Wauchula, Hardee County

PAUL'S KITCHEN

116 N 4 AVE, Wauchula, FL 33873

FoodSeating
Latest violations
8
3 High Priority
Apr 8, 2026
City
Wauchula
County
Hardee
Status
Current / Active
Inspections
10

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.

Apr 8, 2026

Routine - Food

Inspection Completed - No Further Action

High Priority: 3Intermediate: 1Basic: 4Total: 8

12A-13-4

Detail 24499780

High Priority - Employee handled soiled equipment or utensils and then engaged in food preparation, handled clean equipment or utensils, or touched unwrapped single-service items without washing hands. Observed employee handling dirty dishes then handled clean dishes, educated on proper handwashing. Corrective Action Taken

08A-05-6

Detail 24499781

High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Observed raw sausage over a pan of mix shredded cheese in the reach in cooler on cook line, owner moved sausage to bottom shelve. Corrected On-Site

41-10-4

Detail 24499787

High Priority - Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. Observed oven cleaner and a wipe spray next to pan of flour in the kitchen, owner moved. Corrected On-Site

31B-02-4

Detail 24499784

Intermediate - No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. Observed no towels at hand washing sink in kitchen, owner replaced. Corrected On-Site

40-06-5

Detail 24499786

Basic - Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Observed cell phone in food preparation in kitchen, owner moved. Corrected On-Site

14-11-5

Detail 24499783

Basic - Equipment in poor repair. Observed walk in freezer door is not shutting close creating ice build up.

23-03-4

Detail 24499782

Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed hoods soiled with grease.

35B-09-4

Detail 24499785

Basic - Screen in door torn/in poor repair - vermin present. Observed screen torn at side entrance door. Repeat Violation

Dec 17, 2025

Routine - Food

Inspection Completed - No Further Action

High Priority: 1Intermediate: 2Basic: 4Total: 7

01B-01-4

Detail 24258449

High Priority - Dented/rusted cans present. See stop sale. Observed 2 dented cans of sausage gravy on a shelf in dry storage, owner pulled. Corrected On-Site

31A-11-4

Detail 24258453

Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Observed lemons in the hand wash sink in the wait staff area.

53B-14-5

Detail 24258455

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

06-09-1

Detail 24258454

Basic - Commercially processed reduced oxygen packaged fish bearing a label indicating that it is to remain frozen until time of use no longer frozen and not removed from reduced oxygen package. Observed 9 individual pink salmon thawed out in reach in cooler and not pulled from packaging, owner pulled-see stop sale. Corrected On-Site

33-12-4

Detail 24258450

Basic - Dumpster rusted out on bottom. Observed bottom at back of dumpster is rusted out.

33-11-4

Detail 24258452

Basic - Missing drain plug at dumpster.

35B-09-4

Detail 24258451

Basic - Screen in door torn/in poor repair - vermin present. Observed screen torn on the side door in the kitchen.

Sep 16, 2024

Routine - Food

Inspection Completed - No Further Action

High Priority: 4Intermediate: 4Basic: 7Total: 15

12A-25-4

Detail 23148024

High Priority - Employee touched face/hair and then engaged in food preparation, handled clean equipment or utensils, or touched unwrapped single-service items without washing hands. Employee touched their face then a clean cutting board without washing their hands. Employee sanitized the cutting board and washed their hands. Corrected On-Site

08A-05-6

Detail 23148031

High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Raw shell egg stored over a container of marinara in the walk in cooler. Owner removed the eggs. Corrected On-Site

01B-13-4

Detail 23148032

High Priority - Stop Sale issued due to food not being in a wholesome, sound condition. Commercially processed reduced oxygen packaged salmon bearing a label indicating that it is to remain frozen until time of use no longer frozen and not removed from reduced oxygen package. Owner discarded the salmon.

