Sanford — Food Safety Records
Sanford, Florida has 202 food establishments with 4,140 inspections on record. 9 establishments were shut down this year. The pass rate is 91.6%, above the state average of 85.7%. Inspections average 5.9 violations per visit.
Most recent closure: Bbee's Home Cooking INC in Sanford, shut down August 19, 2026 for rodent activity.
Largest fine: $800 assessed to 5th Element Indian Restaurant in Sanford on November 24, 2025.
Data from Florida DBPR. Updated September 2026.
Sanford Restaurants: Comparison to Florida State Averages
Sanford
91.6%
Pass Rate
91.6%
Florida Average
85.7%
Pass Rate
85.7%
Sanford
5.9
Avg Violations / Inspection
5.9
Florida Average
4.7
Avg Violations / Inspection
4.7
Sanford
4.46
Closures per 100 Facilities
4.46
Florida Average
1.96
Closures per 100 Facilities
1.96
Sanford Restaurants: Recent Closures (6)
| Date | Business | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Bbee's Home Cooking INC | Rodent activity | |
| 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Negril Spice | 9 | Call Back - Extension given, pending | |
| Le's Pho | 2 | Call Back - Complied | |
| Micheladas Y Mariscos El Doctor | 5 | Call Back - Extension given, pending | |
| Negril Spice | 16 (4 high) | Warning Issued | |
| Colonial Room Restaurant | 14 (1 high) | Inspection Completed - No Further Action | |
| 5th Element Indian Restaurant | 6 | Call Back - Admin. complaint recommended | |
| Ichigo Ichie Buffet | 2 | Call Back - Complied | |
| Coco Spot | 1 | Call Back - Extension given, pending | |
| Micheladas Y Mariscos El Doctor | 14 (3 high) | Warning Issued | |
| McDonalds | 4 (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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| Jun 4, 2026 | Mel's Family Diner | $800 | 4--2026001471 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
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
50 inspections
440 violations
4 closures
Mel's Family Diner
45 inspections
486 violations
3 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
Micheladas Y Mariscos El Doctor
28 inspections
210 violations
1 closures
Sanford: Restaurant Chains (DBPR)
| Chain | Locations | Violations | Closures |
|---|---|---|---|
| McDonalds | 4 | 243 | 0 |
| Subway | 4 | 274 | 0 |
| Dominos | 3 | 115 | 0 |
| Burger King | 3 | 294 | 0 |
| Chipotle | 3 | 103 | 0 |
| Chick-fil-a | 2 | 147 | 0 |
| Wendys | 2 | 193 | 0 |
| Comfort Inn | 2 | 41 | 0 |
| Ihop | 2 | 344 | 1 |
| Popeyes | 2 | 170 | 0 |
Sanford Restaurant Inspections: FAQ
- How many restaurants are in Sanford?
- Sanford, Florida has 202 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 85.7%.
- How many restaurants were shut down in Sanford this year?
- 9 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?
- Bbee's Home Cooking INC in Sanford was shut down on August 19, 2026 for rodent activity.
- How does Sanford compare to the Florida state average?
- Sanford has a pass rate of 91.6%, which is 5.9 percentage points above the state average of 85.7%. 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 20.5 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 $35,255 in fines across 106 disciplinary actions. The average fine is $356 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 Bar Stayed Open After 6 High-Severity Violations, Including Toxic Chemicals Near Food
Station Bar and Grub in Sanford logged 6 high-severity violations Sept. 11, including improperly stored toxic chemicals …
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Sanford Restaurants & Food Establishments (202)
Tijuana Flats
5030 SW SR 46, Sanford
28 inspections · 178 violations · Last: Jan 2026Pizza Hut
2002 S FRENCH AVE, Sanford
27 inspections · 175 violations · Last: Sep 2026Longhorn Steakhouse
4695 ST JOHNS PARKWAY, Sanford
23 inspections · 173 violations · Last: Feb 2026Montego Bay Caribbean Take Out Restaurant
1564 S FRENCH AVE, Sanford
30 inspections · 168 violations · Last: Sep 2026Pollo Tropical #76
1001 W PALM BALL BLVD, Sanford
26 inspections · 165 violations · Last: Jul 2026Alley and Fuel
114 S PARK AVE, Sanford
26 inspections · 163 violations · Last: Mar 2026Jimotti's Restaurant
2545 S FRENCH AVE, Sanford
24 inspections · 161 violations · Last: Jan 2026H&m Restaurant
2016 S FRENCH AVE, Sanford
23 inspections · 161 violations · Last: Mar 2026Outback Steakhouse
180 HICKMAN DR, Sanford
26 inspections · 160 violations · Last: Apr 2026Keke's Breakfast CafÉ
1401 WP BALL BLVD, Sanford
25 inspections · 157 violations · Last: Jul 2026Old Jail House
113 S PALMETTO AVE, Sanford
19 inspections · 156 violations · Last: Apr 2026District
114 W 2ND ST, Sanford
30 inspections · 154 violations · Last: Sep 2026Parva Colombian Bakery
220 W LAKE MARY BLVD, Sanford
24 inspections · 152 violations · Last: Aug 2026Cattle Ranch Restaurant
2700 S SANFORD AVE, Sanford
22 inspections · 152 violations · Last: Apr 2026Charley's Cheesesteaks and Wings
1601 RINEHART RD, Sanford
24 inspections · 148 violations · Last: Aug 2026Airport Lanes
190 E AIRPORT BLVD, Sanford
27 inspections · 148 violations · Last: Feb 2026Ihop #36-216
111 S OREGON AVE, Sanford
24 inspections · 147 violations · Last: Aug 2026La Granja Chicken Steak and Seafood
3852 S ORLANDO DR, Sanford
24 inspections · 140 violations · Last: Sep 2026Zaxby's #4
3815 S ORLANDO DR, Sanford
23 inspections · 139 violations · Last: Jun 2026Burger King
201 FRENCH AVE, Sanford
25 inspections · 138 violations · Last: Sep 2026