HGI LAKELAND GREAT AMERICAN GRILL
3839 DON EMERSON DR, Lakeland FL 33811 · 608-444-7327
Last inspected Jul 24, 2026 · 11 visits since October 2023
NOV 24
MAR 25
OCT 25
MAR 26
JUL 26
— STEADY
5 inspections within 33 points of each other. Whatever this kitchen does, it does consistently.
Live, small flying insects found Observed 6 flying insects inside a case of white potatoes at the end of the prep sink across from the walk in freezer. The case of potatoes was discarded. Observed 6 flying insects on the potato dicer on the wall across from the walk in freezer. The potato dicer was removed to the dishwasher area and was washed, rinsed and sanitized.
★ Spotless◆ Clean streak● Perfect year✓ Never fined
Awarded on the inspection record alone. What they mean →
Disciplinary actions
1 case · $160
| Case | Violation date | Final order | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3--2024018041 | Jan 4, 2024 | Jul 18, 2024 | $160 |
Inspection history
11 visits, newest first
Jul 24, 2026Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 6 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
2 High priority1 Intermediate3 Basic
What the inspector wrote — 6 findingsThe state's own report →
Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Sausage links 122F. Front counter
Wiping cloth sanitizer solution exceeds the maximum concentration allowed. 500 ppm. The solution was discarded at made t 200 ppm
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Potato diced on the wall next to the prep table across from the walk in freezer.
Food stored on floor. A case of ice cream sandwiches on the floor inside the walk in freezer.
Show the remaining 2 findings ▾
Ice buildup in the walk-in freezer.
Single-service articles improperly stored. A case of Sysco plastic cups inside the office/ dry storage area.
Mar 3, 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 ▾
Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting. Pans on the shelf next to the walk in cooler.
Handle missing at plumbing fixture. Handle missing for the cold water faucet at the 3 compartment sink.
Interior of microwave has accumulation of black substance/grease/food debris. On the prep ramble next to the flip top reach in cooler. Employee was assigned to clean the microwave.
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Gasket on the flip top reach in cooler door. Across from the cook line. Employee cleaned the gaskets.
Oct 24, 2025□ 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 ▾
Accumulation of debris on exterior of warewashing machine. Top of the dishwasher.
Oct 16, 2025Warning IssuedRoutine Inspection
Violations found and a warning issued, with a return visit required. 12 recorded, 2 high priority.
2 High priority3 Intermediate7 Basic
Show 12 findings ▾
Live, small flying insects found Observed 6 flying insects inside a case of white potatoes at the end of the prep sink across from the walk in freezer. The case of potatoes was discarded. Observed 6 flying insects on the potato dicer on the wall across from the walk in freezer. The potato dicer was removed to the dishwasher area and was washed, rinsed and sanitized.
Raw animal foods not properly separated from each other in holding unit based upon minimum required cooking temperature. Raw chicken over hamburger patties inside the side by side reach in cooler across from the cook line. The chicken was relocated below the ground beef.
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Blade on the can opener on the end of the prep table near the dishwasher. Potato dicer on the wall across the from the walk in freezer. The potato dicer was removed to the dishwasher area to be washed, rinsed and sanitized.
No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. In the bar area. Paper towels was replaced.
Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled. Spray bottle with blue liquid inside the spray bottle on the hand washing sink in the large bar that's used at night.
Accumulation of debris on exterior of warewashing machine. Top of the dishwasher.
Food stored on floor. A can of Housin Sauce on the floor under a shelf in the dry storage area.
Hole in or other damage to wall. Holes in the wall next to the potato dicer across from the walk in freezer.
No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees. Hand washing sink in the bar area.
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Gaskets on the flip top reach in cooler across from the cook line.
Single-service articles improperly stored. Coffee filters stored on top of the juice dispenser in the service area unprotected. The filters was removed.
Standing water or very slow draining water in handwash sink. In the dishwasher area near the 3 compartment sink.
May 22, 2025□ Call Back - CompliedRoutine Inspection
A return visit. The problems from the previous inspection had been dealt with.
0 High priority2 Intermediate0 Basic
Show 2 findings ▾
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Potato diver on the wall across from the walk in freezer. Can opener blade at the end of the table in the dishwasher area.
No measuring device available for measuring utensil surface temperature when using hot water as sanitizer in a dishmachine.
Mar 20, 2025Warning IssuedRoutine Inspection
Violations found and a warning issued, with a return visit required. 7 recorded, 1 high priority.
1 High priority3 Intermediate3 Basic
Show 7 findings ▾
Self-service salad bar/buffet lacking adequate sneezeguards or other proper protection from contamination. Cut melons on the breakfast buffet in the lobby.
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Potato diver on the wall across from the walk in freezer. Can opener blade at the end of the table in the dishwasher area.
