Live roach, large flying insect burrowing into flour found at Sarasota area restaurants
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, food trucks or caterers, listed in alphabetical order, passed their inspections Oct. 8-14 with zero violations:
Big Rob's Gourmet Eats, 5234 14th St. W., Bradenton
Blue Grille, 707 S. Washington Blvd., Sarasota
Checkers, 8357 Lockwood Ridge Road, Sarasota
Compa Coffee and Cocktails, 5170 Clark Road, Sarasota
The Empanada Girl, 4463 Ashton Road Suite F, Sarasota
The Empanada Store, 6592 Superior Ave., Sarasota
Fin & Tonic, 6747 S. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota
Halfway House, 6600 River Club Blvd., Bradenton
The Maryland Crab Grab, 7310 U.S. 301, Ellenton
Mr. Frod Pizza, 3326 Cortez Road W., Bradenton
Siegfried's Biergarten, 1869 Fruitville Road, Sarasota
Taco's Provechito, 3708 11th St. Court E., Bradenton
Vino Loco, 420 W. Dearborn St., Englewood
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 Oct. 8-14:
Angelo's Italian Market
850 Pinebrook Road, Venice
Oct. 13
Follow-up needed: Warning issued.
11 total violations, with 3 high-priority violations:
High Priority - Employee switched from working with raw food to ready-to-eat food without washing hands. Observed employee touch package of raw sausage then bread for sandwich without changing gloves and washing hands. **Warning**
High Priority - Non-food grade towel used as liner for food container for raw sausage and beef in walk-in cooler. **Warning**
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Observed raw pork and beef over cherry tomatoes, cooked vegetables and ham in reach-in cooler across from dishwasher. Observed employee rearranged items for proper storage. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
Art Ovation Hotel
1255 N. Palm Ave., Sarasota
Oct. 11
Follow-up needed: Warning issued.
13 total violations, with 8 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. Dishmachine chlorine sanitizer reading 00ppm. Operator called the technician; technician arrived before the end of the inspection new reading 50ppm. **Corrected On-Site**
High Priority - Employee touched soiled surface and then engaged in food preparation, handled clean equipment or utensils, or touched unwrapped single-service items without washing hands. Employee picked a item off the floor then handled a clean pan without washing their hands. Employee washed their hands. **Corrective Action Taken**
High Priority - Employee washed hands with no soap. Employee rewashed their hands. **Corrected On-Site**
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Raw chicken stored over cut and washed onions in the walk-in cooler. Chef removed the chicken.
High Priority - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food marked with a date that exceeds 7 days after opening/preparation. Lamb broth stored in the walk-in cooler dated 9/23. Chef discarded the items. **Corrective Action Taken**
High Priority - Self-service salad bar/buffet lacking adequate sneezeguards or other proper protection from contamination.
High Priority - Stop sale issued due to food not being in a wholesome, sound condition. Lamb broth stored in the walk-in cooler dated 9/23. Chef discarded the items.
High Priority - Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. Spray bottle containing cleaning fluid stored next to clean pans in the back preparation area. Chef removed the bottles. **Corrected On-Site**
Bridges Restaurant
202 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota
Oct. 11
Follow-up needed: Warning issued.
8 total violations, with 6 high-priority violations:
High Priority - Date marked combined ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food not consumed/sold within 7 days of preparing/opening the earliest ready-to-eat time/temperature for safety ingredient. See stop sale. All the following items were stored in the walk-in cooler. Open deli turkey date marked 9/13. Garlic in oil date marked 6/7. Beef ribs date marked 10/2. Chef discarded all the items.
High Priority - Employee touched soiled surface and then engaged in food preparation, handled clean equipment or utensils, or touched unwrapped single-service items without washing hands. Employee touched their face then clean plates without washing their hands. Employee removed the plates and washed their hand. **Corrective Action Taken**
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 beef steak in the reach-in cooler on the cook line. Chef placed the ground beef below the steak. **Corrected On-Site**
High Priority - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food marked with a date that exceeds 7 days after opening/preparation. All the following items were stored in the walk-in cooler. Open deli turkey date marked 9/13. Garlic in oil date marked 6/7. Beef ribs date marked 10/2. Chef discarded all the items. **Corrective Action Taken**
High Priority - Stop sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. All the following items were stored in reach-in cooler in the front counter area (52F - cold holding); sausage (51F - cold holding); cheddar cheese (50F - cold holding); cut tomatoes (51F - cold holding); leafy greens (55F - cold holding); raw shell eggs ambient (56F - cold holding); pooled eggs (49F - cold holding); Swiss cheese (48F - cold holding). Chef stated the items had been stored in the reach-in cooler for more than 4 hours. Chef discarded the items.
