DON JOSE MEXICAN RESTAURANT

Name: DON JOSE MEXICAN RESTAURANT
Address: 4731 LAKEVIEW DR, SEBRING, FL, 33870, US
Rating: 15.7

4731 LAKEVIEW DR, SEBRING, FL 33870

License #3800968

🌮 Mexican/Latin ℹ️

15.7 Grade F / 100

Failing Health Score

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Latest inspection

October 22, 2026 · 11 findings · 7 critical

Routine - Food

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Critical

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Major

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Minor

Usually lower-risk context.

Quick take

DON JOSE MEXICAN RESTAURANT in SEBRING currently holds an InspectFL Health Score of 15.7 out of 100 — an F grade — a serious pattern of repeat or critical violations. This restaurant has been inspected 8 times from Florida DBPR, with the most recent inspection on October 22, 2026. Across those visits, inspectors documented 66 total violations — 18 critical, 10 major, 38 minor.

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Record snapshot

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The latest inspection on October 22, 2026 shows 11 observation rows: 7 critical, 1 major, and 3 minor.

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Inspector notes

Coverage note

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DON JOSE MEXICAN RESTAURANT has a rough inspection history. Would you risk it?

F record

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*Scores are calculated by InspectFL based on public DBPR inspection data and are not official state ratings.

Inspection timeline

Inspection History

Read the newest inspection first, then scan for patterns. Repeated high-priority findings matter more than one isolated bad day.

Critical Major Minor

Inspector notes are being added across all restaurants. Some inspections may only show violation codes until notes are available.

Disposition: Inspection Completed - No Further Action
[03A-02-5] Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed two pans of cheese on top of cook line at room temperature at 81F, per owner was out less than four hours, suggested and went over a written procedures and emailed.
[08A-13-5] Raw animal food stored in top portion of make table over ready-to-eat food in bottom portion of make table - no complete physical barrier between top and bottom. Observed raw tilapia over pans of vegetables on cook line, owner moved the tilapia.
[33-16-4] Open dumpster lid.
[31B-04-4] No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees. Observed no hand washing sign in the womens bathroom, emailed owner copy.
[02C-01-5] Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food marked with a date that exceeds 7 days after opening/preparation. Observed two pans 1/4 full in walk in cooler with a date mark of 10/15/26, owner discarded.
[12A-09-4] Single-use gloves not changed as needed after changing tasks or when damaged or soiled. Observed an employee touch his hat on cook line and proceed to prepare carry out order of fajita and beans, notified the owner and he educated employee on changing gloves and washing hands, employee changed gloves and washed hands.
[16-37-1] No chemical test kit provided when using sanitizer at three-compartment sink/warewashing machine or wiping cloths.
[08A-05-6] Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Observed raw beef over bags of french fries in walk in cooler, observed raw chicken over raw beef in reach in cooler in kitchen owner moved.
[10-07-4] In-use utensil stored in standing water less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed scoop in soiled standing water on the microwave, owner replaced scoop and water.
[22-45-4] Food-contact surfaces not sanitized after cleaning, before use. Do not use equipment/utensils not properly sanitized. Observed employee wiping pans down with plain water over 3-compartment sink next to cook line, the sink was not set up to sanitize, emailed owner copy of chart.
[01B-01-4] Dented/rusted cans present. See stop sale. Observed one dented can of tomato juice on can rack in dry storage area, owner discarded.

Disposition: Met Inspection Standards
[33-16-4] Open dumpster lid.
[14-09-4] Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable. Observed cutting boards on the cook line are grooved.
[33-19-4] Garbage on the ground and/or pad around dumpster. Observed boxes and two bags of garbage on the pad behind dumpster.
[10-20-4] In-use tongs stored on equipment door handle between uses. Observed tongs on the door handle of an oven in the back of kitchen area.
[31B-04-4] No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees. Observed no handwashing signs in the two mens bathroom, two womens bathroom and one other bathroom located next to the kitchen.
[08B-12-5] Stored food not covered. Observed in walk in cooler a pot of black beans and a pot of pinto beans without a lid or cover, owner removed from cooler.
[41-07-4] Container of medicine improperly stored. Observed neosporin cream on the shelf with canned food, owner moved.
[01B-01-4] Dented/rusted cans present. See stop sale. Two cans of chipotle that were dented on the can racks in the kitchen area, owner discarded.
[08A-05-6] Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Observed in walk in cooler raw ground beef stored over shredded mozzarella cheese, owner moved to different area. Observed in reach in cooler raw chicken was stored over sour cream, owner moved to different shelf.
[12A-09-4] Single-use gloves not changed as needed after changing tasks or when damaged or soiled. Observed an employee in a prep area touching his pants without changing his gloves and not washing their hands and was returning to prep area owner stopped the employee, employee washed hands and changed gloves.
[31A-11-4] Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Observed rice in the hand washing sink in back of kitchen, owner cleaned the sink.
[02C-02-5] Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Observed a container of marinated chicken and a container of marinated steak in the walk in cooler without a date mark on it.

Disposition: Warning Issued
[22-20-5] Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin. Observed the ice machine with a black mold like substance inside and the sliding doors with heavy algae.
[36-34-5] Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance. Observed the ceiling vents in the back kitchen rusting.
[12B-07-4] Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Observed personal drinks on prep table and next to food on shelves.
[13-07-4] Employee wearing jewelry other than a plain ring on their hands/arms while preparing food. Observed employees cooking food with watches and bracelets on.
[14-11-5] Equipment in poor repair. Observed a shelf in the back kitchen with thick rust holding clean equipment.
[35B-01-4] Exterior door has a gap at the threshold that opens to the outside.
[36-73-4] Floor soiled/has accumulation of debris. Observed the floor around the soda fountain heavily soiled.
[10-20-4] In-use tongs stored on equipment door handle between uses. Observed tongs stored on oven door handles.
[23-03-4] Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed the hoods and hood filters with excessive grease build up in the prep kitchen.
[01D-08-5] Operator unable to provide documentation that aquacultured fish has been raised in a controlled environment and fed formulated feed. Operated stated he has the letter but could not find it or obtain it while I was present.
[22-02-4] Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Observed a soiled can opener.
[53B-01-5] 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.
[11-26-1] 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. Observed some illness reporting firms completed but not all.
[02C-02-5] Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Observed marinated chicken, cut salmon and house made sauces without a date marked in the walk in freezer.