16 Sarasota area restaurants get high-priority violations, 9 ace inspections
Our digital database of restaurant health inspections is updated regularly with the latest information on which Sarasota, Bradenton and Venice area restaurants passed or failed.
You can use the database to search by Sarasota or Manatee County or by restaurant name. You can see which restaurants were fined and which were forced into temporary closure.
Disclaimer: The Florida Department of Business & Professional Regulation describes an inspection report as “a ‘snapshot’ of conditions present at the time of the inspection." On any given day, an establishment may have fewer or more violations than noted in their most recent inspection. An inspection conducted on any given day may not be representative of the overall, long-term conditions at the establishment.
Please note that some more recent, follow-up inspections may not be included here.
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The following restaurants and food trucks, listed in alphabetical order, passed their inspections March 24-30 with zero violations:
Above the Grain, 39 S. Beneva Road, Sarasota
Empire Food Cart, 2011 Fourth St., Sarasota
Graze Street AMI, 3218 E. Bay Drive, Holmes Beach
Great Heights Creamery, 1371 Blvd. of the Arts, Unit 3, Sarasota
Millers Coffee Company, 3303 Bahia Vista St., Sarasota
Mr. Frod Grill 2, 3326 Cortez Road W., Bradenton
Pizza Hut, 6383 Manatee Ave. W. Ste 301, Bradenton
Tacos Jenny, 423 10th Ave. W., Palmetto
Tiki Island Concessions, 5851 Nathan Benderson Circle, Sarasota
Sarasota County restaurant inspections with high-priority violations:
The following restaurants, listed in alphabetical order, were issued warnings, recommended for administrative complaints or were temporarily closed due to failed inspections March 24-30:
Blvd Cafe
1580 Blvd. of the Arts, Sarasota
March 29
Follow-up needed: Warning issued.
Four total violations, with two high-priority violations:
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over canned/bottled drinks. Raw shell eggs stored over bottled beverages in the stand-up glass door reach-in cooler. Owner removed the eggs. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. All the following items were stored on ice in the cook line area: cooked mushrooms (58F - cold holding); pooled eggs (55F - cold holding); cheddar cheese (56F - cold holding); egg whites (54F - cold holding); cooked squash (55F - cold holding). Owner stated the items had been stored on ice for approximately one hour. Owner placed the items in the reach-in cooler. **Corrective Action Taken** **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
Buffet City
4458 Bee Ridge Road, Sarasota
March 25
Follow-up needed: Warning issued.
Thirteen total violations, with four high-priority violations:
High Priority - Dishmachine chlorine sanitizer not at proper minimum strength. Discontinue use of dishmachine for sanitizing and set up manual sanitization until dishmachine is repaired and sanitizing properly. Observed dishwashing machine at 0ppm. **Warning**
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Observed raw shrimp stored in glass reach-in cooler over cooked pork.
High Priority - Sink and surface not at proper minimum strength for manual warewashing. Do not use equipment/utensils not properly sanitized. Observed DDBSA at 0. Call for service and use dishwashing machine until corrected.
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed beef 48F, and shrimp 50F at hibachi reach-in cooler top.
Green Zebra Cafe
1377 Main St., Sarasota
March 26
Follow-up needed: Warning issued.
Twelve total violations, with two high-priority violations:
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Raw shell eggs stored over feta cheese in the reach-in cooler on the cook line. Employee removed the eggs. Raw bacon stored over cut and washed kale in the walk-in cooler. Employee removed the bacon. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
High Priority - Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. Spray bottles containing cleaning fluid stored next to canned food in the kitchen. Employee removed the bottles. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
Rosemary & Thyme
511 N. Orange Ave., Sarasota
March 29
Follow-up needed: Warning issued.
Six total violations, with one high-priority violation:
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over or with unwashed produce. Raw beef steak stored over unwashed asparagus in the reach-in cooler on the cook line. Employee placed the beef below the asparagus. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
Rusty Bucket Restaurant & Tavern
257 N. Cattlemen Road #81, Sarasota
March 27
Follow-up needed: Warning issued.
Five total violations, with one high-priority violation:
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Observed raw pork over raw salmon over cooked chicken wings. Operator moved items. **Corrected On-Site**
Manatee County restaurant inspections with high-priority violations:
The following restaurants, listed in alphabetical order, were issued warnings, recommended for administrative complaints or were temporarily closed due to failed inspections March 24-30:
Astro Skate of Bradenton
3611 Third St. W., Bradenton
March 27
Follow-up needed: Warning issued.
Twelve total violations, with one high-priority violation:
High Priority - Vacuum breaker missing at mop sink faucet or on fitting/splitter added to mop sink faucet. Observed mop sink with attached garden hose with no vacuum breaker. **Warning**
China 1
3236 E. Bay Drive, Holmes Beach
March 27
Follow-up needed: Administrative complaint recommended.
