Blue Dolphin Cafe
Last inspected: Dec 19, 2025
55
Score
Public records show 10 inspections at Blue Dolphin Cafe stretching back to 2022. The most recent report on file is from Dec 19, 2025. A medium risk score generally means inspectors found things to fix, though most weren't urgent.
Performance has remained roughly level over recent inspections, averaging near five violations each time.
Looking across the full record, “lights in food preparation” is the recurring theme, flagged three times.
The city-wide average sits at 81, which Blue Dolphin Cafe's 55 doesn't quite reach. Nothing in the record is alarming, but there's room to improve.
10
Inspections
2
Critical latest
2
Major latest
2
Minor latest
Inspection History
Dec 19, 2025
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 2 major violations. 2 minor violations.
View 6 violations
High Priority - Wiping cloth sanitizer solution exceeds the maximum concentration allowed. Wiping cloth sanitizer reading +200ppm chlorine. Manager replaced the sanitizer, new reading 100ppm chlorine. **Corrected On-Site**
41-27-4
High Priority - Non-food grade paper/paper towel used as liner for food container. Non food grade paper towel lining a container of cut and washed strawberries in the walk in cooler. Chef removed the paper towels. **Corrected On-Site**
14-86-1
Intermediate - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Cooked potatoes stored in the walk in cooler with no date mark. Chef stated the potatoes were cooked on 12/17. Chef placed a date mark on the potatoes. **Corrected On-Site**
02C-02-5
Intermediate - Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled. Spray bottle containing cleaning fluid not labeled. Employee labeled the bottle. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
41-17-4
Basic - Floor soiled/has accumulation of debris. Floor under all equipment in the front counter area soiled. **Repeat Violation**
36-73-4
Basic - Lights in food preparation, food storage or warewashing area missing the proper shield, sleeve coatings or covers. Light in the cook line area missing proper shield.
38-07-4
55
Aug 20, 2025
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 2 major violations. 2 minor violations.
View 5 violations
High Priority - Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. Gallon of bleach stored next to bag in box soda in the dry storage area. Manager removed the bleach. **Corrected On-Site**
41-10-4
Intermediate - Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Bottle of glass cleaner stored in the hand wash sink in the front counter area. Manager removed the bottle. **Corrected On-Site**
31A-09-4
Intermediate - Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled. Spray bottles containing cleaning fluid not labeled. Employee labeled the bottles. **Corrected On-Site**
41-17-4
Basic - Floor soiled/has accumulation of debris. Floors under the equipment in the front counter area soiled.
36-73-4
Basic - In-use ice scoop stored on soiled surface between uses. Ice scoop stored on top of the ice machine. Manager removed, sanitized and placed the ice scoop in the ice machine with the handle up. **Corrected On-Site**
10-12-5
64
Apr 2, 2025
Routine - Food
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Shelves below the front counter soiled. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2025-04-02: **Time Extended**
23-03-4
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Ceiling/ceiling tile shows damage or is in disrepair. 4 Ceiling tiles in the dishwasher area damaged. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2025-04-02: **Time Extended**
36-32-5
90
Feb 5, 2025
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 2 major violations. 2 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Non-Food Contact Surfaces Clean
FL-23
Approved Thawing Methods Used
FL-31
Lighting Adequate; Required Shields in Place
FL-36
Wiping Cloths Properly Used and Stored
FL-41
Toilet Rooms Maintained
FL-53
64
Jul 18, 2024
Routine - Food
3 critical violations. 2 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Employee Health Policies Present
FL-03
Hands Clean and Properly Washed
FL-08
Food Received at Proper Temperature
FL-12
Food Contact Surfaces Clean and Sanitized
FL-22
Lighting Adequate; Required Shields in Place
FL-36
58
Dec 7, 2023
Routine - Food
4 critical violations. 1 minor violation.
