Sarasota — Food Safety Records: DBPR & FDACS
Sarasota, Florida has 1189 food establishments with 14,145 inspections on record. 4 establishments were shut down this year. The pass rate is 90.4%, above the state average of 85.9%. Inspections average 4.7 violations per visit.
Most recent closure: Cilantro Grill in Sarasota, shut down May 12, 2026 for roach activity.
Largest fine: $1,600 assessed to Green Zebra Cafe in Sarasota on October 21, 2025.
Data from Florida DBPR (restaurants) and FDACS (retail food). Updated June 2026.
Most-Inspected Facilities
| Business | Inspections | Violations | Closures |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fuzzy 55 Restaurant | 35 | 296 | 2 |
| F.l.a. Deli | 36 | 275 | 2 |
| China Kitchen | 23 | 230 | 2 |
| Breakfast House | 33 | 220 | 2 |
| Sun Garden Cafe | 34 | 201 | 2 |
Sarasota Restaurants: Comparison to Florida State Averages
Sarasota Restaurants: Recent Closures (1)
| Date | Business | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Cilantro Grill | Roach activity |
Sarasota Restaurants: Recent Inspections (Last 30 Days)
| Date | Business | Violations | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Two Chefs Market & Bistro | 0 | Call Back - Complied | |
| Two Chefs Market & Bistro | 7 (3 high) | Warning Issued | |
| Schnitzel Kitchen | 3 | Inspection Completed - No Further Action | |
| La Dolce Vita | 3 (1 high) | Inspection Completed - No Further Action | |
| Brazilian Steakhouse | 4 | Call Back - Admin. complaint recommended | |
| Red Clasico Sarssota | 22 (3 high) | Warning Issued | |
| Samba Brazilian Steakhouse | 0 | Call Back - Complied | |
| Bangkok Restaurant | 7 (1 high) | Inspection Completed - No Further Action | |
| La Violetta Market & Kitchen | 5 | Inspection Completed - No Further Action | |
| Drift Restaurant & Bar | 4 (2 high) | Inspection Completed - No Further Action |
Sarasota Restaurants: Most Common Health Violations
| Code | Violation | Citations |
|---|---|---|
| 08 | Proper hand/arm washing | 119,674 |
| 14 | Food contact surfaces | 100,771 |
| 31 | Clean multi-use utensils | 100,610 |
| 22 | Consumer advisory | 90,341 |
| 36 | Proper ventilation | 83,591 |
Sarasota Restaurants: Disciplinary Actions & Fines
Largest Fines (Past 12 Months)
| Date | Business | Fine | Case |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 21, 2025 | Green Zebra Cafe | $1,600 | 7--2025047454 |
| Nov 25, 2025 | China Kitchen | $1,600 | 7--2025060114 |
| Feb 23, 2026 | Green Zebra Cafe | $1,600 | 7--2025071275 |
| Mar 11, 2026 | Art Ovation Hotel | $1,600 | 7--2026009824 |
| Sep 10, 2025 | Super Buffet | $1,200 | 7--2025062465 |
| Aug 13, 2025 | Shaner's Pizza | $800 | 7--2025051765 |
| Sep 10, 2025 | Geckos Grill & Pub | $800 | 7--2025060650 |
| Oct 21, 2025 | Phillippi Creek Villag Oys Bar | $800 | 7--2025071290 |
| Oct 23, 2025 | Chipotle Mexican Grill #1040 | $800 | 7--2025069758 |
| Mar 4, 2026 | Florence and the Spice Boys | $800 | 7--2025091992 |
Sarasota Restaurants: Fire Safety Violations
Most Common Fire Safety Issues
| Issue | Citations |
|---|---|
| Exit blocked or locked | 92 |
| Fire extinguisher in red zone | 64 |
| Other fire safety violation | 49 |
| Propane tank stored inside building | 47 |
| Missing boiler certificate/report | 10 |
| Cooking without hood suppression | 8 |
Sarasota 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 has 430 FDACS-regulated facilities with 877 inspections on record and 83 stop-sale orders issued.
