GATORS DOCKSIDE HIGHLAND CITY
5147 US 98 S, Lakeland FL 33812 · 863-619-7619
Last inspected Aug 26, 2026 · 8 visits since July 2023
AUG 24
JAN 25
NOV 25
MAR 26
AUG 26
— STEADY
5 inspections within 9 points of each other. Whatever this kitchen does, it does consistently.
Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Cook line pepsi cooler: sauerkraut (50F - Cold Holding); hot dog (50F - Cold Holding); Swiss (48F - Cold Holding) Manager moved to freezer, and is having hvac team looking at cooler as they are currently on site
★ Spotless◆ Clean streak● Perfect year✓ Never fined
Awarded on the inspection record alone. What they mean →
Disciplinary actions
2 cases · $1,200
| Case | Violation date | Final order | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3--2022027451 | May 25, 2022 | Jun 28, 2022 | $800 |
| 3--2022018287 | Mar 25, 2022 | May 11, 2022 | $400 |
Inspection history
8 visits, newest first
Aug 26, 2026Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 5 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
0 High priority1 Intermediate4 Basic
What the inspector wrote — 5 findingsThe state's own report →
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime At the end of the prep table next to the 2 compartment prep sink. The can opener was removed to be washed, rinsed and sanitized.
Equipment in poor repair. Bottom panel cover on the single upright reach in cooler across from the fryers is missing.
Floors not maintained smooth and durable. Throughout the kitchen.
Light not functioning. Hood system
Show the remaining 1 finding ▾
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Gasket on the small reach in cooler in the bar area. The manager cleaned the gasket.
Mar 13, 2026Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 4 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
0 High priority0 Intermediate4 Basic
Show 4 findings ▾
Commercially processed reduced oxygen packaged fish bearing a label indicating that it is to remain frozen until time of use no longer frozen and not removed from reduced oxygen package. Salmon and Red snapper. The fish was removed from the packaging thaw.
Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting. Pans on the shelf in the dry storage area.
Light not functioning. Hood system.
Non-stick coating peeling/chipping off of pans/utensils. Interior of the ice machine.
Nov 5, 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 ▾
Employee touching ready-to-eat food with their bare hands - food was not being heated as a sole ingredient to 145 degrees F or immediately added to other ingredients to be cooked/heated to the minimum required temperature to allow bare hand contact. Establishment has no approved Alternative Operating Procedure. Employee arranged mozzarella cheese sticks and boneless chicken on a plate with her bare hands. Manager explained to her to put a glove on her hand.
Employee with no hair restraint while engaging in food preparation. Employee preparing food on the cook line.
Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting. Pans on the shelf in the dry storage area.
Floors not maintained smooth and durable. Kitchen.
In-use knife/knives stored in cracks between pieces of equipment. Knives between reach in cooler and prep table across from the cook line.
Non-stick coating peeling/chipping off of interior of the ice machine.
Jan 2, 2025Inspection 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 ▾
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Can opener blade at the end of the prep table entering the dry storage/ walk in cooler area. The can opener was removed to be washed, rinsed and sanitized.
Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting. Pans on the shelf in the dry storage area.
Food stored on floor. A case of ribs on the floor inside the walk in freezer the ribs was removed from off the floor.
Standing water in bottom of reach-in-cooler. Across from the flat grill in the kitchen.
Aug 21, 2024Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 7 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
0 High priority1 Intermediate6 Basic
Show 7 findings ▾
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Soiled can opener blade on the can opener at the end of 2 compartment sink next to the hand was sink. Slicer blade on the table next to the ice machine. Both items was removed to the dishwasher area to be washed, rinsed and sanitized.
Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine. Near the ice chute.
Accumulation of debris on exterior of warewashing machine. Top of the dishwasher
Employee drinking from an unenclosed beverage container in a food preparation/clean dishware area and the container does not have a dispensing mechanism to prevent hand contact with lip contact area of drink container. Cup of 7/11 coffee on the cutting board on the flip top reach in cooler across from the grill. The beverage was discarded.
Light not functioning. 7nder hood system above the grill.
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Gasket on the single door reach in cooler in the bar area.
Wet wiping cloths used for occasional spills on equipment food- and nonfood-contact surfaces not clean. On the small white cutting board next to the single door reach in freezer across from the cook line. The towel was removed.
Nov 30, 2023Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 10 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
0 High priority1 Intermediate9 Basic
Show 10 findings ▾
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Can opener blade is soiled. Removed to the dishwasher area to be washed, rinsed and sanitized.
Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine. Near the ice chute.
Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Cup used to scoop ice. The manager informed the employee to use the ice scoop.
Employee drinking from an unenclosed beverage container in a food preparation/clean dishware area and the container does not have a dispensing mechanism to prevent hand contact with lip contact area of drink container. Beverage on the expo line and a bottled water in the kitchen next to sleeves of bread across from the cook line. Both beverages was discarded.
Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Black jacket and cell phone and keys on the slicer. The items was removed and the slicer was washed, rinsed and sanitized.
Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting. Pans on the shelf in the dry storage area next to the wall in freezer.
Food stored on floor. A case of Pepsi zero stored on the floor next to the beverage syrup rack by the walk in cooler. Syrup was removed from off the floor.
Interior of microwave has accumulation of black substance/grease/food debris. On shelf above the expo line.
Light not functioning. Under the hood system above the grill section. Floor warped in the kitchen on the cook line.
Old labels stuck to food containers after cleaning. Pans on the shelf in the dry storage area.
Jul 17, 2023□ Call Back - CompliedRoutine Inspection
A return visit. The problems from the previous inspection had been dealt with.
0 High priority0 Intermediate1 Basic
Show 1 finding ▾
Floors not maintained smooth and durable. Observed damaged flooring throughout kitchen
Jul 13, 2023Warning IssuedRoutine Inspection
Violations found and a warning issued, with a return visit required. 7 recorded, 2 high priority.
2 High priority0 Intermediate5 Basic
Show 7 findings ▾
Stop Sale issued due to food not being in a wholesome, sound condition. Observed pans of raw chicken, gator and shrimp stored in reach in cooler on cook line under dripping condensation due to ice buildup. Manager voluntarily discarded product
Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Cook line pepsi cooler: sauerkraut (50F - Cold Holding); hot dog (50F - Cold Holding); Swiss (48F - Cold Holding) Manager moved to freezer, and is having hvac team looking at cooler as they are currently on site
Accumulation of black mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine
Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting. Observed wet nesting 1/3 pans in dry storage
Floors not maintained smooth and durable. Observed damaged flooring throughout kitchen
Food stored under dripping water from ice build up in reach in cooler on cook line. Observed pans of raw chicken, gator, and shrimp.
Observed clean pans stored-on dirty rack in storage
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.