Lakeland, Polk County

THE CHOP SHOP

118 S KENTUCKY AVE, Lakeland, FL 33801

FoodSeating
Latest violations
3
1 Intermediate
May 5, 2026
City
Lakeland
County
Polk
Status
Current / Active
Inspections
12

Violation history

Florida violations grouped by priority level over time.

Inspection history

Florida inspections are violation-priority based, with high priority, intermediate, and basic counts shown separately.

May 5, 2026

Routine - Food

Administrative complaint recommended

Intermediate: 1Basic: 2Total: 3

51-16-7

Detail 24558129

Intermediate - 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/. Spoke with plan review, plans are marked incomplete Repeat Violation

35A-03-4

Detail 24558128

Basic - Dead roaches on premises. 1 dead roach in stockroom floor, roach has been removed washed, rinsed and sanitized area. Corrected On-Site

08B-37-4

Detail 24558127

Basic - Food stored in a prohibited area. Ice cream machine for server to use in customer area Locked Upright freezer in customer area

Dec 10, 2025

Routine - Food

Administrative complaint recommended

Intermediate: 2Basic: 1Total: 3

22-02-4

Detail 24243151

Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Ice machine Soda machine ice chute

51-16-7

Detail 24243152

Intermediate - 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/. Plans on file doesn't match the restaurant layout. Cookline doesn't have easy access to hand washing sink, and several pieces of equipment add to dining room ex ice cream machine, soda machine, ice and food storage. Admin Complaint

25-05-4

Detail 24243150

Basic - Single-service articles improperly stored. To go items stored floor.

Jul 2, 2025

Routine - Food

Call Back - Admin. complaint recommended

Intermediate: 1Basic: 1Total: 2

51-16-7

Detail 23848352

Intermediate - - From initial inspection : Intermediate - 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/. Plans on file doesn't match the restaurant layout. Cookline doesn't have easy access to hand washing sink, and several pieces of equipment add to dining room ex ice cream machine, soda machine, ice and food storage. Warning - From follow-up inspection 2025-07-02: Observed management attempts to email, keeps coming back undeliverable. Management will continue to attempt to submit plans. Admin Complaint

36-11-4

Detail 23848351

Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Floors not maintained smooth and durable. Hallway and stockroom Warning - From follow-up inspection 2025-07-02: Floors not maintained smooth and durable. Hallway and stockroom Time Extended

Apr 15, 2025

Routine - Food

Warning Issued

High Priority: 1Intermediate: 6Basic: 9Total: 16

12A-07-5

Detail 23707303

High Priority - Employee failed to wash hands before putting on gloves to initiate a task working with food. Observed employees place hamburger on grill change gloves without handwashing. Warning

22-02-4

Detail 23707301

Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Can opener Warning

27-09-4

Detail 23707300

Intermediate - No cold running water at hand washing sink. Water has been turned off. Repeat Violation Warning

51-16-7

Detail 23707302

Intermediate - 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/. Plans on file doesn't match the restaurant layout. Cookline doesn't have easy access to hand washing sink, and several pieces of equipment add to dining room ex ice cream machine, soda machine, ice and food storage. Warning

53B-01-5

Detail 23707311

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. Warning

11-26-1

Detail 23707306

Intermediate - No proof provided that food employees are informed of their responsibility to report to the person in charge information about their health and activities related to foodborne illnesses. Warning

02C-02-5

Detail 23707304

Intermediate - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Cole slaw and taco meat in walking cooler Warning

23-24-4

Detail 23707299

Basic - Buildup of food debris/soil residue on equipment door handles. On ovens, reaching cooler doors and microwave doors. Repeat Violation Warning

35A-03-4

Detail 23707310

Basic - Dead roaches on premises. One dead under shelving on frontline. PIC removed. Corrected On-Site Warning

36-11-4

Detail 23707307

Basic - Floors not maintained smooth and durable. Hallway and stockroom Warning

08B-47-4

Detail 23707309

Basic - Food not stored at least 6 inches off of the floor. Bag of flour and shortening on floor in stockroom Repeat Violation Warning

51-18-6

Detail 23707313

Basic - No copy of latest inspection report available. Warning

23-03-4

Detail 23707298

Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Shelving in cookline Repeat Violation Warning

25-05-4

Detail 23707308

Basic - Single-service articles improperly stored. To go boxes and cupsstored on floor in stockroom. Warning

08B-12-5

Detail 23707312

Basic - Stored food not covered. Onion ring in reachin freezer in dining room Warning

08B-63-4

Detail 23707305

Basic - Unpackaged food in an unprotected holding unit in a customer/nonsecure area. Reach freezer with onion ring, ice machine and ice cream machine. Warning

Nov 19, 2024

Routine - Food

Inspection Completed - No Further Action

Intermediate: 1Basic: 3Total: 4

27-06-4

Detail 23368406

Intermediate - No cold running water at hand washing sink.

