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 February 23, 2026.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Feb 23, 2026 | Green Zebra Cafe | $1,600 | 7--2025071275 |
| 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 |
| Sep 10, 2025 | Super Buffet | $1,200 | 7--2025062465 |
| Jun 23, 2025 | Michelles Brown Bag Cafe LLC | $800 | 7--2025039261 |
| Oct 21, 2025 | Phillippi Creek Villag Oys Bar | $800 | 7--2025071290 |
| Oct 23, 2025 | Chipotle Mexican Grill #1040 | $800 | 7--2025069758 |
| Sep 10, 2025 | Geckos Grill & Pub | $800 | 7--2025060650 |
| Aug 20, 2025 | Paradise Grill | $800 | 7--2025056989 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dunkin | 19 | 1,005 | 3 |
| McDonalds | 19 | 959 | 0 |
| Subway | 15 | 628 | 0 |
| Wendys | 10 | 537 | 1 |
| Taco Bell | 8 | 582 | 1 |
| Tropical Smoothie | 6 | 158 | 0 |
| Jersey Mikes | 6 | 373 | 0 |
| First Watch | 6 | 424 | 0 |
| Burger King | 5 | 380 | 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?
- Dunkin 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
- Sarasota Kwik Stop Cited for 13 Violations, Boiled Peanuts Pulled in March Inspection
- Sarasota Oyster Bar Racked Up 7 High-Severity Violations, Stayed Open
- China One in Venice Racked Up 6 High-Severity Violations and Stayed Open
- Nokomis Breakfast Spot Racked Up 6 High-Severity Violations, Stayed Open
- Shaner's Pizza Racked Up 6 High-Severity Violations in April and Stayed Open
- Sarasota Sushi Spot Logged 6 High-Severity Violations in April, Stayed Open
- Sarasota's Capo Pazzo Logged 7 High-Severity Violations in April, Stayed Open
- Coach's Bar and Grill Venice Racked Up 6 High-Severity Violations in April and Stayed Open
- 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
- Sarasota Chinese Restaurant Racked Up 6 High-Severity Violations and Stayed Open
- Casey Key Resorts Restaurant Racked Up 6 High-Severity Violations, Stayed Open
Sarasota County Restaurants & Food Establishments (2,123)
Eggtown
5495 FRUITVILLE RD, Sarasota
23 inspections · 178 violations · Last: Jan 2026Sushi Ramen
935 N BENEVA STE 401, Sarasota
23 inspections · 178 violations · Last: Nov 2025Sarasota Food Plus Beer
5436 FRUITVILLE RD, Sarasota
22 inspections · 176 violations · Last: Oct 2025Mr. Tequila Cantina INC
3969 CATTLEMAN ROAD, Sarasota
28 inspections · 176 violations · Last: Mar 2026K&k Bakery
13665 TAMIAMI TRL, North Port
24 inspections · 175 violations · Last: Feb 2026Tpc Prestancia
4409 TPC DR, Sarasota
26 inspections · 175 violations · Last: Mar 2026China Palace
1581 S SUMTER BLVD, North Port
21 inspections · 175 violations · Last: Feb 202683 Tavern
8383 S TAMIAMI TRAIL, Sarasota
22 inspections · 174 violations · Last: Mar 2026G Boys Philly Cheesesteaks
321 JACARANDA BLVD, Venice
21 inspections · 174 violations · Last: Dec 2025China One
12189 MERCADO DRIVE, Venice
19 inspections · 173 violations · Last: May 2026Daiquiri Deck
5250 OCEAN BLVD, Sarasota
25 inspections · 173 violations · Last: Dec 2025Dairy Queen Grill and Chill
1465 E VENICE AVE, Venice
31 inspections · 172 violations · Last: Sep 2025Fuji Sushi Hibachi Noodles
12205 MERCADO DR, Venice
14 inspections · 172 violations · Last: Apr 2026China 1
1192 JACARANDA BLVD, Venice
21 inspections · 172 violations · Last: Apr 2026Francesco's
3662 WEBBER ST, Sarasota
28 inspections · 172 violations · Last: Jan 2026Waterfrontoo
2205 N TAMIAMI TRL, Nokomis
18 inspections · 172 violations · Last: Apr 2026Maestrale Restaurant
7515 S TAMIAMI TRL, Sarasota
20 inspections · 171 violations · Last: May 2025Il Panificio's Siesta
215 AVENIDA MADERA, Sarasota
22 inspections · 171 violations · Last: Nov 2025Hooters
6507 S TAMIAMI TRL, Sarasota
23 inspections · 171 violations · Last: Apr 2026Maharaja Indian Cuisine
6290 N LOCKWOOD RIDGE RD, Sarasota
26 inspections · 170 violations · Last: Mar 2026