The Sarasota-area location of a popular national restaurant chain headquartered in Tampa was temporarily closed after health inspectors found rodent droppings.
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.
Which Sarasota-Manatee restaurants got perfect scores on their health inspections?
These restaurants and food trucks met all standards during their Oct. 5-11 inspections and no violations were found:
- Bari’s Food Truck, Mobile food dispensing vehicle
- Caragiulos Italian American, 1833 Ringling Blvd., Sarasota
- El Greco Kitchen & Market, 4035 Clark Road, Sarasota
- Nick’s Bar, 4459 Bee Ridge Road, Sarasota
- Pacific Rim, 1859 Hillview St., Sarasota
- Sicilian Sisters, Mobile food dispensing vehicle
- Taco Fusion Express, Mobile food dispensing vehicle
- Village Green Golf Club, 3500 Pembrook Drive, Sarasota
Which Manatee County restaurants were temporarily closed by inspectors?
These restaurants failed their Oct. 5-11 inspections and were temporarily closed. Follow-up inspections are required.
Metro Diner
4726 Cortez Road W., Bradenton
Oct. 5
Emergency order recommended: Facility temporarily closed.
7 total violations, with 3 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 chicken stored above potatoes in their batter make table. Operator moved the potatoes. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
- High Priority - Rodent activity present as evidenced by rodent droppings found. Observed 10 dried rodent droppings on top of their dish machine. Operator cleaned and sanitized the area. **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning**
- High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed in their salad make table and front counter in ice respectively: sliced cheese (52F - cold holding); sliced tomatoes (51F - cold holding); turkey (51F - cold holding); butter (62F - cold holding). Operator placed the items into the walk-in cooler. **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning**
Metro Diner
4726 Cortez Road W., Bradenton
Oct. 6
Emergency order callback complied. Met inspection standards.
Which Sarasota County restaurants had high-priority violations?
The following restaurants were issued warnings or recommended for administrative complaints Oct. 5-11:
Italiano's
4191 S. Tamiami Trail, Venice
Oct. 7
Follow-up needed: Administrative complaint recommended.
8 total violations, with 2 high-priority violations:
- High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Observed raw shell eggs in reach-in cooler over garlic bread and salad dressings. Cook moved shell eggs to bottom shelf. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
- High Priority - Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. Observed chemical spray bottle next to soda, machine, plates, and glasses at bar area. Employee removed chemical for proper storage. **Warning**
Kitchen Social
257 N. Cattlemen Road #81, Sarasota
Oct. 5
Follow-up needed: Warning issued.
5 total violations, with 2 high-priority violations:
- High Priority - Operator unable to provide documentation that aquacultured fish has been raised in a controlled environment and fed formulated feed. Operator is contacting purveyor for parasite destruction. **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning**
- High Priority - Raw animal foods not properly separated from each other in holding unit based upon minimum required cooking temperature. Observed beef being held over seafood in the walk-in cooler. Operator corrected. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
Misty Creek Country Club
8954 Misty Creek Drive, Sarasota
Oct. 5
Follow-up needed: Administrative complaint recommended.
8 total violations, with 4 high-priority violations:
- High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Observed shell eggs over beverages in walk-in cooler and in reach-in cooler on cook line over cooked pork. Manager/employee relocated food to prevent cross-contamination. **Corrected On-Site**
- High Priority - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food marked with a date that exceeds seven days after opening/preparation. Observed 3 lbs. elbow macaroni dated 9/20/26 in walk-in cooler. Employee discarded. **Corrective Action Taken**
- High Priority - Stop sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. Observed in reach-in cooler on cook line 1.5 dozen shell eggs 50F ambient, .5 lb. turkey 59F, .25 lb. chicken 51F, .5 lb. roast beef 50F all stored overnight in reach-in cooler. Employee discarded. **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 on cook line 1.5 dozen shell eggs 50F ambient, .5 lb. turkey 59F, .25 lb. chicken 51F, .5 lb. roast beef 50F all stored overnight in reach-in cooler. Employee discarded. **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
Misty Creek Country Club
8954 Misty Creek Drive, Sarasota
Oct. 7
Call back — complied. Met inspection standards.
Potbelly Sandwich Works
1635 S. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota
Oct. 8
Follow-up needed: Warning issued.
2 total violations, with 1 high-priority violation:
- High Priority - Wiping cloth solution exceeding the maximum concentration allowed stored in a location that could result in the cross-contamination of food, equipment, utensils, linens, single-service, or single-use articles. Observed quaternary bucket at 400ppm or above. Manager corrected to 300. **Corrected On-Site**
Shangri-La
5828 Bee Ridge Road, Sarasota
Oct. 8
Follow-up needed: Warning issued.
11 total violations, with 3 high-priority violations:
- High Priority - Container of medicine improperly stored. Observed Pepto-Bismol on door shelf in reach-in cooler next to sauces. Manager/operator relocated medication to prevent cross-contamination. **Corrected On-Site**
- High Priority - Dish machine chlorine sanitizer not at proper minimum strength. Discontinue use of dish machine for sanitizing and set up manual sanitization until dish machine is repaired and sanitizing properly. Observed at 0ppm. **Warning**
- High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Observed raw shrimp stored over cut cabbage in walk-in cooler. Manager/operator relocated food to prevent cross- contamination. **Corrected On-Site**
Twin Peaks
3060 Fruitville Commons Blvd., Sarasota
Oct. 9
Follow-up needed: Warning issued.
