Sarasota County — Food Safety Records: DBPR & FDACS
Sarasota County, Florida has 2143 food establishments with 20,344 inspections on record. 8 establishments were shut down this year. The pass rate is 91%, above the state average of 86%. Inspections average 4.8 violations per visit.
Most recent closure: Fat Daddios Pizza in Sarasota, shut down March 25, 2026 for rodent activity.
Largest fine: $1,600 assessed to Green Zebra Cafe in Sarasota on October 21, 2025.
Data from Florida DBPR (restaurants) and FDACS (retail food). Updated May 2026.
Most-Inspected Facilities
| Business | City | Inspections | Violations | Closures |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Valenti Restaurant | Venice | 29 | 339 | 3 |
| T J Carney's | Venice | 27 | 311 | 3 |
| Fafa INC China Buffet | North Port | 44 | 570 | 2 |
| Fuzzy 55 Restaurant | Sarasota | 35 | 296 | 2 |
| F.l.a. Deli | Sarasota | 35 | 267 | 2 |
Sarasota County Restaurants: Comparison to Florida State Averages
Sarasota County
91%
Pass Rate
91%
Florida Average
86%
Pass Rate
86%
Sarasota County
4.8
Avg Violations / Inspection
4.8
Florida Average
4.7
Avg Violations / Inspection
4.7
Sarasota County
0.37
Closures per 100 Facilities
0.37
Florida Average
1.37
Closures per 100 Facilities
1.37
Sarasota County Restaurants: Recent Closures (3)
| Date | Business | City | Reason |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fat Daddios Pizza | Sarasota | Rodent activity | |
| T J Carney's | Venice | Rodent activity | |
| Pokehub | Venice | Rodent activity |
Sarasota County Restaurants: Recent Inspections (Last 30 Days)
| Date | Business | City | Violations | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fafa INC China Buffet | North Port | 11 (1 high) | Call Back - Admin. complaint recommended | |
| Fafa INC China Buffet | North Port | 21 (5 high) | Emergency order recommended | |
| Briandi's Restaurant LLC | Nokomis | 1 | Inspection Completed - No Further Action | |
| Bavaro's Pizza Napoletana & Pastaria | Sarasota | 6 (2 high) | Inspection Completed - No Further Action | |
| China One | Venice | 7 (3 high) | Administrative complaint recommended | |
| Blue Pineapple Bistro | Englewood | 2 | Inspection Completed - No Further Action | |
| Irma's Tacos Craft Beer and Tequila Bar | Venice | 3 (1 high) | Inspection Completed - No Further Action | |
| Culture Coffee | Englewood | 0 | Inspection Completed - No Further Action | |
| Fafa INC China Buffet | North Port | 28 (5 high) | Warning Issued | |
| Mymamma | Sarasota | 3 | Inspection Completed - No Further Action |
Sarasota County Restaurants: Most Common Health Violations
| Code | Violation | Citations |
|---|---|---|
| 08 | Proper hand/arm washing | 156,089 |
| 14 | Food contact surfaces | 145,535 |
| 31 | Clean multi-use utensils | 136,752 |
| 22 | Consumer advisory | 121,538 |
| 36 | Proper ventilation | 107,136 |
Sarasota County Restaurants: Disciplinary Actions & Fines
Largest Fines (Past 12 Months)
| Date | Business | Fine | Case |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 21, 2025 | Green Zebra Cafe | $1,600 | 7--2025047454 |
| Mar 11, 2026 | Art Ovation Hotel | $1,600 | 7--2026009824 |
| Nov 25, 2025 | China Kitchen | $1,600 | 7--2025060114 |
| Feb 23, 2026 | Green Zebra Cafe | $1,600 | 7--2025071275 |
| Sep 10, 2025 | Super Buffet | $1,200 | 7--2025062465 |
| Oct 2, 2025 | Valenti Restaurant | $800 | 7--2025066763 |
| Mar 4, 2026 | Metro Diner | $800 | 7--2026011794 |
| Aug 13, 2025 | Shaner's Pizza | $800 | 7--2025051765 |
| Oct 8, 2025 | Deep Lagoon Seafood and Oyster House | $800 | 7--2025067407 |
| Jan 22, 2026 | Shs Sarasota | $800 | 7--2025071080 |
Sarasota County Restaurants: Fire Safety Violations
Most Common Fire Safety Issues
| Issue | Citations |
|---|---|
| Exit blocked or locked | 157 |
| Fire extinguisher in red zone | 67 |
| Other fire safety violation | 58 |
| Propane tank stored inside building | 52 |
| Cooking without hood suppression | 22 |
| Missing boiler certificate/report | 11 |
Sarasota County Retail Food: FDACS Inspection Records
In addition to restaurants, Florida's Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) inspects grocery stores, markets, gas station food sections, and other retail food establishments. Sarasota County has 1,025 FDACS-regulated facilities with 2,042 inspections on record and 476 stop-sale orders issued.
