First Watch Restaurant #196
Last inspected: Oct 20, 2025
95
Score
Inspectors have visited First Watch Restaurant #196 11 times, with records going back to 2022. The latest inspection on file is from Oct 20, 2025. Low risk means the most recent visit produced few or no significant findings.
Recent visits have flagged more than earlier ones: around five violations per visit lately, up from roughly one violation before.
“Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing” accounts for the largest share of issues, appearing three times across the record.
That puts the facility ahead of the local pack: the average Sarasota restaurant scores 81. The full record sits in fairly typical territory for a working restaurant.
11
Inspections
0
Critical latest
0
Major latest
1
Minor latest
Inspection History
Oct 20, 2025
Complaint Full
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Dumpster rusted out on bottom. Observed their dumpster rusted out in multiple locations. **Repeat Violation** **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2025-10-20: **Time Extended**
33-12-4
95
Oct 16, 2025
Complaint Full
2 critical violations. 1 major violation. 4 minor violations.
View 7 violations
High Priority - Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. Observed on the top half of the containers on the cook line: Turkey (56F - Cold Holding);; Sliced tomatoes (57F - Cold Holding);; Beef (58F - Cold Holding). Operator stated they had been out for approximately 4hrs. Operator willingly disposed of them. **Warning**
01B-02-5
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed on the top half of the containers on the cook line: Turkey (56F - Cold Holding);; Sliced tomatoes (57F - Cold Holding);; Beef (58F - Cold Holding). Operator stated they had been out for approximately 4hrs. Operator willingly disposed of them. **Warning**
03A-02-5
Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Observed the warewashing hand sink with a straw inside. Operator removed it. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
31A-11-4
Basic - Accumulation of debris on exterior of warewashing machine. Observed debris build up on top of the dish machine. **Warning**
16-21-4
Basic - Dumpster rusted out on bottom. Observed their dumpster rusted out in multiple locations. **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
33-12-4
Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Observed an employee drink stored with clean dishes in the ware washing area. Operator disposed of it. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
12B-07-4
Basic - Single-service articles not stored inverted or protected from contamination. Observed some to-go containers not inverted. Operator inverted them. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
25-06-4
55
Oct 13, 2025
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 5 minor violations.
View 6 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. Observed an employee go from dirty to clean dishes without washing their hands or putting on gloves. Operator had them rerun the dishes and wash their hands. **Corrected On-Site**
12A-13-4
Basic - Dumpster rusted out on bottom. Observed their plaza trash compactor with multiple holes rusted out of it and rusted metal sticking off of it.
33-12-4
Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Observed multiple drinks stored above the food prep table. Operator removed them. **Corrected On-Site**
12B-07-4
Basic - Employee personal food not properly identified and segregated from food to be served to the public. Observed an employee lunch unlabeled and stored in the walk in cooler. Operator removed it. **Corrected On-Site**
08B-49-4
Basic - Employee wearing jewelry other than a plain ring on their hands/arms while preparing food. Observed a prep cook with a bracelet on. Operator had them remove it. **Corrected On-Site**
13-07-4
Basic - Garbage on the ground and/or pad around dumpster. Observed garbage piled around the shared plaza dumpster.
33-19-4
67
Jul 11, 2025
Routine - Food
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Basic - Insect control device installed over food preparation area. Observed a bug zapper installed over their boxed sodas. Operator moved the boxed sodas. **Corrected On-Site**
35B-02-4
95
Nov 15, 2024
Routine - Food
No violations found.
100
Jul 16, 2024
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 2 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Employee Health Policies Present
FL-03
Non-Food Contact Surfaces Clean
FL-23
Proper Sanitizer Contact Time and Concentration
FL-33
78
Dec 1, 2023
Complaint Full
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Basic - Food stored on floor. Observed a case of ciabatta on the floor of the walk in freezer. Operator placed case on the shelf. **Corrected On-Site**
08B-38-4
Basic - Wiping cloth quaternary ammonium compound sanitizing solution not at proper minimum strength. Observed sanitizer bucket at 100ppm quaternary. Operator corrected it to 200ppm quaternary. **Corrected On-Site**
21-08-4
90
Oct 31, 2023
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 3 minor violations.
