Small flying insects found at Sarasota area restaurant, other dining 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. 18-24 with zero violations:
Buffet City, 4458 Bee Ridge Road, Sarasota
CoolToday Park (multiple establishments), 18800 S. West Villages Pkwy, North Port
Elda Edith Gopar-Garcia, 6350 15th St. E., Sarasota
Infuzions Thai & Vietnamese Cuisine, 6090 Lockwood Ridge Road, Sarasota
La Patrona Del Mofongo & Algo Mas, 2801 14th St. W. Lot A, Bradenton
Manuel Duran Garcia, 3626 Webber St., Sarasota
Marshalls Southwest Spaghetti Sauce, 3413 Cortez Road W., Bradenton
Popstroke, 195 University Town Center Drive, Sarasota
Sodexo, 1611 Ninth St. W., Bradenton
Taco El Tio Guicho, 3401 14th St. W., Bradenton
Tapatio's Kitchen, 6592 Superior Ave., Sarasota
Taqueria Mily, 2801 14th St. W. Suite A, Bradenton
T-Bone's Famous, 5501 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach
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 Feb. 18-24:
Atmosphere
935 N. Beneva Road, Sarasota
Feb. 19
Follow-up needed: Warning issued.
Twelve total violations, with two 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 dishwasher at 0ppm chlorine. Operator set up the triple sink at 200ppm quaternary. **Warning**
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed on the front counter: garlic in oil (74F - cold holding). Operator stated it had been out for approximately 30 minutes. Operator placed container in the reach-in cooler. **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning**
Boca
19 S. Lemon Ave., Sarasota
Feb. 19
Follow-up needed: Administrative complaint recommended.
Ten total violations, with five 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. Chef called the technician and set up the three compartment sink to properly sanitize equipment until the dishmachine is repaired, **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Raw ground beef stored on a box of prosciutto ham in walk-in cooler #2. Chef removed the ground beef. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
High Priority - Stop sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. All the following items were stored in the reach-in cooler next to oven on the cook line: white sauce (55F - cold holding); cooked vegetables (53F - cold holding); salmon (55F - cold holding); lobster (54F - cold holding); clams (53F - cold holding); scallops (55F - cold holding); shrimp (54F - cold holding); tuna (54F - cold holding); mussels (53F - cold holding); mahi (54F - cold holding). Manager stated all the items were stored in the reach-in cooler overnight. Manager discarded all the items. **Warning**
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. All the following items were stored in the reach-in cooler next to oven on the cook line: white sauce (55F - cold holding); cooked vegetables (53F - cold holding); salmon (55F - cold holding); lobster (54F - cold holding); clams (53F - cold holding); scallops (55F - cold holding); shrimp (54F - cold holding); tuna (54F - cold holding); mussels (53F - cold holding); mahi (54F - cold holding). Manager stated all the items were stored in the reach-in cooler overnight. Manager discarded all the items. **Warning**
High Priority - Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. Spray bottle containing cleaning fluid stored next to bottles of liquor in the bar area. Employee removed the bottle. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
Boca
19 S. Lemon Ave., Sarasota
Feb. 21
Call back — complied. Zero violations.
Demetrio's Pizza
4410 S. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota
Feb. 20
Follow-up needed: Administrative complaint recommended.
Twenty-eight total violations, with five high-priority violations:
High Priority - Container of medicine stored on a shelf above a food prep table in the prep area. The operator properly stored the medicine. **Corrected On-Site**
High Priority - Cooked/heated time/temperature control for safety food not cooled from 135 degrees Fahrenheit to 41 degrees Fahrenheit within six hours. Observed meat sauce (55F - cooling) in the walk-in cooler. The operator stated the meat sauce was prepared the day prior. The operator discarded the meat sauce. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
High Priority - Nonfood-grade containers used for food storage — direct contact with cut lettuce in the walk-in cooler. **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed shredded cheese (47F - cold holding); butter (58F - cold holding) at the wait station. The operator stated the above food items have been held over four hours. The operator discarded the above foods. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
High Priority - Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. Observed a can of WD-40 stored on a shelf above a food prep table near the reach-in freezers. The operator properly stored the chemical. **Corrected On-Site**
Demetrio's Pizza
4410 S. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota
Feb. 21
Call back — complied. Met inspection standards.
Ed Smith Stadium Clubhouse
2700 12th St., Sarasota
Feb. 24
Follow-up needed: Warning issued.
