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
Closures per 100 Facilities
2
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 2, 2025 | Valenti Restaurant | $800 | 7--2025066763 |
| Jun 24, 2026 | Cilantro Grill | $800 | 7--2026034052 |
| Aug 28, 2025 | Brewburgers | $800 | 7--2025059019 |
| Sep 10, 2025 | Geckos Grill & Pub | $800 | 7--2025060650 |
| Mar 4, 2026 | Florence and the Spice Boys | $800 | 7--2025091992 |
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
Yummmies Donuts and BBQ
20 inspections
74 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)
Local Pizza
66 TAMIAMI TRAIL N, Osprey
17 inspections · 146 violations · Last: Dec 2025Jack Dusty
1111 RITZ CARLTON DR, Sarasota
26 inspections · 146 violationsThai Bistro
537 E VENICE AVE UNIT B, Venice
26 inspections · 146 violations · Last: May 2026Spearfish Grill @ Siesta Key Marina
1265 OLD STICKNEY POINT RD, Sarasota
21 inspections · 145 violations · Last: Mar 2026Valenti Allegro Bistro
1740 E VENICE AVE UNIT #10, Venice
24 inspections · 145 violations · Last: Jun 2026Marina Jacks Rest
2 MARINA PLAZA, Sarasota
24 inspections · 145 violations · Last: Jun 2026Asian Kitchen
5555 PALMER CROSSING CIR, Sarasota
22 inspections · 144 violations · Last: Dec 2025Cassariano Italian Eatery
311 W VENICE AVE, Venice
21 inspections · 144 violations · Last: May 2026Carrabba's Italian Grill
1940 STICKNEY POINT RD, Sarasota
21 inspections · 144 violations · Last: Apr 2026Parrot Patio Bar & Grill
3602 WEBBER ST, Sarasota
20 inspections · 143 violations · Last: Nov 2025Breakfast Company
411 N ORANGE AVE, Sarasota
25 inspections · 142 violations · Last: Mar 2026Art Ovation Hotel
1255 N PALM AVE, Sarasota
28 inspections · 142 violations · Last: Jun 2026Daruma Japanese Stkhse & Sushi Lge
5459 FRUITVILLE RD, Sarasota
18 inspections · 142 violations · Last: Nov 2025Siam Gulf
1100 N TUTTLE AVE UNITS 1-2, Sarasota
23 inspections · 141 violations · Last: Oct 2025Tony's Chicago Beef Company Southside
1856 TAMIAMI TRL, Venice
21 inspections · 141 violations · Last: Jun 2026Misty Creek Country Club
8954 MISTY CREEK DR, Sarasota
26 inspections · 140 violations · Last: Mar 2026Dry Dock Grill
412 GULF OF MEXICO DR, Longboat Key
27 inspections · 140 violations · Last: Apr 2026Spanish Point
131 BAYVIEW DR, Osprey
14 inspections · 140 violations · Last: Apr 2026Maxs Table
115 S TAMIAMI TRAIL, Osprey
29 inspections · 140 violations · Last: Apr 2026Daiquiri Deck Raw Bar
325 JOHN RINGLING BLVD, Sarasota
26 inspections · 140 violations · Last: May 2026