Inspection Report

Florida DBPR Inspection Report

PIONEER RESTAURANT

COR HWY 64/US HWY 17 · ZOLFO SPRINGS · Hardee County · FL 33890

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Inspection Summary

Inspection dateMarch 24, 2026
Inspection typeRoutine – Food
Inspection classFood
DBPR dispositionWarning Issued
Resultfollow_up_required
Inspection number3672549
Visit number1
Inspection Visit ID13543761
DBPR license3500029

Violation Summary

Counts reported for this inspection visit.

Full inspector observations available
2 High Priority6 Intermediate10 Basic0 Critical0 Non-Critical18 Total

All DBPR Inspector Observations

18 full violation description(s) documented by the inspector during this visit.

High Priority 2

#11High Priority12A-10-4

High Priority – Employee touched bare body part and then engaged in food preparation, handled clean equipment or utensils, or touched unwrapped single-service items without washing hands. Observed cook touching the back of his neck then wipe hand on his pants with no handwashing as proceeded to prepare food, stopped cook educated on handwashing, cook washed hands. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**

Corrected On-SiteWarning
#12High Priority08A-05-6

High Priority – Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Observed flats of raw shell eggs over case of tomatoes in walk in cooler. **Warning**

Warning

Intermediate 6

#13Intermediate31A-11-4

Intermediate – Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Observed two containers in the hand wash sink in the kitchen, operator moved. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**

Corrected On-SiteWarning
#14Intermediate16-37-1

Intermediate – No chemical test kit provided when using sanitizer at three-compartment sink/warewashing machine or wiping cloths. **Warning**

Warning
#15Intermediate53A-05-6

Intermediate – 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/ Observed five employees and no certified food manager present. **Warning**

Warning
#16Intermediate05-08-4

Intermediate – No probe thermometer provided to measure temperature of food products. **Repeat Violation** **Warning**

Repeat ViolationWarning
#17Intermediate53B-01-5

Intermediate – No proof of required state approved employee training provided for any employees. To order approved program food safety material, call DBPR contracted provider: Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (SafeStaff) 866-372-7233. Staff could not provide any proof of training. **Warning**

Warning
#18Intermediate03F-10-5

Intermediate – No written procedures available for use of time as a public health control to hold time/temperature control for safety food. Observed 3 flats of hard shell eggs on the preparation table, printed a plan for owner and went over. **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning**

Corrective Action TakenWarning

Basic 10

#1Basic32-05-4

Basic – Bathroom facility in disrepair. Plumbing to the hand sinks are backed up in both men's and women's bathroom in the hand wash sinks. **Warning**

Warning
#2Basic12B-07-4

Basic – Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Observed employees drink on food preparation table in kitchen, employee moved. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**

Corrected On-SiteWarning
#3Basic24-08-4

Basic – Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried – wet nesting. Observed stack of cups in wait staff area with water in between and not air drying properly. **Repeat Violation** **Warning**

Repeat ViolationWarning
#4Basic14-11-5

Basic – Equipment in poor repair. Observed torn gaskets on the reach in cooler and walk in cooler. **Warning**

Warning
#5Basic36-73-4

Basic – Floor soiled/has accumulation of debris. Observed floor behind and under equipment soiled with grease and food debris in the kitchen. **Repeat Violation** **Warning**

Repeat ViolationWarning
#6Basic27-10-4

Basic – No hot running water at mop sink. Observed no hot water at mop sink. **Repeat Violation** **Warning**

Repeat ViolationWarning
#7Basic33-16-4

Basic – Open dumpster lid. **Warning**

Warning
#8Basic29-08-4

Basic – Plumbing system in disrepair. Observed no hot water at hand wash sink in the kitchen. **Warning**

Warning
#9Basic14-33-4

Basic – Reach-in cooler shelves with rust that has pitted the surface. Observed shelves in the reach in cooler towards front of kitchen by wait station rusted and pitied. **Repeat Violation** **Warning**

Repeat ViolationWarning
#10Basic36-27-5

Basic – Wall soiled with accumulated grease, food debris, and/or dust. Observed walls soiled with grease behind equipment in the kitchen. **Repeat Violation** **Warning**

Repeat ViolationWarning

Inspector observations synchronized from DBPR on August 12, 2026 9:44 PM.

Violation category totals
Category 4 · Facilities maintain proper food temperature
1 observation(s)
Category 6 · Proper thawing of TCS food
1 observation(s)
Category 9 · Bare-hand contact with ready-to-eat food / AOP
1 observation(s)
Category 13 · Clothing, hair restraints, jewelry and fingernails
2 observation(s)
Category 15 · No longer used
2 observation(s)
Category 17 · No longer used
1 observation(s)
Category 25 · Single-service and single-use items
1 observation(s)
Category 28 · Sewage and wastewater disposal
1 observation(s)
Category 30 · No longer used
1 observation(s)
Category 32 · Bathrooms
1 observation(s)
Category 33 · Garbage, refuse and premises maintenance
1 observation(s)
Category 34 · No longer used
1 observation(s)
Category 37 · No longer used
2 observation(s)
Category 54 · Florida Clean Indoor Air Act
2 observation(s)

Inspection records and inspector observations reflect conditions documented by DBPR at the time of the inspection and may not reflect current conditions.