Inspections: 70-plus dead roaches temporarily close Sarasota County restaurant
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 or food trucks, listed in alphabetical order, passed their inspections Nov. 12-18 with zero violations:
Buffalo Creek Golf Course, 8100 Erie Road, Palmetto
Dunkin’, 151 S. Indiana Ave., Englewood
Holiday Inn Express & Suites Bradenton East-Lakewood Ranch, 5464 Lena Road, Bradenton
Jet's Pizza, 9556 Buffalo Road, Palmetto
Jetty Jacks, 2000 Tarpon Center Drive, Venice
Koi Cafe, 806 Pinebrook Road, Venice
Lake Venice Golf Snack Bar, 1 S. Harbor Drive, Venice
Leos Clean Kitchen, 1909 Northgate Blvd., Sarasota
Michael's on East, 1212 S. East Ave., Sarasota
The Mixon Swirl, 2525 27th St. E., Bradenton
Mrs. Softy, 4740 Little John Trail, Sarasota
Subway, 1755 Lakewood Ranch Blvd. Unit #3, Lakewood Ranch
Taco Bell, 2055 S. Tamiami Trail, Venice
Yankee Doodle Dogs, 5322 U.S. 41 N., Palmetto
Sarasota County restaurant inspections with high-priority violations or temporary closures:
The following restaurants, listed in alphabetical order, were issued warnings, recommended for administrative complaints or were temporarily closed due to failed inspections Nov. 12-18:
Buddy's Bagels
999 Cattlemen Road, Sarasota
Nov. 13
Follow-up needed: Warning issued.
Fifteen total violations, with five high-priority violations:
High Priority - Employee cracked raw shell eggs and then handled ready-to-eat food and/or clean equipment or utensils without washing hands. Observed an employee crack raw shell eggs and then touch clean equipment without washing hands. Operator washed his hands and changed his gloves. **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 ready-to-eat dressing in the walk-in cooler. **Warning**
High Priority - Stop sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. Observed in the sandwich make table: cream cheese (57F - cold holding); sliced cheese (57F - cold holding); sliced tomatoes (57F - cold holding); tuna salad (57F - cold holding); potato salad (57F - cold holding). Operator stated they had been out for approximately 1-2 days. Operator willingly disposed of food. **Warning**
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed in the sandwich make table: cream cheese (57F - cold holding); sliced cheese (57F - cold holding); sliced tomatoes (57F - cold holding); tuna salad (57F - cold holding); potato salad (57F - cold holding). Operator stated they had been out for approximately 1-2 days. Operator willingly disposed of food. **Warning**
High Priority - Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. Observed multiple sanitizer buckets stored on food prep tables. Operator removed buckets. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
Buddy's Bagels
999 Cattlemen Road, Sarasota
Nov. 14
Call back — complied. Met inspection standards.
Buddy's Bagels
6970 S. Beneva Road, Sarasota
Nov. 15
Follow-up needed: Warning issued.
Six total violations, with one high-priority violation:
High Priority - Employee failed to wash hands before putting on gloves to initiate a task working with food. Observed employee touch bagel sandwich change gloves no handwash. Employee washed after education. **Corrected On-Site**
China Buffet
4411 Aidan Lane, North Port
Nov. 15
Emergency order recommended: Facility temporarily closed.
