HIBACHI EXPRESS
1515 BARTOW RD, Lakeland FL 33801 · 863-510-5222
Last inspected Jan 14, 2026 · 6 visits since August 2023
MAR 24
AUG 24
JAN 25
AUG 25
JAN 26
▲ GETTING WORSE
5 inspections trending down, 15 points off where it started.
Food-contact surfaces in contact with time/temperature control for safety food not cleaned at least every four hours. Observed bamboo mat wrapped with plastic wrap. Manager stated it is changed only daily. Manager changed the plastic wrap
★ 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--2023013982 | Mar 9, 2023 | Mar 30, 2023 | $400 |
Inspection history
6 visits, newest first
Jan 14, 2026Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 17 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
1 High priority5 Intermediate11 Basic
What the inspector wrote — 17 findingsThe state's own report →
Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. Bottle of cleaner on expo line
Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Observed steel wool in cook line hand sink
No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. Sushi hand sink. Manager put towels.
No proof provided that some food employees are informed of their responsibility to report to the person in charge information about their health and activities related to foodborne illnesses.
Show the remaining 13 findings ▾
Proof of required state approved employee training not available for some employees. To order approved program food safety material, call DBPR contracted provider: Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (SafeStaff) 866-372-7233.
Toxic substance/chemical on premise that is not required for the operation of establishment. Observed tooth paste and mouthwash on sushi line.
Accumulation of debris inside warewashing machine.
Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Employee drink on expo line.
Floor soiled/has accumulation of debris. By ice machine and under dish and cook line equipment
Food not stored at least 6 inches off of the floor. Buckets of sauces, cases of frozen fish in walk in cooler, and bags of flour and rice in storage
Living/sleeping quarters that open directly into a public food service establishment without complete partitioning and/or self-closing doors. Cot on sushi line, and in back kitchen
No copy of latest inspection report available.
No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees. Sushi station
No suitable facilities provided to store employee clothing and other possessions. Observed multiple employees items like toys on shelving by sushi station
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Walk in cooler racks and fan guards have accumulated food debris, dust and mold like substance Exterior of fryers have bult up food debris
Single-service articles improperly stored. To go cases stored on floor
Wet wiping cloth not stored in sanitizing solution between uses. On sushi line
Aug 26, 2025Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 8 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
1 High priority2 Intermediate5 Basic
Show 8 findings ▾
Container of medicine improperly stored. Tylenol on prep table
No soap provided at handwash sink. By dish machine
Required employee training expired for all employees. To order approved program food safety material, call DBPR contracted provider: Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (SafeStaff) 866-372-7233.
Buildup of food debris/soil residue on equipment door handles. Cookline
Dead roaches on premises. 2 dead roaches in cabinet in dining room. Operator removed, then washed, rinsed and sanitized area.
Floor soiled/has accumulation of debris. Under and behind cooking equipment large buildup of grease and debris.
Living/sleeping quarters that open directly into a public food service establishment without complete partitioning and/or self-closing doors. Sleeping cot in back kitchen area
Wet wiping cloth not stored in sanitizing solution between uses. Wet wiping cloth on cutting board on cook line
Jan 7, 2025Inspection Completed - No Further ActionComplaint Investigation
Met inspection standards. 10 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
3 High priority2 Intermediate5 Basic
Show 10 findings ▾
Employee began working with food, handling clean equipment or utensils, or touching unwrapped single-service items without first washing hands. Observed employee plating food while holding child. Discussed proper handwashing
Food-contact surfaces in contact with time/temperature control for safety food not cleaned at least every four hours. Observed bamboo mat wrapped with plastic wrap. Manager stated it is changed only daily. Manager changed the plastic wrap
Nonexempt fish offered raw or undercooked has not undergone proper parasite destruction. Fish must be fully cooked or discarded. For fresh salmon. Manager got aquaculture letter
Failure to maintain freezing records on nonexempt fish for 90 days. Only had invoices for December and January
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Sesame shaker container soiled with accumulated debris, manger changed out
Interior of oven/microwave has accumulation of black substance/grease/food debris. Toaster oven soiled on sushi make line
No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees. At sushi station
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Exterior of fryers soiled with accumulated batter and grease
Ripped/worn plastic wrap used as shelf cover. On action shelving on cook line
Unclean building components, attachments or fixtures. Hood system and ansul pipes soiled with accumulated grease. Walk in cooler walls soiled with mold like substance
Aug 19, 2024Administrative complaint recommendedRoutine Inspection
Referred for a formal case, which can lead to a fine. 10 violations recorded, 2 high priority.
2 High priority3 Intermediate5 Basic
Show 10 findings ▾
Nonfood-grade containers used for food storage - direct contact with food. Using Togo bags for food storage in walk-in freezer.
Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. Soap stored over rice flour in stock area. Operator moved soap.
Establishment advertised crab on menu/menu board but served imitation crab. Crab rolls, crab Rangoon and sushi using imitation crab. Operator is having employees change menus and online menu.
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Can opener Ice machine lid
Water with a temperature of least 85 degrees Fahrenheit not provided/shut off at employee handwash sink. By 3 compartment sink.Operator turn hot water back on.
Accumulation of debris inside warewashing machine. Black debris buildup in bottom of ice machine.
Food stored on floor. Peas/carrot mixer on floor in freezer. operator moved food to shelf.
Interior of oven/microwave has accumulation of black substance/grease/food debris.
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Side of grills, fryers and table equipment on the cookline heavy soiled with grease.
Unclean building components, attachments or fixtures. Hood, filters and fire suspension pipes with dripping grease buildup on cookline.
Mar 11, 2024Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 11 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
0 High priority4 Intermediate7 Basic
Show 11 findings ▾
Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. By 3-compartment sink. Storing lids in hand washing sink.
No chemical test kit provided when using sanitizer at three-compartment sink/warewashing machine or wiping cloths.
No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. By 3- compartment sink
No soap provided at handwash sink. By 3-compartment sink
Accumulation of debris inside warewashing machine. Grease and food debris in dishmachine.
Buildup of food debris/soil residue on equipment door handles. Cookline
Drain cover(s) missing in mop sink.
Floor soiled/has accumulation of debris. Under equipment in back of kitchen and cookline.
Food stored on floor. Containers of food stored on floor in walk-in freezer floor under shelving.
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Maketable doors on cookline Grill sides and under grill with grease buildup Fryers sides Microwave outside
Single-service articles not stored inverted or protected from contamination. Cases of to go items stored on floor in back room.
Aug 1, 2023Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 7 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
1 High priority3 Intermediate3 Basic
Show 7 findings ▾
Food placed in soiled container/equipment. Salt shakers on tables with black debris in salt.
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Can opener
Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Hand washing sink in prep area is storing large bottle of dish detergent.
No soap provided at handwash sink. Manager replaced soap on cookline.
Floor soiled/has accumulation of debris. Back hallway Under cooking equipment grill and fryers grease buildup Debris under hand washing sinks.
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Fan guards in walk-in cooler Curtains by sushi cookline door
Single-service articles improperly stored. White food containers stored on floor in back kitchen
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.