Popular restaurants in downtown Sarasota and on St. Armands Circle, as well as in Venice and Bradenton, received high-priority violations during recent health inspections while other Sarasota-Manatee establishments got zero violations.
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 met all standards during their July 20-26 inspections and no violations were found:
- Bakery Pro Kitchen, 3413 Cortez Road W., Bradenton
- Bonefish Grill, 1681 U.S. Highway 41 Bypass S., Venice
- Buffalo Wild Wings, 5235 University Parkway, Bradenton
- Checkers, 8357 Lockwood Ridge Road, Sarasota
- Culver's, 2605 University Parkway, Sarasota
- Five Nine Grill & Tavern, 1092 S. Tamiami Trail, Osprey
- Jersey Mike's Subs, 8210 Tourist Center Drive, Bradenton
- Jet's Pizza, 9556 Buffalo Road, Palmetto
- Rise Pies Handcrafted Pizza, 140 University Town Center Drive Suite 150, Sarasota
- Shake Shack, 190 N. Cattlemen Road Unit 1, Sarasota
- Smash Burgers and Tacos, 8471 Lockwood Ridge Road, Sarasota
- Thai Hot, 1080 S. Tamiami Trail, Osprey
Which Sarasota County restaurants had high-priority violations?
The following restaurants were issued warnings, recommended for administrative complaints or temporarily closed due to failed inspections July 20-26:
China Palace
1581 S. Sumter Blvd., North Port
July 20
Follow-up needed: Warning issued.
10 total violations, with 3 high-priority violations:
- High Priority - Dented/rusted cans present. See stop sale. Observed five dented cans of soy sauce in dry storage. The operator segregated the cans for return. **Corrected On-Site**
- High Priority - Non-food grade bags used in direct contact with food. Observed non-food grade plastic bags used to store rangoons in the reach-in freezer behind the front counter.
- 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. Observed cooked rice held under time as public health control with no time marking. The operator stated the rice had been held outside of refrigeration for approximately one hour. The operator placed a time on the rice. **Corrected On-Site**
Food + Beer
1525 Fourth St. Unit B, Sarasota
July 23
Follow-up needed: Administrative complaint recommended.
9 total violations, with 4 high-priority violations:
- High Priority - Dented/rusted cans present. See stop sale. Two cans of marinara sauce and six cans of jalapenos dented at the seams. Manager placed the cans aside for a refund. **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
- High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Raw shell eggs stored over cooked rice in the roll top reach-in cooler right side of the cook line. Employee removed the rice. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
- High Priority - Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. Spray bottles containing cleaning fluid stored next to a box of sugar packets in the wait station area. Manager removed the bottles. Container of pot and pan detergent stored next to clean utensils in the dishwasher area. Manager removed the pot and pan detergent . **Corrected On-Site**
- High Priority - Vacuum breaker missing at hose bibb or on fitting/splitter added to hose bibb. Vacuum breaker missing on the hose bibb under the hand wash sink in the back kitchen area.
Pineapple Tequila
1661 U.S. Highway 41 Bypass S., Venice
July 21
Follow-up needed: Administrative complaint recommended.
6 total violations, with 1 high-priority violation:
- High Priority - Vacuum breaker missing at hose bibb or on fitting/splitter added to hose bibb at mop sink and dishwasher area. Repeat from last inspection 6-6-26 **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
Venezia
373 St. Armands Circle, Sarasota
July 24
Follow-up needed: Warning issued.
7 total violations, with 4 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. Marinara sauce (54F - cooling); stored in the walk-in cooler in 10, four gallon deep containers. Chef stated the sauce was placed in the walk-in cooler on 7/23 to cool. Chef discarded all the marinara sauce. **Warning**
- High Priority - Cooked/heated time/temperature control for safety food not cooled from 135 degrees Fahrenheit to 70 degrees Fahrenheit within two hours and from 135 degrees Fahrenheit to 41 degrees Fahrenheit within six hours. See stop sale. Marinara sauce (54F - cooling); stored in the walk-in cooler in 10, four gallon deep containers. Chef stated the sauce was placed in the walk-in cooler on 7/23 to cool. Chef discarded all the marinara sauce. **Warning**
- High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Raw salmon stored over washed and cut lettuce in the reach-in cooler in the preparation area. Chef removed the salmon. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
- High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit: Blue cheese (52F - cold holding); cooked chicken (53F - cold holding); raw chicken (53F - cold holding); mozzarella cheese (54F - cold holding); rice (53F - cold holding) stored stacked above the pan fill line in the top section of the reach-in cooler on the cook line. Chef stated the items had been stored in the reach-in cooler for approximately one hour. Chef removed half of the content of the pans and placed it in the bottom section of the reach-in cooler. **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning**
Which Manatee County restaurants had high-priority violations?
The following restaurants were issued warnings, recommended for administrative complaints or temporarily closed due to failed inspections July 20-26:
Casa Blanca Modern Mexican Tequila Bar
4120 14th St. W., Bradenton
July 21
Follow-up needed: Administrative complaint recommended.
4 total violations, with 2 high-priority violations:
- High Priority - Raw animal foods not properly separated from each other in holding unit based upon minimum required cooking temperature. Observed raw chicken stored above raw shrimp in reach-in cooler drawer on cook line. Manager corrected storage. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
- High Priority - Stop sale issued due to food not being in a wholesome, sound condition. Observed four mahi filets and three salmon filets thawed and stored in commercially processed reduced oxygen packaging on cook line in cooler drawer. Manager discarded all filets.
Culver's
1801 U.S. Highway 301 N., Palmetto
July 22
Follow-up needed: Administrative complaint recommended.
