PAUL'S KITCHEN
116 N 4 AVE, Wauchula FL 33873 · 863-767-0201
Last inspected Apr 8, 2026 · 5 visits since July 2023
JUL 23
OCT 23
SEP 24
DEC 25
APR 26
≈ ERRATIC
5 inspections, swinging between A and D. Consistency is the problem here, not any single visit.
Establishment has no written procedures for employees to follow in response to a vomiting or diarrheal event where the vomit or diarrhea is discharged onto surfaces in the establishment. Emailed handouts to the operator
★ Spotless◆ Clean streak● Perfect year✓ Never fined
Awarded on the inspection record alone. What they mean →
Disciplinary actions
1 case · $200
| Case | Violation date | Final order | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7--2017041861 | Jul 17, 2017 | Oct 31, 2017 | $200 |
Inspection history
5 visits, newest first
Apr 8, 2026Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 8 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
3 High priority1 Intermediate4 Basic
What the inspector wrote — 8 findingsThe state's own report →
Employee handled soiled equipment or utensils and then engaged in food preparation, handled clean equipment or utensils, or touched unwrapped single-service items without washing hands. Observed employee handling dirty dishes then handled clean dishes, educated on proper handwashing.
Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Observed raw sausage over a pan of mix shredded cheese in the reach in cooler on cook line, owner moved sausage to bottom shelve.
Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. Observed oven cleaner and a wipe spray next to pan of flour in the kitchen, owner moved.
No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. Observed no towels at hand washing sink in kitchen, owner replaced.
Show the remaining 4 findings ▾
Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Observed cell phone in food preparation in kitchen, owner moved.
Equipment in poor repair. Observed walk in freezer door is not shutting close creating ice build up.
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed hoods soiled with grease.
Screen in door torn/in poor repair - vermin present. Observed screen torn at side entrance door.
Dec 17, 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 ▾
Dented/rusted cans present. See stop sale. Observed 2 dented cans of sausage gravy on a shelf in dry storage, owner pulled.
Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Observed lemons in the hand wash sink in the wait staff area.
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. Observed some employees have expired training.
Commercially processed reduced oxygen packaged fish bearing a label indicating that it is to remain frozen until time of use no longer frozen and not removed from reduced oxygen package. Observed 9 individual pink salmon thawed out in reach in cooler and not pulled from packaging, owner pulled-see stop sale.
Dumpster rusted out on bottom. Observed bottom at back of dumpster is rusted out.
Missing drain plug at dumpster.
Screen in door torn/in poor repair - vermin present. Observed screen torn on the side door in the kitchen.
Sep 16, 2024Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 15 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
4 High priority4 Intermediate7 Basic
Show 15 findings ▾
Employee touched face/hair and then engaged in food preparation, handled clean equipment or utensils, or touched unwrapped single-service items without washing hands. Employee touched their face then a clean cutting board without washing their hands. Employee sanitized the cutting board and washed their hands.
Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Raw shell egg stored over a container of marinara in the walk in cooler. Owner removed the eggs.
Stop Sale issued due to food not being in a wholesome, sound condition. Commercially processed reduced oxygen packaged salmon bearing a label indicating that it is to remain frozen until time of use no longer frozen and not removed from reduced oxygen package. Owner discarded the salmon.
Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. Bleach and sanitizer bucket stored next to clean pans on a shelf under a a preparation table in the kitchen. Operator moved to proper area separating the chemical from the pans.
Establishment has no written procedures for employees to follow in response to a vomiting or diarrheal event where the vomit or diarrhea is discharged onto surfaces in the establishment. Emailed handouts to the operator
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 form to the operator. Operator filled out one form before the end of the inspection.
No written procedures available for use of time as a public health control to hold time/temperature control for safety food. Raw shell eggs stored at room temperature on the cook line with a time mark on time as a public health control. Establishment has no written procedures for time as a public health control. Emailed and reviewed time a a public health control form.
Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Cooked potatoes stored in the walk in cooler with no date mark. Owner stated the potatoes were cooked on 9/14. Cooked beef stored in the walk in cooler with no date mark. Owner stated the beef was cooked on 9/11. Owner placed a date on the items.
Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin. Ice bin on the soda machine in the wait station area soiled.
Ceiling/ceiling tile shows damage or is in disrepair. Ceiling in the dry storage area showing water damage and leaking a small amount of water. Waters only leaking on the the floor not on food or food contact areas.
Commercially processed reduced oxygen packaged salmon bearing a label indicating that it is to remain frozen until time of use no longer frozen and not removed from reduced oxygen package. Owner discarded the salmon.
Exterior door has a gap at the threshold that opens to the outside. Both exit doors in the dry storage area.
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Exhaust fan next to the cook line soiled. Top of the reach in freezer next to the cook line soiled.
Walk-in cooler shelves with rust that has pitted the surface.
Wall soiled with accumulated grease, food debris, and/or dust. Walls in the cook line area soiled.
Oct 31, 2023Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 5 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
1 High priority1 Intermediate3 Basic
Show 5 findings ▾
Raw animal foods not properly separated from each other in holding unit based upon minimum required cooking temperature. Observed raw ground beef over raw pork in walk-in cooler. Operator rearranged items.
Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled. Operator labeled.
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed exterior of ice bin with black slimy growth around door closure area. Observed old food debris on can opener holder, attached to prep table with old food debris around area attached to table.
Single-service articles improperly stored. Observed tea filters stored open in dirty shelf. Employee threw away filters touching surfaces and placed others on container.
Single-service articles not stored inverted or protected from contamination. Observed aluminum pans not inverted at back storage area. Operator inverted.
Jul 25, 2023Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 4 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
1 High priority0 Intermediate3 Basic
Show 4 findings ▾
Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed glass front small cooler at kitchen prep area not holding foods at 41F or colder sausage (52F - Cold Holding); link sausage (54F - Cold Holding) prep cook states items on cooler less than 2.5 hours removed to walk-in freezer to rapidly cool to 41F within 1 hour.
Employee eating while preparing food. Observed open cup of coffee no lid on cutting board in back prep area. Manager removed and sanitized cutting board.
Equipment in poor repair. Observed small glass front cooler at kitchen prep unable to hold foods at 41F or colder. Ambient temperature found at 72F. May not use to hold temperature sensitive /TCS foods until able to maintain foods at 41F or colder.
No Heimlich maneuver/choking sign posted. Inspector provided via email.
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.