Rico's Pizzeria
Last inspected: Nov 10, 2025
70
Score
Going back to 2022, Rico's Pizzeria has nine inspections in the public record. Rico's Pizzeria was last inspected on Nov 10, 2025. The medium risk tier sits in the middle: not spotless, but not alarming either.
Violation counts have been trending down, averaging around four violations across recent inspections versus roughly eight violations before.
Across the inspection history, “bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food” is the issue that surfaces most often, recorded seven times.
The city-wide average sits at 81, which Rico's Pizzeria's 70 doesn't quite reach. On the whole, the file is mixed but not concerning.
9
Inspections
2
Critical latest
0
Major latest
1
Minor latest
Inspection History
Nov 10, 2025
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 1 minor violation.
View 3 violations
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed wing sauce with butter (77F - Cold Holding) in the kitchen. The operator stated the sauce had been held for more than 4 hours. The operator discarded the wing sauce. **Corrected On-Site**
03A-02-5
High Priority - Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. Observed wing sauce with butter (77F - Cold Holding) in the kitchen. The operator stated the sauce had been held for more than 4 hours. The operator discarded the wing sauce. **Corrected On-Site**
01B-02-5
Basic - Wiping cloth sanitizing solution stored on the floor. The operator properly stored the sanitizer bucket. **Corrected On-Site**
21-38-4
70
Jul 7, 2025
Routine - Food
3 critical violations. 2 major violations. 1 minor violation.
View 6 violations
High Priority - Cooked/heated time/temperature control for safety food not cooled from 135 degrees Fahrenheit to 41 degrees Fahrenheit within 6 hours. Observed marinara sauce (49F - Cooling) in the walk in cooler date marked 7/6. The operator discarded the marinara sauce. **Corrected On-Site**
03D-02-5
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 the chlorine sanitizer solution for the dishmachine at 0ppm. The operator replaced the empty solution container. **Corrected On-Site**
22-41-4
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. Observed marinara sauce (49F - Cooling) in the walk in cooler date marked 7/6. The operator discarded the marinara sauce. **Corrected On-Site**
01B-36-5
Intermediate - No chemical test kit provided when using sanitizer at three-compartment sink/warewashing machine or wiping cloths. The operator was unable to locate the chlorine test kit for the dishmachine. **Repeat Violation**
16-37-1
Intermediate - Commercially processed ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food opened and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked after opening. Observed milk opened and held for more than 24 hours with no date mark in the 2-door reach in cooler in the kitchen.
02C-03-5
Basic - Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Observed plastic portion cups with no handle used as scoops for parmesan cheese. The operator removed the portion cups. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
14-01-5
50
Jan 9, 2025
Routine - Food
3 major violations. 1 minor violation.
View 4 violations
Intermediate - No chemical test kit provided when using sanitizer at three-compartment sink/warewashing machine or wiping cloths. Observed quaternary test kit expired.
16-37-1
Intermediate - Proof of required state approved employee training not available for some employees. To order approved program food safety material, call DBPR contracted provider: Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (SafeStaff) 866-372-7233.
53B-13-5
Intermediate - Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled above the three compartment sink. The operator labeled the spray bottle. **Corrected On-Site**
41-17-4
Basic - Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Observed a plastic portion cup with no handle used as a scoop for Parmesan cheese in the reach in cooler. The operator removed the portion cup. **Corrected On-Site**
14-01-5
70
Sep 3, 2024
Routine - Food
1 major violation. 3 minor violations.
View 4 violations
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 thawed cooked lasagna missing the date mark when removed from the freezer.
02C-04-5
Basic - Only means for public to access the bathroom is through a food preparation, ware washing, or food storage area. Observed access to the public restroom passes through dry storage area. **Repeat Violation**
32-16-4
Basic - Stored food not covered. Observed sausage stored uncovered in the reach in freezer.
08B-12-5
Basic - Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Observed a plastic potion cup with no handle used as a scoop for Parmesan cheese in the reach in cooler at the salad station. The operator removed the portion cup. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
14-01-5
78
Apr 16, 2024
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 9 minor violations.
View 11 violations
High Priority - Dented/rusted cans present. See stop sale. Observed a dented can of tomato's on the rim.
01B-01-4
Intermediate - Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Observed the hand wash sink blocked by carts.
31A-09-4
Basic - Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Observed a to go ramekin in the chocolate chips. This is a repeat violation.
14-01-5
Basic - Clean equipment/dishware/utensils stored next to handwash/food preparation sink exposed to splash. Observed clean pans next to the hand wash sink.
24-27-4
Basic - Damaged/spoiled/recalled food not properly segregated. Observed a dented can of the tomato's rim.
08B-20-4
Basic - Equipment or utensils not designed or constructed in a durable manner. Observed pealing paint on the mixer head in the back of the kitchen.
14-10-4
Basic - In-use tongs stored on equipment door handle between uses. Observed a set of tongs on a cart.
10-20-4
Basic - No copy of latest inspection report available.
