Golden Corral in Brandon, FL, recently closed with 24 violations; reopened in Hillsborough County

Golden Corral buffet dishes.Photo byMathematics bennett / Graphix

The Golden Corral in Brandon, Florida, a popular restaurant in Hillsborough County, was recently able to navigate a challenging inspection period. The Hillsborough County restaurant, known for its all-you-can-eat offerings, recently faced a temporary closure after a Florida Department of Business & Professional Regulation inspection revealed 24 violations.

What Happened During The Inspection?

While the restaurant had previously navigated inspection issues, where it was never closed down, the level of infractions found prompted the closure on July 23.

Thankfully, this Golden Corral quickly addressed the issues, passing a callback follow-up inspection on July 24 and resuming service despite the presence of 8 remaining violations.

High-priority violations included employees failing to wash hands after handling soiled utensils, and the presence of live roaches and flying insects in food preparation areas.

Additionally, temperature control issues were noted with food being held above safe temperatures.

Intermediate violations highlighted food-contact surfaces with food debris and mold-like substances.

Basic violations were extensive. A total of 14, ranging from mold-like substances in the ice machine to unsecured helium tanks and soiled ceiling tiles, were discovered.

The inspection also noted dead insects and roaches, missing floor tiles, and debris around the dumpster area. These issues culminated in the temporary closure of the establishment.

Follow-up Inspection

Following a follow-up inspection on July 24, 2024, Golden Corral complied with the necessary standards, reducing the violations to eight, and was permitted to resume service.

This speedy response highlights the Golden Corral's commitment to maintaining health and safety standards, ensuring that Hillsborough County patrons can once again enjoy their dining experience with confidence.

This Brandon Golden Corral has a 3.4-star rating from 6,991 Google reviews.

Beverly Milbry shared on Google Reviews:

The food is terrible the floors are filthy and meat is stored on the floor prior to cooking. The entire place smells like a dirty public restroom.

NOTE: Please note that an inspection report, per the Florida Department of Business & Professional Regulation, provides a snapshot of the conditions observed during the inspection.