Rufa

1111 Ritz Carlton Dr, Sarasota, FL 34236

American

Last inspected: Mar 3, 2026

Score

Medium Risk

Inspectors have visited Rufa nine times, with records going back to 2022. The most recent report on file is from Mar 3, 2026. A medium risk score generally means inspectors found things to fix, though most weren't urgent.

Violation counts have held steady across recent visits, averaging around three violations each.

Looking across the full record, “raw fruits/vegetables not washed prior to preparation” is the recurring theme, flagged three times.

By comparison, the average Sarasota facility scores 81, putting Rufa on the weaker side. Taken together, the history looks like that of a busy facility working through the usual inspection cycle.

Inspections

Critical latest

Major latest

Minor latest

Inspection History

Mar 3, 2026

Routine - Food

1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 2 minor violations.

View 4 violations

High Priority - Container of medicine improperly stored. Container of employee medicine stored next to food in the cook line area. Chef removed the medicine. **Corrected On-Site**

41-07-4

Intermediate - Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Several items stored in the hand wash sink in the first floor bar area. Employee removed the items. **Corrected On-Site**

31A-09-4

Basic - Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine.

22-20-5

Basic - Ice buildup in reach-in-cooler in the preparation area.

14-69-4

Oct 22, 2025

Complaint Full

1 major violation. 2 minor violations.

View 3 violations

Intermediate - No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. No paper towels provided at the hand wash sink in the pool bar area. Employee placed paper towels at the hand wash sink. **Corrected On-Site**

31B-02-4

Basic - Food stored on floor. Plastic bottles of juice stored on the floor in the pool bar area. Employee placed the bottles on a shelf. **Corrected On-Site**

08B-38-4

Basic - Standing water in bottom of reach-in-cooler. Standing water in the bottom of the stand up reach in cooler in the Rufa kitchen.

29-49-6

Jul 28, 2025

Routine - Food

3 critical violations. 1 minor violation.

View 4 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 the trash can then a clean knife without washing their hands. Employee removed the knife to be sanitized and washed their hands. **Corrective Action Taken**

12A-29-4

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. Tomato basil soup (59F - Cooling); stored in the walk in cooler in covered 18 Qt container with a date mark of 7/27. Employee stated the soup was placed in the walk in cooler to cool on 7/27. Employee discarded the soup.

01B-36-5

High Priority - Cooked/heated time/temperature control for safety food not cooled from 135 degrees Fahrenheit to 41 degrees Fahrenheit within 6 hours. Tomato basil soup (59F - Cooling); stored in the walk in cooler in covered 18 Qt container with a date mark of 7/27. Employee stated the soup was placed in the walk in cooler to cool on 7/27. Employee discarded the soup.

03D-02-5

Basic - Raw fruits/vegetables not washed prior to preparation. Observe employee cutting fresh kiwi before washing. Employee washed the cut and uncut kiwi. **Corrected On-Site**

08B-39-4

Jan 8, 2025

Routine - Food

2 minor violations.

View 2 violations

Basic - Raw fruits/vegetables not washed prior to preparation. Observed employee cutting unwashed romaine lettuce. Employee washed the cut and uncut lettuce. **Corrected On-Site**

08B-39-4

Basic - Carbon dioxide/helium tanks not adequately secured. Employee secured the tanks. **Corrected On-Site**

51-11-4

Jul 22, 2024

Routine - Food

1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 1 minor violation.

View 3 violations

Food Received at Proper Temperature

FL-12

Sewage and Wastewater Properly Disposed

FL-27

Approved Thawing Methods Used

FL-31

Dec 18, 2023

Routine - Food

4 critical violations.

View 4 violations

Supervisor/Person in Charge Present

FL-01

Employee Health Policies Present

FL-03

Hands Clean and Properly Washed

FL-08

Food Received at Proper Temperature

FL-12

Jul 28, 2023

Routine - Food

2 minor violations.

View 2 violations

Basic - Walk-in cooler shelves with rust that has pitted the surface.

14-17-4

Basic - Raw fruits/vegetables not washed prior to preparation. Employee cutting unwashed tomatoes. Employee washed the cut and uncut tomatoes. **Corrected On-Site**

08B-39-4

Oct 24, 2022

Routine - Food

2 critical violations. 1 major violation.

View 3 violations

Hands Clean and Properly Washed

FL-08

Food Received at Proper Temperature

FL-12

Food Contact Surfaces Clean and Sanitized

FL-22

Jul 19, 2022

Routine - Food

1 minor violation.

View 1 violation

Basic - Wiping cloth quaternary ammonium compound sanitizing solution not at proper minimum strength. Quaternary reading 00ppm in sanitizer bucket. Employee replaced the sanitizer new reading 300ppm. **Corrected On-Site**

21-08-4

Show all 9 inspections Show less

Frequently Asked Questions

When was Rufa last inspected?

The most recent health inspection at Rufa on file is from Mar 3, 2026. The public record contains nine inspections in total.

What is the most common violation at Rufa?

Across the inspection record, “raw fruits/vegetables not washed prior to preparation” has been cited three times, more than any other issue at Rufa.

How does Rufa compare to other restaurants in Sarasota?

Rufa most recently scored 70 out of 100, which is lower than the Sarasota average of 81.

Has Rufa's inspection record improved over time?

Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at Rufa have averaged around three violations per visit across the recent record.

What does a medium risk rating mean?

A medium risk rating at Rufa 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 Rufa inspected?

Based on the inspection history on file, Rufa is inspected around two times per year on average.

Nearby Restaurants

Green Zebra Cafe

1377 Main St

Score: 70 — Medium Risk

Score: 100 — Low Risk

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