Sonic Drive in
Last inspected: Apr 8, 2026
74
Score
Across the available record, Sonic Drive in has 17 inspections on file, the first dated 2022. On Apr 8, 2026, the health department conducted the most recent visit. The medium risk tier sits in the middle: not spotless, but not alarming either.
There hasn't been much movement either way: counts have stayed near four violations per visit across recent inspections.
Across the inspection history, “equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting” is the issue that surfaces most often, recorded four times.
The city-wide average is 75, putting Sonic Drive in squarely in typical territory. Taken together, the history looks like that of a busy facility working through the usual inspection cycle.
17
Inspections
0
Critical latest
0
Major latest
6
Minor latest
Inspection History
Apr 8, 2026
Routine - Food
6 minor violations.
View 6 violations
Basic - Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Employee jacket stored hanging on shelf over bottles of syrup. Operator relocated the jacket. **Corrected On-Site**
40-06-5
Basic - Employee with no beard guard/restraint while engaging in food preparation. Two employees on cook line actively working with food with no beard guard when needed. Operator instructed employees to place on beard guards. **Corrective Action Taken**
13-04-4
Basic - Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting. On shelf over three compartment sink, clean plastic containers stacked while wet. **Repeat Violation**
24-08-4
Basic - Floor area(s) covered with standing water. Standing water on floor in front of bulk ice bin.
36-22-4
Basic - Food stored on floor. Jug of fryer oil stored on the floor of the cook line.
08B-38-4
Basic - Wet mop not stored in a manner to allow the mop to dry. Wet mop heads stored on floor of mop sink.
42-01-4
74
Apr 30, 2025
Complaint Full
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting. On shelf over three compartment sink, clean metal containers stacked while wet. **Repeat Violation** **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2025-04-30: At time of follow up inspection, on shelf over three compartment sink, clean plastic containers stacked while wet. **Admin Complaint**
24-08-4
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Flip top reach in cooler on cook line have soiled door gaskets. Hood filters on cook line over flat top have grease build up. **Repeat Violation** **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2025-04-30: At time of follow up inspection, door gaskets of reach in cooler on cook line with mold like substance staining, per operator have been attempting to clean but has to order new gaskets. **Admin Complaint** **Corrective Action Taken**
23-03-4
90
Feb 27, 2025
Complaint Full
1 major violation. 6 minor violations.
View 7 violations
Adequate Handwashing Facilities Supplied and Accessible
FL-10
Required Records Available; Shellstock Tags/Labels
FL-14
Food Contact Surfaces Clean and Sanitized
FL-22
Non-Food Contact Surfaces Clean
FL-23
Warewashing Facilities Maintained and Used
FL-24
Toxic Substances Properly Identified, Stored, Used
FL-32
Lighting Adequate; Required Shields in Place
FL-36
67
Nov 25, 2024
Complaint Partial
No violations found.
100
Sep 9, 2024
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 2 major violations. 8 minor violations.
View 11 violations
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food identified in the written procedure as a food held using time as a public health control has no time marking. In the hot hold drawer over the reach in cooler, beef (129F - Hot Holding) per employee normally held on time as public health control using timer but timer button didn't work when initially pushed. Employee turned on and adjusted timer. **Corrected On-Site**
03F-02-5
Intermediate - Establishment has no written procedures for employees to follow in response to a vomiting or diarrheal event where the vomit or diarrhea is discharged onto surfaces in the establishment. No bodily fluid clean up kit or written procedures available. Inspector provided written procedures. **Corrective Action Taken**
11-27-4
Intermediate - No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. No paper towels at hand wash sink closest the three compartment sink.
31B-02-4
Basic - Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance. Ceiling vents through kitchen have mold like substance and build up of leaking condensation.
36-34-5
Basic - Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Employee apron over open single service container of deli paper. Operator relocated the apron. **Corrected On-Site**
40-06-5
Basic - Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting. On the shelf over the three compartment sink, clean containers stacked while wet. **Repeat Violation**
24-08-4
Basic - Light shield damaged/in disrepair. Multiple missing light shields. **Repeat Violation**
38-01-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Flip top reach in cooler on the cook line, door gasket has mold like substance spots. Hood filters over the fryer have grease build up.
23-03-4
Basic - Stored food not covered. In the standup reach in freezer, uncovered container of beef patties. Operator covered the container. **Corrected On-Site**
08B-12-5
Basic - Wiping cloth quaternary ammonium compound sanitizing solution not at proper minimum strength. Sanitizer solution at front counter at 0ppm. Operator provided new sanitizer bucket. **Corrected On-Site**
21-08-4
Basic - Open dumpster lid. Dumpster lid open.
