Sonic Drive in
Last inspected: Apr 13, 2026
67
Score
Across the available record, Sonic Drive in has 10 inspections on file, the first dated 2022. The newest entry in the record is dated Apr 13, 2026. Diners should read medium risk as a signal that some issues exist but aren't extreme.
The picture has improved over the last few visits: recent inspections have averaged around nine violations, down from roughly 12 violations earlier in the record.
“Food-contact surface soiled with food debris” accounts for the largest share of issues, appearing seven times across the record.
Sonic Drive in's latest score of 67 falls below the Lake City average of 80. The record is unremarkable in either direction.
10
Inspections
0
Critical latest
1
Major latest
6
Minor latest
Inspection History
Apr 13, 2026
Routine - Food
1 major violation. 6 minor violations.
View 7 violations
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Prep cooler cutting board soiled with mold-like substances.
22-02-4
Basic - Current Hotel and Restaurant license not displayed. License not displayed in store.
50-09-4
Basic - Equipment in poor repair. Reach-in cooler gaskets torn. Cutting board on front reach-in cooler grooved.
14-11-5
Basic - Exterior door has a gap at the threshold that opens to the outside. Daylight visible through gap at exterior back door.
35B-01-4
Basic - Floors not maintained smooth and durable. Bare floor concrete in front of fryers due to missing overlay.
36-11-4
Basic - Hole in or other damage to wall. Wall panel missing at corner next to walk-in cooler door.
36-24-5
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Hood filters soiled with grease accumulation.
23-03-4
67
Dec 8, 2025
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 2 major violations. 8 minor violations.
View 11 violations
Hands Clean and Properly Washed
FL-08
Food Received at Proper Temperature
FL-12
Required Records Available; Shellstock Tags/Labels
FL-14
Potentially Hazardous Food Held at Proper Temperature
FL-16
Food Contact Surfaces Clean and Sanitized
FL-22
Non-Food Contact Surfaces Clean
FL-23
Equipment Adequate to Maintain Product Temperature
FL-29
Approved Thawing Methods Used
FL-31
Equipment, Food and Non-Food Contact Surfaces Approved
FL-35
Lighting Adequate; Required Shields in Place
FL-36
Washing Fruits and Vegetables
FL-42
33
Aug 12, 2025
Routine - Food
1 major violation. 9 minor violations.
View 10 violations
Food Received at Proper Temperature
FL-12
Required Records Available; Shellstock Tags/Labels
FL-14
Potentially Hazardous Food Held at Proper Temperature
FL-16
Food Contact Surfaces Clean and Sanitized
FL-22
Non-Food Contact Surfaces Clean
FL-23
Equipment Adequate to Maintain Product Temperature
FL-29
Equipment, Food and Non-Food Contact Surfaces Approved
FL-35
Lighting Adequate; Required Shields in Place
FL-36
Personal Cleanliness
FL-40
Washing Fruits and Vegetables
FL-42
52
Jan 14, 2025
Routine - Food
4 major violations. 7 minor violations.
View 11 violations
Intermediate - Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Metal bar on handwashing sink. Manager removed. **Corrected On-Site**
31A-09-4
Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Metal bar, pad, and French fry on handwashing sink next to three compartment sink. Manager removed. **Corrected On-Site**
31A-11-4
Intermediate - No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. No paper towels at hand wash sink next to three compartment sink. Manager replaced. **Corrected On-Site**
31B-02-4
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Cutting board of front prep cooler soiled with mold-like substance. **Repeat Violation**
22-02-4
Basic - Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance. Ceiling tiles and vents soiled with grease and mold-like substances. **Repeat Violation**
36-34-5
Basic - Clean glasses, cups, bowls, plates, pots and pans not stored inverted or in a protected manner. Ice bucket not inverted or protected. **Repeat Violation**
24-05-4
Basic - Equipment in poor repair. Ice buildup in reach-in freezer. Cutting board on front reach-in cooler grooved. **Repeat Violation**
14-11-5
Basic - Exterior door has a gap at the threshold that opens to the outside. Daylight visible through gap at exterior back door. **Repeat Violation**
35B-01-4
Basic - Floors not maintained smooth and durable. Bare floor concrete in front of fryers due to missing overlay. **Repeat Violation**
36-11-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Reach-in cooler and reach-in freezer gaskets soiled with food debris and mold-like substances. Hood filters and piping soiled with grease accumulation. **Repeat Violation**
23-03-4
Basic - Utensils in poor condition. Spatula on grill with melted handle.
