California Pizza Kitchen
Last inspected: Feb 6, 2026
78
Score
Across the available record, California Pizza Kitchen has nine inspections on file, the first dated 2022. The most recent visit was on Feb 6, 2026. Diners can read the low risk label as a sign that recent inspections have gone well.
Violation counts have been trending down, averaging around two violations across recent inspections versus roughly six violations before.
Looking across the full record, “old labels stuck to food containers after cleaning” is the recurring theme, flagged five times.
California Pizza Kitchen's latest score is in line with the Sarasota average of 81. Taken together, the history is a positive one.
9
Inspections
1
Critical latest
0
Major latest
2
Minor latest
Inspection History
Feb 6, 2026
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 2 minor violations.
View 3 violations
High Priority - Single-use gloves not changed as needed after changing tasks or when damaged or soiled. Observed an employee changing tasks and not changing gloves. Operator coached employee. **Corrective Action Taken**
12A-09-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed the hood filters with a grease buildup.
23-03-4
Basic - Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Observed containers of cheese without labels in the walk in cooler. Operator labeled. **Corrected On-Site**
02D-01-5
78
Sep 10, 2025
Routine - Food
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Non-Food Contact Surfaces Clean
FL-23
95
Mar 4, 2025
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 1 minor violation.
View 2 violations
Food Received at Proper Temperature
FL-12
Warewashing Facilities Maintained and Used
FL-24
82
Sep 20, 2024
Routine - Food
1 major violation. 2 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Intermediate - No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. Observed the handwashing sink on front line without paper towels. **Corrected On-Site**
31B-02-4
Basic - Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Observed flour being scooped with a bowl with a handle stored next to Buffalo sauce but the handle was buried in the flour.
14-01-5
Basic - Old labels stuck to food containers after cleaning. Observed pans and plastic containers with old labels stored on the shelves next to dish machine. **Repeat Violation**
16-46-4
82
May 8, 2024
Complaint Full
1 critical violation. 6 minor violations.
View 7 violations
High Priority - Dented/rusted cans present. See stop sale. Observed 4 #10 cans, 25.62 pounds dented on the rims and other parts of the cans stored on the shelf to the right of the walk in cooler. Operator discarded. **Corrected On-Site**
01B-01-4
Basic - Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Observed flour being scooped with a bowl without a handle stored next to Buffalo sauce.
14-01-5
Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Observed personal drinks stored above prep table and cook preparation table on cook line. **Repeat Violation**
12B-07-4
Basic - Employee wearing jewelry other than a plain ring on their hands/arms while preparing food. Observed line cook preparing ready to eat food wearing a watch on the grill station.
13-07-4
Basic - Old labels stuck to food containers after cleaning. Observed pans and plastic containers with old labels stored on the shelves next to dish machine. **Repeat Violation**
16-46-4
Basic - Walk-in cooler/freezer shelves with rust that has pitted the surface. Observed rusty shelves in walk in cooler. **Repeat Violation**
14-17-4
Basic - Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Observed a cell phone stored above prep table on cook line.
40-06-5
64
Mar 12, 2024
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 6 minor violations.
View 7 violations
High Priority - Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. Observed chemicals stored near food and single serv on cook line. **Corrected On-Site**
41-10-4
Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Observed personal drink stored above prep table on cook line. **Corrected On-Site**
12B-07-4
Basic - In-use tongs stored on equipment door handle between uses. Observed tongs on oven door handles. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
10-20-4
Basic - In-use utensil stored in standing water less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed utensils in standing water. **Corrected On-Site**
10-07-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed grease build up on hood filters over grill on cooks line. **Repeat Violation**
23-03-4
Basic - Old labels stuck to food containers after cleaning. Observed old labels on clean dish ware stored.
16-46-4
Basic - Walk-in cooler/freezer shelves with rust that has pitted the surface. Observed some rusty shelves in walk in cooler.
14-17-4
64
Oct 25, 2023
Routine - Food
3 critical violations. 1 major violation. 6 minor violations.
View 10 violations
High Priority - Employee rubbed hands together for less than 10-15 seconds while washing hands. Observed employee rinse her hands at the hand sink for less than 10 seconds, dry her hands off, then put gloves on to handle food.
