Health inspectors temporarily closed a Sarasota County restaurant after saying they observed rodent droppings, among other recent 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.
Which Sarasota-Manatee restaurants got perfect scores on their health inspections?
These restaurants and food trucks met all standards during their Sept. 21-27 inspections and no violations were found:
- Chicken Salad Chick, 6650 Fruitville Road Suite 132, Sarasota
- Chipotle Mexican Grill, 16680 S.R. 64 E., Bradenton
- Crisp & Green, 1695 U.S. 41 Bypass S. Unit 10, Venice
- Ed's Tavern, 7433 Manatee Ave. W., Bradenton
- Home2 Suites by Hilton Lakewood Ranch, 6015 Exchange Way, Bradenton
- La Tortuga Veloz, Mobile food dispensing vehicle
- Olive & Vine, 4030 Santa Caterina Blvd., Bradenton
- Sazón M&M, Mobile food dispensing vehicle
- Tzatziki Street, Mobile food dispensing vehicle
- Wendy's, 1920 White Eagle Blvd., Bradenton
Which Sarasota County restaurants were temporarily closed by inspectors?
These restaurants failed their Sept. 21-27 inspections and were temporarily closed. Follow-up inspections are required.
Pelican Alley
1009 Albee Road W., Nokomis
Sept. 24
Emergency order recommended: Facility temporarily closed.
13 total violations, with 6 high-priority violations:
- High Priority - Non-food-grade containers used for food storage — direct contact with food. Observed non-food-grade plastic containers used to store and in direct contact with flour and cornstarch. **Warning**
- High Priority - Rodent activity present as evidenced by rodent droppings found. Observed approximately 20 rodent droppings in the kitchen. Observed approximately 20 rodent droppings in the back chemical/maintenance equipment storage area. The operator cleaned the areas with the rodent droppings. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
- High Priority - Stop sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. Observed fish fry batter (86F - cold holding). Observed time as public health control written plan marked for a six-hour hold. The operator discarded the batter. Observed cooked crab cakes (50F - cold holding); sliced cheese (48F - cold holding); raw salmon (46F - cold holding); raw ground beef (57F - cold holding); raw beef (52F - cold holding) in the low boy cold holding unit underneath the grill. The operator stated the potentially hazardous foods had been held overnight. The operator discarded the above foods. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
- High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41F. Observed raw scallops (45F - cold holding) in the reach-in cooler at the middle of the cook line. The operator voluntarily discarded the scallops. Observed cooked crab cakes (50F - cold holding); sliced cheese (48F - cold holding); raw salmon (46F - cold holding); raw ground beef (57F - cold holding); raw beef (52F - cold holding) in the low boy cold holding unit underneath the grill. The operator stated the potentially hazardous foods had been held overnight. The operator discarded the above foods. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
- High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food held using a six-hour time control plan is at a temperature greater than 70F. See stop sale. Observed fish fry batter (86F - cold holding). Observed time as public health control written plan marked for a six-hour hold. The operator discarded the batter. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
- High Priority - Vacuum breaker missing at outside hose bibb. **Warning**
Pelican Alley
1009 Albee Road W., Nokomis
Sept. 25
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 Sept. 21-27:
Art Ovation Hotel
1255 N. Palm Ave., Sarasota
Sept. 21
Follow-up needed: Warning issued.
6 total violations, with 4 high-priority violations:
- 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 raw pork in the walk-in cooler. Chef removed the ground beef. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
- High Priority - Stop sale issued due to food not being in a wholesome, sound condition. Reduced oxygen packaged raw chicken stored in the walk-in cooler with no date or time mark. Establishment has no HACCP plan for reduced oxygen packaging. Chef discarded the chicken. **Warning**
- High Priority - Stop sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. Rice (49F - 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 rice had been stored in the reach-in cooler overnight. Chef discarded the rice. **Warning**
- High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Rice (49F - 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 rice had been stored in the reach-in cooler overnight. Chef discarded the rice. **Warning**
Blue Pineapple Ice Cream
3973 Cattlemen Road, Sarasota
Sept. 25
Follow-up needed: Administrative complaint recommended.