14-12-4
47
Jul 29, 2024
Routine - Food
1 major violation. 8 minor violations.
View 9 violations
Required Records Available; Shellstock Tags/Labels
FL-14
Potentially Hazardous Food Held at Proper Temperature
FL-16
Food Contact Surfaces Clean and Sanitized
FL-22
Non-Food Contact Surfaces Clean
FL-23
Warewashing Facilities Maintained and Used
FL-24
Equipment Adequate to Maintain Product Temperature
FL-29
Equipment, Food and Non-Food Contact Surfaces Approved
FL-35
Lighting Adequate; Required Shields in Place
FL-36
Washing Fruits and Vegetables
FL-42
55
Feb 27, 2024
Routine - Food
3 major violations. 12 minor violations.
View 15 violations
Intermediate - No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. No paper towels at handwash sink next to three compartment sink. Manager replaced. **Corrected On-Site**
31B-02-4
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Cutting board of front prep cooler stained with mold-like substance. **Repeat Violation**
22-02-4
Intermediate - Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Handwash sink next to three compartment sink blocked by bucket and rags. Manager removed. **Corrected On-Site**
31A-09-4
Basic - Standing water in bottom of reach-in-cooler. Standing water in cookline reach-in cooler.
29-49-6
Basic - Storage of maintenance equipment/tools in areas that may result in cross contamination of food, equipment, utensils, linens and/or single-service and single-use articles. Drill and drill brush on wire rack over prep table. Manager removed. **Corrected On-Site**
42-03-5
Basic - Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance. Ceiling tiles and vents soiled with grease and mold-like substances. **Repeat Violation**
36-34-5
Basic - Clean glasses, cups, bowls, plates, pots and pans not stored inverted or in a protected manner. Ice bucket not inverted or protected.
24-05-4
Basic - Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting. Food bins wet nesting on storage rack.
24-08-4
Basic - Equipment in poor repair. Ice buildup in reach-in freezer. Cutting board of front reach-in cooler grooved. **Repeat Violation**
14-11-5
Basic - Exterior door has a gap at the threshold that opens to the outside. Daylight visible through gap at exterior back door. **Repeat Violation**
35B-01-4
Basic - Floors not maintained smooth and durable. Bare floor concrete in front of fryers due to missing overlay. **Repeat Violation**
36-11-4
Basic - Hood filter missing from automatic fire suppression/exhaust system. Filters missing in hood over grill. **Repeat Violation**
14-42-4
Basic - Ice buildup in reach-in freezer and/or walk-in freezer. Ice buildup around door of walk-in freezer. **Repeat Violation**
14-69-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Reach-in cooler and reach-in freezer gaskets soiled with food debris. Hood filters and piping soiled with grease accumulation. **Repeat Violation**
23-03-4
Basic - Old labels stuck to food containers after cleaning. Old labels on stored food bins next to three compartment sink. **Repeat Violation**
16-46-4
41
Nov 14, 2023
Food-Licensing Inspection
1 major violation. 14 minor violations.
View 15 violations
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Cutting board of front prep cooler stained with mold-like substance. Mold-like substance on upper plate of ice machine.
22-02-4
Basic - Clean glasses, cups, bowls, plates, pots and pans not stored inverted or in a protected manner. Ice bucket not stored nverted or protected.