Sarasota 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 | Product | Reason |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kwik Stop | Brand Name: (Lot #:) | FS 500.04; FS 500.10 Adulterated.* Time/Temperature Control for Safety Food: Pro… | |
| Beechwood Mobil Establishment #: 413763 | Hot Chocolate Machine (Curtis) | FS 500.04; FS 500.172 Unsanitary Equipment.* Physical Facilities: Plumbing insta… | |
| Beechwood Mobil Establishment #: 413763 | Coffee Maker (Bunn) | FS 500.04; FS 500.172 Unsanitary Equipment.* Physical Facilities: Plumbing insta… | |
| Beechwood Mobil Establishment #: 413763 | Hot Case (Resfab) | FS 500.04; FS 500.172 Unsanitary Equipment." Physical Facilities: Plumbing insta… | |
| Beechwood Mobil Establishment #: 413763 | Microwave Oven (Midea) | FS 500.04; FS 500,172 Unsanitary Equipment.* Physical Facilities; Plumbing Ineta… | |
| Beechwood Mobil Establishment #: 413763 | Oven (Cadeo) | FS 500.04; FS 500.172 Unsanitary Equipment.* Physical Facilities: Plumbing insta… | |
| Beechwood Mobil Establishment #: 413763 | — (Pitco) | FS 500.04; FS 500.172 Unsanitary Equipment.* Physical Facilities: Plumbing insta… | |
| Beechwood Mobil Establishment #: 413763 | — (Beechwood Mobil) | FS 500.04; FS 500.172 Unsanitary Equipment.* Physical Facilities: Plumbing insta… | |
| Beechwood Mobil Establishment #: 413763 | Oven (Avantco) | FS 500.04; FS 500.172 Unsanitary Equipment.* Physical Facilities: Plumbing insta… | |
| Beechwood Mobil Establishment #: 413763 | — (Hamilton Beach) | FS 500.04; FS 500,172 Unsanitary Equipment.* Physical Facilities: Plumbing insta… |
Browse all FDACS stop-sale order categories →
Sarasota FDACS: Most Cited Code Violations
Browse all FDACS violation codes →
Sarasota Retail Food Chains (FDACS)
| Chain | Locations | Stop-Sale Orders | Citations |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7-Eleven | 11 | 84 | 2,422 |
| Starbucks | 11 | 77 | 1,170 |
| Publix | 8 | 30 | 875 |
| Walgreens | 6 | 1 | 743 |
| Wawa | 4 | 14 | 430 |
| RaceTrac | 4 | 29 | 460 |
| Aldi | 3 | 2 | 310 |
| CVS | 3 | 9 | 882 |
Sarasota: Notable Restaurants
Fuzzy 55 Restaurant
F.l.a. Deli
China Kitchen
Denny's
Veronica Fish and Oyster
Michelangelo Pizzeria & Cucina
Sarasota: Restaurant Chains (DBPR)
| Chain | Locations | Violations | Closures |
|---|---|---|---|
| Subway | 12 | 454 | 0 |
| McDonalds | 12 | 624 | 0 |
| Dunkin | 9 | 611 | 0 |
| Taco Bell | 5 | 468 | 1 |
| Wendys | 4 | 397 | 1 |
| Chick-fil-a | 4 | 216 | 0 |
| Jersey Mikes | 4 | 343 | 0 |
| Tropical Smoothie | 4 | 102 | 0 |
| First Watch | 4 | 307 | 0 |
| Panera Bread | 4 | 399 | 0 |
Sarasota Restaurant Inspections: FAQ
- How many restaurants are in Sarasota?
- Sarasota, Florida has 1189 food establishments tracked by the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR).
- What is the restaurant inspection pass rate in Sarasota?
- The current pass rate for food establishments in Sarasota is 90.4%. The Florida state average is 85.9%.
- How many restaurants were shut down in Sarasota this year?
- 4 food establishments in Sarasota have been shut down by health inspectors in 2026.
- What are the most common health violations in Sarasota?
- The most frequently cited violations in Sarasota are: Proper hand/arm washing, Food contact surfaces, Clean multi-use utensils.
- Which restaurant chain has the most locations in Sarasota?