2 total violations, with 2 high-priority violations:
- High Priority - Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license. Observed expired license 12/1/2025. **Admin Complaint**
- High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41F. Observed tiramisu at 47F. Operator turned unit down. **Corrective Action Taken**
Bohemios
3246 Clark Road, Sarasota
Sept. 23
Follow-up needed: Warning issued.
4 total violations, with 1 high-priority violation:
- High Priority - Pesticide/insecticide labeled for household use only present in establishment. Observed household pesticide under hand washing sink by back exit to kitchen. Operator removed item during inspection. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
Bohemios
3246 Clark Road, Sarasota
Sept. 24
Call back — complied. Met inspection standards.
Cafe Barbosso
5501 Palmer Crossings Circle, Sarasota
Sept. 24
Follow-up needed: Warning issued.
6 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 between pizza and dessert cooler cold holding blue cheese 56F, octopus 58F, cut lettuce 57F, blue cheese dressing 56F. Observed Key lime pie 48F, Bavarian cream 56F. Chef discarded and adjusted dial on cooler. **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning**
- High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41F. Observed in reach-in cooler between pizza and dessert cooler cold holding blue cheese 56F, octopus 58F, cut lettuce 57F, blue cheese dressing 56F. Observed Key lime pie 48F. Chef discarded and adjusted dial on cooler. **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning**
Cafe Barbosso
5501 Palmer Crossings Circle, Sarasota
Sept. 25
Call back — complied. Met inspection standards.
China Chef
1131 S. Toledo Blade Blvd., North Port
Sept. 22
Follow-up needed: Administrative complaint recommended.
15 total violations, with 5 high-priority violations:
- High Priority - Dented/rusted cans present. See stop sale. Observed two dented cans of soy sauce in dry storage. The operator segregated the cans for return. **Corrected On-Site**
- High Priority - Food contact surfaces not sanitized after cleaning, before use. Do not use equipment/utensils not properly sanitized. Observed an employee rinse a soiled sheet pan with only water then put away without sanitizing. The employee properly rewashed and sanitized the sheet pan. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
- High Priority - Non-food-grade paper/paper towel used as liner for food container. Observed non-food-grade paper menus used to line sheet pans in direct contact with cooked chicken.
- High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Observed raw shell eggs stored over eel sauce in the reach-in cooler. The operator properly stored the raw eggs. **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 raw ground pork stored over whole muscle intact beef in the walk-in cooler. The operator properly stored the raw foods. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
Figaro Bistro
1944 Hillview St., Sarasota
Sept. 23
Follow-up needed: Warning issued.
1 total violation, 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 dish machine at 0ppm chlorine after several tries. **Warning**
First Watch
8383 S. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota
Sept. 22
Follow-up needed: Warning issued.
2 total violations, with 1 high-priority violation:
- High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41F. Observed in center reach-in cooler top on cook line cold holding salsa 48F, sausage patty 54F, turkey 57F, ham 52F. Product added to top within an hour and half. Manager iced and covered product. Observed cut sausage in reach-in cooler near egg whites 52F. **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning**
First Watch
8383 S. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota
Sept. 29
Call back — complied. Zero violations.
Guerreros Bakery and Mexican Restaurant
3557 Webber St., Sarasota
Sept. 23
Call back — administrative complaint recommended. Follow-up needed.
