Sanford — Food Safety Records
Sanford, Florida has 201 food establishments with 4,055 inspections on record. 10 establishments were shut down this year. The pass rate is 92%, above the state average of 85.8%. Inspections average 5.8 violations per visit.
Most recent closure: Mel's Family Diner in Sanford, shut down July 29, 2026 for rodent activity.
Largest fine: $800 assessed to Mel's Family Diner in Sanford on July 22, 2026.
Data from Florida DBPR. Updated August 2026.
Sanford Restaurants: Comparison to Florida State Averages
Sanford
92%
Pass Rate
92%
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
4.98
Closures per 100 Facilities
4.98
Florida Average
2
Closures per 100 Facilities
2
Sanford Restaurants: Recent Closures (5)
| Date | Business | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Mel's Family Diner | Rodent activity | |
| Tropical Smoothie Cafe | No restrooms | |
| Ichigo Ichie Buffet | Rodent activity | |
| Colorados Prime Steak | Roach activity | |
| Mel's Family Diner | Rodent activity |
Sanford Restaurants: Recent Inspections (Last 30 Days)
| Date | Business | Violations | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kfc W750279 | 1 | Inspection Completed - No Further Action | |
| El Sol Mexican Restaurant | 3 | Call Back - Complied | |
| Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen | 1 | Inspection Completed - No Further Action | |
| Pierogi Bros | 11 (2 high) | Warning Issued | |
| Burger King | 6 | Inspection Completed - No Further Action | |
| Mel's Family Diner | 2 (1 high) | Emergency Order Callback Complied | |
| Pizza Twist | 9 | Inspection Completed - No Further Action | |
| Hooked Fish Camp | 0 | Call Back - Complied | |
| Mel's Family Diner | 3 (2 high) | Emergency order recommended | |
| Mellow Mushroom | 5 (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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 22, 2026 | Mel's Family Diner | $800 | 4--2026018781 |
| 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 20, 2026 | Churchs Chicken 10558 | $400 | 4--2026019626 |
| Mar 3, 2026 | Buster's Bistro | $300 | 4--2025073654 |
| Jan 12, 2026 | Casa China | $300 | 4--2025075544 |
| Oct 6, 2025 | Mel's Family Diner | $240 | 4--2025038371 |
| Sep 4, 2025 | Subway #851 | $200 | 4--2025060866 |
| Nov 17, 2025 | 1st Street Lounge LLC | $160 | 4--2025067914 |
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
Mel's Family Diner
42 inspections
429 violations
3 closures
Casa China
28 inspections
331 violations
3 closures
Ichigo Ichie Buffet
48 inspections
758 violations
2 closures
La Mexicana #7 Restaurant
46 inspections
468 violations
Kfc W750279
22 inspections
73 violations
Sanford: Restaurant Chains (DBPR)
| Chain | Locations | Violations | Closures |
|---|---|---|---|
| McDonalds | 4 | 234 | 0 |
| Subway | 4 | 274 | 0 |
| Chipotle | 3 | 94 | 0 |
| Dominos | 3 | 115 | 0 |
| Burger King | 3 | 289 | 0 |
| Marcos Pizza | 2 | 86 | 2 |
| Wingstop | 2 | 169 | 0 |
| Chick-fil-a | 2 | 147 | 0 |
| Wendys | 2 | 186 | 0 |
| Ihop | 2 | 337 | 1 |
Sanford Restaurant Inspections: FAQ
- How many restaurants are in Sanford?
- Sanford, Florida has 201 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%. The Florida state average is 85.8%.
- How many restaurants were shut down in Sanford this year?
- 10 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 July 29, 2026 for rodent activity.
- How does Sanford compare to the Florida state average?
- Sanford has a pass rate of 92%, which is 6.2 percentage points above the state average of 85.8%. The average violations per inspection is 5.8 compared to the state average of 4.68.
- How often are restaurants inspected in Sanford?
