PLAZA MEXICO RESTAURANT BAR GRILL
3635 FLORIDA AVE S · LAKELAND · Polk County · FL 33813
Inspection Summary
Emergency Closure Summary
Violation Summary
Counts reported for this inspection visit.
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All DBPR Inspector Observations
19 full violation description(s) documented by the inspector during this visit.
High Priority 8
09-02-5High Priority – Bare hand contact with ready-to-eat food while the establishment is under a foodborne illness investigation. Observed employee touch chip basket liner with bare hand then scoop chips into basket while finger was on the inside of the liner and chips came into contact with hand.discussed way of serving to avoid cross contamination **Warning**
01B-01-4High Priority – Dented cans present. See stop sale. **Warning**
12A-20-4High Priority – Employee washed hands with no soap. Observed server bring dirty dishes to dish area then wash hands with no soap, due to establishment not having soap at that location. **Warning**
35A-02-6High Priority – Live, small flying insects in kitchen, food preparation area, food storage area and/or bar area. Observed 8 flies on to go continers Observed 1 fly on chip warmer Observed 21 flies on ceiling tiles Observed 7 flies in dish area Observed 1 fly on can of ketchup Observed 3 live flies at bar Observed 2 live flies walking on rimming sugar at bar. Stop sale issued. Observed 1 live fly walking on rimming salt at bar. Stop sale issued Observed 7 live flies on ceiling in dry storage **Warning**
01B-03-5High Priority – Observed 2 live flies walking on rimming sugar at bar. Stop sale issued. Observed 1 live fly walking on rimming salt at bar. Stop sale issued. **Warning**
08A-05-6High Priority – Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Observed raw eggs on cook line stored on top of cut limes, cut red onion and cilantro. Observed raw shrimp stored above cut cucumbers in make line **Warning**
03A-02-5High Priority – Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Cook line: sour cream (51F – Cold Holding); diced to tomatoes (51F – Cold Holding); guacamole with tomatoes (52F – Cold Holding); fresh pico de gallo (50F – Cold Holding) Walk in cooler: queso fresco (44F – Cold Holding); raw chicken (44F – Cold Holding); cooked peppers (44F – Cold Holding) Server station: house made tomato salsa (51f – Cold Holding) **Warning**
03B-01-6High Priority – Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Steam well: ground beef (119F – Hot Holding); refried beans (91F – Hot Holding). Manager put product on cook line to reheat to 165f **Warning**
Intermediate 5
31A-09-4Intermediate – Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Pan stored in hand sink on cook line **Warning**
53A-01-7Intermediate – Manager or person in charge lacking proof of food manager certification. Jairo carillo **Warning**
31B-02-4Intermediate – No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. At bar **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**
31B-03-4Intermediate – No soap provided at handwash sink. In server station,and at bar **Warning**
Basic 6
08B-20-4Basic – Damaged cans food not properly segregated. **Warning**
11-12-4Basic – Employee experiencing persistent sneezing, coughing, runny nose, or discharge from eyes working with food, clean equipment or utensils, and/or unwrapped single-service items. Observed employee sneeze at expo line and not cover mouth. He sneezed towards bins of covered chips **Warning**
08B-38-4Basic – Food stored on floor. Containers of peppers, onions, soda bibbs and margarita mix on floor **Warning**
14-69-4Basic – Ice buildup in server reach-in cooler **Warning**
35B-02-4Basic – Insect control device installed over food preparation area. **Warning**
08B-54-4Basic – Uncovered food stored near sink exposed to splash. Observed pan of cut lemons, guacamole in server station is stored in front of paper towel dispenser and is exposed to splash. Had manager move pan. **Warning**
Inspector observations synchronized from DBPR on August 10, 2026 9:10 AM.
Violation category totals
2 observation(s)
2 observation(s)
4 observation(s)
1 observation(s)
1 observation(s)
1 observation(s)
1 observation(s)
3 observation(s)
2 observation(s)
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.