Cheddar's Casual Cafe

2391 Sun Vista Dr, Lutz, FL 33559
Café / Breakfast
Last inspected: Apr 9, 2026
64
Score
Medium Risk

The health department has logged 13 inspections at Cheddar's Casual Cafe, the earliest from 2023. The latest inspection on file is from Apr 9, 2026. The medium risk tier sits in the middle: not spotless, but not alarming either.

Recent visits have produced comparable findings, with counts hovering near three violations per visit.

When inspectors have written things up, “food-contact surface soiled with food debris” has been the most frequent reason, cited five times.

The city-wide average sits at 80, which Cheddar's Casual Cafe's 64 doesn't quite reach. The full record sits in fairly typical territory for a working restaurant.

13
Inspections
1
Critical latest
1
Major latest
4
Minor latest
Inspection History
Apr 9, 2026
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 4 minor violations.
View 6 violations
High Priority - Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. Bottle of orange grease cleaner stored on table by clean silverware. Manager removed **Corrected On-Site**
41-10-4
Intermediate - No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. By walk in cooler hand sink. Manager refilled **Corrected On-Site**
31B-02-4
Basic - Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Observed portion cup in container of ranch in server station. Manager removed **Corrected On-Site**
14-01-5
Basic - Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting. Observed wet nesting of stacked plastic containers in dish area
24-08-4
Basic - Equipment in poor repair. High temp dish machine in bar area not actively being used not reaching 160f on final rinse.
14-11-5
Basic - Food storage containers and blue container lids cracked in dish area.
14-38-4
64
Dec 16, 2025
Routine - Food
No violations found.
100
May 29, 2025
Routine - Food
1 major violation. 1 minor violation.
View 2 violations
Intermediate - Approved HACCP letter not maintained at the food establishment. Manager got approval letter and placed in binder **Corrected On-Site**
03G-56-2
Basic - Floor tiles missing and/or in disrepair. By dish pit
36-17-5
86
Feb 14, 2025
Complaint Full
No violations found.
100
Feb 5, 2025
Complaint Full
2 critical violations. 1 minor violation.
View 3 violations
High Priority - Single-use gloves not changed as needed after changing tasks or when damaged or soiled.employee touched face with gloves than grabbed clean dish plates no hand washing, employee washed hands after manager talked to employee **Corrective Action Taken**
12A-09-4
High Priority - Dishmachine not sanitizing properly. Discontinue use of dishmachine for sanitizing and set up manual sanitization until dishmachine is repaired and sanitizing properly. High temp dishwasher running at 140-158 f tested 6 times discussed with manager to use three compartment sink for sanitation
22-49-4
Basic - Food stored on floor. Donated food in brown bucket on floor walk in freezer employee removed. **Corrected On-Site**
08B-38-4
70
Jan 4, 2024
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 4 minor violations.
View 6 violations
High Priority - Employee failed to wash hands before putting on gloves to initiate a task working with food. Employee picked something up off the floor took gloves off then put new gloves on without washing hands, manager had employee remove gloves and wash hands **Corrective Action Taken**
12A-07-5
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Soda gun soiled
22-02-4
Basic - Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable. Green and white cutting board
14-09-4
Basic - Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting. Pans on shelf next to 3 compartment sink
24-08-4
Basic - Floor area(s) covered with standing water. Water on floor behind grill
36-22-4
Basic - Interior of oven/microwave has accumulation of black substance/grease/food debris. Alto shaam interior soiled
22-08-4
64
Oct 5, 2023
Routine - Food
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable. Cutting boards on reach in coolers **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2023-10-05: Cutting boards on order per manager **Time Extended**
14-09-4
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Back of cooler next to fryer **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2023-10-05: **Time Extended**
23-03-4
90
Oct 4, 2023
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 1 major violation. 5 minor violations.
View 8 violations
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. Dish washer on cell phone while putting clean dishes away without washing hands **Warning**
12A-13-4
High Priority - Roach activity present as evidenced by live roaches found. 5 live in drawer of non working unit on cook line under grill 2 live on wheel of non working unit on cook line 1 live on floor under oven in prep area 1 live on wheel of oven in prep area **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
35A-05-4
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Soda gun at bar soiled **Warning**
22-02-4
Basic - Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable. Cutting boards on reach in coolers **Warning**
14-09-4
Basic - Dead roaches on premises. 3 dead under reach in cooler on cook line 5 dead in grout of floor behind non working unit in prep area **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
35A-03-4
Basic - Reach-in cooler interior/shelves have accumulation of soil residues. Reach in freezer on fry side **Warning**
22-16-4
Basic - Water leaking from pipe and/or faucet/handle. Water leaking from line under sink at dish machine **Warning**
29-11-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Back of cooler next to fryer **Warning**
23-03-4
52
Aug 4, 2023
Complaint Full
1 major violation. 2 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : Intermediate - Hot water sanitizing dishmachine final rinse not reaching proper temperature at manifold. Discontinue use of dishmachine for sanitizing and set up manual sanitization until dishmachine is repaired. Dish machine temperature at 157F **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2023-08-04: Dish machine not in use **Time Extended**
22-56-4
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Floor soiled/has accumulation of debris. Floor under soda station soiled Floor under dish machine soiled Floor under all equipment in kitchen All floor drains soiled **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2023-08-04: **Time Extended**
36-73-4
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Exterior of all equipment in kitchen **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2023-08-04: **Time Extended**
23-03-4
82
Aug 3, 2023