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. All the following items were stored in reach-in cooler in the front counter area (52F - cold holding); sausage (51F - cold holding); cheddar cheese (50F - cold holding); cut tomatoes (51F - cold holding); leafy greens (55F - cold holding); raw shell eggs ambient (56F - cold holding); pooled eggs (49F - cold holding); Swiss cheese (48F - cold holding). Chef stated the items had been stored in the reach-in cooler for more than 4 hours. Chef discarded the items. **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning**
Bridges Restaurant
202 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota
Oct. 13
Call back — complied. Met inspection standards.
Chayhana Vostok
4242 S. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota
Oct. 12
Follow-up needed: Administrative complaint recommended.
10 total violations, with 2 high-priority violations:
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over or with unwashed lettuce in the walk-in cooler. The operator properly stored the raw beef. **Corrected On-Site**
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Observed raw chicken stored over cooked potatoes in the walk-in cooler. The operator properly stored the raw chicken. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
El Ceviche
3664 Webber St., Sarasota
Oct. 11
Follow-up needed: Warning issued.
11 total violations, with 4 high-priority violations:
High Priority - Container of medicine improperly stored. Observed cold medicine stored over spices in the kitchen. Operator removed cold medicine. **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 dish machine at 0ppm chlorine. Operator replaced the chlorine bucket and remeasured it at 100ppm chlorine. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Observed raw fish stored over ready-to-eat sauces in the make table reach-in cooler. Operator placed fish on the bottom shelf. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
High Priority - Roach activity present as evidenced by live roaches found. Observed approximately 1 live roach in the dishwashing machine wiring. Operator killed the roach and cleaned the area. **Warning**
El Ceviche
3664 Webber St., Sarasota
Oct. 12
Call back — complied. Zero violations.
Maria Restaurant
60 S Indiana Ave, Englewood
Oct. 10
Follow-up needed: Warning issued.
17 total violations, with 1 high-priority violation:
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food identified in the written procedure as a food held using time as a public health control has no time marking and the time removed from temperature control cannot be determined. See stop sale. Observed shell eggs, pooled scrambled eggs and butter cups at cooks line not time marked. Operator stated items had been taken out of refrigerator 2 hour prior and then marked time on them correctly. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
Mi Sitio Colombian Restaurant
3650 Webber St., Sarasota
Oct. 10
Follow-up needed: Warning issued.
13 total violations, with 2 high-priority violations:
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed in the reach-in cooler make table on the cook line: chicken (50F - cold holding); beef (51F - cold holding). Operator stated food had been out for approximately 2 hours. Operator put food in the standing reach-in cooler and lowered the temp of the reach-in cooler make table. **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 in a front counter heat unit: beef empanadas (120F - hot holding). Operator stated they had been out for approximately 2 hours. Operator turned up the heat unit. **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning**
Rodizio Grill
5911 Fruitville Road, Sarasota
Oct. 10
Follow-up needed: Administrative complaint recommended.
9 total violations, with 3 high-priority violations:
High Priority - Dented/rusted cans present. See stop sale. Observed 4 cans of salsa and 2 cans of water chestnuts with rust build up. Operator set aside cans willingly for disposal.
High Priority - Pesticide-emitting strip present in food prep area. Observed pesticide strip hanging above food in the dry storage area. Operator removed strip. **Corrected On-Site**
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed on the buffet line: butter chips (62F - cold holding.) Operator stated that food had been out for approximately 1 hour.
Shiny Gumbo
2637 Mall Drive, Sarasota
Oct. 10
Follow-up needed: Warning issued.