24-05-4
Basic - Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance. Ceiling tiles and vents soiled with grease and mold-like substances.
36-34-5
Basic - Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Speaker and phone on prep table next to grill.
40-06-5
Basic - Equipment in poor repair. Cutter board of front reach-in cooler grooved.
14-11-5
Basic - Exterior door has a gap at the threshold that opens to the outside. Daylight visible through gap at exterior back door.
35B-01-4
Basic - Floor area(s) covered with standing water. Standing water on floor in front of ice machine and corner of back storage area under c/o tanks.
36-22-4
Basic - Floors not maintained smooth and durable. Bare floor concrete in front of fryers due to missing overlay.
36-11-4
Basic - Hood filter missing from automatic fire suppression/exhaust system. Filters missing in hood over grill.
14-42-4
Basic - Ice buildup in reach-in freezer and/or walk-in freezer. Ice buildup around door of walk-in freezer.
14-69-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Reach-in cooler and reach-in freezer gaskets soiled with food debris. Hood filters and piping soiled with grease accumulation.
23-03-4
Basic - Old labels stuck to food containers after cleaning. Old labels on stored food bins next to three compartment sink.
16-46-4
Basic - Standing water in bottom of reach-in-cooler. Standing water in bottom of front prep cooler.
29-49-6
Basic - Utensils in poor condition. Spatula handle melted, not smooth or easily cleanable.
14-12-4
Basic - Wet mop not stored in a manner to allow the mop to dry. Mop stored in liquid in bucket.
42-01-4
45
Jul 26, 2023
Routine - Food
3 critical violations. 3 major violations. 21 minor violations.
View 27 violations
High Priority - Establishment operating without a license from the Division of Hotels and Restaurants. Operator must obtain a public food service license from the Division of Hotels and Restaurants within 60 days. Submit a license application and payment to DBPR/Bureau of Central Intake Unit, 2601 Blair Stone Rd., Tallahassee, FL 32399-0783. To apply online or obtain an application for license visit http://www.myfloridalicense.com/DBPR/hotels-restaurants/ Change of ownership occurred 7-21-23. **Warning**
50-08-7
High Priority - Stop Sale issued due to adulteration of food product. Raw hamburger on cardboard in malfunctioning reach-in freezer, with water dripping on it. Bin of chicken with no lid; water dripping on it from malfunctioning freezer unit. Employee voluntarily discarded burger and chicken. **Warning**
01B-03-5
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. In hot holding tray: fries (113F - Hot Holding); tator tots (104F - Hot Holding); mozzarella sticks (107F - Hot Holding). Employee discarded. In steam table: chili (126F - Hot Holding). Employee added water and increased heat. **Warning**
03B-01-6
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Ice machine door and bin interior soiled with black mold-like substance. Onion cutter soiled with food debris.
22-02-4
Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Hand wash sink next to shake machine used as a dump sink, as indicated by ice in sink.
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 ice machine.
31B-02-4
Basic - Equipment in poor repair. Reach-in freezer dripping water inside and not freezing. Reach-in cooler and reach-in freezer gaskets torn; missing on door of ice machine.
14-11-5
Basic - Exterior door has a gap at the threshold that opens to the outside. Daylight visible through gap at exterior back door.
35B-01-4
Basic - Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Bowls used as scoops in bulk bins near dry storage area.
14-01-5
Basic - Carbon dioxide/helium tanks not adequately secured. Carbon dioxide tanks in storage area not secured.
51-11-4
Basic - Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance. Ceiling tiles and vents soiled with dust and grease accumulation throughout store. A/C vents rusty.
36-34-5
Basic - Clean glasses, cups, bowls, plates, pots and pans not stored inverted or in a protected manner. Ice bucket hanging next to machine not inverted or protected.
