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FORDS GARAGE

879 LAKELAND PARK CENTER DR, Lakeland FL 33809 · 863-337-3673

Last inspected Aug 7, 2026 · 8 visits since July 2023

Licence typeRestaurant
Seats285
Risk levelRisk Level 2
LicenceSEA6308443
Grade history
DEC 24
APR 25
SEP 25
MAY 26
AUG 26
≈ ERRATIC

5 inspections, swinging between A and C. Consistency is the problem here, not any single visit.

Worst finding on record
Live, small flying insects found Observed 1 live flying insect in kitchen on pipe attached to ceiling. Manager informed employee to eradicate flying insects.
High priority/35A-02-7/Corrective Action Taken
Badges — 1 earned
★ Spotless◆ Clean streak● Perfect year✓ Never fined

Awarded on the inspection record alone. What they mean →

Inspection history

8 visits, newest first

Aug 7, 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
Food stored on floor. Observed fries on floor in walk in freezer, manager removed fries from floor.
Basic/08B-38-4/Corrected On-Site
Interior of oven has accumulation of black substance/grease/food debris. Observed in ovens in food preparation area.
Basic/22-08-4
May 11, 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
Show 2 findings ▾
Ice buildup in walk-in freezer. Observed on floor.
Basic/14-69-4
Wet wiping cloth not stored in sanitizing solution between uses. Observed on cook line. Manager removed wet towel from counter.
Basic/21-12-4/Corrected On-Site
Sep 17, 2025Inspection Completed - No Further ActionComplaint Investigation

Met inspection standards. 3 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.

1 High priority0 Intermediate2 Basic
Show 3 findings ▾
Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. Observed sanitation bucket on cook line where food is prepared and held, manager moved bucket.
High priority/41-10-4/Corrected On-Site
Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Observed on cook line where food is prepared, manager removed employee beverage.
Basic/12B-07-4/Corrected On-Site
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with debris. Observed on exterior of flip top u it used for salads. Manager cleaned exterior of flip top.
Basic/23-03-4/Corrected On-Site
Jun 12, 2025□ Call Back - CompliedRoutine Inspection

A return visit. The problems from the previous inspection had been dealt with.

0 High priority0 Intermediate0 Basic
Apr 10, 2025Warning IssuedRoutine Inspection

Violations found and a warning issued, with a return visit required. 8 recorded, 3 high priority.

3 High priority3 Intermediate2 Basic
Show 8 findings ▾
Live, small flying insects found Observed 1 live flying insect in kitchen on pipe attached to ceiling. Manager informed employee to eradicate flying insects.
High priority/35A-02-7/Corrective Action Taken
Nonfood-grade containers used for food storage - direct contact with food. Establishment uses fuel funnel to hold onion rings from tractor supply.
High priority/14-15-4
Single-use gloves not changed as needed after changing tasks or when damaged or soiled. Observed on cook line employee handle raw chicken with gloves and then handled a soup bowl, employee wash hands and changed gloves.
High priority/12A-09-4
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Observed debris interior of oven in food preparation area.
Intermediate/22-02-4
Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Observed cart in front of hand sink in dish area, manager rolled cart away from sink.
Intermediate/31A-09-4/Corrected On-Site
Operator is doing a special process, conducting reduced oxygen packaging, cooking time/temperature control for safety food to a time and temperature combination lesser than those in the Food Code or operating a molluscan shellfish tank for human consumption without a HACCP plan approved by the Division of Hotels and Restaurants. Establishment is doing cook chill for several times. Several items such as the jalapeno cream corn dated 4/7 and black angus chili dated 4/6 are being held more than 48hrs.
Intermediate/03G-50-1
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed dusty fan cover on floor fan, fan cover was cleaned. Also observed debris on pipes on cook line behind fryer station.
Basic/23-03-4/Corrected On-Site/Repeat Violation
Open dumpster lid. Manager closed dumpster lid.
Basic/33-16-4/Corrected On-Site
Dec 11, 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 ▾
Paper towel dispenser at handwash sink not working/unable to dispense paper towels. Observed at main bar. Batteries replaced.
Intermediate/31B-05-4/Corrected On-Site
Accumulation of debris on exterior of warewashing machine. Observed on top area of unit.
Basic/16-21-4
Clean utensils or equipment stored in dirty drawer or rack. Observed utensils in black container in food preparation area. Employee removed utensils from container.
Basic/24-06-4/Corrected On-Site
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust.observed on hoses behind fryers.
Basic/23-03-4
Jan 22, 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 ▾
Accumulation of debris on exterior of warewashing machine. Observed on top area of unit.
Basic/16-21-4
Interior of oven/microwave has accumulation of black substance/grease/food debris. Observed in food preparation area.
Basic/22-08-4
Jul 17, 2023Inspection Completed - No Further ActionComplaint Investigation

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

0 High priority0 Intermediate2 Basic
Show 2 findings ▾
Garbage on the ground and/or pad around dumpster. Employee cleaned area.
Basic/33-19-4/Corrected On-Site
Interior of oven/microwave has accumulation of black substance/grease/food debris. Observed in oven in food preparation area.
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.