33-16-4
47
Jul 17, 2024
Complaint Full
No violations found.
100
Jul 10, 2024
Complaint Full
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Food Contact Surfaces Clean and Sanitized
FL-22
95
Jul 9, 2024
Complaint Full
1 critical violation. 2 minor violations.
View 3 violations
High Priority - - From initial inspection : High Priority - Live, small flying insects in kitchen, food preparation area, food storage area and/or bar area. Observed 8 or more flies landing on trays at the front counter where trays are laid out for orders to be placed on with condiment packets on trays. Observed 1 fly land on pretzel in package at front counter, per operator pretzel for employee and discarded. Observed 5 flies on the soda syrup boxes and tubes. Observed 4 flies on the ceiling air vent over the pass through window. Observed 4 flies on the ice cream topping counter and side of the ice cream machine. Observed 3 flies in the wareashing area landing on sinks and clean utensils. Observed 6 or more flies in the back hallway by the mop sink and rear exterior door flying between mop sink and unbroken down boxes. Multiple flies landing on food contact surfaces, utensils and food handling employees during inspection. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2024-07-09: Observed approximately four flys inside restaurant. One near front expo area, one near bag n box area, and two near mop sink area. **Admin Complaint**
35A-02-6
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin. Bulk ice bin has mold like substance at the ice drop chute. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2024-07-09: Needs more time to clean. **Time Extended**
22-20-5
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Floor area(s) covered with standing water. Build up of standing water on the floor of the dry storage area by the soda syrup boxes and bulk ice bin and in back storage hallway by walk in cooler and freezer. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2024-07-09: Observed standing water still by back door due to roof leak. **Time Extended**
36-22-4
78
Jul 8, 2024
Complaint Full
1 critical violation. 7 minor violations.
View 8 violations
High Priority - Live, small flying insects in kitchen, food preparation area, food storage area and/or bar area. Observed 8 or more flies landing on trays at the front counter where trays are laid out for orders to be placed on with condiment packets on trays. Observed 1 fly land on pretzel in package at front counter, per operator pretzel for employee and discarded. Observed 5 flies on the soda syrup boxes and tubes. Observed 4 flies on the ceiling air vent over the pass through window. Observed 4 flies on the ice cream topping counter and side of the ice cream machine. Observed 3 flies in the wareashing area landing on sinks and clean utensils. Observed 6 or more flies in the back hallway by the mop sink and rear exterior door flying between mop sink and unbroken down boxes. Multiple flies landing on food contact surfaces, utensils and food handling employees during inspection. **Warning**
35A-02-6
Basic - Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin. Bulk ice bin has mold like substance at the ice drop chute. **Warning**
22-20-5
Basic - Clean glasses, cups, bowls, plates, pots and pans not stored inverted or in a protected manner. Ice bucket not in use not stored inverted in front of bulk ice bin.
24-05-4
Basic - Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting. Clean metal and plastic containers on shelf over here compartment sink stacked while wet. **Warning**
24-08-4
Basic - Floor area(s) covered with standing water. Build up of standing water on the floor of the dry storage area by the soda syrup boxes and bulk ice bin and in back storage hallway by walk in cooler and freezer. **Warning**
36-22-4
Basic - Ice buildup in reach-in freezer and/or walk-in freezer. Build up of ice on sides of the reach in freezer on the cook line for frozen burger patties. Build up of ice on walk in freezer condenser unit.
14-69-4
Basic - Light shield damaged/in disrepair. Cracked light shield in back hallway over where bread racks are stored.
38-01-4
Basic - Wiping cloth sanitizing solution stored on the floor. Sanitizer solution on the cook line stored on the floor.
21-38-4
61
Apr 25, 2024
Complaint Full
3 major violations. 9 minor violations.
View 12 violations
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Interior of the steamer unit on the cook line has build up of burned food debris. Employee cleaned and sanitized the steamer unit basket during inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
22-02-4
Intermediate - No sanitizer of any kind available for warewashing. Only use single-service items to serve food to customers until sanitizer is available for warewashing. At time of inspection no sanitizer available to set up the three compartment sink. Only sanitizer wipes available in store. Per operator waiting to receive quaternary solution from different location. Operator sent employee to store for container of bleach to be able to sanitize equipment if needed. Operator set up the three compartment sink to 100ppm chlorine. **Corrected On-Site**
22-38-5
Intermediate - No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. No paper towels at hand wash sink closest to the dish area. Operator provided paper towels. **Corrected On-Site**
31B-02-4
Basic - Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance. Ceiling vents and light fixtures with dust build up and peeling paint.
36-34-5
Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Employee drink stored on shelf with carry out bags over the pass through window area.
