Lefty's Oyster & Seafood Bar
Last inspected: Mar 27, 2026
90
Score
Public records show 12 inspections at Lefty's Oyster & Seafood Bar stretching back to 2022. The most recent report on file is from Mar 27, 2026. Diners can read the low risk label as a sign that recent inspections have gone well.
Recent inspections have turned up roughly the same number of issues each time, hovering near three violations per visit.
The most common issue across all inspections has been “raw animal food stored over/not properly separated”, showing up four times.
Among Sarasota restaurants, the typical score is 81; Lefty's Oyster & Seafood Bar is comfortably above that bar. Overall, the inspection record reads well.
12
Inspections
0
Critical latest
1
Major latest
0
Minor latest
Inspection History
Mar 27, 2026
Routine - Food
1 major violation.
View 1 violation
Supervisor/Person in Charge Present
FL-01
90
Jan 27, 2026
Routine - Food
3 critical violations. 2 major violations.
View 5 violations
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Raw shrimp stored over cooked Brussel sprouts in the drawer reach in cooler on the cook line. Manager removed the sprouts. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
08A-05-6
High Priority - Stop Sale issued due to food not being in a wholesome, sound condition. Reduced oxygen packaged salmon stored in the walk in cooler. Manager stated the fish had been packaged in the establishment. Manager discarded the fish. Manager stated zip lock bags would be used in the establishment from this point on. **Warning**
01B-13-4
High Priority - Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. Spray bottles containing cleaning fluid stored next to clean equipment on a shelf next to the cook line. Manager removed the equipment. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
41-10-4
Intermediate - Operator is doing a special process, conducting reduced oxygen packaging, cooking time/temperature control for safety food to a time and temperature combination lesser than those in the Food Code or operating a molluscan shellfish tank for human consumption without a HACCP plan approved by the Division of Hotels and Restaurants. Reduced oxygen packaged salmon stored in the walk in cooler. Manager stated the fish had been packaged in the establishment. Manager discarded the fish. Manager stated zip lock bags would be used in the establishment from this point on. **Warning**
03G-50-1
Intermediate - Clam/mussel/oyster tags not marked with last date served. **Warning**
01C-03-4
52
Oct 22, 2025
Routine - Food
No violations found.
100
Aug 21, 2025
Routine - Food
3 critical violations. 2 major violations.
View 5 violations
High Priority - Cooked/heated time/temperature control for safety food not cooled from 135 degrees Fahrenheit to 41 degrees Fahrenheit within 6 hours. Clam chowder (57F - Cooling) stored in the walk in cooler with a date mark of 8/20. Chef stated the chowder was placed in the walk in cooler to cool on 8/20. Chef discarded the chowder. **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning**
03D-02-5
High Priority - Cooked/heated time/temperature control for safety food not cooled from 135 degrees Fahrenheit to 70 degrees Fahrenheit within two hours and from 135 degrees Fahrenheit to 41 degrees Fahrenheit within six hours. See stop sale. Clam chowder (57F - Cooling) stored in the walk in cooler with a date mark of 8/20. Chef stated the chowder was placed in the walk in cooler to cool on 8/20. Chef discarded the chowder. **Warning**
01B-36-5
High Priority - Raw animal foods not properly separated from each other in holding unit based upon minimum required cooking temperature. Raw chicken stored over raw shrimp in the drawer reach in cooler on the cook line. Chef placed the chicken below the shrimp. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
08A-20-5
Intermediate - Clam/mussel/oyster tags not marked with last date served. **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
01C-03-4
Intermediate - Menu does not identify which items contain raw or undercooked animal foods covered by the consumer advisory. Ceviche containing raw fish not identified on the menu as a raw item. **Warning**
02B-01-5
52
Mar 12, 2025
Routine - Food
3 critical violations. 3 major violations.
View 6 violations
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Raw shrimp stored over washed and cut cabbage in the reach in cooler on the right side of the cook line. Employee removed the shrimp. **Corrected On-Site**
08A-05-6
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Cut cabbage (51F - Cold Holding); Cut tomatoes (50F - Cold Holding); stored stacked above the fill line in pans in the top section of the roll top reach in cooler on the cook line. Employee stated the items were stored in the reach in cooler for approximately 30 minutes . Employee placed the items stored above the fill line in the bottom section of the reach in cooler **Corrective Action Taken**
03A-02-5
High Priority - Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. Spray bottle containing cleaning fluid stored next to cooking oil on the cook line. Employee removed the bottle. **Corrected On-Site**
41-10-4
Intermediate - Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Hand washing sink on the left side of the cook line blocked by a storage rack. Chef removed the rack. **Corrected On-Site**
31A-09-4
Intermediate - Clam/mussel/oyster tags not maintained in chronological order according to the last date they were served in the establishment.
