F - Cold Holding); cream cheese (67F - Cold Holding). Cheese was sitting out with no temperature control. Manager put in freezer and reached 41f in 15 min. Observed deep pans were not being used in cold holding unit so temperature control could not be maintained
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Cutting board on cook line stained
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. For some employees
Records/documents for required employee training do not contain all of the required information. Training roster missing name of training program. Observed one safe staff program for one employee
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.