THE CHOWDER HOUSE
36624 STATE RD 54 W, Zephyrhills FL 33541
Last inspected Apr 7, 2026 · 8 visits since December 2023
□ Not on the state's active licence list
This licence isn't in DBPR's current active file, which usually means the business has closed, been sold, or let the licence lapse. Everything below belongs to this licence, not to whoever may be trading here now. The history stays public because it is a public record.
MAY 24
DEC 24
FEB 25
SEP 25
APR 26
— STEADY
5 inspections within 24 points of each other. Whatever this kitchen does, it does consistently.
Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license. Establishment is open and operating. License expired on 02-01-2025.
★ Spotless◆ Clean streak● Perfect year✓ Never fined
Awarded on the inspection record alone. What they mean →
Disciplinary actions
1 case · $160
| Case | Violation date | Final order | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3--2022037167 | May 31, 2022 | Jan 6, 2023 | $160 |
Inspection history
8 visits, newest first
Apr 7, 2026Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 4 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
0 High priority0 Intermediate4 Basic
What the inspector wrote — 4 findings
Buildup of food debris/soil residue on equipment door handles. Observed on cook line equipment.
Floor soiled/has accumulation of debris. Observed behind and under kitchen equipment.
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris. Observed on microwave counters.
Reach-in cooler interior/shelves have accumulation of soil residues. Observed in 3 glass door unit.
Sep 8, 2025Inspection 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 one another based upon minimum required cooking temperature when stored in a freezer - not all products commercially packaged. Employee removed Chicken covered in clear warp from over Open bag of shrimp in reach in freezer on cook line.
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Cutting board on cook linereach in cooler stained with food debris.
Buildup of food debris/soil residue on equipment door handles. Throughout kitchen.
Employee with no hair restraint while engaging in food preparation. Cook put a hat on during inspection.
In-use tongs stored on equipment door handle between uses. Employee removed tongs off oven door on cook line.
Feb 26, 2025Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 12 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
2 High priority1 Intermediate9 Basic
Show 12 findings ▾
Dishmachine chlorine sanitizer not at proper minimum strength. Reading 0ppm. Discontinue use of dishmachine for sanitizing and set up manual sanitization until dishmachine is repaired and sanitizing properly. Dishmachine was primed. Rechecked reading 50ppm.
Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license. Establishment is open and operating. License expired on 02-01-2025.
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Cutting boards on reach-in cooler and steam table on cooks line is spoiled with food buildup between cracks.
Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin located in kitchen.
Ceiling not smooth, nonabsorbent and easily cleanable in food preparation, food storage, or warewashing areas.
Cutting boards on reach-in cooler and steam table has cut marks and is no longer cleanable.
Equipment in poor repair. Bottom shelf of prep table is rusted.
Floor tiles missing and cracked near kitchen exit door and warewashing area.
Ice buildup in reach-in freezer.
In-use tongs stored on equipment door handle between uses.
Lights above cooks line not shielded/coated.
Reach-in cooler on cooks line interior/shelves have accumulation of soil residues.
Dec 2, 2024Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 13 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
1 High priority1 Intermediate11 Basic
Show 13 findings ▾
Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Cook line - milk (51F - Cold Holding), at breading station, held less than 4 hours, owner added ice bath
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Accumulation of grease and food residue on stove surface. Cutting boards stained on cook line Metal dry storage shelves soiled.
Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin.
Buildup of food debris/soil residue on equipment door handles. Cooler handles soiled
Ceiling not smooth, nonabsorbent and easily cleanable in food preparation, food storage, or warewashing areas. Porous acoustic tiles over kitchen
Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable.
Floor tiles missing and/or in disrepair. Next to dish machine
Ice buildup in reach-in freezer
In-use tongs stored on equipment door handle between uses.
Interior of oven/microwave has accumulation of black substance/grease/food debris. Interior of microwaves soiled.
Lights in food preparation, food storage or warewashing area missing the proper shield, sleeve coatings or covers. Over cook line
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Hood filters soiled. Cooler gaskets soiled. Accumulation of grease on sides of cooking equipment in kitchen
Standing water in bottom of reach-in-cooler. On cook line.
May 20, 2024Inspection Completed - No Further ActionComplaint Investigation (Partial)
Met inspection standards. 8 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
0 High priority1 Intermediate7 Basic
Show 8 findings ▾
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Cutting boards on reach in cooler on cook line stained with food debris.
Buildup of food debris/soil residue on equipment door handles. Door handles throughout kitchen.
Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable. Reach in cooler cutting boards on cook line.
Employee with no hair restraint while engaging in food preparation. Cook with no hair restraint.
Floor tiles missing and/or in disrepair. In ware washing area and by back door.
Grease on the ground and/or pad around grease receptacle. Next to building grease receptacle on ground.
In-use tongs stored on equipment door handle between uses. Tongs on oven door on cook line.
Outer openings not protected with self-closing doors. Self closing device is broken at back door of kitchen.
May 20, 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 ▾
Ceiling not smooth, nonabsorbent and easily cleanable in food preparation, food storage, or warewashing areas. Observed acoustic style ceiling tiles in the entire kitchen and no covers on the lights.
Floor tiles missing and/or in disrepair. Observed multiple ceilings tiles damaged in front of warewashing area, by rear kitchen door, and wait station area off of kitchen cook line.
Apr 23, 2024Warning IssuedRoutine Inspection
Violations found and a warning issued, with a return visit required. 7 recorded, 1 high priority.
1 High priority2 Intermediate4 Basic
Show 7 findings ▾
Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Observed raw shrimp over cooked turkey and raw beef over sauces in reach-in cooler across from handwash sink on cook line. Operator moved.
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Can opener blade soiled with accumulation of food debris. Cutting boards stained on cook line. Ice machine guard soiled with slime.
Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Observed pitcher stored in handwash sink on cook line. Employee removed.
Ceiling not smooth, nonabsorbent and easily cleanable in food preparation, food storage, or warewashing areas. Observed acoustic style ceiling tiles in the entire kitchen and no covers on the lights.
Floor tiles missing and/or in disrepair. Observed multiple ceilings tiles damaged in front of warewashing area, by rear kitchen door, and wait station area off of kitchen cook line.
No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees to the right of the three compartment sink.
No mop sink or curbed cleaning facility provided at establishment. Observed mop sink outside disconnected and base of mop sink broken. Discussed with owner requirement for mop sink.
Dec 14, 2023Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 8 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
0 High priority3 Intermediate5 Basic
Show 8 findings ▾
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 to operator
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Cutting boards stained on cook line Soiled ice machine guard
Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Observed employee filling pitcher of water at hand sink. Educated and he went to three compartment sink to fill
Ceiling not smooth, nonabsorbent and easily cleanable in food preparation, food storage, or warewashing areas. Observed acoustic tiles in kitchen and dish area
Floor tiles missing and/or in disrepair. In dish area
No Heimlich maneuver/choking sign posted. Emailed to operator
No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees. In dish area. Emailed to operator
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed soiled reach in cooler doors and handles. Soiled exterior of microwave doors soiled
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.