Twelve total violations:
Basic - Buildup of food debris/soil residue on equipment door handles. Observed multiple door handles on equipment with buildup of residue on them. **Warning**
Basic - Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable. Observed multiple cutting boards with cut marks and stains. No longer cleanable. **Warning**
Basic - Dead roaches on premises. Observed approximately 70+ dead roaches trapped in fryer oil under fryer and oven. **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
Basic - Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried — wet nesting. Observed wet nesting of dishes stored on drying rack in dish area. **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
Basic - Exterior door has a gap at the threshold that opens to the outside. Observed a gap in screen door at back door in kitchen. **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
Basic - Floor not cleaned when the least amount of food is exposed. Observed excessive amounts of grease and dead roaches under fryer and oven in kitchen. **Admin Complaint**
Basic - Food stored on floor. Observed food stored on floor in walk-in freezer. **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
Basic - Stored food not covered. Observed several food items in walk-in cooler stored without covering. **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
Basic - Unused, unprotected place settings left on table with seated customers reused for other customers without cleaning them first. Observed employee putting a cutting board standing up on floor in between prep table and storage rack after cutting vegetables, then putting back on prep table to use for chicken. Made employee wash, rinse and sanitize cutting board before using. **Warning**
Basic - Wet mop not stored in a manner to allow the mop to dry. Observed mop heads sitting on floor wet, not hung up or inverted to dry properly. **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
Intermediate - Employee washed hands in a sink other than an approved handwash sink. Observed employee washing hands in prep sink by back door, not handwashing sink. **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
Intermediate - Handwashing sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Observed handwashing sink across from fryer being used as a dump sink and three dead roaches inside it. **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
China Buffet
4411 Aidan Lane, North Port
Nov. 16
Emergency order callback not complied. Facility temporarily closed.
One total violation:
Basic - From follow-up inspection 2023-11-16: Observed 50+ dead roaches trapped in fryer oil under fryer and oven. Some have been removed but not completed during callback inspection. **Admin Complaint**
Food + Beer
301 S. Tamiami Trail, Venice
Nov. 17
Follow-up needed: Warning issued.
Fourteen total violations, with four high-priority violations:
High Priority - Employee failed to wash hands before putting on gloves to initiate a task working with food. Observed employee twice fail to wash hands before putting on gloves after handling raw food. **Warning**
High Priority - Live, small flying insects in kitchen, food preparation area, food storage area and/or bar area. Observed 12 small flying insects at end of bar by beer taps. **Warning**
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Observed raw beef patties in reach-in cooler at cooks line over tzatziki sauce and roasted tomatoes. Observed operator move patties to bottom shelf. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
High Priority - Raw animal foods not properly separated from each other in holding unit based upon minimum required cooking temperature. Observed raw beef patties over fish at grill station cooler draw. Observed operator arrange food for proper storage. **Warning**
Junior and Rosie's Cafe
264 N. Indiana Ave., Englewood
Nov. 14
Follow-up needed: Warning issued.
Thirty-three total violations, with five high-priority violations:
High Priority - Container of medicine improperly stored. Observed bottle of medication on shelf above microwave. **Warning**
High Priority - Pesticide/insecticide labeled for household use only present in establishment. **Warning**
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed the following temperature in grill drawers cooler: ham (54F - cold holding); sausage (50F - cold holding); coleslaw (52F - cold holding); cheese (51F - cold holding). Operator stated items had been placed in cooler three hours prior. Operator moved all food items to tall reach-in cooler. **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning**
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food reserved to customers. Observed butter cups left on tables between customers service. Informed operator of policy and observed employee remove all butter cups from tables and voluntarily dispose of them. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
High Priority - Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. Observed chemical spray bottle counter at wait station. **Warning**
Junior and Rosie's Cafe
264 N. Indiana Ave., Englewood
Nov. 15
Call back — complied. Met inspection standards.
Ka Papa Cuisine
1830 S. Osprey Ave. Suite 104, Sarasota
Nov. 14
Follow-up needed: Warning issued.
Three total violations, with one high-priority violation:
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. Ran dishwashing machine five times observed chlorine at 25ppm or less. **Warning**
Mama Maria's Pizzeria & Subs
2085 S. Tamiami Trail, Venice
Nov. 15
Follow-up needed: Warning issued.
Two total violations, with one high-priority violation:
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 dishwasher machine at 000 parts per million chlorine sanitizer. Observed operator discontinue use of machine and set up three compartment sink for washing and sanitation of equipment and dishware until they are able to get more chlorine sanitizer for dishwasher machine. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
Oak & Stone
4067 Clark Road, Sarasota
Nov. 13
Follow-up needed: Warning issued.
