Bitia's Taqueria
Last inspected: Dec 17, 2025
58
Score
Bitia's Taqueria appears in inspection records 11 times, starting in 2022. Inspectors last stopped by on Dec 17, 2025. Diners should read medium risk as a signal that some issues exist but aren't extreme.
Recent visits have produced comparable findings, with counts hovering near six violations per visit.
Looking across the full record, “walk-in cooler/freezer shelves with rust” is the recurring theme, flagged six times.
The city-wide average sits at 81, which Bitia's Taqueria's 58 doesn't quite reach. On the whole, the file is mixed but not concerning.
11
Inspections
2
Critical latest
2
Major latest
1
Minor latest
Inspection History
Dec 17, 2025
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 2 major violations. 1 minor violation.
View 5 violations
High Priority - Chlorine sanitizer not at proper minimum strength for manual warewashing. Do not use equipment/utensils not properly sanitized. Sanitizer in the three compartment sink reading 00ppm. Owner adjusted the sanitizer, new reading 100ppm chlorine. **Corrected On-Site**
22-42-4
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food identified in the written procedure as a food held using time as a public health control has no time marking and the time removed from temperature control cannot be determined. See stop sale. Pork and cheese mixture and bean and cheese mixture on time as a public health control stored at room temperature on the preparation table across from the grill with no time marks. Owner stated the items were placed on time as a public health control at 9:00am. Owner placed a time mark on the items. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
03F-02-5
Intermediate - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Cooked pork stored in the stand up reach in cooler in the kitchen with no date mark. Owner stated the pork was cooked on 12/14. Owner placed a date mark on the pork. **Corrected On-Site**
02C-02-5
Intermediate - Required employee training expired for some employees. To order approved program food safety material, call DBPR contracted provider: Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (SafeStaff) 866-372-7233. Establishment has 6 food handlers 3 have current food handler training 3 expired on 10/19/25.
53B-14-5
Basic - Walk-in cooler/freezer shelves with rust that has pitted the surface. Walk in cooler shelves and two shelves under preparation tables in the kitchen rusted. **Repeat Violation**
14-17-4
58
Aug 8, 2025
Routine - Food
4 critical violations. 4 minor violations.
View 8 violations
High Priority - Raw animal foods not properly separated from each other in holding unit based upon minimum required cooking temperature. Raw chicken stored over raw beef in the stand up reach in cooler across from the grill. Owner placed the chicken below the beef. **Corrected On-Site**
08A-20-5
High Priority - Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. Spray bottles containing cleaning fluid stored next to single serve cups and food container lids in the dry storage area. Owner removed the cups and lids. **Corrected On-Site**
41-10-4
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over or with unwashed produce. Raw beef and chicken stored over unwashed avocados and cucumbers in the stand up reach in cooler across from the grill. Owner placed the avocados and cucumbers above the chicken and beef. **Corrected On-Site**
08A-04-5
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food identified in the written procedure as a food held using time as a public health control has no time marking and the time removed from temperature control cannot be determined. See stop sale. Pork and cheese mixture and bean and cheese mixture on time as a public health control stored on the preparation table across from the grill with no time marks. Owner stated the items were placed on time as a public health control at 9:00am. Owner placed a time mark on the items. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
03F-02-5
Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Employee drink stored on the meat slicer in the kitchen. Employee removed the drink. **Corrected On-Site**
12B-07-4
Basic - Time/temperature control for safety food thawed in an improper manner. Chicken and pork thawing at room temperature in a preparation sink in the kitchen. Owner placed the items in the walk in cooler. **Corrected On-Site**
06-01-5
Basic - Unclean building components, attachments or fixtures. Fan cover in the walk in cooler soiled.
36-50-4
Basic - Walk-in cooler/freezer shelves with rust that has pitted the surface. Walk in cooler shelves and shelves under two preparation table across from the walk in cooler rusted. **Repeat Violation**
14-17-4
45
Jan 9, 2025
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 5 minor violations.
View 7 violations
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Raw shell eggs stored over ready to eat sauces in the reach in cooler across from the grill. Owner removed the eggs. **Corrected On-Site**
08A-05-6
High Priority - Single-use gloves not changed as needed after changing tasks or when damaged or soiled. Employee handled raw beef then clean equipment without changing gloves and washing their hands. Employee removed the equipment to be sanitized and washed their hands and changed gloves. **Corrected On-Site**
12A-09-4
Basic - Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance. All ceiling vents in the kitchen soiled.
36-34-5
Basic - Duct tape used to repair nonfood-contact surface. Duct tape used to repair blender picture and on the corner of the ice machine. Owner removed the tape from the ice machine and discarded the blender. **Corrected On-Site**
14-71-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Exterior of the reach in cooler across from the grill soiled.
