Sonic Drive in
Last inspected: Feb 11, 2026
82
Score
Sonic Drive in has been inspected nine times since 2022. Sonic Drive in was last inspected on Feb 11, 2026. Diners can read the low risk label as a sign that recent inspections have gone well.
Recent inspections have found fewer violations than earlier ones, averaging around two violations lately and about five violations before that.
The pattern that stands out is “nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease”, which has been cited two times.
By comparison, the average Crystal River facility scores 90, putting Sonic Drive in on the weaker side. The record reflects steady performance over time.
9
Inspections
1
Critical latest
0
Major latest
1
Minor latest
Inspection History
Feb 11, 2026
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 1 minor violation.
View 2 violations
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over or with ready-to-eat food in a freezer - not all products commercially packaged. Raw beef stored over bag of fries in reach-in freezer near cook line. Both items are not hermetically sealed. Operator moved and stored correctly. **Corrected On-Site**
08A-02-6
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Hood filters above grill and fryers soiled with an accumulation of grease and dust.
23-03-4
82
Aug 7, 2025
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 2 minor violations.
View 3 violations
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. - Observed Ice Cream - Dairy (55F - Cold Holding) in holding cabinet of machine closest to the drive thru window. Product has been in machine for less than 4 hours from walk-in cooler. Discussed with operator and they discontinued use of machine. - Observed Shredded Cheddar Cheese (50F - Cold Holding) in cooler next to steam table on make line. Product had been in cooler for less than 4 hours. Employee placed bag of ice on top of product. **Corrective Action Taken**
03A-02-5
Basic - Multiple ceiling vents soiled with a mold-like substance.
36-34-5
Basic - Water leaking from pipe and/or faucet/handle underneath three compartment sink and near steam table on make line.
29-11-4
78
Mar 4, 2025
Complaint Partial
No violations found.
100
Oct 22, 2024
Routine - Food
No violations found.
100
Aug 23, 2024
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 3 major violations.
View 4 violations
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Raw beef stored over pasteurized liquid egg in walk in cooler. Operator corrected shelves. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
08A-05-6
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. Allison B. Bryan C. Dayden F. Joseph J. Noah L. Owen M. Tierre M. Ashleigh P. Lily S. Heather S. Maryjane W. **Warning**
11-26-1
Intermediate - Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Sanitize bucket stored in hand wash sink. Operator removed. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
31A-09-4
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. **Warning**
53B-01-5
64
Jan 3, 2024
Complaint Full
10 minor violations.
View 10 violations
Basic - Food not stored at least 6 inches off of the floor. Crossiants on plastic rack in walk in freezer not 6" off floor. Operator moved **Corrected On-Site**
08B-47-4
Basic - Garbage not placed in a receptacle for storage until pick up to make the garbage inaccessible to insects and rodents. Bagged trash next to dumpster in garbage area. Operator put into dumpster **Corrected On-Site**
33-09-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. -mold like growth and debris build up behind handles of soft serve ice cream machine
23-03-4
Basic - Stored food not covered. -multiple items in cook line reach in freezer removed from original packaging, stored uncovered. Operator covered **Corrected On-Site**
08B-12-5
Basic - Unnecessary items stored in garbage enclosure. Wooden pallets and metal rack in garbage enclosure
33-30-4
Basic - Unwashed fruits/vegetables stored with ready-to-eat food. Unwashed tomatoes stored above Ready to eat American cheese in walk in cooler. Operator moved **Corrected On-Site**
08B-17-4
Basic - Walk-in cooler shelves with rust that has pitted the surface. -metal rack in walk in cooler with bread and thawing items rusted
14-17-4
Basic - Ice buildup in walk-in freezer on fan unit
14-69-4
Basic - Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin. Upper interior of ice machine near chute soiled with mold like growth
22-20-5
Basic - Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance. -ceiling tile above ice machine soiled/damaged -air conditioning vents have dust build up throughout kitchen area
36-34-5
61
Oct 27, 2023
Routine - Food
5 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Basic - Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the upper interior of the ice machine/bin. **Repeat Violation**
22-20-5
Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Employee drink on rear prep table, operator removed. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
12B-07-4
Basic - Floor soiled/has accumulation of debris. -walk in freezer floor soiled -floor/wall under fronts d rear three compartment sinks soiled **Repeat Violation**
36-73-4
Basic - Grease receptacle lid open, broken, or missing. Operator closed **Corrected On-Site**
33-29-4
Basic - Multiple cases of Food stored on floor in walk in freezer.
08B-38-4
78
Apr 10, 2023
Routine - Food
1 major violation.
View 1 violation
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. Operator states they have Sonic Safe food safety trains which is not currently on our approved food training list. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2023-04-10: **Time Extended**
53B-01-5
90
Sep 8, 2022
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 3 minor violations.
View 4 violations
High Priority - Quaternary ammonium sanitizer not at proper minimum strength for manual warewashing. Do not use equipment/utensils not properly sanitized. Only 25%. Operator changed container now 200 ppm. **Corrected On-Site**
22-43-4
Basic - Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. In flour bin. Operator removed foam cup from the flour container **Corrected On-Site**
14-01-5
Basic - Equipment and/or utensils in chilled room not cleaned at the frequency required based on the temperature of the room. Bread racks housed for onion rings need cleaning
22-14-5
Basic - floors soiled with paper and food.Operator had floors clean **Corrected On-Site**
36-10-4
74
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Sonic Drive in last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Sonic Drive in on file is from Feb 11, 2026. The public record contains nine inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Sonic Drive in?
Across the inspection record, “nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease” has been cited two times, more than any other issue at Sonic Drive in.
How does Sonic Drive in compare to other restaurants in Crystal River?
Sonic Drive in most recently scored 82 out of 100, which is lower than the Crystal River average of 90.
Has Sonic Drive in's inspection record improved over time?
Yes. Recent inspections at Sonic Drive in have averaged around two violations per visit, down from roughly five earlier in the record.
What does a low risk rating mean?
A low risk rating at Sonic Drive in means inspectors found minimal or no significant issues at the most recent visit. Most facilities at this tier have a clean recent inspection report.
How often is Sonic Drive in inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Sonic Drive in is inspected around three times per year on average.
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