HIBACHI EXPRESS
490 US HWY 27 N STE 1320, Lake Placid FL 33852 · 407.247.2890
Last inspected Jul 8, 2026 · 9 visits since October 2023
MAR 25
JUL 25
OCT 25
DEC 25
JUL 26
▲ GETTING WORSE
5 inspections, one direction. The current grade is the worst on record.
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. Provided operator with the Vomiting and Diarrhea clean up form
★ Spotless◆ Clean streak● Perfect year✓ Never fined
Awarded on the inspection record alone. What they mean →
Inspection history
9 visits, newest first
Jul 8, 2026Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 8 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
3 High priority2 Intermediate3 Basic
What the inspector wrote — 8 findingsThe state's own report →
Shell eggs not stored at an ambient air temperature of 45 degrees Fahrenheit or less. Two flats of Raw shell eggs (75F - Ambient air temperature ) on line. Operator discarded.
Stop Sale issued due to adulteration of food product. Sushi rice with a towel inside. Operator removed towel.
Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. Two flats of Raw shell eggs (75F - Ambient air temperature ) on line. Operator discarded.
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime: cutting boards on line.
Show the remaining 4 findings ▾
No probe thermometer provided to measure temperature of food products.
Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the ice chute: Ice chute at soda machine. Operator cleaned and sanitized.
Cardboard used to line food-contact shelves under bottom of prep tables and under beef in walk in cooler.
Food stored on floor under shelf in walk in freezer. Operator removed and stored correctly
Dec 19, 2025Inspection Completed - No Further ActionComplaint Investigation
Met inspection standards. 5 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
0 High priority1 Intermediate4 Basic
Show 5 findings ▾
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime: cutting boards.
Cardboard used to line food-contact shelves under beef in walk in cooler.
Equipment in poor repair. Display case with glass cracked. Operator will special order glass.
Food stored on floor under shelf in walk in freezer. Operator stored correctly.
Stored food not covered. Cut broccoli and squash not cover in walk in cooler. Operator covered.
Oct 27, 2025Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 6 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
0 High priority1 Intermediate5 Basic
Show 7 findings ▾
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime: cutting boards under prep table.
Cardboard used to line food-contact shelves in walk in cooler with raw beef.
Covered waste receptacle not provided in women's bathroom.
Equipment in poor repair. Display glass cracked and repaired with clear tape at sushi area.
Food not stored at least 6 inches off of the floor. Cheesecake stored in walk in freezer. Operator removed and stored correctly.
Stored food not covered. Cut vegetables in walk in cooler not covered. Operator covered.
Marked exit/path to marked exit blocked. For reporting purposes only at the rice storage area.
Jul 16, 2025Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 3 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
1 High priority0 Intermediate2 Basic
Show 4 findings ▾
Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored with dried seaweed. Operator removed toilet bowl fragrance packets and stored correctly.
Food not stored at least 6 inches off of the floor: broccoli in kitchen, operator removed and stored correctly.
Food storage container lid cracked, on bulk rice.
Marked exit/path to marked exit blocked nearest walk in cooler. For reporting purposes only with boxes of bulk mayonnaise.
Mar 5, 2025Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 5 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
1 High priority1 Intermediate3 Basic
Show 5 findings ▾
Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. Odor ban stored at line. Operator removed.
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.
Clean utensils stored between equipment : knife on line stored between reach in coolers. Operator removed and stored correctly.
Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils on cook line. Operator removed.
No waste receptacle installed at handwash sink provided with disposable towels in prep area. Operator placed at location.
Jul 17, 2024Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 5 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
1 High priority1 Intermediate3 Basic
Show 5 findings ▾
Employee touched bare body part and then engaged in food preparation, handled clean equipment or utensils, or touched unwrapped single-service items without washing hands. Cooked touched face twice and did not wash hands. Operator educated employee.
No currently certified food service manager on duty with four or more employees engaged in food preparation/handling. A list of accredited food manager certification examination providers can be found at http://www.myfloridalicense.com/DBPR/hotels-restaurants/food-lodging/food-manager/
Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food in vinegar and sugar. Operator removed..
Food not stored at least 6 inches off of the floor. Open bag of panko not stored properly. Operator removed and stored properly.
Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Vinegar, orange sugar sauce not labeled.
Apr 16, 2024Inspection Completed - No Further ActionComplaint Investigation
Met inspection standards. 12 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
2 High priority5 Intermediate5 Basic
Show 12 findings ▾
Dented/rusted cans present. See stop sale. One dented can of pineapple. Operator removed.
Employee dried hands on clothes/apron/soiled towel after washing. Operator educated employee.
Employee washed hands in a sink other than an approved handwash sink in triple sink. Operator educated employee.
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. Provided operator with the Vomiting and Diarrhea clean up form
Food service manager not certified within 30 days of employment. A list of accredited food manager certification examination providers can be found at http://www.myfloridalicense.com/DBPR/hotels-restaurants/food-lodging/food-manager/
Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times: scoop in hand washing sink in prep area. Operator removed.
No currently certified food service manager on duty with four or more employees engaged in food preparation/handling. A list of accredited food manager certification examination providers can be found at http://www.myfloridalicense.com/DBPR/hotels-restaurants/food-lodging/food-manager/. Operator returned to establishment.
Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food in bulk sugar, corn starch and tempura. Operator removed.
Equipment or utensils not designed or constructed in a durable manner. Operator using drill with spatula to mix food on line.
Exterior door has a gap at the threshold that opens to the outside.
Food not stored at least 6 inches off of the floor in walk in freezer.
Opened employee beverage container in a cold holding unit with food to be served to customers. Operator removed.
Jan 3, 2024Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 8 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
2 High priority2 Intermediate4 Basic
Show 8 findings ▾
Raw animal food stored over or with ready-to-eat food in a freezer - not all products commercially packaged. Raw shrimp over ready to eat sauce in reach in cooler. Operator removed and stored raw shrimp accordingly.
Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored in kitchen and on top of line. Operator removed and stored correctly.
No proof of required state approved employee training provided for employee hired more than 60 days ago. To order approved program food safety material, call DBPR contracted provider: Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (SafeStaff) 866-372-7233.
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. Provided Operator with the Food Reporting Agreement, not all employees were able to sign by completion of inspection. Operator will have all others sign by next routine inspection.
Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food in bulk tempura. Operator removed.
Cardboard used to line food-contact shelves on line. Operator removed.
Employee eating in a food preparation or other restricted area. Operator made employee move accordingly.
Single-service items for customer self-service not properly protected to prevent contamination at cash out and soda dispenser. Operator removed and stored correctly.
Oct 30, 2023Inspection Completed - No Further ActionLicensing Inspection
Met inspection standards. 4 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
0 High priority0 Intermediate4 Basic
Show 4 findings ▾
Covered waste receptacle not provided in women's bathroom.
Drain cover(s) missing at triple sink and dishwasher areas.
Employee personal food not properly identified and segregated from food to be served to the public in walk in freezer. Operator stored correctly in new separate container.
No Heimlich maneuver/choking sign posted. Operator obtained poster.
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.