Green Zebra Cafe
Last inspected: Nov 18, 2025
64
Score
The health department has logged 11 inspections at Green Zebra Cafe, the earliest from 2022. Inspectors last stopped by on Nov 18, 2025. The medium risk tier sits in the middle: not spotless, but not alarming either.
The trend has been favorable: violation counts have eased from around six violations to closer to three violations per visit over the last few inspections.
Looking across the full record, “no paper towels” is the recurring theme, flagged three times.
That's lower than the typical Sarasota restaurant, which scores around 81. The record is unremarkable in either direction.
11
Inspections
2
Critical latest
1
Major latest
1
Minor latest
Inspection History
Nov 18, 2025
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 1 major violation. 1 minor violation.
View 4 violations
High Priority - Single-use gloves not changed as needed after changing tasks or when damaged or soiled. Employee cracked raw eggs then touched the door on the reach in cooler without changing gloves and washing their hands. Employee washed their hands, changed gloves and sanitized the door handle. **Corrective Action Taken**
12A-09-4
High Priority - Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. Containers of dish machine sanitizer and soap stored next to a container of protein powder on a shelf in the kitchen. Employee removed the protein powder. **Corrected On-Site**
41-10-4
Intermediate - No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. No paper towels provided at the hand wash sink next to the dishwasher. Employee placed paper towels at the hand wash sink. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
31B-02-4
Basic - Ceiling/ceiling tile shows damage or is in disrepair. 3 ceiling tiles in the kitchen showing damage.
36-32-5
64
Jul 31, 2025
Routine - Food
3 critical violations. 1 major violation. 1 minor violation.
View 5 violations
Food Received at Proper Temperature
FL-12
Employee Health Policies Present
FL-03
Hands Clean and Properly Washed
FL-08
Approved Thawing Methods Used
FL-31
Wiping Cloths Properly Used and Stored
FL-41
43
Apr 23, 2025
Routine - Food
1 major violation.
View 1 violation
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : Intermediate - No proof of required state approved employee training provided for any employees. To order approved program food safety material, call DBPR contracted provider: Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (SafeStaff) 866-372-7233. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2025-04-23: No proof of any employee food handler training. **Admin Complaint**
53B-01-5
90
Feb 17, 2025
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 3 major violations.
View 5 violations
Food Received at Proper Temperature
FL-12
Hands Clean and Properly Washed
FL-08
Potentially Hazardous Food Held at Proper Temperature
FL-16
Approved Thawing Methods Used
FL-31
Toilet Rooms Maintained
FL-53
50
Aug 19, 2024
Routine - Food
4 major violations. 2 minor violations.
View 6 violations
Intermediate - Required employee training provided by a third-party employee training program and operator unable to provide original certificate for employees trained. All employee training documents are copies of original certificates. **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
53B-09-4
Intermediate - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Juice packaged for customer self service with no date mark. Manager stated the juice was prepared on 8/18. Manager placed a date mark on the juice. **Corrected On-Site**
02C-02-5
Intermediate - Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Container of pot and pan soap and brushes stored in the hand washing sink in the kitchen. Manager removed the items. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
31A-09-4
Intermediate - No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. No paper towels at the hand washing sink in the kitchen. Manager placed paper towels at the hand washing sink. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
31B-02-4
Basic - Label on a food item prepared and packaged onsite for customer self-service does not include product identity/description, date product was packaged and name and address of the establishment that prepared and packaged the food. Package juice items for customer self service not with no label. Manager removed the juice until labels are available.
02D-03-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. All dry storage racks in the kitchen soiled.
23-03-4
61
Apr 3, 2024
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 3 major violations. 1 minor violation.
View 6 violations
Certified Food Manager Identification
FL-02
Hands Clean and Properly Washed
FL-08
Approved Thawing Methods Used
FL-31
Personal Cleanliness
FL-40
Wiping Cloths Properly Used and Stored
FL-41
Toilet Rooms Maintained
FL-53
50
Oct 25, 2023
Routine - Food
3 major violations.
View 3 violations
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : 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. Emailed handouts to the operator. - From follow-up inspection 2023-10-25: **Time Extended**
11-07-5
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : 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. Emailed handouts to the operator. **Repeat Violation** - From follow-up inspection 2023-10-25: **Time Extended**
11-27-4
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : 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. Provided handouts to the operator. Manager filled out 1form before the end of the inspection. **Corrective Action Taken** **Repeat Violation** - From follow-up inspection 2023-10-25: **Time Extended**
11-26-1
74
Oct 17, 2023
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 3 major violations. 2 minor violations.
