PIONEER RESTAURANT
COR HWY 64/US HWY 17 · ZOLFO SPRINGS · Hardee County · FL 33890
Inspection Summary
Emergency Closure Summary
Violation Summary
Counts reported for this inspection visit.
All DBPR Inspector Observations
13 full violation description(s) documented by the inspector during this visit.
High Priority 7
03A-18-4High Priority – All potentially hazardous (time/temperature control for safety) foods on buffet cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed all foods cold held on buffet salad bar above 50°F. See stop sale. **Warning**
12A-07-4High Priority – Employee failed to wash hands before changing gloves and/or putting on gloves to work with food. Cook handled raw beef, changed gloves no hand wash. **Warning**
03A-02-4High Priority – Potentially hazardous (time/temperature control for safety) food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit.cole slaw and cucumber salad at 48°F in ice bath at prep area. Had employee remove double pan and add more ice to bring foods to 410F or colder. also tomatoes and lettuce cut and held at room temperature. Must discard in 4 hours . May use time as a public health control or ice bath to maintain at 41°F or colder. **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning**
03B-01-5High Priority – Potentially hazardous (time/temperature control for safety) food hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit or above. Rice at 98°F on steam table in plastic tub floated in metal container.removed plastic container and put rice in metal pan in steam table to maintain at 135°F or hotter. **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning**
35A-09-4High Priority – Presence of rodents. Observed 1 live rodent jump down from behind ice machine at back area hallway beside flour storage and single service storage rooms. **Warning**
35A-04-4High Priority – Rodent activity present as evidenced by rodent droppings found. Rodent droppings observed along with chewed debris in several places. 20 droppings with small amount of chewed bedding type debris along indent/cove halfway up wall at dry storage n center of building. 3 droppings on prep table beside grill, 4 droppings at in use plate storage at cook line, 4 droppings under reach in cooler at kitchen , 3 droppings in dry storage at back flour storage on plastic food containers. I lid of container with chew marks 20 droppings on shelving at very back of establishment single service storage. Establishment open and serving food at inspection. **Warning**
12A-02-4High Priority – Server handled soiled dishes or utensils and then picked up plated food, served food, or prepared a beverage without washing hands. Handled dirty dishes and then wiped hands on dirty wipe cloth then handled clean tableware . **Warning**
Intermediate 3
31A-04-4Intermediate – Handwash sink no longer useable at kitchen. removed from food preparation/dishwashing area. Must be reinstalled/repaired in the same location where originally located. Observed handsink at 3 bay for use by dishwash and cook not useable, faucet in disrepair. Using sink as storage for buspan. Cook states he washes hands in 4th bay of dishwash sink that is also used as a pre wash for dishes. **Warning**
31A-12-4Intermediate – No handwash sink for employees. **Warning**
53B-01-5Intermediate – 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. **Warning**
Basic 3
36-34-5Basic – Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance. Heavy accumulation of grease on walls and ceiling in kitchen. **Warning**
36-08-4Basic – Floor and wall junctures not coved in food preparation/storage/warewashing areas or bathroom. Observed walls broken and missing at floor junction at back hall near ice machine. **Warning**
36-14-4Basic – Heavy Grease accumulated on kitchen floor under cooking equipment. **Warning**
Inspector observations synchronized from DBPR on August 10, 2026 6:51 PM.
Violation category totals
3 observation(s)
2 observation(s)
2 observation(s)
2 observation(s)
3 observation(s)
1 observation(s)
Inspection records and inspector observations reflect conditions documented by DBPR at the time of the inspection and may not reflect current conditions.