23-03-4
Basic - Stored food not covered. Several containers of food in the dry storage area not covered. Owner placed covers on all the containers. **Corrected On-Site**
08B-12-5
Basic - Walk-in cooler shelves with rust that has pitted the surface. **Corrected On-Site**
14-17-4
58
Sep 3, 2024
Routine - Food
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Walk-in cooler shelves with rust that has pitted the surface. **Repeat Violation** **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2024-09-03: **Time Extended**
14-17-4
95
Aug 30, 2024
Routine - Food
5 critical violations. 4 minor violations.
View 9 violations
High Priority - Employee dried hands on clothes/apron/soiled towel after washing. Employee washed hands then wiped their hands on their apron. The employee properly washed their hands. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
12A-18-4
High Priority - Employee rubbed hands together for less than 10-15 seconds while washing hands. The employee properly washed their hands. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
12A-17-4
High Priority - Employee touched soiled surface and then engaged in food preparation, handled clean equipment or utensils, or touched unwrapped single-service items without washing hands. Employee handled a broom then clean equipment without washing their hands. Employee removed the equipment be sanitized and washed their hands.. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
12A-29-4
High Priority - Employee washed hands with no soap. The employee properly washed their hands. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
12A-20-4
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food identified in the written procedure as a food held using time as a public health control has no time marking and the time removed from temperature control cannot be determined. See stop sale. Cheddar cheese, cooked zucchini and cornmeal dough stored next to the cook line on time as a public health control with no time marks. Owner stated the items were stored on time for approximately 30 minutes. Owner placed a time mark on the items. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
03F-02-5
Basic - Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Employee phone and speaker stored on a shelf next to food in the preparation area. Employee removed the items. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
40-06-5
Basic - Food stored on floor. Several containers of food stored on the floor in the walk in cooler and the kitchen. Owner placed the items on a shelf. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
08B-38-4
Basic - Walk-in cooler shelves with rust that has pitted the surface. **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
14-17-4
Basic - Wet wiping cloth not stored in sanitizing solution between uses. Several wet wiping cloths stored on equipment and preparation tables through out the kitchen. Owner placed all the wiping cloths in a sanitizer solution. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
21-12-4
39
Jun 20, 2024
Complaint Full
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 3 minor violations.
View 5 violations
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over or with unwashed produce. Raw beef stored over unwashed cucumbers in the reach in cooler across from the grill. Manager placed the beef below the cucumbers. **Corrected On-Site**
08A-04-5
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Slicer blade soiled. Employee disassembled and sanitized the slicer. **Corrected On-Site**
22-02-4
Basic - Floor area(s) covered with standing water. Standing water on the floor in the dry storage area and in front on the three compartment sink. **Repeat Violation**
36-22-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Knife rack in the preparation area soiled. Manager removed and sanitized the knife rack. **Corrected On-Site**
23-03-4
Basic - Walk-in cooler with rust that has pitted the surface.
14-17-4
67
Jan 12, 2024
Routine - Food
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Floor area(s) covered with standing water. Standing water on the floors in the dry storage and ware washing area. **Repeat Violation** **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2024-01-12: **Time Extended**
36-22-4
95
Jan 10, 2024
Routine - Food
4 critical violations. 2 major violations. 3 minor violations.
View 9 violations
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Raw fish stored over tomatoes sauce in the walk-in cooler. Manager removed the fish. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
08A-05-6
High Priority - Employee dried hands on clothes/apron/soiled towel after washing. Employee dried their hand on a soiled towel. Employee re-washed the hands and used paper towel to dry. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
12A-18-4
High Priority - Employee touched soiled surface and then engaged in food preparation, handled clean equipment or utensils, or touched unwrapped single-service items without washing hands. Employee handled their phone then handled clean utensils without washing their hands. Employee removed the utensils to be sanitized and washed their hands. Employee handled the trash can then handled clean utensils without washing their hands. Employee removed the utensils to be sanitized and washed their hands. **Corrective Action Taken** **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
12A-29-4
High Priority - Employee washed hands with no soap. Employee washed their hands without soap. Employee re-washed their hands. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
12A-20-4
Intermediate - Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled. Spray bottles containing cleaning fluid not labeled. Employee labeled the bottles. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
41-17-4
Intermediate - Employee washed hands in a sink other than an approved handwash sink. Employee washed their hands in the three compartment sink. Employee re-washed their hands. **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning**
12A-03-4
Basic - Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Employee phone stored on a preparation table on the cook line. Manager removed the phone. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
40-06-5
Basic - Floor area(s) covered with standing water. Standing water on the floors in the dry storage and ware washing area. **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
36-22-4
Basic - Opened employee beverage container in a cold holding unit with food to be served to customers. Employee drinks stored in the reach in cooler in the front counter area. Manager removed the drinks. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
12B-13-4
39
Sep 1, 2023
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 2 major violations. 1 minor violation.