View 7 violations
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. Dishmachine sanitizer reading 00 ppm chlorine. Manager called the technician and set up a sanitizer bay in the three compartment sink. **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning**
22-41-4
High Priority - Wiping cloth sanitizer solution exceeds the maximum concentration allowed. Wiping cloth reading +200ppm chlorine. Manager adjusted the sanitizer new reading 100ppm. **Corrected On-Site**
41-27-4
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. Emailed handouts to the operator.
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. Emailed handouts to the operator. **Repeat Violation**
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. Provided handouts to the operator. Manager filled out 1form before the end of the inspection. **Corrective Action Taken** **Repeat Violation**
11-26-1
Basic - Label on a food item prepared and packaged onsite for customer self-service does not include product identity/description, date product was packaged and name and address of the establishment that prepared and packaged the food. Bottled juice prepared on site has no date on the item. Manager stated the juice was prepared on 10/16. Manager placed a date on the juice. **Corrected On-Site**
02D-03-4
Basic - No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees. Hand washing sink in the front counter area has no hand washing sign.
31B-04-4
50
Feb 22, 2023
Complaint Full
1 critical violation. 4 major violations. 1 minor violation.
View 6 violations
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. **Corrected On-Site**
12A-29-4
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.
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.
11-27-4
Intermediate - Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Several containers stored in the hand washing sink next to the cook line. Manager removed the items. As a repeat violation the importance of following proper protocol with this violation was reinforced with the employee. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
31A-09-4
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.
11-26-1
Basic - Single-service articles improperly stored. Several cases of Single service items stored in a out of order bathroom. As a repeat violation the importance of following proper protocol with this violation was reinforced with the employee. **Repeat Violation**
25-05-4
55
Jan 30, 2023
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 5 major violations. 2 minor violations.
View 8 violations
High Priority - Shell eggs not stored at an ambient air temperature of 45 degrees Fahrenheit or less. Raw shell eggs stored at room temperature on the cook line. Employee stated the eggs had been at room temperature for 30 minutes. Employee placed the eggs in the reach in cooler. **Corrective Action Taken**
03A-03-5
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.
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.
11-27-4
Intermediate - Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Wiping cloths and sanitizer buckets stored in the hand washing sink next to the cook line. Employee removed the items. **Corrected On-Site**
31A-09-4
Intermediate - No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. Hand washing sink next to the cook line. Employee placed towels at the hand washing sink. **Corrected On-Site**
31B-02-4
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.
11-26-1
Basic - Employee with no hair restraint while engaging in food preparation. Employee placed a hair restraint on. **Corrected On-Site**
13-03-4
Basic - Single-service articles improperly stored. Several Single service items stored in the bathroom. As a repeat violation the importance of following proper protocol with this violation was reinforced with the employee. **Repeat Violation**
25-05-4
47
Aug 9, 2022
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 2 minor violations.
View 3 violations
High Priority - Wiping cloth sanitizer solution exceeds the maximum concentration allowed. Sanitizer buckets in the cook line area reading +200ppm chlorine. Manager replaced the sanitizer new reading 50ppm chlorine. **Corrected On-Site**
41-27-4
Basic - Food stored on floor. Cases of bananas stored on the floor in the back storage area. Manager placed the items on a shelf. **Corrected On-Site**
08B-38-4
Basic - Single-service articles improperly stored. Several single service items stored in the restroom. Manager removed the items. **Corrected On-Site**
25-05-4
78
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Green Zebra Cafe last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Green Zebra Cafe on file is from Nov 18, 2025. The public record contains 11 inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Green Zebra Cafe?
Across the inspection record, “no paper towels” has been cited three times, more than any other issue at Green Zebra Cafe.
How does Green Zebra Cafe compare to other restaurants in Sarasota?
Green Zebra Cafe most recently scored 64 out of 100, which is lower than the Sarasota average of 81.
Has Green Zebra Cafe's inspection record improved over time?
Yes. Recent inspections at Green Zebra Cafe have averaged around three violations per visit, down from roughly six earlier in the record.
What does a medium risk rating mean?
A medium risk rating at Green Zebra 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 Green Zebra Cafe inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Green Zebra Cafe is inspected around three times per year on average.
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