12A-17-4
High Priority - Raw animal foods not properly separated from one another based upon minimum required cooking temperature when stored in a freezer - not all products commercially packaged. Observed raw beef stored over uncovered raw shrimp in walk in freezer. **Corrected On-Site**
08A-17-6
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed homemade Buffalo sauce containing butter held at 71 degrees on cook line. Operator discarded. Per operator, Buffalo sauce was out for 4 hours.
03A-02-5
Intermediate - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Observed pasta cream and piccata sauce not date marked in reach in cooler.
02C-02-5
Basic - Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Observed a soufflé cup to scoop confectionery sugar at dessert station on cook line.
14-01-5
Basic - Commercially processed reduced oxygen packaged fish bearing a label indicating that it is to remain frozen until time of use no longer frozen and not removed from reduced oxygen package. Observed salmon thawed and not removed from oxygen packaging. Operator corrected.
06-09-1
Basic - Food contaminated by a chemical sanitizer that did not properly air dry. Observed employee get a sanitizing wiping cloth from the sanitizer solution, wipe down the cutting board, and then cut vegetables on the same board using the same gloves without letting the sanitizer dry first on the cutting board and gloves.
08B-19-4
Basic - In-use tongs stored on equipment door handle between uses. Observed tongs stored on oven door handle on cooks line.
10-20-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed hood filters over fryer with grease build up.
23-03-4
Basic - Wiping cloth sanitizing solution stored on the floor. Observed sanitation buckets on the kitchen line and behind the bar stored on the floor. Operator corrected. **Corrected On-Site**
21-38-4
43
Apr 5, 2023
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 3 major violations. 4 minor violations.
View 9 violations
High Priority - Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. Spray bottle containing cleaning stored next to plastic food wrap in the wait station area. Manager removed the bottle. **Corrected On-Site**
41-10-4
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. Employee washed their hands and re-washed the dishes. **Corrected On-Site**
12A-13-4
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. 40 food handler employee 32 are expired.
53B-14-5
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.
11-26-1
Intermediate - No soap provided at handwash sink. Hand washing sink in the bar area. Manager placed soap at the hand washing sink. **Corrected On-Site**
31B-03-4
Basic - Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine. As a repeat violation the importance of following proper protocol with this violation was reinforced with the employee. **Repeat Violation**
22-20-5
Basic - Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable. Several cutting boards though out the kitchen.
14-09-4
Basic - Old labels stuck to food containers after cleaning. Several plastic containers on the pot and pan storage shelf. Manager placed the pans aside to remove the labels and re-wash. As a repeat violation the importance of following proper protocol with this violation was reinforced with the employee. **Corrective Action Taken** **Repeat Violation**
16-46-4
Basic - Several In-use knives stored in cracks between pieces of equipment on the cook line. Employee removed and sanitized the knives. **Corrected On-Site**
10-17-4
45
Oct 27, 2022
Routine - Food
4 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Basic - Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine. Employee cleaned and sanitized machine. **Corrected On-Site**
22-20-5
Basic - Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting. Observed water droplets on plastic containers stacked together in dishwashing area. Employee separated to air dry. **Corrected On-Site**
24-08-4
Basic - Old labels stuck to food containers after cleaning on storage rack in dishwashing area. Employee removed stickers. **Corrected On-Site**
16-46-4
Basic - Opened employee beverage container in a cold holding unit with food to be served to customers. Observed bottle of water stored on shelf in reach-in cooler on cook line above cut onions. Employee moved. **Corrected On-Site**
12B-13-4
82
Frequently Asked Questions
When was California Pizza Kitchen last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at California Pizza Kitchen on file is from Feb 6, 2026. The public record contains nine inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at California Pizza Kitchen?
Across the inspection record, “old labels stuck to food containers after cleaning” has been cited five times, more than any other issue at California Pizza Kitchen.
How does California Pizza Kitchen compare to other restaurants in Sarasota?
California Pizza Kitchen most recently scored 78 out of 100, which is about the same as the Sarasota average of 81.
Has California Pizza Kitchen's inspection record improved over time?
Yes. Recent inspections at California Pizza Kitchen have averaged around two violations per visit, down from roughly six earlier in the record.
What does a low risk rating mean?
A low risk rating at California Pizza Kitchen means inspectors found minimal or no significant issues at the most recent visit. Most facilities at this tier have a clean recent inspection report.
How often is California Pizza Kitchen inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, California Pizza Kitchen is inspected around three times per year on average.
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