HIBACHI EXPRESS
5209 US HWY 98 S, Lakeland FL 33812
Last inspected Jul 17, 2026 · 8 visits since July 2023
AUG 24
JAN 25
OCT 25
FEB 26
JUL 26
▼ IMPROVING
5 inspections trending up, 13 points better than where it started.
Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Yeng yeng sauce inside of a bulk container at 52F. The container was moved to the walk in cooler.
★ Spotless◆ Clean streak● Perfect year✓ Never fined
Awarded on the inspection record alone. What they mean →
Disciplinary actions
1 case · $400
| Case | Violation date | Final order | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3--2022027133 | May 25, 2022 | Aug 4, 2022 | $400 |
Inspection history
8 visits, newest first
Jul 17, 2026Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 2 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
1 High priority1 Intermediate0 Basic
What the inspector wrote — 2 findings
Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Yeng yeng sauce inside of a bulk container at 52F. The container was moved to the walk in cooler.
Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Hand washing sink in the kitchen being used as a dump sink by evidence of onions and carrots inside of the sink.
Feb 12, 2026Inspection 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, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Cooked chicken on the flat grill is doubled pan. The bottom pan was removed to allow the chicken reheat to 165F for hot holding. 120F
Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Hand washing sink used as a dump sink by evidence of food in the hand washing sink. Kitchen.
Ice buildup in walk-in freezer floor.
Oct 21, 2025Inspection 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 ▾
Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine. Bottom of the white panel in the ice machine.
Food stored on floor. A case of beef in the back prep area. The beef was removed from off the floor.
Ice buildup in walk-in freezer.
In-use utensil stored in standing water less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Rice spoons in water at 93F. The temperature settings was increased on the crockpot. On the table across from the cook line.
Jan 7, 2025Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 7 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
1 High priority2 Intermediate4 Basic
Show 7 findings ▾
Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. Hand sanitizer, lotion stored on the utility cart where portioned saucers are stored and carry out containers. The sanitizer and lotions was relocated.
Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Hand washing sink in the sushi area used to fill a pitcher. The water was discarded and the pitcher was taken to the dishwasher area to be washed, rinsed and sanitized.
No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. Hand washing sink across from the cook line. The paper towels was replaced.
Establishment using wood (other than a hard, close grained wood) as a food-contact surface. On the bottom shelf inside the walk in cooler.
Food stored on floor. A case of noodles on the kitchen floor under the prep table. The noodles was removed from off the floor. Bulk containers of meat under the shelf inside the walk in freezer.
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Soiled gaskets on the flip top reach in cooler doors across from the cook line.
Raw fruits/vegetables not washed prior to preparation. Broccoli being cut before washed. I informed the manager to wash before cutting.
Aug 27, 2024Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 8 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
2 High priority1 Intermediate5 Basic
Show 8 findings ▾
Food placed in soiled container/equipment. Cut broccoli outback into the cardboard boxes. I had the broccoli washed and put into a clean container.
Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. Stored on the rack with beverage syrups. The chemicals was removed. Dawn detergent, sanitizer.
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. Emailed a copy.
Accumulation of debris on exterior of warewashing machine. Top of the dishwasher is soiled.
Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Plastic quart containers used inside the bulk rice containers.
Food stored on floor. Case of noodles in the kitchen. The noodles was reform off the floor.
In-use utensil stored in standing water less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Rice spoons in water at 123F.
Raw fruits/vegetables not washed prior to preparation.
Dec 6, 2023Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 4 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
1 High priority1 Intermediate2 Basic
Show 4 findings ▾
Raw animal foods not properly separated from each other in holding unit based upon minimum required cooking temperature. Raw chicken over uncooked French fries inside the bottom of the large flip top reach in cooler. The chicken was moved to the bottom shelf.
Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. White lid to a soy sauce container stored in the hand washing sink in the dishwasher area. The lid was removed.
Food stored on floor. Noodles, chicken, beef pork inside the walk in freezer. Bulk containers of cut chicken inside the walk in cooler.
In-use knife/knives stored in cracks between pieces of equipment. Knives between the reach in cooler and prep table across from the cook line. The knives were removed to the dishwasher area to be washed, rinsed and sanitized.
Sep 13, 2023□ Call Back - CompliedRoutine Inspection
A return visit. The problems from the previous inspection had been dealt with.
0 High priority0 Intermediate0 Basic
Jul 13, 2023Warning IssuedRoutine Inspection
Violations found and a warning issued, with a return visit required. 7 recorded, 1 high priority.
1 High priority4 Intermediate2 Basic
Show 7 findings ▾
Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Observed raw beef stored over ready to eat vegetables and raw shrimp in walk in cooler
Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Hand sink Blocked by buckets of teriyaki sauce in dish area. Manager removed
Menu does not identify which items contain raw or undercooked animal foods covered by the consumer advisory. Hibachi beef served medium well. Not marked on menu
No chlorine chemical test kit provided when using sanitizer at three-compartment sink/warewashing machine or wiping cloths.
Paper towel dispenser at handwash sink not working/unable to dispense paper towels. Hand sink on cook line and by dish area
Equipment in poor repair. Observed cracked sushi display case door
Food stored on floor. Observed cases of chicken and fish stored on floor in walk in cooler and freezer. Observed buckets of sauces on floor in storage as well.
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.