12B-07-4
Basic - Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Employee apron and jackets stored on sand which wrapper boxes. Operator had employee relocate the personal items. **Corrected On-Site**
40-06-5
Basic - Employee with no beard guard/restraint while engaging in food preparation. Two employees working with food on the main cook line with no beard guards.
13-04-4
Basic - Equipment in poor repair. Clean containers on the storage shelves with cracked edges. Melted spatula on tray over flat top grill.
14-11-5
Basic - No copy of latest inspection report available. No copy of the last inspection report available.
51-18-6
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Hood filters over the grills have build up of grease, operator has cleaning scheduled for the following week. Reach in freezer and walk in cooler door gaskets have mold like substance build up, gaskets to be replaced soon. **Corrective Action Taken**
23-03-4
Basic - Open dumpster lid. Dumpster lid left open.
33-16-4
Basic - Wet wiping cloth not stored in sanitizing solution between uses. Wet wiping cloth stored on prep table by the drink machine pass through area. Employee relocated the wet wiping cloth. **Corrected On-Site**
21-12-4
47
Oct 6, 2023
Routine - Food
No violations found.
100
Aug 7, 2023
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 5 minor violations.
View 6 violations
High Priority - Priority: High Priority-Observed: 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/ Establishment has undergone change of ownership, person in charge states in process of obtaining license. **Warning**
50-08-7
Basic - Priority: Basic- Observed: Bathroom fixtures designed with non-readily cleanable design. Men’s toilet with broken top.
32-10-4
Basic - Priority: Basic- Observed: Floor area(s) covered with standing water. Observed in front of ice machine.
36-22-4
Basic - Priority: Basic- Observed: Garbage enclosure area in disrepair. At dumpster, person in charge state has service scheduled to come assess. **Corrective Action Taken**
33-24-4
Basic - Priority: Basic- Observed: Old labels stuck to food containers after cleaning. Old label residue observed in clean dish area.
16-46-4
Basic - Priority: Basic-Observed: Food storage container/container lid cracked or broken. Observed several containers in clean dish area with cracked edges, missing pieces.
14-38-4
67
Jul 13, 2023
Complaint Full
3 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Garbage enclosure area in disrepair. Garbage enclosure not in good repair, panels missing, on ground. **Repeat Violation** **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2023-06-12: Observed garbage area still in disrepair. Missing panels. **Time Extended** - From follow-up inspection 2023-07-13: No change. **Admin Complaint**
33-24-4
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Fan in walk in cooler with debris buildup. Hood filters on left sided cookline with debris buildup. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2023-06-12: Observed hood filters above griddle heavily soiled with grease. **Time Extended** - From follow-up inspection 2023-07-13: No change. **Admin Complaint**
23-03-4
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Old food stuck to clean dishware/utensils. Observed old food and old labels on clean dishes in dish area. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2023-06-12: Observed Food containers on racks above triple sink with old labels partially stuck on. **Time Extended** - From follow-up inspection 2023-07-13: Several containers with old label residue observed. **Admin Complaint**
16-48-4
86
Jul 7, 2023
Complaint Full
No violations found.
100
Apr 12, 2023
Complaint Partial
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Grease buildup on hood filters. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2023-01-05: No change. **Time Extended** - From follow-up inspection 2023-03-09: Still observed heavy grease buildup on hood filter. **Time Extended** - From follow-up inspection 2023-04-12: Grease buildup observed on left sided hood filters. **Admin Complaint**
23-03-4
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Old labels stuck to food containers after cleaning. Observed old labels on clean dishware. **Repeat Violation** **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2023-01-05: No change. **Time Extended** - From follow-up inspection 2023-03-09: Still observed multiple dishes with old labels. **Time Extended** - From follow-up inspection 2023-04-12: Old labels still observed on some dishes in clean dish area. **Admin Complaint**
16-46-4
90
Jan 5, 2023
Complaint Full
1 major violation.
View 1 violation
Toilet Rooms Maintained
FL-53
90
Sep 28, 2022
Complaint Full
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 2 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Hands Clean and Properly Washed
FL-08
Potentially Hazardous Food Held at Proper Temperature
FL-16
Lighting Adequate; Required Shields in Place
FL-36
Toilet Rooms Maintained
FL-53
70
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Sonic Drive in last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Sonic Drive in on file is from Apr 8, 2026. The public record contains 17 inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Sonic Drive in?
Across the inspection record, “equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting” has been cited four times, more than any other issue at Sonic Drive in.
How does Sonic Drive in compare to other restaurants in Palatka?
Sonic Drive in most recently scored 74 out of 100, which is about the same as the Palatka average of 75.
Has Sonic Drive in's inspection record improved over time?
Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at Sonic Drive in 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 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 five times per year on average.
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