Complaint Full
3 critical violations. 3 major violations. 8 minor violations.
View 14 violations
High Priority - Live, small flying insects in kitchen, food preparation area, food storage area and/or bar area. 1 small fly in to go area 2 small flies around chip machine 2 small flies under soda station 2 small flies around dish machine 1 small fly by ice machine 2 small flies in mop sink area 22 small flies in dry storage 3 small flies in storage area where fry oil is kept **Warning**
35A-02-6
High Priority - Roach activity present as evidenced by live roaches found. 1 live on floor under expo line **Warning**
35A-05-4
High Priority - Rodent activity present as evidenced by rodent droppings found. 26 rodent droppings inside heat well compressor area **Warning**
35A-04-4
Intermediate - No measuring device available for measuring utensil surface temperature when using hot water as sanitizer in a dishmachine. High temperature Test strips are expired **Warning**
16-62-1
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Can opener **Warning**
22-02-4
Intermediate - Hot water sanitizing dishmachine final rinse not reaching proper temperature at manifold. Discontinue use of dishmachine for sanitizing and set up manual sanitization until dishmachine is repaired. Dish machine temperature at 157F **Warning**
22-56-4
Basic - Accumulation of debris on exterior of warewashing machine. **Warning**
16-21-4
Basic - Dead roaches on premises. 2 dead on floor next to rack in to go area 2 dead cockroaches on floor under hand sink in expo are 1 inside back of shelf in expo cooler 5 dead of floor behind garage can at expo 1 dead under dish machine 4 dead cockroaches on floor in expo area under bun table **Warning**
35A-03-4
Basic - Employee with no beard guard/restraint while engaging in food preparation. Cook with no beard guard **Warning**
13-04-4
Basic - Employee with no hair restraint while engaging in food preparation. Prep cook no hair restraint **Warning**
13-03-4
Basic - Floor soiled/has accumulation of debris. Floor under soda station soiled Floor under dish machine soiled Floor under all equipment in kitchen All floor drains soiled **Warning**
36-73-4
Basic - In-use tongs stored on equipment door handle between uses. Tongs on handle of grill on cook line **Warning**
10-20-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Exterior of all equipment in kitchen **Warning**
23-03-4
Basic - Reach-in cooler interior/shelves have accumulation of soil residues. Salad cooler **Warning**
22-16-4
32
Feb 18, 2023
Complaint Full
1 major violation. 5 minor violations.
View 6 violations
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. **Repeat Violation** - From follow-up inspection 2023-02-18: **Time Extended**
22-02-4
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting. **Repeat Violation** - From follow-up inspection 2023-02-18: **Time Extended**
24-08-4
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Equipment in poor repair. Same reach in cooler with temperature issues reading 22F but all food is above 41F, operator called for repairs and moved or iced down all food items. - From follow-up inspection 2023-02-18: **Time Extended**
14-11-5
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Floor soiled/has accumulation of debris. Floors under equipment soiled - From follow-up inspection 2023-02-18: **Time Extended**
36-73-4
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Reach-in cooler interior/shelves have accumulation of soil residues. Reach in coolers on hot line soild. - From follow-up inspection 2023-02-18: **Time Extended**
22-16-4
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin. Also surface rust build up inside. - From follow-up inspection 2023-02-18: **Time Extended**
22-20-5
70
Feb 15, 2023
Complaint Full
2 critical violations. 1 major violation. 5 minor violations.
View 8 violations
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. Dish washing employee not washing hands between dirty dishes to clean dishes.
12A-13-4
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Reach in cooler on hot line with plastic still on it. All items moved to walk in freezer for rapid cool down or iced down. Thermostat reading 22F. Operator will call for repairs **Corrective Action Taken** **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
03A-02-5
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. **Repeat Violation**
22-02-4
Basic - Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin. Also surface rust build up inside.
22-20-5
Basic - Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting. **Repeat Violation**
24-08-4
Basic - Equipment in poor repair. Same reach in cooler with temperature issues reading 22F but all food is above 41F, operator called for repairs and moved or iced down all food items.
14-11-5
Basic - Floor soiled/has accumulation of debris. Floors under equipment soiled
36-73-4
Basic - Reach-in cooler interior/shelves have accumulation of soil residues. Reach in coolers on hot line soild.
22-16-4
52
Jan 13, 2023
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 7 minor violations.
View 9 violations
Certified Food Manager Identification
FL-02
Employee Health Policies Present
FL-03
Hands Clean and Properly Washed
FL-08
Food in Good Condition, Safe, and Unadulterated
FL-13
Proper Hot and Cold Holding Temperatures
FL-21
Food Contact Surfaces Clean and Sanitized
FL-22
Warewashing Facilities Maintained and Used
FL-24
Approved Thawing Methods Used
FL-31
Lighting Adequate; Required Shields in Place
FL-36
52

Frequently Asked Questions

When was Cheddar's Casual Cafe last inspected?

The most recent health inspection at Cheddar's Casual Cafe on file is from Apr 9, 2026. The public record contains 13 inspections in total.

What is the most common violation at Cheddar's Casual Cafe?

Across the inspection record, “food-contact surface soiled with food debris” has been cited five times, more than any other issue at Cheddar's Casual Cafe.

How does Cheddar's Casual Cafe compare to other restaurants in Lutz?

Cheddar's Casual Cafe most recently scored 64 out of 100, which is lower than the Lutz average of 80.

Has Cheddar's Casual Cafe's inspection record improved over time?

Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at Cheddar's Casual Cafe have averaged around three violations per visit across the recent record.

What does a medium risk rating mean?

A medium risk rating at Cheddar's Casual Cafe means the most recent inspection turned up a handful of issues that the health department wrote up but did not classify as critical.

How often is Cheddar's Casual Cafe inspected?

Based on the inspection history on file, Cheddar's Casual Cafe is inspected around four times per year on average.