Sarasota County — Food Safety Records
Sarasota County, Florida has 1149 food establishments with 20,877 inspections on record. 9 establishments were shut down this year. The pass rate is 91%, above the state average of 85.7%. Inspections average 4.8 violations per visit.
Most recent closure: Italiano's in Venice, shut down August 3, 2026 for roach activity.
Largest fine: $1,600 assessed to Art Ovation Hotel in Sarasota on March 11, 2026.
Data from Florida DBPR. Updated August 2026.
Sarasota County Restaurants: Comparison to Florida State Averages
Sarasota County
91%
Pass Rate
91%
Florida Average
85.7%
Pass Rate
85.7%
Sarasota County
4.8
Avg Violations / Inspection
4.8
Florida Average
4.7
Avg Violations / Inspection
4.7
Sarasota County
0.78
Closures per 100 Facilities
0.78
Florida Average
2.02
Closures per 100 Facilities
2.02
Sarasota County Restaurants: Recent Closures (1)
| Date | Business | City | Reason |
|---|---|---|---|
| Italiano's | Venice | Roach activity |
Sarasota County Restaurants: Recent Inspections (Last 30 Days)
| Date | Business | City | Violations | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Epicure | Sarasota | 3 | Call Back - Complied | |
| Gilligans Island Bar & Grill | Sarasota | 5 (2 high) | Inspection Completed - No Further Action | |
| Sun Garden Cafe | Sarasota | 7 (1 high) | Warning Issued | |
| Yummmies Donuts and BBQ | Venice | 24 (6 high) | Warning Issued | |
| Waverly | Englewood | 3 (1 high) | Inspection Completed - No Further Action | |
| Art Ovation Hotel | Sarasota | 1 | Call Back - Complied | |
| Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen 902 | Sarasota | 3 | Inspection Completed - No Further Action | |
| Dubz BBQ | North Port | 5 (1 high) | Call Back - Admin. complaint recommended | |
| Il Panificio's Siesta | Sarasota | 8 (1 high) | Inspection Completed - No Further Action | |
| Burger King 17535 | North Port | 3 (1 high) | 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| Oct 21, 2025 | Green Zebra Cafe | $1,600 | 7--2025047454 |
| Sep 10, 2025 | Super Buffet | $1,200 | 7--2025062465 |
| Oct 8, 2025 | Deep Lagoon Seafood and Oyster House | $800 | 7--2025067407 |
| Aug 13, 2025 | Shaner's Pizza | $800 | 7--2025051765 |
| Jan 22, 2026 | Shs Sarasota | $800 | 7--2025071080 |
| Oct 2, 2025 | Valenti Restaurant | $800 | 7--2025066763 |
| Aug 28, 2025 | Brewburgers | $800 | 7--2025059019 |
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: Notable Restaurants
Fafa INC China Buffet
48 inspections
607 violations
3 closures
Valenti Restaurant
33 inspections
410 violations
3 closures
T J Carney's
29 inspections
328 violations
3 closures
Denny's
49 inspections
382 violations
Steak N Shake
40 inspections
306 violations
1 closures
Theduo
6 inspections
2 violations
Sarasota County: Restaurant Chains (DBPR)
| Chain | Locations | Violations | Closures |
|---|---|---|---|
| McDonalds | 19 | 964 | 0 |
| Dunkin | 19 | 1,007 | 3 |
| Subway | 15 | 633 | 0 |
| Wendys | 10 | 541 | 1 |
| Taco Bell | 8 | 588 | 1 |
| First Watch | 6 | 430 | 0 |
| Tropical Smoothie | 6 | 160 | 0 |
| Jersey Mikes | 6 | 382 | 0 |
| Culvers | 5 | 385 | 0 |
| Panera Bread | 5 | 472 | 0 |
Sarasota County Restaurant Inspections: FAQ
- How many restaurants are in Sarasota County?
- Sarasota County, Florida has 1149 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 85.7%.
- How many restaurants were shut down in Sarasota County this year?
- 9 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?
- Italiano's in Venice was shut down on August 3, 2026 for roach activity.
- How does Sarasota County compare to the Florida state average?
- Sarasota County has a pass rate of 91%, which is 5.3 percentage points above the state average of 85.7%. The average violations per inspection is 4.8 compared to the state average of 4.68.
- How often are restaurants inspected in Sarasota County?
- Food establishments in Sarasota County have an average of 18.2 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 $233,150 in fines across 641 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.
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Sarasota County Restaurants & Food Establishments (1,134)
Drunken Poet Cafe
1572 MAIN STREET, Sarasota
31 inspections · 210 violations · Last: Mar 2026Siesta Key Oyster Bar
5238 OCEAN BLVD, Sarasota
33 inspections · 210 violations · Last: Mar 2026Blase Cafe
5263 OCEAN BLVD UNIT 9, Sarasota
28 inspections · 209 violations · Last: Nov 2025Hotel Venezia a Ramada Hotel
425 US 41 BYPASS N, Venice
25 inspections · 208 violations · Last: Aug 2026British Open Pub
367 JACARANDA BLVD, Venice
26 inspections · 208 violations · Last: Dec 2025Der Dutchman Restaurant
3713 BAHIA VISTA ST, Sarasota
24 inspections · 207 violations · Last: Oct 2025Perkins Restaurant & Bakery #1066
6001 S SALFORD BLVD, North Port
27 inspections · 206 violations · Last: Jun 2026Popis Place at Lockwood
3232 17TH ST, Sarasota
23 inspections · 206 violations · Last: Feb 2026El Toro Bravo
3218 CLARK RD, Sarasota
19 inspections · 205 violations · Last: Apr 2026Venetian River Club
502 VENETO BLVD, North Venice
30 inspections · 205 violations · Last: Jun 2026Patrick's 1481
1481 MAIN STREET, Sarasota
32 inspections · 204 violations · Last: Jul 2026Alpine Steakhouse & Karl Ehmer Meats
4520 S TAMIAMI TRL, Sarasota
18 inspections · 204 violations · Last: May 2026Green Zebra Cafe
1377 MAIN ST, Sarasota
28 inspections · 203 violations · Last: Apr 2026Shamrock Cafe
759 SHAMROCK BLVD, Venice
29 inspections · 203 violations · Last: Jan 2026Isan Thai Restaurant
5758 S TAMIAMI TRAIL, Sarasota
23 inspections · 203 violations · Last: Jun 2026Shakespeare's
3550 S OSPREY AVE, Sarasota
26 inspections · 203 violations · Last: Jan 2026Tommy Bahama
465 JOHN RINGLING BLVD, Sarasota
26 inspections · 202 violations · Last: Jul 2026Ncn Kolucan
6630 GATEWAY AVE, Sarasota
23 inspections · 200 violations · Last: Jul 2026Mattisons City Grille
1 N LEMON AVE, Sarasota
30 inspections · 200 violations · Last: Jul 2026Lenny'z Pizza & Island Bar LLC
6645 MIDNIGHT PASS RD, Sarasota
22 inspections · 199 violations · Last: Feb 2026