4 total violations, with 2 high-priority violations:
High Priority - Stop sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. Observed chicken and sausage jambalaya (51F - cold holding); beef base (50F - cold holding); sausage gravy (46F - cold holding); sausage chili (45F - cold holding) in the reach-in cooler. The operator discarded the jambalaya date marked 10/9. The operator discarded the beef base. The operator placed the sausage gravy and the sausage chili both date marked 10/10 in an ice bath to reach the proper temperature. **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning**
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed chicken and sausage jambalaya (51F - cold holding); beef base (50F - cold holding); sausage gravy (46F - cold holding); sausage chili (45F - cold holding) in the reach-in cooler. The operator discarded the jambalaya date marked 10/9. The operator discarded the beef base. The operator placed the sausage gravy and the sausage chili both date marked 10/10 in an ice bath to reach the proper temperature. **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning**
Shiny Gumbo
2637 Mall Drive, Sarasota
Oct. 12
Call back — complied. Zero violations.
SpringHill Suites
1020 University Parkway, Sarasota
Oct. 11
Follow-up needed: Warning issued.
8 total violations, with 1 high-priority violation:
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed on the buffet line and a reach-in cooler in the kitchen: butter chips (64F - cold holding); cream cheese (65F - cold holding); shredded cheese (47F - cold holding); sausage (48F - cold holding). Operator stated that the butter chips and cream cheese had been out for approximately 3 hours and put them in a reach-in freezer. Operator also stated that the shredded cheese and sausage had been in their reach-in cooler for approximately 3 hours and put them in the reach-in freezer. **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning**
SpringHill Suites
1020 University Parkway, Sarasota
Oct. 12
Call back — administrative complaint recommended. Follow-up needed.
High Priority - From follow-up inspection 2023-10-12: Observed in the reach-in cooler: shredded cheese and sausage at 41F cold holding. Observed butter chips and cream cheese at 70F cold holding on the buffet line. Operator stated that the butter chips and cream cheese were out for approximately 2 hours and put them in the reach-in cooler. **Admin Complaint** **Corrective Action Taken**
Sub 2 Go
5991 Cattleridge Blvd., Sarasota
Oct. 10
Call back — administrative complaint recommended. Follow-up needed.
10 total violations, with 1 high-priority violation:
High Priority - From follow-up inspection 2023-10-10: Observed sliced tomatoes at 55F cold holding and sliced lettuce at 55F cold holding in the sandwich make line. Operator stated that the tomatoes had been out for approximately 4 hours and set them aside for disposal. And the operator stated that the lettuce had been out for approximately 1 hour and put them in the walk-in cooler. **Admin Complaint** **Corrective Action Taken**
Tacos La Casita
3605 N. Lockwood Ridge Road, Sarasota
Oct. 11
Follow-up needed: Warning issued.
11 total violations, with 4 high-priority violations:
High Priority - Nonfood-grade bags used in direct contact with food. Observed a nonfood-grade grocery bag in direct contact with tortillas in the reach in cooler. Operate placed the tortillas in a zip-lock bag. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
High Priority - Presence of insects, rodents, or other pests. Observed a large flying insect burrowing into a container of flour in the kitchen. Operator killed the insect and threw away the flour. **Warning**
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Observed raw beef stored over ready-to-eat beef in the make table reach-in cooler. Operator placed raw beef on the bottom shelf. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
High Priority - Stop Sale issued due to food not being in a wholesome, sound condition. Observed a large flying insect burrowing into a container of flour in the kitchen. Operator killed the insect and threw away the flour. **Warning**
Texaco
2788 Fruitville Road, Sarasota
Oct. 12
Follow-up needed: Warning issued.
3 total violations, with 1 high-priority violation:
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed in refrigerator cold holding pork 48F, beef 47F, chicken 47F. Operator moved to other reach-in cooler and turned refrigerator down. **Warning**
The Waverly
2095 N. Beach Road, Englewood
Oct. 11
Follow-up needed: Warning issued.
5 total violations, with 1 high-priority violation:
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Observed trays of raw oyster Rockefeller in walk-in cooler over pickle bucket. Observed employee move pickle for proper storage. **Warning**
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 Oct. 8-14:
Fudge Factory
117 Bridge St., Bradenton Beach
Oct. 10
Follow-up needed: Warning issued.
17 total violations, with 2 high-priority violations:
High Priority - Food with mold-like growth. See stop sale. Observed "hot fudge" stored in food warmer (for unknown length of time, warmer not in use) with mold-like substance. Operator disposed of "hot fudge."
