Sonic Drive-In 5451
Last inspected: Jan 15, 2026
70
Score
Inspectors have visited Sonic Drive-In 5451 nine times, with records going back to 2022. The most recent visit was on Jan 15, 2026. A medium risk rating points to a few notable findings at the last inspection, though nothing severe.
Recent inspections have found fewer violations than earlier ones, averaging around five violations lately and about seven violations before that.
When inspectors have written things up, “food-contact surface soiled with food debris” has been the most frequent reason, cited four times.
The city-wide average sits at 74, which Sonic Drive-In 5451's 70 doesn't quite reach. The inspection history reads as standard for a restaurant of this size.
9
Inspections
0
Critical latest
1
Major latest
5
Minor latest
Inspection History
Jan 15, 2026
Routine - Food
1 major violation. 5 minor violations.
View 6 violations
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Observed ice chute in large ice machine soiled. Also, multiple fryer brackets and handle area soiled. **Repeat Violation**
22-02-4
Basic - Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting. Clean stacked pans on storage shelf at triple sink area unable to properly air dry **Repeat Violation**
24-08-4
Basic - Equipment in poor repair. Observed torn gaskets on both doors of reach-in cooler next to fryers and gasket on reach in freezer next to prep area. Also, knife rack above triple sink in disrepair.
14-11-5
Basic - Hood filter missing from automatic fire suppression/exhaust system. Observed missing filter/;gap between filters in hood areas above grill and fryers. **Repeat Violation**
14-42-4
Basic - Ice buildup in reach-in freezer and/or walk-in freezer. Observed ice buildup up in reach-in freezer next to prep area. Also, slight ice buildup up in walk in freezer on shelving and door.
14-69-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed exterior of fryers and wheels on fryers soiled with accumulation of grease/ debris. **Repeat Violation**
23-03-4
70
Aug 29, 2025
Routine - Food
1 major violation. 6 minor violations.
View 7 violations
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Blade on Wedger on clean storage shelf by triple sink soiled. Also, underside of shake machine spindle at shake making station. Operator cleaned spindle during this inspection. Also, ice chute on right side in large ice machine soiled. Also, hose for bag in box touching floor. Operator stated it's not in use and discussed cleaning and zip tying to shelf. **Corrective Action Taken** **Repeat Violation**
22-02-4
Basic - Carbon dioxide/helium tanks not adequately secured. Multiple CO2 tanks not adequately secured. Operator chained up the tanks to secure them. **Corrected On-Site**
51-11-4
Basic - Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance. Multiple ceiling tiles on cook line and kitchen area soiled.
36-34-5
Basic - Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting. Clean stacked pans on storage shelf above triple sink unable to properly air dry
24-08-4
Basic - Hood filter missing from automatic fire suppression/exhaust system. Part of a hood filter missing/ filter in disrepair
14-42-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Exterior of some equipment on cook line soiled. Fryer basket handles soiled.
23-03-4
Basic - Reach-in cooler interior/shelves have accumulation of soil residues. Interior of two door reach-in cooler and shelving next to fryers soiled.
22-16-4
67
Apr 21, 2025
Routine - Food
1 major violation.
View 1 violation
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : Intermediate - Required employee training provided by a third-party employee training program and operator unable to provide original certificate for employees trained. Operator only able to provide photo copies of employee food safety training certificates. Operator stated they have safe staff books on order to replace the photo copied certificates. **Corrective Action Taken** **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint** - From follow-up inspection 2025-04-21: At callback no change. Books still on order **Time Extended**
53B-09-4
90
Apr 18, 2025
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 4 major violations. 3 minor violations.
View 9 violations
High Priority - Quaternary ammonium sanitizer not at proper minimum strength for manual warewashing. Do not use equipment/utensils not properly sanitized. Triple Sink (Quaternary 0ppm). Operator emptied sink and remade solution and retested at 200ppm **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
22-43-4
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. chili (45F - Cold Holding); raw beef (44F - Cold Holding); cut tomatoes (53F - Cooling) in walk-in-cooler. Operator stated cooler working fine earlier. Operator called to have walk-in-cooler serviced. Also, hot dogs (52F - Cold Holding); liquid eggs (45F - Cold Holding); raw beef (47F - Cold Holding) in reach-in cooler next to fryers. Operator stated she checked temp this morning and it was working fine. Operator called to have serviced and removed TCS foods and placed in walk-in-cooler and walk in freezer to chill. Also, whipped topping (48F - Cold Holding) in top of reach-in cooler at shake making station. Operator stated it was taken out about 30 minutes prior. Operator placed bag of whipped topping in bottom of reach-in cooler to chill. **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning**
03A-02-5
Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Hand wash sink near drive thru window used to store utensils. Operator removed utensil from hand wash sink. **Repeat Violation**
31A-11-4
Intermediate - No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. No paper towels at hand wash sink across from triple sink. Operator stated paper towels are due in later today.
