19 Sarasota area restaurants get high-priority violations, 12 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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Sarasota-Manatee best restaurant inspections
The following restaurants and food trucks, listed in alphabetical order, passed their inspections Feb. 4-10 with zero violations:
Al's Ice Cream Shoppe, 2357 S. Tamiami Trail Unit 12, Venice
AMC Sarasota 12, 8201 S. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota
Arts & Central, 611 Central Ave., Sarasota
Choo-Choo's Catering Inc., 8710 Old Tampa Road, Parrish
Croissant & Co., 525 Tamiami Trail Unit 501, Venice
The Green Orchid, 1534 Mound St., Sarasota
Kawali, 2801 14th St. W., Bradenton
Michelle’s Brown Bag Cafe, 630 S. Orange Ave, Sarasota
Palmetto Riverside Bed & Breakfast, 1102 Riverside Drive, Palmetto
Peculiar Pub, 8141 Lakewood Main St. Ste N103, Lakewood Ranch
Real Food, 6817 Bayshore Road, Palmetto
Tru by Hilton Bradenton I-75, 5510 Manor Hill Lane, Bradenton
Sarasota County restaurant inspections with high-priority violations:
The following restaurants and food trucks, listed in alphabetical order, were issued warnings, recommended for administrative complaints or were temporarily closed due to failed inspections Feb. 4-10:
Bavaro's Pizza Napoletana & Pastaria
27 Fletcher Ave., Sarasota
Feb. 9
Follow-up needed: Warning issued.
Twelve total violations, with two high-priority violations:
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed on the cook line: butter (56F - cold holding). Operator stated it had been out for approximately 30 minutes. Operate placed butter in the reach-in cooler. **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning**
High Priority - Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. Observed a sanitizer bucket stored on the floor of the back bar area. Operator placed the bucket in a bucket. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
Big Cat Habitat & Gulf Coast Sanctuary
7101 Palmer Blvd., Sarasota
Feb. 9
Follow-up needed: Warning issued.
Six total violations, with two high-priority violations:
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed on the the grill top hot holding: Beef (125F - hot holding). Operator stated it had been there for approximately one hour. Operator turned up the heat on the grill top. **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning**
High Priority - Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. Observed a sanitizer bucket stored on the ground of the food truck. Operator placed the bucket on a shelf. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
Briandi's Restaurant
202 S. Tamiami Trail, Nokomis
Feb. 6
Follow-up needed: Warning issued.
Twenty-one total violations, with four high-priority violations:
High Priority - Food contaminated by employee. See stop sale. Observed the soda gun stored touching the ice in the ice bin behind the bar. The operator discarded the ice. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Observed raw shell eggs stored over grated Parmesan cheese in the walk-in cooler. The operator properly stored the raw shell eggs. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
High Priority - Single-use gloves not changed as needed after changing tasks or when damaged or soiled. Observed the operator handle raw clams then touch a ladle handle without changing gloves. **Warning**
High Priority - Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. Observed a stick of deodorant stored near food in the reach-in freezer. The operator removed the deodorant. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
Francesco's
3662 Webber St., Sarasota
Feb. 8
Follow-up needed: Warning issued.
Thirteen total violations, with two high-priority violations:
High Priority - Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license. Operator corrected and renewed the license during the inspection. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
High Priority - Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. Observed a sanitizer bucket stored on the floor of the kitchen. Operator placed the bucket on a bucket. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
Irma's Tacos Craft Beer and Tequila Bar
3080 Fruitville Commons Blvd., Unit 1, Sarasota
Feb. 8
Follow-up needed: Warning issued.
Ten total violations, with two high-priority violations:
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed on the cook line: guacamole with pico de gallo (46F - cold holding). They were above the fill line. Operator lowered the food below the fill line. **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning**
High Priority - Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. Observed multiple sanitizer buckets stored on the floor of the cook line and the prep area. Operator placed these buckets in buckets. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
Italiano's
1055 U.S. 41 Bypass, Venice
Feb. 8
Follow-up needed: Warning issued.
Sixteen total violations, with five high-priority violations:
High Priority - Container of medicine improperly stored. Observed bottle of Tylenol on shelf above food prep. Observed operator move bottle for proper storage. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
High Priority - Cooked/heated time/temperature control for safety food not cooled from 135 degrees Fahrenheit to 41 degrees Fahrenheit within six hours. Observed the following items in walk-in cooler: smoked beef brisket (47F - cooling); smoked pork (46F - cooling); smoked turkey (46F - cooling). All items were prepared the prior day. Observed operator voluntarily disposable items. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
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 chlorine sanitizer at dishwasher machine 000 parts per million after multiple tests. **Warning**
High Priority - Stop sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. Observed the following items in walk-in cooler: raw brisket (47F - cold holding); sausage links (45F - cold holding); raw turkey (48 - cold holding). Operator, unable to determine time items were out of temperature, observed operator voluntarily dispose of items. Observed the following items in walk-in cooler: smoked beef brisket (47F - cooling); smoked pork (46F - cooling); smoked turkey (46F - cooling). All items were prepared the prior day. Observed operator voluntarily dispose items. **Warning**
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed the following items in walk-in cooler: raw brisket (47F - cold holding); sausage links (45F - cold holding); raw turkey (48 - cold holding). Operator, unable to determine time items were out of temperature, observed operator, voluntarily dispose of items. Observed raw chopped garlic (66F- cold holding) at pizza station. Employee stated prepared garlic one hour prior and returned garlic to reach-in cooler. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
J.R.’s Old Packinghouse Cafe
987 S. Packinghouse Road, Sarasota
Feb. 8
Follow-up needed: Warning issued.