08B-38-4

Detail 23368408

Basic - Food stored on floor. Bucket of cut potatoes on floor of walk-in cooler. Manager moved potatoes Corrected On-Site

23-03-4

Detail 23368407

Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Excessive buildup of grease and food debris behind the grills and fryers.

36-50-4

Detail 23368409

Basic - Unclean building components, attachments or fixtures. Hood and filters on ccokline.

Feb 16, 2024

Routine - Food

Inspection Completed - No Further Action

High Priority: 1Intermediate: 1Basic: 1Total: 3

50-17-3

Detail 22649410

High Priority - Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license. Expired 2/1/23

22-02-4

Detail 22649412

Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Ice cream nozzles Ice chute Ice machine

08B-38-4

Detail 22649411

Basic - Food stored on floor. Bags of flour.Employee moved flour. Corrected On-Site

Dec 12, 2023

Routine - Food

Call Back - Admin. complaint recommended

Intermediate: 3Basic: 2Total: 5

53A-03-7

Detail 22504305

Intermediate - - From initial inspection : Intermediate - Food manager certification expired. A list of accredited food manager certification examination providers can be found at http://www.myfloridalicense.com/DBPR/hotels-restaurants/food-lodging/food-manager/ All manager certification expired. Abigale Starkey 6/18/2018 Amanda Salm 6/18/23 Warning - From follow-up inspection 2023-12-12: Food manager certification expired. A list of accredited food manager certification examination providers can be found at http://www.myfloridalicense.com/DBPR/hotels-restaurants/food-lodging/food-manager/ All manager certification expired. Abigale Starkey 6/18/2018 Amanda Salm 6/18/23 Admin Complaint

22-02-4

Detail 22504304

Intermediate - - From initial inspection : Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Ice machine Bottom of ice cream nozzles Warning - From follow-up inspection 2023-12-12: Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Ice machine Time Extended

53B-05-5

Detail 22504306

Intermediate - - From initial inspection : Intermediate - Required employee training expired for all employees. To order approved program food safety material, call DBPR contracted provider: Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (SafeStaff) 866-372-7233. Warning - From follow-up inspection 2023-12-12: Required employee training expired for all employees. To order approved program food safety material, call DBPR contracted provider: Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (SafeStaff) 866-372-7233. Admin Complaint

36-34-5

Detail 22504307

Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance. Ceiling tile and vents soiled with dust and grease Repeat Violation Warning - From follow-up inspection 2023-12-12: Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance. Ceiling tile and vents soiled with dust and grease Time Extended

23-03-4

Detail 22504308

Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Cookline side of fryers Warning - From follow-up inspection 2023-12-12: Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Cookline side of fryers Time Extended

Oct 10, 2023

Routine - Food

Warning Issued

Intermediate: 8Basic: 4Total: 12

12A-03-4

Detail 22352685

Intermediate - Employee washed hands in a sink other than an approved handwash sink. Observed employee wash hands in 3-compartment sink. Warning

11-27-4

Detail 22352689

Intermediate - 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. Warning

53A-03-7

Detail 22352684

Intermediate - Food manager certification expired. A list of accredited food manager certification examination providers can be found at http://www.myfloridalicense.com/DBPR/hotels-restaurants/food-lodging/food-manager/ All manager certification expired. Abigale Starkey 6/18/2018 Amanda Salm 6/18/23 Warning

22-02-4

Detail 22352687

Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Ice machine Bottom of ice cream nozzles Warning

11-26-1

Detail 22352683

Intermediate - No proof provided that food employees are informed of their responsibility to report to the person in charge information about their health and activities related to foodborne illnesses. Warning

27-09-4

Detail 22352690

Intermediate - No running water at hand washing sink on cookline. Operator turn on water to hand washing sink. Corrected On-Site Warning

