Rice Box Express
Last inspected: Feb 24, 2026
43
Score
Going back to 2022, Rice Box Express has nine inspections in the public record. The most recent visit was on Feb 24, 2026. Diners may want to take note: high risk reflects issues that a health inspector considered important.
Recent inspections have turned up roughly the same number of issues each time, hovering near six violations per visit.
Across the inspection history, “nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease” is the issue that surfaces most often, recorded five times.
The city-wide average sits at 81, which Rice Box Express' 43 doesn't quite reach. Taken together, the history suggests a facility that has struggled with consistency.
9
Inspections
4
Critical latest
0
Major latest
5
Minor latest
Inspection History
Feb 24, 2026
Routine - Food
4 critical violations. 5 minor violations.
View 9 violations
High Priority - Wiping cloth sanitizer solution exceeds the maximum concentration allowed. Wiping cloth sanitizer reading +200ppm chlorine. Employee replaced the sanitizer, new reading 100ppm chlorine. **Corrected On-Site**
41-27-4
High Priority - Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. Container dishwasher sanitizer stored next to a container of duck sauce in the kitchen. Employee removed the sanitizer. **Corrected On-Site**
41-10-4
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Raw shell eggs stored over ready to eat sauce in the reach in cooler on the cook line. Employee removed the eggs. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
08A-05-6
High Priority - Dented/rusted cans present. See stop sale. 3 cans of water chestnuts dented at the seams. Owner placed the cans aside for a refund.
01B-01-4
Basic - Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance. All ceiling vents in the kitchen soiled. **Repeat Violation**
36-34-5
Basic - In-use utensil stored in standing water less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Rice scoop stored in standing water in the kitchen. Owner removed the scoop to be sanitized. **Corrective Action Taken**
10-07-4
Basic - Light shield damaged/in disrepair. Light shield in the middle section of the kitchen broken. **Repeat Violation**
38-01-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. All handles on the reach in coolers in the kitchen soiled. Dry storage shelves in the kitchen soiled.
23-03-4
Basic - Unclean building components, attachments or fixtures. Exhaust hood in on the cook line soiled.
36-50-4
43
Oct 9, 2025
Routine - Food
4 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Walk-in cooler shelves with rust that has pitted the surface. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2025-10-09: **Time Extended**
14-17-4
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance. Ceiling tiles in the cook line area soiled. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2025-10-09: **Time Extended**
36-34-5
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Floor soiled/has accumulation of debris. Floors under all equipment on the cook line soiled. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2025-10-09: **Time Extended**
36-73-4
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Light shield damaged/in disrepair. Light shield in the middle section of the kitchen broken. **Repeat Violation** **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2025-10-09: **Time Extended**
38-01-4
82
Aug 8, 2025
Routine - Food
3 major violations. 5 minor violations.
View 8 violations
Intermediate - Food manager certification expired. A list of accredited food manager certification examination providers can be found at https://www2.myfloridalicense.com/hotels-restaurants/food-lodging/food-manager/ Zi Ying Su 6/24/20 no other CFM for the establishment. **Warning**
53A-03-7
Intermediate - No chemical test kit provided when using sanitizer at three-compartment sink/warewashing machine or wiping cloths. No chlorine test kit for the sanitizer buckets and three compartment sink. **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
16-37-1
Intermediate - No probe thermometer provided to measure temperature of food products. **Warning**
05-08-4
Basic - Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance. Ceiling tiles in the cook line area soiled. **Warning**
36-34-5
Basic - Floor soiled/has accumulation of debris. Floors under all equipment on the cook line soiled. **Warning**
36-73-4
Basic - Light shield damaged/in disrepair. Light shield in the middle section of the kitchen broken. **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
38-01-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Shelves under all the preparation tables in the kitchen soiled. Handles on all reach in coolers in the kitchen soiled. **Warning**
23-03-4
Basic - Walk-in cooler shelves with rust that has pitted the surface. **Warning**
14-17-4
58
Apr 8, 2025
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 4 major violations. 1 minor violation.
View 6 violations
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Raw shell eggs stored over ready to eat sauce in the walk in cooler. Owner removed the eggs. **Corrected On-Site**
08A-05-6
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Can opener blade soiled. Owner removed the can opener to be sanitized. **Corrected On-Site**
22-02-4
Intermediate - No chemical test kit provided when using sanitizer at three-compartment sink/warewashing machine or wiping cloths. No chlorine test kit for the sanitizer bucket and three compartment sink.
16-37-1
Intermediate - No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. No paper towels at the hand washing sink next to the cook line. Owner placed paper towels at the hand washing sink. **Corrected On-Site**
31B-02-4
Intermediate - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. No date mark on cook chicken stored in the reach in cooler next to the cook line. Owner stated the chicken was cooked on 4/6. Owner placed a date mark on the chicken. **Corrected On-Site**
02C-02-5
Basic - Light shield damaged/in disrepair. Light in the middle section of the kitchen broken.