Six total violations, with two high-priority violations:
High Priority - Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license. Operator paid and renewed license on site before the end of the inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Observed raw chicken eggs stored over ready-to-eat sauces in the standing reach in-cooler. Operator removed the eggs. **Corrected On-Site**
Pho-Licious
1987 Ringling Blvd., Sarasota
Feb. 7
Follow-up needed: Warning issued.
Nine total violations, with four high-priority violations:
High Priority - Employee touching ready-to-eat food with their bare hands — food was not being heated as a sole ingredient to 145 degrees F or immediately added to other ingredients to be cooked/heated to the minimum required temperature to allow bare hand contact. Establishment has no approved alternative operating procedure. Employee handled a small amount of cilantro and green onions that were intended to top a customer's ready-to-eat food with their bare hands. Owner voluntarily discarded the items. **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning**
High Priority - Nonfood-grade bags used in direct contact with food. Shrimp stored in and in direct contact with to-go bag in the reach-in cooler on the cook line. Owner removed the shrimp from the bag. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
High Priority - Raw animal food stored in top portion of make table over ready-to-eat food in bottom portion of make table — no complete physical barrier between top and bottom. Raw squid stored over cooked chicken in the reach-in cooler on the left side of the cook line. Owner removed the chicken. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Bean sprouts (66F - cold holding) stored at room temperature on the cook line. Owner stated the sprouts had been stored at room temperatures for approximately two hours. Owner placed the sprouts in the reach0in cooler. **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning**
Rudolph's
1290 Boulevard of the Arts, Sarasota
Feb. 7
Follow-up needed: Administrative complaint recommended.
Five total violations, with two high-priority violations:
High Priority - Establishment operating without a license from the Division of Hotels and Restaurants. Operator must obtain a public food service license from the Division of Hotels and Restaurants within 60 days. **Admin Complaint**
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Raw beef stored over cooked greens in the walk-in cooler. Chef removed the beef. **Corrected On-Site**
High Priority - Raw animal foods not properly separated from each other in holding unit based upon minimum required cooking temperature. Raw ground beef stored over raw shrimp in the reach-in cooler on the cook line. Chef removed the beef. **Corrected On-Site**
Station 400
400 N. Lemon Ave.
Feb. 9
Follow-up needed: Warning issued.
Ten total violations, with two high-priority violations:
High Priority - Stop sale issued due to food not being in a wholesome, sound condition. Commercially processed reduced oxygen packaged salmon stored thawed in the reach-in cooler in the preparation area. Manager discarded the salmon. **Warning**
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. The following items were stored in a small top load cooling unit in the expo area wall nut butter (58F - cold holding); orange butter (53F - cold holding). Chef stated the items were stored in the cooling unit for approximately one hour. Chef packed the items in ice. **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning**
Wendy's
5741 Clark Road, Sarasota
Feb. 6
Follow-up needed: Administrative complaint recommended.
Four total violations, with two high-priority violations:
High Priority - Stop sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. Observed on top of reach-in cooler on cook line. cold holding blue cheese 59F, shredded cheese 58F, cut lettuce 59F, ambient 45F **Admin Complaint**
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed on top of reach-in cooler on cook line. Cold Holding: blue cheese 59F, shredded cheese 58F, cut lettuce 59F, ambient 45F. Manager stated in unit since 10:30 a.m. As a repeat violation the importance of following proper protocol with this violation was reinforced with the manager. **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
Wendy's
5741 Clark Road, Sarasota
Feb. 7
Call back — complied. Met inspection standards.
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 Feb. 4-10:
Food + Beer
4808 14th St. W,, Bradenton
Feb. 6
Follow-up needed: Warning issued.
Nine total violations, with two high-priority violations:
High Priority - Stop sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. Observed in reach-in cooler on cooks line: cut tomatoes (49F - cold holding); pico de gallo (52F - cold holding); blue cheese (54F - cold holding); cooked black beans (55F - cold holding). Person in charge stated they had been in the reach-in cooler since 11 a.m. Educated person in charge on time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Person in charge voluntarily discarded all. **Warning**
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed in reach-in cooler on cooks line: cut tomatoes (49F - cold holding); pico de gallo (52F - cold holding); blue cheese (54F - cold holding); cooked black beans (55F - cold holding). Person in charge stated they had been in the reach-in cooler since 11 a.m. Educated person in charge on time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Person in charge voluntarily discarded all. **Warning**
Izumi Japanese Steakhouse
4446 3611 First St. E., Bradenton
Feb. 8
Follow-up needed: Warning issued.
