Plaza Mexico Restaurant Bar Grill
Last inspected: Aug 6, 2025
95
Score
Going back to 2022, Plaza Mexico Restaurant Bar Grill has nine inspections in the public record. On Aug 6, 2025, the health department conducted the most recent visit. When a facility lands in the low risk tier, it usually means nothing alarming showed up at the most recent visit.
Violation counts have been trending down, averaging around four violations across recent inspections versus roughly 11 violations before.
The pattern that stands out is “time/temperature control for safety food cold held”, which has been cited two times.
Plaza Mexico Restaurant Bar Grill's latest score of 95 sits above the Sarasota average of 81. The record reflects steady performance over time.
9
Inspections
0
Critical latest
0
Major latest
1
Minor latest
Inspection History
Aug 6, 2025
Routine - Food
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Stored food not covered. Observed desserts stored uncovered in the walk in cooler. - From follow-up inspection 2025-08-06: Observed a cake stored uncovered in the walk in cooler. **Time Extended**
08B-12-5
95
Aug 4, 2025
Routine - Food
5 critical violations. 1 major violation. 4 minor violations.
View 10 violations
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Observed raw tilapia stored in contact with cooked octopus. The operator discarded the cooked octopus. Observed raw bacon wrapped peppers stored over cooked octopus in the walk in cooler. The operator proctored the raw bacon. Observed raw tilapia stored over cut tomatoes in the walk in cooler. The operator properly stored the raw fish. **Corrected On-Site**
08A-05-6
High Priority - Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. Observed cheese sauce (106F - Hot Holding); cooked beef (95F - Hot Holding) on a shelf above a grill on the cook line. The operator stated the potentially hazardous foods had been held for over 4 hours. The operator discarded the above foods. **Corrected On-Site**
01B-02-5
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed raw shrimp (51F - Cold Holding); queso blanco (49F - Cold Holding); macaroni and cheese (53F - Cold Holding) in the reach in cooler near the handwashing sink at the entrance to the cook line. The operator stated the potentially hazardous foods had been held for approximately 2 hours. The operator stored the above foods in the walk in cooler. **Corrective Action Taken** **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
03A-02-5
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food identified in the written procedure as a food held using time as a public health control has no time marking. Observed cut tomatoes, guacamole with cut tomatoes, sour cream, shredded cheese, and cut lettuce listed on the time as public health control form, stored in the cook line with no time marking. The operator placed a proper time mark on the foods. **Corrected On-Site**
03F-02-5
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed cheese sauce (106F - Hot Holding); cooked beef (95F - Hot Holding) on a shelf above a grill on the cook line. The operator stated the potentially hazardous foods had been held for over 4 hours. The operator discarded the above foods.
03B-01-6
Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Observed a serving spoon inside the handwashing sink at the entrance to the cook line. The operator removed the spoon. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
31A-11-4
Basic - In-use utensil not stored with handle above the top of time/temperature control for safety food and rim of the container. Observed tong handles in contact with cooked vegetables at the cold holding unit underneath the grill. **Repeat Violation**
10-06-5
Basic - No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees at the entrance to the cook line.
31B-04-4
Basic - Old labels stuck to food containers after cleaning.
16-46-4
Basic - Stored food not covered. Observed desserts stored uncovered in the walk in cooler.
08B-12-5
35
Nov 19, 2024
Routine - Food
1 major violation.
View 1 violation
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Observed the nozzles for the margarita machine behind the bar soiled with a green mold-like substance. - From follow-up inspection 2024-11-19: **Time Extended**
22-02-4
90
Nov 12, 2024
Routine - Food
3 critical violations. 2 major violations. 5 minor violations.
View 10 violations
Supervisor/Person in Charge Present
FL-01
Employee Health Policies Present
FL-03
Hands Clean and Properly Washed
FL-08
Adequate Handwashing Facilities Supplied and Accessible
FL-10
Food Received at Proper Temperature
FL-12
Approved Thawing Methods Used
FL-31
Insects, Rodents, and Animals Not Present
FL-38
Required Records Available; Shellstock Tags/Labels
FL-14
Food Contact Surfaces Clean and Sanitized
FL-22
Equipment Adequate to Maintain Product Temperature
FL-29
19
Jul 17, 2024
Routine - Food
4 critical violations. 6 minor violations.
View 10 violations
Employee Health Policies Present
FL-03
Proper Eating, Tasting, Drinking, or Tobacco Use
FL-06
Hands Clean and Properly Washed
FL-08
Food Received at Proper Temperature
FL-12
Required Records Available; Shellstock Tags/Labels
FL-14
Warewashing Facilities Maintained and Used
FL-24
Approved Thawing Methods Used
FL-31
Proper Sanitizer Contact Time and Concentration
FL-33
Wiping Cloths Properly Used and Stored
FL-41
Plumbing Maintained; Sewage Disposal
FL-51
30
Dec 5, 2023
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 2 major violations. 8 minor violations.