51-18-6
Basic - Objectionable odors in bathroom or other areas of the establishment. Observed an objectionable order coming by the bathroom.
36-64-5
Basic - Only means for public to access the bathroom is through a food preparation, ware washing, or food storage area. Observed the only bathroom in the back dry storage area.
32-16-4
Basic - Single-service articles improperly stored. Observed pizza boxes in the employee rest room.
25-05-4
50
Nov 7, 2023
Routine - Food
4 major violations. 5 minor violations.
View 9 violations
Intermediate - Required employee training provided by an unapproved provider. To order approved program food safety material, call DBPR contracted provider: Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (SafeStaff) 866-372-7233. Observed Briarlyn Rose James certified through Food Service Prep.
53B-03-5
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Observed the can opener soiled with food debris.
22-02-4
Intermediate - No chemical test kit provided when using sanitizer at three-compartment sink/warewashing machine or wiping cloths. Observed quaternary test kit for the three compartment sink expired 5/2018. **Repeat Violation**
16-37-1
Intermediate - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food opened/prepared, frozen and then thawed and held at refrigeration temperature not properly date marked. Observed thawed cooked chicken prepared on site not marked with the date removed from the freezer. The operator properly date marked the chicken. **Corrected On-Site**
02C-08-5
Basic - Wiping cloth chlorine sanitizing solution not at proper minimum strength. Observed chlorine spray sanitizer at 0ppm. The operator refilled the spray sanitizer to 100ppm. **Corrected On-Site**
21-07-4
Basic - Food stored on floor. Observed plastic bottles of water stored on the floor near the cooler in the dining area. **Repeat Violation**
08B-38-4
Basic - Floor tiles missing and/or in disrepair. Observed cracked floor tiles in the kitchen. **Repeat Violation**
36-17-5
Basic - Carbon dioxide tank not adequately secured near the pizza prep station.
51-11-4
Basic - Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Observed a plastic portion cup with no handle used as a scoop for granulated garlic and pepper near the microwave. Observed a plastic portion cup with no handle used as a scoop for parmesan in the reach in cooler at the salad station. The operator discarded the portion cups. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
14-01-5
52
Jul 21, 2023
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 2 major violations. 4 minor violations.
View 7 violations
High Priority - Employee began working with food, handling clean equipment or utensils, or touching unwrapped single-service items without first washing hands. Observed an employee return to the kitchen from the dining room and handle clean equipment without washing hands. The employee was educated on proper handwashing procedures. **Corrective Action Taken**
12A-16-4
Intermediate - No chemical test kit provided when using sanitizer at three-compartment sink/warewashing machine or wiping cloths. Observed expire quaternary test kits in the dish area.
16-37-1
Intermediate - Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled in the dish area. The operator properly labeled the spray bottle. **Corrected On-Site**
41-17-4
Basic - Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Observed a plastic ramekin with no handle used as a scoop in parmesan cheese in the salad reach in cooler. The operator removed the plastic ramekin. **Corrected On-Site**
14-01-5
Basic - Floor tiles missing and/or in disrepair. Observed cracked floor tiles throughout the kitchen.
36-17-5
Basic - Food stored on floor. Observed plastic 2 liter soda bottles stored on the floor near the dessert cooler and the hallway.
08B-38-4
Basic - Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting. Observed plastic cups by the soda machine stacked without properly air drying.
24-08-4
58
Feb 27, 2023
Routine - Food
4 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Basic - Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Observed plastic ramekin with no handle used as scoop in parmesean cheese. Operator removed the plastic ramekin. **Corrected On-Site**
14-01-5
Basic - Current Hotel and Restaurant license not displayed.
50-09-4
Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Observed employee beverage stored on prep table near the handwashing sink. Operator properly stored the employee beverage. **Corrected On-Site**
12B-07-4
Basic - Interior of oven/microwave has accumulation of black substance/grease/food debris. Observed microwave soiled with food debris.
22-08-4
82
Aug 5, 2022
Routine - Food
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable. Cutting board the salad preparation area. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2022-08-05: **Time Extended**
14-09-4
95
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Rico's Pizzeria last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Rico's Pizzeria on file is from Nov 10, 2025. The public record contains nine inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Rico's Pizzeria?
Across the inspection record, “bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food” has been cited seven times, more than any other issue at Rico's Pizzeria.
How does Rico's Pizzeria compare to other restaurants in Sarasota?
Rico's Pizzeria most recently scored 70 out of 100, which is lower than the Sarasota average of 81.
Has Rico's Pizzeria's inspection record improved over time?
Yes. Recent inspections at Rico's Pizzeria have averaged around four violations per visit, down from roughly eight earlier in the record.
What does a medium risk rating mean?
A medium risk rating at Rico's Pizzeria means the most recent inspection turned up a handful of issues that the health department wrote up but did not classify as critical.
How often is Rico's Pizzeria inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Rico's Pizzeria is inspected around three times per year on average.
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