View 4 violations
Food Obtained from Approved Sources
FL-11
Food Received at Proper Temperature
FL-12
Proper Hot and Cold Holding Temperatures
FL-21
Lighting Adequate; Required Shields in Place
FL-36
47
Nov 1, 2022
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 6 minor violations.
View 8 violations
High Priority - Server handled soiled dishes or utensils and then prepared a beverage without washing hands. Instructed employee and manager on proper hand washing protocol.
12A-02-4
Intermediate - Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled. Spray bottles containing cleaning fluid not labeled. Owner labeled the bottles. As a repeat violation the importance of following proper protocol with this violation was reinforced with the employee. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
41-17-4
Basic - Floor area covered with standing water. In front of the three compartment sink.
36-22-4
Basic - Garbage on the ground and/or pad around dumpster.
33-19-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Walk-in cooler shelves soiled. As a repeat violation the importance of following proper protocol with this violation was reinforced with the employee. **Repeat Violation**
23-03-4
Basic - Stored food not covered. Several food items in the dry storage area not covered. Owner covered the items. **Corrected On-Site**
08B-12-5
Basic - Time/temperature control for safety food thawed in an improper manner. Chicken thawing at room temperature. Owner placed the chicken under running water. **Corrected On-Site**
06-01-5
Basic - Ceiling not smooth, nonabsorbent and easily cleanable in food preparation, food storage, or warewashing areas. Thought out the kitchen. As a repeat violation the importance of following proper protocol with this violation was reinforced with the employee. **Repeat Violation**
36-37-5
58
Aug 3, 2022
Routine - Food
4 critical violations. 2 major violations. 3 minor violations.
View 9 violations
High Priority - Cooked/heated time/temperature control for safety food not cooled from 135 degrees Fahrenheit to 70 degrees Fahrenheit within 2 hours. Whole chickens (80F - Cooling) stored at room temperature. Owner stated the chicken had been cooling for more the 2 hours from 135F. Owner discarded the chickens. **Corrective Action Taken**
03D-01-5
High Priority - Cooked/heated time/temperature control for safety food not cooled from 135 degrees Fahrenheit to 70 degrees Fahrenheit within two hours and from 135 degrees Fahrenheit to 41 degrees Fahrenheit within six hours. See stop sale. Whole chickens (80F - Cooling) stored at room temperature. Owner stated the chicken had been cooling for more the 2 hours from 135F. Owner discarded the chickens. **Corrective Action Taken**
01B-36-5
High Priority - Non-food grade paper/paper towel used as liner for food container. Cloth towels used to cover in direct contact with cornmeal dough. Owner removed the towels. **Corrected On-Site**
14-86-1
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over or with ready-to-eat food in a freezer - not all products commercially packaged. Raw Chicken stored over ready to eat sauces in the walk-in cooler. Owner removed the chicken. **Corrected On-Site**
08A-02-6
Intermediate - Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled. Spray bottle containing cleaning fluid stored not labeled. Owner labeled the bottles. As a repeat violation the importance of following proper protocol with this violation was reinforced with the employee. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
41-17-4
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Several cutting boards in the kitchen stained and soiled. Slicer blade soiled. As a repeat violation the importance of following proper protocol with this violation was reinforced with the employee. **Repeat Violation**
22-02-4
Basic - Ceiling not smooth, nonabsorbent and easily cleanable in food preparation, food storage, or warewashing areas. Through out the kitchen and dry storage area. As a repeat violation the importance of following proper protocol with this violation was reinforced with the employee. **Repeat Violation**
36-37-5
Basic - Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance. Several ceiling tiles in the kitchen and dry storage area soiled.
36-34-5
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Walk-in cooler shelves soiled.
23-03-4
39
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Bitia's Taqueria last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Bitia's Taqueria on file is from Dec 17, 2025. The public record contains 11 inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Bitia's Taqueria?
Across the inspection record, “walk-in cooler/freezer shelves with rust” has been cited six times, more than any other issue at Bitia's Taqueria.
How does Bitia's Taqueria compare to other restaurants in Sarasota?
Bitia's Taqueria most recently scored 58 out of 100, which is lower than the Sarasota average of 81.
Has Bitia's Taqueria's inspection record improved over time?
Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at Bitia's Taqueria have averaged around six violations per visit across the recent record.
What does a medium risk rating mean?
A medium risk rating at Bitia's Taqueria means the most recent inspection turned up a handful of issues that the health department wrote up but did not classify as critical.
How often is Bitia's Taqueria inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Bitia's Taqueria is inspected around three times per year on average.
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