View 12 violations
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed cut tomatoes (52F - Cold Holding) at the guacamole station at the entrance to the kitchen. The operator stated the tomatoes have been held for less than 2 hours. The operator placed the tomatoes in the reach in cooler. The operator was emailed a time/temperature for public health form. **Corrected On-Site**
03A-02-5
High Priority - Nonfood-grade bags used in direct contact with enchilada tortillas on the cook line. The operator properly stored the tortillas. **Corrected On-Site**
14-31-5
Intermediate - Water with a temperature of at least 100 degrees Fahrenheit not provided/shut off at employee handwash sink. Observed hot water at 77F at the handwashing sink in the dish area.
27-16-4
Intermediate - Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Observed the handwashing sink in the prep area, server station, and bar blocked. The operator removed the obstructions to the hand sinks. **Corrected On-Site**
31A-09-4
Basic - Accumulation of black mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine. The operator cleaned the ice machine. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
22-20-5
Basic - Carbon dioxide not adequately secured near the walk in cooler. **Repeat Violation**
51-11-4
Basic - Clean equipment/dishware/utensils stored next to handwash/food preparation sink exposed to splash. Observed clean pans stored next to a handwashing sink in the dish area exposed to splash. The operator properly stored the pans. **Corrected On-Site**
24-27-4
Basic - Employee wearing jewelry other than a plain ring on their hands/arms while preparing food. Observed an employee engaged in food preparation wearing a watch. The employee removed the watch. **Corrected On-Site**
13-07-4
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 the scoop handle used for uncooked rice in the prep area not stored above the food product. The operator properly stored the scoop handle. **Corrected On-Site**
10-01-5
Basic - Missing drain plug at dumpster.
33-11-4
Basic - Standing water in bottom of the glass door reach-in-cooler behind the bar.
29-49-6
Basic - Unwashed fruits/vegetables stored with ready-to-eat food. Observed unwashed avocados stored with pico de gallo in the reach in cooler on the cook line. The operator discarded the pico de gallo. **Corrected On-Site**
08B-17-4
41
Aug 3, 2023
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 2 major violations. 9 minor violations.
View 12 violations
Procedures for Responding to Vomiting/Diarrheal Events
FL-05
Proper Eating, Tasting, Drinking, or Tobacco Use
FL-06
Adequate Handwashing Facilities Supplied and Accessible
FL-10
Proper Sanitizer Contact Time and Concentration
FL-33
Wiping Cloths Properly Used and Stored
FL-41
Plumbing Maintained; Sewage Disposal
FL-51
Food Received at Proper Temperature
FL-12
Required Records Available; Shellstock Tags/Labels
FL-14
Food Contact Surfaces Clean and Sanitized
FL-22
Warewashing Facilities Maintained and Used
FL-24
Equipment Adequate to Maintain Product Temperature
FL-29
Approved Thawing Methods Used
FL-31
33
Mar 14, 2023
Routine - Food
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Equipment in poor repair. Observed gasket on reach in cooler drawer at the end of the cook line torn. Observed door on the reach in cooler at the front of the cook line falls off when opened. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2023-03-14: Observed gasket on reach in cooler drawer at the end of the cook line torn. Observed reach in cooler door at the front of the cook line repaired. **Time Extended**
14-11-5
95
Aug 17, 2022
Routine - Food
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance. Observed ceiling above cook line soiled. As a repeat violation the importance of following proper protocol with this violation was reinforced with the employee. **Repeat Violation** **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2022-08-16: **Time Extended** - From follow-up inspection 2022-08-17: **Time Extended**
36-34-5
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Equipment in poor repair. Observed exterior of walk in door torn. Floor mixer heavily rusted and pitted. Exterior of microwave on left side of cook line was rusted and pitted. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2022-08-16: **Time Extended** - From follow-up inspection 2022-08-17: **Time Extended**
14-11-5
90
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Plaza Mexico Restaurant Bar Grill last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Plaza Mexico Restaurant Bar Grill on file is from Aug 6, 2025. The public record contains nine inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Plaza Mexico Restaurant Bar Grill?
Across the inspection record, “time/temperature control for safety food cold held” has been cited two times, more than any other issue at Plaza Mexico Restaurant Bar Grill.
How does Plaza Mexico Restaurant Bar Grill compare to other restaurants in Sarasota?
Plaza Mexico Restaurant Bar Grill most recently scored 95 out of 100, which is higher than the Sarasota average of 81.
Has Plaza Mexico Restaurant Bar Grill's inspection record improved over time?
Yes. Recent inspections at Plaza Mexico Restaurant Bar Grill have averaged around four violations per visit, down from roughly 11 earlier in the record.
What does a low risk rating mean?
A low risk rating at Plaza Mexico Restaurant Bar Grill 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 Plaza Mexico Restaurant Bar Grill inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Plaza Mexico Restaurant Bar Grill is inspected around three times per year on average.
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