Downtown Sarasota restaurants were among those that received high-priority violations during recent health inspections, as were Manatee County establishments, including one that was temporarily closed and a popular beachfront eatery.
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 July 27-Aug. 2 inspections and no violations were found:
- Chipotle Mexican Grill, 11715 State Road 70 E., Lakewood Ranch
- Hungry Hook Seafood Wings and More, Mobile food dispensing vehicle
- Mad Dogs Hot Dogs, 2059 S. Tamiami Trail, Venice
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 27-Aug. 2:
1592 Wood Fired Kitchen & Cocktails
1592 Main St., Sarasota
July 27
Follow-up needed: Warning issued.
8 total violations, with 1 high-priority violation:
- High Priority - Stop sale issued due to food not being in a wholesome, sound condition. No shell tag stored with shucked oysters in the reach-in cooler in the preparation area. Employee discarded the oysters. Commercially processed reduced oxygen packaged tuna stored in walk-in cooler #2 bearing a label indicating that it is to remain frozen until time of use no longer frozen and not removed from reduced oxygen package. Employee discarded the tuna. **Warning**
Antolino's Pizza
14291 Tamiami Trail, North Port
July 28
Follow-up needed: Warning issued.
3 total violations, with 1 high-priority violation:
- High Priority - Raw animal foods not properly separated from each other in holding unit based upon minimum required cooking temperature. Observed raw chicken stored over raw ground sausage in the two-door cooler near the hand sink. The operator properly stored the raw meats. **Corrected On-Site**
China Taste
3800 S. Tamiami Trail Suite 26A, Sarasota
July 29
Follow-up needed: Administration complaint recommended.
9 total violations, with 5 high-priority violations:
- High Priority - Employee cracked raw shell eggs and then handled ready-to-eat food and/or clean equipment or utensils without washing hands. Employee cracked raw shell eggs then handled clean equipment without washing their hands. Employee removed the equipment to be sanitized and washed their hands. **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning**
- 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 utensils without washing their hands. Employee removed the utensils to be sanitized and washed their hands. **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning**
- High Priority - Employee washed hands with no soap. Employee was informed and properly washed their hands. **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning**
- High Priority - Nonfood-grade containers used for food storage — direct contact with food. Observed cooked chicken stored in cardboard boxes that once contained raw chicken on a speed rack in the kitchen. Operator was informed and discarded the chicken. **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
- High Priority - Stop sale issued due to food not being in a wholesome, sound condition. Observed cooked chicken stored in cardboard boxes that once contained raw chicken on a speed rack in the kitchen. Operator was informed and discarded the chicken. **Warning**
Metro Diner
2053 S. Tamiami Trail, Venice
July 27
Follow-up: Warning issued.
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 strawberry butter 55F, chicken salad 51F, French toast batter 57F, pancake batter 52F. Operator stated item had been put out less than three hours prior. Operator moved items to reach-in cooler. Temperature rechecked 20 minutes later all items at 42F cold holding. Repeat from last inspection 12-29-25 **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
- High Priority - Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. Observed bottle of cleaner on counter next to stand mixer. Operator corrected above issues to meet inspection standards. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
Metro Diner
2053 S. Tamiami Trail, Venice
July 28
Call back — complied. Met inspection standards.
Mi Tierra Restaurant
1068 N. Washington Blvd., Sarasota
July 28
Follow-up needed: Warning issued.
5 total violations, with 2 high-priority violations:
- High Priority - Stop sale issued due to food not being in a wholesome, sound condition. Commercially processed reduced oxygen packaged tilapia stored in the walk-in cooler bearing a label indicating that it is to remain frozen until time of use no longer frozen and not removed from reduced oxygen package. Operator discarded the tilapia. **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 top section of the reach-in cooler on the cook line: Swiss cheese (54F - cold holding); cut lettuce (57F - cold holding); cut tomatoes (53F - cold holding); sausage (53F - cold holding); cooked potatoes (54F - cold holding); cooked yuca (53F - cold holding). Operator stated the items were stored in the reach-in cooler for approximately two hours. Employee placed bags of ice on all the items. **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning**
Mi Tierra Restaurant
1068 N. Washington Blvd., Sarasota
July 29
Call back — complied. Zero violations.
