HIBACHI BUFFET

Name: HIBACHI BUFFET
Address: 2870 US HWY 27 N, SEBRING, FL, 33870, US
Rating: 39.9

2870 US HWY 27 N, SEBRING, FL 33870

License #3801111

🍱 Japanese/Sushi ℹ️

39.9 Grade F / 100

Failing Health Score

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Latest inspection

May 21, 2026 · 12 findings · 2 critical

Routine - Food

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Quick take

HIBACHI BUFFET in SEBRING currently holds an InspectFL Health Score of 39.9 out of 100 — an F grade — a serious pattern of repeat or critical violations. This restaurant has been inspected 7 times from Florida DBPR, with the most recent inspection on May 21, 2026. Across those visits, inspectors documented 79 total violations — 23 critical, 11 major, 45 minor.

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The latest inspection on May 21, 2026 shows 12 observation rows: 2 critical, 2 major, and 8 minor.

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Inspector notes

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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: Met Inspection Standards
[32-02-4] Bathroom door left open other than during cleaning or maintenance. Observed womens bathroom door propped open, employee closed the door.
[14-09-4] Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable. Observed grooved cutting boards on the cook line.
[24-08-4] Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting. Observed stack of cups in the wait staff area, with water in between and not air drying correctly.
[35B-01-4] Exterior door has a gap at the threshold that opens to the outside. Observed gap underneath back door.
[08B-38-4] Food stored on floor. Observed containers of sliced potatoes on the floor in the walk in cooler, owner placed on shelf.
[14-69-4] Ice buildup in reach-in freezer and/or walk-in freezer. Observed ice buildup in reach in freezer front counter area.
[10-17-4] In-use knife/knives stored in cracks between pieces of equipment. Observed knife in between food preparation tables in the kitchen, owner moved.
[23-03-4] Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed gaskets on reach in cooler on cook line soiled.
[01B-01-4] Dented/rusted cans present. See stop sale. Observed one dented can of chocolate pudding on can rack in kitchen, owner voluntarily discarded.
[08A-05-6] Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Observed pan of raw chicken over a pan of avocados in reach in cooler in front bar area, owner moved chicken to bottom shelve.
[31A-09-4] Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Observed 2 carts blocking hand washing sink in kitchen, owner moved.
[31A-11-4] Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Observed bucket in hand washing sink in wait staff area, employee moved.

Disposition: Met Inspection Standards
[22-20-5] Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin. Observed both ice machines in the kitchen with a black like substance on the white guard.
[24-08-4] Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting. Observed a stack of cups in both wait stations wet in between and not properly air drying.
[35B-01-4] Exterior door has a gap at the threshold that opens to the outside. Observed back door has a gap underneath and on side.
[01B-01-4] Dented/rusted cans present. See stop sale. Observed one can of strawberry glaze on the can rack dented in the kitchen, owner voluntarily discarded.
[12A-29-4] Employee touched soiled surface and then engaged in food preparation, handled clean equipment or utensils, or touched unwrapped single-service items without washing hands. Observed employee touch the garbage can then engage in food preparation without washing hands, stopped employee educated on hand washing, employee washed hands.
[14-31-5] Nonfood-grade bags used in direct contact with food. Observed four bags of chicken in carry out bags in direct contact in the reach in freezer in kitchen.
[08A-05-6] Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Observed a case of raw hard shell eggs over cooked chicken in the walk in cooler, owner moved the chicken.
[08A-17-6] Raw animal foods not properly separated from one another based upon minimum required cooking temperature when stored in a freezer - not all products commercially packaged. Observed a pan of raw chicken over raw ground beef in the walk in freezer, owner corrected by moving chicken to bottom shelf.
[41-10-4] Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. Observed drain cleaner next to a bottle of yellow dye on the cook line, owner moved the drain cleaner.
[22-02-4] Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Observed Manuel can opener soiled with food debris in the kitchen.
[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 krab salad and a container of fruit salad made 10/31/2025 was not date marked in the walk in cooler.
[46-01-4] Marked exit/path to marked exit blocked. For reporting purposes only. Observed back exit door was blocked with white tubs, owner moved.