Two total violations, with one high-priority violation:
High Priority - Heat strip failed to turn black to indicate the sanitization temperature of 160 degrees Fahrenheit was achieved on the dish surface and/or high temperature holding thermometer did not reach 160F. Discontinue use of dishmachine for sanitizing and set up manual sanitization until dishmachine is repaired. Dishmachine heat sanitizer reading 145F at plate level. Chef called the technician and set up the three compartment sink to properly sanitize equipment until the dishmachine is repaired, **Warning**
Gelato Go Sarasota
14 S. Orange Ave., Sarasota
Feb. 23
Follow-up needed: Warning issued.
Five total violations, with one high-priority violation:
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 handled their phone then clean equipment without washing their hands. The employee properly washed their hands. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
The Oaks Club
301 Macewen Drive, Osprey
Feb. 21
Follow-up needed: Administrative complaint recommended.
Eleven 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 6 hours. Observed cooked beans (56F - cooling); mushroom soup (50F - cooling); cooked beef (46F - cooling); cooked turkey (49F - cooling); cooked chicken (47F - cooling); cooked rice (47F - cooling); chicken and cheese quesadilla (46F - cooling); cooked pasta (46F - cooling); gazpacho (49F - cooling) in the walk-in cooler. The above food items have been held overnight. The operator discarded the above items. Observed Caesar dressing with pasteurized egg (46F - cold holding); tuna salad (46F - cold holding); blue cheese dressing (46F - cold holding) in the walk-in cooler. The operator discarded the above food items. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
High Priority - Cooked/heated time/temperature control for safety food not cooled from 135 degrees Fahrenheit to 41 degrees Fahrenheit within six hours. Observed cooked beans (56F - cooling); mushroom soup (50F - cooling); cooked beef (46F - cooling); cooked turkey (49F - cooling); cooked chicken (47F - cooling); cooked rice (47F - cooling); chicken and cheese quesadilla (46F - cooling); cooked pasta (46F - cooling); gazpacho (49F - cooling) in the walk-in cooler. The above food items have been held overnight. The operator discarded the above items. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Observed raw red snapper stored over dried prunes in the reach-in cooler at the end of the cook line. The operator properly stored the raw red snapper. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed Caesar dressing with pasteurized egg (46F - cold holding); tuna salad (46F - cold holding); blue cheese dressing (46F - cold holding) in the walk0in cooler. The operator discarded the above food items. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
High Priority - Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. Observed a spray bottle of window cleaner stored hanging near clean glassware behind the bar. The operator properly stored the spray bottle. **Corrected On-Site**
The Oaks Club
301 Macewen Drive, Osprey
Feb. 22
Call back — complied. Met inspection standards.
Selva Grill
1345 Main St., Sarasota
Feb. 19
Follow-up needed: Warning issued.
Five total violations, with one high-priority violation:
High Priority - Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. Spray bottle containing cleaning fluid stored next to clean utensils on a shelf in the cook line area. Chef removed the bottle. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
Villa Brasil Grill
3230 Clark Road, Sarasota
Feb. 20
Follow-up needed: Warning issued.
Ten total violations, with four high-priority violations:
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over canned/bottled drinks. Observed raw shell eggs stored over bottled beverages in the reach-in cooler at the front counter. The operator properly stored the raw shell eggs. **Corrected On-Site**
High Priority - Stop sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. Observed cooked ground beef (49F - cold holding) in the reach-in cooler near the hand sink in the kitchen. The operator stated the ground beef had been held over 24 hours. The operator discarded the ground beef. **Corrective Action Taken**
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed cut lettuce (62F - cold holding); cut tomatoes (60F - cold holding) on the buffet line. The operator stated the items have been held for approximately two hours. The operator placed the above items in a reach-in cooler. Observed cooked ground beef (49F - cold holding) in the reach-in cooler near the hand sink in the kitchen. The operator stated the ground beef had been held over 24 hours. The operator discarded the ground beef. **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 cooked rice at 1:30 (118F - hot holding); cooked noodles at 1:30 (120F - hot holding); cooked chicken at 1:30 (118F - hot holding). The operator stated the above items have been held for approximately two hours. The operator reheated cooked rice at 2:00 (168F - hot holding); cooked chicken at 2:00 (170F - hot holding); cooked noodles at 2:00 (173F - hot holding) **Warning** **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
Villa Brasil Grill
3230 Clark Road, Sarasota
Feb. 21
Call back — complied. Met inspection standards.
