El Ceviche
Last inspected: Nov 20, 2025
86
Score
El Ceviche appears in inspection records 12 times, starting in 2022. The newest entry in the record is dated Nov 20, 2025. A low risk tier reflects an inspection that turned up minimal issues.
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 “nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease”, which has been cited four times.
El Ceviche's latest score of 86 sits above the Sarasota average of 81. The record reflects steady performance over time.
12
Inspections
0
Critical latest
0
Major latest
3
Minor latest
Inspection History
Nov 20, 2025
Routine - Food
3 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Basic - In-use utensil stored in standing water less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed some scoops in standing 80F water. Operator removed them. **Corrected On-Site**
10-07-4
Basic - Missing drain plug at dumpster. Observed their drain plug missing. **Repeat Violation**
33-11-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed grease build up on the hood filters and the side of the oven and fryer.
23-03-4
86
Aug 21, 2025
Routine - Food
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Missing drain plug at dumpster. Observed their drain plug ripped off. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2025-08-21: **Time Extended**
33-11-4
95
Aug 13, 2025
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 1 major violation. 5 minor violations.
View 8 violations
High Priority - Container of medicine improperly stored. Observed a container of vapor rub stored above clean dishes and next to seasonings in the kitchen. Operator removed it. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
41-07-4
High Priority - Dishmachine chlorine sanitizer not at proper minimum strength. Discontinue use of dishmachine for sanitizing and set up manual sanitization until dishmachine is repaired and sanitizing properly. Observed their dish machine at 0ppm. Operator called their supplier and set up their triple sink to 100ppm chlorine. **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning**
22-41-4
Intermediate - No proof of required state approved employee training provided for employee hired more than 60 days ago. To order approved program food safety material, call DBPR contracted provider: Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (SafeStaff) 866-372-7233. Observed their employee front cashier switch to helping with food prep without a state approved training. **Warning**
53B-02-5
Basic - Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Observed a bowl being used as a scoop for rice. Operator removed the bowl. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
14-01-5
Basic - Current Hotel and Restaurant license not displayed. Observed no license available for request. **Warning**
50-09-4
Basic - Floor not cleaned when the least amount of food is exposed. Observed grease build up on the floor behind the grill/fryers. **Warning**
36-01-4
Basic - Missing drain plug at dumpster. Observed their drain plug ripped off. **Warning**
33-11-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed grease build up on their hood filters. **Warning**
23-03-4
52
Dec 4, 2024
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 1 major violation.
View 2 violations
Food Received at Proper Temperature
FL-12
Wiping Cloths Properly Used and Stored
FL-41
78
Aug 26, 2024
Routine - Food
5 critical violations. 1 minor violation.
View 6 violations
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Observed raw fish stored over ready to eat sauces and cream in the right hand reach in cooler. Operator moved the sauces and cream. **Corrected On-Site**
08A-05-6
High Priority - Shell eggs not stored at an ambient air temperature of 45 degrees Fahrenheit or less. Observed on the shelf across the oven: Ambient shell eggs (70F - Cold Holding). Operator stated they had been out for approximately 30 minutes. Operator placed them in the reach in cooler. **Corrective Action Taken** **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
03A-03-5
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed on the shelf across the oven: Butter (83F - Cold Holding). Operator stated it had been out for approximately 30 minutes. Operator placed it in a reach in cooler. **Corrective Action Taken** **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
03A-02-5
High Priority - Chlorine sanitizer not at proper minimum strength for manual warewashing. Do not use equipment/utensils not properly sanitized. Observed operator wash and rinse dishes with no sanitizer step. Had operator set up his triple sink to 100ppm chlorine. **Corrected On-Site**
22-42-4
High Priority - Container of medicine improperly stored. Observed a container of fiber pills and digestive aid stored with clean dishes and dry goods in the kitchen. Operator removed the containers. **Corrected On-Site**
41-07-4
Basic - Single-service articles not stored inverted or protected from contamination. Observed to-go containers not stored inverted. Operator inverted them. **Corrected On-Site**
25-06-4
45
Feb 8, 2024
Routine - Food
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Floor not cleaned when the least amount of food is exposed. Observed food debris build up under all equipment in the food line. As a repeat violation the importance of following proper protocol with this violation was reinforced with the employee. **Repeat Violation** **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2024-02-08: **Time Extended**
36-01-4
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Ice scoop handle in contact with ice. Observed the ice scoop handle in the ice of the ice bin. Operator removed the scoop. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2024-02-08: **Time Extended**
10-08-5
90
Feb 1, 2024
Routine - Food
3 critical violations. 3 minor violations.