6 total violations, with 2 high-priority violations:
- High Priority - From initial inspection: Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food marked with a date that exceeds seven days after opening/preparation. Observed chorizo with potato date marked 9/6/26, and taco chorizo date marked 9/1 in walk-in cooler. - From follow-up inspection 2026-09-23: Observed 4 lbs. cooked chorizo dated 9/14/26 in walk-in cooler. **Admin Complaint**
- High Priority - From initial inspection: Stop sale issued due to food not being in a wholesome, sound condition. Observed chorizo with potato date marked 9/6/26, and taco chorizo date marked 9/1 in walk-in cooler. - From follow-up inspection 2026-09-23: Observed 4 lbs. cooked chorizo dated 9/14/26 in walk-in cooler. **Admin Complaint**
Norma Jean Sport's Bar and Grill
1635 U.S. 41 Bypass S., Venice
Sept. 22
Follow-up needed: Warning issued.
24 total violations, with 4 high-priority violations:
- High Priority - Pesticide/insecticide labeled for household use only present in establishment. Observed can of Raid bug spray on shelf at utility area by hot water heater. **Warning**
- High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Observed raw shell eggs in walk-in cooler over sliced vegetables and unwashed vegetables. Observed in reach-in freezer at back of kitchen raw chicken over packages of mozzarella cheese. Operator moved items for proper storage. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
- High Priority - Stop sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. Observed portion cups of the following items in ice spin cart at waitress station out of temperature: Sour cream 67F, 25 portions, blue cheese dressing 68F, 25 portions, horseradish cocktail sauce 65F, 12 portions, ranch dressing 66F, half gallon, Thousand Island dressing 66F, 20 portions. Operator voluntarily disposed of above items. Repeat from last inspection 5-29-26 **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
- High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41F. Observed portion cups of the following items in ice spin cart at waitress station out of temperature: Sour cream 67F, 25 portions, blue cheese dressing 68F, 25 portions, horseradish cocktail sauce 65F, 12 portions, ranch dressing 66F, half gallon, Thousand Island dressing 66F, 20 portions. Operator voluntarily disposed of above items. Repeat from last inspection 5-29-26 **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
Norma Jean Sport's Bar and Grill
1635 U.S. 41 Bypass S., Venice
Sept. 23
Call back — complied. Met inspection standards.
Which Manatee County restaurants had high-priority violations?
The following restaurants were issued warnings or recommended for administrative complaints Sept. 21-27:
Beef 'O' Brady's
4925 Cortez Road W., Bradenton
Sept. 21
Follow-up needed: Warning issued.
8 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 ground beef stored over fish and observed chicken stored over beef in a make table cooler. Operator moved the meats. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
- High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41F. Observed in the walk-in cooler: Chicken (45F - cold holding); shrimp (45F - cold holding); cheesecake (45F - cold holding). Operator stated they had left the door open for a delivery one hour ago and someone forgot to close the door. Did observe the door partially open. Operator placed ice on the product in the cooler. **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning**
Beef 'O' Brady's
4925 Cortez Road W., Bradenton
Sept. 22
Call back — complied. Met inspection standards.
Bradenton Country Club
4646 Ninth Ave. W., Bradenton
Sept. 23
Follow-up needed: Warning issued.
10 total violations, with 4 high-priority violations:
- High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Observed raw shell eggs stored over queso cheese in a cook line cooler, and observed raw seafood products stored over ready-to-eat meats in the walk-in cooler. Operator moved the raw products. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
- High Priority - Self-service salad bar/buffet lacking adequate sneezeguards or other proper protection from contamination. Observed dressings and hummus not under sneeze guards at the buffet. Operator moved what they could under their sneeze guards and placed lids on the others. **Corrected On-Site** **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 tuna 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 41F. Observed at the buffet and a cooler: Diced tomatoes (50F - cold holding); shredded cheese (51F - cold holding); shredded lettuce (51F - cold holding); cut fruit (49F - cold holding); coleslaw (49F - cold holding). Operator stated the buffet was set up approximately one hour ago and gets disposed of after three hours, operator also stated the cooler was stocked approximately three hours ago. Had the operator fill out a time as a public health control plan for the buffet and placed the cooler product in the walk-in cooler. **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning**
Bradenton Country Club
4646 Ninth Ave. W., Bradenton
Sept. 24
Call back — complied. Zero violations.