Manatee 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. 18-24:
Hibachi Grill and Supreme Buffet
3616 First St., Bradenton
Feb. 20
Follow-up needed: Administrative complaint recommended.
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: pork ribs (48F - cooling). Person in charge stated they were placed in the walk-in cooler on 2/19/24. 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 handout on cooling procedures. Person in charge voluntarily discarded pork. **Warning**
High Priority - Dented/rusted cans present. See stop sale. Observed in back kitchen area on dry storage rack one can of peaches with a dent in the seam. Person in charge removed from shelves. **Warning**
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Observed in front hibachi area reach-in cooler raw shell eggs over cleaned lettuce. 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 raw shell eggs. As a repeat violation the importance of following proper protocol with this violation was reinforced with the employee. **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
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: pork ribs (48F - cooling). Person in charge stated they were placed in the walk-in cooler on 2/19/24. 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 handout on cooling procedures. Person in charge voluntarily discarded pork. **Warning**
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed in reach-in cooler in front hibachi area: garlic in oil (62F - cold holding). Person in charge stated it had been out for approximately one hour and he had just placed it in the reach-in cooler 15 minutes prior of taking temperature. Educated person in charge on time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning**
JoJo's Pizza Tastes of Chicago
12345 U.S. Highway 301 N., Parrish
Feb. 22
Follow-up needed: Warning issued.
Eight total violations, with two high-priority violations:
High Priority - Spray bottle sanitizer solution exceeds the maximum concentration allowed. Used for food contact surfaces, greater than 400 ppm quat **Warning**
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Chili pulled out of cooler and stored on top of oven 1.5 hours 84F and 85F, operator returned to cooler. **Warning**
Patty's Snack Bar
6832 14th St. W., Bradenton
Feb. 20
Follow-up needed: Administrative complaint recommended.
Three high-priority violations:
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 back kitchen area upright reach-in cooler meat sauce and cooked pasta date marked 2/12/24, beef chili 1/26/24, cheese sauce 1/26/24. 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 all food items. As a repeat violation the importance of following proper protocol with this violation was reinforced with the employee. **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
High Priority - Stop sale issued due to food not being in a wholesome, sound condition. Observed in back kitchen area upright reach-in cooler meat sauce and cooked pasta date marked 2/12/24, beef chili 1/26/24, cheese sauce 1/26/24. 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 all food items. **Warning**
Restaurante Guatemala
5604 15th St. E., Bradenton
Feb. 19
Call back — administrative complaint recommended. Follow-up inspection required.
Five total violations, with one high-priority violation:
High Priority - From follow-up inspection 2024-02-19: Observed in reach-in cooler in back kitchen area raw shell eggs over unwashed tomatoes. Educated person in charge on safe refrigerator storage and emailed a copy of the handout to person in charge. Person in charge removed raw shell eggs. **Admin Complaint** **Corrected On-Site**
RJ Gator's
6100 Cortez Road W., Bradenton
Feb. 20
Follow-up needed: Warning issued.
Fourteen total violations, with three high-priority violations:
High Priority - Live, small flying insects in kitchen, food preparation area, food storage area and/or bar area. Two small flying insects at bread storage, three small flying insects in mop area, four small flying insects in dish area, three small flying insects in bar area. None landing on food. **Warning**
High Priority - Stop sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse: sour cream 51F, milk 54F. Manager voluntarily discarded. **Warning**
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit: sour cream 51F, milk 54F. Manager voluntarily discarded. **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning**
RJ Gator's
6100 Cortez Road W., Bradenton
Feb. 22
Call back — complied. Met inspection standards.
Takeria Alexander
618 23rd St. E., Bradenton
Feb. 19
Follow-up needed: Warning issued.
Thirteen total violations, with three high-priority violations:
High Priority - Employee washed hands with no soap in three compartment sink. **Warning**
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 in reach-in coolers across from grill and fryers: beef (52F - cold holding); cut tomatoes (51F - cold holding); ham (51F - cold holding); pork (53F - cold holding); cooked beans (51F - cold holding); cheese (54F - cold holding); cut lettuce (51F - cold holding); chicken (52F - cold holding). Person in charge stated that all products had been in the reach-in cooler for approximately 1.5 hours. Ambient temperature of reach-in coolers was 52F. Person in charge transferred all foods to reach-in freezer and upright reach-in cooler. **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning**
Takeria Alexander
618 23rd St. E., Bradenton
Feb. 20
Call back — extension given, pending. Follow-up inspection required.
This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Inspections: small flying insects found at Sarasota area restaurant