View 5 violations
High Priority - Non-food grade paper/paper towel used as liner for food container. Cooked bacon stored on non food grade paper towels on the cook line. Employee removed the paper towels. **Corrected On-Site**
14-86-1
High Priority - Pesticide-emitting strip present in food prep area. Pesticide-emitting strip stored on a shelf next to clean cup and glasses in the back kitchen area. Manager removed the strip. **Corrected On-Site**
41-24-4
High Priority - Single-use gloves not changed as needed after changing tasks or when damaged or soiled. Employee cracked raw eggs then handled clean utensils without washing their hands and changing gloves. Employee removed the utensils to be sanitized, washed their hands and changed gloves. **Corrective Action Taken**
12A-09-4
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. American cheese (51F - Cold Holding); Pepper Jack cheese (50F - Cold Holding); stored stacked above the fill line in the top section of the reach in cooler on the cook line. Manager stated the cheese had been stored in the reach in cooler for approximately 2 hours. Manager placed the cheese in the bottom section of the reach in cooler. **Corrective Action Taken**
03A-02-5
Basic - Unclean building components, attachments or fixtures. Fan covers in the walk-in cooler soiled.
36-50-4
52
Sep 22, 2023
Routine - Food
No violations found.
100
Jul 24, 2023
Routine - Food
2 major violations. 3 minor violations.
View 5 violations
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. Emailed handouts.. **Warning**
11-26-1
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Can opener blade soiled. Manager removed cleaned the can opener. **Corrected On-Site**
22-02-4
Basic - Floor area covered with standing water. Floor area behind the ice machine in the back kitchen area.
36-22-4
Basic - Ripped/worn tin foil used as shelf cover. Under the preparation table on the cook line. Employee removed and replace the foil. **Corrected On-Site**
14-20-4
Basic - Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance. Ceiling vents in the dishwasher area and the back preparation area soiled.
36-34-5
70
Dec 2, 2022
Routine - Food
3 critical violations. 2 minor violations.
View 5 violations
High Priority - Employee cracked raw shell eggs and then handled clean utensils without washing hands. Employee washed their hands. Instructed employee and manager on proper hand washing protocol. **Corrected On-Site**
12A-27-4
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 clean equipment without washing hands. Employee washed their hands. Instructed employee and manager on proper hand washing protocol. **Corrected On-Site**
12A-29-4
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Cooked potatoes 62F stored at room temperature on the cook line. Manager stated the potatoes had been at room temperature for 1 hour. Manager placed the potatoes in the reach in cooler. **Corrective Action Taken**
03A-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 stored on a cutting board on the cook line. Employee removed the phone and sanitizer the cutting board. **Corrected On-Site**
40-06-5
Basic - Lights in food preparation, food storage or warewashing area missing the proper shield, sleeve coatings or covers. Light shield missing in the back kitchen area. As a repeat violation the importance of following proper protocol with this violation was reinforced with the employee. **Repeat Violation**
38-07-4
58
Aug 9, 2022
Routine - Food
3 critical violations. 1 major violation. 1 minor violation.
View 5 violations
High Priority - Employee handled soiled equipment or utensils and then engaged in food preparation, handled clean equipment or utensils, or touched unwrapped single-service items without washing hands. Dishwasher handled dirty dishes then clean dishes without washing hands. Instructed employee and manager on proper hand washing protocol.
12A-13-4
High Priority - Employee washed hands with no soap. Instructed employee and manager on proper hand washing protocol.
12A-20-4
High Priority - Wiping cloth sanitizer solution exceeds the maximum concentration allowed. Sanitizer solution in the front counter area reading +200ppm. Manager replaced the sanitizer new reading 50ppm. **Corrected On-Site**
41-27-4
Intermediate - No soap provided at handwash sink. Hand washing sink in the front counter area. Manager placed soap at the hand washing sink. **Corrected On-Site**
31B-03-4
Basic - Lights in food preparation, food storage or warewashing area missing the proper shield, sleeve coatings or covers. Light shield missing back preparation area next to the dry storage rack.
38-07-4
55
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Blue Dolphin Cafe last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Blue Dolphin Cafe on file is from Dec 19, 2025. The public record contains 10 inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Blue Dolphin Cafe?
Across the inspection record, “lights in food preparation” has been cited three times, more than any other issue at Blue Dolphin Cafe.
How does Blue Dolphin Cafe compare to other restaurants in Sarasota?
Blue Dolphin Cafe most recently scored 55 out of 100, which is lower than the Sarasota average of 81.
Has Blue Dolphin Cafe's inspection record improved over time?
Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at Blue Dolphin Cafe have averaged around five violations per visit across the recent record.
What does a medium risk rating mean?
A medium risk rating at Blue Dolphin Cafe 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 Blue Dolphin Cafe inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Blue Dolphin Cafe is inspected around three times per year on average.
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