Sanford — Food Safety Records
Sanford, Florida has 293 food establishments with 4,006 inspections on record. 5 establishments were shut down this year. The pass rate is 92.5%, above the state average of 85.8%. Inspections average 5.8 violations per visit.
Most recent closure: Colorados Prime Steak in Sanford, shut down May 11, 2026 for roach & fly activity.
Largest fine: $800 assessed to Mel's Family Diner in Sanford on June 4, 2026.
Data from Florida DBPR. Updated July 2026.
Most-Inspected Facilities
| Business | Inspections | Violations | Closures |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sake House | 49 | 430 | 4 |
| Casa China | 27 | 327 | 3 |
| Le's Pho | 28 | 243 | 2 |
| Marco's Pizza | 25 | 79 | 2 |
| Ichigo Ichie Buffet | 46 | 737 | 1 |
Sanford Restaurants: Comparison to Florida State Averages
Sanford
92.5%
Pass Rate
92.5%
Florida Average
85.8%
Pass Rate
85.8%
Sanford
5.8
Avg Violations / Inspection
5.8
Florida Average
4.7
Avg Violations / Inspection
4.7
Sanford
1.71
Closures per 100 Facilities
1.71
Florida Average
1.33
Closures per 100 Facilities
1.33
Sanford Restaurants: Recent Closures (1)
| Date | Business | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Colorados Prime Steak | Roach & fly activity |
Sanford Restaurants: Recent Inspections (Last 30 Days)
| Date | Business | Violations | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coqui Restaurant | 3 | Inspection Completed - No Further Action | |
| Mr and Mrs Crab Seafood Sanford INC | 8 (3 high) | Inspection Completed - No Further Action | |
| Bojangles #2055 | 8 | Inspection Completed - No Further Action | |
| Steak N' Shake #278 | 5 (1 high) | Inspection Completed - No Further Action | |
| Firehouse Subs | 4 | Inspection Completed - No Further Action | |
| Mel's Family Diner | 29 (5 high) | Emergency order recommended | |
| 5th Element Indian Restaurant | 19 (2 high) | Warning Issued | |
| Taco Bell | 8 (2 high) | Inspection Completed - No Further Action | |
| Red Robin Gourmet Burgers & Brews | 3 | Inspection Completed - No Further Action | |
| Ranchers Custard Company LLC | 6 (2 high) | Inspection Completed - No Further Action |
Sanford Restaurants: Most Common Health Violations
| Code | Violation | Citations |
|---|---|---|
| 36 | Proper ventilation | 59,374 |
| 23 | Chemical properly stored | 52,521 |
| 14 | Food contact surfaces | 48,800 |
| 22 | Consumer advisory | 36,902 |
| 29 | Proper sewage disposal | 28,266 |
Sanford Restaurants: Disciplinary Actions & Fines
Largest Fines (Past 12 Months)
| Date | Business | Fine | Case |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jun 4, 2026 | Mel's Family Diner | $800 | 4--2026001471 |
| Mar 3, 2026 | Mel's Family Diner | $800 | 4--2025069811 |
| Nov 24, 2025 | 5th Element Indian Restaurant | $800 | 4--2025064334 |
| Jan 5, 2026 | Just Food 5059 | $400 | 4--2025064839 |
| Jan 12, 2026 | Casa China | $300 | 4--2025075544 |
| Mar 3, 2026 | Buster's Bistro | $300 | 4--2025073654 |
| Oct 6, 2025 | Mel's Family Diner | $240 | 4--2025038371 |
| Sep 4, 2025 | Subway #851 | $200 | 4--2025060866 |
| Oct 22, 2025 | Just Food 5059 | $200 | 4--2025066304 |
| Mar 30, 2026 | Soul Wingz Catering | $200 | 4--2026012219 |
Sanford Restaurants: Fire Safety Violations
Most Common Fire Safety Issues
| Issue | Citations |
|---|---|
| Other fire safety violation | 58 |
| Exit blocked or locked | 42 |
| Missing boiler certificate/report | 23 |
| Propane tank stored inside building | 11 |
| Fire extinguisher in red zone | 8 |
| Cooking without hood suppression | 7 |
Sanford: Notable Restaurants
Sake House
49 inspections
430 violations
4 closures
Casa China
27 inspections
327 violations
3 closures
Le's Pho
28 inspections
243 violations
2 closures
Ichigo Ichie Buffet
46 inspections
737 violations
1 closures
La Mexicana #7 Restaurant
46 inspections
468 violations
5th Element Indian Restaurant
38 inspections
491 violations
1 closures
Sanford: Restaurant Chains (DBPR)
| Chain | Locations | Violations | Closures |
|---|---|---|---|
| Subway | 4 | 274 | 0 |
| McDonalds | 4 | 234 | 0 |
| Dominos | 3 | 115 | 0 |
| Burger King | 3 | 283 | 0 |
| Chipotle | 3 | 91 | 0 |
| Popeyes | 2 | 158 | 0 |
| Taco Bell | 2 | 235 | 0 |
| Ihop | 2 | 337 | 1 |
| Tropical Smoothie | 2 | 32 | 0 |
| Kfc | 2 | 101 | 0 |
Sanford Restaurant Inspections: FAQ
- How many restaurants are in Sanford?