Sarasota County FDACS: Recent Stop-Sale Orders
A stop-sale order prohibits a retail food establishment from selling specific products found to be unsafe, improperly stored, mislabeled, or non-compliant with Florida food code. Products may be embargoed, destroyed, or returned to the distributor.
| Date | Facility | City | Product | Reason |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kwik Stop | Sarasota | Brand Name: (Lot #:) | FS 500.04; FS 500.10 Adulterated.* Time/Temperature Control for Safety Food: Pro… | |
| Wld B 4919 LLC | Bradenton | Brand Name: (Lot #:) | FS 500.04; FS 500.11 Misbranded.* Labeling Comments: To request a Food Safety In… | |
| Wld B 4919 LLC | Bradenton | Brand Name: (Lot #:) | FS 500.04; FS 500.11 Misbranded.* Labeling Comments: To request a Food Safety In… | |
| Wld B 4919 LLC | Bradenton | Brand Name: (Lot #:) | FS 500.04; FS 500.11 Misbranded.* Labeling Comments: To request a Food Safety In… | |
| Wld B 4919 LLC | Bradenton | Brand Name: (Lot #:) | FS 500.04; FS 500.11 Misbranded.* Labeling Comments: To request a Food Safety In… | |
| Wld B 4919 LLC | Bradenton | Brand Name: (Lot #:) | FS 500.04; FS 500.11 Misbranded.* Labeling Comments: To request a Food Safety In… | |
| Wld B 4919 LLC | Bradenton | Brand Name: (Lot #:) | FS 500.04; FS 500.11 Misbranded.* Labeling Comments: To request a Food Safety In… | |
| Wld B 4919 LLC | Bradenton | Brand Name: (Lot #:) | FS 500.04; FS 500.11 Misbranded.* Labeling Comments: To request a Food Safety In… | |
| Wld B 4919 LLC | Bradenton | Brand Name: (Lot #:) | FS 500.04; FS 500.11 Misbranded.* Labeling Comments: To request a Food Safety In… | |
| Wld B 4919 LLC | Bradenton | Brand Name: (Lot #:) | FS 500.04; FS 500.11 Misbranded.* Labeling Comments: To request a Food Safety In… |
Browse all FDACS stop-sale order categories →
Sarasota County FDACS: Most Cited Code Violations
Browse all FDACS violation codes →
Sarasota County Retail Food Chains (FDACS)
| Chain | Locations | Stop-Sale Orders | Citations |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7-Eleven | 34 | 84 | 2,422 |
| Starbucks | 31 | 77 | 1,170 |
| Publix | 19 | 30 | 875 |
| Wawa | 17 | 14 | 430 |
| Walgreens | 14 | 1 | 743 |
| CVS | 14 | 9 | 882 |
| Aldi | 14 | 2 | 310 |
| Dollar General | 12 | 57 | 2,871 |
Sarasota County: Notable Restaurants
Valenti Restaurant
29 inspections
339 violations
3 closures
T J Carney's
27 inspections
311 violations
3 closures
Fafa INC China Buffet
46 inspections
602 violations
2 closures
Denny's
49 inspections
382 violations
Steak N Shake
38 inspections
298 violations
1 closures
Sara's Italian Kitchen
16 inspections
72 violations
Sarasota County: Restaurant Chains (DBPR)
| Chain | Locations | Violations | Closures |
|---|---|---|---|
| McDonalds | 19 | 959 | 0 |
| Dunkin | 19 | 1,005 | 3 |
| Subway | 15 | 628 | 0 |
| Wendys | 10 | 537 | 1 |
| Taco Bell | 8 | 582 | 1 |
| First Watch | 6 | 424 | 0 |
| Tropical Smoothie | 6 | 158 | 0 |
| Jersey Mikes | 6 | 373 | 0 |
| Culvers | 5 | 378 | 0 |
| Panera Bread | 5 | 462 | 0 |
Sarasota County Restaurant Inspections: FAQ
- How many restaurants are in Sarasota County?
- Sarasota County, Florida has 2143 food establishments tracked by the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR).
- What is the restaurant inspection pass rate in Sarasota County?
- The current pass rate for food establishments in Sarasota County is 91%. The Florida state average is 86%.
- How many restaurants were shut down in Sarasota County this year?
- 8 food establishments in Sarasota County have been shut down by health inspectors in 2026.
- What are the most common health violations in Sarasota County?
- The most frequently cited violations in Sarasota County are: Proper hand/arm washing, Food contact surfaces, Clean multi-use utensils.
- Which restaurant chain has the most locations in Sarasota County?
- McDonalds has the most locations in Sarasota County with 19 establishments.
- What was the most recent restaurant closure in Sarasota County?
- Fat Daddios Pizza in Sarasota was shut down on March 25, 2026 for rodent activity.
