Sonic Drive-In 1237

224 W 23 St, Panama City, FL 32405

American

Last inspected: Dec 17, 2025

Score

Medium Risk

The health department has logged six inspections at Sonic Drive-In 1237, the earliest from 2022. On Dec 17, 2025, the health department conducted the most recent visit. A medium risk rating points to a few notable findings at the last inspection, though nothing severe.

Recent inspections have turned up roughly the same number of issues each time, hovering near four violations per visit.

The pattern that stands out is “reach-in cooler shelves with rust that has pitted the surface”, which has been cited two times.

Compared to other Panama City restaurants (averaging 83), there's room to close the gap. Nothing in the record is alarming, but there's room to improve.

Inspections

Critical latest

Major latest

Minor latest

Inspection History

Dec 17, 2025

Routine - Food

2 major violations. 5 minor violations.

View 7 violations

Intermediate - No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. No paper towels at the handwashing sink next to the office area. Manager brought paper towels during inspection. **Corrected On-Site**

31B-02-4

Intermediate - Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled. In the chemical storage.

41-17-4

Basic - Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance. Vent outside the Walk in cooler with presence of dust.

36-34-5

Basic - Hole in or other damage to wall. Walls and door inside the Walk in Cooler have presence of rust.

36-24-5

Basic - Wall soiled with accumulated grease, food debris, and/or dust. Walls/doors that leads to the WIC and WIF with presence of black mold-like substance and buildup.

36-27-5

Basic - Wiping cloth sanitizing solution stored on the floor. Manager stored it properly during inspection. **Corrected On-Site**

21-38-4

Basic - Reach-in cooler shelves with rust that has pitted the surface. Upright cooler besides the freezer, next to the frying station.

14-33-4

Apr 18, 2025

Complaint Full

2 major violations.

View 2 violations

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. Observed 5 food handlers hired over 60 days at time of inspection. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2025-04-18: There is no food handler training for two food handlers hired over 60 days on duty at time of inspection Ryan and Chris. **Admin Complaint**

53B-01-5

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. Manager unable to provide proof of reporting agreement for all employees. Observed 5 employees at time of inspection. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2025-04-18: Manager unable to provided employee reporting agreement for employees. **Admin Complaint**

11-26-1

Feb 4, 2025

Routine - Food

5 minor violations.

View 5 violations

Basic - Buildup of food debris/soil residue on walk-in cooler door handle.

23-24-4

Basic - Floor soiled/has accumulation of debris. Build up of debris under walk-in cooler shelves. **Repeat Violation**

36-73-4

Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Mold like substance on walk-in cooler shelf. Grease and debris build up on top of fry/tater tot warmer. **Repeat Violation**

23-03-4

Basic - Reach-in cooler shelves with rust that has pitted the surface. Fry station and grill station reach in cooler and freezer shelves.

14-33-4

Basic - Wall not smooth, nonabsorbent and easily cleanable in food preparation, food storage, warewashing areas or bathroom. Rusted walls in walk-in cooler.

36-30-4

Aug 24, 2023

Complaint Partial

1 minor violation.

View 1 violation

Hot and Cold Water Available; Adequate Pressure

FL-25

Jul 28, 2023

Complaint Full

2 major violations. 4 minor violations.

View 6 violations

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. Observed 5 food handlers hired over 60 days at time of inspection. **Warning**

53B-01-5

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. Manager unable to provide proof of reporting agreement for all employees. Observed 5 employees at time of inspection. **Warning**

11-26-1

Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Speed rack in walk-in cooler soiled with food debris and mold like substance. **Repeat Violation**

23-03-4

Basic - Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Observed cell phone on cutting board by flat top. Cell phone removed at time of inspection. Cutting board cleaned and sanitized. **Corrected On-Site**

40-06-5

Basic - Floor area(s) covered with standing water. Under drink machine near desk

36-22-4

Basic - Floor soiled/has accumulation of debris. Dust/dirt by front door. Dirt/debris under ice machine and storage are shelves.

36-73-4

Oct 18, 2022

Routine - Food

2 major violations. 4 minor violations.

View 6 violations

Required Records Available; Shellstock Tags/Labels

FL-14

Proper Hot and Cold Holding Temperatures

FL-21

Food Contact Surfaces Clean and Sanitized

FL-22

Non-Food Contact Surfaces Clean

FL-23

Sewage and Wastewater Properly Disposed

FL-27

Lighting Adequate; Required Shields in Place

FL-36

Show all 6 inspections Show less

Frequently Asked Questions

When was Sonic Drive-In 1237 last inspected?

The most recent health inspection at Sonic Drive-In 1237 on file is from Dec 17, 2025. The public record contains six inspections in total.

What is the most common violation at Sonic Drive-In 1237?

Across the inspection record, “reach-in cooler shelves with rust that has pitted the surface” has been cited two times, more than any other issue at Sonic Drive-In 1237.

How does Sonic Drive-In 1237 compare to other restaurants in Panama City?

Sonic Drive-In 1237 most recently scored 64 out of 100, which is lower than the Panama City average of 83.

Has Sonic Drive-In 1237's inspection record improved over time?

Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at Sonic Drive-In 1237 have averaged around four violations per visit across the recent record.

What does a medium risk rating mean?

A medium risk rating at Sonic Drive-In 1237 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 Sonic Drive-In 1237 inspected?

Based on the inspection history on file, Sonic Drive-In 1237 is inspected around two times per year on average.

Nearby Restaurants

Score: 100 — Low Risk

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