5 total violations, with 3 high-priority violations:
- High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Mozzarella cheese (56F - cold holding); stored stacked above the pan fill line in the top section of the reach-in cooler on the cook line. Employee stated the items had been stored in the reach-in cooler for approximately two hours. Employee removed half of the content of the pans and placed it in the bottom section of the reach-in cooler. All the following items were stored on ice in the top section of the nonfunctioning reach-in cooler right side of the cook line: cooked eggs (56F - cold holding); blue cheese (55F - cold holding); cut tomatoes (58F - cold holding); black beans (59F - cold holding); canned corn (58F - cold holding); pico de gallo (50F - cold holding); pepper jack cheese (50F - cold holding); cheddar cheese (56F - cold holding). Manager stated the items had been stored on ice for approximately two hours. Manager placed the items in the walk-in cooler. **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning**
- High Priority - Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. Spray bottle containing cleaning fluid stored next to liquor bottles in the bar area. Manager removed the spray bottle. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
- High Priority - Vacuum breaker missing at mop sink faucet or on fitting/splitter added to mop sink faucet. **Warning**
Which Manatee County restaurants had high-priority violations?
The following restaurants were issued warnings or recommended for administrative complaints Oct. 5-11:
Minnie's Beach Cafe
5360 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach
Oct. 7
Follow-up needed: Warning issued.
8 total violations, with 4 high-priority violations:
- High Priority - Dish machine chlorine sanitizer not at proper minimum strength. Discontinue use of dish machine for sanitizing and set up manual sanitization until dish machine is repaired and sanitizing properly. Observed their dish machine at 0ppm chlorine. Operator set up their triple sink to 100ppm and called their service provider. **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning**
- High Priority - Employee touching ready-to-eat food with their bare hands — food was not being heated as a sole ingredient to 145F 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 the operator plate a cooked waffle with their bare hands to be served. Operator willingly disposed of the product and put on gloves. **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning**
- High Priority - Stop sale issued due to food not being in a wholesome, sound condition. Observed the operator plate a cooked waffle with their bare hands to be served. Operator willingly disposed of the product and put on gloves. **Warning**
- High Priority - Wiping cloth sanitizer solution exceeds the maximum concentration allowed. Observed their sanitizer bucket at 400ppm chlorine. Operator remade it to 200ppm. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
Pho City
5326 34th St. W., Bradenton
Oct. 9
Follow-up needed: Warning issued.
9 total violations, with 4 high-priority violations:
- High Priority - Dish machine chlorine sanitizer not at proper minimum strength. Discontinue use of dish machine for sanitizing and set up manual sanitization until dish machine is repaired and sanitizing properly. Observed their dish machine at 0ppm chlorine. Operator called the repair company and I instructed them to set up their triple sink. **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning**
- High Priority - Stop sale issued due to food not being in a wholesome, sound condition. Observed the establishment making kimchi in the traditional manner and leaving cut cabbage out to ferment over four hours. Observed: kimchi (88F - cold holding). Reviewed special process with the operator and the operator disposed of the kimchi. **Warning**
- High Priority - Stop sale issued. Fish reduced oxygen packaged on premises, or commercially processed reduced oxygen packaged fish labeled with instructions to remain frozen until time of use, not held frozen. Observed commercially reduced oxygen packaged fish not removed from its packaging before thawing. Operator disposed of the product willingly. **Warning**
- High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed on their front counter: Cream cheese (51F - cold holding). Operator stated it had been out for approximately one hour. Operator placed it into a reach-in cooler. **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning**
What agency inspects restaurants in Florida?
Routine regulation and inspection of restaurants is conducted by the Department of Business and Professional Regulation. The Department of Health is responsible for investigation and control of food-borne illness outbreaks associated with all food establishments.
How do I report a dirty restaurant in Florida?
If you see abuses of state standards, report them and the Department of Business and Professional Regulation will send inspectors. Call the Florida DBPR at 850-487-1395 or report a restaurant for health violations online.
Get the whole story at our restaurant inspection database.
What does all that terminology in Florida restaurant inspections mean?
Basic violations are those considered against best practices.
A warning is issued after an inspector documents violations that must be corrected by a certain date or within a specified number of days from receipt of the inspection report.
An administrative complaint is a form of legal action taken by the division. Insufficient compliance after a warning, a pattern of repeat violations or existence of serious conditions that warrant immediate action may result in the division initiating an administrative complaint against the establishment. Says the division website: "Correcting the violations is important, but penalties may still result from violations corrected after the warning time was over."
An emergency order when a restaurant is closed by the inspector is based on an immediate threat to the public. Here, the Division of Hotels and Restaurants director has determined that the establishment must stop doing business and any division license is suspended to protect health, safety or welfare of the public.
A 24-hour call-back inspection will be performed after an emergency closure or suspension of license.
Email entertainment reporter Jimmy Geurts at jimmy.geurts@heraldtribune.com. Support local journalism by subscribing.
This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Popular Sarasota-area restaurant briefly closed over rodent droppings
