MOM'S KITCHEN
909 S HWY 441, Okeechobee FL 34974 · 8637637553
Last inspected Aug 13, 2026 · 16 visits since October 2023
MAR 25
SEP 25
DEC 25
MAR 26
AUG 26
▲ GETTING WORSE
5 inspections trending down, 13 points off where it started.
Roach activity present as evidenced by live roaches found. One n sanitizer bucket under dishwasher. Operator terminated.
★ Spotless◆ Clean streak● Perfect year✓ Never fined
Awarded on the inspection record alone. What they mean →
Disciplinary actions
5 cases · $2,000
| Case | Violation date | Final order | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7--2024067265 | Sep 24, 2024 | Mar 18, 2025 | $200 |
| 7--2024070616 | Dec 10, 2024 | Mar 17, 2025 | $400 |
| 7--2020049585 | Sep 14, 2020 | Mar 3, 2021 | $400 |
| 7--2019005943 | Feb 4, 2019 | Feb 27, 2019 | $800 |
| 7--2017048568 | Aug 23, 2017 | Nov 7, 2017 | $200 |
Inspection history
16 visits, newest first
Aug 13, 2026Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 4 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
1 High priority1 Intermediate2 Basic
What the inspector wrote — 4 findings
Container of medicine improperly stored. Operator removed and stored correctly.
Employee washed hands in a sink other than an approved handwash sink. Employee washed hands in triple sink. Employee was educated and washed hands at the correct location.
Ceiling/ceiling tile shows damage or is in disrepair.
Stored food not covered: whole boiled potatoes not covered. Operator covered.
Mar 24, 2026Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 3 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
2 High priority0 Intermediate1 Basic
Show 3 findings ▾
Employee touching ready-to-eat food with their bare hands - food was not being heated as a sole ingredient to 145 degrees F or immediately added to other ingredients to be cooked/heated to the minimum required temperature to allow bare hand contact. Establishment has no approved Alternative Operating Procedure. Employee was cutting lemons for drinks with her bare hands. Employee was educated and discarded lemons.
Stop Sale issued due to adulteration of food product. Employee was cutting lemons for drinks with her bare hands. Employee was educated and discarded lemons.
Reach-in cooler shelves with rust that has pitted the surface.
Dec 3, 2025Inspection 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 ▾
Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license. Please note: License renewal was 12/1/25. Visit Myfloridalicense.com to make your payment, if you have not already done so. Establishment observed preparing, serving, or selling food to customers with an expired license.
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/. Alicia Cortez 7/12/23 came to establishment prior to inspection being completed.
Time/temperature control for safety food thawed in an improper manner. Raw hamburger (28F - Thawing ) on stand up tray stand. Operator removed.
Sep 10, 2025□ Call Back - CompliedRoutine Inspection
A return visit. The problems from the previous inspection had been dealt with.
0 High priority0 Intermediate1 Basic
Show 1 finding ▾
Equipment in poor repair: gaskets torn on upright reach in cooler. Operator has ordered.
Sep 4, 2025Warning IssuedRoutine Inspection
Violations found and a warning issued, with a return visit required. 6 recorded, 2 high priority.
2 High priority2 Intermediate2 Basic
Show 6 findings ▾
Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse: In three door stand up reach in cooler, Rice (46F - Cold Holding); Baked chicken quarters (48F - Cold Holding); Stuffing (50F - Cold Holding); Raw hamburger (45F - Cold Holding). Operator voluntarily discarded items. Operator will call for service and discontinue use until repairs are made.
Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. In three door stand up reach in cooler, Rice (46F - Cold Holding); Baked chicken quarters (48F - Cold Holding); Stuffing (50F - Cold Holding); Raw hamburger (45F - Cold Holding). Operator voluntarily discarded items. Operator will call for service and discontinue use until repairs are made.
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. Juan G.
Required employee training expired for some employees. To order approved program food safety material, call DBPR contracted provider: Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (SafeStaff) 866-372-7233. B.S. J.G.