01C-05-4
Intermediate - Clam/mussel/oyster tags not marked with last date served.
01C-03-4
47
Jan 17, 2025
Routine - Food
No violations found.
100
Mar 8, 2024
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 1 major violation.
View 3 violations
High Priority - Dented/rusted cans present. See stop sale. 3 cans of sweet potatoes stored on the dry storage shelf in the kitchen dented at the seams. Chef placed the cans aside for a refund.
01B-01-4
High Priority - Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. Spray bottles containing cleaning fluid stored next to liquor bottles in the bar area. Employee removed the bottles. **Corrected On-Site**
41-10-4
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Can opener blade soiled. Employee removed and sanitized the can opener. **Corrected On-Site**
22-02-4
67
Oct 20, 2023
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 1 major violation. 1 minor violation.
View 4 violations
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Raw chicken stored over cut and washed vegetables in the reach in cooler on the cook line. Employee placed the chicken below the vegetables. **Corrected On-Site**
08A-05-6
High Priority - Wiping cloth sanitizer solution exceeds the maximum concentration allowed. Wiping cloth sanitizer solution reading +200ppm chlorine. Employee replaced the sanitizer, new reading 100ppm. **Corrected On-Site**
41-27-4
Intermediate - Employee washed hands in a sink other than an approved handwash sink. Employee washed their hands in a three compartment sink. Employee was instructed to wash their hands in a hand washing sink only. Employee rewashed their hands in a hand washing sink. **Corrective Action Taken**
12A-03-4
Basic - No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees. Hand washing sink in the bar area.
31B-04-4
64
Jun 16, 2023
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 2 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Proper Eating, Tasting, Drinking, or Tobacco Use
FL-06
Wiping Cloths Properly Used and Stored
FL-41
Proper Hot and Cold Holding Temperatures
FL-21
78
Mar 10, 2023
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 1 minor violation.
View 3 violations
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Raw fish stored over hot dogs in the walk-in cooler. Employee removed the hot dogs. **Corrected On-Site**
08A-05-6
Intermediate - Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled. Person in charge lab the bottles. **Corrected On-Site**
41-17-4
Basic - Single-service articles improperly stored. Togo containers stored on the floor in the kitchen. Person in charge placed the containers on a shelf. **Corrected On-Site**
25-05-4
74
Oct 20, 2022
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 2 major violations. 1 minor violation.
View 5 violations
Employee Health Policies Present
FL-03
Food Received at Proper Temperature
FL-12
Non-Food Contact Surfaces Clean
FL-23
Potentially Hazardous Food Held at Proper Temperature
FL-16
Approved Thawing Methods Used
FL-31
58
Aug 4, 2022
Food-Licensing Inspection
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 1 minor violation.
View 3 violations
High Priority - Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. Spray bottle containing cleaning fluid stored next to canned food on the dry storage rack next to the cook line. Employee removed the bottle. **Corrected On-Site**
41-10-4
Intermediate - No chemical test kit provided when using sanitizer at three-compartment sink/warewashing machine or wiping cloths. No chlorine test kit for dish machine.
16-37-1
Basic - Hole in ceiling. 2x2 foot hole in the ceiling next to the air conditioner duct work in the kitchen.
36-24-5
74
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Lefty's Oyster & Seafood Bar last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Lefty's Oyster & Seafood Bar on file is from Mar 27, 2026. The public record contains 12 inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Lefty's Oyster & Seafood Bar?
Across the inspection record, “raw animal food stored over/not properly separated” has been cited four times, more than any other issue at Lefty's Oyster & Seafood Bar.
How does Lefty's Oyster & Seafood Bar compare to other restaurants in Sarasota?
Lefty's Oyster & Seafood Bar most recently scored 90 out of 100, which is higher than the Sarasota average of 81.
Has Lefty's Oyster & Seafood Bar's inspection record improved over time?
Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at Lefty's Oyster & Seafood Bar have averaged around three violations per visit across the recent record.
What does a low risk rating mean?
A low risk rating at Lefty's Oyster & Seafood Bar 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 Lefty's Oyster & Seafood Bar inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Lefty's Oyster & Seafood Bar is inspected around three times per year on average.
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