53B-05-5

Detail 22352688

Intermediate - Required employee training expired for all employees. To order approved program food safety material, call DBPR contracted provider: Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (SafeStaff) 866-372-7233. Warning

27-01-4

Detail 22352692

Intermediate - Temporary interruption - no alternative supply of water provided. Warning

36-34-5

Detail 22352686

Basic - Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance. Ceiling tile and vents soiled with dust and grease Repeat Violation Warning

08B-38-4

Detail 22352682

Basic - Food stored on floor. Bag of flour on floor in dry stroage Warning

23-03-4

Detail 22352681

Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Cookline side of fryers Warning

25-05-4

Detail 22352691

Basic - Single-service articles improperly stored. Taco plate on floor in stockroom Warning

Jun 8, 2023

Complaint Full

Inspection Completed - No Further Action

High Priority: 1Intermediate: 1Basic: 6Total: 8

03A-02-5

Detail 22044020

High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Sliced tomato 50F cooked chicken 46 F. Manager iced down chicken and tomatoes retemp 42F, 40F Corrective Action Taken

22-02-4

Detail 22044015

Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Ice machine Slicer Hobart slicer

14-01-5

Detail 22044017

Basic - Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Flour container using bowl without handle.

36-34-5

Detail 22044014

Basic - Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance. Ceiling with grease buildup

14-11-5

Detail 22044019

Basic - Equipment in poor repair. Walk-in cooler door inside metal loose Reachin cooler gasket torn across from kitchen door.

14-72-4

Detail 22044018

Basic - Exhaust system operated with filters disrepair . No means to capture grease and/or condensation to prevent dripping.

36-73-4

Detail 22044016

Basic - Floor soiled/has accumulation of debris. Floors under and behind equipment with buildup of grease on cookline,

23-03-4

Detail 22044013

Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. 3-compartment sink in bar area. Buildup of black substance in sink. Manager cleaned sink Corrected On-Site

Oct 7, 2022

Routine - Food

Inspection Completed - No Further Action

High Priority: 2Intermediate: 3Basic: 4Total: 9

08A-04-5

Detail 21438663

High Priority - Raw animal food stored over or with unwashed produce.Raw eggs above unwashed produce in walk-in cooler. manager moved raw eggs Corrected On-Site

41-10-4

Detail 21438667

High Priority - Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. Bleach stored next to single service items on cookline. Manager moved bleach. Corrected On-Site

22-02-4

Detail 21438668

Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Can opener Ice machine Repeat Violation

53B-13-5

Detail 21438665

Intermediate - Proof of required state approved employee training not available for some employees. To order approved program food safety material, call DBPR contracted provider: Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (SafeStaff) 866-372-7233. Safestaff

41-17-4

Detail 21438661

Intermediate - Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled. Spray bottle with red liquid on prep table.

14-72-4

Detail 21438666

Basic - Exhaust system operated with filters in disrepair. No means to capture grease and/or condensation to prevent dripping.

08B-38-4

Detail 21438664

Basic - Food stored on floor. Bread crumbs stored on floor in stockroom.

22-08-4

Detail 21438662

Basic - Interior of oven/microwave has accumulation of black substance/grease/food debris.

25-05-4

Detail 21438660

Basic - Single-service articles improperly stored. Portion cups on floor.Manager moved cup to shelf. Corrected On-Site

Mar 31, 2022

Routine - Food

Inspection Completed - No Further Action

Intermediate: 1Total: 1

22-02-4

Detail 20972307

Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Observed food debris on can opener blade. Manager washed rinsed and sanitized can opener. **soda gun soiled, manager cleaned soda gun. Corrected On-Site

Jul 13, 2021

Routine - Food

Inspection Completed - No Further Action

Intermediate: 1Basic: 3Total: 4

22-22-4

Detail 20338613

Intermediate - Encrusted material on can opener blade. Observed in kitchen at food prep table near dish washing machine

36-34-5

Detail 20338615

Basic - Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance. Observed in kitchen

31B-04-4

Detail 20338614

Basic - No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees. Observed at the hand washing sink in kitchen. Operator placed a sign up when prompted. Corrected On-Site

21-12-4

Detail 20338616

Basic - Wet wiping cloth not stored in sanitizing solution between uses. Operator placed in solution when prompted. Corrected On-Site