41-10-4

Detail 23148030

High Priority - Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. Bleach and sanitizer bucket stored next to clean pans on a shelf under a a preparation table in the kitchen. Operator moved to proper area separating the chemical from the pans. Corrected On-Site

11-27-4

Detail 23148035

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. Emailed handouts to the operator

11-26-1

Detail 23148027

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. Provided form to the operator. Operator filled out one form before the end of the inspection. Corrective Action Taken

03F-10-5

Detail 23148033

Intermediate - No written procedures available for use of time as a public health control to hold time/temperature control for safety food. Raw shell eggs stored at room temperature on the cook line with a time mark on time as a public health control. Establishment has no written procedures for time as a public health control. Emailed and reviewed time a a public health control form. Corrective Action Taken

02C-02-5

Detail 23148023

Intermediate - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Cooked potatoes stored in the walk in cooler with no date mark. Owner stated the potatoes were cooked on 9/14. Cooked beef stored in the walk in cooler with no date mark. Owner stated the beef was cooked on 9/11. Owner placed a date on the items. Corrected On-Site

22-20-5

Detail 23148028

Basic - Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin. Ice bin on the soda machine in the wait station area soiled.

36-32-5

Detail 23148034

Basic - Ceiling/ceiling tile shows damage or is in disrepair. Ceiling in the dry storage area showing water damage and leaking a small amount of water. Waters only leaking on the the floor not on food or food contact areas.

06-09-1

Detail 23148022

Basic - Commercially processed reduced oxygen packaged salmon bearing a label indicating that it is to remain frozen until time of use no longer frozen and not removed from reduced oxygen package. Owner discarded the salmon.

35B-01-4

Detail 23148026

Basic - Exterior door has a gap at the threshold that opens to the outside. Both exit doors in the dry storage area.

23-03-4

Detail 23148029

Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Exhaust fan next to the cook line soiled. Top of the reach in freezer next to the cook line soiled.

14-17-4

Detail 23148021

Basic - Walk-in cooler shelves with rust that has pitted the surface.

36-27-5

Detail 23148025

Basic - Wall soiled with accumulated grease, food debris, and/or dust. Walls in the cook line area soiled.

Oct 31, 2023

Routine - Food

Inspection Completed - No Further Action

High Priority: 1Intermediate: 1Basic: 3Total: 5

08A-20-5

Detail 22408530

High Priority - Raw animal foods not properly separated from each other in holding unit based upon minimum required cooking temperature. Observed raw ground beef over raw pork in walk-in cooler. Operator rearranged items. Corrected On-Site

41-17-4

Detail 22408526

Intermediate - Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled. Operator labeled. Corrected On-Site

23-03-4

Detail 22408529

Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed exterior of ice bin with black slimy growth around door closure area. Observed old food debris on can opener holder, attached to prep table with old food debris around area attached to table.

25-05-4

Detail 22408527

Basic - Single-service articles improperly stored. Observed tea filters stored open in dirty shelf. Employee threw away filters touching surfaces and placed others on container. Corrected On-Site

25-06-4

Detail 22408528

Basic - Single-service articles not stored inverted or protected from contamination. Observed aluminum pans not inverted at back storage area. Operator inverted. Corrected On-Site

Jul 25, 2023

Routine - Food

Inspection Completed - No Further Action

High Priority: 1Basic: 3Total: 4

03A-02-5

Detail 22147276

High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed glass front small cooler at kitchen prep area not holding foods at 41F or colder sausage (52F - Cold Holding); link sausage (54F - Cold Holding) prep cook states items on cooler less than 2.5 hours removed to walk-in freezer to rapidly cool to 41F within 1 hour.

12B-01-4

Detail 22147278

Basic - Employee eating while preparing food. Observed open cup of coffee no lid on cutting board in back prep area. Manager removed and sanitized cutting board. Corrected On-Site

14-11-5

Detail 22147277

Basic - Equipment in poor repair. Observed small glass front cooler at kitchen prep unable to hold foods at 41F or colder. Ambient temperature found at 72F. May not use to hold temperature sensitive /TCS foods until able to maintain foods at 41F or colder. Corrective Action Taken

51-13-4

Detail 22147279

Basic - No Heimlich maneuver/choking sign posted. Inspector provided via email. Corrected On-Site

Nov 3, 2022

Routine - Food

Inspection Completed - No Further Action

Intermediate: 2Basic: 5Total: 7

13-06-4

Detail 21549054

Intermediate - Employee with artificial nails/nail polish working with exposed food without wearing intact gloves. Observed employee wrapping potatoes for later cooking. Added gloves.Corrected On-Site Corrected On-Site

22-02-4

Detail 21549053

Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Observed can opener with old food debris on blade area.