Disposition: Emergency order recommended
[22-20-5] Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin.
[32-12-5] Covered waste receptacle not provided in womens bathroom. Observed no waste receptacle with lids in the womens bathroom.
[35A-03-4] Dead roaches on premises. Observed two dead roaches by filing cabinet in wait staff area. Observed one dead roach by reach in cooler in sushi bar area. Observed one dead roach on the dumb waiter and one dead roach by the walk in freezer located in the kitchen. Five all together.
[08B-49-4] Employee personal food not properly identified and segregated from food to be served to the public. Observed fish next to food in the reach in freezer not segregated from other food. Operator removed.
[13-07-4] Employee wearing jewelry other than a plain ring on their hands/arms while preparing food. Observed cook with a watch and a bracelet on while cooking, employee removed.
[16-13-5] Equipment and utensils not washed, rinsed and sanitized in the correct order in three-compartment sink. Do not use dishes/equipment not properly sanitized. Operator was not using the sanitizer side, taking washed and rinsed pots directly to drying rack. Operator removed pots, rewashed and sanitized. Operator set up triple sink.
[08B-38-4] Food stored on floor. Observed four boxes of fortune cookies on the floor in the wait staff area. Observed two cases of cabbage and two cases of potatoes on the floor in the kitchen by the cook line and two cases of cantaloupe on the floor in the walk in cooler.
[10-20-4] In-use tongs stored on equipment door handle between uses. Observed tongs on the handle of the fryer, operator removed.
[31B-04-4] No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees. Observed no handwashing sign at the hand washing sink in the sushi bar area.
[33-38-4] No waste receptacle installed at handwash sink provided with disposable towels at line.
[14-33-4] Reach-in cooler shelves with rust that has pitted the surface in Pepsi cooler
[24-18-4] Silverware/utensils stored upright with the food-contact surface up. Observed forks and spoons facing upright in the dish area, operator changed to downward.
[02D-01-5] Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Observed different sauces and soups not labeled in the walk in cooler.
[01B-01-4] Dented/rusted cans present. See stop sale. Observed one can of cheddar sauce dented on the can rack located in kitchen. Operator removed and discarded.
[22-49-4] Dishmachine not sanitizing properly. Discontinue use of dishmachine for sanitizing and set up manual sanitization until dishmachine is repaired and sanitizing properly: Dishwasher (Chlorine 10ppm). Operator set up triple sink. Operator will call for service.
[12A-07-5] Employee failed to wash hands before putting on gloves to initiate a task working with food. Observed employee remove watch and wristband put in pocket and changed his gloves without handwashing, educated employee on handwashing.
[35A-05-4] Roach activity present as evidenced by live roaches found. Observed two live roaches under the cook line in the kitchen. Observed one live roach by the hand washing sink located back of the kitchen. Observed one live roach on the side of reach in freezer and one live roach by the walk in cooler in the kitchen. Five all together.
[01B-02-5] Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. One pound butter patties at 78 F, 50 pounds of raw chicken at 46 degrees. Operator removed and voluntarily disposed of.
[03A-02-5] Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. One pound butter patties at 78 F, 50 pounds of raw chicken at 46 degrees.
[41-25-4] Tracking powder pesticide used inside establishment under buffet tables.
[12A-03-4] Employee washed hands in the triple sink. Employee was educated on proper location.

Disposition: Met Inspection Standards
[16-55-4] Dishmachine not washing/rinsing properly. Must wash, rinse and sanitize all dishware, equipment and utensils in three-compartment sink until dishmachine is functioning properly. Sanitizer at 25ppm corrected to 50 ppm during inspection
[24-08-4] Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting.
[06-06-5] Frozen time/temperature control for safety food being slacked at room temperature is no longer frozen solid. Observed imitation crab meat Ososter brand 20ea at 2lbs (70F - Cold Holding). See stop sale
[10-01-5] In-use utensil in non-time/temperature control for safety food not stored with handle above top of food within a closed container. Observed sugar container with scoop handle touching food. Manager stood the scoop in corner of container with handle out.
[10-07-4] In-use utensil stored in standing water less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed rice scoops on 70F water at kit. Operator removed water and will hold in dry cup.
[51-13-4] No Heimlich maneuver/choking sign posted. Inspector provided handout at inspection via email.
[08B-01-4] Self-service salad bar/buffet lacking adequate sneezeguards or other proper protection from contamination. Observed cut scallions and fried won ton noodles offered in open containers at buffet, not under sneeze guard not protected. Operator removed to kitchens to find closed containers.
[01B-02-5] Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. imitation crab meat zoster brand 20ea at 2lbs (70F - Cold Holding) thawed at room temperature.
[03A-02-5] Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed Pepsi cooler , ribs (44F - Cold Holding); hot dogs (46F - Cold Holding) operator moved items to walk-in and will not use until cooler is able to maintain foods at 41F or colder.
[11-27-4] 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. Inspector provided handout at inspection via email.
[02B-02-5] Raw/undercooked animal food offered and establishment has no written consumer advisory. Raw animal foods must be fully cooked prior to service. Wrong consumer advisory used. Operator has oyster warning posted instead of raw meats advisory. Inspector emailed the correct advisory during inspection and operator posted at sushi bar.