Seven total violations, with three high-priority violations:
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over or with unwashed produce. Observed raw chicken wings stored over unwashed celery in the walk-in cooler. Operator removed the chicken. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Observed raw chicken and raw beef stored over ready-to-eat noodles and vegetables in the walk-in cooler. Operator removed the meats. As a repeat violation the importance of following proper protocol with this violation was reinforced with the employee. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed on the cook line make table: beef (50F - cold holding); shrimp (50F - cold holding); pork (50F - cold holding.) Operator stated it had been there for approximately one hour. Operator placed ice on the food. As a repeat violation the importance of following proper protocol with this violation was reinforced with the employee. **Corrective Action Taken** **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
China 1
3236 E. Bay Drive, Holmes Beach
March 28
Call back — complied. Met inspection standards.
China One
5627 14th St. W., Unit I, Bradenton
March 25
Follow-up needed: Administrative complaint recommended.
Five total violations, with two high-priority violations:
High Priority - Raw animal foods not properly separated from each other in holding unit based upon minimum required cooking temperature. Observed in walk-in cooler in back kitchen area raw chicken over raw shell eggs. Educated person in charge on safe refrigerator storage and emailed person in charge a copy in English and Spanish and Chinese. Person in charge removed raw chicken. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed on food preparation table next to fryers: chicken wings (76F - cold holding); shrimp egg rolls (78F - cold holding). Educated person in charge on time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Person in charge stated they had been out for approximately one hour and placed the chicken and egg roll into the walk-in cooler. **Corrective Action Taken** **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
Harry's Grill
9903 Gulf Drive, Anna Maria
March 25
Follow-up needed: Warning issued.
Seven total violations, with two high-priority violations:
High Priority - Raw animal foods not properly separated from each other in holding unit based upon minimum required cooking temperature. Observed raw chicken over shrimp and fish in the kitchen and prep reach-in coolers. Operator removed the chicken from both. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
High Priority - Wiping cloth sanitizer solution exceeds the maximum concentration allowed. Observed two sanitizer buckets at 500ppm quaternary. Operator emptied the buckets and remade them at 200ppm. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
Hurricane Hanks
5346 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach
March 27
Follow-up needed: Warning issued.
Five total violations, with one high-priority violation:
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed on the cook line salad make table: sliced tomatoes (50F - cold holding). Observed on the wing toss station: lobster mash (50F - cold holding). Operator stated they had been there for approximately two hours. Operator placed items in a reach-in cooler. **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning**
Island Ocean Star
902 S. Bay Blvd., Anna Maria
March 26
Follow-up needed: Warning issued.
Six total violations, with two high-priority violations:
High Priority - Operator unable to provide documentation that aquacultured fish has been raised in a controlled environment and fed formulated feed. Observed no letter stating that their salmon has been farm-raised and pellet-fed. **Warning**
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Observed raw beef stored over cooked pork dumplings on the cook line cooler and observed raw fish over soy sauce in the walk-in cooler. Operator removed the items. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
Island Ocean Star
902 S. Bay Blvd., Anna Maria
March 27
Call back — complied. Zero violations.
Kiwi Style Fish and Chips
3608 E. Bay Drive, Holmes Beach
March 28
Follow-up needed: Warning issued.
Six total violations, with two high-priority violations:
High Priority - Raw animal foods not properly separated from each other in holding unit based upon minimum required cooking temperature. Observed raw chicken stored over raw beef in the cook line reach-in cooler. Operator removed the chicken. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
High Priority - Vacuum breaker missing at mop sink faucet or on fitting/splitter added to mop sink faucet. Observed the vacuum breaker on the wrong end of the mop splitter. **Warning**
The Parrot Patio Bar & Grill
7230 52nd Place E., Bradenton
March 26
Follow-up needed: Warning issued.