31B-02-4
Intermediate - Required employee training provided by a third-party employee training program and operator unable to provide original certificate for employees trained. Operator only able to provide photo copies of employee food safety training certificates. Operator stated they have safe staff books on order to replace the photo copied certificates. **Corrective Action Taken** **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
53B-09-4
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Multiple fryer baskets have accumulation of food debris/ soiled. Also, ice chute in large ice machine on right side soiled. **Repeat Violation**
22-02-4
Basic - Equipment in poor repair. Observed a hole in side of interior of large ice machine on left near door hinge. **Repeat Violation**
14-11-5
Basic - In-use ice scoop stored on soiled surface between uses. Ice,scoop stored in pan with unclean water. Operator replaced pan for ice scoop. **Corrected On-Site**
10-12-5
Basic - Time/temperature control for safety food thawed in an improper manner. Bags of chili thawing in container of standing water next to triple. Operator removed chili to thaw. **Corrected On-Site**
06-01-5
43
Aug 2, 2024
Routine - Food
3 critical violations. 3 major violations. 4 minor violations.
View 10 violations
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over or with ready-to-eat food in a freezer - not all products commercially packaged. Raw chicken nuggets and tenders stored above ready to eat pickle fries. Operator removed pickle fries to properly store. **Corrected On-Site**
08A-02-6
High Priority - Quaternary ammonium sanitizer not at proper minimum strength for manual warewashing. Do not use equipment/utensils not properly sanitized. Triple Sink (Quaternary 0ppm). Operator unable to get sanitizer pump at triple sink to properly dispense. Operator called to have serviced. Operator will manually dispense sanitizer to 200ppm until pump repaired. **Corrective Action Taken**
22-43-4
High Priority - Live, small flying insects in kitchen, food preparation area, food storage area and/or bar area. One flying insect near shelves above triple sink.
35A-02-6
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Holster for can opener at prep table and ice chute of large ice machine soiled.
22-02-4
Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Hand wash sink nearest drive thru window used to store whisk. Employee removed whisk to properly store. **Corrected On-Site**
31A-11-4
Intermediate - Required employee training provided by a third-party employee training program and operator unable to provide original certificate for employees trained. Operator only able to provide photo copies of employee food handler certificates.
53B-09-4
Basic - Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin. Ice bin of large ice machine soiled.
22-20-5
Basic - Equipment in poor repair. One Filter above fryer in disrepair/ missing part of slats. Also, reach in freezer lid next to grill in disrepair/ warped/ unable to seal. Operator stated they have been pricing some to replace. **Corrective Action Taken**
14-11-5
Basic - Floor in disrepair. Floor in walk in freezer in disrepair/ buckled up from floor, loose at threshold.
36-17-5
Basic - Wiping cloth quaternary ammonium compound sanitizing solution not at proper minimum strength. Sanitizer Bucket (Quaternary 0ppm) on cook line. Operator unable to get sanitizer pump at triple sink to properly dispense. Operator called to have serviced. Operator will manually dispense sanitizer to 200ppm until pump repaired. **Corrective Action Taken**
21-08-4
39
Aug 14, 2023
Complaint Full
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Food Received at Proper Temperature
FL-12
Lighting Adequate; Required Shields in Place
FL-36
90
Aug 3, 2023
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 6 minor violations.
View 8 violations
Employee Health Policies Present
FL-03
Food Received at Proper Temperature
FL-12
Food in Good Condition, Safe, and Unadulterated
FL-13
Food Contact Surfaces Clean and Sanitized
FL-22
Non-Food Contact Surfaces Clean
FL-23
Hot and Cold Water Available; Adequate Pressure
FL-25
Lighting Adequate; Required Shields in Place
FL-36
Wiping Cloths Properly Used and Stored
FL-41
50
Jan 13, 2023
Routine - Food
1 major violation. 3 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Food in Good Condition, Safe, and Unadulterated
FL-13
Food Properly Stored/Protected
FL-48
Food Contact Surfaces Clean and Sanitized
FL-22
Approved Thawing Methods Used
FL-31
82
Aug 2, 2022
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 1 major violation. 2 minor violations.
View 5 violations
High Priority - Live, small flying insects in kitchen, food preparation area, food storage area and/or bar area. Observed three flying insects , two in backroom near back door. One near shake machine on front line.
35A-02-6
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed sausage patty on cook line at 92F Manager voluntarily removed and discarded **Corrective Action Taken**
03B-01-6
Intermediate - Packaged food not labeled as specified by law. Container of white batter powder mix near three compartment sink not labeled.
02D-02-4
Basic - Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin. Observed main ice machine near entrance of kitchen interior soiled. **Repeat Violation**
22-20-5
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed walk in cooler and walk-in freezer door gaskets soiled. Observed fan guards in walk in cooler dusty. **Repeat Violation**
23-03-4
61
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Sonic Drive-In 5451 last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Sonic Drive-In 5451 on file is from Jan 15, 2026. The public record contains nine inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Sonic Drive-In 5451?
Across the inspection record, “food-contact surface soiled with food debris” has been cited four times, more than any other issue at Sonic Drive-In 5451.
How does Sonic Drive-In 5451 compare to other restaurants in Jacksonville?
Sonic Drive-In 5451 most recently scored 70 out of 100, which is lower than the Jacksonville average of 74.
Has Sonic Drive-In 5451's inspection record improved over time?
Yes. Recent inspections at Sonic Drive-In 5451 have averaged around five violations per visit, down from roughly seven earlier in the record.
What does a medium risk rating mean?
A medium risk rating at Sonic Drive-In 5451 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 5451 inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Sonic Drive-In 5451 is inspected around three times per year on average.
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