Sanford — Food Safety Records
Sanford, Florida has 203 food establishments with 4,177 inspections on record. 8 establishments were shut down this year. The pass rate is 91.6%, above the state average of 85.6%. Inspections average 5.9 violations per visit.
Most recent closure: Mel's Family Diner in Sanford, shut down September 21, 2026 for rodent activity.
Largest fine: $800 assessed to Mel's Family Diner in Sanford on June 4, 2026.
Data from Florida DBPR. Updated October 2026.
Sanford Restaurants: Comparison to Florida State Averages
Sanford
91.6%
Pass Rate
91.6%
Florida Average
85.6%
Pass Rate
85.6%
Sanford
5.9
Avg Violations / Inspection
5.9
Florida Average
4.7
Avg Violations / Inspection
4.7
Sanford
3.94
Closures per 100 Facilities
3.94
Florida Average
1.98
Closures per 100 Facilities
1.98
Sanford Restaurants: Recent Closures (4)
| Date | Business | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Mel's Family Diner | Rodent activity | |
| Bbee's Home Cooking INC | Rodent activity | |
| Mel's Family Diner | Rodent activity | |
| Tropical Smoothie Cafe | No restrooms |
Sanford Restaurants: Recent Inspections (Last 30 Days)
| Date | Business | Violations | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Akira | 3 | Call Back - Complied | |
| Wet Spot | 7 | Inspection Completed - No Further Action | |
| Wop's Hops Brewing Company | 8 (1 high) | Inspection Completed - No Further Action | |
| Wildflower | 4 | Call Back - Complied | |
| Rockbrew Sanford | 0 | Inspection Completed - No Further Action | |
| Pierogi Bros | 0 | Call Back - Complied | |
| McDonald's | 3 | Inspection Completed - No Further Action | |
| Slam Pizza and Cheesesteaks | 8 | Inspection Completed - No Further Action | |
| Pupusas & Burritos Grill | 8 (1 high) | Inspection Completed - No Further Action | |
| Lee's Famous Recipe Chicken | 12 (1 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 |
| Nov 24, 2025 | 5th Element Indian Restaurant | $800 | 4--2025064334 |
| Mar 3, 2026 | Mel's Family Diner | $800 | 4--2025069811 |
| Jul 22, 2026 | Mel's Family Diner | $800 | 4--2026018781 |
| Aug 20, 2026 | Tropical Smoothie Cafe | $400 | 4--2026053112 |
| Aug 13, 2026 | Ichigo Ichie Buffet | $400 | 4--2026053052 |
| Jul 20, 2026 | Churchs Chicken 10558 | $400 | 4--2026019626 |
| Sep 24, 2026 | Bbee's Home Cooking INC | $400 | 4--2026059654 |
| Mar 3, 2026 | Buster's Bistro | $300 | 4--2025073654 |
| Jan 12, 2026 | Casa China | $300 | 4--2025075544 |
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
Mel's Family Diner
45 inspections
486 violations
4 closures
Sake House
50 inspections
440 violations
4 closures
Casa China
28 inspections
331 violations
3 closures
Ichigo Ichie Buffet
50 inspections
770 violations
2 closures
La Mexicana #7 Restaurant
48 inspections
490 violations
Pierogi Bros
20 inspections
78 violations
Sanford: Restaurant Chains (DBPR)
| Chain | Locations | Violations | Closures |
|---|---|---|---|
| McDonalds | 4 | 246 | 0 |
| Subway | 4 | 279 | 0 |
| Chipotle | 3 | 103 | 0 |
| Dominos | 3 | 115 | 0 |
| Burger King | 3 | 294 | 0 |
| Marcos Pizza | 2 | 91 | 2 |
| Wingstop | 2 | 169 | 0 |
| Chick-fil-a | 2 | 147 | 0 |
| Wendys | 2 | 193 | 0 |
| Comfort Inn | 2 | 41 | 0 |
Sanford Restaurant Inspections: FAQ
- How many restaurants are in Sanford?
- Sanford, Florida has 203 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 91.6%. The Florida state average is 85.6%.
- How many restaurants were shut down in Sanford this year?
- 8 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?
- McDonalds has the most locations in Sanford with 4 establishments.
- What was the most recent restaurant closure in Sanford?
- Mel's Family Diner in Sanford was shut down on September 21, 2026 for rodent activity.
- How does Sanford compare to the Florida state average?
- Sanford has a pass rate of 91.6%, which is 6 percentage points above the state average of 85.6%. The average violations per inspection is 5.9 compared to the state average of 4.68.
- How often are restaurants inspected in Sanford?
- Food establishments in Sanford have an average of 20.6 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 $35,655 in fines across 107 disciplinary actions. The average fine is $357 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 (203)
Futurebean
3653 S ORLANDO DR, Sanford
3 inspections · 3 violations · Last: Apr 2026Coco Spot
2921 S ORLANDO DR STE 172, Sanford
3 inspections · 2 violations · Last: Sep 2026A1 Indian Grocery and Fresh Meats
1645 Rinehart RD, Sanford
0 inspections · 0 violations