- Subway has the most locations in Sarasota with 12 establishments.
- What was the most recent restaurant closure in Sarasota?
- Cilantro Grill in Sarasota was shut down on May 12, 2026 for roach activity.
- How does Sarasota compare to the Florida state average?
- Sarasota has a pass rate of 90.4%, which is 4.5 percentage points above the state average of 85.9%. The average violations per inspection is 4.7 compared to the state average of 4.66.
- How often are restaurants inspected in Sarasota?
- Food establishments in Sarasota have an average of 11.9 inspections on record. Florida DBPR conducts routine inspections based on facility type and risk level.
- How much in fines have restaurants in Sarasota been assessed?
- Food establishments in Sarasota have been assessed $227,470 in fines across 602 disciplinary actions. The average fine is $383 and the largest single fine was $4,800.
- How many fire safety violations have been found in Sarasota restaurants?
- 270 fire safety violations have been documented across 164 food establishments in Sarasota. The most common issue is exit blocked or locked.
- Are grocery stores and retail food stores in Sarasota 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, Florida has 430 FDACS-regulated retail food facilities with 877 inspections on record.
- How many FDACS stop-sale orders have been issued in Sarasota?
- FDACS has issued 83 stop-sale orders at retail food establishments in Sarasota, including 22 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 Restaurants & Food Establishments (1,173)
Ruths Chris Steakhouse #29
6700 S TAMIAMI TRL, Sarasota
18 inspections · 104 violations · Last: Jun 2026Osteria 500
1580 LAKEFRONT DR UNIT 101, Sarasota
14 inspections · 103 violations · Last: Mar 2026Lobster Pot Seafood Restaurant
5157 OCEAN BLVD, Sarasota
18 inspections · 103 violations · Last: Nov 2025Old Salty Dog City Isl (the)
1601 KEN THOMPSON PKWY, Sarasota
21 inspections · 103 violations · Last: Dec 2025Cafe Gabbiano
5104 OCEAN BLVD, Sarasota
18 inspections · 102 violations · Last: Feb 2026Duval's Fresh. Local. Seafood.
1435 MAIN ST, Sarasota
23 inspections · 102 violations · Last: Apr 2026Taco Bell #3057
8405 LOCKWOOD RIDGE RD, Sarasota
26 inspections · 101 violations · Last: May 2026La Brisa Tacos Glg INC
1156 N WASHINGTON BLVD UNIT C, Sarasota
23 inspections · 101 violations · Last: Apr 2026Spice Station
1438 BLVD OF THE ARTS, Sarasota
20 inspections · 101 violations · Last: Nov 2025Stoneybrook Golf & Country Clb
8801 STONEYBROOK BLVD, Sarasota
19 inspections · 101 violations · Last: Feb 2026Chili's Grill & Bar Bee Ridge, Ch0518
5851 BEE RIDGE RD, Sarasota
19 inspections · 101 violations · Last: Dec 2025Viva La Vida
3440 CLARK RD, Sarasota
15 inspections · 100 violations · Last: Dec 2025Rita's Italian Ice of Southwest Florida
2881 CLARK RD STE 25, Sarasota
14 inspections · 100 violations · Last: Sep 2025Thai-licious INC
5755 BENEVA RD, Sarasota
18 inspections · 99 violations · Last: Mar 2026Original Wolfie's
1420 BLVD OF THE ARTS, Sarasota
21 inspections · 99 violations · Last: Jan 2026Fin & Tonic
6747 S TAMIAMI TRL, Sarasota
15 inspections · 99 violations · Last: May 2026Tamiami Tap
711 SOUTH OSPREY AVENUE, Sarasota
21 inspections · 99 violations · Last: Jan 2026Culver's Restaurant
7250 TAMIAMI TR, Sarasota
20 inspections · 99 violations · Last: Apr 2026Gyros & Seafood Express
918 N WASHINGTON BLVD, Sarasota
22 inspections · 98 violations · Last: Nov 2025Town Hall Restaurant & Lounge
1970 DR MARTIN LUTHER KING JR WAY, Sarasota
20 inspections · 98 violations · Last: Nov 2025