SMITH'S AMERICAN TAVERN
124 S TENNESSEE AVE, Lakeland FL 33801
Last inspected Mar 26, 2026 · 9 visits since August 2023
MAR 24
NOV 24
APR 25
NOV 25
MAR 26
— STEADY
5 inspections within 28 points of each other. Whatever this kitchen does, it does consistently.
Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Boiled 68F
★ Spotless◆ Clean streak● Perfect year✓ Never fined
Awarded on the inspection record alone. What they mean →
Disciplinary actions
1 case · $250
| Case | Violation date | Final order | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3--2020011542 | Feb 27, 2020 | Jun 30, 2020 | $250 |
Inspection history
9 visits, newest first
Mar 26, 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
Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Boiled 68F
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Cutting board Can opener Soda nozzle in bars
No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees. Bar area.
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Hand washing sink with debris bar area
Jan 7, 2026□ Call Back - CompliedRoutine Inspection
A return visit. The problems from the previous inspection had been dealt with.
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/. Front bar area. Handwashing sink relocated across bar, the three compartment sink removed and dish machine was added.
Nov 3, 2025Warning IssuedRoutine Inspection
Violations found and a warning issued, with a return visit required. 5 recorded, 1 high priority.
1 High priority3 Intermediate1 Basic
Show 5 findings ▾
Raw animal foods not properly separated from each other in holding unit based upon minimum required cooking temperature. raw beef stored over raw pork in walk-in coolers. Employee moved beef.
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/. Front bar area. Handwashing sink relocated across bar, the three compartment sink removed and dish machine was added.
No soap provided at handwash sink. Back bar
Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Cole slaw make on 11/2 not date marked.
Single-service articles not stored inverted or protected from contamination. Tin foil pans on top of back cabinet
Apr 25, 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 ▾
Lights in food preparation, food storage or warewashing area missing the proper shield, sleeve coatings or covers. On cooks line
Apr 15, 2025Warning IssuedRoutine Inspection
Violations found and a warning issued, with a return visit required. 12 recorded, 2 high priority.
2 High priority4 Intermediate6 Basic
Show 12 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. 0ppm
Vacuum breaker missing at hose bibb or on fitting/splitter added to hose bibb.
Equipment drain line draining into handwash sink. Soap dispenser stored in back bar handwashing sink. Moved out of hand wash sink
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Cutting board soiled on cooks line Microwave on cooks line soiled Ice machine in at back bar
Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Walk in cooler cooked pasta. Employee dated at time of inspection
Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled. Above dish machine spray bottles Mop closed pink liquid in spray bottle
Ice buildup in reach-in freezer on cooks line.
In-use wet wiping cloth/towel used under cutting board. On cooks line
Lights in food preparation, food storage or warewashing area missing the proper shield, sleeve coatings or covers. On cooks line
No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees. Back bar handwashing sink
Waste line at soda gun holster not draining standing water. At front bar
Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Homemade Syrup bottles at bar
Nov 19, 2024Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 5 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
0 High priority3 Intermediate2 Basic
Show 5 findings ▾
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Can opener
No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. Chef replaced paper towels in kitchen
Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled. Degreaser in mop sink area
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. Walk-in cooler
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Bottom of soda head on soda machine Soda holster in bar area.
Mar 8, 2024Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 6 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
1 High priority3 Intermediate2 Basic
Show 6 findings ▾
Spray hose at dish sink lower than flood rim of sink. 3-compartment sink
No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. Both bars
No soap provided at handwash sink. Both bars
Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled. In front bar
Food stored on floor. Case of short ending on floor
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Mop sink will mold like substance buildup
Aug 24, 2023□ Call Back - CompliedComplaint Investigation
A return visit. The problems from the previous inspection had been dealt with.
0 High priority0 Intermediate0 Basic
Aug 17, 2023Warning IssuedComplaint Investigation
Violations found and a warning issued, with a return visit required. 4 recorded, 1 high priority.
1 High priority0 Intermediate3 Basic
Show 4 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. Observed Dishwasher (Chlorine 0ppm)
Food stored on floor. Observed container of fryer shortening on floor in bar area, operator removed shortening from floor.
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with food debris. Observed on gaskets in cold hold drawers on cookline.
Single-service articles improperly stored. Observed case of single service items in back bar area floor, operator removed case of items from floor.
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.