Raffurty's Bar and Grill
1888 Main St., Sarasota
July 27
Follow-up needed: Warning issued.
5 total violations, with 3 high-priority violations:
- High Priority - Stop sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. Rice (121F - hot holding) stored in the hot well next to the cook line. Manager stated the rice was stored in hot holding for more than two hours. Manager discarded the rice. **Warning**
- High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Cut lettuce (53F - cold holding); cut tomatoes (51F - cold holding); cooked ground beef (52F - cold holding) stored in the top section of the middle reach-in cooler on the cook line. Manager stated the items were stored in the reach-in cooler for approximately three hours. Manager placed bags of ice on top of the items. **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. Rice (121F - hot holding) stored in the hot well next to the cook line. Manager stated the rice was stored in hot holding for more than two hours. Manager discarded the rice. **Warning**
Raffurty's Bar and Grill
1888 Main St., Sarasota
July 29
Call back — complied. Met inspection standards.
Sarasota Bay Club
1301 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota
July 28
Follow-up needed: Warning issued.
6 total violations, with 3 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. Vegetable soup (54F - cooling) stored in the walk-in cooler with a date mark of 7/27. Employee stated the soup was placed in the walk-in cooler to cool on 7/27. Employee discarded the soup. **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. Vegetable soup (54F - cooling) stored in the walk-in cooler with a date mark of 7/27. Employee stated the soup was placed in the walk-in cooler to cool on 7/27. Employee discarded the soup. **Warning**
- High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Raw ground beef stored over hot dogs in the reach-in cooler on the right side of the cook line. Employee removed the ground beef. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
Toasted Mango Cafe
1371 Boulevard of the Arts, Sarasota
July 28
Follow-up needed: Warning issued.
6 total violations, with 5 high-priority violations:
- High Priority - Dented/rusted cans present. See stop sale. Four cans of tomatoes with rust on the tops of the cans. Manager placed the cans aside for a refund. **Warning**
- 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. Dish machine sanitizer reading 00ppm chlorine. Establishment stopped using the dish machine, called the technician and set up the three component sink to properly sanitize dishes and equipment. **Warning**
- High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Raw ground beef stored over ready-to-eat ham in the walk-in cooler. Manager removed the ground beef. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
- High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Cooked potatoes (62F - cold holding) stored at room temperature on the cook line. Employee stated the potatoes had been stored at room temperature for approximately 30 minutes. Employee placed the potatoes in the reach-in cooler. **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning**
- 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. Butter on time as a public health control stored at room temperature in the expo area with no time mark. Manager stated the butter was on time as a public health control for approximately one hour. Manager placed a time mark on the butter. **Corrected On-Site** **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 27-Aug. 2:
Anna Maria Island Beach Cafe
4000 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach
July 27
Follow-up needed: Warning issued.
9 total violations, with 3 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 server hand dish machine at 0ppm chlorine. Operator called for service and set up a 100ppm chlorine triple sink. **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning**
- High Priority - Employee touched bare body part and then engaged in food preparation, handled clean equipment or utensils, or touched unwrapped single-service items without washing hands. Observed an employee wipe their face then grab clean utensils. Operator had them wash their hands and take the utensil back to the dish area. **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning**
- High Priority - Employee washed hands with cold water. Observed an employee wash their hands with cold water. Reviewed with the operator who had them rewash their hands with hot water. **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning**
The Bistro
100 Riverfront Drive, Bradenton
July 28
Follow-up needed: Warning issued.
7 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 dish machine measuring 0ppm. Employee set up three compartment sink with quaternary sanitizer measuring 200ppm. **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning**
- High Priority - Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. Observed chemical spray bottle containing surface cleaner stored above pizza boxes. Employee removed spray bottle. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
Ellenton Cafe
7044 U.S. Highway 301 N., Ellenton
July 29
Follow-up needed: Warning issued.
12 total violations, with 3 high-priority violations:
- High Priority - Container of medicine improperly stored. Observed bottle of Tylenol stored on shelf above bread in kitchen area. Manager removed medicine. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
- High Priority - Raw animal foods not properly separated from one another based upon minimum required cooking temperature when stored in a freezer — not all products commercially packaged. Observed frozen chicken stored above frozen pork both removed from commercial packaging and stored in Ziploc bags. Manager corrected storage. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
- High Priority - Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. Observed sanitizer spray bottle stored next to decaf coffee and creamers on service counter. Manager removed spray bottle. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
Sam's Seafood & Grill
3108 First St., Bradenton
July 28
Follow-up needed: Warning issued.