- Sanford, Florida has 293 food establishments tracked by the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR).
- What is the restaurant inspection pass rate in Sanford?
- The current pass rate for food establishments in Sanford is 92.5%. The Florida state average is 85.8%.
- How many restaurants were shut down in Sanford this year?
- 5 food establishments in Sanford have been shut down by health inspectors in 2026.
- What are the most common health violations in Sanford?
- The most frequently cited violations in Sanford are: Proper ventilation, Chemical properly stored, Food contact surfaces.
- Which restaurant chain has the most locations in Sanford?
- Subway has the most locations in Sanford with 4 establishments.
- What was the most recent restaurant closure in Sanford?
- Colorados Prime Steak in Sanford was shut down on May 11, 2026 for roach & fly activity.
- How does Sanford compare to the Florida state average?
- Sanford has a pass rate of 92.5%, which is 6.7 percentage points above the state average of 85.8%. The average violations per inspection is 5.8 compared to the state average of 4.67.
- How often are restaurants inspected in Sanford?
- Food establishments in Sanford have an average of 13.7 inspections on record. Florida DBPR conducts routine inspections based on facility type and risk level.
- How much in fines have restaurants in Sanford been assessed?
- Food establishments in Sanford have been assessed $35,455 in fines across 108 disciplinary actions. The average fine is $351 and the largest single fine was $1,680.
- How many fire safety violations have been found in Sanford restaurants?
- 149 fire safety violations have been documented across 62 food establishments in Sanford. The most common issue is other fire safety violation.
In the News Sanford
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Sanford Restaurants & Food Establishments (288)
Sake House 4 closures
1625 RINEHART RD, Sanford
49 inspections · 430 violations · Last: Mar 2026Casa China 3 closures
3677 S ORLANDO DR, Sanford
27 inspections · 327 violations · Last: Dec 2025Le's Pho 2 closures
5040 W SR 46 STE 1114, Sanford
28 inspections · 243 violations · Last: Jan 2026Marco's Pizza 2 closures
1165 RINEHART RD., Sanford
25 inspections · 79 violations · Last: Sep 2025Ichigo Ichie Buffet 1 closure
3611 S ORLANDO DR, Sanford
46 inspections · 737 violations · Last: Nov 2025Churchs Chicken 10558 1 closure
2561 FRENCH AVE, Sanford
37 inspections · 516 violations · Last: Jun 20265th Element Indian Restaurant 1 closure
1133 RINEHART RD, Sanford
38 inspections · 491 violations · Last: Jul 2026Buster's Bistro 1 closure
300 S SANFORD AVE, Sanford
42 inspections · 433 violations · Last: Jul 2026Mel's Family Diner 1 closure
3221 S ORLANDO DR, Sanford
39 inspections · 403 violations · Last: Jul 2026Colorados Prime Steak 1 closure
3863 S ORLANDO DR., Sanford
32 inspections · 277 violations · Last: May 2026Racks Billiards Sports Bar & Grill 1 closure
312 ENTRANCE RD N, Sanford
29 inspections · 274 violations · Last: Mar 2026Colonial Room Restaurant 1 closure
105 E 1 ST STE 100, Sanford
38 inspections · 267 violations · Last: Feb 2026Ihop 36-177 1 closure
3150 S ORLANDO DR, Sanford
29 inspections · 197 violations · Last: Mar 2026Micheladas Y Mariscos El Doctor 1 closure
1220 SANFORD AVENUE, Sanford
26 inspections · 191 violations · Last: Mar 2026Dali's Lao Thai Cafe 1 closure
1181 RINEHART RD, Sanford
25 inspections · 169 violations · Last: Feb 2026Cabana Live
4380 CARRAWAY PL, Sanford
44 inspections · 476 violations · Last: Nov 2025La Mexicana #7 Restaurant
2715 S ORLANDO DR, Sanford
46 inspections · 468 violations · Last: Mar 2026El Sol Mexican Restaurant
4520 W SR 46, Sanford
34 inspections · 422 violations · Last: Feb 2026Christos
107 W 1 ST, Sanford
38 inspections · 420 violations · Last: Mar 2026St Johns River Steak & Seafood
550 N PALMETTO AVE, Sanford
35 inspections · 372 violations · Last: Jan 2026