12B-02-4

Detail 21549052

Basic - Employee eating in a food preparation or other restricted area. Observed open drink cup sitting on cutting board at back prep.employee removed and placed lid on drink. Corrected On-Site

13-07-4

Detail 21549049

Basic - Employee wearing jewelry other than a plain ring on their hands/arms while preparing food. Observed employee with jewels on fake nails, ornate rings,bracelets, working with food prep. Employee added gloves removed jewelry. Corrected On-Site

14-11-5

Detail 21549051

Basic - Equipment in poor repair.walk-in freezer door not tight fitting, causing ice buildup.

22-08-4

Detail 21549050

Basic - Interior of microwave has accumulation of food debris.

16-48-4

Detail 21549055

Basic - Old food stuck to clean dishware/utensils. Observed old food stuck to pan at clean dish storage area. Operator moved to dishwash. Corrected On-Site

Jul 27, 2022

Routine - Food

Call Back - Complied

No violations recorded for this inspection.

Jul 26, 2022

Routine - Food

Warning Issued

High Priority: 4Intermediate: 3Basic: 3Total: 10

22-41-4

Detail 21222616

High Priority - Dishmachine chlorine sanitizer not at proper minimum strength. Discontinue use of dishmachine for sanitizing and set up manual sanitization until dishmachine is repaired and sanitizing properly. Observed dishmachine unable to dispense correct amount of chlorine. Manually adding chlorine to rinse cycle until maintenance can arrive. Maintenance called for service. Corrective Action Taken Warning

01B-02-5

Detail 21222613

High Priority - Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. chicken (54F - Cold Holding); fish (51F - Cold Holding); beef (51F - Cold Holding); salmon (50F - Cold Holding); meatballs (49F - Cold Holding); pasta (49F - Cold Holding); shrimp (49F - Cold Holding) Warning

03A-02-5

Detail 21222614

High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. chicken (54F - Cold Holding); fish (51F - Cold Holding); beef (51F - Cold Holding); salmon (50F - Cold Holding); meatballs (49F - Cold Holding); pasta (49F - Cold Holding); shrimp (49F - Cold Holding) see stop sale. Foods found in reachin cooler across from cookline in cooler overnight. Cooler has not been opened today. Foods must be discarded. Warning

03F-02-5

Detail 21222617

High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food identified in the written procedure as a food held using time as a public health control has no time marking and the time removed from temperature control cannot be determined. See stop sale. Eggs at kitchen with no time mark. Manager added time. Corrective Action Taken Warning

02B-02-5

Detail 21222612

Intermediate - Raw/undercooked animal food offered and establishment has no written consumer advisory. Raw animal foods must be fully cooked prior to service. Printed Consumer advisory and owner posted. Corrected On-Site Warning

31B-06-4

Detail 21222609

Intermediate - Soap dispenser at handwash sink not working/unable to dispense soap. Installed new battery. Corrected On-Site Warning

41-17-4

Detail 21222611

Intermediate - Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled. Employee added label. Corrected On-Site Warning

14-11-5

Detail 21222615

Basic - Equipment in poor repair. Cooler glass front across from cookline inable to maintain foods at 41F or colder . May not use to hold TCS foods until able to maintain at 41F.