24-05-4
Basic - Dead roaches on premises. Nine dead roaches throughout store to include: on floor under bread/racks, soda syrup boxes, shelves in dry storage area, kitchen hand wash sink, and Slushy machine. **Warning**
35A-03-4
Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Three employee drinks on prep tables. Manager removed. **Corrected On-Site**
12B-07-4
Basic - Employee eating while preparing food. Opened employee drinks in reach-in coolers.
12B-01-4
Basic - Floor area(s) covered with standing water. Standing water on floor near ice machine extending under cook equipment and shake machine. Also on floor of dry storage area next to walk-in cooler.
36-22-4
Basic - Hole in or other damage to wall. Daylight visible through hole in wall near bottom of exterior back door. Wall cover missing on corner at door to walk-in cooler.
36-24-5
Basic - Hood filter missing from automatic fire suppression/exhaust system. Hood filters missing over fryers.
14-42-4
Basic - Ice buildup in reach-in freezer and/or walk-in freezer. Ice buildup in walk-in freezer.
14-69-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Hoods over grill and fryers soiled with grease accumulation. Reach-in cooler gaskets throughout kitchen soiled with food debris and/or a mold-like substance. **Repeat Violation**
23-03-4
Basic - Old labels stuck to food containers after cleaning. Old labels on chicken bin in reach-in freezer and on food bins on storage rack next to three compartment sink.
16-46-4
Basic - Open dumpster lid. Left dumpster lid open.
33-16-4
Basic - Plumbing system in disrepair. ONLY SINKS IN ESTABLISHMENT ARE THREE COMPARTMENT AND HAND WASH SINKS. UNABLE TO WARE WASH WITHOUT OVERFLOWING DRAINS. Drain for three compartment sink is in disrepair. **Warning**
29-08-4
Basic - Standing water in bottom of reach-in-cooler. Standing water in reach-in cooler and reach-in freezer units.
29-49-6
Basic - Standing water in floor drain/floor drain draining very slowly. Drain under three compartment sink not able to accommodate flow from sink and overflowing water throughout kitchen area. Employee turned off sink and began to push water from floor into drain. There is a stick in the drain used to clear blockages. **Warning**
29-19-4
Basic - Utensils in poor condition. Food bins cracked and chipped on storage rack next to three compartment sink.
14-12-4
Basic - Wet mop not stored in a manner to allow the mop to dry. Wet mop in bucket and not hanging to dry.
42-01-4
17
Dec 9, 2022
Routine - Food
4 major violations. 10 minor violations.
View 14 violations
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Onion cutter soiled with food debris. Ice machine door soiled with black mold-like substance. **Repeat Violation**
22-02-4
Intermediate - No chemical test kit provided when using sanitizer at three-compartment sink/warewashing machine or wiping cloths. No chemical test kit.
16-37-1
Intermediate - No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. No paper towels at handwash sink across from ice machine. Manager filled empty dispenser with towels. **Corrected On-Site**
31B-02-4
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. No proof of training for three employees. Manager stated these employees had received training but could not locate cards. **Repeat Violation**
53B-13-5
Basic - Ceiling tile missing. Ceiling tile missing over dry-storage area.
36-36-4
Basic - Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance. Ceiling tiles and vents soiled throughout store.
36-34-5
Basic - Clean glasses, cups, bowls, plates, pots and pans not stored inverted or in a protected manner. Ice buckets hanging next to machine not inverted.
24-05-4
Basic - Floor area(s) covered with standing water. Standing water on floor near ice machine and corner of dry-storage area. **Repeat Violation**
36-22-4
Basic - Food stored on floor. Liquid egg containers and bag of onions on floor of walk-in cooler. Manager moved to shelves. **Corrected On-Site**
08B-38-4
Basic - Garbage can located outside has no lid or lid open/broken. No lids on dumpster.
33-15-4
Basic - Hood filter missing from automatic fire suppression/exhaust system. Hood filters missing above cooking equipment.