Four total violations, with one high-priority violation:
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Observed in main kitchen area reach-in cooler raw chicken over cooked vegetables. Educated person in charge on safe refrigerator storage and emailed person in charge in charge a copy of the handout in English, Spanish and Chinese. Person in charge removed raw chicken. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
Morrone’s of Arthur Ave
5913 53rd Ave. E., Bradenton
Feb. 7
Follow-up needed: Warning issued.
Seven total violations, with three 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 in back kitchen area made in house marinara sauce (59F - cooling). Person in charge stated it was prepared on 2/6/24. 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. Person in charge voluntarily discarded. **Warning**
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 pork sausage. Educated person in charge on safe refrigerator storage and emailed person in charge a copy of the handout. Person in charge removed raw chicken. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
High Priority - Stop sale issued due to food not being in a wholesome, sound condition. Observed in walk-in cooler in back kitchen area made in house marinara sauce (59F - cooling). Person in charge stated it was prepared on 2/6/24. 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. Person in charge voluntarily discarded. **Warning**
Perkins Restaurant
6023 14th St. W., Bradenton
Feb. 6
Follow-up needed: Administrative complaint recommended.
Five 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 in back kitchen area dishwasher (Chlorine 000ppm). Person in charge saw that the line was not in the sanitizer container all the way. Person in charge; Dishwasher (Chlorine Retested 100ppm) **Corrected On-Site**
High Priority - Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license. **Admin Complaint**
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed on food preparation table on grill line cracked shell eggs (56F - 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 they had been out for approximately one hour and placed in reach-in cooler. Observed in front service area reach-in cooler butter pats (58F - cold holding). Person in charge stated it was over filled and had been in the reach-in cooler for approximately one hour. Person in charge removed the butter pats and placed in bottom of reach-in cooler. **Corrective Action Taken**
The Preserve Golf Club at Tara
7310 Tara Preserve Lane, Bradenton
Feb. 7
Follow-up needed: Administrative complaint recommended.
Five total violations, with four high-priority violations:
High Priority - Chlorine sanitizer not at proper minimum strength for manual warewashing. Do not use equipment/utensils not properly sanitized. Observed in back kitchen area triple sink (chlorine over 200ppm); Person in charge diluted and triple sink (chlorine retested 100ppm). **Corrected On-Site**
High Priority - Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license. **Admin Complaint**
High Priority - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food marked with a date that exceeds seven days after opening/preparation. Observed in reach-in cooler in main kitchen area tuna salad date marked 1/31/24. Educated person in charge on ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food marked with a date that exceeds seven days after opening/preparation. Person in charge voluntarily discarded tuna salad.
High Priority - Stop sale issued due to food not being in a wholesome, sound condition. Observed in reach-in cooler in main kitchen area tuna salad date marked 1/31/24. Educated person in charge on ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food marked with a date that exceeds seven days after opening/preparation. Person in charge voluntarily discarded tuna salad.
Sabor Latino
6820 14th St. W., Bradenton
Feb. 9
Follow-up needed: Administrative complaint recommended.
Five total violations, with two high-priority violations:
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Observed in back kitchen area reach-in cooler raw bacon over ketchup and cut lettuce. Educated person in charge and emailed and printed person in charge a copy in Spanish and English safe refrigerator storage. Person in charge removed raw bacon. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed in reach-in cooler in front service area: milk (50F - cold holding); sour cream (48F - 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 both products were there overnight. Person in charge voluntarily discarded products.
Sage Biscuit Cafe
6656 Cortez Road W., Bradenton
Feb. 6
Follow-up needed: Warning issued.
Seven total violations, with two high-priority violations:
High Priority - Employee touched apron/clothes and then engaged in food preparation, handled clean equipment or utensils, or touched unwrapped single-service items without washing hands. Observed cooks wiping gloved hands on their clothing and then continue with food preparation. Educated operator on proper hand washing procedures. **Warning**
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed butter at 50F, ambient egg temperature at 50F in walk-in cooler in preparation area. **Warning**
Sage Biscuit Cafe
6656 Cortez Road W., Bradenton
Feb. 7
Call back — complied. Met inspection standards.
SoFresh
11569 State Road 70 E. Unit 106, Lakewood Ranch
Feb. 7
Follow-up needed: Warning issued.
Eleven total violations, with one high-priority violation:
High Priority - Single-use gloves not changed as needed after changing tasks or when damaged or soiled. Observed line cooks not changing gloves after changing tasks and handling equipment then touching ready-to-eat food. Operator coached staff on proper procedures. **Corrected On-Site**
This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: 19 Sarasota restaurants get high-priority violations, 12 ace inspections
