Bento Café
Last inspected: Apr 15, 2026
50
Score
Across the available record, Bento Café has eight inspections on file, the first dated 2022. The most recent visit was on Apr 15, 2026. A high risk tier suggests the facility had a rough recent inspection, with multiple violations on record.
Recent inspections have turned up roughly the same number of issues each time, hovering near four violations per visit.
The pattern that stands out is “no proof provided that food employees are informed”, which has been cited three times.
Compared to other Sarasota restaurants (averaging 81), there's room to close the gap. The pattern in the record is worth a careful look.
8
Inspections
2
Critical latest
4
Major latest
0
Minor latest
Inspection History
Apr 15, 2026
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 4 major violations.
View 6 violations
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over or with ready-to-eat food in a freezer - not all products commercially packaged. Observed ready to eat stored over and under animal products in reach in freezer. **Warning**
08A-02-6
High Priority - Stop Sale issued due to food not being in a wholesome, sound condition. Observed raw unpasteurized egg whites foamed and used in and on top of cocktails. Must be identified on the menu. **Warning**
01B-13-4
Intermediate - No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. Observed no paper towels, soap or signage at the handwashing sink in the other room. **Warning**
31B-02-4
Intermediate - No proof of required state approved employee training provided for any employees. To order approved program food safety material, call DBPR contracted provider: Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (SafeStaff) 866-372-7233. **Warning**
53B-01-5
Intermediate - No proof provided that food employees are informed of their responsibility to report to the person in charge information about their health and activities related to foodborne illnesses. Observed some forms completed but not all. **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning**
11-26-1
Intermediate - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Observed food prepared onsite and not date marked in the reach in freezer. Too many items to list. **Warning**
02C-02-5
50
Sep 16, 2025
Food-Licensing Inspection
No violations found.
100
Jan 13, 2025
Routine - Food
2 major violations. 3 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : Intermediate - Manager or person in charge lacking proof of food manager certification. Observed no CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER proof. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2025-01-13: No confirmed CFM. **Admin Complaint**
53A-01-7
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : Intermediate - No proof provided that food employees are informed of their responsibility to report to the person in charge information about their health and activities related to foodborne illnesses. **Repeat Violation** **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2025-01-13: **Time Extended**
11-26-1
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin. Observed a black mold like substance on the ice drop tray inside the ice machine. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2025-01-13: **Time Extended**
22-20-5
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance. Observed soiled ceiling vents in back kitchen. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2025-01-13: **Time Extended**
36-34-5
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Standing water in bottom of reach-in-cooler. Observed standing water in the walk in cooler in front of walk in freezer. **Repeat Violation** **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2025-01-13: **Time Extended**
29-49-6
70
Aug 7, 2024
Complaint Full
1 major violation. 4 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : Intermediate - Handwash sink does not have enough water pressure to properly wash hands. Observed the hot water at the handwashing sink at the end of the cook line without enough pressure to wash hands properly. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2024-08-07: **Time Extended**
27-19-4
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Employee with no beard guard/restraint while engaging in food preparation. Observed no beard guard on employee preparing ready to eat food. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2024-08-07: **Time Extended**
13-04-4
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Food stored on floor. Observed food stored on the floor in front of the ice machine and in the walk in freezer. **Repeat Violation** **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2024-08-07: **Time Extended**
08B-38-4
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Standing water in bottom of reach-in-cooler. Observed standing water in the walk in cooler in front of walk in freezer. **Repeat Violation** **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2024-08-07: **Time Extended**
29-49-6
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Unpackaged food not protected from environmental sources of contamination during preparation. Observed the slanted ceiling over the front counter food preparation area with a black mold like substance and peeling paint. Observed paint and ceiling particles falling onto the counter where food is prepped and plateware is stored. Employee stated "We just wipe it off". **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2024-08-07: **Time Extended**
08B-60-4
74
Mar 22, 2024
Routine - Food
5 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Non-Food Contact Surfaces Clean
FL-23
Equipment Adequate to Maintain Product Temperature
FL-29
Lighting Adequate; Required Shields in Place
FL-36
Hands Clean and Properly Washed
FL-08
Proper Eating, Tasting, Drinking, or Tobacco Use
FL-06
78
Nov 1, 2023
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 5 minor violations.
View 6 violations
High Priority - Employee used the bathroom and then engaged in food preparation, handled clean equipment or utensils, or touched unwrapped single-service items without washing hands upon returning to employee area. Observed employee returning to kitchen and working with food from the bathroom outside of kitchen without washing hands. **Corrected On-Site**
12A-11-4
Basic - Food stored on floor. Observed food stored on the floor in front of the ice machine, on the floor in the walk in cooler and walk in freezer. **Corrected On-Site**
08B-38-4
Basic - Hood filter missing from automatic fire suppression/exhaust system. Observed 4 hood filters missing from the hood exhaust system over grill and wok area. **Corrected On-Site**
14-42-4
Basic - Standing water in walk in cooler. Observed standing water on the walk in cooler floor and next to the outside of the walk in cooler under the green metro shelf. **Repeat Violation**
29-49-6
Basic - Water draining onto floor surface. Observed water draining onto floor from ice machine.
29-03-4
Basic - Accumulation of lime scale on the inside of the dishmachine. Observed lime scale inside and outside of dish machine.
16-23-4
67
Apr 20, 2023
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 2 major violations. 3 minor violations.
View 6 violations
High Priority - Pesticide-emitting strip present in food prep area. Observed fly strip hanging over flat grill on cooking line. Observed fly strip hanging on metro shelf next to food preparation area. Manager removed the fly strips. **Corrected On-Site**
41-24-4
Intermediate - No proof provided that food employees are informed of their responsibility to report to the person in charge information about their health and activities related to foodborne illnesses.
11-26-1
Intermediate - Establishment has no written procedures for employees to follow in response to a vomiting or diarrheal event where the vomit or diarrhea is discharged onto surfaces in the establishment.
11-27-4
Basic - Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine. Observed soiled corners on the drop lever inside the ice machine.
22-20-5
Basic - No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees. The rest room on the right is missing the employees must wash hands, hand washing sign.
31B-04-4
Basic - Standing water on floor of walk in cooler, in front of the freezer.
29-49-6
61
Oct 27, 2022
Routine - Food
3 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Adequate Handwashing Facilities Supplied and Accessible
FL-10
Food Contact Surfaces Clean and Sanitized
FL-22
Equipment Adequate to Maintain Product Temperature
FL-29
86
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Bento Café last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Bento Café on file is from Apr 15, 2026. The public record contains eight inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Bento Café?
Across the inspection record, “no proof provided that food employees are informed” has been cited three times, more than any other issue at Bento Café.
How does Bento Café compare to other restaurants in Sarasota?
Bento Café most recently scored 50 out of 100, which is lower than the Sarasota average of 81.
Has Bento Café's inspection record improved over time?
Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at Bento Café have averaged around four violations per visit across the recent record.
What does a high risk rating mean?
A high risk rating at Bento Café means the most recent inspection flagged either critical violations or a substantial number of smaller ones. Diners may want to read the violation details before deciding to visit.
How often is Bento Café inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Bento Café is inspected around two times per year on average.
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