14-42-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Reach-in coolers throughout kitchen gaskets soiled. Ice machine door gaskets soiled. Plates above nozzles on soda dispenser soiled. Plates behind nozzles on slushy dispenser soiled. Hoods above cooking equipment soiled. **Repeat Violation**
23-03-4
Basic - Old labels stuck to food containers after cleaning. Old label on container of pickles in walk-in cooler. Old label on lemonade dispenser storage tank. **Repeat Violation**
16-46-4
Basic - Standing water in bottom of reach-in-cooler. Standing water in bottom of reach-in cooler at front line.
29-49-6
41
Aug 5, 2022
Routine - Food
5 critical violations. 2 major violations. 10 minor violations.
View 17 violations
High Priority - Employee used tobacco, ate, or drank then engaged in food preparation, handled clean equipment or utensils, or touched unwrapped single-service items without washing hands. Observed employee eat French fry and drink from cup, no glove change no Handwash.
12A-05-4
High Priority - Live, small flying insects in kitchen, food preparation area, food storage area and/or bar area. 3 flies on trash can next to ice cream machine. 1 fly flying on cooks line.
35A-02-6
High Priority - Nonfood-grade containers used for food storage - direct contact with food. Household plastic containers holding all breads.
14-15-4
High Priority - Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. Liquid egg on top of shelf above flat top at room temperature 80F. Employee stated that they have not used that item in awhile.
01B-02-5
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Liquid egg on top of shelf above flat top at room temperature 80F. Employee stated that they have not used that item in awhile. See stop sale. **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
03A-02-5
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Stained cutting board on cooks line. Interior reach in cooler next to trash can on cooks line. Walk in cooler racks soiled. Interior ice machine. **Repeat Violation**
22-02-4
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. All employees except 1 employee who is certified by Florida restaurant and lodging association.
53B-13-5
Basic - Stored food not covered. French toast stick and 2 containers of sausage. Employee covered.
08B-12-5
Basic - Employee eating in a food preparation or other restricted area. Observed employee eat French fry from warmer on cooks line.
12B-02-4
Basic - Equipment in poor repair. Cutting board on cooks line. Yellow spatulas handle has melted on flat top. **Repeat Violation**
14-11-5
Basic - Floor area(s) covered with standing water. Under trash can on cooks line.
36-22-4
Basic - Floor soiled/has accumulation of debris. Under floor mats on cooks line. Grease on floor mat under flat top. **Repeat Violation**
36-73-4
Basic - Light shield damaged/in disrepair. On cooks line.
38-01-4
Basic - Old labels stuck to food containers after cleaning. On clean dish racks with pieces of old labels. **Repeat Violation**
16-46-4
Basic - Sanitizing solution for wiping cloths not free of food debris and visible soil. On cooks line, employee changed new bucket. **Corrected On-Site**
21-11-4
Basic - Single-service articles improperly stored. Single service corn dog wrappers on floor in walk in cooler, employee picked up off of floor. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
25-05-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Hoods above cooking equipment soiled. Gaskets soiled to reach in cooler next to trash can on cooks line. Hot holder next to reach in cooler and flat top soiled. Fryer basket handles soiled. Fan guard in walk in cooler. Outside of ice cream dispenser. Cup holder over ice cream machine soiled. **Repeat Violation**
23-03-4
23
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Sonic Drive in last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Sonic Drive in on file is from Apr 13, 2026. The public record contains 10 inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Sonic Drive in?
Across the inspection record, “food-contact surface soiled with food debris” has been cited seven times, more than any other issue at Sonic Drive in.
How does Sonic Drive in compare to other restaurants in Lake City?
Sonic Drive in most recently scored 67 out of 100, which is lower than the Lake City average of 80.
Has Sonic Drive in's inspection record improved over time?
Yes. Recent inspections at Sonic Drive in have averaged around nine violations per visit, down from roughly 12 earlier in the record.
What does a medium risk rating mean?
A medium risk rating at Sonic Drive in 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 inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Sonic Drive in is inspected around three times per year on average.
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