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 |
| Aug 20, 2025 | Paradise Grill | $800 | 7--2025056989 |
| 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 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| Panera Bread | 5 | 462 | 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)
Shogun Japanese Steakhouse 1 closure
1219 S 41 BY-PASS, Venice
16 inspections · 107 violations · Last: Oct 2025Jamaican and American Soul Food 1 closure
2025 MARTIN LUTHER KING WAY, Sarasota
23 inspections · 106 violations · Last: Nov 2025Capt Curts Crab & Oyster Bar 1 closure
1200 OLD STICKNEY PT RD, Sarasota
24 inspections · 105 violations · Last: Jan 2026Wendy's 1 closure
301 N BENEVA RD, Sarasota
25 inspections · 104 violations · Last: Oct 2025Georgies Utc 1 closure
229 NORTH CATTLEMEN RD 69, Sarasota
17 inspections · 101 violations · Last: Apr 2026Los Compadres Market I 1 closure
1155 N WASHINGTON BLVD UNIT C-D, Sarasota
18 inspections · 98 violations · Last: Jan 2026Fat Daddios Pizza 1 closure
3251 17TH ST UNIT 160, Sarasota
22 inspections · 92 violations · Last: Mar 2026Jacaranda West Country Club 1 closure
1901 JACARANDA BLVD, Venice
19 inspections · 89 violations · Last: Dec 2025Clubhouse Main Dining Room 1 closure
3101 LONGMEADOW, Sarasota
20 inspections · 89 violations · Last: May 2025Big Olaf Creamery 1 closure
561 N WASHINGTON DR, Sarasota
13 inspections · 82 violations · Last: Sep 2025Trattoria Bella Napoli 1 closure
1551 MAIN ST, Sarasota
21 inspections · 80 violations · Last: Mar 2026Myakka Outpost INC 1 closure
13208 STATE ROAD 72, Sarasota
23 inspections · 80 violations · Last: Jan 2026Art Garden Cafe 1 closure
390 NOKOMIS AVE, Venice
19 inspections · 71 violations · Last: Dec 2025Marco's Pizza 1 closure
735 SHAMROCK BLVD, Venice
17 inspections · 69 violations · Last: Sep 2025Il Panificio 1 closure
1703 MAIN ST, Sarasota
12 inspections · 67 violations · Last: Dec 2025Village Green Golf Club 1 closure
3500 PEMBROOK DR, Sarasota
25 inspections · 65 violations · Last: Apr 2026Waffle House #2352 1 closure
1385 GRAND VENTURE DR, North Port
17 inspections · 64 violations · Last: Feb 2026Tatum Ridge Golf Links 1 closure
421 N TATUM RD, Sarasota
21 inspections · 48 violations · Last: Sep 2025Dunkin Donuts #358612 1 closure
151 S INDIANA AVENUE, Englewood
16 inspections · 48 violations · Last: Jul 2025Dunkin #362984 1 closure
6 N TAMIAMI TRL, Osprey
10 inspections · 41 violations · Last: Apr 2026