- How does Sarasota County compare to the Florida state average?
- Sarasota County has a pass rate of 91%, which is 5 percentage points above the state average of 86%. The average violations per inspection is 4.8 compared to the state average of 4.67.
- How often are restaurants inspected in Sarasota County?
- Food establishments in Sarasota County have an average of 9.5 inspections on record. Florida DBPR conducts routine inspections based on facility type and risk level.
- How much in fines have restaurants in Sarasota County been assessed?
- Food establishments in Sarasota County have been assessed $233,800 in fines across 643 disciplinary actions. The average fine is $371 and the largest single fine was $3,800.
- How many fire safety violations have been found in Sarasota County restaurants?
- 367 fire safety violations have been documented across 219 food establishments in Sarasota County. The most common issue is exit blocked or locked.
- Are grocery stores and retail food stores in Sarasota County inspected?
- Yes. The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) inspects retail food establishments — grocery stores, gas station food sections, markets, and convenience stores. Sarasota County, Florida has 1,025 FDACS-regulated retail food facilities with 2,042 inspections on record.
- How many FDACS stop-sale orders have been issued in Sarasota County?
- FDACS has issued 476 stop-sale orders at retail food establishments in Sarasota County, including 104 in 2026. A stop-sale order prohibits a facility from selling specific products found to be unsafe, mislabeled, or non-compliant with Florida food code.
In the News Sarasota County
See all 19 stories ↓
Sarasota Kwik Stop Cited for 13 Violations, Boiled Peanuts Pulled in March Inspection
A March 2026 FDACS inspection of a Sarasota Kwik Stop found boiled peanuts held below safe temperature and a stop sale o…
Stories You May Have Missed
- Mad Moe's Pub in Osprey Racked Up 6 High-Severity Violations and Stayed Open
- Sarasota Restaurant Racked Up 6 High-Severity Violations, Stayed Open
- North Port Bistro Had 9 High-Severity Violations in April and Stayed Open
- Sarasota Restaurant Inspections: 14 Facilities Cited for High-Severity Violations in One Week
Sarasota County Restaurants & Food Establishments (2,123)
Valenti Restaurant 3 closures
1200 E VENICE AVE, Venice
29 inspections · 339 violations · Last: Aug 2025T J Carney's 3 closures
231 W VENICE AVE, Venice
27 inspections · 311 violations · Last: Mar 2026Fafa INC China Buffet 2 closures
4411 AIDAN LN, North Port
46 inspections · 602 violations · Last: May 2026Fuzzy 55 Restaurant 2 closures
1770 N TAMIAMI TRL, Sarasota
35 inspections · 296 violations · Last: Jan 2026F.l.a. Deli 2 closures
2805 PROCTOR RD, Sarasota
35 inspections · 267 violations · Last: Sep 2025China Kitchen 2 closures
935 N BENEVA RD #719, Sarasota
23 inspections · 230 violations · Last: Oct 2025Breakfast House 2 closures
1817 FRUITVILLE RD, Sarasota
33 inspections · 220 violations · Last: Mar 2026Sun Garden Cafe 2 closures
210 AVENIDA MADERA, Sarasota
34 inspections · 201 violations · Last: Oct 2025Cafe Barbosso 2 closures
5501 PALMER CROSSINGS CIR, Sarasota
32 inspections · 197 violations · Last: Jan 2026Soda Fountain 2 closures
349 W VENICE AVE, Venice
30 inspections · 188 violations · Last: Apr 2026Ganges Restaurant & Bar 2 closures
5013 RINGWOOD MDW, Sarasota
28 inspections · 181 violations · Last: Feb 2026Crab & Fin 2 closures
420 ST ARMANDS CIR, Sarasota
30 inspections · 176 violations · Last: Dec 2025Serving Spoon 2 closures
1825 S OSPREY AVE, Sarasota
29 inspections · 174 violations · Last: Jan 2026Lq Restaurant on Main 2 closures
1526 MAIN ST, Sarasota
26 inspections · 165 violations · Last: Nov 2025Bowlero Gulf Gate 2 closures
7221 S TAMIAMI TRL, Sarasota
20 inspections · 162 violations · Last: Oct 2025Ricos Pizzeria & Subs 2 closures
5131 N TAMIAMI TRL, Sarasota
27 inspections · 158 violations · Last: Oct 2025Tikka Indian Cuisine 2 closures
5445 FRUITVILLE RD, Sarasota
25 inspections · 143 violations · Last: Oct 2025Coffee Carousel 2 closures
1644 MAIN ST, Sarasota
24 inspections · 121 violations · Last: Mar 2026Casey Key Resorts 2 closures
1660 S TAMIAMI TRAIL, Osprey
22 inspections · 117 violations · Last: Apr 2026Sarasota Jungle Gdn INC 2 closures
3701 BAYSHORE RD, Sarasota
22 inspections · 91 violations · Last: Aug 2024