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 |
| 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 |
| Oct 2, 2025 | Valenti Restaurant | $800 | 7--2025066763 |
| Mar 4, 2026 | Metro Diner | $800 | 7--2026011794 |
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 |
| Jersey Mikes | 6 | 373 | 0 |
| First Watch | 6 | 424 | 0 |
| Tropical Smoothie | 6 | 158 | 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…
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Sarasota County Restaurants & Food Establishments (2,123)
Pokehub 1 closure
1693 US 41 BYPASS S UNIT A, Venice
7 inspections · 36 violations · Last: Feb 2026Dunkin Donuts 1 closure
12184 MERCADO DR, Venice
12 inspections · 31 violations · Last: Jul 2025Al's Ice Cream Shoppe 1 closure
2357 S TAMIAMI TRAIL UNIT 12, Venice
10 inspections · 27 violations · Last: Jul 2025Tuscany Nokomis
2300 TAMIAMI TRL N, Nokomis
33 inspections · 408 violations · Last: Apr 2026Casey Key Fish House
801 BLACKBURN POINT RD, Osprey
32 inspections · 389 violations · Last: Apr 2026New China
1083 TAMIAMI TRL N, Nokomis
27 inspections · 385 violations · Last: Dec 2025Denny's
3701 BEE RIDGE RD, Sarasota
49 inspections · 382 violations · Last: Oct 2025Rice House
14287 TAMIAMI TRL 7B, North Port
31 inspections · 362 violations · Last: Feb 2026Mad Moe's Pub & Grill
106 N TAMIAMI TRL, Osprey
31 inspections · 337 violations · Last: Apr 2026Super Buffet
5471 FRUITVILLE RD, Sarasota
32 inspections · 337 violations · Last: Jan 2026Eggstraordinary Lunch
2300 TAMIAMI TRL N, Nokomis
36 inspections · 330 violations · Last: May 2026Asaro's of Venice
2454 LAUREL RD E, North Venice
24 inspections · 321 violations · Last: Apr 2026Yummy House Sarasota
1737 S TAMIAMI TRL, Sarasota
25 inspections · 318 violations · Last: Feb 2026Stefano's Family Restaurant
401 S INDIANA AVE, Englewood
29 inspections · 313 violations · Last: Apr 2026Venezia
373 ST ARMANDS CIR, Sarasota
35 inspections · 303 violations · Last: Dec 2025Paradise Grill
1097 TAMIAMI TRL N, Nokomis
33 inspections · 301 violations · Last: Dec 2025Demetrios Pizza & Grill LLC
3180 UNIVERSITY PKWY, Sarasota
26 inspections · 296 violations · Last: Mar 2026Captain Eddie's Seafood
107 COLONIA LN E, Nokomis
27 inspections · 293 violations · Last: Apr 2026Toasted Mango Cafe
6621 MIDNIGHT PASS RD, Sarasota
27 inspections · 288 violations · Last: Dec 2025Evies Spanish Point
135 BAYVIEW DR, Osprey
26 inspections · 286 violations · Last: Apr 2026