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MEGA MERCADO RESTAURANT

6645 S FLORIDA AVENUE, Lakeland FL 33813 · 863-250-0359

Last inspected Feb 19, 2026 · 8 visits since July 2023

Licence typeRestaurant
Seats150
Risk levelRisk Level 2
LicenceSEA6307598
Grade history
JAN 24
AUG 24
FEB 25
JUL 25
FEB 26
≈ ERRATIC

5 inspections, swinging between A and C. Consistency is the problem here, not any single visit.

Worst finding on record
Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license. February 1, 2025
High priority/50-17-3/Warning
Badges — 1 earned
★ Spotless◆ Clean streak● Perfect year✓ Never fined

Awarded on the inspection record alone. What they mean →

Inspection history

8 visits, newest first

Feb 19, 2026Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection

Met inspection standards. 1 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.

0 High priority0 Intermediate1 Basic
What the inspector wrote — 1 finding
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Gasket on the reach in coolers is soiled.
Basic/23-03-4
Jul 8, 2025Inspection Completed - No Further ActionComplaint Investigation

Met inspection standards. 2 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.

0 High priority1 Intermediate1 Basic
Show 2 findings ▾
No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. Paper towels was replaced. Hand washing sinkin the kitchen.
Intermediate/31B-02-4/Corrected On-Site
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Gaskets on the reach in cooler. Both reach in coolers in the kitchen across from the cook line.
Basic/23-03-4
Apr 15, 2025□ Call Back - CompliedRoutine Inspection

A return visit. The problems from the previous inspection had been dealt with.

0 High priority0 Intermediate0 Basic
Feb 25, 2025Call Back - Extension given, pendingRoutine Inspection

A return visit. The problems were not fixed yet and the kitchen was given more time.

0 High priority1 Intermediate0 Basic
Show 1 finding ▾
No proof of required state approved employee training provided for any employees. To order approved program food safety material, call DBPR contracted provider: Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (SafeStaff) 866-372-7233.
Intermediate/53B-01-5/Warning/Return visit Feb 25, 2025 · No proof. Extended until 4-13-24. Time Extended
Feb 14, 2025Warning IssuedRoutine Inspection

Violations found and a warning issued, with a return visit required. 10 recorded, 3 high priority.

3 High priority2 Intermediate5 Basic
Show 10 findings ▾
Dishmachine chlorine sanitizer not at proper minimum strength. Discontinue use of dishmachine for sanitizing and set up manual sanitization until dishmachine is repaired and sanitizing properly. 00 ppm. The 3 compartment sink was setup. Spoke with Supervisor.
High priority/22-41-4/Warning
Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license. February 1, 2025
High priority/50-17-3/Warning
Single-use gloves not changed as needed after changing tasks or when damaged or soiled. Employee washed her hands with gloves on. The manager had the employee to remove the gloves and wash her hand without the gloves.
High priority/12A-09-4/Corrected On-Site/Warning
No proof of required state approved employee training provided for any employees. To order approved program food safety material, call DBPR contracted provider: Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (SafeStaff) 866-372-7233.
Intermediate/53B-01-5/Warning
No soap provided at handwash sink. Hand washing sink in the kitchen. The soap was replaced.
Intermediate/31B-03-4/Warning
Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Plastic bowl inside a bag of 50 lb. rice. Dry storage area.
Basic/14-01-5/Warning
Employee with no hair restraint while engaging in food preparation. Employee preparing food on the cook line.
Basic/13-03-4/Warning
Food stored on floor. A case of eggs, bulk container of onions inside the walk in cooler. The products was removed from off the floor.
Basic/08B-38-4/Corrected On-Site/Warning
In-use knife/knives stored in cracks between pieces of equipment. Knife between the flip top reach in cooler and the small table under the microwave.
Basic/10-17-4/Warning
Single-service articles improperly stored. A case of plastic translucent vented lids on the floor in the dry storage area. The lids was removed from off the floor.
Basic/25-05-4/Corrected On-Site/Warning
Aug 6, 2024Inspection Completed - No Further ActionLicensing Inspection

Met inspection standards. 3 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.

0 High priority0 Intermediate3 Basic
Show 3 findings ▾
Light not functioning. Hood system over the flat grill /griddle.
Basic/36-62-4
Missing drain plug at dumpster. Middle dumpster that the establishment will be using.
Basic/33-11-4
Walk-in cooler shelves with rust that has pitted the surface. Shelf to the left when entering the walk in cooler.
Basic/14-17-4
Jan 24, 2024Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection

Met inspection standards. 3 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.

0 High priority1 Intermediate2 Basic
Show 3 findings ▾
Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Hand washing sink blocked by a utility cart in the kitchen. The cart was removed.
Intermediate/31A-09-4/Corrected On-Site
Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine. White interior panel and sides of the blue interior.
Basic/22-20-5
Food stored on floor. Bulk container of ground beefinside the walk in cooler. Product was removed from off the floor.
Basic/08B-38-4/Corrected On-Site
Jul 18, 2023Inspection 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 ▾
Dishmachine chlorine sanitizer not at proper minimum strength. Discontinue use of dishmachine for sanitizing and set up manual sanitization until dishmachine is repaired and sanitizing properly. Tested at 0ppm. Chlorine container was missing at dish machine. Manager put new container at dish machine and reprimed. Retested at 50ppm
High priority/22-41-4/Corrected On-Site
Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Observed grease and food debris in hand sink on cook line.
Intermediate/31A-11-4
Observed hand sink on cook line with Standing water. Manager disconnected pipe and cleared debris. Employees are able to utilize another hand sink 3 feet away.
Basic/29-20-5/Corrective Action Taken

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.