Sarasota County — Food Safety Records
Sarasota County, Florida has 1190 food establishments with 21,315 inspections on record. 10 establishments were shut down this year. The pass rate is 91%, above the state average of 85.7%. Inspections average 4.7 violations per visit.
Most recent closure: Michelles Brown Bag Cafe LLC in Sarasota, shut down September 17, 2026 for rodent activity.
Largest fine: $1,600 assessed to Art Ovation Hotel in Sarasota on March 11, 2026.
Data from Florida DBPR. Updated September 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
4.7
Avg Violations / Inspection
4.7
Florida Average
4.7
Avg Violations / Inspection
4.7
Sarasota County
0.84
Closures per 100 Facilities
0.84
Florida Average
1.96
Closures per 100 Facilities
1.96
Sarasota County Restaurants: Recent Closures (3)
| Date | Business | City | Reason |
|---|---|---|---|
| Michelles Brown Bag Cafe LLC | Sarasota | Rodent activity | |
| Marcos Pizza 8552 | Nokomis | Rodent activity | |
| Italiano's | Venice | Roach activity |
Sarasota County Restaurants: Recent Inspections (Last 30 Days)
| Date | Business | City | Violations | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pelican Alley | Nokomis | 6 (2 high) | Emergency Order Callback Complied | |
| Obee's Soup Salad & Subs | Venice | 1 | Inspection Completed - No Further Action | |
| Panera Bread #1342 | Sarasota | 3 | Warning Issued | |
| Cafe Barbosso | Sarasota | 2 | Call Back - Complied | |
| Pelican Pointe Golf & Country Club | Venice | 2 | Inspection Completed - No Further Action | |
| Dockside Waterfront Grill | Venice | 8 (1 high) | Inspection Completed - No Further Action | |
| Blue Pineapple | Sarasota | 2 (2 high) | Administrative complaint recommended | |
| Food + Beer | Venice | 18 (1 high) | Inspection Completed - No Further Action | |
| Ikoi Sushi Hibachi | North Port | 0 | Call Back - Complied | |
| Joys Kouzine | Venice | 0 | Call Back - Complied |
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 |
| Feb 23, 2026 | Green Zebra Cafe | $1,600 | 7--2025071275 |
| Oct 21, 2025 | Green Zebra Cafe | $1,600 | 7--2025047454 |
| Nov 25, 2025 | China Kitchen | $1,600 | 7--2025060114 |
| Oct 2, 2025 | Valenti Restaurant | $800 | 7--2025066763 |
| Mar 4, 2026 | Florence and the Spice Boys | $800 | 7--2025091992 |
| Jun 24, 2026 | Cilantro Grill | $800 | 7--2026034052 |
| Jan 22, 2026 | Shs Sarasota | $800 | 7--2025071080 |
| Oct 23, 2025 | Chipotle Mexican Grill #1040 | $800 | 7--2025069758 |
| Jun 3, 2026 | Fafa INC China Buffet | $800 | 7--2026032453 |
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
Venice Vibes
20 inspections
69 violations
Sarasota County: Restaurant Chains (DBPR)
| Chain | Locations | Violations | Closures |
|---|---|---|---|
| McDonalds | 19 | 967 | 0 |
| Dunkin | 19 | 1,012 | 3 |
| Subway | 15 | 640 | 0 |
| Wendys | 10 | 553 | 1 |
| Taco Bell | 8 | 592 | 1 |
| First Watch | 6 | 438 | 0 |
| Tropical Smoothie | 6 | 160 | 0 |
| Jersey Mikes | 6 | 387 | 0 |
| Culvers | 5 | 385 | 0 |
| Panera Bread | 5 | 483 | 0 |
Sarasota County Restaurant Inspections: FAQ
- How many restaurants are in Sarasota County?
- Sarasota County, Florida has 1190 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?
- 10 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?
- Michelles Brown Bag Cafe LLC in Sarasota was shut down on September 17, 2026 for rodent activity.
- How does Sarasota County compare to the Florida state average?
- Sarasota County has a pass rate of 91%, which is 5.3 percentage points above the state average of 85.7%. The average violations per inspection is 4.7 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 17.9 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 $234,950 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.
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Sarasota County Restaurants & Food Establishments (1,182)
Angelo's Italian Market
850 PINEBROOK RD, Venice
30 inspections · 229 violations · Last: Jun 2026Brazilian Steakhouse
3230 CLARK RD, Sarasota
28 inspections · 228 violations · Last: Jun 20261592 Wood Fired Kitchen & Cocktails
1592 MAIN ST, Sarasota
32 inspections · 225 violations · Last: Jul 2026Boca Kitchen Bar and Market
19 S LEMON AVE, Sarasota
38 inspections · 224 violations · Last: Aug 2026China Taste
3800 S TAMIAMI TRL STE 26A, Sarasota
27 inspections · 224 violations · Last: Jul 2026Gulf Gate Food & Beer / Arcadebar
6528 SUPERIOR AVE, Sarasota
24 inspections · 224 violations · Last: Dec 2025Tacos El Costeno 2 LLC
5769 BENEVA RD, Sarasota
24 inspections · 223 violations · Last: Jan 2026China Taste
329 JACARANDA BLVD, Venice
22 inspections · 223 violations · Last: Dec 2025Junior and Rosie's CafÉ
264 N INDIANA AVE, Englewood
24 inspections · 223 violations · Last: Sep 2026Walts Fish Market South
4144 S TAMIAMI TRL, Sarasota
23 inspections · 220 violations · Last: May 2026Columbia Restaurant
411 ST ARMAND CIRCLE, Sarasota
30 inspections · 220 violations · Last: Jul 2026Plaza Mexico Restaurant Bar Grill
1894 STICKNEY POINT RD, Sarasota
24 inspections · 219 violations · Last: Jun 2026Paya Thai Curry
1055 S TAMIAMI TRAIL, Venice
28 inspections · 217 violations · Last: Aug 2026Asaro's Pizzaria & Italian Restaurant
3999 BEE RIDGE RD EXTENSION, Sarasota
28 inspections · 217 violations · Last: Feb 2026Drunken Poet Cafe
1572 MAIN STREET, Sarasota
32 inspections · 217 violations · Last: Aug 2026Original Word of Mouth Venice
1740 E VENICE AVE #1, Venice
27 inspections · 216 violations · Last: May 2026Popis Place at Lockwood
3232 17TH ST, Sarasota
24 inspections · 216 violations · Last: Sep 2026Fox 400 LLC
400 N LEMON AVE, Sarasota
34 inspections · 215 violations · Last: Aug 2026Blase Cafe
5263 OCEAN BLVD UNIT 9, Sarasota
29 inspections · 215 violations · Last: Aug 2026Der Dutchman Restaurant
3713 BAHIA VISTA ST, Sarasota
25 inspections · 213 violations · Last: Aug 2026