Six total violations, with two high-priority violations:
High Priority - Dishmachine not sanitizing properly. Discontinue use of dishmachine for sanitizing and set up manual sanitization until dishmachine is repaired and sanitizing properly. Observed bar dishwashing machine at 0 ppm. Manager called for service. As a repeat violation the importance of following proper protocol with this violation was reinforced with the manager. **Repeat Violation**
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed in walk-in cooler cold holding butter 49F, cream cheese 50F, blue cheese 49F, roast garlic 49F. Manager removed to freezer and called for service on compressor icing up. Observed turkey 49F cold holding on cook line reach-in cooler. Employee removed to freezer. **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning**
Oak & Stone
4067 Clark Road, Sarasota
Nov. 14
Call back — complied. Met inspection standards.
Stefano's Family Restaurant
401 S. Indiana Ave., Englewood
Nov. 14
Follow-up needed: Administrative complaint recommended.
Eleven total violations, with three-high priority violations:
High Priority - Container of medicine improperly stored. Observed bottle of medication on shelf by handwashing sink, above clean dishware.
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. Observed employee handling burger bun and lettuce bare-handed.
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Observed raw chicken in grill draw cooler over ham and cooked sausage. Repeat 8-14-23 **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
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 Nov. 12-18:
Bradenton Country Club
4646 Ninth Ave. W., Bradenton
Nov. 17
Follow-up needed: Warning issued.
Ten total violations, with five 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 beef chili (56F - cooling). Person in charge stated it has been cooling in the walk-in cooler since 11/16/23. Educated person in charge 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 the beef chili. **Warning**
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. Observed in dishwasher area employee went from soiled end to clean and failed to wash hands. Educated person in charge on employee handling soiled equipment or utensils and then engaging in food preparation, handling clean equipment or utensils, or touching unwrapped single-service items without washing hands. Employee removed soiled dishes and washed hands. **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning**
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Observed in walk-in cooler raw salmon over salsa and cheese. Educated person in charge on safe refrigerator storage and emailed handout to person in charge. Person in charge removed raw salmon. **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 in back kitchen area beef chili (56F - cooling). Person in charge stated it has been cooling in the walk-in cooler since 11/16/23. 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 the beef chili. **Warning**
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed on buffet in dining room area: chicken salad (52F - cold holding); tuna salad (50F - cold holding); cheese (52F - cold holding); egg salad (49F - 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 buffet was setup for approximately one hour. Person in charge removed all four food items and placed them in the walk-in cooler. **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning**
Floridays Woodfire Grill & Bar
12332 Manatee Ave. W., Bradenton
Nov. 14
Follow-up needed: Warning issued.
Seventeen total violations, with two high-priority violations:
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. Observed raw fish stored over ready-to-eat milk in the left side make table. Operator moved the milk. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed on the cook line: heavy cream (48F - cold holding). Operator stated it had been out for approximately 30 minutes. Operator placed item in a reach in cooler. Observed in the front server area: shredded cheese (52F - cold holding); butter (52F - cold holding.) Operator stated they had been out for approximately 1 hour. Operator placed items in a reach-in cooler. **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning**
Floridays Woodfire Grill & Bar
12332 Manatee Ave. W., Bradenton
Nov. 15
Call back — administrative complaint recommended. Follow-up needed.
Eleven total violations, with one high-priority violation:
High Priority - From follow-up inspection 2023-11-15: Observed on the server area: butter at 62F cold holding. Operator stated it had been out for approximately two hours. Operator placed butter in a walk-in cooler. **Admin Complaint**
Harry's Grill
9903 Gulf Drive, Anna Maria
Nov. 13
Follow-up needed: Warning issued.
Five total violations, with two high-priority violations:
High Priority - Stop sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. All the following items were stored in the heated wells on the cook line: mashed potatoes (77F - reheating); meat sauce (68F - reheating); rice (73F - reheating); white sauce (70F - reheating); pasta (76F - reheating); beef gravy (78F - reheating). Person in charge stated the items were placed in the heat wells at 10:30 a.m. to reheat temperature taken at 12:45 p.m. Person in charge discarded the items. **Warning**
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food reheated for hot holding not reaching 165 degrees Fahrenheit for 15 seconds within two hours. All the following items were stored in the heated wells on the cook line: mashed potatoes (77F - reheating); meat sauce (68F - reheating); rice (73F - reheating); white sauce (70F - reheating); pasta (76F - reheating); beef gravy (78F - reheating). Person in charge stated the items were placed in the heat wells at 10:30 a.m. to reheat temperature taken at 12:45pm. Person in charge discarded the items. **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning**
Legacy Hotel at IMG Academy
5450 Bollettieri Blvd., Bradenton
Nov. 17
Follow-up needed: Warning issued.