Eight total violations, with four high-priority violations:
High Priority - Cooked/heated time/temperature control for safety food not cooled from 135 degrees Fahrenheit to 41 degrees Fahrenheit within six hours. Observed in walk-in cooler outside the building: in house-made marinara (49F - cooling) date marked 3/25/24. Person in charge stated it was placed in walk-in cooler on 3/25/24. Educated person in charge on cooked/heated time/temperature control for safety food not cooled from 135 degrees Fahrenheit to 41 degrees Fahrenheit within six hours and emailed person in charge a copy of the handout in English and Spanish on cooling procedures. Person in charge voluntarily discarded. **Warning**
High Priority - Employee failed to wash hands before putting on gloves to initiate a task working with food. Observed in main kitchen area grill line. Employee grabbed raw chicken with gloves on and placed in fryer. Employee removed gloves and put on clean gloves and failed to wash hands before putting on clean gloves. Employee grabbed plate for ready-to-eat food and touched food contact surface. Educated person in charge on glove use and hand washing. Employee placed plate in dishwasher area, removed soiled gloves, washed hands and put on clean gloves. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
High Priority - Stop sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. Observed in walk-in cooler outside the building: in house made marinara (49F - cooling) date marked 3/25/24. Person in charge stated it was placed in walk-in cooler on 3/25/24. Educated person in charge on cooked/heated time/temperature control for safety food not cooled from 135 degrees Fahrenheit to 41 degrees Fahrenheit within six hours and emailed person in charge a copy of the handout in English and Spanish on cooling procedures. Person in charge voluntarily discarded. **Warning**
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed in reach-in cooler across from and pizza make station: chicken (51F - cold holding); shrimp (52F - cold holding); cheese (48F - cold holding); sausage (48F - cold holding); marinara (53F - Cold Holding). Educated person in charge on time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Person in charge stated that the food products had been in the reach-in coolers for approximately two hours and placed all in walk-in cooler. Observed in reach-in cooler in salad make station for wait staff: coleslaw (56F - cold holding); sour cream (54F - cold holding); cut tomatoes (55F - cold holding). Educated person in charge on time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Person in charge stated that the food had been in the reach-in cooler for approximately two hours and placed all product in reach-in cooler for desserts. **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning**
The Parrot Patio Bar & Grill
7230 52nd Place E., Bradenton
March 27
Call back — administrative complaint recommended. Follow-up needed.
Two high-priority violations:
High Priority - From follow-up inspection 2024-03-27: Observed in walk-in cooler in main kitchen area in house beef au jus 47F. Person in charge stated that it was placed in the walk-in cooler on 3/26/24. Educated person in charge on cooling process and emailed person in charge a copy of the handout. Person in charge voluntarily discarded. **Admin Complaint**
High Priority - From follow-up inspection 2024-03-27: Observed in walk-in cooler in main kitchen area in house beef au jus 47F. Person in charge stated that it was placed in the walk-in cooler on 3/26/24. Educated person in charge on cooling process and emailed person in charge a copy of the handout. Person in charge voluntarily discarded. **Admin Complaint**
Rod & Reel Pier
875 N. Shore Drive, Anna Maria
March 26
Follow-up needed: Warning issued.
Nine total violations, with four high-priority violations:
High Priority - Dishmachine chlorine sanitizer not at proper minimum strength. Discontinue use of dishmachine for sanitizing and set up manual sanitization until dishmachine is repaired and sanitizing properly. Observed the dish machine at 0ppm chlorine. Operator replaced the sanitizer and retested at 100ppm. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed in the cook line make table: fish (55F - cold holding); sliced cheese (55F - cold holding); sliced tomatoes (49F - cold holding). Operator stated that the items had been out for approximately three hours. Operator closed the lids and placed ice on all items. **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning**
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed on the cook line: butter (110F - hot holding). Operator stated it had been out for approximately three hours. Operator placed items on the flat top. **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning**
High Priority - Wiping cloth sanitizer solution exceeds the maximum concentration allowed. Observed two sanitizer buckets at 500ppm quaternary. Operator emptied the buckets and remade them at 200ppm. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
Rod & Reel Pier
875 N. Shore Drive, Anna Maria
March 27
Call back — complied. Met inspection standards.
The Spot Tacos and More
2303 First St., Bradenton
March 27
Call back — administrative complaint recommended. Follow-up needed.
Three total violations, with one high-priority violation:
High Priority - From follow-up inspection 2024-03-27: Observed in reach-in cooler in front kitchen area raw pork over cooked deli ham. Educated person in charge on safe refrigerator storage and emailed person in charge a copy of the handout in English and Spanish. Person in charge removed ham. As a repeat violation the importance of following proper protocol with this violation was reinforced with the employee. **Admin Complaint** **Corrected On-Site**
Vinny's Italian Kitchen
5337 Holmes Blvd. Suite 500, Holmes Beach
March 26
Follow-up needed: Warning issued.
Six total violations, with three high-priority violations:
High Priority - Dishmachine chlorine sanitizer not at proper minimum strength. Discontinue use of dishmachine for sanitizing and set up manual sanitization until dishmachine is repaired and sanitizing properly. Observed the dish machine at 0ppm chlorine. Operator switched over to his quaternary triple sink and measured at 200ppm. Operator also called a service man. **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning**
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Observed raw shell eggs over ready-to-eat cooked vegetables in the standing reach-in cooler of the warewashing area. Operator removed the eggs. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed in the front counter display cooler: ricotta cheese pie (60F - cold holding); tiramisu (60F - cold holding). Operator stated they had been there for approximately one hour. Operator placed items in the walk-in cooler. **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning**
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This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: 16 Sarasota restaurants get high-priority violations 9 ace inspections