Equipment in poor repair: gaskets torn on upright reach in cooler. Operator has ordered.
Reach-in cooler shelves with rust that has pitted the surface.
Mar 18, 2025Inspection Completed - No Further ActionComplaint Investigation (Partial)
Nothing was found. The inspector recorded no violations at all.
0 High priority0 Intermediate0 Basic
Dec 11, 2024□ Emergency Order Callback CompliedComplaint Investigation
A return visit. The problems from the previous inspection had been dealt with.
0 High priority1 Intermediate1 Basic
Show 2 findings ▾
Non-pitting surface rust on food-contact equipment: shelves in reach in cooler and cooler on line.
Upright reach-in cooler interior soiled.
Dec 10, 2024■ Emergency order recommendedComplaint Investigation
Ordered shut on the spot. 8 violations recorded, 4 of them the tier the state says can make you ill. A reinspection is required before this kitchen may reopen.
4 High priority1 Intermediate3 Basic
Show 8 findings ▾
Bottle of water stored in ice used for drinks. See stop sale. Operator threw out ice.
Pesticide/insecticide labeled for household use only present in establishment. Roach spray under the triple sink.
Roach activity present as evidenced by live roaches found. One live roach on shelf with paperwork at sliced. Operator terminated. Six live behind poster at dishwasher in kitchen. Operator terminated. Operator has contacted pest control.
Stop Sale issued due to adulteration of food product. Bottle of water stored in ice used for drinks. See stop sale. Operator threw out ice.
Non-pitting surface rust on food-contact equipment: shelves in reach in cooler and cooler on line.
Cardboard used to line nonfood-contact shelves.
Silverware/utensils stored upright with the food-contact surface up. Plastic spoons at waiting station. Operator removed.
Upright reach-in cooler interior soiled.
Sep 30, 2024□ Call Back - CompliedComplaint Investigation
A return visit. The problems from the previous inspection had been dealt with.
0 High priority0 Intermediate4 Basic
Show 4 findings ▾
Cardboard used to line nonfood-contact shelves with pots at cook line.
No conspicuously located ambient air temperature thermometer in holding unit at waiting station.
Nonfood-contact surface soiled at soda shelf.
Reach-in cooler interior/shelves have accumulation of soil residues.
Sep 24, 2024Administrative complaint recommendedComplaint Investigation
Referred for a formal case, which can lead to a fine. 12 violations recorded, 1 high priority.
1 High priority0 Intermediate11 Basic
Show 12 findings ▾
Roach activity present as evidenced by live roaches found : two on top of reach in freezer. Operator terminated.
Cardboard used to line nonfood-contact shelves with pots at cook line.
Dead roaches on premises. One dead in gasket of reach in freezer One dead under triple sink Five dead on sticky board in waiting station Two dead behind waiting station cooler Operator removed.
Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items: cell phones on tables.
Ice scoop handle in contact with ice at waiting station. Operator removed.
No conspicuously located ambient air temperature thermometer in holding unit at waiting station.
Nonfood-contact surface soiled at soda shelf.
Plumbing system in disrepair: water turned off at mop sink. Operator turned water on.
Reach-in cooler interior/shelves have accumulation of soil residues.
Silverware/utensils dried with a towel/cloth. Dishwasher was educated and rewashed dishes.
Single-service articles improperly stored. Coffee filters not protected at waiting station. Operator covered.
Wet wiping cloths used for occasional spills on equipment: on slicer and prep table
Aug 29, 2024□ Call Back - CompliedRoutine Inspection
A return visit. The problems from the previous inspection had been dealt with.
0 High priority0 Intermediate0 Basic
Aug 27, 2024Warning IssuedRoutine Inspection
Violations found and a warning issued, with a return visit required. 7 recorded, 2 high priority.