View 5 violations
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed on the right side make table on the cook line: Turkey (50F - Cold Holding); Ham (50F - Cold Holding). Operator stated that they grabbed the containers from the walk in cooler and put them on the line for approximately 30 minutes. Operator placed food in the reach in cooler. **Corrective Action Taken**
03A-02-5
Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Observed the back right prep hand wash sink used to wash and strain avocados. Operator removed the avocados and strainer from the hand wash sink. As a repeat violation the importance of following proper protocol with this violation was reinforced with the employee. **Repeat Violation**
31A-11-4
Basic - Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting. Observed multiple containers wet nesting in the warewashing area.
24-08-4
Basic - In-use tongs stored on equipment door handle between uses. Observed in use tongs on the right side oven handles on the cook line. Operator removed the tongs. **Corrected On-Site**
10-20-4
Basic - Wall soiled with accumulated grease, food debris, and/or dust. Observed black build up on the wall behind the dishwashing machine.
36-27-5
67
Jul 25, 2023
Routine - Food
2 major violations. 1 minor violation.
View 3 violations
Intermediate - Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Observed clean dish storage on top of hand wash sink. Manager removed items blocking sinks **Corrected On-Site**
31A-09-4
Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Observed bucket used for straining inside back right hand wash sink. Manager removed bucket. **Corrected On-Site**
31A-11-4
Basic - Accumulation of debris on exterior of warewashing machine. Observed debris build up on top of dishwashing machine. Manager cleaned debris up. As a repeat violation the importance of following proper protocol with this violation was reinforced with the employee. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
16-21-4
78
Apr 25, 2023
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 2 major violations. 3 minor violations.
View 6 violations
High Priority - Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. Chemical stored on back of hand washing sink blocking soap dispenser. Ready to eat food stored next to hand washing sink and is susceptible to contamination. **Corrected On-Site**
41-10-4
Intermediate - Proof of required state approved employee training not available for some employees. To order approved program food safety material, call DBPR contracted provider: Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (SafeStaff) 866-372-7233. Observed 1 employee with proper food employee training.
53B-13-5
Intermediate - No chemical test kit provided when using sanitizer at three-compartment sink/warewashing machine or wiping cloths. No chlorine test strips available. Manager stated he ordered test strips.
16-37-1
Basic - Accumulation of debris on exterior of warewashing machine. Observed food particles and debris on top and outside of dish machine.
16-21-4
Basic - Employee wearing jewelry other than a plain ring on their hands/arms while preparing food. More than 1 cook on the line wearing a watch (female) and 2 cooks (male) wearing bracelets.
13-07-4
Basic - Time/temperature control for safety food thawed in an improper manner. Chicken thawing at room temperature on top level of rolling rack. **Corrective Action Taken**
06-01-5
61
Sep 12, 2022
Routine - Food
1 major violation. 1 minor violation.
View 2 violations
Intermediate - Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled. Observed unlabeled spray bottle containing chemicals not labeled. Employee labeled bottle. **Corrected On-Site**
41-17-4
Basic - In-use utensil stored in standing water less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed in use scoops stored in 90F water on cook line. Employee plugged in dip well and washed utensils. **Corrected On-Site**
10-07-4
86
Frequently Asked Questions
When was First Watch Restaurant #196 last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at First Watch Restaurant #196 on file is from Oct 20, 2025. The public record contains 11 inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at First Watch Restaurant #196?
Across the inspection record, “handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing” has been cited three times, more than any other issue at First Watch Restaurant #196.
How does First Watch Restaurant #196 compare to other restaurants in Sarasota?
First Watch Restaurant #196 most recently scored 95 out of 100, which is higher than the Sarasota average of 81.
Has First Watch Restaurant #196's inspection record improved over time?
No. Recent inspections at First Watch Restaurant #196 have averaged around five violations per visit, up from roughly one earlier in the record.
What does a low risk rating mean?
A low risk rating at First Watch Restaurant #196 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 First Watch Restaurant #196 inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, First Watch Restaurant #196 is inspected around four times per year on average.
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