Nine total violations, with three high-priority violations:
High Priority - Dented/rusted cans present. See stop sale. Observed in back kitchen area dry storage can of refried beans dented on seam. Person in charge removed dented can for return. **Warning**
High Priority - Raw animal foods not properly separated from each other in holding unit based upon minimum required cooking temperature. Observed in main kitchen area walk-in cooler raw pork sausage over bacon. Educated person in charge on safe refrigerator storage and emailed person in charge a copy of handout. Person in charge removed sausage. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed on buffet line butter (60F - cold holding); cream cheese (61F - cold holding). Educated person in charge on cold holding foods. Person in charge stated both items have been on the buffet line for approximately one hour and placed both items in walk-in cooler. **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning**
Peach’s Restaurant
5240 S.R. 64 E., Bradenton
Nov. 16
Follow-up needed: Administrative complaint recommended.
Ten total violations, with four high-priority violations:
High Priority - Dented/rusted cans present. See stop sale. Observed in main kitchen area a can of green chili dented on the seam. Educated person in charge. Person in charge removed from dry storage for return. **Warning**
High Priority - Single-use gloves not changed as needed after changing tasks or when damaged or soiled. Observed in main kitchen area employee touched bare body with gloves on, then grabbed a clean plate and grabbed with his gloved hand cooked bacon and placed it on plate for immediate service. Educated person in charge on glove use and hand washing. Employee discarded bacon, placed plate in dishwasher area, removed soiled gloves, washed hands and put on clean gloves. As a repeat violation the importance of following proper protocol with this violation was reinforced with the employee. **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning**
High Priority - Stop sale issued due to food not being in a wholesome, sound condition. Observed in main kitchen area employee touched bare body with gloves on, then grabbed a clean plate and grabbed with his gloved hand cooked bacon and placed it on plate for immediate service. Educated person in charge on glove use and hand washing. Employee discarded bacon, placed plate in dishwasher area, removed soiled gloves, washed hands and put on clean gloves. As a repeat violation the importance of following proper protocol with this violation was reinforced with the employee. **Warning**
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed in main kitchen area pancake mix (58F - cold holding); potatoes (57F - cold holding); sausage (54F - cold holding); butter (90F - cold holding.) Person in charge stated that they had been out at room temperature for approximately one hour and placed all food items back in walk-in cooler. **Corrective Action Taken** **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
Pierre's Eatery
5461 Factory Shops Blvd., Ellenton
Follow-up needed: Warning issued.
Ten total violations, with one high-priority violation:
High Priority - Vacuum breaker missing at hose bibb or on fitting/splitter added to hose bibb. Observed no vacuum breaker on *Y* fitting at mop sink.
Pesto
8799 Cortez Road W., Bradenton
Nov. 14
Follow-up needed: Warning issued.
Nine 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 right side make table on the cook line: sliced tomatoes (50F - cold holding); goat cheese (50F - cold holding); mozzarella cheese (50F - cold holding); sliced lettuce (50F - cold holding). Operator stated that it had been there for approximately two hours. Operator placed food in a different reach-in cooler. **Corrective Action Taken**
Pesto
8799 Cortez Road W., Bradenton
Nov. 15
Call back — complied. Met inspection standards.
Rico's Pizzeria
5408 26th St. W., Bradenton
Nov. 14
Follow-up needed: Warning issued.
Four violations, with one high-priority violation:
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 across from fryers cooked chicken wings date marked 10/28/23. 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 chicken. **Warning**
Rico's Pizzeria
5408 26th St. W., Bradenton
Nov. 15
Call back — complied. Met inspection standards.
This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Inspections: Around 70+ dead roaches close Sarasota area restaurant