4 total violations, with 2 high-priority violations:
- High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed ground beef measuring 49F - cold holding in reach-in cooler on cook line. Manager stated item was placed in reach-in cooler an hour prior to inspection. Manager placed ground beef in walk-in cooler. **Corrective Action Taken** **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
- High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed butter (bun station) measuring 108F - hot holding. Manager stated it was placed at bun station an hour prior to inspection. Manager voluntarily discarded butter. **Corrected On-Site**
Food Hall
465 Cortez Road W., Bradenton
July 21
Follow-up needed: Administrative complaint recommended.
9 total violations, with 4 high-priority violations:
- High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Observed in walk-in cooler raw chicken over soy sauce. Educated person in charge on safe refrigerator storage and emailed him a copy of the handout. Person in charge removed raw chicken. **Corrected On-Site**
- High Priority - Raw animal food not properly separated from each other in holding unit based upon minimum required cooking temperature. Observed in walk-in cooler raw chicken over raw beef and seafood. 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 in reach-in cooler reduced oxygen packaged raw salmon indicated to remove from packaging before thawing still in package and fully thawed. Educated person in charge on reduced oxygen packaged and emailed person in charge a copy of the handout. Person in charge voluntarily discarded. Observed on sushi line cooked rice not time marked. Person in charge voluntarily discarded product.
- 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 on sushi line rice not time marked. Person in charge voluntarily discarded product.
Hong BBQ & Hot Pot
445 Cortez Road W., Bradenton
July 22
Follow-up needed: Warning issued.
6 total violations, with 1 high-priority violation:
- 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 dishwasher (chlorine 000ppm). Person in charge set up three compartment sink and called to repair. **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning**
Kiku Sushi & Grill
7338 Cortez Blvd., Bradenton
July 22
Follow-up needed: Administrative complaint recommended.
5 total violations, with 2 high-priority violations:
- High Priority - Raw animal food stored over or with unwashed produce. Observed raw beef stored over unwashed carrots and raw shell eggs stored over unwashed tomatoes in the walk-in cooler. Operator moved them. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
- High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Observed raw shell eggs stored over noodles in the cook line cooler. Operator moved the eggs. **Corrected On-Site**
Mattison's Riverwalk
101 Riverfront Blvd. #120, Bradenton
July 20
Follow-up needed: Administrative complaint recommended.
11 total violations, with 2 high-priority violations:
- High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Observed raw beef stored over ready-to-eat pico de gallo. **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
- High Priority - Vacuum breaker missing at hose bibb or on fitting/splitter added to hose bibb. Observed hose bibb utilizing splitter with no vacuum breaker attached.
South Philly Cheesesteaks
5942 34th St. Suite 115, Bradenton
July 20
Follow-up needed: Warning issued.
8 total violations, with 5 high-priority violations:
- High Priority - Cooked/heated time/temperature control for safety food not cooled from 135 degrees Fahrenheit to 70 degrees Fahrenheit within two hours. Observed in the back reach-in coolers: Beef (86F - cold holding). Operator stated they began cooling over four hours ago. Operator willingly disposed of the product. **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning**
- High Priority - Cooked/heated time/temperature control for safety food not cooled from 135 degrees Fahrenheit to 70 degrees Fahrenheit within two hours and from 135 degrees Fahrenheit to 41 degrees Fahrenheit within six hours. See stop sale. Observed in the back reach in coolers: Beef (86F - cold holding). Operator stated they began cooling over four hours ago. Operator willingly disposed of the product. **Warning**
- High Priority - Quaternary ammonium sanitizer not at proper minimum strength for manual warewashing. Do not use equipment/utensils not properly sanitized. Observed their triple sink at 50ppm quaternary. Operator remade it to 250ppm. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
- High Priority - Stop sale issued due to food not being in a wholesome, sound condition. Observed reduced oxygen packaged salmon not removed from its packaging before thawed. Operator willingly disposed of the product. **Warning**
- High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed in the cook line cooler: Beef (55F - cold holding); sliced tomatoes (52F - cold holding); chicken (52F - cold holding). Operator stated they had set up the cooler approximately three hours ago. Operator placed ice on the products. **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning**
South Philly Cheesesteaks
5942 34th St. Suite 115, Bradenton
July 21
Call back — complied. Met inspection standards.
South Philly Cheesesteaks
5442 Lockwood Ridge Road, Bradenton
July 24
Follow-up needed: Warning issued.
7 total violations, with 2 high-priority violations:
- High Priority - Stop sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. Observed in reach-in cooler under grill chicken (48F - cold holding). Person in charge stated it had been in the reach-in cooler since 7/23/26. Employee voluntarily discarded. **Warning**
- High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed in reach-in cooler under grill chicken (48F - cold holding). Person in charge stated it had been in the reach-in cooler since 7/23/26. Employee voluntarily discarded. Observed in reach-in cooler cut tomatoes (48F - cold holding); cheese (50F - cold holding). Educated person in charge on not putting product above the container fill line. Person in charge stated it had been there for approximately one hour and removed and placed in reach-in cooler. **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning**
Tortilleria La Rancherita
3010 14th St. W., Bradenton
July 20
Follow-up needed: Administrative complaint recommended.
13 total violations, with 2 high-priority violations:
- High Priority - Non-food grade paper/paper towel used as liner for food container. Observed cilantro lined with non-food grade paper towel in reach-in cooler near hot case.
- High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed the following items in front counter hot case being hot held below 135F: Eggs (128F - hot holding); rice (118F - hot holding). Operator stated the items were placed in hot case two hours prior to inspection. Employee removed items from hot case and voluntarily chose to discard items. **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
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 restaurants cited for high-priority violations