38-01-4
55
Dec 5, 2024
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 2 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Hands Clean and Properly Washed
FL-08
Required Records Available; Shellstock Tags/Labels
FL-14
Food and Non-Food Contact Surfaces Designed and Constructed
FL-50
Lighting Adequate; Required Shields in Place
FL-36
64
Mar 13, 2024
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 1 major violation. 4 minor violations.
View 7 violations
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over or with unwashed produce. Raw shrimp stored over unwashed cucumbers in the walk-in cooler. Owner removed the cucumbers. **Corrected On-Site**
08A-04-5
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Raw beef stored over ready to eat sauces in the reach in cooler on the cook line. Employee placed the beef below the sauces. **Corrected On-Site**
08A-05-6
Intermediate - Employee washed hands in a sink other than an approved handwash sink. Employee washed their hands in a three compartment sink. The employee properly washed their hands **Corrected On-Site**
12A-03-4
Basic - Uncovered food stored near sink exposed to splash. Uncovered rice noodles stored next to the hand washing sink on the cook line. Employee removed the noodles. **Corrected On-Site**
08B-54-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Shelves under all the preparation tables in the kitchen soiled.
23-03-4
Basic - In-use utensil stored in standing water less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Rice scoop stored in standing water. Owner removed the scoop to be sanitized. **Corrected On-Site**
10-07-4
Basic - Walk-in cooler with rust that has pitted the surface. **Repeat Violation**
14-17-4
55
Nov 2, 2023
Routine - Food
3 critical violations. 1 major violation. 4 minor violations.
View 8 violations
High Priority - Employee dried hands on their apron after washing. Employee rewashed their hands. **Corrected On-Site**
12A-18-4
High Priority - Employee cracked raw shell eggs and then handled ready-to-eat food and/or clean equipment or utensils without washing hands. Employee cracked raw shell eggs then handled clean utensils without washing their hands. Employee removed the utensils to be sanitized and washed their hands. **Corrective Action Taken**
12A-27-4
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 shell eggs in the walk-in cooler. Manager removed the chicken. **Corrected On-Site**
08A-20-5
Intermediate - No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. Hand washing sink right of the cook line. Manager placed paper towels at the hand washing sink. **Corrected On-Site**
31B-02-4
Basic - Food stored on floor. Cases of broccoli and bags of rice stored on the floor in the kitchen. Manager placed the items on a shelf. **Corrected On-Site**
08B-38-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Exterior of all food containers in the the kitchen soiled.
23-03-4
Basic - Unclean building components, attachments or fixtures. Interior of the exhaust hood on the cook line soiled.
36-50-4
Basic - Walk-in cooler shelves with rust that has pitted the surface. **Repeat Violation**
14-17-4
47
Jun 1, 2023
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 2 major violations. 5 minor violations.
View 8 violations
Certified Food Manager Identification
FL-02
Employee Health Policies Present
FL-03
Food Obtained from Approved Sources
FL-11
Food Contact Surfaces Clean and Sanitized
FL-22
Non-Food Contact Surfaces Clean
FL-23
Lighting Adequate; Required Shields in Place
FL-36
Personal Cleanliness
FL-40
Required Records Available; Shellstock Tags/Labels
FL-14
52
Sep 15, 2022
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 6 minor violations.
View 8 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 utensils without washing hands. Instructed employee and manager on proper hand washing protocol.
12A-29-4
Intermediate - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Pork cooked on 9/12 with no date mark. Owner placed a date mark on the pork. **Corrected On-Site**
02C-02-5
Basic - In-use utensil not stored with handle above the top of time/temperature control for safety food and rim of the container. Scoop handle in the rice container setting in the rice. Owner removed the scoop. **Corrected On-Site**
10-06-5
Basic - Floor soiled/has accumulation of debris. Under all equipment on the cook line. As a repeat violation the importance of following proper protocol with this violation was reinforced with the employee. **Repeat Violation**
36-73-4
Basic - Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance. All ceiling vents in the kitchen soiled.
36-34-5
Basic - Walk-in cooler with rust that has pitted the surface. As a repeat violation the importance of following proper protocol with this violation was reinforced with the employee. **Repeat Violation**
14-17-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Shelves under all preparation tables soiled and rusted. All dry storage shelves in the kitchen soiled. Exterior of all food containers in the kitchen soiled.
23-03-4
Basic - Interior of oven/microwave has accumulation of black substance/grease/food debris. Interior of the smoker oven soiled.
22-08-4
58
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Rice Box Express last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Rice Box Express on file is from Feb 24, 2026. The public record contains nine inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Rice Box Express?
Across the inspection record, “nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease” has been cited five times, more than any other issue at Rice Box Express.
How does Rice Box Express compare to other restaurants in Sarasota?
Rice Box Express most recently scored 43 out of 100, which is lower than the Sarasota average of 81.
Has Rice Box Express' inspection record improved over time?
Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at Rice Box Express have averaged around six violations per visit across the recent record.
What does a high risk rating mean?
A high risk rating at Rice Box Express means the most recent inspection flagged either critical violations or a substantial number of smaller ones. Diners may want to read the violation details before deciding to visit.
How often is Rice Box Express inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Rice Box Express is inspected around three times per year on average.
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