- Food establishments in Sanford have an average of 20.2 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 $34,455 in fines across 104 disciplinary actions. The average fine is $355 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
See all 27 stories ↓
Sanford Diner Shut for Rodent Activity, Its Third Emergency Closure in a Year
Mel's Family Diner in Sanford was emergency-closed July 29 for rodent activity, its third such shutdown, after 429 viola…
Stories You May Have Missed
- Sanford Diner Shut for Rodent Activity, Its Third Emergency Closure in a Year
- Sanford Mexican Restaurant Logged 6 High-Severity Violations, Stayed Open
- Sanford Buffet Shut Down for Rodents, 758 Violations in Its History
- Tropical Smoothie Café in Sanford Shut Down Over No Restrooms, Food Safety Violations
- Sanford Tropical Smoothie Cafe Racked Up 6 High-Severity Violations and Stayed Open
- Ford's Garage in Sanford Racked Up 6 High-Severity Violations, Stayed Open
- Sanford Seafood Spot Racked Up 7 High-Severity Violations, Stayed Open
- Keke's Breakfast Café in Sanford Cited for 6 High-Severity Violations, Stayed Open
- Sanford Buffet Stays Open After 7 High-Severity Violations, Including Unknown Food Source
- Sanford Diner Shut Down for Rodent Activity, Third Emergency Closure in Ten Months
- Sanford Steakhouse Shut Down for Roaches, Third Time in 14 Months
- Sanford Diner Stayed Open After 6 High-Severity Violations, Including Undercooking and Toxic Chemical Risks
- Sanford Indian Restaurant Racked Up 6 High Violations, Stayed Open
- Sanford Diner Racked Up 7 High-Severity Violations, Stayed Open
- Sanford Bistro Racked Up 6 High-Severity Violations, Stayed Open
Sanford Restaurants & Food Establishments (199)
St Johns River Steak & Seafood
550 N PALMETTO AVE, Sanford
35 inspections · 372 violations · Last: Jan 2026Shantells on the Run
503 SANFORD AVE, Sanford
36 inspections · 343 violations · Last: May 2026Ciros Ny Pizza
1665 WP BALL BLVD, Sanford
38 inspections · 340 violations · Last: Apr 2026Singas Pizza
2921 S ORLANDO DR STE 162, Sanford
33 inspections · 315 violations · Last: Jul 2026El Zocalo Mexican Restaurant
406 S SANFORD AVE, Sanford
41 inspections · 312 violations · Last: Feb 2026Lee's Famous Recipe Chicken
1905 S FRENCH AVE, Sanford
30 inspections · 297 violations · Last: Mar 2026Denny's #6929
3771 ORLANDO DR, Sanford
32 inspections · 293 violations · Last: Jan 2026China II
5228 W SR 46, Sanford
37 inspections · 289 violations · Last: Jan 2026Pizza Twist
1746 RINEHART ROAD, Sanford
37 inspections · 284 violations · Last: Jul 2026Cheddar's Casual Cafe
1650 RINEHART RD, Sanford
39 inspections · 279 violations · Last: Apr 2026Riverwalk Pizzeria
5040 W STATE ROAD 46 STE 1102, Sanford
31 inspections · 278 violations · Last: Dec 2025Yabi Sushi
3755 S ORLANDO AVE, Sanford
25 inspections · 275 violations · Last: Jan 2026West End Trading Co
202 S SANFORD AVE, Sanford
28 inspections · 272 violations · Last: Mar 2026Breezeway Restaurant & Bar
112 E 1 ST, Sanford
27 inspections · 271 violations · Last: Apr 2026Bbee's Home Cooking INC
2511 SANFORD AVE, Sanford
29 inspections · 270 violations · Last: Jan 2026Steak N' Shake #278
40 TOWNE CENTER CIRC, Sanford
34 inspections · 266 violations · Last: Jul 2026Akira
318 WEST LAKE MARY BLVD, Sanford
24 inspections · 251 violations · Last: Jan 2026China Star II Usa INC
4585 ST JOHNS PKWY, Sanford
24 inspections · 249 violations · Last: Jun 2026Mellow Mushroom
1831 RINEHART RD, Sanford
31 inspections · 242 violations · Last: Jul 2026Negril Spice
114 SANFORD AVE, Sanford
33 inspections · 232 violations · Last: Feb 2026