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 |
| Aldi | 14 | 2 | 310 |
| Walgreens | 14 | 1 | 743 |
| CVS | 14 | 9 | 882 |
| 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 |
| Panera Bread | 5 | 462 | 0 |
| Culvers | 5 | 378 | 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…
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- Sarasota Kwik Stop Cited for 13 Violations, Boiled Peanuts Pulled in March Inspection
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- Shaner's Pizza Racked Up 6 High-Severity Violations in April and Stayed Open
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- Planet Smoothie North Port Cited for Operating Without Valid Food Permit
- Crave Cookies Lakewood Ranch Failed Its April Preoperational Inspection on Four Violations
- Italiano's in Venice Racked Up 6 High-Severity Violations in April and Stayed Open
- Casey Key Fish House Racked Up 6 High-Severity Violations and Stayed Open
- Venice Sushi Restaurant Racked Up 8 High-Severity Violations, Stayed Open
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Sarasota County Restaurants & Food Establishments (2,123)
Millers Sarasota Ale House
3800 KENNY DR, Sarasota
27 inspections · 195 violations · Last: Dec 2025China Taste
8258 BEE RIDGE RD, Sarasota
21 inspections · 194 violations · Last: Mar 2026Isan Thai Restaurant
5758 S TAMIAMI TRAIL, Sarasota
22 inspections · 194 violations · Last: Apr 2026Sonnys BBQ 109
3926 S TAMIAMI TRL, Sarasota
26 inspections · 193 violations · Last: Apr 2026Buffalo Wings & Rings
1081 W PRICE BLVD, North Port
21 inspections · 193 violations · Last: Mar 2026Kolucan
6630 GATEWAY AVE, Sarasota
21 inspections · 192 violations · Last: Nov 2025Apollonia Grill
4956 S TAMIAMI TRL, Sarasota
16 inspections · 192 violations · Last: Dec 2025Big Water Fish Market
6639 MIDNIGHT PASS RD, Sarasota
27 inspections · 192 violations · Last: Apr 2026Mi Pueblo
530 S US 41 BY PASS #2A, Venice
23 inspections · 192 violations · Last: Oct 2025Field Club INC (the)
1400 FIELD RD, Sarasota
20 inspections · 191 violations · Last: Apr 2026Sushioo Japanese & Asian Cusine
14415 TAMIAMI TRL, North Port
19 inspections · 190 violations · Last: Feb 2026Shangri-la Restaurant
5828 BEE RIDGE RD, Sarasota
23 inspections · 189 violations · Last: Feb 2026China Wokery
14909 S TAMIAMI TRL, North Port
24 inspections · 189 violations · Last: Mar 2026Alvaros Family Restaurant & Pizzeria
14512 S TAMIAMI TRL, North Port
26 inspections · 188 violations · Last: Apr 2026Salute Ristorante
23 N LEMON AVE, Sarasota
25 inspections · 188 violations · Last: Feb 2026Gold Rush BBQ
661 S TAMIAMI TRL, Venice
26 inspections · 188 violations · Last: Feb 2026Turtles on Little Sarasota Bay
8875 MIDNIGHT PASS RD, Sarasota
22 inspections · 188 violations · Last: Oct 2025Serenoa Grill
6773 SERENOA DR, Sarasota
28 inspections · 186 violations · Last: May 2026Jpan Sushi & Grill
229 N CATTLEMEN RD STE 61, Sarasota
24 inspections · 186 violations · Last: Apr 2026Tijuana Flats Burrito Co
3404 CLARK RD, Sarasota
26 inspections · 186 violations · Last: Apr 2026