Golden Corral in Brandon, FL, closed a 2nd time with 12 violations in Hillsborough County; Reopens

Golden Corral InspectionPhoto byGoogle Reviews/Canva

A popular family-friendly buffet chain restaurant in Brandon, Florida, Golden Corral, was temporarily closed on September 24th, 2024, due to 12 violations, including 3 high-priority concerns. However, the restaurant was able to address these issues and reopen the same day after a callback inspection.

This marks the second closure for the Hillsborough County eatery this year, with a previous shutdown occurring on July 23, 2024.

This prominent all-you-can-eat establishment, located at 815 Providence Rd in Hillsborough County, was cited for three high-priority, one intermediate, and eight basic violations.

Despite these setbacks, this Golden Corral in Brandon maintains a 4.2-star rating from 7,056 Google reviews, indicating its popularity among local diners.

This is What Happened During The Inspection

High-priority violations included issues with the dishmachine not deep-cleaning correctly, the presence of live small flying insects in various food preparation areas, and evidence of live roach activity.

The inspector noted live roaches in other locations, including the kitchen door frame and meat room.

Meanwhile, intermediate and basic violations ranged from dirty food-contact surfaces to issues with lighting, molding flooring, and general cleanliness. The inspector observed dead roaches in several areas, which were promptly removed and cleaned thoroughly by staff.

Fortunately, a follow-up inspection on the same day confirmed that necessary corrections were made, allowing the restaurant to reopen with only three basic infractions discovered.

While the temporary closure is concerning, Golden Corral's ability to quickly address and correct violations underpins its commitment to food safety and customer well-being.

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High Priority Violations:

• Dishmachine not properly cleaned
• Live, small flying insects in kitchen and food preparation areas
• Roach activity present as evidenced by live roaches found