Mr. Tequila Cantina
Last inspected: Mar 11, 2026
78
Score
Inspectors have visited Mr. Tequila Cantina 11 times, with records going back to 2022. The most recent report on file is from Mar 11, 2026. When a facility lands in the low risk tier, it usually means nothing alarming showed up at the most recent visit.
Recent inspections have turned up roughly the same number of issues each time, hovering near four violations per visit.
Across the inspection history, “in-use tongs stored on equipment door handle between uses” is the issue that surfaces most often, recorded three times.
That falls roughly in the middle of the pack for Sarasota restaurants. The full picture is one of consistent compliance.
11
Inspections
1
Critical latest
1
Major latest
0
Minor latest
Inspection History
Mar 11, 2026
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 1 major violation.
View 2 violations
High Priority - Container of medicine improperly stored. Observed bactine on shelf next to food pans. Manager relocated medicine. **Corrected On-Site**
41-07-4
Intermediate - No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink.Employee added. **Corrected On-Site**
31B-02-4
78
Oct 8, 2025
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 2 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Employee Health Policies Present
FL-03
Food Contact Surfaces Clean and Sanitized
FL-22
Equipment Adequate to Maintain Product Temperature
FL-29
78
May 22, 2025
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 2 major violations. 4 minor violations.
View 8 violations
High Priority - Vacuum breaker missing at hose bibb or on fitting/splitter added to hose bibb. Observed hose at triple sink without vacuum breaker.
29-34-4
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over or with unwashed produce.Observed raw chicken and beef stored over cooked pork in reach in cooler.
08A-04-5
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Observed soiled soda gun noodle at bar.
22-02-4
Intermediate - Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times.Observed mop buckets stored in front of hand wash sink between ice machine and mop sink.
31A-09-4
Basic - In-use wet wiping cloth/towel used under cutting board.
21-04-4
Basic - Standing water in bottom of reach-in-cooler. Observed standing water in bottom of reach in cooler next to steam table on cook line.
29-49-6
Basic - In-use tongs stored on equipment door handle between uses.Observed 3 tongs on oven door handle. Employee removed. **Corrected On-Site**
10-20-4
Basic - Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable.Observed medium size green cutting board on cook line with cut marks.
14-09-4
50
Nov 1, 2024
Complaint Full
3 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Dumpster rusted out on bottom. - From follow-up inspection 2024-11-01: **Time Extended**
33-12-4
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Missing drain plug at dumpster. - From follow-up inspection 2024-11-01: **Time Extended**
33-11-4
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed grease buildup on hood filters. - From follow-up inspection 2024-11-01: **Time Extended**
23-03-4
86
Oct 31, 2024
Complaint Full
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 5 minor violations.
View 7 violations
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit.Observed in walk in cooler: Cold holding shredded beef 47F, ground beef 46F, pork 47F, flan 46F, refried beans 47F.Manager moved all product to walk in freezer and called for service. Manager checked temperature earlier and was at 41F, current ambient 48F . **Warning**
03A-02-5
Intermediate - No soap provided at handwash sink.Observed no soap in men's room. Manager added. **Corrected On-Site**
31B-03-4
Basic - Dumpster rusted out on bottom.
33-12-4
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 tongs with handle in raw chicken. Manager removed. **Corrected On-Site**
10-01-5
Basic - Missing drain plug at dumpster.
33-11-4
Basic - No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees. Observed signs missing in 2 bathrooms in back hallway.
31B-04-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed grease buildup on hood filters.
23-03-4
61
Aug 6, 2024
Routine - Food
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Basic - Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting.Observed stacked pans on storage shelf wet nesting.
24-08-4
Basic - In-use tongs stored on equipment door handle between uses.Removed during inspection. As a repeat violation the importance of following proper protocol with this violation was reinforced with the Manager. **Corrected On-Site**
10-20-4
90
Mar 5, 2024
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 3 major violations. 1 minor violation.
View 6 violations
High Priority - Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse.Observed Observed in walkin cooler Cold Holding Beef Taco 59F. Stop sale on beef taco dated 3/3/24.
