PLAZA MEXICO RESTAURANT BAR GRILL
3635 S FLORIDA AVE, Lakeland FL 33803 · 863-940-4428
Last inspected Mar 17, 2026 · 10 visits since August 2023
AUG 24
FEB 25
FEB 25
NOV 25
MAR 26
▼ IMPROVING
5 inspections trending up, 21 points better than where it started.
Live, small flying insects in kitchen, food preparation area, food storage area and/or bar area. Observed 5 live flies in mop sink area on chemical dispensers. Manager eradicated and cleaned and sanitized areas
★ 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--2022030426 | Jun 9, 2022 | Jul 20, 2022 | $400 |
Inspection history
10 visits, newest first
Mar 17, 2026Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 4 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
2 High priority1 Intermediate1 Basic
What the inspector wrote — 4 findings
Dented/rusted cans present. See stop sale. Dented can of pineapple juice. Dented on the rim located on the can good rack near the back door.
Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Octopus 46F Inside the large flip top reach in cooler across from the cook line. The product was put on ice.
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Can opener blade soiled at the end of the prep table across from the dishwasher area.
Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting. Pans on the shelf next to the ice machine.
Nov 18, 2025Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 5 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
0 High priority1 Intermediate4 Basic
Show 5 findings ▾
Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Container inside the hand washing sink in the kitchen across from the cook line. The container was removed.
Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine. Around the ice chute.
Cardboard used to line food-contact shelves. Cardboard lining dry storage shelf.
Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting. Pans on the shelf next to the ice machine.
Food stored on floor. A bulk container if dry seasoning on the floor in the dry storage area. The product was removed from off the floor.
Feb 19, 2025Inspection Completed - No Further ActionComplaint Investigation
Met inspection standards. 4 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
3 High priority0 Intermediate1 Basic
Show 4 findings ▾
Cooked/heated time/temperature control for safety food not cooled from 135 degrees Fahrenheit to 41 degrees Fahrenheit within 6 hours. Ground beef 46F inside the walk in cooler
Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. Ground beef 46F Sour cream 51F
Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Sour cream 51F inside the top section of the flip top reach in cooler next to the steam table
Food stored on floor. Inside the walk in freezer.
Feb 12, 2025Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 6 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
0 High priority0 Intermediate6 Basic
Show 6 findings ▾
Employee with no hair restraint while engaging in food preparation. Employee washing dishes. Employee put on a hair net.
Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting. Pans on the shelf next to the ice machine.
Equipment in poor repair. Door is unhinged on the 2nd flip top reach in cooler across from the cook line.
Food stored on floor. A gallon of creamy buttery soybean liquid on the floor in the dry storage area. The product was removed from off the floor.
No copy of latest inspection report available.
Water leaking from pipe and/or faucet. Hand washing sink entrance into the kitchen.
Aug 7, 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 ▾
No conspicuously located ambient air temperature thermometer in holding unit. In all of the reach in coolers.
Open dumpster lid.
Aug 6, 2024Warning IssuedRoutine Inspection
Violations found and a warning issued, with a return visit required. 11 recorded, 3 high priority.
3 High priority2 Intermediate6 Basic
Show 11 findings ▾
Dented/rusted cans present. See stop sale. Dented can of Sliced jalapeño peppers on the can good rack.
Raw animal food not separated from ready-to-eat food during preparation. Chicken over vegetables inside the drawer on the cook line. The vegetables was relocated.
Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Product in both of the flip top reach in cooler across from the cook line. The product was put on ice and everything was removed from the bottom of the reach in coolers and was placed into the walk in cooler. octopus (47F - Cold Holding); shrimp (48F - Cold Holding); chicken 48 (48F - Cold Holding); pico (48F - Cold Holding); shredded Mexican cheese (47F - Cold Holding); shredded lettuce (47F - Cold Holding); shrimp (39F - Cold Holding) Inside the drawers on the cook line. The product was put into smaller pans divided and put on ice and the extra portions was placed inside the walk in cooler. scallops (47F - Cold Holding); tilapia (47F - Cold Holding); shrimp (47F - Cold Holding); chicken (46F - Cold Holding); steak (47F - Cold Holding)
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Can opener blade and holder at the end of the prep table across from the hand washing sink as you enter the kitchen.
Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Stainless pan stored in the hand washing sink across from the cook line. The pan was removed to be washed, rinsed and sanitized.
Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting. Pans on the shelf next to the ice machine. The pans was separated to air dry.
Ice scoop handle in contact with ice. Ice bin in the bar. The handle was removed out of the ice.
In-use knife/knives stored in cracks between pieces of equipment. Knives and spatula between wall and stainless panel in the kitchen next to the hand washing sink across from the cook line. They was removed to the dishwasher area to be washed, rinsed and sanitized.
In-use utensil stored in standing water less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Knives in the bar area in a container of water at 74F. The water was discarded and the utensils was washed, rinsed and sanitized.
No conspicuously located ambient air temperature thermometer in holding unit. In all of the reach in coolers.
Open dumpster lid.
Jan 26, 2024Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 4 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
0 High priority1 Intermediate3 Basic
Show 4 findings ▾
Water with a temperature of at least 100 degrees Fahrenheit not provided/shut off at employee handwash sink. Hand washing sink in the kitchen. The manager turned on the hot water valve to the hand washing sink.
Employee drinking from an unenclosed beverage container in a food preparation/clean dishware area and the container does not have a dispensing mechanism to prevent hand contact with lip contact area of drink container. Beverage on top ledge of the large flip top reach in cooler across from the flat grill. The beverage was discarded.
Food stored on floor. Bulk container of red sauce Stock pot of pork. Kitchen floor. The items were removed.
In-use utensil stored in standing water less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Spatulas in water at 81F in a container on the side of the flat grill. The water was discarded.
Oct 13, 2023Call Back - Admin. complaint recommendedRoutine Inspection
Referred for a formal case, which can lead to a fine. 1 violations recorded.
0 High priority1 Intermediate0 Basic
Show 1 finding ▾
No plan review submitted and approved - renovations were made or are in progress. Must submit plans and plan review application to DBPR H and R Plan Review office located at 2601 Blair Stone Rd., Tallahassee, FL 32399-1011. Plans must be submitted AND approved within 60 days. The direct link to the Plan Review page is https://www2.myfloridalicense.com/hotels-restaurants/licensing/plan-review/. Establishment added a dish washing machine, and ice well at the bar. Also added storage shed outside which stores chemicals and single service items.
Aug 10, 2023Call 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 plan review submitted and approved - renovations were made or are in progress. Must submit plans and plan review application to DBPR H and R Plan Review office located at 2601 Blair Stone Rd., Tallahassee, FL 32399-1011. Plans must be submitted AND approved within 60 days. The direct link to the Plan Review page is https://www2.myfloridalicense.com/hotels-restaurants/licensing/plan-review/. Establishment added a dish washing machine, and ice well at the bar. Also added storage shed outside which stores chemicals and single service items.
Aug 9, 2023Warning IssuedRoutine Inspection
Violations found and a warning issued, with a return visit required. 4 recorded, 2 high priority.
2 High priority1 Intermediate1 Basic
Show 4 findings ▾
Live, small flying insects in kitchen, food preparation area, food storage area and/or bar area. Observed 5 live flies in mop sink area on chemical dispensers. Manager eradicated and cleaned and sanitized areas
Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Steam well on cook line: queso (91F - Hot Holding); cooked beef (112F - Hot Holding); cooked pork (115F - Hot Holding). Manager got product on stove to reheat. Pork retemp at 201f, beef at 205f 15 minutes later. Queso 165f 20 minutes later.
No plan review submitted and approved - renovations were made or are in progress. Must submit plans and plan review application to DBPR H and R Plan Review office located at 2601 Blair Stone Rd., Tallahassee, FL 32399-1011. Plans must be submitted AND approved within 60 days. The direct link to the Plan Review page is https://www2.myfloridalicense.com/hotels-restaurants/licensing/plan-review/. Establishment added a dish washing machine, and ice well at the bar. Also added storage shed outside which stores chemicals and single service items.
Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Container of sugar in server station. Manager Labeled
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.