2 High priority2 Intermediate3 Basic
Show 7 findings ▾
Dishmachine not sanitizing properly. Discontinue use of dishmachine for sanitizing and set up manual sanitization until dishmachine is repaired and sanitizing properly: Dishwasher (Chlorine 0ppm), operator set up triple sink.
Roach activity present as evidenced by live roaches found. One n sanitizer bucket under dishwasher. Operator terminated.
No proof for new employee. Operator had employee sign form.
Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Hard boiled eggs not date marked. Operator date marked.
Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food: in bag of flour.
Dead roaches on premises. Two dead at waiting station. Two dead at condiment shelf Twenty on sticky pad under dishwasher. Operator removed and cleaned area.
Open dumpster lid.
Mar 12, 2024□ Call Back - CompliedRoutine Inspection
A return visit. The problems from the previous inspection had been dealt with.
0 High priority0 Intermediate2 Basic
Show 2 findings ▾
Wall soiled with accumulated grease, food debris, and/or dust at dishwasher and triple sink.
Water leaking from pipe at dishwasher.
Mar 7, 2024Warning IssuedRoutine Inspection
Violations found and a warning issued, with a return visit required. 9 recorded, 3 high priority.
3 High priority0 Intermediate6 Basic
Show 9 findings ▾
Employee dried hands on clothes/apron/soiled towel after washing. Operator educated employee and employee washed hands.
Roach activity present as evidenced by live roaches found. One live roach in triple sink. Operator removed. One live in notebook. Operator has pest control coming tonight.
Sticky trap u deer soda fountain area. Operator removed.
Accumulation of debris on exterior of warewashing machine.
Dead roaches on premises. One dead roach at waiting station. One at corner of microwave. Operator cleaned and sanitized.
Employee beverage container in a cold holding unit with food to be served to customers. Operator removed.
Light shield damaged/in disrepair in kitchen.
Wall soiled with accumulated grease, food debris, and/or dust at dishwasher and triple sink.
Water leaking from pipe at dishwasher.
Oct 13, 2023□ Call Back - CompliedRoutine Inspection
A return visit. The problems from the previous inspection had been dealt with.
0 High priority0 Intermediate2 Basic
Show 2 findings ▾
Missing drain plug at dumpster.
Reach-in cooler shelves with rust that has pitted the surface: large stand up and make cooler.
Oct 10, 2023Warning IssuedRoutine Inspection
Violations found and a warning issued, with a return visit required. 17 recorded, 4 high priority.
4 High priority2 Intermediate11 Basic
Show 17 findings ▾
Dented/rusted cans present. See stop sale. One dented can of marinara at triple sink. Operator removed from service.
Employee rubbed hands together for less than 10-15 seconds while washing hands. Operator rewashed hands. Dishwasher did the same.
Roach excrement and/or droppings present at dry storage, by triple sink.
Rodent activity present as evidenced by rodent droppings found. 1-Under sink at women restroom 1- at mop sink area 1- at triple sink 1- behind reach in freezer
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. One employee signed and all others will sign.
Operator is not properly tracking/marking the number of days ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite was held at refrigeration temperatures prior to freezing in order to properly date mark the food when it is thawed and held at refrigeration temperatures again. Roast in chest freezer no date mark.
Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Operator discarded whisk.
Clean utensils or equipment stored in dirty drawer or rack. Utensils stored in dirty bucket. Operator removed.
Dead roaches on premises. Two dead roaches on sticky trap on top of waiting station. Two dead roaches on sticky trap behind milk cooler
Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Cell phone on slicer.
Hole in or other damage to wall under sink at women's restroom.
Ice scoop handle in contact with ice at ice machine. Operator removed.
Missing drain plug at dumpster.
No conspicuously located ambient air temperature thermometer in holding unit at waiting station.
Old labels stuck to food containers after cleaning at triple sink. Operator removed.
Reach-in cooler shelves with rust that has pitted the surface: large stand up and make cooler.
Wall soiled with accumulated grease, food debris, and/or dust at dishwasher and triple sink.
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.