Sarasota County — Food Safety Records: DBPR & FDACS
Sarasota County, Florida has 2143 food establishments with 20,619 inspections on record. 9 establishments were shut down this year. The pass rate is 91%, above the state average of 85.9%. Inspections average 4.8 violations per visit.
Most recent closure: Cilantro Grill in Sarasota, shut down May 12, 2026 for roach activity.
Largest fine: $1,600 assessed to Art Ovation Hotel in Sarasota on March 11, 2026.
Data from Florida DBPR (restaurants) and FDACS (retail food). Updated June 2026.
Most-Inspected Facilities
| Business | City | Inspections | Violations | Closures |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fafa INC China Buffet | North Port | 48 | 607 | 3 |
| Valenti Restaurant | Venice | 32 | 391 | 3 |
| T J Carney's | Venice | 29 | 328 | 3 |
| Fuzzy 55 Restaurant | Sarasota | 35 | 296 | 2 |
| F.l.a. Deli | Sarasota | 36 | 275 | 2 |
Sarasota County Restaurants: Comparison to Florida State Averages
Sarasota County
91%
Pass Rate
91%
Florida Average
85.9%
Pass Rate
85.9%
Sarasota County
4.8
Avg Violations / Inspection
4.8
Florida Average
4.7
Avg Violations / Inspection
4.7
Sarasota County
0.42
Closures per 100 Facilities
0.42
Florida Average
1.35
Closures per 100 Facilities
1.35
Sarasota County Restaurants: Recent Closures (2)
| Date | Business | City | Reason |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cilantro Grill | Sarasota | Roach activity | |
| Fafa INC China Buffet | North Port | Roach activity |
Sarasota County Restaurants: Recent Inspections (Last 30 Days)
| Date | Business | City | Violations | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Two Chefs Market & Bistro | Sarasota | 0 | Call Back - Complied | |
| Two Chefs Market & Bistro | Sarasota | 7 (3 high) | Warning Issued | |
| Schnitzel Kitchen | Sarasota | 3 | Inspection Completed - No Further Action | |
| La Dolce Vita | Sarasota | 3 (1 high) | Inspection Completed - No Further Action | |
| Brazilian Steakhouse | Sarasota | 4 | Call Back - Admin. complaint recommended | |
| Wendy's | Venice | 0 | Inspection Completed - No Further Action | |
| Red Clasico Sarssota | Sarasota | 22 (3 high) | Warning Issued | |
| Tuscany Nokomis | Nokomis | 4 | Call Back - Complied | |
| Samba Brazilian Steakhouse | Sarasota | 0 | Call Back - Complied | |
| T J Carney's | Venice | 6 | 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 |
| Aug 28, 2025 | Brewburgers | $800 | 7--2025059019 |
| Mar 4, 2026 | Florence and the Spice Boys | $800 | 7--2025091992 |
| Sep 10, 2025 | Geckos Grill & Pub | $800 | 7--2025060650 |
| Aug 20, 2025 | Paradise Grill | $800 | 7--2025056989 |
| Oct 21, 2025 | Phillippi Creek Villag Oys Bar | $800 | 7--2025071290 |
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
Fafa INC China Buffet
48 inspections
607 violations
3 closures
Valenti Restaurant
32 inspections
391 violations
3 closures
T J Carney's
29 inspections
328 violations
3 closures
Denny's
49 inspections
382 violations
Veronica Fish and Oyster
39 inspections
195 violations
Two Chefs Market & Bistro
12 inspections
55 violations
Sarasota County: Restaurant Chains (DBPR)
| Chain | Locations | Violations | Closures |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dunkin | 19 | 1,005 | 3 |
| McDonalds | 19 | 961 | 0 |
| Subway | 15 | 631 | 0 |
| Wendys | 10 | 537 | 1 |
| Taco Bell | 8 | 585 | 1 |
| Jersey Mikes | 6 | 373 | 0 |
| First Watch | 6 | 424 | 0 |
| Tropical Smoothie | 6 | 158 | 0 |
| Burger King | 5 | 382 | 0 |
| Panera Bread | 5 | 465 | 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 85.9%.
- 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?
- Dunkin has the most locations in Sarasota County with 19 establishments.
- What was the most recent restaurant closure in Sarasota County?
- Cilantro Grill in Sarasota was shut down on May 12, 2026 for roach activity.
- How does Sarasota County compare to the Florida state average?
- Sarasota County has a pass rate of 91%, which is 5.1 percentage points above the state average of 85.9%. The average violations per inspection is 4.8 compared to the state average of 4.66.
- How often are restaurants inspected in Sarasota County?
- Food establishments in Sarasota County have an average of 9.6 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 $235,120 in fines across 648 disciplinary actions. The average fine is $370 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.
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Sarasota County Restaurants & Food Establishments (2,125)
Sarasota Jungle Gdn INC 2 closures
3701 BAYSHORE RD, Sarasota
22 inspections · 91 violations · Last: Aug 2024Michelles Brown Bag Cafe LLC 2 closures
630 S ORANGE AVE STE 101, Sarasota
21 inspections · 62 violations · Last: Mar 2026Italian Grill 1 closure
8620 S TAMIAMI TR, Sarasota
36 inspections · 334 violations · Last: Nov 2025Phillippi Creek Villag Oys Bar 1 closure
5353 S TAMIAMI TRL, Sarasota
35 inspections · 334 violations · Last: May 2026Hot Diggity Dog 1 closure
5666 SWIFT RD, Sarasota
28 inspections · 301 violations · Last: Apr 2026Steak N Shake 1 closure
4297 CATTLEMEN RD, Sarasota
38 inspections · 298 violations · Last: Dec 2025China Chef 1 closure
1131 S TOLEDO BLADE BLVD #86, North Port
29 inspections · 287 violations · Last: Apr 2026Patches Restaurant 1 closure
501 E VENICE AVE, Venice
33 inspections · 286 violations · Last: Jun 2026Briandi's Restaurant LLC 1 closure
202 TAMIAMI TRL S, Nokomis
25 inspections · 281 violations · Last: May 2026Go Go Pizza 1 closure
14919 TAMIAMI TRAIL, North Port
33 inspections · 268 violations · Last: May 2026Beef O Brady's 1 closure
1037 SUMTER BLVD, North Port
33 inspections · 248 violations · Last: Feb 2026Italiano's 1 closure
4191 TAMIAMI TRL S, Venice
29 inspections · 238 violations · Last: May 2026Red Plum Sushi and Hibachi 1 closure
7119 S TAMIAMI TRAIL STE F, Sarasota
23 inspections · 227 violations · Last: May 2026Yoder's Restaurant 1 closure
3434 BAHIA VISTA ST, Sarasota
24 inspections · 225 violations · Last: Jan 2026Mademoiselle Paris 1 closure
1766 MAIN ST, Sarasota
34 inspections · 218 violations · Last: Apr 2026Goichi's Sushi Cafe 1 closure
4563 BEE RIDGE RD, Sarasota
26 inspections · 217 violations · Last: Mar 2026Shaner's Pizza 1 closure
6500 SUPERIOR AVE, Sarasota
27 inspections · 216 violations · Last: Apr 2026Simons Coffee House 1 closure
5900 S TAMIAMI TRAIL UNIT H, Sarasota
23 inspections · 201 violations · Last: Apr 2026Peruvian Grill 1 closure
3131 CLARK RD UNIT 103, Sarasota
19 inspections · 199 violations · Last: Feb 2026China 1 1 closure
3610 BEE RIDGE RD, Sarasota
21 inspections · 198 violations · Last: Oct 2025