Mariscos Azteca
Last inspected: Oct 21, 2025
82
Score
Mariscos Azteca has been inspected 10 times since 2022. Inspectors last stopped by on Oct 21, 2025. A low risk rating suggests inspectors haven't found much to be concerned about lately.
Things have been moving in the right direction, with the rolling count dropping from around five violations to closer to two violations per visit.
“Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing” accounts for the largest share of issues, appearing two times across the record.
Mariscos Azteca scores about where you'd expect for a Sarasota restaurant. There isn't much in the file that would give a customer pause.
10
Inspections
0
Critical latest
1
Major latest
2
Minor latest
Inspection History
Oct 21, 2025
Routine - Food
1 major violation. 2 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Observed the front hand sink with baskets inside. Operator removed them. **Corrected On-Site**
31A-11-4
Basic - Employee personal food not properly identified and segregated from food to be served to the public. Observed multiple employee lunch items stored with clean dishes. Operator moved them. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
08B-49-4
Basic - Opened employee beverage container in a cold holding unit with food to be served to customers. Observed multiple opened employee drinks in their reach in cooler. Operator placed them in a labeled container. **Corrected On-Site**
12B-13-4
82
Jul 21, 2025
Routine - Food
3 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Basic - Accumulation of debris inside warewashing machine. Observed lime build up on the inside of their dish machine. Operator had an employee start to clean it. **Corrective Action Taken**
16-03-4
Basic - Current Hotel and Restaurant license not displayed. Operator was not able to provide their current license at time of inspection.
50-09-4
Basic - Employee personal food not properly identified and segregated from food to be served to the public. Observed an employee food item stored in their hallway bar glass freezer. Operator removed it. **Corrected On-Site**
08B-49-4
86
Dec 5, 2024
Routine - Food
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Food Contact Surfaces Clean and Sanitized
FL-22
95
Aug 29, 2024
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 2 major violations. 1 minor violation.
View 5 violations
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed in the front counter: Salsa (50F - Cold Holding). Operator stated they had been out for approximately 1hr. Operator placed them in a reach in cooler. **Corrective Action Taken**
03A-02-5
High Priority - Employee washed hands with no soap. Observed an employee wash their hand with just water. Had the employee rewash their hand with soap. **Corrective Action Taken**
12A-20-4
Intermediate - Employee washed hands in a sink other than an approved handwash sink. Observed an employee wash his hands in the triple sink. Had the employee rewash their hand in the hand wash sink. **Corrective Action Taken**
12A-03-4
Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Observed the hand wash sink with dirty dishes inside.
31A-11-4
Basic - Stored food not covered. Observed numerous food items in the reach in cooler and freezer that are uncovered.
08B-12-5
58
Feb 1, 2024
Routine - Food
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Basic - Wet wiping cloth not stored in sanitizing solution between uses. Observed multiple wet wiping cloths stored out of the sanitizer bucket. Operator put the cloths in the buckets. **Corrected On-Site**
21-12-4
Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Observed an employee beverage stored on a cook line prep table and stored next to seasonings. Operator removed the drinks. As a repeat violation the importance of following proper protocol with this violation was reinforced with the employee. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
12B-07-4
90
Oct 10, 2023
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 5 minor violations.
View 7 violations
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over or with unwashed produce. Observed raw beef stored over unwashed fruits and vegetables in the hallway reach in cooler. Operator placed beef in a meat cooler. **Corrected On-Site**
08A-04-5
Intermediate - Food manager certification expired. A list of accredited food manager certification examination providers can be found at http://www.myfloridalicense.com/DBPR/hotels-restaurants/food-lodging/food-manager/ Mariela P: 6/17/23.
53A-03-7
Basic - In-use utensil in non-time/temperature control for safety food not stored with handle above top of food within a closed container. Observed utensil handle stored in food in the rice container in the kitchen. Operator removed utensil. **Corrected On-Site**
10-01-5
Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Observed employee drink on the prep table. Operator threw away drink. **Corrected On-Site**
12B-07-4
Basic - Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Observed employee items stored on top of cans in the dry storage area. Operator removed items. **Corrected On-Site**
40-06-5
Basic - Missing drain plug at dumpster.
33-11-4
Basic - Opened employee beverage container in a cold holding unit with food to be served to customers. Observed employee drink in reach in cooler. Operator removed drink. **Corrected On-Site**
12B-13-4
61
Jul 20, 2023
Complaint Full
No violations found.
100
May 18, 2023
Complaint Full
2 major violations. 1 minor violation.
View 3 violations
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.Did not observe any Food handler training certificates **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2023-05-18: Observed Florida Restaurant and Lodging training for employees. **Time Extended**
53B-01-5
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : Intermediate - Clam/mussel/oyster tags not marked with last date served. Observed tags held by the month, but not individually dated as required. - From follow-up inspection 2023-05-18: **Time Extended**
01C-03-4
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Floor tiles missing and/or in disrepair. Observed cracked floor tiles at entrance to kitchen. - From follow-up inspection 2023-05-18: **Time Extended**
36-17-5
78
May 16, 2023
Complaint Full
1 critical violation. 5 major violations. 3 minor violations.
View 9 violations
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed in bottom of double glass Reachin Cooler Cold Holding Swai 49F, Grouper 47F, Shrimp 51F, Beef 47F. Chef iced food and adjusted cooler settings. **Warning**
03A-02-5
Intermediate - Clam/mussel/oyster tags not marked with last date served. Observed tags held by the month, but not individually dated as required.
01C-03-4
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.Did not observe any vomit/diarrhea cleanup plan. Emailed Chef vomit plan. **Corrective Action Taken**
11-27-4
Intermediate - No currently certified food service manager on duty with four or more employees engaged in food preparation/handling. A list of accredited food manager certification examination providers can be found at http://www.myfloridalicense.com/DBPR/hotels-restaurants/food-lodging/food-manager/Did not observe Food Manager certificate with over 9 employees working, 5 of them in kitchen. **Warning**
53A-05-6
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.Did not observe any Food handler training certificates **Warning**
53B-01-5
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.Did not observe any employee health reporting agreements. Emailed Chef agreements. **Corrective Action Taken**
11-26-1
Basic - Floor tiles missing and/or in disrepair. Observed cracked floor tiles at entrance to kitchen.
36-17-5
Basic - No conspicuously located ambient air temperature thermometer in holding unit. Observed no ambient thermometer in refrigerator located in hallway.
05-09-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust.Observed grease buildup on hood filters.
23-03-4
45
Aug 16, 2022
Routine - Food
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Basic - In-use tongs stored on equipment door handle between uses. Observed tongs stored on ansul nozzle. Employee removed tongs **Corrected On-Site**
10-20-4
95
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Mariscos Azteca last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Mariscos Azteca on file is from Oct 21, 2025. The public record contains 10 inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Mariscos Azteca?
Across the inspection record, “handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing” has been cited two times, more than any other issue at Mariscos Azteca.
How does Mariscos Azteca compare to other restaurants in Sarasota?
Mariscos Azteca most recently scored 82 out of 100, which is about the same as the Sarasota average of 81.
Has Mariscos Azteca's inspection record improved over time?
Yes. Recent inspections at Mariscos Azteca have averaged around two violations per visit, down from roughly five earlier in the record.
What does a low risk rating mean?
A low risk rating at Mariscos Azteca 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 Mariscos Azteca inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Mariscos Azteca is inspected around three times per year on average.
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