LINGS BUFFET
4320 S FLORIDA AVE, Lakeland FL 33813 · 8636029353
Last inspected Aug 24, 2026 · 10 visits since November 2023
JUN 25
DEC 25
APR 26
JUN 26
AUG 26
▲ GETTING WORSE
5 inspections, one direction. The current grade is the worst on record.
Presence of insects, rodents, or other pests. Insects inside a bag of Pillsbury XXX PATENT FLOUR. Flour was discarded.
★ 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--2019032070 | Jun 10, 2019 | Jul 31, 2019 | $800 |
| 3--2017024921 | May 16, 2017 | Jun 28, 2017 | $400 |
Inspection history
10 visits, newest first
Aug 24, 2026Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 6 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
1 High priority1 Intermediate4 Basic
What the inspector wrote — 6 findingsThe state's own report →
Dented/rusted cans present. See stop sale. Can of premium Hunt's Tomato ketchup on the dry storage shelf.
Establishment not maintaining clam/mussel/oyster tags for 90 days.
Cardboard used on floor as anti-slip measure not replaced every day or when heavily soiled, whichever comes first. Walk in freezer.
Food stored on floor. Bulk containers on imitation crab stored on the floor inside the produce walk in cooler. The product was removed from off the floor.
Show the remaining 2 findings ▾
Raw fruits/vegetables not washed prior to preparation. Broccoli florets not washed before cooking.
Time/temperature control for safety food thawed in an improper manner. Packages of imitation crab thawing in water in a bucket inside the produce walk in cooler. The product was removed from out of the water.
Jun 17, 2026Inspection Completed - No Further ActionComplaint Investigation (Partial)
Met inspection standards. 1 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
0 High priority0 Intermediate1 Basic
Show 1 finding ▾
Food stored on floor. A case of shrimp inside the walk in freezer.
Apr 28, 2026Inspection 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 ▾
Water with a temperature of least 85 degrees Fahrenheit not provided/shut off at employee handwash sink. Next to the mop sink across from the walk in cooler.
Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Plastic container inside a bulk bag of jasmine rice in the dry storage area.
Cardboard used on floor as anti-slip measure not replaced every day or when heavily soiled, whichever comes first. Inside the walk in freezer.
Food stored on floor. A bulk container of cooked chicken stored on the floor under a shelf inside the walk in cooler near the mop sink. The chicken was removed from of the floor.
In-use ice scoop stored on soiled surface between uses. Ice scoop stored on the ledge of the ice machine.
Stored food not covered. Products inside the walk in cooler. Cooked chicken, sliced carrots, onions, shrimp salmon etc.
Water leaking from pipe faucet/handle. Hand washing sink across from the walk in cooler and next to the mop sink.
Dec 16, 2025Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 9 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
0 High priority2 Intermediate7 Basic
Show 9 findings ▾
Packaged food has no English labeling. White bulk containers in the dry storage area.
Water with a temperature of least 85 degrees Fahrenheit not provided/shut off at employee handwash sink. Hand washing sink next to the mop sink.
Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine. Left bottom corner on the interior white panel on the 1st ice machine is soiled.
Food stored on floor. Cases of broccoli on the floor during prep. The broccoli was removed from off the floor.
In-use ice scoop stored on soiled surface between uses. Ice scoop on top of the ice machine. The ice scoop was removed to be washed, rinsed and sanitized.
Light not functioning. Under the hood system on the cook line.
No hot running water at mop sink.
Raw fruits/vegetables not washed prior to preparation. Employee cutting broccoli. I had the employee to wash the broccoli before cutting.
Time/temperature control for safety food thawed in an improper manner. Ribs thawing on the bottom shelf of a prep table. Ribs was removed and placed inside the walk in cooler.
Jun 25, 2025Inspection Completed - No Further ActionComplaint Investigation (Partial)
Nothing was found. The inspector recorded no violations at all.
0 High priority0 Intermediate0 Basic
Mar 14, 2025Inspection Completed - No Further ActionComplaint Investigation (Partial)
Nothing was found. The inspector recorded no violations at all.
0 High priority0 Intermediate0 Basic
Jan 16, 2025Inspection Completed - No Further ActionComplaint Investigation
Met inspection standards. 2 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
0 High priority0 Intermediate2 Basic
Show 2 findings ▾
Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine. Ice machine to the left.
Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Container inside a bag of flour. Dry storage. The container was removed.
Aug 8, 2024Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 8 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
1 High priority3 Intermediate4 Basic
Show 8 findings ▾
Employee washed hands with no soap. At the hand washing sink in the back prep area across from the tables with the rice cooker.
Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Cooking pot in the hand washing sink in the back prep area. The pot was removed.
No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. Last hand washing sink in the back prep area. Paper towels was replaced.
No soap provided at handwash sink. Hand washing sink in the back prep area across from the rice cooker. Soap was replaced.
Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine. Both ice machines.
Food stored on floor. Bucket of potatoes on the floor across from the fryers. The potatoes was removed from off the floor.
In-use ice scoop stored on soiled surface between uses. Ice scoop on top of the ice machine. The ice scoops was washed,rinsed and sanitized and placed inside a container.
Time/temperature control for safety food thawed in an improper manner. Frog legs, blue crabs thawing in standing water in the 3 compartment sink near the walk in cooler.
Feb 14, 2024Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 5 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
4 High priority0 Intermediate1 Basic
Show 5 findings ▾
Employee dried hands on clothes/apron/soiled towel after washing.
Employee washed hands with no soap.
Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license. February 1,2024
Raw animal foods not properly separated from each other in holding unit based upon minimum required cooking temperature. Raw chicken over blue crabs inside the walk in cooler. Crabs was relocated.
Time/temperature control for safety food thawed in an improper manner. Shrimp thawing in a container of standing water. On the prep table across from the electrical room.
Nov 7, 2023Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 5 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
2 High priority2 Intermediate1 Basic
Show 5 findings ▾
Presence of insects, rodents, or other pests. Insects inside a bag of Pillsbury XXX PATENT FLOUR. Flour was discarded.
Stop Sale issued due to food not being in a wholesome, sound condition. Insects inside a bag of bulk flour.
Employee washed hands in a sink other than an approved handwash sink. Employee washed his hands at the 3 compartment sink. I had the employee to wash his hands at a designated hand was sink.
Packaged food has no English labeling. Bulk food containers. In the dry storage area.
Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. 2 jackets stored on the shelf next to the wasabi sauce. In the dry storage area across from the walk in freezer. The jackets were removed.
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.