View 6 violations
High Priority - Shell eggs not stored at an ambient air temperature of 45 degrees Fahrenheit or less. Observed on the cook line: Ambient shell eggs (75F - Cold Holding). Operator stated it had been out for approximately 2hrs. Operator placed eggs in the reach in cooler. **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning**
03A-03-5
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed on the cook line: Butter (80F - Cold Holding). Operator stated it had been out for approximately 2hrs. Operator placed butte in the reach in cooler. **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning**
03A-02-5
High Priority - Dishmachine chlorine sanitizer not at proper minimum strength. Discontinue use of dishmachine for sanitizing and set up manual sanitization until dishmachine is repaired and sanitizing properly. Observed the dish machine at 0ppm chlorine. Operator called the repairmen and set up his triple sink at 100ppm chlorine. **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning**
22-41-4
Basic - Ice scoop handle in contact with ice. Observed the ice scoop handle in the ice of the ice bin. Operator removed the scoop. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
10-08-5
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed food debris build up on the oven on the cook line. **Warning**
23-03-4
Basic - Floor not cleaned when the least amount of food is exposed. Observed food debris build up under all equipment in the food line. As a repeat violation the importance of following proper protocol with this violation was reinforced with the employee. **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
36-01-4
55
Oct 12, 2023
Routine - Food
No violations found.
100
Oct 11, 2023
Routine - Food
4 critical violations. 3 major violations. 4 minor violations.
View 11 violations
High Priority - Container of medicine improperly stored. Observed cold medicine stored over spices in the kitchen. Operator removed cold medicine. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
41-07-4
High Priority - Dishmachine chlorine sanitizer not at proper minimum strength. Discontinue use of dishmachine for sanitizing and set up manual sanitization until dishmachine is repaired and sanitizing properly. Observed dish machine at 0ppm chlorine. Operator replaced the chlorine bucket and remeasured it at 100ppm chlorine. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
22-41-4
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Observed raw fish stored over ready to eat sauces in the make table reach in cooler. Operator placed fish on the bottom shelf. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
08A-05-6
High Priority - Roach activity present as evidenced by live roaches found. Observed approximately 1 live roach in the dishwashing machine wiring. Operator killed the roach and cleaned the area. **Warning**
35A-05-4
Intermediate - Certified Food Manager or person in charge lacks knowledge of foodborne illnesses and symptoms of illness that would prevent an employee from working with food, clean equipment and utensils, and single-service items. Observed no knowledge of the big 6. Handed operator a copy to post. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
11-07-5
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. Observed no vomit clean up plan. Handed operator a copy to post. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
11-27-4
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. Observed no signed agreements. Had operator and his employee sign them. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
11-26-1
Basic - Current Hotel and Restaurant license not displayed. **Warning**
50-09-4
Basic - Floor soiled/has accumulation of debris. Observed food build up under all equipment in the kitchen. As a repeat violation the importance of following proper protocol with this violation was reinforced with the employee. **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
36-73-4
Basic - In-use knife/knives stored in cracks between pieces of equipment. Observed a knife stored between equipment on the cook line. Operator removed knife. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
10-17-4
Basic - No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees. Hand wash sink in the kitchen is missing a sign. **Warning**
31B-04-4
33
Aug 31, 2023
Routine - Food
2 major violations. 3 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Required Records Available; Shellstock Tags/Labels
FL-14
Food Contact Surfaces Clean and Sanitized
FL-22
Proper Sanitizer Contact Time and Concentration
FL-33
Lighting Adequate; Required Shields in Place
FL-36
Toilet Rooms Maintained
FL-53
67
Jun 28, 2023
Routine - Food
3 major violations. 5 minor violations.
View 8 violations
Intermediate - Required employee training expired for all employees. To order approved program food safety material, call DBPR contracted provider: Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (SafeStaff) 866-372-7233. All employee food handler training expired 1/10/23 **Warning**
53B-05-5
Intermediate - Certified Food Manager or person in charge lacks knowledge of foodborne illnesses and symptoms of illness that would prevent an employee from working with food, clean equipment and utensils, and single-service items. **Warning**
11-07-5
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Several plastic food containers stored on the dry storage racks soiled with a black residue. Owner removed the pans to be cleaned and sanitized. **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning**
22-02-4
Basic - Floor soiled/has accumulation of debris. Under all equipment in the kitchen. **Warning**
36-73-4
Basic - Hole in or other damage to wall. 2 1x1 foot holes in the wall under the dishmachine. **Warning**
36-24-5
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. All dry storage racks in the kitchen soiled. Dishwasher rack soiled with a build up of black residue. **Warning**
23-03-4
Basic - Unnecessary items/unused equipment on the premises. Old reach in cooler stored outside in the back of the establishment. As a repeat violation the importance of following proper protocol with this violation was reinforced with the employee. **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
33-31-5
Basic - Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable. All cutting boards in the kitchen. **Warning**
14-09-4
58
Sep 20, 2022
Routine - Food
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Proper Sanitizer Contact Time and Concentration
FL-33
Lighting Adequate; Required Shields in Place
FL-36
90
Frequently Asked Questions
When was El Ceviche last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at El Ceviche on file is from Nov 20, 2025. The public record contains 12 inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at El Ceviche?
Across the inspection record, “nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease” has been cited four times, more than any other issue at El Ceviche.
How does El Ceviche compare to other restaurants in Sarasota?
El Ceviche most recently scored 86 out of 100, which is higher than the Sarasota average of 81.
Has El Ceviche's inspection record improved over time?
Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at El Ceviche have averaged around four violations per visit across the recent record.
What does a low risk rating mean?
A low risk rating at El Ceviche 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 El Ceviche inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, El Ceviche is inspected around four times per year on average.
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