Manager or person in charge lacking proof of food manager certification. Certificate provided the person is no longer employed. Deborah Cruz 7-11-2922
No measuring device available for measuring utensil surface temperature when using hot water as sanitizer in a dishmachine.
Food stored on floor. A bag of onions on the floor inside the walk in cooler. Several products on the floor inside the walk in freezer.
Label on a food item prepared and packaged onsite for customer self-service does not include product identity/description, date product was packaged and name and address of the establishment that prepared and packaged the food. Inside the display case in the lobby. Baked chicken and mashed potatoes Egg salad sandwiches Crispy chicken wrap etc.
Water leaking from faucet. 2 compartment prep sink.
Jan 15, 2025Call Back - Admin. complaint recommendedRoutine Inspection
Referred for a formal case, which can lead to a fine. 4 violations recorded.
0 High priority2 Intermediate2 Basic
Show 4 findings ▾
Observed: Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Potato slicer on the wall across from the walk in cooler. Priority: Intermediate
Observed: Manager or person in charge lacking proof of food manager certification. Priority: Intermediate
Observed: Light not functioning. Hood system. Priority: Basic
Observed: Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Gaskets on the flip top reach in cooler. Priority: Basic
Nov 6, 2024Warning IssuedRoutine Inspection
Violations found and a warning issued, with a return visit required. 8 recorded, 2 high priority.
2 High priority3 Intermediate3 Basic
Show 8 findings ▾
Observed: Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Shelled eggs over cooked pasta is the side by side reach in cooler. Front kitchen. The eggs was relocated. Priority: High Priority
Observed: Self-service salad bar/buffet lacking adequate sneezeguards or other proper protection from contamination. Cut watermelons at the breakfast bar. The watermelon was covered with Saran Wrap. Priority: High Priority
Observed: Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Potato slicer on the wall across from the walk in cooler. Priority: Intermediate
Observed: Manager or person in charge lacking proof of food manager certification. Priority: Intermediate
Observed: No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. Front Counter and dishwasher area. Paper towels was replaced. Priority: Intermediate
Observed: Interior of microwave has accumulation of black substance/grease/food debris. On the table next to the flip top reach in cooler. Priority: Basic
Observed: Light not functioning. Hood system. Priority: Basic
Observed: Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Gaskets on the flip top reach in cooler. Priority: Basic
Mar 26, 2024Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 3 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
1 High priority1 Intermediate1 Basic
Show 3 findings ▾
Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Shredded cheese 44F Crumbled sausage 44F
Commercially processed ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food opened and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked after opening. Gallons of milk inside the two door reach in cooler in the kitchen area.
Light not functioning. Hood system over the stove.
Jan 4, 2024Call Back - Admin. complaint recommendedRoutine Inspection
Referred for a formal case, which can lead to a fine. 5 violations recorded.
0 High priority1 Intermediate4 Basic
Show 5 findings ▾
Manager or person in charge lacking proof of food manager certification.
Accumulation of debris on exterior of warewashing machine. Top of the dishwasher.
Lights in food preparation, food storage or warewashing area missing the proper shield, sleeve coatings or covers. Walk in freezer.
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Exterior of the sides of the cooking equipment.
Single-service articles improperly stored. Case of dinner napkins stored on the floor in the dry storage area. The napkins were removed from off the floor.
Oct 30, 2023Warning IssuedRoutine Inspection
Violations found and a warning issued, with a return visit required. 15 recorded, 3 high priority.
3 High priority5 Intermediate7 Basic
Show 15 findings ▾
Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Unpasteurized shelled eggs above milk and yogurt containers inside the walk in cooler. The eggs was relocated beneath other products.
Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Liquid eggs 53F inside the flip top reach in cooler on the front line. The product was moved to a working cooler.
Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. Spray bottle of comet cleanser on the side ledge of the ice machine.
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.
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Blade on the slicer is encrusted with old food. Located on the r prep table across from the walk in freezer. Nozzles around the Harvest Valley Juice machine is soiled at the beverage station in the service area.
Manager or person in charge lacking proof of food manager certification.
No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. Hand washing sink on the front line next to the kitchen entrance.
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.
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. Open bottle of purAqua purified water on the shelf with dry storage. Beverage was discarded.
Interior of microwave has accumulation of black substance/grease/food debris. On the table across from the steam table on the front line.
Lights in food preparation, food storage or warewashing area missing the proper shield, sleeve coatings or covers. Walk in freezer.
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Exterior of the sides of the cooking equipment.
Single-service articles improperly stored. Case of dinner napkins stored on the floor in the dry storage area. The napkins were removed from off the floor.
Standing water in bottom of reach-in-cooler. Water inside the reach in cooler on the front line.
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.