High Priority - Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. Observed at counter near ice cream coolers, spray bottle of cleaner stored on shelf next to box of single-use gloves.
Island Creperie
127 Bridge St., Bradenton Beach
Oct. 12
Follow-up needed: Warning issued.
10 total violations, with 2 high-priority violations:
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Observed container of raw smoked salmon stored directly on top of container of sliced cheese. Operator removed smoked salmon and placed with other raw animal food. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed melted butter on stored counter at 72F. Operator stated item was out for approximately 2 hours. Explained butter needs to be held cold (41F-) or hot (135F+) unless using time as a public health control. Operator voluntarily discarded butter. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
Solorzano's Pizzeria Longboat Key
5610 Gulf of Mexico Drive Suite 4, Longboat Key
Oct. 11
Follow-up needed: Warning issued.
13 total violations, with 1 high-priority violation:
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Observed in large stand-up reach-in cooler, raw shell eggs stored on grate shelf located over ready-to-eat shredded cheese. **Warning**
Sonic Drive-In
8803 U.S. Hwy 301, Parrish
Oct. 11
Follow-up needed: Warning issued.
10 total violations, with 5 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. Observed in main kitchen area by grill. Employee used bare hand to remove 2 grilled cheese sandwiches from the grill and wrapped it in paper for a food order. Educated person in charge on bare hand contact with ready-to-eat food. Person in charge discarded the 2 grilled cheese sandwiches. **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning**
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Observed in walk-in cooler in back kitchen area raw bacon over fruit sauces and cooked beef chili. Educated person in charge on safe refrigerator storage and emailed person in charge handout. Person in charge removed raw bacon. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
High Priority - Stop sale issued due to food not being in a wholesome, sound condition. Observed in main kitchen area by grill. Employee used bare hand to remove 2 grilled cheese sandwiches from the grill and wrapped it in paper for a food order. Educated person in charge on bare hand contact with ready-to-eat food. Person in charge discarded the 2 grilled cheese sandwiches. **Warning**
High Priority - Stop sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. Observed in reach-in cooler on sandwich make station in main kitchen area butter (69F - cold holding). Person in charge stated he is having an issue with the cooler. Person in charge stated that the butter was placed in the cooler on 10/10/23. Person in charge voluntarily discarded the butter. **Warning**
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed in reach-in cooler on sandwich make station cheese (64F - cold holding); cut tomatoes (62F - cold holding). Person in charge stated it was in the reach-in cooler for appropriately 1 hour. Person in charge placed cheese and sliced tomatoes in walk-in cooler Observed in reach-in cooler on sandwich make station in main kitchen area butter (69F - cold holding). Person in charge stated he is having an issue with the cooler. Person in charge stated that the butter was placed in the cooler on 10/10/23. Person in charge voluntarily discarded the butter. **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning**
Sonic Drive-In
8803 U.S. Hwy 301, Parrish
Oct. 12
Call back — complied. Zero violations.
Sushi Hana
4274 53rd Ave. E., Bradenton
Oct. 10
Follow-up needed: Administrative complaint recommended.
8 total violations, with 4 high-priority violations:
High Priority - Employee failed to wash hands before putting on gloves to initiate a task working with food. Observed at sushi make station in front dining area on cell phone with bare hands. Employee put on gloves and grabbed rice with glove hand and failed to wash hands before putting on gloves. Stopped employee and explained handwashing and glove use. Employee discarded rice and gloves, washed hands and put on clean gloves. **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 shell eggs over cream cheese. Educated person in charge on safe refrigerator storage and emailed a copy to person in charge. Person in charge removed raw shell eggs. 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 - Raw animal foods not properly separated from each other in holding unit based upon minimum required cooking temperature. Observed in walk-in cooler raw chicken over raw shrimp. Educated person in charge on safe refrigerator storage and emailed a copy to person in charge. Person in charge removed raw chicken. 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 - Stop sale issued due to food not being in a wholesome, sound condition. Observed at sushi make station in front dining area on cell phone with bare hands. Employee put on gloves and grabbed cooked rice with glove hand and failed to wash hands before putting on gloves. Stopped employee and explained handwashing and glove use. Employee discarded cooked rice and gloves, washed hands and put on clean gloves. **Warning**
This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Inspections: Live roach, large flying insect at Sarasota restaurants