Chang Kao Thai Cuisine
6233 14th St. W., Bradenton
Sept. 24
Follow-up needed: Warning issued.
6 total violations, with 2 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 in kitchen area: dishwasher (chlorine 000ppm). Person in charge set up three compartment sink and called for service. **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning**
- High Priority - Single-use gloves not changed as needed after changing tasks or when damaged or soiled. Observed in main kitchen area employee cooking food, grabbed his cell phone with gloves on, grabbed the plate and failed to change gloves and wash hands before grabbing the clean plate. Educated person in charge on glove use and handwashing. Employee placed soiled plate in dish room, removed soiled gloves, washed hands and put on clean gloves. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
Five Nine Grill and Tavern
5718 Cortez Road W., Bradenton
Sept. 21
Follow-up needed: Warning issued.
5 total violations, with 2 high-priority violations:
- High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41F. Observed in their cook line counter cooler: Chopped tomatoes (48F - cold holding); shredded cheese (49F - cold holding); feta cheese (49F - cold holding). Operator stated it was set up approximately three hours ago. Operator set the food in ice. **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning**
- High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135F. Observed in their steam table: Cooked onions (100F - hot holding). Operator said they were made and set to hot hold approximately three hours ago. Operator placed them back on the flattop to get back to temperature. **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning**
Five Nine Grill and Tavern
5718 Cortez Road W., Bradenton
Sept. 22
Call back — complied. Zero violations.
The Happy Manatee
9908 Gulf Drive Suite 600, Anna Maria
Sept. 23
Follow-up needed: Warning issued.
8 total violations, with 3 high-priority violations:
- High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41F. Observed in their make table cooler: Shredded cheese (50F - cold holding); chopped tomatoes (50F - cold holding); yogurt (49F - cold holding). Operator stated it was set up approximately two hours ago. Operator moved what they could to their standing coolers and iced the rest. **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning**
- High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135F. Observed in a oven hot holding: Cooked eggs (125F - hot holding). Operator stated they had been hot holding for approximately two hours. Operator turned the oven temperature up to get to proper temp. **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning**
- High Priority - Vacuum breaker missing at mop sink faucet or on fitting/splitter added to mop sink faucet. Observed a vacuum breaker missing from the end of their mop sink splitter. **Warning**
The Happy Manatee
9908 Gulf Drive Suite 600, Anna Maria
Sept. 24
Call back — complied. Zero violations.
La Tía Restaurante Guatemala
5604 15th St. E., Bradenton
Sept. 22
Follow-up needed: Warning issued.
10 total violations, with 4 high-priority violations:
- High Priority - Operating on a suspended license, not in compliance with final order. **Warning**
- High Priority - Raw animal food stored over or with unwashed produce. Observed in back kitchen area raw chicken over unwashed cucumber and tomatoes. Educated person in charge on safe refrigerator storage and emailed person in charge a copy of the handout. Person in charge removed raw chicken. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
- High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Observed in reach-in cooler raw beef over cheese and salsa. Person in charge removed raw beef. As a repeat violation, the importance of following proper protocol with this violation was reinforced with the employee. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
- High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135F. Observed black beans (112F - hot holding). Person in charge placed on stove to reheat. **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning**
Pirate City
1701 E. 27th St., Bradenton
Sept. 24
Follow-up needed: Administrative complaint recommended.
5 total violations, with 2 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 in dishwasher area dishwasher (chlorine 000ppm). Person in charge set up three compartment sink and called for repair. As a repeat violation, the importance of following proper protocol with this violation was reinforced with the employee. **Corrective Action Taken** **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 turkey sausage over seafood. Person in charge removed raw turkey. **Corrected On-Site** **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: Rodent droppings temporarily close Sarasota County restaurant