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 in main kitchen area employee grabbed raw seafood with gloves on, removed gloves, put on clean gloves and grabbed a single service item. Educated person in charge on glove use and hand washing. Employee discarded single service, removed gloves, washed hands and put on clean gloves. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
- High Priority - Employee washed hands with no soap in the three compartment sink. Person in charge had employee wash with soap in handwashing sink. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
- High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Observed in walk-in cooler raw chicken over cooked chicken. Person in charge removed raw chicken. Emailed person in charge a copy of the handout. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
- High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed in reach-in cooler cheese (49F - cold holding); hard eggs (53F - cold holding). Person in charge stated that the product had been in the reach-in cooler for approximately one hour. Person in charge removed food to the fill line. **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning**
Shake Station
4219 U.S. Highway 301 N., Ellenton
July 28
Emergency order recommended: Facility temporarily closed.
10 total violations, with 3 high-priority violations:
- High Priority - Dish machine not sanitizing properly. Discontinue use of dish machine for sanitizing and set up manual sanitization until dish machine is repaired and sanitizing properly. Observed dish machine measuring (chlorine 0ppm). Manager on shift confirmed establishment does not have three compartment sink to utilize manual washing. **Warning**
- 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 pork in walk-in cooler. Manager corrected storage. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
- High Priority - Vacuum breaker missing at mop sink faucet or on fitting/splitter added to mop sink faucet. Observed mop sink hose bibb with no vacuum breaker attached. **Warning**
Shake Station
4219 U.S. Highway 301 N., Ellenton
July 29
Emergency order callback complied. Met inspection standards.
Taqueria Mi Rancho
3603 15th St. E., Bradenton
July 28
Follow-up needed. Warning issued.
6 total violations, with 3 high-priority violations:
- High Priority - Raw animal food stored over or with unwashed produce. Observed in main kitchen area raw beef over unwashed produce. Educated person in charge on safe refrigerator storage and emailed person in charge a copy of the handout. Person in charge removed beef. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
- High Priority - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food marked with a date that exceeds seven days after opening/preparation. Observed in reach-in cooler cooked pork date marked 7/20/26. Person in charge voluntarily discarded. **Warning**
- High Priority - Stop sale issued due to food not being in a wholesome, sound condition. Observed in reach-in cooler cooked pork date marked 7/20/26. Person in charge voluntarily discarded. **Warning**
Whiskey Joe's
5313 19th St. E., Ellenton
July 29
Follow-up needed: Warning issued.
7 total violations, with 3 high-priority violations:
- High Priority - Nonexempt fish offered raw or undercooked has not undergone proper parasite destruction. Fish must be fully cooked or discarded. Observed establishment using lime juice for ceviche containing shrimp and scallops instead of heat. Establishment was unable to show proof of parasite destruction form.
- High Priority - Stop sale issued due to food not being in a wholesome, sound condition. Observed tuna that was commercially processed reduced oxygen packaging fully thawed inside packaging and stored in walk-in cooler. Chef discarded tuna.
- High Priority - Vacuum breaker missing at mop sink faucet or on fitting/splitter added to mop sink faucet. Observed splitter being utilized on mop sink faucet without vacuum breaker attached. Manager attached vacuum breaker. **Corrected On-Site**
Wings 'N Things Cortez
7814 Cortez Road W., Bradenton
July 28
Follow-up needed: Warning issued.
9 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 cook line make table cooler: Sliced tomatoes (48F - cold holding); sliced cheese (48F - cold holding); chopped tomatoes (48F - cold holding). Operator stated the product was placed in there approximately three hours ago. Operator placed the product in the standing coolers. **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning**
- High Priority - Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. Observed a chemical spray bottle hanging above containers of ketchup. Operator moved the bottle. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
Woody's River Roo Pub & Grill
5717 18th St. E., Ellenton
July 27
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 shrimp stored above cooked potatoes in reach-in cooler 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 two snapper filets stored in walk-in cooler thawed and still within the commercially processed reduced oxygen packaging. Manager discarded filets. **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 downtown Sarasota restaurants cited in health inspections