14-38-4

Detail 21222610

Basic - Food storage container/container lid cracked or broken. Warning

23-03-4

Detail 21222618

Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Fan cover with heavy dust at wait prep area. Warning

Mar 5, 2022

Routine - Food

Administrative complaint recommended

High Priority: 5Intermediate: 3Basic: 3Total: 11

50-17-2

Detail 20908361

High Priority - Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license. Admin Complaint

08A-20-5

Detail 20908359

High Priority - Raw animal foods not properly separated from each other in holding unit based upon minimum required cooking temperature. Observed raw chicken over raw beef at Reach in Cooler. Operator switched the food items. Corrected On-Site Repeat Violation Warning

03F-02-5

Detail 20908357

High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food identified in the written procedure as a food held using time as a public health control has no time marking. Observed raw shell eggs at prep table shelf and next to flat grill. Operator time marked the food item. Corrected On-Site Warning

41-10-4

Detail 20908352

High Priority - Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. Observed multiple chemicals next to food items at prep table shelf. Operator moved the food items to a proper and safe location. Warning

41-15-5

Detail 20908355

High Priority - Wiping cloth solution exceeding the maximum concentration allowed stored in a location that could result in the cross contamination of food, equipment, utensils, linens, single-service, or single-use articles. Observed over 200ppm at prep area, corrected to 100ppm by adding more water. Corrected On-Site Warning

53A-03-7

Detail 20908358

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/ Repeat Violation Warning

31A-11-4

Detail 20908360

Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Observed multiple ice cubes at wait station handwash sink. Educated the operator. Warning

53A-05-6

Detail 20908356

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/. Expired: Ioannis Argyriadis, 02/10/2016. (Person in Charge) Warning

33-23-4

Detail 20908353

Basic - Grease receptacle/dumpster not on proper pad/nonabsorbent surface. Repeat Violation Warning

36-02-5

Detail 20908354

Basic - Unsealed concrete floor in food preparation, food storage, warewashing area or bathroom. Observed at prep area and walk in cooler. Repeat Violation

02D-01-5

Detail 20908351

Basic - Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Observed flour and cornmeal at kitchen close to cookline. Operator labeled the food items. Corrected On-Site Warning

Oct 26, 2021

Routine - Food

Inspection Completed - No Further Action

High Priority: 4Intermediate: 6Basic: 7Total: 17

08A-20-5

Detail 20614194

High Priority - Raw animal foods not properly separated from each other in holding unit based upon minimum required cooking temperature. Observed raw chicken over raw beef. Operator switched the food items. Corrected On-Site

03A-03-5

Detail 20614201

High Priority - Shell eggs not stored at an ambient air temperature of 45 degrees Fahrenheit or less. Observed raw shell eggs 82°F ambient at cookline. Operator time marked the food item and will be using Time as a Public Health Control.

03F-02-5

Detail 20614202

High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food identified in the written procedure as a food held using time as a public health control has no time marking. Observed raw shell eggs 82°F at cookline.Operator time marked the food item. Corrected On-Site Repeat Violation

29-34-4

Detail 20614196

High Priority - Vacuum breaker missing at hose bibb or on fitting/splitter added to hose bibb. Observed at 3 compartment sink next to Dish Machine.

53A-03-7

Detail 20614197

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/

22-02-4

Detail 20614199

Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Observed soda nozzles at fountain machine.

31A-09-4

Detail 20614195

Intermediate - Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Observed tray blocking at wait station handwash sink. Operator removed the tray. Corrected On-Site

16-37-1

Detail 20614186

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

03F-10-5

Detail 20614193

Intermediate - No written procedures available for use of time as a public health control to hold time/temperature control for safety food. Emailed operator the written procedure.

53B-14-5

Detail 20614190

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

16-21-4

Detail 20614187

Basic - Accumulation of debris on exterior of warewashing machine. Operator cleaned the exterior of Dish Machine. Corrected On-Site

22-20-5

Detail 20614192

Basic - Accumulation of residue build up in the interior of the ice machine/bin.

12B-09-5

Detail 20614188

Basic - Employee chewing gum while preparing food or while in a food prep/food storage/warewashing area. Observed employee at cookline. Educated the operator.

33-23-4

Detail 20614200

Basic - Grease receptacle/dumpster not on proper pad/nonabsorbent surface. Observed grease receptacle at back exterior of establishment.

14-69-4

Detail 20614198

Basic - Ice buildup in reach-in freezer and/or walk-in freezer.

31B-04-4

Detail 20614191

Basic - No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees. Observed at wait station handwash sink.

33-16-4

Detail 20614189

Basic - Open dumpster lid. Operator closed the dumpster lid.Repeat Violation Corrected On-Site Repeat Violation