01B-02-5
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit.Observed in walkin cooler Cold Holding Beef Taco 59F, Pork 45F. Stop sale on beef taco dated 3/3/24.As a repeat violation the importance of following proper protocol with this violation was reinforced with the Manager. **Corrective Action Taken** **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
03A-02-5
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime.Observed soiled soda gun. Manager cleaned. **Corrected On-Site**
22-02-4
Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing.Observed ice and cut orange in hand wash sink at wait station by soda machine. As a repeat violation the importance of following proper protocol with this violation was reinforced with the Manager. **Repeat Violation**
31A-11-4
Intermediate - Operator is not properly tracking/marking the number of days ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite was held at refrigeration temperatures prior to freezing in order to properly date mark the food when it is thawed and held at refrigeration temperatures again. Observed pork and beef pulled from freezer without pull date. Explained to manager proper procedures. **Corrective Action Taken**
02C-04-5
Basic - In-use tongs stored on equipment door handle between uses.As a repeat violation the importance of following proper protocol with this violation was reinforced with the Manager. **Corrected On-Site**
10-20-4
52
Sep 6, 2023
Routine - Food
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust.Observed grease buildup on hood filters. - From follow-up inspection 2023-09-06: **Time Extended**
23-03-4
95
Sep 5, 2023
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 2 major violations. 2 minor violations.
View 6 violations
Adequate Handwashing Facilities Supplied and Accessible
FL-10
Employee Health Policies Present
FL-03
Food Contact Surfaces Clean and Sanitized
FL-22
Non-Food Contact Surfaces Clean
FL-23
Approved Thawing Methods Used
FL-31
Proper Sanitizer Contact Time and Concentration
FL-33
39
Apr 10, 2023
Routine - Food
2 major violations. 1 minor violation.
View 3 violations
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. Observed no employee health reporting agreement. Emailed operator Employee Health Reporting Agreement Emailed English and Spanish. **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2023-04-10: Did not observe any employee health reporting agreements completed. **Time Extended**
11-26-1
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.Manager was unable to access the employee training records. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2023-04-10: Observed all employees training certificates expired. Please update all employee training certificates. **Admin Complaint**
53B-01-5
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Current Hotel and Restaurant license not displayed. Observed displayed license near hostess stand expired 2021. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2023-04-10: Did not observe any Seating license displayed. Only beverage license posted. **Time Extended**
50-09-4
78
Aug 29, 2022
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 2 major violations. 6 minor violations.
View 10 violations
High Priority - Chlorine sanitizer used to sanitize clean in place equipment not at proper minimum strength. Do not use equipment not properly sanitized. Observed chlorine sanitizer bucket at 0ppm. Employee corrected to 50ppm. **Corrected On-Site**
22-52-4
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 Dishwashing Machine chlorine sanitizer at 0ppm. Manager called for service. **Repeat Violation**
22-41-4
Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Observed blender container in Hand wash sink at end of cook line. Employee corrected by removing. **Corrected On-Site**
31A-11-4
Intermediate - Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled. Observed large spray bottle of cleaner detergent not labeled. Manager corrected by labeling. As a repeat violation the importance of following proper protocol with this violation was reinforced with the Manager. **Repeat Violation**
41-17-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed food debris under microwaves on top of shelf on cooks line .
23-03-4
Basic - In-use ice scoop stored on soiled surface between uses. Observed ice scoop stored in metal pan with soiled plastic bag on the bottom. Manager corrected by removing.
10-12-5
Basic - Hole in or other damage to wall. Observed metal wall cover pulling away 2-3" from wall outside Walkin Freezer . **Repeat Violation**
36-24-5
Basic - Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting. Observed metal food pans wet nesting on pan storage rack.
24-08-4
Basic - Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable. Observed grooved sandwich cutting boards on top of Reachin Coolers on cooks line.
14-09-4
Basic - Ceiling tile missing. Observed no ceiling tiles above Walkin Freezer . Operator stated they just replaced Air Conditioning unit.
36-36-4
45
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Mr. Tequila Cantina last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Mr. Tequila Cantina on file is from Mar 11, 2026. The public record contains 11 inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Mr. Tequila Cantina?
Across the inspection record, “in-use tongs stored on equipment door handle between uses” has been cited three times, more than any other issue at Mr. Tequila Cantina.
How does Mr. Tequila Cantina compare to other restaurants in Sarasota?
Mr. Tequila Cantina most recently scored 78 out of 100, which is about the same as the Sarasota average of 81.
Has Mr. Tequila Cantina's inspection record improved over time?
Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at Mr. Tequila Cantina have averaged around four violations per visit across the recent record.
What does a low risk rating mean?
A low risk rating at Mr. Tequila Cantina 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 Mr. Tequila Cantina inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Mr. Tequila Cantina is inspected around three times per year on average.
Nearby Restaurants