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FIRST WATCH RESTAURANT #253

555 CYPRESS GARDENS BLVD, Winter Haven FL 33880 · 863-251-8433

Last inspected Feb 27, 2026 · 6 visits since September 2023

Licence typeRestaurant
Seats150
Risk levelRisk Level 2
LicenceSEA6308575
Grade history
JAN 24
AUG 24
FEB 25
JUL 25
FEB 26
— STEADY

5 inspections within 12 points of each other. Whatever this kitchen does, it does consistently.

Worst finding on record
Live, small flying insects in kitchen, food preparation area, food storage area and/or bar area.
High priority/35A-02-6
Badges — 1 earned
★ Spotless◆ Clean streak● Perfect year✓ Never fined

Awarded on the inspection record alone. What they mean →

Inspection history

6 visits, newest first

Feb 27, 2026Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection

Met inspection standards. 2 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.

0 High priority0 Intermediate2 Basic
What the inspector wrote — 2 findings
Clean utensils or equipment stored in dirty drawer or rack. Operator removed all equipment to the dish machine area to be washed.
Basic/24-06-4/Corrected On-Site
Open dumpster lid. Shared Operator closed lid
Basic/33-16-4/Corrected On-Site
Jul 11, 2025Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection

Met inspection standards. 6 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.

1 High priority0 Intermediate5 Basic
Show 6 findings ▾
Dented/rusted cans present. See stop sale. Evaporated milk
High priority/01B-01-4
Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable. Cooks line manager discarded and placed new cutting boards out
Basic/14-09-4/Corrected On-Site
Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting.
Basic/24-08-4
Floor soiled/has accumulation of debris. Under servers station equipment, employee began cleaning during inspection
Basic/36-73-4/Corrective Action Taken
In-use lids for pots stored on equipment door handle between uses. Employee removed
Basic/10-20-4/Corrected On-Site
In-use utensil stored in standing water less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Spoon at servers station in 59°, employee removed water
Basic/10-07-4/Corrected On-Site
Feb 24, 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 ▾
Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Server station ice dumped in hand washing only sink. Operator removed ice from the hand washing sink.
Intermediate/31A-11-4/Corrected On-Site
Dirty dish pan stored with clean dishes. Operator removed dish to the dish machine area for washing.
Basic/24-06-4/Corrective Action Taken
Food stored on floor. Boxes of bread on the floor in walk-in freezer. Operator removed box from the floor.
Basic/08B-38-4/Corrected On-Site
Aug 30, 2024Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection

Met inspection standards. 2 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.

0 High priority0 Intermediate2 Basic
Show 2 findings ▾
Floor soiled/has accumulation of debris. In walk in cooler.
Basic/36-73-4
Single-service articles improperly stored on floor. Operator removed from the floor.
Basic/25-05-4/Corrected On-Site
Jan 31, 2024Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection

Met inspection standards. 1 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.

0 High priority0 Intermediate1 Basic
Show 1 finding ▾
Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Employee jackets and purses on the top drink mix packet's storage shelf. Operator removed items and placed in bin.
Basic/40-06-5/Corrected On-Site/Repeat Violation
Sep 25, 2023Inspection 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 ▾
Live, small flying insects in kitchen, food preparation area, food storage area and/or bar area.
High priority/35A-02-6
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Dirty Waffle machine stored on rack with clean dishes.
Intermediate/22-02-4
Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Operator removed dirty apron and dicer to appropriate areas for cleaning.
Basic/40-06-5/Corrected On-Site
Equipment in poor repair. Bottom part of the oven metal piece hanging to the floor on the cook line.
Basic/14-11-5
Ice buildup in walk-in freezer around the door. Door will not close properly.
Basic/14-69-4
Interior of oven has accumulation of black substance grease/food debris on the cook line.
Basic/22-08-4

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.